Some great news in combat sports!

[WARMachine]

A few good things in the world of combat sports today.

Firstly, Mirko CroCop has confirmed the rumors, and will indeed be fighting on the UFC 99 card.

New: Mirko CROCOP Video Interview

February 18, 2009 by admin

Mirko Crocop has spoken with Croatian news site Nova, and answered a few questions.

Updated Translation from the great guys at Betwwx.com and MMAconvert.com

Interviewer: How is your knee?Cro Cop: Well every thing is all right. They didn’t amputate my leg so I guess the operation was a success. (Joking) I’m satisfied with the recovery. Its getting better every day. I’m doing some light work.

Interviewer: You’re doing some weight work/upper body work at the moment? Cro Cop: That’s right. I’m mostly working from my back. I cant use my legs. I plan to start boxing in April.

I was better prepared than your average knee reconstruction patient. I was putting of the operation for quite some time and in the mean time was doing the required exercise for recovery. So my comeback will be ahead of schedule. Six days after my operation I was already doing some exercises. I plan to be using both my hands and legs in sparing and ground work in May.

Interviewer: Where will you make your comeback?There is a great possibility that I will be fighting for the UFC in Cologne, Germany. I don’t know my opponent yet. But I’m very confident that we’ll come to an agreement with the UFC and that I’ll fight for them in June. There are other offers on the table also.

Interviewer: Do you have any idea as to who you’ll face?I’ve heard that I could be facing Randy Couture. That would a great. Then again its not up to me or him but management so we’ll have to wait and see. But I’m sure he’d also be interested in that fight.

Update:

Sources are confirming that Randy Couture is not interested in fighting Mirko Crocop on the UFC 99 card. Mirko Crocop mentioned in a Video interview that he would like to fight Randy Couture, and would be more than Happy to fight Couture. However, Randy confirmed to FightersOnlyMag that he is not interested in this match-up.

SOURCE:New: Mirko CROCOP Video Interview : DreamFighters.com


Nextly, as some may or may not know. Alistair Overeem is a fvckin BEAST!

He recently KO'd Badr Hari on New Year's eve, (Hari is well known for being the 'bad boy' of K-1, as well as being one of the best strikers in the world.) If you didnt see the fight, check out the link!

Anyway, Alistair is looking to continue to kick the shit outta K-1 Champions by challenging Remy Bonjasky.



http://www.mixfight.nl/portal/

The text above the video basically says that it has just been announced that Alistair Overeem has been offered another K-1 fight. The opponent could be reigning K-1 champion Remy Bonjasky. Alistair and his management have accepted the fight, and they are waiting for Bonjasky to agree.

Then it just talks about how Alistair KO'd Badr.

Anyway, just wanted to update you fellas!

Thoughts?

[Deltasaurus]

This is awesome. Have u heard Fedor is talking to White in June for a possible late 2009 FEDOR vs Lesnar???

[ampx]

i really like crocop. his legs are tree trunks, when he kicks they feel it

[*RAGE*]

outstanding....

[QuieTSToRM33]

Welcome back.

The rumor is CroCop vs. Randy.

[WARMachine]

Welcome back.

The rumor is CroCop vs. Randy.

Thanks bro!

And Randy is unlikely to take this fight. Nothing to gain from winning. Randy is waiting for Fedor.

[WARMachine]

i forgot to include these...


The Ultimate Fighting Championship is set to make its German debut on June 13 at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne. While several fights have been rumored for the event over the past couple of months, most have not come to fruition.

MMAWeekly.com on Wednesday, however, was able to confirm through multiple independent sources that former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin and former Pride 205-pound champion Wanderlei Silva have agreed to fight each other at UFC 99.

Franklin has fought his last two bouts at light heavyweight, returning to the division after running into a brick wall named Anderson Silva at middleweight. Even though Wanderlei Silva's fights in the UFC have all been at 205-pounds to this point, he has made public his intention of wanting to move down to the 185-pound division.

"I talk with (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva and... say no problem, I'm down for 185? He say, no problem," Silva said in a recent interview with MMAWeekly.com, but adding, "I could fight in both divisions; I could fight 185 and 205."

It appears that he may not fight at either weight come June 13. Though it is too soon for bout agreements, sources have indicated that Franklin and Silva have agreed to face each other at a catch weight somewhere in the neighborhood of 195 pounds.

With both fighters coming off of losses – Franklin to Dan Henderson and Silva to Quinton Jackson, each in the 205-pound division – a catch weight fight doesn't really damage either's hopes for a title shot, as each would likely have to win a couple of fights before being considered a contender again.

A catch weight fight is a logical step for Silva to make his transition to the middleweight division a little easier. Walking around at about 208 pounds, he's never really had to deal much with weight cutting in the past, but will obviously have to in order to compete at middleweight.

The UFC has not officially confirmed any bouts yet for Germany, and it is not yet known whether Franklin and Silva will headline the UFC 99 fight card. Considering each fighter's stature in the MMA world, their bout would likely be at least a co-main event.

The only other independently confirmed bout for UFC 99 at this point is a lightweight contest between Spencer Fisher and Caol Uno.

RUMORED UFC 99 FIGHT CARD

WANDERLEI SILVA VIDEO INTERVIEW ON THE MOVE TO 185

WANDERLEI SILVA'S PERSONAL VIDEO TOUR OF HIS NEW GYM


I think this is BIG NEWS as well?


I dont know how many of you know him, but Caol Uno is a warrior!

Ive always enjoyed watching him fight, and am happy for his return to the UFC.

[Brown Ninja]

I think Randy will be retired permanantly if he takes that one.

[Brown Ninja]

I think that the fight with Franklin will be amazing. Unfortunately I see Rich fighting smart and winning. I thought he looked really good against Dan. Maybe Wand can get inside adn put him to sleep

[rush_604]

Randy says he is making a movie and may not be able to get a full camp in by June. He says if he can he will take the fight.

Franklin vs Wandy should be awesome. I dont understand the 195 catch weight though. They both can make 205 and 185.

Also there are rumors for UFC 100

GSP vs Alves (basically confirmed)
Rashad vs Rampage/Lyoto
Hendo vs Bisping

That card looks like it will be stacked.

[Brown Ninja]

Don't forget Penn vs. Florian

[rush_604]

Ive heard thats either gonna be co main event for 99 or its gonna be on 100.

Im gonna start savin right now and try and make the trip back to vegas for 100

[Knockout_Power]

I too would love to see that Franklin/Silva fight. No hugging in that one, someones going to bed and probably within the first 5 minutes

[Brown Ninja]

I am hoping that Rich doesn't quite hit hard enough to keep Wandy from coming forward and ending it in the clinch. Should be a great fight

[F4iGuy]

This is awesome. I can't wait to watch Mirko kick people.

[Brown Ninja]

or get the shit kicked out of him some more. I hate to say it but I think it's done. His head just does not seem in it. After that Hunt fight he was never the same

[Brown Ninja]

what did you guys think about the new previews for Tuff? I hope Hendo puts the stamp on Bisping. I love the fact that they are going UK vs USA. Simple bastards