With just under a month before UFC 104, we MMA fans find ourselves in the midst of a relatively slow period for news.  I wanted to take this opportunity to post some random thoughts and observations about the few newsworthy headlines that have surfaced recently.

Forrest Griffin's First Post-UFC 101 Interview

The first thing that came to mind after watching this video was: Didn't Charles Barkley address the whole ‘I'm not a role model' thing 15 years ago?  Yup, pretty sure he did.  The second was that the UFC needs to make a Forrest Griffin-Chuck Liddell fight happen NOW.  You have two of the UFC's biggest stars in a bout that ensures that one of them will win (God forbid we have a draw) thereby reigniting one - or both, if they put on an epic war - of their careers. 

The conventional wisdom is that Forrest will draw Rich Franklin in his next bout, but that's not the best course of action in this writer's humble opinion. In the UFC's dream scenario, Forrest and Chuck both win their next bouts but at this point in their careers it's better to guarantee one man a win than neither.

Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort at UFC 108

Back in June, The Phenom's name was casually mentioned by Dana White as an ideal candidate to face Anderson Silva. So while the MMA community has fervently been debating the pros and cons of Hendo-Silva II versus Silva-Marquardt II, this is a fight that appeals to me more.

While there is merit to those who argue that Henderson has previously beaten Belfort and was promised a title shot after his victory over Michael Bisbing at UFC 100, let's not forget that Hendo took a dubious decision over Rich Franklin, while Vitor put him away notching his third straight KO. There's no doubt that Marquardt-Hendo should (finally) take place on the undercard in order to establish a clear-cut number one contender.

In matching up two of MMA's most feared strikers, the UFC has really outdone themselves.  Vitor's drop down to the 185lb division has all led to this, a fight for the top prize in the sport.  Out of Silva's four MMA losses none have come by T/KO, while Belfort's 13 year career has never seen him knocked out by a single strike. Most assuredly, one of those statistics will change on January 2^nd. 

What a way to start the New Year.

TUF 10.3: Roy Nelson vs. Kimbo Slice

Perfect strategic choice for Rashad's team but one has to wonder whether Spike executives and the UFC brass wanted Kimbo to fight so soon and against as serious a threat as Roy.  Reality show producers in general are notorious for manipulating events so that things play out the way they want them to and I can't help but think that they may have tried to veto this match-up.  Lord knows if I was producing this season of TUF I wouldn't have my biggest attraction - a one-dimension stand-up brawler - fighting the favorite to win it all - who also happens to be a submission expert and former champion - on episode three.      

Before this screenshot popped up online that shows Kimbo (maybe) catching Roy with a huge right hand, I would have never believed Kimbo wins this fight.  Now instead of being 99.9% sure Kimbo won't win, I'm 99.8% sure Kimbo won't win.  That screenshot is a classic example of sleight of hand (or, more appropriately, sleight of fist). Anyone who thinks that Spike would release a screenshot of the end of the most anticipated fight of the season is certifiably insane.  My guess is that Kimbo clips Roy with that punch; Roy goes down but not out, recovers, and then immediately catches Kimbo in a submission.  Think Lesnar-Mir I, but quicker.   

Rampage Jackson announces his retirement

Seriously, this whole thing is ridiculous. 

I'd be willing to bet every last hair on Zak's head that Rampage will be back fighting for the UFC by March at the latest.  For someone who breaks balls as much as Rampage does, you'd think his skin would be thicker than a sheet of rice paper. 

This outburst won't accomplish anything for Rampage other than precipitate his hiring of a publicist.  If he goes on a tirade like this before the release of The A-Team movie you can be sure the press will have a field day with it and his acting career will be over before you can say Brian Bosworth.

As far as Dana White goes, this incident, just as the Loretta Hunt controversy before it, won't do anything to curb his proclivity for shooting from the hip and speaking his mind.  I believe that DW feels that a large part of the UFC's success stems from the fact that he is who is and he doesn't act like the other major sports figureheads, i.e. David Stern or Roger Goodell.  Just as an OCD person believes that touching their doorknob ten times before leaving the house will prevent them from getting into a car accident, White believes that not censoring himself adds to the UFC's appeal and will keep the company on its upward track.  After all, why mess with the tried and true?    

Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva at UFC 108

Although this bout is still only a rumor and has yet to be confirmed, it's definitely worth addressing.  

This is as close to a "safe" fight for Rashad as there gets in the stacked 205lb division.  With this bout, unlike the future Rampage fight, Rashad will actually be able to avenge his fallen teammate.  Seeing as how Rashad's chin isn't constructed out of Waterford crystal, he won't crumple after catching one to the dome, and I have no doubt he'll come back from the Machida loss hungrier than ever.

Frankly, I see him getting the better of Thiago in all areas of the game and by the time it's all said and done, Rashad will add another highlight-reel knockout to his growing collection.  Cue wife scream.