UFC Fight Buzz: Chuck v Ace?

Eurosport - Mon, 22 Sep 14:24:00 2008

Check out our new feature, Fight Buzz, where you can keep up to date with all the latest fight rumours from the frankly dizzying world of the UFC...

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS; Rich Franklin, UFC - 0

There is a veritable ocean of rumours out there in internet-land; it would be easy to flap, flutter and flounder amid all the gossip and reports about who is fighting who, where and when.

Which is where Eurosport-Yahoo! comes to your rescue, with our weekly Fight Buzz round-up. Think of it as a big red-and-white lifeboat full of chit-chat and tittle-tattle.

Our dedicated team of MMA freaks will scour the internet for all the latest fight rumours, presenting our findings here in a disorderly and occasionally impertinent fashion. We'll also tap-up our high-level sources at the UFC for confirmation and / or denials when appropriate.

And don't forget, you can have your say on the messageboards below. Why not start your own rumour; see how far it snowballs?

Wow your friends! Amaze your family! Win the respect of your peers! Just follow the Eurosport-Yahoo! MMA Fight Buzz...

This week's fight chat (Potential ratings are out of five stars...):

SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED (ALMOST)

Demian Maia will put his unbeaten 8-0 (3-0 in the UFC) MMA record on the line when he faces Nate Quarry at UFC 91 on November 15. Maia will be seen in the latest series of the Ultimate Fighter, where he is Frank Mir's Jiu-jitsu coach. Quarry's last job in the UFC was to chase Kalib Starnes around the Octagon at UFC 83 en route to a unanimous decision victory.

Potential: ****

Welterweights Mike Swick and Jonathan Goulet will meet at the recently announced UFC Fights for the Troops, a special event taking place on December 10 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The card is also expected to include Josh Koscheck v Yoshiyuki Yoshida and Corey Hill v Dale Hartt.

Potential: ****

POSSIBLES, PROBABLES AND PLAUSIBLES

Roger Huerta has fought only once in 2008 and is sure to be offered a second fight before the end of the year as he looks to bounce back after his defeat at the hands of Kenny Florian at UFC 87. With potential foe Mac Danzig dropping a defeat to Clay Guida at UFN15 recently, Frank Edgar looks a more likely opponent for Huerta, possibly at UFC 91 in November.

Potential: ***

With Georges St Pierre likely defending his welterweight title against BJ Penn in January, and the fourth- and fifth-ranked Diego Sanchez and Thiago Alves fighting on October 25, doesn't a bout between second and third-rankedJosh Koscheck and Jon Fitch also make sense? Hold it in November and have the winner meet the winner of Sanchez / Alves for the right to fight for the title.

Potential: ***

OUT ON A LIMB

Rich Franklin is looking to stay busy following his dismantling of Matt Hamill on his move up to 205lbs at UFC 88; with the organisation still looking for a big draw for their end-of-year Vegas card, how about a match-up against Chuck Liddell? Two veteran legends of the sport going at it on their feet: it could be the sort of fight fans dream about...

Potential: **

Alex Sharratt / Eurosport

Comment 1 - 5 of 5

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  1. No chance of Chuck and Randy facing eachother in Feb 09 as Couture has a 3 fight deal so Feb 09 might be his 2nd fight against Mir/Nogueira. If they can't get Fedor for Randy then maybe Chuck in the Summer as a swansong

    From ste_costello, on Thu 25 Sep 8:11PM

  2. I'd love to see Liddell vs Franklin. I think Rich has the edge with cardio and variation of strikes (his Muay Thai knees and leg kicks in particular), while Liddell unquestionably has the edge with punch power.

    I think defeat for Liddell all but sends him into retirement, but a win puts him right back in the title picture.

    To be honest, I think the UFC are more likely to pair Liddell with Rampage Jackson in a rematch. Both have a big point to prove after dropping down the LHW rankings, and it would draw massive PPV interest from the States.

    From yakaboo365, on Tue 23 Sep 3:40PM

  3. I have heard on the grape vine that Liddell is going up to heavyweight to fight Couture. Apparently it will be held sometime in Feb '09 and will be the climax to both careers in the UFC

    From gusgormley, on Mon 22 Sep 1:40PM

  4. Liddell V's Franklin, this may be a good fight for Chuck to prove he can still mix it with the devision. If Franklin beats him it's over for the Iceman. If he fights like he did against Evans he doesn't stand a chance, he was more like the Snowman. Franklin could make his mark in this weight with a victory over Chuck but i suspect no one is afriad of the Icemen any more. I think it's time to call it quits on a good career, we don't wnat to see him being beat by ever bum just cause he wants to keep fighting. Chuck, i think it's time to join Randy in the commentary box mate.

    From gusgormley, on Mon 22 Sep 1:38PM

  5. Liddell V's Franklin, this may be a good fight for Chuck to prove he can still mix it with the devision. If Franklin beats him it's over for the Iceman. If he fights like he did against Evans he doesn't stand a chance, he was more like the Snowman. Franklin could make his mark in this weight with a victory over Chuck but i suspect no one is afriad of the Icemen any more. I think it's time to call it quits on a good career, we don't wnat to see him being beat by ever bum just cause he wants to keep fighting. Chuck, i think it's time to join Randy in the commentary box mate.

    From gusgormley, on Mon 22 Sep 1:32PM
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