Fedor's Future

With this announcement by EA, the anticipated signing of Fedor Emelianenko to UFC appears to be in jeopardy.

It is difficult to imagine these two companies cooperating, given Dana White's prior comments:

"We put our asses on the line, THQ and the UFC, to make a video-game deal in the worst economy in the world," White said. "We go out there and do this thing, and it's successful, and now [expletive] EA Sports wants to do a video game. Really? That's not what you told us a year-and-a-half ago.

"You told us you'd never be in business with us. They wouldn't even take a meeting because mixed martial arts disgusted them. This wasn't a real sport. Boy, they got over that real quick, didn't they?

"I'm not tap-dancing around this thing or whatever," White said. "I'm telling you straight-up, I'm at war with them right now. That's how I look at it.

"You won't be in the UFC," White said about additional fighters who sign with EA Sports."

More to come as details allow.

Update: Arturo Gatti's Death Ruled Suicide

Sad development.

The Sweet Science

Vernon Forrest Shot and Killed

According to ESPN.com:

Forrest, whose title was vacated in May amid an indefinite rib injury, was shot seven or eight times as he chased at least two men who had tried to steal his Jaguar as he put air in his tires at an Atlanta gas station, Lt. Keith Meadows said, according to the radio station.

But Forrest had a gun and confronted the men, police said.

"The victim and suspect became involved in a brief foot chase," Lt. Meadows said. "At some point, gunfire was exchanged between the two of them. The victim was shot at least once in the head."

Forrest, 38, was fatally wounded by two semi-automatic weapons, according to police.

Police: Ex-champ Forrest shot to death

Fedor to the UFC?

Given the recent news that Affliction will cease to promote MMA events, the question remains as to whether Fedor Emelianenko will now join the ranks of the UFC.

This should happen, as a heavyweight championship showdown with Brock Lesnar is one of the top fights that could be made in the sport.

MMA Weekly: WILL FEDOR FINALLY LAND IN THE UFC?

Super Six World Boxing Classic Dates Announced

Showtime's super middleweight (168 lbs) tournament announced the dates for the initial matchups. As reported by The Sweet Science:

In a battle of unbeatens on Oct. 17, Carl “The Cobra” Froch (25-0, 20 KOs) of Nottingham, England, will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) title against 2004 Olympic Games medalist Andre “The Matrix’’ Dirrell (18-0, 13 KOs) of Flint, Mich.

On the same night, undefeated former middleweight champion“King” Arthur Abraham (30-0, 24 KOs) of Berlin, Germany, will face former undisputed middleweight titleholder Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor (28-3-1, 17 KOs) of Little Rock, Ark.

The third fight in Group Stage 1 competition will take place on Nov. 21 when Mikkel “Viking Warrior” Kessler (41-1, 31 KOs) of Copenhagen, Denmark, risks his World Boxing Association (WBA) belt* against unbeaten 2004 Olympic Games gold medalist Andre “S.O.G.” Ward (19-0, 12 KOs) of Oakland, Calif.
*Kessler will face WBA mandatory challenger Gusmyl Perdomo (16-2, 10 KOs) on Saturday, Sept. 12 for the title.

The tournament will continue in 2010 with Group Stages 2 and 3 with Semi-Finals and Finals in spring 2011.

Henderson - Franklin in Main Event of UFC 103 in Dallas

Joining the previously announced bouts, Dan Henderson will face Rich Franklin at UFC 103. Both coming off of wins, Franklin will be looking to avenge his loss while Henderson will try to build on his momentum since knocking out Michael Bisping at UFC 100.

Also, Mirko Crop Cop is set to fight Junior Dos Santos.

For details including tickets, check out UFC.com.

Pacquiao to Face Cotto November 14th

Big time fight. If Mayweather-Marquez goes as most predict, this sets up a legitimate Pacman-Mayweather super fight.

More to come.

More UFC 103 Rumors

Greg Garcia at Examiner.com reports on the following rumored fights:

Rich Franklin vs. TBA*
Junior Dos Santos vs. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic*
Martin Kampmann vs. Mike Swick*
Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg*
Hermes Franca vs. Tyson Griffin*
Sean Sherk vs. Gleison Tibau*
Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller
Tomasz Drwal vs. Drew McFedries*
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Matt Wiman*
*no UFC 103 fights have been made official

No true "main event", but still nice to have the Octagon coming to Dallas.

Showtime Super Middleweight Tournament

As reported by ESPN.com's Dan Rafael, Showtime will host a six man super middleweight tournament (168 lbs). The fighters are as follows:

Mikkel Kessler

Carl Froch

Jermain Taylor

Andre Dirrell

Andre Ward

Arthur Abraham

As the current champ, I like Froch in this tournament. Kessler gave Calzaghe a good fight, but hasn't shown much since. Taylor lost a recent heartbreaker to Froch in the final seconds of the final round. Olympians Ward and Dirrell may be overmatched. The unknown to me is how ex-middleweight titlist Abraham performs.

More to follow as details allow.

UFC 100: Fighters' Salaries

As reported by Sherdog.com:

UFC 100 Payouts

Brock Lesnar -- $400,000 (no win bonus)
def. Frank Mir –- $45,000

Georges St. Pierre –- $400,000 (including $200,000 win bonus)
def. Thiago Alves –- $60,000

Dan Henderson –- $350,000 (including $150,000 win bonus, $100,000 knockout bonus)
def. Michael Bisping –- $150,000

Jon Fitch -- $90,000 (including $45,000 win bonus)
def. Paulo Thiago –- $8,000

Not sure if Brock was denied a win bonus based on his post fight comments.

Gatti's Wife Held by Brazilian Authorities on Charge of Murder

From Sports Illustrated:

Brazilian authorities detained the wife of former boxing champion Arturo Gatti and formally accused her Sunday of killing him at a posh seaside tourist resort in Brazil.

Police said 23-year-old Amanda Rodrigues was taken into custody after contradictions in her interrogation and presented a formal accusation against her. Prosecutors will later decide whether she will be charged.

More to follow.

Arturo Gatti Found Dead in Brazil

As reported by several sources, Arturo "Thunder" Gatti was found dead in his hotel room in the resort of Porto de Galihnas. The cause of death is unknown at this time. Gatti had arrived on Friday with his wife Amanda and 1-year old son.

I am deeply saddened by this news. Gatti's thrilling trilogy with Micky Ward accounts for some of my favorites rounds that I have had the pleasure to watch live. His go for broke style, iron chin, and willingness to press forward and suffer punishment endeared him to fans. Although he was unable to overcome the top competition as when he faced Oscar de la Hoya and Floyd Mayweather Jr., Gatti remained a fan favorite throughout his 40-9 career. He will be missed.

Here is some classic Gatti, from his first fight with Ward (courtesy of Queensbery Rules).

Fight Night: UFC 100

As the UFC celebrates its 100th event, Dana White is rolling out his strongest card yet for the fans in Vegas and around the world.

Frank Mir (12-3) takes on Brock Lesnar (3-1) for the undisputed heavyweight championship (265 lbs). Although Lesnar is a monster, I see Mir being too talented and well rounded for him.

Prediction: Mir by submission/decision

George St. Pierre (18-2) defends his welterweight belt (170 lbs) against Thiago Alves (22-4). If GSP can avoid an Alves knockout, I see no reason to pick against the second best MMA fighter in the world.

Prediction: GSP by decision

Ultimate Fighter coaches Michael Bisping (18-1) and Dan Henderson (24-7) will face off at middleweight (185 lbs). I believe that Henderson left too much of himself back in Pride. But Bisping should be careful. A win may get him a shot at P4P champ Anderson Silva.

Prediction: Bisping by decision

In addition, I like Boilermaker Jon Fitch (22-3) over Paulo Thiago (11-0) at welterweight (170 lbs).

Bob Sturm is a co-host of BAD Radio on The Ticket 1310 AM in DFW. In addition to being a fellow MMA/boxing fan, he writes a regular column for D Magazine's Inside Corner.

Here are his thoughts on UFC 100.

You can watch the Countdown to UFC 100 on Spike or here.

Here are the latest odds on World Sports Exchange.

Alexis Arguello 1952 - 2009

A tragic end to a good boxer and great puncher. Remembered for his epic fights with Aaron "the Hawk" Pryor, the Argentinian was 82-8 over his career. After boxing, the former "Explosive Thin Man" enjoyed a career in politics. Although he briefly fought against the Sandinista government, he would become mayor of Managua after eventually joining the party.