Fightin' Words

By Matt Serra
UFC Welterweight champion

With one more win, we’d clinch control of the quarterfinal matchups. After a little bit of thought, we went with Ben vs Dan. I thought Ben could beat him anywhere, because he is way more well rounded. I really think he’s one of the top guys on the show, and given his age and ability, he is going to be in the UFC for awhile. Barrera definitely has a work ethic about him, you can’t question that, but he was more of a boxer than MMA fighter. Ben’s good everywhere, he’s well rounded.

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

Hey, Fightin' Words readers...here is some video of Long Island fighter, Greg Runfola, trying out at the IFL Draft in Mamaroneck, NY last Saturday. Enjoy.

By Matt Serra
UFC Welterweight champion

Blake and Mac were having issues in the house, and I think my guys hit the nail on the head with Mac – while he was always respectful to me, behind the scenes, he seemed like a grumpy kind of guy that was just taking his bad mood out on Blake. I did not agree with what he said about Blake not being a fighter. Blake definitely had the least experience in the house, but he made it on to the show, he went through all the training sessions, and he fought. He didn’t freeze up, he may have been outclassed, but he was definitely game. Not to mention the fact that Blake’s knee was pretty seriously injured during the fight.

By Joe Fernandez
Newsday.com

One of the only things that can stop a fighter faster than a strong overhand right or a vicious armbar is a contract issue.

The International Fight League is having one right now with fighters Ben Rothwell and Mike Whitehead.

Ben Rothwell (Getty Images)

By Joe Fernandez

In case you haven't heard yet, UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture resigned from the UFC yesterday. Couture, who is in South Africa shooting "The Scorpion King -- Rise of the Akkadian," sent a letter of resignation Thursday via fax to the UFC.

According to an interview posted on UFC.com by Thomas Gerbasi and a story by Josh Gross of Sherdog.com, the retirement comes after the news of MMA star Fedor Emelianenko signing with M-1, another mixed martial arts promotion. It was also mentioned in both stories that Couture felt that he was being underpaid compared to some of the UFC's other top fighters.

"I sent the letter of resignation to the UFC today, resigning not only from my position in the company as a commentator and as an ambassador, but also as the heavyweight champion," Couture told Sherdog.com on Thursday.

But you know what.........I think he'll be back. I don't know if he'll fight again in the UFC, but besides being a legend in the sport and company for his inspiring comeback, he's also an asset as a commentator and a representative for mixed martial arts. I don't think he could stay away and I don't think anyone wants him away.

By Matt Serra
UFC Welterweight Champion

Before we begin, I got wind of Matt Hughes blaming Joe leaving on me/my coaching style, both in the house and here in NY. I don’t know how he’d come to that conclusion, considering he didn’t sit in on my practices and has no idea about how far me and Joe go back, but he’s entitled to his opinion. He is also entitled to his opinion that Team Serra wasn’t working as a team, no matter how unfounded or unprovable a claim that is. All I am looking at is the scoreboard: we’re up 2-1, and looking to make it 3-1.

By Matt Serra
UFC welterweight champion

Matt Arroyo got us on the winning side of things with an impressive victory, and we were looking to build off that. But before we get to that…more drama with Joey (Joey Drama?).