From MMATorch.com
Williams' MMA News Blog: Jackson Arrest, Shogun Return, Machida Opponent
By By: Alex Williams, MMATorch Contributor
Jul 11, 2008 - 8:47:15 PM
UFC and TUF Vet J. Jackson Arrested
MMAJunkie reports that the oft-troubled Jeremy Jackson has been arrested "and charged with seven felony offenses, including two counts of forcible rape."
Does He Still Have It? "Shogun" Eyes Fall Return
According to , Mauricio "Shogun" Rua has told Dana White that he will be ready to fight in the Fall.
Shogun looked so un-Shogun like in his UFC debut (and loss) last year vs. Forrest Griffin that its difficult to say where he stands in the 205 pound title picture. He purportedly brought a knee injury into that bout, and perhaps that explains his changed physique, lack of endurance and the general sloppiness of his fighting. But we have to remember that Shogun was on an absolute tear in Pride when the organization featured a much deeper roster at 205 than the UFC did at the time. In his 13 Pride bouts, he only lost once and that was via fluke injury to heavyweight Mark Coleman. Of his 12 wins, only two of them went the distance. He dazzled against lesser opponents with great agility and pinpoint accuracy, such as when he overwhelemed Hiromitsu Kanehara with a hailstorm of flying stomps. But the crown jewel of his Pride career was his victory in the most talent-laden tournament in MMA history, the 2005 Pride Grand Prix. Shogun decisioned "Minotoro" Nogueira in a Fight of the Year candidate, stopped Ricardo Arona and Alistair Overeem, and annihilated Quinton "Rampage" Jackson in less than five minutes. If Shogun can recapture the relentless aggression and terrific cardio that made him the top 205 pounder in Pride, its not hard to envision him winning the unified championship in a rematch with Griffin.
Lyoto to Fight in October, but Not for Championship; Silva Not to Contend for Belt
Ed Soares, Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva's manager, commented on Tagg Radio that Machida's opponent for October has already been chosen, but it will not be light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin. Soares also stated that Anderson Silva has no interested in vying for the 205 pound title as long as his stablemate Machida is making a run for it.
Speculation is that Machida will battle fellow undefeated fighter Thiago Silva. Let me say that I hope Thiago wins. Not only does this open up the possibility of Anderson Silva contending for the championship, but it also keeps Lyoto away from it. I saw someone compare Lyoto recently (and unfavorably) to pro boxing's Chris Byrd. I think the comparison is apt. Chris Byrd had a run as one of the top heavyweights in the world, yet his style was such that no one wanted to watch him fight. Machida is unquestionably skilled, but paying to view him shut action down for five rounds does not appeal to me.
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