Dana on MMA LIVE:
"This kid keeps pushing it to get out there faster and faster. I completely respect him for that. He's an animal. I love it. But there's no way he's going to be ready by December. People keep asking why he's had so many knee surgeries. That's exactly why he's had that many knee surgeries. I doubt [there will be an interim title]. When we did the belt for Brock Lesnar, we didn't know if Brock was ever going to come back or if he'd be out for a year or two. No interim title. We know this kid is coming back. He's already had the surgery. He knows exactly the date he can come back."
DW makes a valid point, and I applaud him for the decision. I'm sure protecting his investment may be on the fore-front of such decisions, but anything that ensures fighter's safety is a good thing in my eyes. It seems to be a pattern with Zuffa lately. This has happened as recently as the Alves v. Fitch II fight. It was originally rescheduled for, if I recall correctly, UFC 115? and they pushed it back to UFC 117 despite the doctor's clearing Alves just to be on the safe side.
Now we have Shogun saying he can be cleared to fight as early as December, and DW saying he might consider Spring instead, but most likely will wait until Summer to make sure everything heals properly. This is wonderful- Shogun needs to not just heal, but regain the strength in the ligaments and muscles in his knee.
This is a great contrast to the "gimme gimme money now" promotion that we are accustomed to
Bookmarks