Ken Shamrock Says Everyone Except the UFC Wants Shamrock vs. Royce Gracie III

Add Ken Shamrock to the list of those who would like to see Royce Gracie fight at UFC 134 in Rio.The rub is that Shamrock feels he would be the ideal opponent to face off against the Brazilian MMA legend.“That fight, Royce Gracie (versus) Ken Sh…

Add Ken Shamrock to the list of those who would like to see Royce Gracie fight at UFC 134 in Rio.

The rub is that Shamrock feels he would be the ideal opponent to face off against the Brazilian MMA legend.

“That fight, Royce Gracie (versus) Ken Shamrock, should happen,” Shamrock recently told Fight Network. “The fans want it, I want it, Royce wants it, Brazil wants it.” 

Shamrock then went on, ripping the promotion that could make the fight happen, saying “the only problem with that is you have a bunch of people who have big egos who believe that the UFC created this whole thing when they absolutely did not. People like myself and Royce Gracie and (Mark) Coleman and many, many other people created this UFC phenomenon, so that they can sit there and control it which is what they’re doing today, trying to control it for themselves. So they’re not gonna let that fight happen.”

If the two UFC Hall of Famers were to meet, Shamrock thinks their presence on the UFC 134 fight card would result in big pay-per-view numbers for the promotion.

“There’s no doubt in my mind, and anyone else will tell you, that if this fight was to happen, this would be the biggest pay-per-view to date, but they will not let that happen,” Shamrock said. “(The UFC) would have to swallow their egos for that to happen, and these guys have too big of egos to let that happen.”

Shamrock’s vitriol most likely stems from the loss of a lawsuit he filed against the UFC’s parent company, Zuffa, LLC. In the suit, Shamrock alleged that the promotion had violated the terms of his contract when they released him with one fight remaining on that contract. The judge in the case found in favor of Zuffa, however, and Shamrock was subsequently ordered to pay Zuffa’s attorney fees and other costs, totaling $175,000.

Shamrock and Gracie have battled twice before, with Gracie winning their first fight at UFC 1 via rear-naked choke submission. The second time they met, in a “superfight” at UFC 5, the fight was declared a draw after 36 minutes of action.

UFC 134 will take place August 27 at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The fight card will be headlined by a middleweight title bout between champion Anderson Silva and the last man to gain a victory over him, Yushin Okami.

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UFC 133: Anderson Silva to Help Nogueira Prepare for His Bout vs. Franklin

It looks like Antonio Rogerio Nogueria will be receiving some assistance from training partner Anderson Silva, in preparation for a light heavyweight bout against Rich Franklin at UFC 133. Should Nogueira defeat the former UFC middleweight champio…

It looks like Antonio Rogerio Nogueria will be receiving some assistance from training partner Anderson Silva, in preparation for a light heavyweight bout against Rich Franklin at UFC 133. 

Should Nogueira defeat the former UFC middleweight champion, his boxing coach Luis Dorea feels a big opportunity lies ahead for him.

“He is among the best, so our dream, our target is one day to fight for the title. Rich Franklin is the way to reach the title. This fight is very well matched because he is a man who likes to fight, right? He fights, gives show and doesn’t get into the tied game. He trades, is aggressive on the mat, standing. The game fits well,” Dorea told FightersOnly Magazine.

Franklin has built a solid resume, since moving to light heavyweight, holding notable victories over Wanderlei Silva, Matt Hamill and Chuck Liddell. As a result, Franklin is looked at as a respected veteran in the sport. Nogueira could be another one of the more established names added to Franklin’s resume after UFC 133.

However, Noguiera will have an advantage over Franklin strategically, as he will bring in the last man to defeat Franklin at middleweight, Anderson Silva. Dorea said the addition will help Nogueira earn a victory over his opponent.

“This is something normal, they always train together. In this fight, as in all the others, we’re with everything set, helping each other, and certainly Anderson will pass on all the situations of how Nogueira has to behave… He’ll help so much,” Dorea said.

UFC 133 is set to place on August 6th, live from Philadelphia. 

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MMA Is Heating Up: 7 Fights To Look Forward To Over the Next Few Months

As promised here is part II of the fights I believe have the most importance attached to them and should prove to be highly exciting. In the first segment I went over the bouts starting at UFC 130 this month and going through UFC 132 which takes p…

As promised here is part II of the fights I believe have the most importance attached to them and should prove to be highly exciting. In the first segment I went over the bouts starting at UFC 130 this month and going through UFC 132 which takes place in early July.

Starting with UFC 133 I will go over the top 10 bouts that will take place in the late summer/early fall period. As with anything that is planned out so many months ahead, things happen and fighters get injured, but the UFC has always been pretty good about finding suitable replacements.

UFC 134 also known as UFC: Rio has a handful of bouts that will get the fans extremely excited and ready for the fall months. So even though it will be time to say goodbye to summer, it will also be time to look forward to even more great fights. I will take a look and see what Strikeforce has planned as well.

 

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UFC: No Local Octagon Girls Have Been Hired for Rio Event

Filed under: UFC, FanHouse ExclusiveMMA Web sites were buzzing earlier this week when word broke that Brazilian model Maria Melilo would serve as a guest Octagon Girl at UFC 134 in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. The news was first reported by Brazilian outlet…

Filed under: ,

MMA Web sites were buzzing earlier this week when word broke that Brazilian model Maria Melilo would serve as a guest Octagon Girl at UFC 134 in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. The news was first reported by Brazilian outlet Terra.com.

However, according to a UFC official, there is “no truth to this report.”

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Rashad Evans: Anderson Silva vs. Michael Bisping Is a “Competitive Fight”

Bleacher Report’s John Heinis:Fighters Only recently interviewed UFC light heavyweight Rashad Evans.The main topic of discussion was one of Evans former opponents, “The Count” Michael Bisping. Evans said that Bisping is not a guy who seems that ski…

Bleacher Report’s John Heinis:

Fighters Only recently interviewed UFC light heavyweight Rashad Evans.

The main topic of discussion was one of Evans former opponents, “The Count” Michael Bisping.

Evans said that Bisping is not a guy who seems that skilled, until you enter the cage against him. 

“That’s one thing I learned by fighting him. And his takedowns have gotten a lot better, I have been impressed by that—and by his transitions to those takedowns,” Evans complimented.

The former light heavyweight champion then had no problem elaborating on these comments. 

“See its one thing to be able to hit a takedown—anybody at this level in MMA, we all know how to take someone down. But its the little things that make your takedown effective and one of the things is your transition from your punches to your takedown.”

For those unfamiliar, Evans won a split decision over Bisping at UFC 78 in what was widely considered a boring fight. 

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UFC News: Jon Fitch Has "No Pain" Following Shoulder Surgery

Bleacher Report’s Mike Hodges:According to MMAConvert.com, UFC welterweight Jon Fitch had successful surgery after he suffered a shoulder injury during his bout against BJ Penn, at UFC 127. Fitch posted via Twitter earlier today following his surg…

Bleacher Report’s Mike Hodges:

According to MMAConvert.com, UFC welterweight Jon Fitch had successful surgery after he suffered a shoulder injury during his bout against BJ Penn, at UFC 127

Fitch posted via Twitter earlier today following his surgery and he seems to be in great spirits.

“Awake and feeling like a million bucks,” Fitch said. 

While the American Kickboxing Academy fighter has not confirmed a return to the Octagon, he is expected to be out of action for six months.

However the injury has not affected Fitch completely. MMAConvert.com also reports he attended a UFC 129 after party last weekend in Toronto, where he and AKA teammate Cain Velasquez ran into BJ Penn.

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