-
We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.
Randy Couture drops title and leaves UFC
Page 3 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
waggy
No Lifer
http://msn.foxsports.com/boxing/story/7349878
CINCINNATI - Randy Couture's resignation from the Ultimate Fighting Championship isn't being accepted.
UFC president Dana White said Thursday that Couture remains the promotion's heavyweight champion despite his announced plans to quit. White also reiterated he won't release Couture from the final two fights on his UFC contract, which could lead to a legal battle.
"He definitely belongs to me," White said during a news conference promoting Saturday night's UFC 77 pay-per-view show in Cincinnati.
Couture sent White a letter of resignation last week. Couture was disappointed UFC couldn't book a match pitting him against prized heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, who is signing with another promotion. Couture's salary also has become an issue.
White signed several major stars from the now-defunct PRIDE promotion earlier this year and is believed to have made Emelianenko a lucrative offer. White insisted Thursday that Couture is UFC's second-highest paid fighter behind Chuck Liddell. White, though, admits Couture is skeptical of that claim.
"There's no way I was going to let anybody come in from another organization and make more money or have better deals than my guys who have been with me for a long time and helped me build this business," White said.
White said Couture, who is filming a movie in South Africa, hasn't returned two messages. White blamed the lack of communication on Couture's "Hollywood" representation.
"That's what these maggots do. They're parasites," White said. "They cling onto a guy they think they can make money off of."
Couture's agent, Matt Walker of the Gersh Agency, declined comment.
If Couture is ultimately stripped of his UFC title, White hinted he will crown a new champion by pitting Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira against the winner of Saturday night's Sylvia vs. Brandon Vera bout.
"If the opportunity came, I would want to fight Randy for the title," said Sylvia, who lost the title to Couture in March. "He's done a lot for the sport and I respect him a lot, but what he's doing is up to him. It's not going to affect my fight with Brandon. I have to get by him before I can even think about the title."
The most storied fighter in UFC history, Couture emerged from a year-long retirement in early 2007. Even at age 44, Couture defeated Sylvia and defended his title against Gabriel Gonzaga in August.
advertisement
STORY TOOLS:
print
send
blog
RSS LIKE THIS STORY?
With his mixed martial arts career winding down, "The Natural" has branched into acting and other business ventures. While caught off-guard by Couture's negativity toward UFC management, White said he wasn't surprised by Couture's decision to retire again.
"I talked to him a few weeks before (this) and he was feeling like he had nothing else to prove unless he fought Fedor," White said.
The reigning PRIDE champion since 2003, Emelianenko (27-1) hasn't lost in 20 fights while scoring victories over almost all of MMA's top heavyweights. White, though, doesn't have a high opinion of Emelianenko's skills.
"To be honest, I think Randy would smash Fedor," White said. "He'll beat him easily ... Fedor is over-hyped, overrated. The guy hasn't fought anybody in the last year and a half, two years
ohh white is just upset that he lost Fedor and now Randy is trying to leave.
personally i think this is a BAD PR move for him. Randy is huge in MMA everyone loves him.
to treat him like he is is just going to hurt them.
CINCINNATI - Randy Couture's resignation from the Ultimate Fighting Championship isn't being accepted.
UFC president Dana White said Thursday that Couture remains the promotion's heavyweight champion despite his announced plans to quit. White also reiterated he won't release Couture from the final two fights on his UFC contract, which could lead to a legal battle.
"He definitely belongs to me," White said during a news conference promoting Saturday night's UFC 77 pay-per-view show in Cincinnati.
Couture sent White a letter of resignation last week. Couture was disappointed UFC couldn't book a match pitting him against prized heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko, who is signing with another promotion. Couture's salary also has become an issue.
White signed several major stars from the now-defunct PRIDE promotion earlier this year and is believed to have made Emelianenko a lucrative offer. White insisted Thursday that Couture is UFC's second-highest paid fighter behind Chuck Liddell. White, though, admits Couture is skeptical of that claim.
"There's no way I was going to let anybody come in from another organization and make more money or have better deals than my guys who have been with me for a long time and helped me build this business," White said.
White said Couture, who is filming a movie in South Africa, hasn't returned two messages. White blamed the lack of communication on Couture's "Hollywood" representation.
"That's what these maggots do. They're parasites," White said. "They cling onto a guy they think they can make money off of."
Couture's agent, Matt Walker of the Gersh Agency, declined comment.
If Couture is ultimately stripped of his UFC title, White hinted he will crown a new champion by pitting Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira against the winner of Saturday night's Sylvia vs. Brandon Vera bout.
"If the opportunity came, I would want to fight Randy for the title," said Sylvia, who lost the title to Couture in March. "He's done a lot for the sport and I respect him a lot, but what he's doing is up to him. It's not going to affect my fight with Brandon. I have to get by him before I can even think about the title."
The most storied fighter in UFC history, Couture emerged from a year-long retirement in early 2007. Even at age 44, Couture defeated Sylvia and defended his title against Gabriel Gonzaga in August.
advertisement
STORY TOOLS:
send
blog
RSS LIKE THIS STORY?
With his mixed martial arts career winding down, "The Natural" has branched into acting and other business ventures. While caught off-guard by Couture's negativity toward UFC management, White said he wasn't surprised by Couture's decision to retire again.
"I talked to him a few weeks before (this) and he was feeling like he had nothing else to prove unless he fought Fedor," White said.
The reigning PRIDE champion since 2003, Emelianenko (27-1) hasn't lost in 20 fights while scoring victories over almost all of MMA's top heavyweights. White, though, doesn't have a high opinion of Emelianenko's skills.
"To be honest, I think Randy would smash Fedor," White said. "He'll beat him easily ... Fedor is over-hyped, overrated. The guy hasn't fought anybody in the last year and a half, two years
ohh white is just upset that he lost Fedor and now Randy is trying to leave.
personally i think this is a BAD PR move for him. Randy is huge in MMA everyone loves him.
to treat him like he is is just going to hurt them.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
Who cares? Wrestling is fake and it sucks.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
Sure I do, it's about fake wrestling...and how much it sucks.
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
Oops, you're right. I saw UFC and thought WWF for some reason. 😱 I don't really follow either but I do know that UFC is not fake wrestling...which does suck. :laugh:
JackBurton
Lifer
That's is the dumbest sh!t I've heard. What was the question? If he can beat up an old wrestler? The answer is yes. You need anything else answered? Yes, I'm sure he was scared of Randy. :roll:
DieHardware
Golden Member
Fixed. I miss Pride. 🙁
JackBurton
Lifer
I'm not biased at all. I give credit where credit is due. I like Randy, but he is just boring to watch. He deserves where he is right now. HOWEVER, Fedor is in a whole different league. Fedor has fought all THE BEST fighters and has won. Randy has fought all the best UFC fighters (which I don't hold in very high regards). Big difference. But he IS the UFC champion, and he deserves to be. If Fedor DID fight him, I'd say he should be able to run over Randy pretty easily.
JackBurton
Lifer
Well I'm glad you agree. After all, they hold the middle and light heavyweight belts. And if Fedor joined, they'd have the heavyweight belt too.
And speaking of fvcking dominating, I hope you watched Silva vs Franklin II (UFC 77) to see a good example of that. LOL, that loser got owned. Freakin' hilarious!
Did someone say the UFC MW division is "stacked"? 😕 Silva can likely dominate any MW in the world regardless, but the UFC MW division is definitely far from stacked.
The UFC HW division, especially after Couture left, is in a rather sad state of affairs at the moment. Since White doesn't appear to want to sign someone like Josh Barnett, I only hope Barnett and other free agent heavyweights will find their way to M-1 to fight Fedor.
I was so optimistic that we would be able to see all of these dream matchups after PRIDE was bought out, but... 🙁
The UFC HW division, especially after Couture left, is in a rather sad state of affairs at the moment. Since White doesn't appear to want to sign someone like Josh Barnett, I only hope Barnett and other free agent heavyweights will find their way to M-1 to fight Fedor.
I was so optimistic that we would be able to see all of these dream matchups after PRIDE was bought out, but... 🙁
TRENDING THREADS
-
Discussion Zen 5 Speculation (EPYC Turin and Strix Point/Granite Ridge - Ryzen 9000)- Started by DisEnchantment
- Replies: 25K
-
Discussion Intel Meteor, Arrow, Lunar & Panther Lakes + WCL Discussion Threads
- Started by Tigerick
- Replies: 25K
-
-
-
