MMA Rumor Mill 8.23.2011

By Sean McNie – Special to The Open Mat

There’s been quite a few rumors floating around in the eve of the UFC’s return to Brazil; hearsay involving A-level fighters such as Chael Sonnen, Josh Koscheck, Overeem, Lesnar, and more. Brace yourself for another edition of fight gossip!

Lesnar vs. Ubereem in December?

Negotiations are still ongoing, but sources close to the Golden Glory fighter say he is close to a UFC deal that would grant him a high level matchup immediately. It’s rumored that this matchup will be against none other than Brock Lesnar at UFC 140 in December. If this proves true, Brock will be making his return to the octagon after a year plus layoff due to diverticulitis.

UFC president Dana White says Brock will start training soon, and but he expects the former heavyweight champion will return around the first of the year. Could the superfight be pushed back to UFC’s New Year’s card, which is rumored to be in Abu Dhabi this year?

It’s also rumored that Overeem’s deal with the UFC is extremely lucrative, and he may be receiving a cut of the PPV sales.

Here’s a video of a healthy-looking Brock shooting guns and eating meat:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5SjD-KcSkE

Josh Koscheck Fighting in San Jose

A few weeks ago, former TUF contestant and coach, Josh Koscheck, leaked that he could be fighting with Chris Leben soon. Now that Leben will go up against Mark Munoz at UFC 138 in November, this leaves Koscheck in need of an opponent. Koscheck, who loves leaving teasers on twitter, posted this message on Sunday: “My next fight is in SAN JOSE cali. NOV 19th Good chance fighting at 185lbs. should know real soon who.”

One rumored opponent for the event is Ed Herman (22-9-0), who is coming off two wins via stoppage against Kyle Noke and Tim Crodeur. If Koscheck stays at 170, the likely matchup there would be against Rory McDonald, whose only loss in 13 fights has come at the hands of Carlos Condit.

Koscheck’s (15-5-0) last fight was his decision loss to welterweight champion, Georges St. Pierre, last December.

Sonnen Safe for Now

In case you missed it, over the weekend a Facebook event was created that called for the “lynching” of the outspoken Chael Sonnen in Brazil this weekend. Although over 2,000 people RSVP’d, and rumors that Chael would not be in Rio surfaced, the creators of the event have allegedly come forward and stated the event was a complete joke. Over the weekend, Chael also responded to the rumors that he’d chickened out of attending this weekend’s UFC: “Please, FB nerds, no group has the strength to lynch me. I’m a Republican; we run on neither blood nor oxygen.”

It seems that Sonnen will be in attendance this weekend, but one could only guess that the “American Gangster” may be accompanied by security, just for safe measure. Check out this video where a respectful Chael clears the air about his comments on Brazil: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw8jvCem0M4

New Trend: Fixing Fights?

Rather serious allegations came from professional fighter, Johnny Hughes, when he posted on the UnderGround forum about sparring sessions that are being recorded as actual professional fights. Although he did not name names, he did describe in detail how it’s done, and that he has a few suspects in mind.

“This is being done through taping only the cage with the two individuals with no sound so the crowd aspect is out of the way… I know of multiple fighters who’s records are padded with multiple of these whack ass so called fights,” wrote Hughes.

The King of the Cage and Extreme Combat Challenge veteran said he will be bringing this issue to the attention of the Indiana State Athletic commission.

Thanks for reading! Enjoy the fights this weekend!