Scott Coker: Talks With Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Champ Dan Henderson Ongoing

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Dan HendersonAs if Scott Coker didn't have enough championship belts already in flux, Dan Henderson's last win on his Strikeforce deal just added to Coker's list.

Henderson beat Fedor Emelianenko last month to finish off his Strikeforce contract, making him a free agent. The UFC has expressed interest in bringing Henderson back into the mix, and Henderson has expressed interest in returning to the promotion.

But Coker said Tuesday nothing has been figured out yet, and that if Henderson did return to the UFC, vacating his light heavyweight title, he was not yet sure how that belt would be filled - but that the winner of a fight between Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal and Roger Gracie, on Sept. 10, could position himself to be in the picture.

"There are ongoing discussions with Hendo, and it hasn't been determined yet," Coker said during a Strikeforce media call.

"I like to watch the fight and stir the pot after," Coker said. "Let's see who wins and how they win. We also have some other fights coming up in the 205 weight class - Mike Kyle will be fighting again shortly, and Gegard Mousasi will be probably be fighting before the end of the year. When the time is right, we'll let everybody know."

Lawal has not fought since he lost the light heavyweight title to Rafael Cavalcante a year ago, his first career defeat. Gracie is 4-0 with four submission victories, but has fought just twice the last three years.

No decisions yet on vacant heavyweight title
When heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem was given the boot from Strikeforce earlier this summer, many assumed the easiest solution to fill the suddenly vacant belt would be to hand it over to the winner of the ongoing heavyweight tournament.

But that won't be the case, Coker said. The CEO said there are no plans for the tournament winner to automatically assume the role of Strikeforce heavyweight champion, and that the promotion was "in discussions" to figure out what will happen.

Coker reiterated that he expects the finals of the heavyweight tournament to take place sometime in the first quarter of 2012.

In other news from Coker on Tuesday's call:

Cormier always in the heavyweight tournament mix
Daniel Cormier was inserted quickly into the heavyweight tournament when Alistair Overeem was cut from the promotion, and Coker said that was no coincidence.

"He was always considered the top alternate," Coker said. "Cormier was the first person under consideration. He had a great performance against a seasoned veteran like (Jeff) Monson. That fight, he looked like a kickboxer. He showed he had the ability to take it to the next level. We just felt he was the right guy. Anyone who has Olympic-level wrestling is going to give people in this tournament a tough time."

Cormier stepped in for Overeem and will face Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva in one semifinal bout. The winner of that fight will face the Josh Barnett-Sergei Kharitonov winner.

"Cyborg" Santos should fight again by year's end
Coker said Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos has officially re-signed with the promotion. Santos reportedly signed a new deal with Strikeforce last week after more than a year on the sidelines.

Santos (10-1, 4-0 Strikeforce) has not competed since a June 2010 knockout win over Jan Finney to retain her Strikeforce 145-pound title. Coker said no opponent has been set for Santos' return, but he expects she will fight before the end of 2011.

 

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Dana White interview: UFC president not seeing title rematches for Belfort or Fitch anytime soon

Dana White understands the desires of both Jon Fitch and Vitor Belfort to get back in the Octagon for a shot at UFC titles, but he's also got a promotion to run. Joining ESPNRadio1100/98.9 FM's "The MMA Insiders" show on Friday, White said it's a tough to sell Jon Fitch against Georges St-Pierre again. The same goes for Belfort against UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva.

Belfort doesn't believe that's the case. He wants the title shot and say Silva is afraid of him.

"If he didn't throw that kick, this would've happened to him. He knows that," Belfort said during the UFC 133 postfight press conference. "I would like to fight the winner of [Yushin] Okami and Anderson [at UFC 134]."

White was shocked by Belfort's words.

"Craziest statement ever made. 'Listen, if he didn't knock me out I would've won that fight!' Yeah, okay. Maybe," laughed White (8:25 mark).

That said, White is an admirer of Belfort. He just wants to see more consistency out of the veteran.

"The problem with a guy like Vitor Belfort is he's one of the best in the world [but] Vitor is just inconsistent," White said. "[...] Vitor Belfort needs to get into a consistent game where every fight looks like the Akiyama fight. Even if he goes in against a guy and it's an absolute war, at least Vitor Belfort went in and let his hands go."

Belfort has a lot of work to get done before he gets in there again with Silva.

"Vitor Belfort went in against Anderson Silva and got hit with a front kick and got knocked out in the first 30 seconds of the fight. Who does he gotta to beat and how long's he gotta go before you want to see him fight Anderson Silva again? Maybe a couple of Akiyama type knockouts and maybe we are ready to see him face Anderson again," White said.

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Gumbel doing story on MMA, Glazer and Liddell try to punch him

Chuck Liddell still wants to knock someone out and we know Jay Glazer is the master of the perfect punch. This morning, Bryant Gumbel was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Deadspin called the photo "cutesy," so we'll go with that. Apparently, HBO "Real Sports" spoke with Glazer and Liddell for an upcoming piece.

The photo is still better than the recent shot of Glazer with blond matinee idol Clay Matthews.

Tip via Deadspin

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Bouldering Burbage photos

Finally a little sun! Yesterday I went climbing in Burbage (specifically Burbage south boulders) in the Peak District near Sheffield. I’m really glad I’ve got these boulders within 15 minutes of my home. Although in a climbing wall / gym I’m happy on 6a/6b the techniques on grit boulders are a different world: lots of smearing [...]

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Kimbo Slice spectacular in boxing debut with 17-second knockout

Kimbo Slice built his reputation on the streets by destroying his opponents with a ferocious attack. Because of takedowns and grappling, it didn't quite work out for Kimbo in mixed martial arts. Saturday night he went back to his roots, albeit wearing the heavy gloves on instead of going bare-knuckled and scored a vicious 17-second knockout in his professional boxing debut at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma.

"It's like second nature for me. I'm comfortable here. I found a home here," said Slice (1-0) of his crossover to boxing.

The 37-year-old also knows he has a lot to learn and didn't want to get too excited about the win.

"I can't give myself a good grade because my movements were a little shady. I felt like I didn't really connect the way I wanted to. I still have a lot of learning to do. I'm a baby, taking baby steps," said Kimbo.

Check out the raw video shot from the crowd in Oklahoma. Kimbo took out James Wade with a brutal uppercut. Wade was out cold balancing on the ropes.

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