A few weeks back Fight Burger speculated that mixed martial arts superstar Wanderlei Silva would be returning to the octagon after facial surgery in February 2010 to coincide with the UFC’s first trip down under to Australia.

We were the first to put forwarder the rumour that a potential matchup between Wanderlei Silva and Yoshihiro Akiyama could be happening as the main event of the UFC Australia card which is still unofficially slated at this point for February.

Now it seems that Wanderlei Silva vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama will be going ahead as Akiyama has spoken with MMA journalist Tony Loiseieur and confirmed he will be the next opponent for The Axe Murder.
Akiyama stopped short of saying if the bout will take place at UFC 110 which is unofficially set for Las Vegas in early February or at UFC 111 which is also unofficially intended for late February at the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia.

Other names that have been rumoured for the UFC Australia card are Frank Trigg, Matter Serra and local fighters such as UFC veteran Elvis Sinosic, UFC Light Heavyweight prospect Jamie Tahuna and Bellator Middleweight Champion and Cuban turned Aussie Hector Lombard.

Stick to fightburger.com for developments.

A fight between two fighters that are not known for anything else beside their striking are rumoured to be in the works for UFC 107. The UFC’s latest The Ultimate Fighter reality television show acquisition Kimbo Slice (4-1) may face the heavy handed Houston Alexander (9-4).

Alexander who was riding a three fight losing streak before being sent out into the UFC wilderness to find some form managed a first round TKO over Sherman Pendergarst at Adrenaline IV in September. Kimbo’s progress in The Ultimate Fight is unknown as the season is still playing out as the season hasn’t reached the end. Roy Nelson eliminated Kimbo Slice in their match but many believe Kimbo will get a second shot at making the finals.

According to Five Ounces of Pain the fight has not been signed but at least one fight has been officially approached by the UFC in regards to the match up.

Stay tuned to fightburger.com for developments.

The rumoured matchup between Antônio “Minotauro” Nogueira vs. Gabriel Gonzaga has been dismissed as rumours being to grow that the apprentice of Nogueira will be fighting Gonzaga instead.

The trail blazing heavy weight Junior Dos Santos fresh off his dismantlement of Mirko Cro Cop could be trading blows with Gonzaga as soon as UFC 108 in January 2, 2010. The bout has not been confirmed by the UFC but the matchup is said to be likely for the green light as an unnamed source close to one of the fighters has leaked this information to fighters.com.

Check back with as at Fightburger.com for developments.

UFC 104 Machida vs Shogun: Ben Rothwell interveiw video.

During a recent interview with mmafanhouse.com Matt Serra has revealed that he will be returning to action at UFC 110 in February of 2010. A greater revelation may have been revealed when Serra would not confirm or deny a match up with Frank Trigg.


Both Welter weights are coming off loses and this fight could very well be a loser leaves town type fight.
Serra said he has verbally agreed to compete on the card which hasn’t been announced yet which he has said will take place in Las Vegas on February 6th, 2010.


Fight Burger would consider a Matt Serra fight would be well received for a UFC Australia card which is still rumoured for February 2010. Serra striked up a friendship with Australian George Sotiropoulos on the set of The Ultimate Fighter: Team Hughes vs. Team Serra. Frank Trigg also indicated that he would be interested in fighting in the land down under.

Reading between the lines, we may have something here.

Mirko Cro Cop has given a revealing interview with Nokaut.com which has been translated by Fighters Only.

Cro Cop discusses his state of mind after a soul crashing loss to Junior Dos Santos at UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort and how he would like to complete his UFC contract.

“I was very, very disturbed after the loss to Dos Santos. I was in such a state that I wished to hang myself in my hotel room so I would be gone. Three losses in my last seven fights is nothing but a disaster to me. That’s a terrible score and I’m not happy about it”

“I already know some things that I did wrong both in the fight and in the preparation for the fight, but there are many questions that remain to be answered. I am seriously thinking about hiring a psychiatrist to help me out. I have already made some calls about it.”

“If someone offered me millions of dollars to quit my career right now I would not accept it. [Fighting] is my life and I don’t know any other way to live… I will make some changes in my training, because I wish to fight twice more in the UFC. I am a fighter, and I will find the motivation and strength I need”

Let’s hope Cro Cop regains his focus and finish his career with some victories.

Forrest Griffin has been named as Mark “The Hammer” Coleman’s replacement against Tito Ortiz at UFC 106: Lesnar vs. Carwin which takes place at the Mandalay Bay Events Centre, Las Vegas on then 21st of November 2009.

Coleman who recently defeated The Ultimate Fighter television show pioneer Stephan Bonnar had to pull out of his upcoming fight against Tito Ortiz because of a knee injury. Tito who broke the new via his Twitter account on the 5th October is returning to the Ultimate Fight Championship (UFC) after an almost one year hiatus.



The always entertaining Forrest Griffin is currently riding a two fight losing streak which started after losing his UFC Light Heavy Weight Championship title to Rashad Evans. This could be a golden opportunity for Griffin to bounce back onto the winners board and revenge his split decision lose against the currently rusty Tito Ortiz from UFC 59: Reality Check.

Current UFC 106: Lesnar vs. Carwin Card
MAIN CARD
Champ Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin (for UFC heavyweight title)
Forrest Griffin vs. Tito Ortiz
Luiz Cane vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Ricardo Almeida vs. Jon Fitch
Dustin Hazelett vs. Karo Parisyan
PRELIMINARY CARD (un-aired)
Phil Baroni vs. Amir Sadollah
Marcus Davis vs. Ben Saunders
Kendall Grove vs. Jake Rosholt
Jason Dent vs. George Sotiropoulos

The godfather of ground and pound Mark “The Hammer” Coleman has been reported have pulled out of his upcoming clash with Tito “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Ortiz. Ortiz made the unconfirmed announcement via his Twitter page today, this is what he said: Coleman,coleman,coleman to bad he sissies out!!! Who’s next??? I’m kicking someone’s ass on Nov 21st!

Tito is known for, well, being Tito Ortiz who likes to talk himself up and stretch the truth a lot. The fact is that if Coleman is out the chances that he sissied out are slim if you consider that he has faced such notable fighters like Fedor Emelianenko, Cro Cop and Shogun Rua, Ortiz simply pales in comparison. Also consider that Coleman would be missing out on a big payday if he misses this fight, so the ageing fighter could be legitimately injured.

Suggestions have already started coming in for Tito’s replacement oppent for UFC 106 in November. A re-match with Rashad Evans seems to be a forum favourite at the moment.

(UPDATE)
Coleman’s withdrawal from UFC 106 is believed to be caused by a tear to his medial collateral ligaments. There has been no official announcement from the UFC if this fight will be postponed until a later date or if a replacement for Coleman will be found in time for Ortiz in time for UFC 106.


Stay tuned as this story develops.

Dan Henderson’s official website indicates that a bout against Nate Marquardt could still be happening at UFC 105: Vera vs. Couture in Manchester, England on November 14 2009.

Fightburger.com is of the opinion that this bout will not happen in November at UFC 105: Vera vs. Couture simply because there isn’t enough time to prepare the fighters and advertising hype. Henderson vs. Marquardt could easily headline an event, the fact UFC 105: Vera vs. Couture is free on Spike TV means that the UFC doesn’t have to add this fight to the card in order to sell more pay per views.

Although it’s a shame that this contender-ship fight won’t happen so soon, I think it’s safe to say that Henderson’s tongue in cheek approach is a good sign that contract negations with the UFC are going to be resolved sometime soon.

The UFC has announced that it will be terminating the services of Hermes Franca, Chris Wilson, Marcus Aurelio, and Justin McCully.

All fighters are coming off loses, the most surprising and disappointing cut with that of Hermes Franca who lose to none other than top five UFC light weight Tyson Griffin. Franca who came in over weight for his fight against Griffin was rumoured and appeared to be injured.

No doubt all fighters that have been just cut will find homes in other promotions.