Thanksgiving has finally wrapped up and the entire MMA world is slowly recovering from whatever food coma a gallon of turkey stuffing can induce. Granted, it was a nice couple days where all media outlets didn’t have to slam their head against a brick wall in an effort to come up with breaking news and unique content on an hourly basis. Now that it’s over, head banging will continue to ensue, but before the official work week begins, you must check out this week’s edition of The Sunday Morning Rumor Mill.
- After years in business, Pat Miletich has decided to sell his Miletich Fighting Systems gym in Bettendorf, Iowa. After this last run, it’s over. Construction is currently going down at the gym as of this past week.
- The rumor(s) swirling around in Japan this morning (night in Japan) is that Keiichi Sasahara is willing to ‘lend’ Minowaman to Strikeforce in order to replace the injured Valentijn Overeem in the December 4th Strikeforce card. Massive rumor at this point, personally I don’t think it will happen.
- While we’re on the topic of Japan, all signs point to DREAM being in need of critical help in order to continue in 2011. Apparently PUJI hasn’t attracted enough lucarative investors to keep the organization ‘above water’. Things are looking bleak for DREAM and there’s a good chance that we may never see a DREAM 17.
- A fighter from DREAM plans to jump ship to Strikeforce in 2011.
- Alliance Jiu Jitsu is demanding that Alliance MMA (home of Vera, Beltran and Phil Davis) change their name due to some form of intellectual infringement. This will end up going to court if Alliance MMA doesn’t agree.
- French fighter, Jess Liaudin, will face a ‘big name’ on either SRC’s ‘Soul of Fight’ or ‘Dynamite!! 2010’. Not sure if it will be a K-1 match or MMA.
- Matt Brown has not been cut from the UFC roster, despite some reports this weekend.
- South African heavyweight, Rico Hattingh, is negotiating a deal with the UFC.
- Even though Herschel Walker has been nixed from the December 4th Strikeforce card, he still plans to make a donation to the charity which would have been the recipient of his fight purse.
- Another rumor going around is that M-1 Global plans to hold a contest in which the winner would get a ‘date’ with one of their ring girls. M-1 Global’s Evgeni Kogan has disputed this.
- Valentijn Overeem’s injury occurred sometime between November 25-27.
- Apparently some MMA collector in the industry is selling inauthentic items for a discounted price, specifically old UFC and Pride press passes. Buyer beware, folks.
- Cage Fury Fighting Championship, the same organization that gave Kimbo Slice his first shot at MMA against Ray Mercer is back on the scene and plans to hold their next event sometime in 2011.
