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[smoogy]

Originally Posted by FiveOuncesOfPain

I've received quite a few e-mails about who the mystery challenger will be at tonight's UFC 71 card. The mystery man is expected to challenge the winner of tonight's main event between Chuck Liddell and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

I've done some digging and from what I've been able to gather, it's likely going to be Dan Henderson, although that's not 100 percent confirmed. I was told that it's expected to be Henderson because Dana White said that the fight between whoever is the light heavyweight champ at the end of the night and the so-called mystery challenger will be the first of the promised "Super Bowl of MMA dream matches." And by that, he apparently meant Pride champion vs. UFC champion.

The hope is that Liddell will win and Henderson will then come out of the crowd with the Pride equivilient of their 205 pound title (which is known as the Pride middleweight title). The bout between the two will not be a unification match, but is expected to be marketed as champion vs. champion. I'm not sure if plans will change if Quinton "Rampage" Jackson wins tonight because if he does, there will be a push for an immediate rematch for Liddell. However, based on his White's comments, he's backed himself into a corner as far as having to have someone currently not on the UFC roster challenge the winner of the match.

There had been a lot of talk that Mauricio "Shogun" Rua will be appearing in the UFC. That is definitely the case, especially since the Pride sale is now finalized, but he won't be the challenger. In fact, he might not even be in the building tonight.

Rua signed with Pride/UFC shortly before the public announcement was made on March 27 so he does not fall into the category of fighters currently on the Pride roster who are considering a lawsuit in order to have their contracts voided.

How soon we see Rua in the UFC depends greatly on how quickly the Fertittas can get Pride up and running. In an ideal world, Rua's UFC debut would be held off. However, if there's too much down time for Pride, he will make a UFC appearance sooner rather than later.

White laid out the groundwork for an eventual showdown between Liddell and Rua by saying during a conference call on Thursday that he expects the fight to happen within the next year.

In regard to Wanderlai Silva, I haven't been able to pin down what his contract status is. There's been a lot of talk that he's a free agent but during the conference call on Thursday and while on the Scott Ferrall Show last night, White spoke as if Silva was under the control of Zuffa. It's also looking more and more likely that he'll join Randy Couture's camp in Las Vegas. While being affiliated with Couture doesn't automatically make you part of Zuffa, I can't envision Silva moving full-time to the States and not fighting for Pride/UFC. If Silva fights for Pride/UFC, then it looks like he might hold true to recent reports that he'll sit out the rest of the year. The fact that he's considering sitting out the rest of the year almost guarantees he won't be challenging anyone at UFC 71.

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2007/05/...ry-man-is.aspx

I still expect Rua to be in attendance at 71, but there you have it... another insider predicting it'll be Henderson.

[Masscore]

Originally Posted by smoogy

http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2007/05/...ry-man-is.aspx

I still expect Rua to be in attendance at 71, but there you have it... another insider predicting it'll be Henderson.

If it is a non-title match, I will be psyched. But I will be pissed if it is for the title, because there is no way Hendo should get the chance at 3 titles.

But also, how many times have insiders been wrong? By my count, a lot.

[Afro]

This couldnt be more WWE-esqued, please let this be the last "Mystery Challenger" BS.

[twankydawg]

"I've done some digging and from what I've been able to gather, it's likely going to be Dan Henderson, although that's not 100 percent confirmed. I was told that it's expected to be Henderson because Dana White said that the fight between whoever is the light heavyweight champ at the end of the night and the so-called mystery challenger will be the first of the promised "Super Bowl of MMA dream matches." And by that, he apparently meant Pride champion vs. UFC champion."

I haven't read that anywhere, do you know where or what interview Dana said that in?

[smoogy]

Originally Posted by twankydawg

"I've done some digging and from what I've been able to gather, it's likely going to be Dan Henderson, although that's not 100 percent confirmed. I was told that it's expected to be Henderson because Dana White said that the fight between whoever is the light heavyweight champ at the end of the night and the so-called mystery challenger will be the first of the promised "Super Bowl of MMA dream matches." And by that, he apparently meant Pride champion vs. UFC champion."

I haven't read that anywhere, do you know where or what interview Dana said that in?

It's been quoted in two or three articles using material from the conference call. Nobody wrote up a proper transcript, but he did say that.

[Mirko45]

Originally Posted by Afro Samurai

This couldnt be more WWE-esqued, please let this be the last "Mystery Challenger" BS.

While I wouldn't want them to make a habit out of it, I am digging what they are planning on doing tonight. The drama/suspense at who the next challenger might be a breath of fresh air.

[twankydawg]

I was just wondering. I don't think it would be Hendo though, I think he's going to have to defend one of those pride belts before he gets a UFC 205 champion. That's why I think it's Wandy or someone no one has thought of yet. No telling who it is, could be Vera, Lindland, Hendo, Wandy, CC cutting weight, I just can't wait to see. I hope it is a surprise cause I hate to say it, but it's probably 50/50 to be Shogun since he hasn't fought for a title at all yet.

[twankydawg]

Originally Posted by Mirko45

While I wouldn't want them to make a habit out of it, I am digging what they are planning on doing tonight. The drama/suspense at who the next challenger might be a breath of fresh air.

Rep'd, I agree, it's a little more fun without knowing who it is but knowing it's gonna happen tonight.

[Mirko45]

I can tell you it won't be Cro Cop. He has said a few times that he would have to cut off a major appendange to make 205

[smoogy]

Originally Posted by twankydawg

I was just wondering. I don't think it would be Hendo though, I think he's going to have to defend one of those pride belts before he gets a UFC 205 champion. That's why I think it's Wandy or someone no one has thought of yet. No telling who it is, could be Vera, Lindland, Hendo, Wandy, CC cutting weight, I just can't wait to see. I hope it is a surprise cause I hate to say it, but it's probably 50/50 to be Shogun since he hasn't fought for a title at all yet.

Its a fight for the big crossover show down the road, and Hendo is the 205 champion in PRIDE. He is the only one who makes sense in that context. And unless you're saying Dana White intentionally tried to swerve us, Shogun is essentially ruled out. Wandy is taking time off. CroCop is not a LHW. Vera makes no sense and Lindland makes less than no sense, he is under contract to another promotion.