| I recently read that the Ultimate | | | | heavyweight division who is going to |
| Fighting Championship has purchases the | | | | benefit most from the WFA fighters. Who |
| World Fighting Alliance. I think the | | | | wouldn't want to see Bas Rutten return |
| (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is | | | | and climb the UFC heavyweight ladder. |
| about to get a most welcomed shot in the | | | | Bas has always been a favourite of mine |
| arm, courtesy of the recent purchase. | | | | and if you've ever been to a live UFC |
| Let's hope that the UFC decides to keep | | | | show (which Bas has attended), you know |
| some of the top tier fighters in the WFA | | | | that his fan base is still strong. I |
| stable. | | | | found this out at UFC 47 where Bas |
| The World Fighting Alliance is a | | | | walked up and down each aisle in the |
| relatively new operation which has | | | | Mandalay Bay Event Centre to the delight |
| gained some noteriety by signing some | | | | of the hard core fans present. I'd |
| big name fighters. These fighters | | | | personally like to see Bas Rutten come |
| include Ricco Rodriguez, Quintin Jackson | | | | back and knock Tim Silvia out. Not that |
| and Bas Rutten. What's worth noting | | | | there is anything wrong with Silvia, I |
| about these fighters is that they've all | | | | just think his style makes for boring |
| had past success in the UFC or against | | | | fights. I think that Bas superior |
| UFC fighters.. | | | | standup and experience would have Tim |
| Ricco Rodriguez is a former UFC | | | | Silvia wondering if he really is the |
| heavyweight champion. Quintin Rampage | | | | heavyweight champion. |
| Jackson fought and defeated Chuck | | | | Or barring that, how about a rematch |
| Liddell in the Pride organization and | | | | between Tim (The Mainiac) Silvia and |
| not by submission as you might imagine. | | | | Ricco (Suave) Rodriguez. The first time |
| Rampage knocked Chuck (considered by | | | | around Silvia knocked out Rodriguez |
| many to be the best light heavyweight | | | | basically with one punch. I'd |
| fighter in the world) out. Bas Rutten | | | | personally like to see Ricco put a |
| was an awesome fighter in his day and | | | | better game plan into motion and take |
| has recently had a comeback fight in | | | | Silvia out. Ricco has excellent |
| which he looked extremely sharp. | | | | submission skills and good ground and |
| The welterweight division of the UFC is | | | | pound. He's also a large heavyweight |
| in pretty good shape, by that I mean | | | | (like Silvia). I really think Ricco got |
| it's deep with talent. There is a great | | | | caught with a lucky punch the first time |
| champion in George St Pierre, probably | | | | in, I'd like to see them do it again. |
| the best welterweight in the world and a | | | | Ricco holds victories over former and |
| long list of good contenders, starting | | | | current UFC contenders including Jeff |
| with former welterweight champion, Matt | | | | Monson, Paul Buentello and former |
| Hughes all the way down to contenders | | | | heavyweight champions Andrei Arlovski |
| Diego Sanchez, Matt Serra, Josh Koscheck | | | | and Randy Couture, |
| and several others. | | | | Yep, Bas Rutten, Ricco Rodriguez and |
| The light heavyweight division also | | | | Quintin Rampage Jackson will all by |
| isn't in bad shape with superstars, | | | | welcomed additions to the UFC. I hope |
| Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz who fight | | | | that this is exactly what the UFC higher |
| on December 30, 2006 as well as Forrest | | | | ups were thinking when they purchased |
| Griffin, Keith Jardine and Rashad Evans | | | | the World Fighting Alliance. I |
| rounding out the top of the division. | | | | certainly hope this wasn't just meant to |
| However, the WFA's Quintin Rampage | | | | keep their almost monopoly position in |
| Jackson would certainly be a welcome | | | | high profile Mixed Martial Arts in North |
| addition to the mix. A Rampage Jackson, | | | | America. |
| Chuck Liddell rematch sometime in 2007 | | | | I really hope that the UFC (do you hear |
| would likely be a huge draw due to the | | | | me Dana White?) can put some of these |
| fact that Rampage TKO'd Chuck in their | | | | cards together for 2007. I doubt that |
| first meeting in the Japanese Pride | | | | I'm the only fan wanting to see this! |
| organization. Even if a Rampage, | | | | Bring some of these fights to the fans |
| Liddell rematch isn't in the cards, | | | | and re-assemble the UFC heavyweight |
| Rampage's style would make an excellent | | | | division. There are exciting |
| matchup with Tito Ortiz or Forrest | | | | heavyweight fights out there and now, |
| Griffin. | | | | they're within reach! |
| It's the Ultimate Fighting Championship | | | | |