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The Stage is set to kick off 2009. On January 31 George St Pierre looks to defend his title against Bj Penn.  Mark your calendar, clear your schedule do whatever you need to, but do not miss this fight. The last time these two champions met in UFC 58 2006 the result was a controversial split decision going to GSP. This left many fans including myself confused over who the real 170 pound king is.

Fans and fighters a like are hard pressed when it comes to picking a winner. Both men have excellent stand up and ground skills. I believe the fight breaks down to who wants it more. Countless debates have fueled on the internet. Now all the talking is done and we will finally know who the real champ is.

Now lets get down to the nitty gritty. What is it going to take for each fighter to win?

GSP - St Pierre has been known as a cardio machine. Coming at his opponents from all angles mixing an arsenal of strikes with takedowns. What he does best is to try and beat you at your own game. This time around GSP will have to out box and run down his opponent with pressing the pace and forcing mistakes. He needs to stay mentally focused and enforce his will (good luck to you).

Bj Penn - Serious serious SERIOUS CARDIO training is a must for him. Penn has been notorious to gassing in previous fights. Although I must credit him by saying Penn version 2.0 seems to be a new man. The prodigy will need to check St Pierre’s leg kicks and counter everything with combinations and knees. Force and engauge the clinch and work GSP from the inside. If Penn can force the takedown from the clinch he will put GSP into a position where he has not spent alot of time. Penns top game and mount is one of the best in MMA today.

There is a lot on the line for both fighters and only one can come out on top. I guess a big thanks to Dana White for making this fight happen. Maybe hes not that bad of a guy after all….hahaha

With EliteXC down the toilet and being knocked out in 14 seconds by Seth Petruzelli (UFC reject) Dana White jokes that we will see him fighting next to a BBQ (possibly mixing it up for a chicken wing?). Although all signs point to this fighters 15 minutes of fame being up, there maybe some hope for him still. Kimbo is a very marketable and charismatic individual given the right people behind him he still could make a name for himself in the ever evolving world of MMA.

There has been no news published that indicates to a new stomping ground for this over night success. But Kimbos management has publicly stated that Mr Ferguson does want to fight and is currently looking for a new home.

Team Kimbo might be in for a shock when they deal with the UFC. Since Dana White is notorious for low balling fighters pay. Another option for Kimbo is to go over to Japan and fight in one of their organizations. the Japanese would most likely welcome him with open arms. It will likely be a while before we see the over night internet success rise to the top of the MMA world. But in a sport where anything is possible…it is also not all that unrealistic.

Well its no news that Randy Couture will be fighting Brock Lesnar at UFC 91 November 15 2008. But there are a few things that stick out. How much sense does this fight make? Granted Lesnar is coming off a unanimous win decision from the Herring fight. He is still a long way from being a contender for the belt. Call me old school but I believe that title shots are earned and not given. Now its no secret here that the main objective for Dana and the Fertitas is money. I mean these guys throw a PPV event every 4 to 6 weeks.

Hear me out on this one. What the F*** does Randy gain by taking this fight? Credibility, Respect, Fans, Money…..the answer is NOTHING! We all saw what Lesnar did to a legitimate contender like Herring at UFC 87. Aside from the first round knockdown we saw a smoother fest with a larger man tactically out positioning a smaller opponent. Fair enough a win is a win. But to win in STYLE….that is what the fans will talk about.

A while back I wrote an article about what it would take for each fighter to pull off the win. If you have not read it you can find it here http://www.trashvent.com/randy-couture-signs-with-ufc/2008/. So I wont bore you with the same story.

The only reason Dana and Joe Silva would put this fight together is in hopes that Lesnar will be able to edge out a win and shine doubt onto the whole Fedor Vs Couture fight. We all know that Dana White has had little to no success with being able to sign the last emperor. This maybe his one chance to tell everyone that the UFC owns the biggest and baddest heavyweight in the world. I hope the natural has some gas left in the tank and pulls off the win in dramatic fashion. That way we the fans will hopefully get what we want. THE REAL SUPER FIGHT. MESSAGE to Randy Couture……WE BELIEVE!!!

According to Jeremy Lappen, Head of Fight Operations for EliteXC CBS has turned down the offer to purchase this mma franchise. Although no one knows for sure if CBS or Showtime will be planning their own fight label, one thing is for sure. The pay for mma fighters looks to take another step backwards. Although this does not come as a surprise to most people inside the mma circle, it has casued dissapointment.  The EliteXC promotion has been reporting loses since its inception. The approach to setting up the franchise was done hastily and smacked together to go against the 800 pound gorilla known as the UFC.

Looks like there will be 50+ good quality mma fighters all looking for new contracts and new homes. Dana White might have been right from the get go. Seems like the fans support the brand and not the athelete.