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