According to Sherdog, Chuck Liddell will take on Rashad Evans at UFC 85 on June 7 from London, England. Liddell was originally scheduled to fight Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, but Rua was forced to withdraw after suffering a ACL knee injury.
Evans winner of “The Ultimate Fighter” season 2, was originally set to take on Thiago Silva at UFC 84 on May 24.
It is unknown whether the UFC will find a replacement to fight Silva in May.
During the yesterdays World Victory Road (WVR) event, the promotion announced the signing of Kevin Randleman and ADCC (Abu Dhabi Combat Club) 2007 superfight champion Roger Gracie to its lineup of fighters. The two are scheduled to make their first appearance at the promotions next event WVR 2 on May 15th.
Randleman has also announced in a interview with MMAWeekly, that he is also signed up to fight UFC veteran Jeff Monson at Global Fighting Championships next event on June 21 in North Carolina.
“As of right now, I am fighting Jeff Monson, June 21 in North Carolina in Bobcat Arena…..My first fight is going to be May 18 in the new Japanese organization, it is not Pride, (but) World Victory Road”
Kevin Randleman a former UFC Heavyweight Champion and two-time NCAA Division I Wrestling Champion, has not fought since losing in PRIDE to Mauricio “Shogun” Rua by submission back in 2006.
Randleman career has been plagued with health and legal troubles. He was suspended in 2007 following his fight with Rua by the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) for submitting a non-human sample of Urine to the commission. He was also arrested for DUI in August of 2007. Apparently he was high on cocaine and tried to intimidate an officer.
Randleman health has been a problem throughout his career, his most recent issue had him hospitalized with a sick case of staph that left him with an open chest cavity.
Even with all his troubles, Randleman is a super athletic energetic fighter, who always puts on a good show, a good pickup for WVR.
The UFC has announced that Mauricio “Shogun” Rua will undergo knee surgery to repair an injury suffered in training for his fight with Chuck Liddell at UFC 85. A new opponent is expected.
“Scheduled to make his return to the Octagon this June against Chuck Liddell at UFC 85 in London, light heavyweight star Mauricio “Shogun†Rua has instead been forced to withdraw from the bout due to a ruptured ACL in his left knee, the same injury he had surgery on to repair last October after his UFC 76 fight with Forrest Griffin……Liddell’s opponent for UFC 85, which will be held at London’s O2 Arena on June 7th, will be announced shortly. “
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