MMA News for July 27th, 2011

• Nate Marquardt, who was recently cut by the UFC in light of a scandal involving the Pennsylvania Athletic Commission and his use of testosterone, has signed with UK promotion BAMMA.
• In what could be a career ending fight for either man this weekend, Dan Henderson will battle Fedor Emelianenko on PPV. The reported payday for the fighters is over $2 million dollars with Henderson pocketing roughly $800,000 for the fight. Henderson was unceremoniously dumped by the UFC, signed with Strikeforce, which was then bought by the UFC so his longevity with the company is perilous at best. A win would cement Henderson's place in history but may not be enough for the UFC to continue to keep him on the payroll. A loss by Fedor would be his third in a row and put him instantly on the chopping block. 
• Tito Ortiz, who is scheduled to fight Rashad Evans at UFC 133 on August 6, 2011, was involved in a minor car accident recently. The accident did not injure the fighter and Ortiz is looking forward to gaining a measure of revenge against Evans.
• Pat Berry will face Stefan Struve on UFC Live 6 on October 1, 2011.
• In news that is somewhat redundant, Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal has said he will fight anyone if the price is right. After his lackluster performance against Rafael Cavalcante in August of last year, a big payday is not in his future unless he shows something against Roger Gracie in September.
• Brock Lesnar is said to be making steady progress in his recovery from surgery and is still looking at a January return date to the Octagon.
• Yes that is UFC ring girl Arianny Celeste kissing a banana shaped like a penis...
• Cung Le has said if he cannot land a deal with the UFC then he is done as a fighter.
• The women's division in MMA is in danger of becoming lost and possibly forgotten if a group does not step-up and embrace it as Strikeforce has done. It is expected that when the ladies contracts expire with Strikeforce they will not be signed by the UFC and eventually Strikeforce will be wholly absorbed by the UFC as well. Right now there is not a significant alternative for the ladies to continue to fight and regardless of how Dana White feels, there is an audience for these fights. Hopefully someone with some stroke will find a way to keep the ladies in the cage.
• In what is a somewhat sad statement, the total payout for Strikeforce Challengers recent show on Showtime totaled less than $100,000.
• Jeff Curran will be returning to the UFC after a seven year absence.
• If you are in need of an MMA cage or a professional wrestling ring and everything in-between please visit friend of the show Monster Rings and Cages.