“I don’t deal with contract stuff, too much English for me…I just know from my manager and Dan that they were negotiating on my contract…I usually don’t want to get into too much detail. I tried to read my contract with Pride, it was too much for me so I let Team Quest handle that part of my career. They know better than me.”
-”The African Assassin” Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou provided UFCmania.com today with an exclusive response to Dan Henderson’s comments on Tagg Radio that Sokoudjou was offered a “less than spectacular” offer from the UFC.
26 Comments »
Sokoudjou is amazing. Dana White should be trying as hard as he can to get such exciting talent into the UFC.
Im sorry to go off topic, but are they showing two episodes on TUF tonite.. i would be really excited for that
Sokoudjou is a killer! I agree with Kneetotheface White should be trying harder to get talent like Sokoudjou into the octagon. He smoked Nogueria and Arona and I’d like to see what he can do against what the UFC has to offer.
[quote comment="78842"]Im sorry to go off topic, but are they showing two episodes on TUF tonite.. i would be really excited for that[/quote]
ha… yeah, looking forward to wrapping up the semis! I’ve sort of had enough of these guys.
I’d put him in WEC, but he’d probably get a better offer from EliteXC. I bet thats where he might go for a while anyway.
I still want to see this guy in one more fight. His two (count ‘em, two!) wins do look impressive. A third win against a quality opponent will seal the deal. Doesn’t even have to be a sudden sick knockout.
serve him to the winner of Chuck v. Wandi…. just an idea
Wow, I hope Sokoudjou’s kidding. This “I’m too dumb to deal with my contract” schtick could lead this guy’s career, and his bank account, into the toilet. It’s one thing to lean on an experienced teammate for advice, but leaving your career in his hands is dangerous. Fighters need to keep their managers/ agents/ entourage on a very short leash or they’ll end up like Tyson (but hopefully without the bizarre face tattoo).
He needs to go to UFC and his first fight should be Houston Alexander.
I want to see a Judo Clinic.
[quote comment="78905"]Wow, I hope Sokoudjou’s kidding. This “I’m too dumb to deal with my contract” schtick could lead this guy’s career, and his bank account, into the toilet. It’s one thing to lean on an experienced teammate for advice, but leaving your career in his hands is dangerous. Fighters need to keep their managers/ agents/ entourage on a very short leash or they’ll end up like Tyson (but hopefully without the bizarre face tattoo).[/quote]
tyson was tyson’s biggest problem. how could they not sign soko, he is exactly the kind of explosive fighter that developes large fan bases
Once again Dana is to cheap to get some new talent.
[quote comment="78916"]He needs to go to UFC and his first fight should be Houston Alexander.
I want to see a Judo Clinic.[/quote]
i like that idea…
the average joe does not know who sokoudjou is. whatever he is being offered is good, as long as it is a low-fight count, which after making a strong showing can negotiate for more.
you guys fail to realize that just because you’re up on your MMA a lot more people aren’t. Dana knows this and is going to use that to his advantage.
He’ll be like, “Look, Soko, no one knows who you are so take my offer or be a nobody. Do you wanna be a f**king fighter?”
[quote comment="78948"]you guys fail to realize that just because you’re up on your MMA a lot more people aren’t. Dana knows this and is going to use that to his advantage.
He’ll be like, “Look, Soko, no one knows who you are so take my offer or be a nobody. Do you wanna be a f**king fighter?”[/quote]
Does UFC know own the rights to Pride footage?
If so, why doesn’t Dana use some of his hours of Spike airtime to show “The Best of Dennis Kang”, “The Best of Soko”, “The Best of Josh Barnett”, “The Best of Fedor”?
Maybe it would be proactive for the leading MMA organization in the world to take a role in educating fans, rather than taking the arrogant position that “no one knows who you are, so you don’t get paid”.
The most recent Fox Sports Pride show was dedicated to Rampage, and Glazer and Trigg made several references to UFC, the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship, Matt Hughes and other UFC fighters. Previously, they would only mention “the other organization” and “a fighter from the U.S.”. Is that open use of brand names and contracted fighters just in good faith, or is it understood that footage and trademarks for both are under the same umbrella now?
I guess “The Best of Soko” would only be about 4 minutes long, but my point stands.
If Dana wants the best fighters in the world, he should sign Soko on the spot(decent purse as well).
I know Sokoudjou is only 22, but he needs to be more tuned in to his own business affairs. It’s great to trust his mentors and teammates to an extent; but they can’t really step into Sok’s shoes and represent his interests the way he should himself. Learning English well enough to read his own contracts is a necessity.
If he keeps going down this “I don’t deal with that” path, we’re going to have to listen to him 10 years from now, talking about how he got screwed by any number of people. And I don’t think very many fans will give a crap.
Soko will be in the UFC soon enough. Now that Dan has made the move. Im sure Rc will have some input as well.
nvandy89, i see your point but you can’t force feed fighters to the fans. people want know their fighters. Rampage made it easy for newbies to swallow the rampage pill because he has a great personality. at the Hooters where I watched Liddell-Jackson, everyone was rooting for Chuck and were completely surprised/shocked when he lost. When Rogan interviewed Rampage, the people at Hooters welcomed the new champ.
In order to sign for a good sum, shouldn’t this guy have to earn it. Yeah, he has two impressive wins, but he is by no means a house-hold-name in the UFC (let alone mma). He should be prepared to settle for a beginner type contract, and once he’s established himself with some wins, look for bigger and better.
How would it look if the ufc signed him to a big contract (an unproven fighter in the ufc) only to watch him lose his first or second fight (or both). Rookies in all professional sports have to earn lucrative contracts before their GM’s will hand over big dough.
If Dana’s anything, he appears to be a smart businessman, not necessarily cheap.
quick q, does couture still train at quest? i thought he just trained in LV
[quote comment="79078"]quick q, does couture still train at quest? i thought he just trained in LV[/quote]
No. Quick answer. Xtreme Couture with Wandy.
[quote comment="79036"]Soko will be in the UFC soon enough. Now that Dan has made the move. Im sure Rc will have some input as well.[/quote]
Randy Couture has nothing to do with it. I don’t even know if he is with Quest anymore.
[quote comment="79072"]In order to sign for a good sum, shouldn’t this guy have to earn it. Yeah, he has two impressive wins, but he is by no means a house-hold-name in the UFC (let alone mma). He should be prepared to settle for a beginner type contract, and once he’s established himself with some wins, look for bigger and better.
How would it look if the ufc signed him to a big contract (an unproven fighter in the ufc) only to watch him lose his first or second fight (or both). Rookies in all professional sports have to earn lucrative contracts before their GM’s will hand over big dough.
If Dana’s anything, he appears to be a smart businessman, not necessarily cheap.[/quote]
You have somewhat of a point. However, he is a big name in MMA, not UFC, but UFC is relativly limited to the states until more recently, MMA is a worldwide thing. And the posts here, and Dana’s interest in him, I think Prove he has already made a name for himself. I agree though, what can you expect at this young, early stage? He has sooo much time, he is very very good, he shouldnt worry, one or two fghts im sure he will win, and them im sure he will be a big name, the money will soon follow.
[quote comment="79057"]nvandy89, i see your point but you can’t force feed fighters to the fans. people want know their fighters. Rampage made it easy for newbies to swallow the rampage pill because he has a great personality. at the Hooters where I watched Liddell-Jackson, everyone was rooting for Chuck and were completely surprised/shocked when he lost. When Rogan interviewed Rampage, the people at Hooters welcomed the new champ.[/quote]
agree… but I can see Soko making waves as he gets some tune up fights. This guy won’t be thrown into title contention after 2 fights. He is no CC, Nog, Shogun, Rampage, or Hendo. These names are marketable regardless of the clueless American fan base I rank him top 10 in 205 but the guy definetly has to make a name for himself in UFC and He has the skills to do it.