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Just a quick note on the Liddell-Couture IV rumor. Franklin McNeil says in the video above that Liddell-Couture IV is not happening, and confirms what Chuck Liddell said in the video earlier today that neither fighter has even been approached by the UFC to make this fight. McNeil did state that if this fight were to ever take place, it would definitely not be in Germany, it would be in the US. Thank you Franklin, everything makes sense again.

The Atlantic published a really good interview with Lorenzo Fertitta on everything from details on Zuffa’s beginnings with the UFC to Dana White to fighter pay. It’s definitely worth ten minutes of your time if you have it. It’s pretty long so I’m not going go through all the questions, but I did want to bring the last question and Lorenzo’s response to your attention.

Remember the Rickson Gracie interview from last week where he said a comeback fight was a possibility if it was big enough. Who knows if he was really being serious or not, but I can tell you that there’s one man who’s serious about facilitating such a fight—Lorenzo Fertitta.

DS: When you hear Rickson Gracie talk about how, at the age of 47 or whatever he is now, that he could beat the crap out of these UFC fighters that he sees on TV now, is that an older man’s understandable vanity? Or is he telling the truth?

LF: Let’s do it! I mean, that’s the ultimate test, that’s what I said, right? Let’s find out! If that’s the truth, then let’s find out! I mean, don’t just say it. Let’s do it!

I’m giving this a one in ten chance of ever actually happening, but let’s say it does. Anyone want to play match maker? Who would you book against Rickson Gracie?

By the way, The Atlantic also has pieces up on Rampage Jackson, BJ Penn, and Arianny Celeste.

Props to MMA Payout and Bloody Elbow for the interview finds

We mentioned awhile back that the UFC was producing a “24/7″ style show for GSP vs. Penn II. Earlier today, MMA Junkie posted the details.

To hype the upcoming mega-fight between Georges St. Pierre and B.J. Penn that takes place Jan. 31 at UFC 94, Spike TV and the UFC will roll out a three-part preview series beginning Jan. 14.

New, 30-minute episodes of “UFC Primetime: St. Pierre vs. Penn” debut each Wednesday at 10:30 p.m. ET/PT from Jan. 14-28 on Spike TV.

The three-part series is said to have better production values than the Countdown shows, which are already pretty good, so I’m looking forward to seeing what they come up with.

Part two of their interview after the jump.

We’ve hardly heard a peep about UFC 96, 97 and 98 thus far, yet UFC 99 continues to keep popping up in headlines and stories across the internet. Why? Probably because two of the sport’s biggest stars—Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture—are rumored to be fighting for the fourth time in the main event, although both claim they haven’t even been approached about the fight yet.

…I know he remembers my knee.

-Wanderlei Silva