Saturday Matchmaking Extravaganza!

It makes sense that on the day I decide to start producing Video Recaps for Saturdays --in an effort to have a normal life on the weekend-- would end up being the day where a bonanza of matchmaking news broke. I thought Saturdays were suppose to be a dead days? 

Below are the major matchmaking stories that hit the web yesterday.

Kimbo Slice vs. Matt Mitrione at UFC 113, Mitrione says not true. Way to go 5oz. of Pain
It looks like the UFC is wasting no time in cashing their Kimbo Slice chip. Personally, I thought Zuffa would use Slice as a cable ratings generator, as we have no idea what pay-per view drawing power is but so much for that thought. While some might not think that this is Joe Silva's finest display of matchmaking skills the Slice-Mitrione bout makes sense on a marketing side. Matt Mitrione is never going to be anything spectacular within the heavyweight division plus he doesn't have a ground game so he is a perfect fight for Kimbo. Zuffa is using what capital (if any exists) they generated from TUF 10. The fight definitely has a freak show feel to it. I mean, former porn bouncer vs. former NFL player on pay-per view in Montreal. Someone tell me there will be elephant rides and I am down for it.

Josh Koscheck vs. Paul Daley at UFC 113
This fight was already rumored to be in the works. Then Paul Daley told us he would be fighting a "Fraggle haired" opponent, which took away any doubt that these two would probably fight for the status of welterweight number one contender in early 2010. Now MMA Junkie tells us that UFC 113 is being targeted for this 170lbs. showdown. One would think that this could be a co-main event on another card but more on that later...

UFC 113's Fight Card looks SWEET!!
Maybe the UFC is trying to make up for UFC 97 (I haven't forgotten it and I am still Mad as Hell!) but if the rumored UFC 113 card comes to fruition I may be going on a French Canadian excursion for my birthday. In other words, "holy busted bank account Batman!" Rumored card below.
  - Champ Lyoto Machida vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua for light heavyweight title
  - Quinton "Rampage" Jackson vs. Rashad Evans*
  - Paul Daley vs. Josh Koscheck
  - Kimbo Slice vs. Matt Mitrione
  - Jeremy Stephens vs. Sam Stout
  - Marcus Davis vs. Jonathan Goulet
  - Patrick Cote vs. Alan Belcher
  - T.J. Grant vs. Johny Hendricks

Forrest Griffin vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at ???
Fighter's Only reports that this fight will happen, "sooner rather than later" in 2010. Timing wise that could mean anything as Rogerio is nursing an injured ankle. For the UFC's light heavyweight division this is a great fight as the victor will probably be one fight away from a title shot. Could the winner of Vera-Jones fight the winner of Nogueira-Griffin for the status of number one contender in late summer?