Fighters to Forever be Banned from the UFC if They Take Part in the EA MMA Video Game

This disheartening bit of news first came from Golden Boy at the UG

I hear that all mma managers were informed that if any of their clients not currently under contract with the UFC..... sign to be a part of the EA game.......the will forever be banned for fighting in the UFC.

Sounds like a simple rumor right? Albeit from a pretty reputable source, but then later in the forum post, MMA Uber agent Ken Pavia of MMAAgents.com says this.

It's true. And they told me want the word out.

In any case, if 100% true, this just plain blows. So let me get this straight, if I am an up and coming fighter fighting for an MMA organization not named UFC. I have to turn down money that I could feed my family with, just for the very slim chance that one day the UFC may sign me to a contract.

Listen this could all be smoke and mirrors or it could be misinterpreted, but we can still discuss. What happens to current UFC fighters that still own their image rights like Randy Couture and Lyoto Machida? This is just mind blowing to me if true.

UFC and Sony Partnering Up

From my inbox,

To give you a quick snippet of what I’m talking about, the UFC just became one of PlayStation’s newest content partners for PlayStation’s video delivery service. This means MMA aficionados can catch the latest fights right on their PS3 or PSP consoles.

I have emailed back and I am awaiting more details, stay tuned.

The Ultimate Fighter 9 Finale Weigh-Ins Video

Mirko Crocop Denies Signing with DREAM

From this Croatian news site, translated by someone on the Sherdog forums.

ZAGREB - The same Saturday night in which Mirko Filipović in only three minutes TKOed Britain Mostapha Al Turk, President of American Organization UFC Dana White without any argument accused the Croatian master of the ultimat fighting for the fraud and hypocrisy.

Ten days ago Dana White and Cro Cop have a phone made arrangements for the duel on the UFC 99 tournament in Cologne Lanxess Arena, leaving open the possibility that cooperation prolongs for the two further tournaments. However, the head of the UFC on Saturday felt fooled because he thought that the Croatian gladiator signed a new contract with the Japanese Dream.

Before we accuse Crocop for hypocrisy, let us see what lays below Dana White's empty phrase of honor. UFC leader is angry because Mirko, just as Fedor Emilianenko, the best MMA fighter in the world, did not agree to perform only twice in the next 12 months.

However, it is not true that Cro Cop signed with Dream. We have learned that Mirko Crocop still did not sign neither with Dream nor with UFC, and that he is ready to discuss any offer. Moreover, Mirko expected after the victory in Cologne immediate talks with Dana White about the new contract and is surprised by the accusations of UFC's president.

"I don’t know why White listened to the roumors instead of talking to me. I hoped that we will talk about a continuing of our collaboration, because the only obstacle was the long period between two fights that has been offered to me. I don’t want to sit at home so long and waiting that someone calls me for a figh. However, I am grateful to Dana White for an opportunity to fight in Cologne and despite his harsh words, I don’t see the reason that we don’t prolong the contract – explained Mirko after returning from Germany.

White gave Crocop the opportunity to fight in Cologne to use his charisma of the most popular European fighter and suggested two more bouts, under the condition that he doesn’t fight for other promotions. Because Dream offered him also three-fights contract, but in the next 6 months, why shouldn’t Mirko take some time to consider what is better to him?

Well who knows what is going on now. Here's hoping they can rectify the situation. I've been reading some of your comments and have some thoughts. To begin with I'm all for DREAM becoming the next Pride and signing big name fighters, but lets be honest, its not going to happen anytime soon. Fedor/Crocop 2 is something I would watch, but its not as intriguing as Mirko taking a run at the UFC title. Secondly, is there a side of me that is rolling and laughing all over the floor that Dana White(possibly) got completely punk'd? Yes, it is a little satisfying. The problem is it is not more satisfying than a career revival UFC heavyweight title run by Crocop.

Mirko Crocop Signs Three Fight Deal with DREAM, Dana White is Pissed

Yahoo Sports Breaks the News

Not long after stopping Mostapha Al-Turk in the first round of UFC 99 on Saturday at Lanxess Arena in his first fight in the UFC since back-to-back losses in 2007, Filipovic informed UFC president Dana White that he had signed a three-fight contract with the Japan-based DREAM.

Isn’t that a dirty [expletive] thing to do?” White asked rhetorically after being queried about Filipovic’s deal with DREAM. “He [expletived] me. The first time in the history of the company I do one over the phone. He promised me a three-fight deal and he [expletived] me.”

“He didn’t keep his word,” White said, who said he’d had a two-hour talk with Filipovic on the day Filipovic texted and asked to be able to return. “He talked about honor and all this other [expletive] and he [expletived] me.

He didn't just screw Dana White, he screwed his fans(me) who wanted to see him go after the UFC title one more time. This just sucks!

I'm sure that lots of wagers will get made at the leading online betting sites, but until he returns to form, I don't see lots of wagers going Crocop's way.

UFC 99 Weigh-Ins Video

UFC 99 Conference Call with Crocop and Dana White(Audio)

Click here for the full audio of the conference call from Promma.info

Notable quote from Crocop

I just think I wasn’t the old Mirko “Cro Cop” that I used to be. I don’t know the reason. I spent so many times thinking about it. I don’t know, maybe I was just empty right after I won the PRIDE Grand Prix, I don’t know. To tell the truth, I don’t know, I don’t know. Maybe I wasn’t adapted for the fight in the cage. Maybe I wasn’t hungry enough, I don’t know. I just couldn’t smell the blood like I did in my previous fights. What switched me on again, I don’t know.

UFC 99 Betting Odds and Thoughts

UFC 99: The Comeback kicks off this Saturday at Lanxess Arena in Germany. Let's take a look at the betting lines and my picks.

Rich Franklin -155 vs Wanderlei Silva +115

Cain Velasquez -200 vs Cheick Kongo +160

Marcus Davis -225 vs Dan Hardy +175

Spencer Fisher -225 vs Caol Uno +175

Mike Swick -225 vs Ben Saunders +175

Terry Etim -250 vs Justin Buchholz +225

Paul Taylor -500 vs Peter Sobatta +300

Mirko Crocop -450 vs Mustapha Al-Turk +275

Paul Kelly -550 vs Ronald Delgado +325

Denis Stojnic -110 vs Stefan Struve -130

Dennis Siver -200 vs Dale Hartt +150

(John Hathaway vs Rick Story has no line yet)

I think there is some real good value betting on Kongo. Cain Velasquez is amazing and one of the most hyped MMA prospects in a long time, but he is still raw. Kongo has a ton of experience and some serious skills to boot. Personally, I think Cain pulls out the victory, but it wouldn't surprise me if the underdog makes you some cash in this bout.

I think Ben Saunders is also a good underdog bet. He is a huge welterweight, undefeated and was ridiculous in his last fight. He may just have the skills to beat Mike "Quick" Swick.

Some other underdogs with a chance- Dan Hardy, Wanderlei Silva and Justin Buchholz. I am not familiar enough with Peter Sobatta or Ronald Delgado to know if its worth taking the risk.

Place your bets over at Betus!

WEC 41 Faber vs Brown 2 Quick Results

Mike Thomas Brown defeats Urijah “The California Kid” Faber via unanimous decision to remain WEC featherweight champion

Jose Aldo defeats Cub Swanson via technical knockout (strikes) in round one

Donald Cerrone defeats James Krause via submission (rear naked choke) in round one

Josh Grispi defeats Jens Pulver via submission (guillotine choke) in round one

Manny “The Pitbull” Gamburyan defeats John Franchi via unanimous decision

Rafael Rebello defeats Kyle Dietz via submission (rear-naked choke) in round one

Anthony “Showtime” Pettis defeats Mike “The Beast” Campbell via submission (triangle choke) in round one

Antonio Banuelos defeats Scott Jorgensen via split decision

Frank Gomez defeats Noah Thomas via submission (arm triangle choke) in round two

Seth “2 Quick” Dikun defeats Rolando Perez via submission (triangle choke) in round one