As much as the UFC denies that the Zuffa-owned World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) promotion is not a farm system, it’s hard not to view it as one.
UFC fighter Joe Riggs (25-9) — who suffered a disappointing first-round knockout loss to Diego Sanchez (17-0) in late 2006 — is scheduled to fight in the promotion’s second show under Zuffa ownership on March 24, according to MMAWeekly.com.
His opponent has not been named.
Riggs’ eight-fight tenure in the UFC has been plagued by inconsistency (4-4). The switch to the WEC can only be considered as a demotion — one that keeps a promising fighter on the Zuffa payroll without losing him to a competitor.
“Diesel” is the former WEC middleweight champion — a title he had to vacate to fight Chris Lytle at UFC 55 in 2005 (Riggs won that fight via technical knockout). In recent fights it’s been clear that Riggs has been outclassed, especially by superior competition.
Hopefully, the WEC stint will help him refine his game so he can soon return to the Octagon.
In addition, middleweight Jason “Mayhem” Miller (17-5) — a key acquisition in the World Fighting Alliance (WFA) deal — will make his WEC debut that same evening in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Several readers have been wondering about the status of Miller — a colorful personality that has a large, cult-like following of loyal monkeys, er, fans. Oh, by the way, he’s also a talented fighter.
I can only speculate that the reason Miller is fighting in the WEC and not the UFC is because of his nonexclusive contract, which allows him to fight for Icon Sport.
Once he fulfills that obligation, and racks up some wins in the WEC, I can only hope that he returns to the Octagon.
6 Comments »
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WEC should bring that Brazilian named Gustavo Machado of Gracie Barra Combat Team to face one of these two fighters.
I keep hoping to see Riggs pull out some wins, he seems like a nice guy/ good fighter who always seems to seize up at fight time. Jason Miller is a great fighter too. This could be a great fight on a ufc card. I hope these guys both make it back to the octagon. Id also like to add that I wish Miller some ill-will, not too much just like some bad gas the night of a big fight or something, just cause hes annoying. I seem to recall him saying some rude things to an official after the St.Pierre fight. If you cant respect the other fighter, at least show some to the guy trying to help clean up your wounds.
They both have wins over a lot of tough guys, but it seems like Riggs just chokes in the lime light, and Miller is kind of a headcase
I sincerly hope the best for Riggs, not that I’m worried about him losing just that when I’ve seen him train with a few of my guys hes astonishing with speed.
I think Riggs biggest attribute to him is his boxing, but in MMA people have cunning ways of getting around it such as Clinch, take downs, and Muai Thai just to name a few. The fact that Riggs always seems to have a huge win over a heavily favored opponent, and then the next fight he hits a loss, it makes him a very interesting fighter in a spectater sense.
I’ll be fucking fank guys, Edwin Dewees and some of the other guys he “currentally” trains with are some panzy MMA fighters, oh yeah, they’d make it big in a kick boxing career but it does’nt do shit for you once your hit on you’re back with a guy on top twisting your arm with his knees.
I think Riggs has the potential to actually be a UFC champion if he can be more explosive, Joe Derkson fight was great for that, he smashed his face in just straight up street tactics there. But for the most part I’m optomistic for Riggs since I know hes an awsome contender for the UFC, he’ll just fly through the WEC with the right game plan.
JG- out
Mayhem will beat the shit out of riggs, Riggs well always be known as, and forever be a STEPPING STONE. Just like Jonathan Goulet, Joe Derkson, Sam Hoger, and Marvin Eastman, good fighters but not goog enough