Tim Sylvia and UFC Part Ways, Sylvia Signs with Adrenaline MMA

Adrenaline MMA(formerly M-1 Global) has signed former UFC Heavyweight Champ Tim Sylvia and Former IFL Heavyweight standout Ben Rothwell. The announcement was made on "Inside MMA" earlier tonite. Here are some quotes from Sylvia from MMAjunkie.com

"I'll be real active, fighting six or seven times a year," Sylvia said. "Adrenaline is a new company that's just starting up, but they're allowing fighters to fight outside of their organization. That's huge... Take for instance my last fight. Granted, I loss, but I came out of there unhurt and unscathed. I could have fought a week or two later.

"Being 32 years old, I have four or five good years ahead of me. I plan to make the most of it."

Adrenaline MMA President and Sylvia's manager Monte Cox Weighs in.

"It's a chance for me to build an organization," Cox said. "We're not going to come in and be the UFC. Anyone who tries to do that is crazy.

"We're brand new. What we want to do is I want to identify exciting fighters, up-and-coming fighters, and give them a chance to perform on a big stage. These athletes are very inspiring, on halloween you can see no just kids but adult costumes for their favorite fighter, and that's why we hope we'll gather a big following and someday down the road be doing pay-per-views and such."

"We have two of the best heavyweights in the world to start off," Cox said of Adrenaline MMA.

Well, apparently that whole rebuttel that Sylvia did on his blog a couple weeks ago about how he loves the UFC and the UFC will always be his home was total BS!

"Fighting Fedor" M-1 Global New Reality Show Trailer

Here it is, the new reality series from M-1 Global, here's the video trailer it speaks for itself.

Dana White's Reaction to Crocop Leaving the UFC

This is courtesy of MMAnews.com. For those who are not up to speed on the whole situation here is a LINK explaining everything.

The following is a message from Cindy Ortiz, a friend of UFC president Dana White (who happened to book Mr. White on MMANews.com's old "CFZ Radio" program a few years ago and still has a friendly relationship with him to this day):

I just talked to DW and this is what he had to say:

The split was amicable and the terms were decided on in advance. Cro Cops $350k (plus bonuses) contract had a clause in it stating that if he lost two consecutive fights Zuffa had the right to void the existing agreement and negotiate a new one.

CC never dreamed that he would be so overwhelmed by the level of competition he has faced in the UFC so far and and the losses have impacted him mentally.

The UFC did NOT cut Cro Cop from the roster nor did they threaten to make him sit out until his contract expired if he didn't take the pay cut deal.

Rather than negotiate a new contract with the UFC right now (and risk racking up more losses), Cro Cop wants to get a couple of tune up fights (and wins) in some of the smaller shows (no more tune up matches for him in the UFC) in hopes of rebuilding his confidence and getting himself back on track.

DW understood completely and supported Cro Cop in his decision. The last thing DW wants to do is shell out a six-figure purse to a fighter that isn't fighting worth a dayum. Even though it would have been lower than the original figure, it would still be a waste of money and resources.

Cro Cops ultimate goal is to win the UFC HW championship belt and DW believes he still has the potential to accomplish that goal. CC's plan when he signed with the UFC was, "I will become Champion after three matches. I will need two and a half or three months off between each match. I expect to hold the UFC belt by the Summer. Then I want Pride Champion Fedor Emelianenko, Vs Me the UFC Heavyweight Champion on New Years Eve."

Fedor Emelianenko's Open Letter to Dana White

Courtesy of M1Mixfight.com

Letter.

Fedor Emelianenko on Dana White's statements and Randy ‘The Natural’ Couture

Numerous times have I read mister White’s statements on Internet concerning myself. In my opinion, allowing yourself to say those things is not a sign of a gentleman or a grown man at all! If he candidly wants to prove himself right then let my fight with Randy happen or let me face the reigning UFC champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. In the future I wouldn’t want to hear those unfounded statements in my address ever again.

My last fight in Japan proved that I’m ready to fight anybody with any size advantage, skillset or experience. I have fought and still wish to fight the best athletes. The Randy fight is my goal number one right now, he’s a great fighter and this is a very unfortunate situation when too strict and one-sided UFC contracts don’t let this fight happen.

The whole world is eager to see me fight your champions instead of listening to your press-conferences. I’m signed with M-1 Global and this promotion is ready to organize such fights under our banner or in co-promoted events.

Aleksander Emelianenko Expects to Fight Sought After Free Agent Josh Barnett

This news first came down on Aleksander's official M-1 Global website at alex.mixfight.ru. The alleged fight would take place in Chicago at an unnanounced M-1 Global event. MMAJunkie.com has all the details, here is a snippet from their story.

Aleksander Emelianenko (12-3), a highly ranked heavyweight (and the younger brother of famed fighter Fedor Emelianenko), will next fight April 11 for the upstart M-1 Global organization, and the Russian expects his opponent to be Josh Barnett (20-5).

Read All the Juicy Details here.

My Take- This makes absolutely no sense to me what so ever. Why would you bring in one of the most sought after and talented Heavyweight fighters in the world and not have an immediate match with Fedor? I mean a fight with Aleks is intriguing and I will be watching but why the fight that everyone wants to see is not first on the M1 Global agenda is an absolute mystery to me.

New Fedor Emelianenko Video Interview

Sherdog caught up with the M-1 Global Heavyweight.

Fedor is confident that a fight with Randy Couture will take place soon.

First M-1 Global Pay Per View Possibly Fedor vs Barnett

Sam Caplan has reported that M-1 Global could hold their first Pay Per View in the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The report below.

ProElite.com (SamCaplan.ProElite.com) has learned through multiple sources that M-1 Global is leaning towards holding their first pay-per-view event in the U.S. in Newark, NJ at the Prudential Center, the same venue that hosted UFC 78 earlier this month.

Officials from M-1 recently visited the Prudential Center and were impressed with the venue and are looking at booking a possible date in February or March.

Chicago had been receiving serious consideration for the event but logistical issues are likely to prevent it from being the first host city for M-1.

However, logistical issues could be a factor in Newark as well because it is believed there are no available dates on Saturday in February in March. If the Prudential Center is booked, M-1 Global may have to consider holding an event on a Friday.

Matchups for the first show are already being discussed. A main event between Fedor Emelianenko vs. Josh Barnett is under consideration but Barnett is currently not contracted to the promotion. - Original Source Sam Caplan Blog

This is something that any real MMA fan would pay their hard-earned money to see. A Fedor vs Barnett matchup has long been a fight that fans have begged for. If M-1 Global can pull this off, along with some decent fights on the rest of the card then they may prove to be a real contender in the business of Mixed Martial Arts.

Exclusive Video Interview with Fedor Emelianenko

The fight network recently caught up with Fedor after winning the Sambo championship. Check this out Fedor says some seriously interesting things about the UFC.