| I recently read that the Ultimate Fighting Championship | | | | It's the Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight |
| has purchases the World Fighting Alliance. I think the | | | | division who is going to benefit most from the WFA |
| (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is about to get a most | | | | fighters. Who wouldn't want to see Bas Rutten return |
| welcomed shot in the arm, courtesy of the recent | | | | and climb the UFC heavyweight ladder. Bas has |
| purchase. Let's hope that the UFC decides to keep | | | | always been a favourite of mine and if you've ever |
| some of the top tier fighters in the WFA stable. | | | | been to a live UFC show (which Bas has attended), |
| The World Fighting Alliance is a relatively new | | | | you know that his fan base is still strong. I found this |
| operation which has gained some noteriety by signing | | | | out at UFC 47 where Bas walked up and down each |
| some big name fighters. These fighters include Ricco | | | | aisle in the Mandalay Bay Event Centre to the delight |
| Rodriguez, Quintin Jackson and Bas Rutten. What's | | | | of the hard core fans present. I'd personally like to see |
| worth noting about these fighters is that they've all had | | | | Bas Rutten come back and knock Tim Silvia out. Not |
| past success in the UFC or against UFC fighters.. | | | | that there is anything wrong with Silvia, I just think his |
| Ricco Rodriguez is a former UFC heavyweight | | | | style makes for boring fights. I think that Bas superior |
| champion. Quintin Rampage Jackson fought and | | | | standup and experience would have Tim Silvia |
| defeated Chuck Liddell in the Pride organization and | | | | wondering if he really is the heavyweight champion. |
| not by submission as you might imagine. Rampage | | | | Or barring that, how about a rematch between Tim |
| knocked Chuck (considered by many to be the best | | | | (The Mainiac) Silvia and Ricco (Suave) Rodriguez. The |
| light heavyweight fighter in the world) out. Bas Rutten | | | | first time around Silvia knocked out Rodriguez basically |
| was an awesome fighter in his day and has recently | | | | with one punch. I'd personally like to see Ricco put a |
| had a comeback fight in which he looked extremely | | | | better game plan into motion and take Silvia out. Ricco |
| sharp. | | | | has excellent submission skills and good ground and |
| The welterweight division of the UFC is in pretty good | | | | pound. He's also a large heavyweight (like Silvia). I really |
| shape, by that I mean it's deep with talent. There is a | | | | think Ricco got caught with a lucky punch the first time |
| great champion in George St Pierre, probably the best | | | | in, I'd like to see them do it again. Ricco holds victories |
| welterweight in the world and a long list of good | | | | over former and current UFC contenders including Jeff |
| contenders, starting with former welterweight | | | | Monson, Paul Buentello and former heavyweight |
| champion, Matt Hughes all the way down to | | | | champions Andrei Arlovski and Randy Couture, |
| contenders Diego Sanchez, Matt Serra, Josh | | | | Yep, Bas Rutten, Ricco Rodriguez and Quintin |
| Koscheck and several others. | | | | Rampage Jackson will all by welcomed additions to |
| The light heavyweight division also isn't in bad shape | | | | the UFC. I hope that this is exactly what the UFC |
| with superstars, Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz who fight | | | | higher ups were thinking when they purchased the |
| on December 30, 2006 as well as Forrest Griffin, Keith | | | | World Fighting Alliance. I certainly hope this wasn't just |
| Jardine and Rashad Evans rounding out the top of the | | | | meant to keep their almost monopoly position in high |
| division. However, the WFA's Quintin Rampage | | | | profile Mixed Martial Arts in North America. |
| Jackson would certainly be a welcome addition to the | | | | I really hope that the UFC (do you hear me Dana |
| mix. A Rampage Jackson, Chuck Liddell rematch | | | | White?) can put some of these cards together for |
| sometime in 2007 would likely be a huge draw due to | | | | 2007. I doubt that I'm the only fan wanting to see this! |
| the fact that Rampage TKO'd Chuck in their first | | | | Bring some of these fights to the fans and |
| meeting in the Japanese Pride organization. Even if a | | | | re-assemble the UFC heavyweight division. There are |
| Rampage, Liddell rematch isn't in the cards, Rampage's | | | | exciting heavyweight fights out there and now, they're |
| style would make an excellent matchup with Tito Ortiz | | | | within reach! |
| or Forrest Griffin. | | | | |