UFC 84 POST-FIGHT NOTES

By Gary Herman

BJ Penn, Wanderlei Silva, and Lyoto Machida all won big fights at UFC 84. They were not the only people making news at the show though. Many of the participants had a lot of interesting say things to say about what’s going in the world of mixed martial arts.

Is Georges St. Pierre next for Penn?

After defeating Sean Sherk to retain the UFC lightweight championship, B.J. Penn unequivocally proclaimed his desire for a rematch with Georges St. Two years ago at UFC 58, St. Pierre defeated Penn by split decision.

When asked about the possibility of a superfight occurring between two current champions, UFC President Dana White was not against it.

“I would definitely talk to B.J. Penn about fighting Georges St. Pierre,” said White, “I still think there is one more fight left for him at lightweight though.”

That one fight is the winner of the Roger Huerta vs. Kenny Florian match-up in August. Huerta believes that his fight with Florian is for the right to face Penn.

“We have been told that the winner of the fight will be the number one contender for the title,” said Huerta.

On the other hand, Penn does not seem interested in a fight with either lightweight.

“It will be hard for me to get up to fight Roger Huerta or Kenny Florian after beating Sean Sherk,” said Penn.

The Iceman set for return

Chuck Liddell recently pulled out of his June fight with Rashad Evans due to an injured hamstring. Until recently, Liddell was unsure when he would be back.

While Liddell’s return is not imminent, he does have a date for his next fight.

“Chuck Liddell will be fighting again in September,” said White, “At this point, we’re not sure who the opponent will be.”

With a win in September, Liddell could very well put himself in position to challenge for the light heavyweight championship in December.

Couture vs. Ortiz II?

Now that Tito Ortiz has likely fought his last match in the UFC, he has ideas on some big fights outside of the organization that has been home to all but one of his professional fights.

One man is of particular interest to Ortiz.

“How about a Randy Couture – Tito Ortiz rematch? Who wouldn’t want to see that?” said Ortiz.

For the Pride of it

Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou recorded his first UFC victory with a win over another former Pride FC star in Kazuhiro Nakamura.

During the post fight interview, Sokoudjou left little doubt about whom he wanted to face next.

“One more thing,” said Sokoudjou, “Shogun.”

Sokoudjou hopes to fight Mauricio “Shogun” Rua by the end of 2008. Rua dominated the Pride FC ranks for close to three and half years.

Featherweight dream match

Urijah Faber has a huge match-up coming up in the WEC against Jens Pulver, a fight many people are calling the biggest featherweight title fight in history.

Pulver, however, is not the only guy Faber wants to fight.

“I would love to fight Kid Yamamoto,” said Faber.

Even though Yamamoto does not currently fight in the WEC, Faber believes the fight still has a chance to take place.

“Zuffa has a tendency to make big fights happen, and that is definitely one,” Faber said, “And I think I’d win.”

The next heavyweight champion?

Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir has a golden opportunity coming up in a few months. He is set to be one of the coaches for the next Ultimate Fighter season and then will square off against the other coach, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, for the UFC heavyweight championship.

Mir believes the title fight is an opportunity he will take full advantage of.

“I wouldn’t step in there if I didn’t think I could win,” said Mir.

Family reunion

Welterweight Karo Parisyan is ready to return to the octagon after his upset loss to Thiago Alves.

In fact, Parisyan already knows the date of the fight, but not the opponent.

"I will be fighting August 9 in Minnesota," Parisyan said, "There are a couple of names being thrown around, but there’s no opponent yet."

Parisyan isn’t the only member of his family stepping back into the cage this summer. Ultimate Fighter season five runner-up Manny Gamburyan also has a match-up set.

“I am back in the Octagon in August against Rob Emerson,” said Gamburyan.

UFC 84 awards

Following the show, the UFC handed out awards for the best fight, the best knockout and the best submission. With the award comes a $75,000 bonus.

Best Fight: Goran Reljic vs. Wilson Gouveia. Reljic came back in the second round to register his first UFC win with a knockout victory over Gouveia.

Best Knockout: Wanderlei Silva. Silva scored a fast, decisive KO win over Keith Jardine in just 32 seconds of the first round. The win marks the end of a three fight losing streak for Silva.

Best Submission: Rousimar Palhares. Palhares defeated Ivan Salaverry with a beautifully executed armbar. First, Palhares went to lock in a rear naked choke, but Salaverry escaped and Palhares quickly transitioned to the armbar finish.