MMA Tidbits - 12/7/06

I have a lot of random thoughts concerning the sport. Nothing that is big enough to write an article about. So here they are:

• The UFC is smart for pursuing Mirko "Cro Cop" instead of Fedor Emelianenko. Mirko has the attributes to be a true star with US fans. Fedor would be a hard sell to the casual fan. I know Fedor is the best, however, the UFC is playing this one smart. And Mirko is still world class material. What Mirko has going for him is:
• Speaks English
• "Fighter" Body Type
• Exciting Style
• Can Beat Tim Sylvia (Major Bonus)
• Winner of Pride Grand Prix '06
  
• The IFL has received approval from the Nevada State Athletic Commission to run future shows in the state (LINK HERE). It should be interesting to see how the NSAC reacts to the IFL's unique set of rules. Mainly the 4-minute round and the 3-minute overtime rule.
  
• Cung Le was a featured guest on Sherdog's Beatdown Radio. He came off as being very well spoken and educated about the sport. He made me a fan.
• Takanori Gomi vs. Mitsuhiro Ishida should be a championship fight. No other way to say it. Ishida is the lineal Pride Lightweight Champion. He deserves to fight Gomi with the belt on the line. He shouldn't have to beat him two times to get the belt. Pride loves to protect their champions.
• Mauricio Rua vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura is a waste of time. I'd rather see Rua vs. Nogueira 2. Nakamura already has losses to Nogueira (2X) and Silva. A loss to Rua will make him the official gate keeper to the Pride Middleweight Division.
  
• I will not be upset if Wanderlei Silva vs. Ricardo Arona 3 does not take place at Shockwave, as long as they fight for the title on the next Pride USA card. If they do not compete on either show, all MMA fans will have a right to be angry.
• Keep track of Keita "K-Taro" Nakamura. He is fighting on the undercard of Sanchez/Riggs. He is 13-0-2 and could be a force in the already stacked division.

I will have a full UFC Fight Night 8 Preview Report posted on here by the end of this weekend. I am very excited for the upcoming card, which will be a telecast of all Welterweights.