The Maniac
06-09-2005, 14:23
The possibilities of whom Chuck Liddell will defend the Light-Heavyweight title against next, we mentioned that it would be difficult for UFC to bring in Quinton "Rampage" Jackson because at some point he would have to fight Randy Couture. However, Jackson and Couture are managed by the same company, Triumph Entertainment, and although I'm sure guys like Jackson and Couture are willing to fight anyone, Triumph did not want to match up fighters whom they manage.
However, Triumph management states this to be absolutely not true. They are willing to match up anyone in their stable of fighters, including Jackson and Couture. They were also willing to match up Couture and Ken Shamrock, whom they also manage, earlier this year but were unable to come to terms with Zuffa. So from the viewpoint of Triumph, Rampage vs. Couture is entirely plausible.
Regarding Rampage-Liddell, despite the fact that Liddell is wanting a rematch against Rampage and that it has been rumored that Rampage will be coming into the UFC soon because his Pride contract is up, that is also not true. Jackson's contract with Pride is not up until early next year, meaning that Liddell's next title defense cannot possibly be against Rampage since Liddell is going to want to fight again within the next few months.
That leaves little option for Zuffa, as they are most likely going to have to book Couture-Liddell III since Couture has established himself as the number one contender to Chuck's title with his dominant win over Mike Van Arsdale. If not Couture vs. Liddell and with Rampage being under contract to Pride until next year, and it being unlikely that Tito Ortiz will return to the fold anytime soon, then UFC is left with little option for Chuck's next title defense. This would definitely seem to cement the idea of another title shot for Couture.
Source:Chris Bindleman and J.Wall(UFC TV co-ops and viewfinders of maxfighting)
However, Triumph management states this to be absolutely not true. They are willing to match up anyone in their stable of fighters, including Jackson and Couture. They were also willing to match up Couture and Ken Shamrock, whom they also manage, earlier this year but were unable to come to terms with Zuffa. So from the viewpoint of Triumph, Rampage vs. Couture is entirely plausible.
Regarding Rampage-Liddell, despite the fact that Liddell is wanting a rematch against Rampage and that it has been rumored that Rampage will be coming into the UFC soon because his Pride contract is up, that is also not true. Jackson's contract with Pride is not up until early next year, meaning that Liddell's next title defense cannot possibly be against Rampage since Liddell is going to want to fight again within the next few months.
That leaves little option for Zuffa, as they are most likely going to have to book Couture-Liddell III since Couture has established himself as the number one contender to Chuck's title with his dominant win over Mike Van Arsdale. If not Couture vs. Liddell and with Rampage being under contract to Pride until next year, and it being unlikely that Tito Ortiz will return to the fold anytime soon, then UFC is left with little option for Chuck's next title defense. This would definitely seem to cement the idea of another title shot for Couture.
Source:Chris Bindleman and J.Wall(UFC TV co-ops and viewfinders of maxfighting)