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The chances of the UFC holding a live event to counter Strikeforce’s second CBS event appear to be increasing by the minute. Dave Meltzer is reporting the UFC has put together an entire fight card for April 17.

Dana White confirmed today via text that UFC has completed a card for April 17th. The Wanderlei Silva vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama match is not the main event. The only thing confirmed is they are trying to finalize a Matt Serra vs. Mike Swick semifinal fight today.

The report didn’t mention how it would be broadcast, but it’s probably safe to assume it would be a Spike TV card and not a pay-per-view. Speculation has been running rampant today that a Kimbo Slice vs. James Toney could headline the rumored card, however Kimbo’s manager Icy Mike says Kimbo’s plans to fight Matt Mitrione at UFC 113 haven’t changed and nothing is in the works to fight Toney. With the UFC holding three consecutive fight cards later this month and UFC 112 on April 10, their talent is already stretched pretty thin, so it’s anyone’s guess what the mystery main event will be.

What’s funny is this might end up backfiring on Zuffa. Josh Gross is reporting Strikeforce and CBS have the flexibility to push Strikeforce “Nashville” back a week to April 24, the same date as the WEC’s pay-per-view debut, and may do that if the UFC tries to counter-program them on April 17.

After officially announcing April 17 as the return for MMA on CBS, sources tell SI.com that CBS is willing to move the card back a week if, as rumored, the UFC decides to move ahead with counter-programing. That would put Strikeforce in direct competition with Zuffa’s first attempt at selling WEC on pay-per-view, and likely signal the commencement of major ground operations between the promotional companies.

It was initially thought that production of an April 24 MMA card on CBS was unlikely since the Showtime broadcast crew, led by producer David Dinkins Jr., was handling duties for the second round of the premium network’s Super Six 168-pound boxing tournament that night. But Kelly Kahl, the senior executive vice president of CBS prime time, told SI.com that it as his impression “things were fluid” regarding the production dates, though he didn’t know for certain.

If you have the option to go against a free UFC card or a $45 WEC card, you go with the latter all day, every day. Zuffa isn’t going to counter their own WEC pay-per-view with a live UFC card, so they might as well take the path of least resistance. Sure, it’s going to piss Zuffa off, but so what? You know they’re going to counter Strikeforce’s first pay-per-view with a free show regardless, so really what’s the difference? If you’re forced to fight, take your best shots while you can.

Update: Nothing is official yet, but word is getting around to the various media outlets that a live UFC event for April 17 in the works.

Though the company has not officially announced the event and it should not be considered a done deal, two separate sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed that the promotion has begun to ramp up its efforts over the last several hours and that Spike TV — the likely broadcast outlet for the show — has been informed of the decision.

Though several possible matchups have been buzzed about in recent days, MMA Fighting could not confirm the rumors of a Mike Swick vs. Matt Serra matchup. Swick has been out of the country on a trip to Thailand, just returning yesterday, and might need surgery on an injured arm. Serra, meanwhile, fought just one month ago and would prefer a return to action in the summer.

Another alleged rumor pitting Wanderlei Silva vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama seems unlikely, as sources close to Silva told MMA Fighting that he is hopeful of a chance to fight on UFC 116 because the event takes place on his birthday, July 3, and in his new hometown of Las Vegas.

Scott Coker has also confirmed they have the flexibility to move their event if need be. Apparently, they initially opted to play nice and not counter WEC 48, but if the UFC is going to counter them, all bets are off.

“CBS had an opportunity to do the fight on the 24th and go after the WEC pay-per-view date, and they said, ‘No, let’s just do it on the 17th and be nice guys.’ Now that the counter-programming is coming their way, I think there is some fluidity in what could happen.”

“It hasn’t been decided yet,” Coler said. “I think we’re meeting probably Monday. But for now, everything is going to be locked and loaded for the 17th.”

Looks like a high-stakes game of chicken for now.

“We threw the kitchen sink at Brock when he came in. Are we going to do that same thing with James? I don’t know. To be 100 percent honest with you, all [expletive] aside, I haven’t thought it out…I like James Toney. He’s one of the greatest boxers ever. I have tremendous respect for him. He said he wanted to fight in the UFC and I was interested. Now he’s here and I have to figure out what to do with him. What we won’t do is make a freak show out of it. I’d be the first to scream if someone else did that, so I’m not going to do it…Hey, I don’t want this to be seen as a joke, and it’s not like Herschel Walker or Canseco or any of those guys. James Toney is a fighter. The worst thing anyone can ever say to me is that they were watching one of my fights and they changed the channel. That’s why I’ll never put [expletive] fights on…James is an interesting case. We know how much talent he has as a boxer and he insists he’ll surprise people by how much MMA he knows. I’ve still got some thinking to do. But if we promote him and he does well and that raises his profile and he gets a Klitschko fight and makes a lot of money for himself and Goossen, I’d be cool with that. But James came to me and he literally chased me around the country to do it, so I’m giving him the chance. We’ll get it figured out one way or another.”

—Dana White telling Yahoo! Sports he’s still figuring out what to do with James Toney, but it won’t be a “freak show”

The report also reveals that Toney will compete as a light heavyweight and will be allowed to box, which is a first for the UFC. According to Dana, Strikeforce was also talking to Toney about fighting Herschel Walker. Toney had this to say about the signing.

“Don’t make wise cracks about my weight, because I’ve been working hard and the next time you see me, you’ll be shocked,” said Toney, who said he would probably box sometime in the next six weeks to get the rust off. “Dana put his foot in his mouth and said UFC guys are better fighters than boxers. We’ll see. Everyone who knows anything about fighting knows I’m the purest fighter in the game. There ain’t no secrets.

“I’ve been fighting a long time. I was born fighting. I know what I’m doing. Boxing is still my main focus, but them guys are a bunch of (expletives) and they don’t want to fight. So I called Dana after he put his foot in his mouth and I’m going to prove he doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”

His first opponent is still a mystery, but Randy Couture is already asking for the fight.

Update: Dave Meltzer seems to think the Toney signing, or at least the willingness on the UFC’s part to allow him to box, had a lot to do with Strikeforce trying to sign him to fight Herschel Walker.Via Fight Opinion:

“Strikeforce was negotiating or at least Dana (White) was under the impression that Strikeforce was negotiating a Herschel Walker/James Toney fight for CBS most likely, perhaps for PPV. And so he decided that I will outbid them and ruin that fight. So I think that’s what that’s all about because the key to me is that they’re letting [Toney] box. I mean, like if [UFC] had any you know thoughts that this guy was really valuable to them, they weren’t going to sign him to a non-exclusive contract. They’ve never signed anyone to a non-exclusive contract and they signed him to a non-exclusive contract.”

On a semi-related note, there are rumblings that the UFC may counter-program Strikeforce’s April 17 CBS event with a live event of their own. However, since Herschel Walker is no longer associated with that card, will the UFC still see it as a big of enough threat to justify putting together a whole new event for? Doesn’t seem like it to me, but who knows. I wouldn’t put it past the UFC to do anything to crush the competition. Apparently, Strikeforce is prepared for it though. Josh Gross is hearing SF has the flexibility to switch their event to April 24 and counter WEC 48 if the UFC tries to counter them on April 17. Promotion chess match.

Oh, and by the way, Pat Barry wants to fight James Toney…tonight!

“It’s awesome, man,” he said. “It just widens the pool of fighters. If it was up to me, I’d rather see someone get stung and knocked out versus submitted any day. If he hits you, you’re going to get hurt. I’m looking forward to seeing him do damage if he can make the adjustment.”

“It’s dope, man,” Barry said. “I want to fight him. Tonight.”

Love that guy.

So it looks like James Toney and the UFC reached a deal after all.

According to Five Oz., Toney has signed a multi-fight contract with the UFC.

FiveOuncesofPain.com has been informed through sources close to the situation that James Toney has recently been signed to a multi-fight contract with the UFC.

Mike Chiappetta has since confirmed the news with Dana White, so this one is about as official as it gets without a press release.

I guess the question now is who, when and where will Toney fight? Maybe a fellow striker like Cheick Kongo or Kimbo Slice (or Simba Spice as Toney likes to call him)? Or maybe a legend like Randy Couture or Minotauro Nogueira who can show him the finer points of mixed martial arts? Who knows, Dana didn’t say, but the bigger question I find myself still asking is why?

Update: Rampage Jackson’s former trainer, Juanito Ibarra, has been tasked with helping Toney make the transition from boxing to MMA.

“We have been working on stretching, sprawling and movement, all the things he will need to get a handle on,” Ibarra said.

Ibarra said he wasn’t sure about an opponent or a date for Toney’s first bout. The trainer said he hopes Toney would be matched up with Kimbo Slice, noting that Toney should be given an opportunity to “get his feet under him” in the UFC.

Dana White has made it a point to let his 1,000,000+ twitter followers know that the picture of Chuck Liddell on the left is not indicative of the physical shape Chuck Liddell is actually in. He also wants everyone to know that we are a bunch of idiot websites you should stop reading for suggesting Chuck’s belly was back. I can’t imagine why any of us would do that…I mean it’s not like there’s a pic of Chuck from the set with his gut sticking out…oh wait, there is. Oh well, at least I didn’t liken him to the Cloverfield Monster (lol!). You and I may think it’s funny, but Dana White apparently doesn’t.

HT: WKR

Update: Oh boy, Jenna Jameson got into it with Chuck over Dana’s tweet. From BE:

Jenna: I think its funny that @DanaWhite defends Chuck Liddell like he’s his boyfriend… It’s kinda embarrassing

Chuck: @jennajameson she can talk all the shit she want tito is still a pussy and I ko’d him twice

Jenna: actually… I’ve never seen @titoortiz get knock the fuck out… Chuck has twice in the past year…

Chuck: oh I’m sorry the 1st 1 I dropped him and they stopped it the 2nd I hurt him and he quit

Jenna: Listen all you Chuck fans.. I saw @danawhites post defending Chucks gut…it’s embarrassing, my opinion, take it for what its worth

Jenna: Yes, Dana favors Chuck, always has… maybe he has a weiner to match his belly, and Dana may like it.hehehe

Word of the inflammatory comments Frank Mir made about Brock Lesnar last week has finally gotten back to Dana White and the UFC. At this point in the company’s life cycle, perhaps the only thing that could truly destroy what they’ve built is a death in the Octagon, so it goes without saying that they weren’t too pleased when they heard the interview. In fact, they’ve released an official statement on Dana White’s behalf expressing his disappointment in Frank Mir.

“I was disappointed by Frank Mir’s comments,” said White. “Frank’s been with the UFC a long time, he’s a two-time heavyweight champion and a commentator for the WEC.  I think his emotions are running high right now, he has a big fight coming up next month and he’s still upset about his loss to Lesnar.  He’s been talked to, he regrets what he said, and he won’t be saying anything like that again.”

In a text to Carmichael Dave, Dana was a little more, shall we say, himself.

“Frank Mir is a fu**ing idiot! I have never heard something so unprofessional and idiotic in my life.”

While Dana has never made any psuedo death threats he has a long history of unprofessional rants and remarks, so it’s kinda funny hearing that from him, but I guess that’s besides the point. Frank Mir arguably crossed the line, though he regrets what he said and issued a formal apology to Brock, his family, the UFC and its fans.

“I would like to apologize to Brock Lesnar, his family, the UFC and the UFC fans for my stupid remarks,” said Mir. “I respect Brock, all the other fighters, and the sport of mixed martial arts.  I’m sorry that I stepped out of line.”

Cagewriter grabbed the audio from the original interview if you missed it. It doesn’t sound as bad in the context of the interview as it looks in print, but it’s still a little much even for someone as outspoken as Frank Mir.

Image via CombatLifestyle.com

Not that this will come as a surprise to anyone, but Kevin Iole is reporting that Mirko Cro Cop is in serious danger of being cut by the UFC if he loses tonight against Anthony Perosh. Not only is the UFC disappointed in his performances in the Octagon, but they’re apparently getting a little tired with his lack of cooperation with the media.

Filipovic fights late replacement Anthony Perosh on Saturday (Sunday in Australia) in the opener of the pay-per-view broadcast of UFC 110. “He hasn’t done great,” White said of Filipovic’s UFC bouts. “Like I said, he’s a guy I respect because of his accomplishments. But we have some in-depth conversations, he and I. I’m real interested to see how [his fight] goes.”

“When there’s a press conference, you can’t find him,” White said. “He’s like Batman. He gets lost and you just can’t find the guy. It’s like you have to send out a Bat Signal to find him. I’m in a business where I deal with lots of different personalities, lots of different egos. There’s a lot of crazy [expletive] I deal with, and I try to deal with each guy a different way.

“Brock Lesnar wanted what he got and he had to come in and prove himself. Mirko Cro Cop didn’t. Mirko Cro Cop, everybody knew what this guy accomplished and what he had done. … Mirko has made a lot of money and he lives in Croatia somewhere. He’s a different animal, he really is. He’ll always be a part of the UFC history, but he hasn’t been the guy maybe we thought he might be. It would be good to see him prove what he can do.”

While Cro Cop may be in a must-win situation tonight, chances are he’s going to win rather easily. Even though he hasn’t lived up to his potential in the Octagon, he’s won all his fights against clearly outmatched opponents since he debuted with the organization in 2007. Tonight shouldn’t be any different.

Meanwhile, Dana says that Stephan Bonnar and Wanderlei Silva will be with the promotion for life.

Moving on, Michael Rome of Bloody Elbow reported on a lawsuit between the UFC and Rampage Jackson. Here’s the gist of the dispute:

To boil the dispute down to simpler terms, the issue is Jackson’s current contract and when it ends. Jackson wants his period away from the UFC to count towards his contractual term; the UFC is arguing that since he retired they were able to properly suspend the term for that period.

Iole also reported that Rampage signed his bout agreement to face Rashad Evans at UFC 114 this weekend in Australia. It sounds like the UFC and Rampage are making amends because the lawsuit will likely be dropped now. Plus, Dana White admitted he was impressed with what he’s seen so far with the “A-Team” movie.

Jackson went ahead and did the movie, which White said “is a real movie. Watch the trailer of this thing and you’ll see, that’s a real, big-time movie. Some of these guys come to me and tell me they’re filming a movie and you see the thing and it’s like it was filmed on a little home camcorder. Rampage’s movie is not like that. It’s definitely the real thing.”

Sherdog has a complete list of notes from the UFC 110 Fight Club Q&A session you should check out too. My favorite is Dana proclaiming Herb Dean is the best referee in the history of the sport…

Video via Cagewriter

Dana White does not approve of all the attention Herschel Walker has gotten from mainstream media outlets like ESPN while his guys like GSP, BJ Penn, Anderson Silva and Lyoto Machida can’t get any. He scoffs at the idea of Herschel Walker in the UFC and goes as far as saying it would result in the first death in the Octagon.

If you missed it, here’s a list of improvements, enhancements and new features to expect for UFC Undisputed 2010.

Well, nothing at the moment. Randy Couture has fought three times in the last seven months which is a lot for an elite mixed martial artist, especially for one in his forties. With his win over Mark Coleman he’s essentially been put in a holding pattern.

Dana White has been telling everyone who will listen that Couture is a top-five light heavyweight. He’s in the mix for a title shot, but before any decisions are made Dana needs to see how the big light heavyweight fights scheduled for May shake out.

Personally, I think Randy needs a win over a top light heavyweight before he “deserves” another title shot, but we all know that’s not how it always works. If you ask me, the only acceptable scenario that results in Randy fighting the title is if Machida beats Shogun, Rashad beats Rampage and Forrest beats Lil’ Nog. Otherwise, there are much more deserving title fights to be made among those six competitors. If Randy doesn’t get the next title shot, there are some decent fights out there for him in the meantime against guys like Rich Franklin or Thiago Silva as MMA Valor suggested.

By the way, Dana White is not against Couture moving back up to heavyweight if/when it makes sense. Couture doesn’t seem too interested, but if he’s unable to reclaim the belt at 205, don’t be surprised if he moves back to heavyweight to reinvigorate his career once again. That seems to be the pattern.

It all started last fall when Tito Ortiz called Mark Coleman a sissy for pulling out of their scheduled fight at UFC 106. Mark Coleman’s manager retaliated by getting a little too personal and taking shots at Tito’s girlfriend, ex-porn queen Jenna Jameson.