MMA News and Notes April

[Hellwig]

To cut down on the number of minor news threads all news that isn't really that significant (but is still news) can go in this thread.

Melvin Guillard Tests Positive for Cocaine

The Kenner, Louisiana native will have 30 days from the receipt of a written complaint to reply to the allegation and will be temporarily suspended at a forthcoming NSAC meeting. Guillard will face the Commission’s board at a second hearing where he can speak on his behalf and/or provide evidence to contest the allegation if he chooses. If found within violation of the state agency’s regulations, Guillard could be subjected to suspension and/or fines. Guillard earned $7,000 for his April 5 loss to Stevenson.

Guillard becomes the first ever MMA fighter to test positive for cocaine metabolite, according to the Web site.

Generally, cocaine leaves a person’s system and isn’t detectable by urine tests after three to five days, though the duration can increase for chronic users.

Link

Gees another guy fails a test; and this coming from the guy that said that Stevenson was on HGH Sooner rather than later someone is going to have to be made an example of. No doubt Guillard is talented but he needs to start making better choices. Should the UFC get rid of him now?

[Hellwig]

PRIDE Lightweight Grand Prix Postponed:

The opening round of the PRIDE Lightweight Grand Prix 2007 scheduled for May 20 in Tokyo, Japan has been postponed to a later date to be announced.

Lorenzo Fertitta decided to push the event back to allow more time to produce the event while PRIDE is in the midst of transitioning from the Dream Stage Entertainment's "PRIDE" to "PRIDE FC Worldwide Holdings LLC," a company formed by the Fertittas to operate PRIDE separately from the UFC.

Tentative participants in the tournament include Takanori Gomi, Hayato "Mach" Sakurai, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Mitsuhiro Ishida, Gilbert Melendez, Joachim Hansen, Luiz Azeredo, Marcus Aurelio and representatives from the UFC.

Satoru Kitaoka secured a spot on the Grand Prix by winning a qualifier Friday against Fabricio Monteiro at DEEP 29th Impact

Link

Very good to see that they didn't just throw out a crap product and are going to take the time needed to put together a good show. Diego Sanchez and Matt Hughes both appeared on the promo poster. PRIDE vs. UFC first show?

[Hellwig]

UFCjunkie.com has heard from a few sources this past week that the UFC still intends to put on an event in Cincinnati later this year, and it could happen as soon as October. Additionally, a rematch between current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and former champ Rich Franklin would be one of the marquee matches.

Franklin lost his title to Silva with a devastating first-round TKO at UFC 64.

UFCjunkie.com, headquartered in Cincinnati, has been told that the rematch would happen regardless of Silva’s champion status. He is currently slated to defend his title at July 7’s UFC 73 event against top contender Nate Marquardt.

Link

I guess it is no big surprise that Franklin is one of the UFC's favorite fighters and Ohio really turned out for the event at UFC 68. So it makes sense to have a rematch in Ohio since Franklin will be cheered overwhelmingly and Silva will be booed just like at UFC 68. But I don't see how they can have the match if Franklin loses to Kampmann and Silva beats Marquardt. Or Marquardt beats Silva and Franklin beats Kampmann. I know the UFC wants to have Franklin avenge his loss as soon as possible but it really only makes sense right now if they either both win or both lose.

[Hellwig]

Rumors on Nog's first fight

This is total rumor, but I’ve been hearing a lot of talk that Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira’s first UFC fight could be against Brandon Vera. Take that for what it’s worth. I’m trying to get some sort of official confirmation.”

With Randy Couture, Mirko Cro Cop Filipovic, Gabriel Gonzaga, Andrei Arlovski and Fabricio Werdum all tied up in the near future, there are few “big name” fighters available to fight the former PRIDE FC heavyweight champion.

In fact, the only other competitive option besides Vera is former UFC heavyweight titleholder Tim Sylvia.

Link

Wow what a fight this would be; Vera has pretty good standup and can throw some deadly knees but I would have to give Big Nog the advantage in this one as everyone knows his ground game is legendary. This would be a great test for both fighters.

[Hellwig]

Former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski will get another crack at regaining the title if he can get past Fabricio Werdum this weekend at UFC 70, according to statements from UFC President Dana White in a conference call yesterday.

He will face whoever wins the UFC 74 match between current beltholder Randy Couture and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic/Gabriel Gonzaga that is slated for August 25.

If the statement turns out to be accurate, Arlovski will leapfrog the man who beat him twice to win and defend, respectively, the heavyweight crown, former champion Tim Sylvia.

And if that happens, it appears “The Maine-iac” will have to wait a long time — at least until the last quarter of 2007 — to challenge for the belt he held so dear.

Link

I am not a Sylvia fan anyway and I am more of an Arlovski fan. I still don't think Arlovski is going to get by Werdum so I wonder what will happen then?