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Damn, Dana is a man on a mission. Given the UFC's recent moves, his words are to be taken seriously.
http://www.nbcsports.com/ufc/1122785/detail.html
Fighting words
White: "I'll have Fedor someday"
By Mike Chiappetta
NBCSports.com
Posted: Feb.26, 2007, 4:08 pm EST
The UFC freight train to success keeps on rolling ahead. The next stop on the ride is Columbus, Ohio, were the organization is expecting its largest audience ever, as almost 19,000 fans will pack the Nationwide Arena on Saturday, March 3 to see a card headlined by the return of "The Natural" Randy Couture, as he challenges UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia.
But the heavyweight division that has suddenly been inundated with the return of Couture, the arrival of Mirko Cro Cop and the acquisition of Fabricio Werdrum could someday soon boast the man who is considered by many to be the best in the world: Fedor Emelianenko.
When asked about the upstart Bodog Fight organization and Emelianenko on a recent conference call, White bristled at the new group. "I'm after all the best fighters in the world…," he said. "I'll have Fedor someday."
The Russian mixed martial artist reportedly signed a one-fight deal with Bodog, and is scheduled to take on Matt Lindland on April 14 in St. Petersburg, Russia. He reportedly extended his current deal with PRIDE in January, but the Japan-based organization has had financial difficulties after losing its TV deal last year.
White's comment on the PRIDE heavyweight champ was one among many that highlighted the explosive growth of the UFC, as he reiterated time and again that he is targeting all of the world's best fighters to join his group.
"I'm going to get them all," he said. "I'm getting everybody; they're all going to be with us."
Just days after PRIDE put on what was roundly praised as an excellent fight card in Las Vegas, White asserted UFC's supremacy in the US and around the world.
"What's happening now, is that with us going international now, and going after that talent, Tim [Sylvia] is finally in a position where a lot of those questions are going to be answered," White said. "A lot of people think that the mystique over in Japan, they're bigger, better, making more money. All of it's bull----. It's all a big myth and now we're in a place where we can prove it. Look at Nick Diaz… Diaz was cut by us because he lost so many times and he just beat Gomi who everyone thought was unstoppable and the best guy in that weight division. Not only did Nick Diaz beat him, but BJ Penn destroyed him."
He also shot back against PRIDE claims that UFC backed down in matching up its light-heayvweight champ Chuck Liddell with PRIDE's Wanderlei Silva, a longtime middleweight champ until losing last Saturday to Dan Henderson.
"I've been trying to make that Wanderlei Silva fight for Chuck for years," he said. "And that got these goofs running around saying I wouldn't make the fight and I'm the reason it won't happen. That's bull----. I've always been willing to prove we have the best fighters in the world. Now it's unfolding anyway. It's happening."
It appears that even though that's a fight White has talked about for years, it likely won't happen now with Silva having lost two straight fights.
"I'm pissed off he didn't lose to Chuck," White said. "They threw away the biggest fight in MMA history. Not only are they No. 2, they're not the brightest bulbs on the porch, either."
The two organizations have been locked in a war of words lately, with PRIDE declaring its global dominance at its most recent show, a declaration Randy Couture took exception to.
"I was at the event and they took several shots at the UFC," Couture said. "I think if you have to tell everybody that you have the best fighters in the world, then you probably don't."
Damn, Dana is a man on a mission. Given the UFC's recent moves, his words are to be taken seriously.
Ohhhh, but if you listen to "MMA Know It Alls" Dana should be very afraid of the best MMA org. in the universe!
This should've been obvious to anyone that watches "every MMA PPV" .....
Like I've been telling ' s since last yr.....the UFC baby.....the UFC.
Seeing Fedor in the UFC would be unreal...even crazier than Crocop. We need to see CC - Fedor 2, so I hope it happens in some shape or form.
and I'd like to see the "tiny little " (Tim Sylvia's words) destroy Timmy...
Man, would be nice to see a paper chump from the east come and take it from one of those "redneck" Americans....AGAIN!
1 Major Paper Chump from the land of the sinking sun down and another OVERRATED slugger KTFO!
LOL...Diaz won his last 2 UFC fights...neither by decision...
Cesar Gracie posted on Sherdog...basically saying that Dana is full of $hit for saying that...
http://www.sherdog.net/forums/showthread.php?t=520952
"Dana Statement is Dead Wrong. In fact the Zuffa organization was trying to re-sign Nick all the way to the point where he finally signed with Pride. As his contract was nearing an end, the UFC refused to give Nick a high profile fight because quote, "we know that on any given day Nick can beat anyone so why should we build him up for another organization?" To say that Nick was dropped is erroneous and somewhat ridiculous in light of just how far they were upping the ante to re-sign him. The UFC is a great organization and I have enjoyed working with them, however Dana's comments that insinuate Nick Diaz is some sort of UFC reject that can only be champ in Pride are disrespectful and blatantly false. Pride's offer was just more attractive."
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That's awesome...
Dana has been great for the sport's growth, but he a lot of what he says is BS...
Diaz beats Gomi and suddenly it's all clear to Dana that the UFC has superior fighters? Couldn't you say the same for Anderson Silva destroying Rich Franklin?? (even worse than Diaz beat Gomi...at least Gomi dominated before gas'ing and broke Nick's face in the loss) Silva washed out in Pride and then came to the UFC...
and he knows Tim Sylvia isn't the best HW...he was pissed about his last 2 HW le fights so he brought in Crocop to wax his ass. Fedor would do the same, then wax Crocop again...
I can't wait for Gomi - Diaz 2...Gomi will smash Nick...
Last edited by LEONARD; 02-28-2007 at 12:15 PM.
He is going to over extend while the money is good, then have too many bills to pay when the money isn't good; much like MLS.
Fedor needs to keep ducking the UFC like the "elite pride fans" duck UFC fans. Err, real UFC fans that is.
The land of the sinking sun.
You won't make any factual statements trying to draw a parallel between MMA and MLS.
You dont know what you are talking about
Dana has done an excellent job at turning the UFC into a lucrative business. I'm not too worried about him over extending the dough. He's taken crap for years for not paying fighters enough money but he has been very patient about offering huge contracts. I'm sure the UFC can afford what they're paying at this point.
Well, you have to take what Gracie says with a grain of salt, too. It's not like Diaz has been a force in the already stacked welterweight division. Yeah, he beat Tibau and Neer, but those guys aren't exactly the elite of the their division. When faced with higher ranked fighters, look at what Diaz has done. He lost to Riggs, Sherk, Sanchez, and Parisyan.
There may be truth that they offered Nick a contract, but it probably wasn't a big one, so it probably wasn't difficult for Pride to beat an offer from the UFC (if they made one).
Why would UFC s out the big bucks for Diaz when they already have GSP, Hughes, Sanchez, Parisyan, Fitch, etc. in the WW division?
Time shall tell.
True...who knows is Gracie is telling the whole truth. I just expect that a guy with less than 20 posts in 6 yrs is going to take the time to logon and post some BS...
and if the UFC offered Diaz anything then Dana looks like a chump.
Diaz has lost some close decisions. Sherk, Sanchez, and Parisyan are no joke. Neer is a solid win...he dominated Joe Stevenson. Diaz has a lot of fans and he sells a fight...the UFC would've been smart to keep him. He's definitely over-rated right now after beating Gomi though...
Fedor vs. CC
1 Minute Left. Think CC had had enough??
and of course, his win over a grizzly bear...which is not on his record for some reason...
only steps can stop Fedor...
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