Rampage Pleads Not Guilty, Plans to Use Chewbacca Defense

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson pleaded not guilty to the two felony and three misdemeanor charges filed against him by the Orange County District Attorney yesterday, and his lawyer hinted at the former UFC light-heavyweight champ's possible defense strategy. "We're going to use the 'Chewbacca Defense'," said Robert Orenthal, Esq. outside the Santa Ana, California courthouse after the proceedings. "I mean, Mr. Jackson is very Wookie-like and he's never been to Endor. And that has absolutely nothing to do with anything in the case - so it just might work."

Couture to Waitress: "Maybe I Will Have the Scrambled Eggs"

This just in: heavyweight champ and erstwhile UFC star Randy Couture is in talks with the waitress at a local Denny's over the possibility of ordering scrambled eggs. As most may recall, Couture walked away from his last scrambled eggs breakfast, saying, "This isn't the dish for me. I'd rather have oatmeal." Multiple sources close to the fighter, speaking exclusively to MMA Journalist, said today that Couture is indeed willing to try scrambled eggs once more, perhaps even before the end of the year. However, Couture himself could not be reached for comment, and it's unknown if the waitress at Denny's is even considering the option at this point.

Underground Profile: Josh Candon

At the last Underground Combat League show, New Generation Karate 172-pounder Josh Candon made short work of his opponent thanks to a blazing left hook and a smooth transition into a rear naked choke. But really, that's just par for the course for the former Marine Corp hand-to-hand combat instructor, who's amassed a spotless 4-0 record in his time in the UCL. "New Generation is a Goju Karate school but they have a fight team that's an MMA fight team," says the 29-year-old warrior of his training. "We really do bang on each other good."

Brett Rogers Struggles to Remain Relevant

Brett Rogers, who was passed over as an opponent for Kimbo Slice for EliteXC's October 4th event, sent a tear-stained letter to http://fiveouncesofpain.com/ yesterday blasting Slice and Ken Shamrock (who Rogers alleges took his slot on the prime time CBS fight show). An excerpt from the letter reads: "Wah! Wah! *Sniff-sniff* Boo-hoo! Wah! He ain't street! Wah! *Sniffle* Wah!" Kudos to Rogers for remaining relevant both in and out of the cage.

Trainer Confirms Fighter is Preparing for Next Fight

This week a trainer confirmed that his fighter is indeed preparing for his next fight, despite neither trainer nor fighter knowing the identity of the opponent. "We're not totally sure who it's going to be," said the trainer. "But you know how this business is. When the big show says fight, you have to go out there and give it your all." Speaking from his gym, the trainer mentioned the possibility that the rematch fans have been clamoring for would be next - but he was quick to reiterate that he really didn't know for sure. "Seriously, man, I don't know."

Rampage Formally Charged for Rampage

Former UFC champ Quinton "Rampage" Jackson was formally charged by the Orange County Dristrict Attorney for his July 15th car chase yesterday. In the July 15th incident, Jackson allegedly drove on a sidewalk in Costa Mesa, fled from police, and damaged other motor vehicles. The charges are as follows: one felony count of "sodomy by car", one felony count of "unlawful use of Xyience", two misdemeanor counts of "failing to make TUF 7 interesting", and one misdemeanor count of "losing to Forrest Griffin". If convicted, Jackson could face up to three years on the UFC's undercard.

Wanted: Someone Stupid

Are you stupid, willing to fight for free, and ready to get toyed with and tapped out like a fool? Tuff-N-Uff, a Las Vegas-based amateur MMA promotion, is on the hunt for a light-heavyweight opponent for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Robert Drysdale (yes, the same Robert Drysdale who won the Abu Dhabi World Championships absolute division last year and who teaches grappling at Xtreme Couture). The event is slated for October 17th. For those unwilling to face one of the best submission specialists in the world, there are other options. Former heavyweight boxing champ Mike Tyson is also looking to make his amateur MMA debut at the event, as are Olympic Judo gold medalist Kosei Inoue and Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling gold medalist Aslanbek Khushtov. Again, anyone willing to face these world-class athletes in an unpaid amateur MMA bout should contact Tuff-N-Uff immediately.

Drunk on Lies and Deceit, Dana White Blasts EliteXC's Kimbo/Ken Shamrock Match-Up

Spewing forth vitriol and words unkind, UFC dictator-for-life Dana White unleashed a profanity-laced tirade of epic proportions in response to the announced match-up between Kimbo Slice and Ken Shamrock for EliteXC's upcoming October 4th show on CBS. Claiming the bout would be the worst thing possible for "this *&^#%^@ sport I made", White attacked the pairing and called it irresponsible matchmaking at its finest. "Ken Shamrock does not belong on primetime television!" said White. "He belongs in the Octagon, fighting Tito Ortiz again! And again! And again!" In addition to the Slice/Shamrock fight, welterweight champ Jake Shields will defend his title against Paul Daley, female superstar Gina Carano will face Kelly Kobald-Gavin, and Benji Radach will square off against Murilo "Ninja" Rua.

Wherefore Art Thou, Josh Rhodes?

In June of 2007, Rhodes, a light-heavyweight with dynamite in his fists, stepped into the cage at CFFC 5 in Atlantic City and battered former TUF competitor Noah Inhofer senseless. This wasn't really anything out of the ordinary for Rhodes, nor was it a shock to East Coasters who'd been watching him wreck opponents left and right since his Reality Fighting debut two years prior. The kid was just a badass, plain and simple. But over a year has passed since that CFFC 5 bout and the college student has purportedly been hitting the books in lieu of the focus mitts - which is not just a loss to fight fans, but a loss to promotions looking to add depth to their 205-pound divisions. With a TKO win over Wayne Cole and KO victory over Lamont Lister, one can't help but wonder how the slugger would do when EliteXC star Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante starts throwing down, or when Strikeforce champ Bobby Southworth turns up the heat. Wherefore art thou, Josh Rhodes? We want to find out.

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