Damn it all to hell this pisses me off, what a waste of talent…

Maybe UFC should up their ante. They pay the fighters very little unless you are one of the tiny handful of names.

Maybe dan Henderson just doesn’t want him in the same running for the title that he’s going for. Probably doesn’t want to have to fight Soko.

Go to Elite, get your money, record four highlight-reel KOs of badly overmatched chumps, then come kick some UFC ass in a year or year and a half.

Can you blame him? The UFC contract was probably 5-10 grand a fight or some piddling amount based on what I’ve seen of other fighters purses.

This is a smart move on behalf of Sokoudjou because he can build up some more momentum destroying other fighters. Eventually the UFC might give in and pay him what he is worth, if Sokoudjou is detroying his opponenets. Fans will demand him and the UFC would have no choice, but to make him a stong offer and sign him to an exclusive UFC contract.

Better for everyone. UFC doesn’t gamble on an undeveloped name and talent, and Sok gets paid more early on. If he’s the real deal, then the UFC will pick him up after 4 fights. If he’s not, he’ll have made more money off EliteXC than he would have off of the UFC.

http://www.2learn.ca/mapset/SafetyNet/plagiarism/sleuth/StringSearchnew.html

I am watching you very closely now Jesse …

*does that two fingers to the eyes impression of Robert DeNiro in Meeting the Parents*

Also I agree with the last three comments. Its not a bad move at all for him. I’d be excited about Sokoudjou-Ackah, Sokoudjou-Manhoef and alike match ups in the MMA alliance. Good for him – he can’t do this his entire life and he does it to pay the bills too at the end of the day. No need to risk your health for less money in a stacked division like LHW in the UFC. He would get a fight every 4-5 months with a worse paycheck than at EliteXC, where he’ll be the posterboy in no time fighting every 2-3 months with a better sallary.

[quote comment="86744"]Better for everyone. UFC doesn’t gamble on an undeveloped name and talent, and Sok gets paid more early on. If he’s the real deal, then the UFC will pick him up after 4 fights. If he’s not, he’ll have made more money off EliteXC than he would have off of the UFC.[/quote]

Ok, when I said I agreed with the last three comments this one obviously was not there yet.

“undeveloped name and talent” … geez, he probably has better judo than Parisyan and alot better striking than overrated guys like Ortiz, but yea .. call him undeveloped, because he has not fought in the UFC yet.

I hope to God that the Elite XC compounds some top notch fighters in the next year. Although I am an avid UFC fan, watch all ppv’s, I still feel the UFC favors certain fighters over the others. All I want is good fights!!!!

Good point. While some have the stupid idea that if it isn’t in the UFC it isn’t shit I like watching other strong promotions.

Can’t wait for Shamrock vs. Baroni.

I love your site, guys, but I find it hard to believe you could ever expect the UFC to accept you as a sponsor for one of their fighters. There is a complete lack of professionalism within every report (and it’s become more noticeable since the Fitch debacle). No one is saying you have to praise the almighty Dana or his UFC, but the senseless, opinionated garbage such as “laissez faire” and “much use for…” aren’t going to sit well with anyone.

Clean up your tone and maybe you’ve got a shot.

Besides…I come here to read the news, not opinion pieces from some over-zealous, albeit dedicated, fan.

[quote comment="86748"][quote comment="86744"]Better for everyone. UFC doesn’t gamble on an undeveloped name and talent, and Sok gets paid more early on. If he’s the real deal, then the UFC will pick him up after 4 fights. If he’s not, he’ll have made more money off EliteXC than he would have off of the UFC.[/quote]

Ok, when I said I agreed with the last three comments this one obviously was not there yet.

“undeveloped name and talent” … geez, he probably has better judo than Parisyan and alot better striking than overrated guys like Ortiz, but yea .. call him undeveloped, because he has not fought in the UFC yet.[/quote]
Lol, the dude has 5 fights! He is undeveloped… he is 23 years old. Does he have talent HELL YEAH. But this is a GOOD idea for Soko to go, get some more fights under his belt, get some more training done then step into the UFC in 18monthes or so and lay waste after he is 8 and 1.

I really REALLY enjoy Soko fights… dude is just RAW. But this is a GREAT thing for him… He can beat anyone that EliteXC puts in front of him, but the UFC… right now, any of the top 5-10 can beat him. Rather then get paid the chump change UFC is paying for developing fighters, he can develop and get paid the $$$$$!
Lets just hope Henderson doesnt follow…

Good, now EliteXC needs to get a couple more good fighters and I might consider changing my cable HBO to cable Showtime to see the repeats now that the sopranos is over

[quote comment="86754"]Can’t wait for Shamrock vs. Baroni.[/quote]

Check out the messages they sent over ProElite: http://rawmode.org/index.php/2007/06/21/more-fight-less-talk/

I hope Frank subs Baroni after seeing some very disturbing footage.

[quote comment="86755"]
Besides…I come here to read the news, not opinion pieces from some over-zealous, albeit dedicated, fan.[/quote]

Then read the articles and stay away from the comment section?

[quote comment="86755"]I love your site, guys, but I find it hard to believe you could ever expect the UFC to accept you as a sponsor for one of their fighters. There is a complete lack of professionalism within every report (and it’s become more noticeable since the Fitch debacle). No one is saying you have to praise the almighty Dana or his UFC, but the senseless, opinionated garbage such as “laissez faire” and “much use for…” aren’t going to sit well with anyone.

Clean up your tone and maybe you’ve got a shot.

Besides…I come here to read the news, not opinion pieces from some over-zealous, albeit dedicated, fan.[/quote]

For someone who “loves the site” you sure have a lot of mean things to say.

[quote comment="86755"]I love your site, guys, but I find it hard to believe you could ever expect the UFC to accept you as a sponsor for one of their fighters. There is a complete lack of professionalism within every report (and it’s become more noticeable since the Fitch debacle). No one is saying you have to praise the almighty Dana or his UFC, but the senseless, opinionated garbage such as “laissez faire” and “much use for…” aren’t going to sit well with anyone.

Clean up your tone and maybe you’ve got a shot.

Besides…I come here to read the news, not opinion pieces from some over-zealous, albeit dedicated, fan.[/quote]

It’s a blog Kelsey, which means that things aren’t always black and white. It’s not the New York Times. I never built this site to “get a shot,” either. And to that point, I feel I’ve been more careful since the “Fitch-gate” in terms of not being overly critical.

Plain and simple: If you don’t like what you see, then don’t come around.

Besides, Jesse wrote it, not me. He always gets me in trouble.

[quote comment="86755"]I love your site, guys, but I find it hard to believe you could ever expect the UFC to accept you as a sponsor for one of their fighters. There is a complete lack of professionalism within every report (and it’s become more noticeable since the Fitch debacle). No one is saying you have to praise the almighty Dana or his UFC, but the senseless, opinionated garbage such as “laissez faire” and “much use for…” aren’t going to sit well with anyone.

Clean up your tone and maybe you’ve got a shot.

Besides…I come here to read the news, not opinion pieces from some over-zealous, albeit dedicated, fan.[/quote]
Lol, like the sponsorship for any other fighter stands out more then this one would. Jo-jo’s bail bonds, bloodytesties.net? Come on now… Developing fighters dont care who sponsor them. Fitch has a direct relationship with the founder of this site… But whats done is done, its water under the bridge. As far as Jesse’s opinion… it seems to be the same opinion of some of the most championed fighters in the world… Henderson, Fedor,.. Monson.. Now a huge ammount of japanese fighters. So if you want to sit here with blinders on and ignore the holes in Dana’s game… god bless ya. But dont patronize the dedicated members of this site for seeing how the UFC is being ran (not that its bad… ) Im 100% sure that even if Fitch was sponsored by UFCM, that Jesse would have made the same comment… because its factual to him. So please, dont bleed over the black and whites into greys.

Damnit Mania… I made a black and white refernce while you were making yours and we made each other look like asses!

[quote comment="86715"]Damn it all to hell this pisses me off, what a waste of talent…[/quote]

Now, now. This 4-fight contract will probably only take him through a year, two tops at EliteXC. At 23, Remy has plenty of years left in him, unless he suffers a serious injury.

Its definitely a shame, but I think this guy will most likely end up in the UFC, eventually.

[quote comment="86755"]I love your site, guys, but I find it hard to believe you could ever expect the UFC to accept you as a sponsor for one of their fighters. There is a complete lack of professionalism within every report (and it’s become more noticeable since the Fitch debacle). No one is saying you have to praise the almighty Dana or his UFC, but the senseless, opinionated garbage such as “laissez faire” and “much use for…” aren’t going to sit well with anyone.

Clean up your tone and maybe you’ve got a shot.

Besides…I come here to read the news, not opinion pieces from some over-zealous, albeit dedicated, fan.[/quote]

Like UFCMania said, this is a blog, not an official news source. Personally, I like reading opinion pieces. Especially, when the topic is MMA. MMA is one of the most personal sports ever: Man vs. Man (unless their women). Match that with the way each league, team and fighter markets themselves, and you have a ton of factors that play into everyone’s opinions. Why would anyone just report this stuff objectively?

I never heard of EliteXC until now, but I love it. The UFC underpays 95% of their fighter’s while the executives line their pockets with gold. I’m so happy there is a lucrative choice out there for the fighters.

Dang it, please stop talking like there was a possibility of a Soko/Shogun fight anytime soon, just cause Soko kept running his mouth.

I’d love to see Brock Lesnar in the UFC. I’d like to see him fight Tim Sylvia and whoop his ass!

[quote comment="86787"]I never heard of EliteXC until now, but I love it. The UFC underpays 95% of their fighter’s while the executives line their pockets with gold. I’m so happy there is a lucrative choice out there for the fighters.[/quote]
Im not sure its 95% of its fighters. I honestly dont know if Im educated enough to say they under pay fighters. Many undercards dont get paid dick, because… they are undercards. Plus weighing the fact that most MMA organizations LOSE money, the UFC is doing something right.

Anybody know what kind of numbers we’re talking about here- what UFC offered vs EliteXC? Salaries are well known in other sports like football, baseball, basketball but it’s still a big secret in MMA. Secret == fighters getting screwed usually.

[quote comment="86797"]I’d love to see Brock Lesnar in the UFC. I’d like to see him fight Tim Sylvia and whoop his ass![/quote]
I’d like to see Brock Lesnar fight anyone who I’ve heard of. After his ass is knocked out, it will be a non-issue.

[quote post="2509"]Maybe dan Henderson just doesn’t want him in the same running for the title that he’s going for. Probably doesn’t want to have to fight Soko. [/quote]

I highly, highly doubt that. That is not the type of guy Dan Henderson is. Henderson is in his upper 30’s. Sokodjou is 23. He was probably thinking that sure he had two great wins in PRIDE, but what if he had his first fight in the octagon and got KO’d by someone like a Jason Lambert. I don’t think its a bad idea at his age to go to EliteXC, run off 4 consecutive, decisive victories, than come into the UFC. Remember, he is still VERY young in his career. I wouldnt call him a well rounded fighter yet. He supposedly has a great ground game, but he just been knocked heads off.

And maybe his decision was not made becuase of huge money differential, but maybe he thinks that if he goes to the UFC he more than likely couldn’t come close to defeating anyone in the TOP 5 of the LHW division to begin with. And loses B and C level fighters, like a Keith Jardine or Stephan Bonner, he would fall off the face of the earth. Go beat some scrubs in Elite, continue training at QUEST, and you will continue to get better. A problem I see for him is that sure most of the LHW in UFC are starting to get up there in age, by the time he is completely ready for a tite shot, Shogun would still be about the same age as him (I know Shogun is like 2 years older), Rampage is what, 27 years old.

You can’t blame the management for chasing the good money through the easier competition. Although the decision will cost him in the future. The UFC is the big show and will soon be the only show. The recognition is key in this game in order to get the big fights, resulting in big money if the talent is there. In Soko’s case, he is definetly at that level and could be around for a long time coming. I’m not sure about this decision on managements part. Definetly wouldn’t have committed for 4 fights. 2 at the most

It doesn’t sit right with me that Dan Henderson (who is in the same weight division as Sok.) is so involved in negotiating Sok’s contract. Dan would be a direct competitor with Sok if Sok were to take a UFC contract. I know they wouldn’t actually fight each other, but all potential matchups would be affected by how Sok. and Dan do relative to each other.

It smacks of conflict of interest, and no matter how much goodwill Hendo has toward Sok (and I believe he does)–it would be hard for Hendo to completely separate his own interests as a LHW belt contender from the interests of a dangerous up-and-comer like Sokoudjou. If given some independent advice, Sok. might very well have been willing to fight for what the UFC offered. Instead, he is being given a Gary Shaw-inflated salary to fight cans over in EliteXC.

Hopefully, Sok will be able to knock out a few fighters there and come back to the UFC quickly in a year or so. If he’s going to progress as a fighter, he needs to fight the best.

Forrest Griffin vs Soko before the end of the year. Count on it.

[quote comment="86748"][quote comment="86744"]Better for everyone. UFC doesn’t gamble on an undeveloped name and talent, and Sok gets paid more early on. If he’s the real deal, then the UFC will pick him up after 4 fights. If he’s not, he’ll have made more money off EliteXC than he would have off of the UFC.[/quote]

Ok, when I said I agreed with the last three comments this one obviously was not there yet.

“undeveloped name and talent” … geez, he probably has better judo than Parisyan and alot better striking than overrated guys like Ortiz, but yea .. call him undeveloped, because he has not fought in the UFC yet.[/quote]

YT, I thought you of all people would know that a fighter is unproven until he wins a fight in the UFC. In fact, the only way to validate a fighters worth in his UFC debut is if he wins in dramatic fashion in the 1st round. A decision or a late 2nd round TKO is completely unacceptable. Oh & heaven forbid a new fighter comes in with 12 straight wins against world class talent & loses. That fighters career would end immediately!

[quote comment="86850"]Forrest Griffin vs Soko before the end of the year. Count on it.[/quote]

where do you come up with this sh*t?

Good info comes from all over. There is some truth to the guys words. The name does belong to someone else and they really do deserve some respect. Like me starting a company called McD’smania and saying Ronald sucks and BK makes a better burger, that cheap McD’s needs to beef it up already. You may not have started it for that, but like Dana saying he didn’t buy the WEC for what it became, doesn’t mean you don’t want it and shouldn’t roll with it.

[quote comment="86858"][quote comment="86850"]Forrest Griffin vs Soko before the end of the year. Count on it.[/quote]

where do you come up with this sh*t?[/quote]
Must be some good ganja

Minor point, but Soko hasnt signed anything yet. They have the contract, and are still reviewing it.

“A source in Sokoudjou’s camp, who expressed pleasure with the deal, said they’ve received the contract from EliteXC and will comb it over during the next several days.” — Sherdog.

[quote comment="86871"][quote comment="86858"][quote comment="86850"]Forrest Griffin vs Soko before the end of the year. Count on it.[/quote]

where do you come up with this sh*t?[/quote]
Must be some good ganja[/quote]

I dont do drugs, dude. Gonna have to get some from Tommy. But Forrest Griffin was at the EliteXC press conference. His conctract with the UFC was up after the Ramirez bout at 72.

I got the best!!!

MTU why don’t you come hang out tonight? Let’s man this out already. I’ll send my girl to get you and bring you to my place so you should know I’ll be on my best behavior. Not one person disrespects me in real life and neither will you. Not because of some tough guy BS but because I will treat you with the utmost respect. Seriously, do you remember how this started between us? I simply said you should be a little more respectful to others and you decided to verbally bash me. Are we willing to leave the computers and man this one way or another? I do smoke, so what. I spend more in my habit then alot of people make, does that make me a loser? I’m willing to shake your hand and put this behind me, are you? At the very least you can watch the fights tonight for free. If not then stop bashing people who have the heart to fight, much less simply face their enemies under a banner of truce.

Yo Tommy, I got your back(not that u need it) MTU has a certain way of crossing people and sooner or later it’ll catch up with him.MTU may not remember me and thats fine(its always better when they don’t remember u)but we have had wars of words ourselves because I am also a smoker.I’m not exactly proud of it but it is a fact. Tommy, u seem like a decent enough person 2 admit when u r wrong. I just don’t think MTU shares the same respect values we do.

I think MTU needs a hug…

[quote comment="86894"]MTU why don’t you come hang out tonight? Let’s man this out already. I’ll send my girl to get you and bring you to my place so you should know I’ll be on my best behavior. Not one person disrespects me in real life and neither will you. Not because of some tough guy BS but because I will treat you with the utmost respect. Seriously, do you remember how this started between us? I simply said you should be a little more respectful to others and you decided to verbally bash me. Are we willing to leave the computers and man this one way or another? I do smoke, so what. I spend more in my habit then alot of people make, does that make me a loser? I’m willing to shake your hand and put this behind me, are you? At the very least you can watch the fights tonight for free. If not then stop bashing people who have the heart to fight, much less simply face their enemies under a banner of truce.[/quote]
what fights are on tonight?

is anyone really gonna pay to see shamrock?

[quote comment="86916"]is anyone really gonna pay to see shamrock?[/quote]
Damn good card man, seriously I’m excited.

[quote comment="86916"]is anyone really gonna pay to see shamrock?[/quote]
it’s not about watching shamrock fight, its about watching Baroni lose! This is a NYer sayin that!

Tommy, who takes it Shamrock-Baroni?

Forrest won’t go to elite xc, he is a ufc fighter for good why would he take a step down in his career a couple more wins gets him into contention and what is he gonna do with the other guys, jerk off until hes another frank shamrock c’mon man. And soko would fuck up griffin because he’s scared to engage after the loss to jardine and he would get knocked out again.

I think Shamrock is more rounded but Baroni hits harder…I hate Shamrocks attitude but he can go all three rounds where Phil might gas. Still Frank will probably win but I hope not. To me this is an event where the undercard outshines the ‘main event’ Almost every fight tonight will be worth watching and exciting. From Carter Williams vs Paul B to Cung Le to the Joey vs Rua to, well you get how I feel.

I hear what u r saying, but doesn’t Phil usually take on the heel role? Y do u dislike Shamrock so much? I mean his attitude is really no surprise and Baroni not only can’t handle his liquer and remain a gentleman but has been kicked from camp 2 camp 4 starting trouble. Don’t get me wrong Samrock has moved around a bit as well but that was more of his choosing rather than being excused. If any of my info is incorrect feel free 2 correct me. U r right about the undercard too. I guess its because of the fighters’ reps y I can’t wait 4 the main event!

[quote comment="86894"]MTU why don’t you come hang out tonight? Let’s man this out already.

Not one person disrespects me in real life and neither will you. Not because of some tough guy BS but because I will treat you with the utmost respect.

bashing people who have the heart to fight, much less simply face their enemies under a banner of truce.[/quote]
Ha! Is this your “Karo” ?

I personally dont give a crap if someone smokes pot, I just pick on Tommy over it.

The undercard fights were great. This PPV is what 72 shoulda been.

Tommy, I’ve tried to make peace with you before, and then you started back up again. So dont give me this banner of truce crap dude. The hand was extended once by me, and you didnt take it. It only ever gets offered once.

And bro, I dont fight in a cage but I train 3 days a week as I’ve said many times. I roll on a mat every week and recently have gotten back into kickboxing. So get off the crap I bash fighters who get have the heart to fight. I get my ass kicked every week and go back for more every time.

And if you spend more on your habit than most ppl make, you are a loser, bro. No way around that.

Tell me where you train then. Someone training with you is not trying to hurt you. Let me show you the difference. People spend in corralation to what they make. I make more a day then you do a month so it works out. Words instead of manhood. Coward

[quote post="2509"]“undeveloped name and talent” … geez, he probably has better judo than Parisyan and alot better striking than overrated guys like Ortiz, but yea .. call him undeveloped, because he has not fought in the UFC yet.[/quote]
Youtapped, didnt you see the video? They showed those two in a judo match, and, your wrong.
Oh and I think UFCmania had a good point. What if thre is a good enough fighter to beat him there, and Soko loses to a relative no namer, that could ruin him. I dunno about this. But for more money, good for Soko. I hope to god he kills everybody there, and Dana regrets this decision. I hate Dana.

Tommy are you ready??!?! MoreThanUFC are you ready?!?!?! LETS GET IT ON!!!!!!

Thats Soko, Filho and jens who else are going to ther promotions. If Kang is then i’ll be pissed.

[quote post="2509"]Besides…I come here to read the news, not opinion pieces from some over-zealous, albeit dedicated, fan. [/quote]Isnt that that the point of a blog. We discuss different opinions. Thats the whole point of being able to comment you can say whether you agree or disagree but mania should certainly be entiled to add his input to any news piece. If you disagree post a message why you disagree or if you don’t want to read opinion go to a news site not a blog site.

I dont know who’s watching tonite, but the debate as to who is the best striker at MW is over. Cung Le is just sick. Untested on the ground, but anyone who stands with him is either crazy or stupid.

Cung proves my point on striking, not just luck. Been a fan of his for years. A Real warrior.

Baroni just got his ass handed to him in rd one.

Shamrock via RNC complete choke out rd 2.

Dude, no one ever said striking was all luck. Get over it j/a.

See Frank kick off Baroni after the fight is over? Some people will never have any class.

ibread that is why I don’t like Frank. He has too much skill to act like such an ass. At least he can fight though, no pretend in him.

[quote comment="86850"]Forrest Griffin vs Soko before the end of the year. Count on it.[/quote]

I predict crying at the end of that one.

ufc just doesnt want to spend money on guys who go all out. it makes no sense to let this guy just go off to another promotion.
he might only have 5 fights but who cares if he is knocking out top 10 talent. if your gonna keep tito around who will never have the title again then why not sign soko. dana keeps saying nobody knows who shogun is and nobody knows who soko is but cmon we all know thats just bs and the only person who doesnt know these guys are dana white. im not say soko deserves 200,000 a fight but 32,000 to 64,000 seems about right for this guy. dana will lose all this young talent now in hopes of picking them up when all there old ass fighters are retired. fedor isnt gonna be around forever, crocop want to retire, randy might fight till he’s a 100 but he will retire 5 more time before that, chuck’s age will catch up with him fast if he doesnt learn to block shots cause he thinks his head is a concrete block. matt hughes has lost a step or the talent has caught up, franklin looks nothing like he used too.

i just want to see the best fighters fight the best. some fighters do much better when there younger and others get better with age. get em young and keep them if theyre winning.

dana punishes arlovski for a boring fight(took away his title shot) but then talks about how he wants mma to be a legit sport???? american fans want action but you cant have it both ways dana. i dont want the ufc to turn into wwe. a win is a win. i wish every fighter was as good as fedor and fought just like him but they cant or they would be doing it.

Yeah Tommy, I see your piont. Like you said though, there’s no taking away how skilled he is.

EliteXC has been signing exciting fighters. If they do things the right way and don’t get stomped out by the Zuffa Machine, they may have a future.

MTU, I was joking…
So Griffin signed? I would never guess White would let Griffin go…

[quote comment="87231"]EliteXC has been signing exciting fighters. If they do things the right way and don’t get stomped out by the Zuffa Machine, they may have a future.[/quote]
got a chance?…like a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest!

[quote comment="87433"]got a chance?…like a one-legged man in an ass-kicking contest![/quote]
They already have a multi-year deal with Sho-PPV/Showtime. I think Elitexc is gonna be around for a while, considering how they are teaming up with other organizations to pump out PHAT cards.

THIS MAN IS THE BEST IN THE WORLD …U THINK KARO ‘S GOT SICK JUDO ?THIS GUYS THE MACHIDA OF JUDO UFC PAY WHAT HE ASKS FOR IMAGINE
MACHIDA
HENDO
RAMPAGE
BIG NOG
MIRKO
KAMPMANN
SHOGUN
SOKOUDJOU ALLIN 6 MONTHS,ALL WE NEED IS FEDOR