Exclusive: Ricco Rodriguez out of DREAM.15
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Ricco Rodriguez will not be fighting at DREAM.15.
FiveOuncesofPain.com recently received word through sources close to Rodriguez that his previously anticipated showdown with Alistair Overeem is definitely off.
5 Oz was also able to confirm that DREAM officials attempted to salvage Rodriguez’ participation on the card after Overeem decided he wasn’t interested in the match-up, but none of the replacement opponents, such as Ikuhisa “Minowa-man” Minowa, felt as if they had enough time to train for the bout.
Rodriguez is currently riding a seven-fight win streak in the heavyweight division, with six of those victories ending decisively by submission, KO or TKO.
Cory Brady is the managing editor of FiveOuncesOfPain.com, along with being a regular feature writer with Ultimate MMA Magazine. You can follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/corybrady
| All posts by Cory Brady
This sucks. I was actually looking forward to seeing Suave back in action.
Shame Minowa-man couldn’t get up to speed in time, he’s always entertaining. I personally would have liked to see Rodriguez v Minowa more than Overeem.
Well-Done.
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Just out of curiosity….Who is Overeem interested in fighting?
As for Ricco, I wonder if they tried Timmay or Monson? Both would have been good choices for Japan.
Well-Done.
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From the photo Ricco looks like he would have been in shape. I still think Overeem would’ve owned him, though.
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From what I read Overeem wanted the fight but that Dream had changed the bout from a title to non title fight and his opponent to many times and he just said no more. Plus the guy has 8 fights in 8 months the dude needs a break. I feel bad for Ricco though as I to wanted to see him get a shot at a legit HW.
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Ricco is looking good…hope he gets to go on a decent run at a higher level before his career is out.
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Weak-Sauce.
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I thought this was known ever since Overeem said he would not fight….
sucks for Ricco, but with his string of victories he will get more chances. As for Alistar, I understand his dismay for DREAM. He claims he has not been paid for past fights covering 2 years. Not many know, but DREAM is in financial crisis and barely keeping it’s proverbial head above water….
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Is that really a recent picture of Ricco? He looks Amazing! Better than he ever did in the UFC. I hope we still get a chance to see the slimmed down Ricco in the cage or ring VERY soon!
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I think the ufc would have been better off picking up Ricco instead of Hunt.
Well-Done.
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If that is a recent picture of him i am amazed. When he fought bigfoot a couple of years ago he was in horrible shape though his cardio was still pretty good. If i remember correctly he lost a close decision so if he truly has turned things around i would like to see what he can do
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that pic has been floating around for days. it isnt recent, but that is about what he looks like now.
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Overeem wants to fight people who aren’t has beens. He would like to fight for titles. He is the best heavyweight Dream has to offer. He’s proved it by going undefeated in Dream an Strikeforce. He shold be champion in both. Just like Gilbert Melendez should go to Japan and have the Dream championship too.
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No, Overeem was going to take this fight if only Dream would have made it HVYWGT Title bout, which they weren’t interested in doing. Say what you want about Rico but he does step it up against top-notch fighters, so I think I don’t think he would have won, but he damn sure wouldn’t have embarrassed himself.
Maybe Dream wants to have a tourny but their isn’t enough good fighters, unless you want to see Japanese Pro Wrestlers, so you can’t do that. They are losing fans by the min and once they do crown a champ in the LGT HVYWGT or HVYWGT champions all you will hear is the sound of crickets because no one will give a shit.
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gutted i like Ricco, thought he coulda taken Overeem out.
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He should go to SF or the UFC for a fight or 2. I am interested in how he would go against some top comp now and it seems a lot of you are also. Ricco vs Big Tim 2?
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