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[TeddyDaBear]

this is an excerpt from Ken Pavia's column
UFC News & Rumors - MMA News - UFC Fighters - UFC Event Recaps and Previews - MMAjunkie.com

The day needed a pick-me-up so I called UFC matchmaker Joe Silva to check the progress of my guys’ fights. He said he was still working on it but then informed me they would be releasing two of them, Jordan Radev and Richie Hightower. While I protested, he made good points. Jordan just lost to Dean Lister at the last UFC to bring him to 0-2 in the show. He is a Bulgarian Olympic wrestler who had killed it in Europe going 11-1. I have to now man up and make the tough call to his translator — a very knowledgeable, no-nonsense businesswoman from New York. I also now have to earn my keep by shopping this UFC vet and getting him back on track.

Hightower is a different story. He is a buddy. I knew him socially, and he was my nightlife hook-it-up guy in Phoenix. He is always the life of the party, and the after-parties at his awesome pad are legendary. He had bugged me for a while to represent him, but he was my height and weighed about 240. I thought he was one of those guys who fought for fun and to get girls. He told me he was going to quit his lucrative mortgage job and get in shape; I hear this story daily from guys. My attitude is, “Show me.” Well, Hightower did. He dropped the weight; I signed him, and I got him a tough “tester” fight. He KO’d the guy in about 30 seconds. We applied for “The Ultimate Fighter” show even though he had never fought at 170 — and he made it. He showed well, and for a guy who is relatively new to the serious side of this sport, I was very proud of him. One of my favorite quotes was the advice Nick Diaz gave to little brother Nate before a WEC fight. While graphic in nature, it really is a life lesson. He said “F@#* him up, and don’t be a bitch.” Hightower was overmatched, but he wasn’t a bitch. He stood toe to toe, and threw leather and brought it. Joe Silva said we would be doing a disservice to this kid to throw him into the 170 mix at this stage of his development. “He is young, so why ruin him?” I will keep this kid working for sure.

Letting go of Radev doesn't suprise me, dude got KTFO by McFedries and lost to Dean Lister..kind of suprised about letting go of Hightower though, they seemed to like him and he's a T.U.F. guy

[Raiders18]

Meh no real losses here. I really can't stand Richie Hightower since the show.

[Clint]

I think Silva hit the nail on the head Hightower is simply outclassed right now in the 170 division. He needs to fight in some smaller name shows and get some more time and experience under his belt. Then he can come back and compete.

[ninjastix]

Not that I'm one to talk but...

I think the Danzig blog did Richie in with the whole "don't be a bitch part" with what Mac had to say about him squealing in George's crotch when he caught him in the armbar...

He looked good vs Rude boy till he got knocked out...

Then again it was Rude boy...

and he got knocked out...

::flips the front of his had upward::


You'll be missed Richie!

[jlruthven84]

Richie's a small WW, and still carries around some fat. He could easily drop to 155 and see some success in smaller shows until he's ready to step up again.

[ArMnHC]

Radev was useless in the UFC's MW division. after he got blasted by McFedries, i knew he wasn't going anywhere. plus with Anderson, Franklin, and Hendo in there among others...it never looked good for Radev. Plus he's another guy who can't speak english. how could he ever relate to the fans. At least guys like Anderson and Gonzaga are learning english, would it have taken a title shot for Radev to do that? who knows. wish him the best in other organizations though.

that sucks about Richie Hightower. if they got rid of him, they better have dropped guys like Billy Miles and Dan Barerra because they put on less inspiring performances at the finale then Hightower did. i wish him the best too. i see him immediatelt getting signed by Elite XC or HDNet Fights.

[notrightn0w]

Hightower is probably going to call Joe Silva and say "You me and space dude." Then say "Forget it I need to lose 20 lbs".

[smoogy]

Fuck him up and don't be a bitch. lol, that should be a bumper sticker, along with half of everything Nick Diaz says.

[2mcgrath]

that doesnt really suprise me that much that they let this guys go

[notrightn0w]

Originally Posted by smoogy

Fuck him up and don't be a bitch. lol, that should be a bumper sticker, along with half of everything Nick Diaz says.

yeah Nick rocks