Bobby Lashley to make Bellator Debut on September the 5th

Courtesy of Impactwrestling.com:

We are excited to announce that TNA World Heavyweight Champion LASHLEY has signed a deal with Bellator MMA and is set to make his debut on September 5th at Bellator 123. Lashley (10-2) will face Josh Burns (8-7) in a heavyweight clash.

The Bellator 123 card will be headlined by a Featherweight Title fight between Pat Curran and Patricio Pitbull. TNA and Bellator superstar King Mo will also compete on the card, making this a can't miss event for any TNA or MMA fan!

Bellator 123 takes place at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Connecticut on September 5th and will be broadcast LIVE and FREE on Spike TV!

Opinionated View- Bellator recently underwent a number of changes but it seems they still want to work with TNA also the long running habit of setting up easy fight to build guys records is still going on. 

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Chael Sonnen Says Paul Heyman 'Saved' The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3

- In a recent interview with Wrestling Observer Radio, UFC fighter and analyst Chael Sonnen said Paul Heyman saved the current season of The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil, which sees Chael Sonnen coaching against rival Wanderlei Silva. Below are some highlights:

Sonnen on contacting Heyman because he was starting to become a "babyface" character because of Wanderlei Silva's actions, which he didn't want: "I've never met him, but I know what he's done. He's a little bit older than me, so I felt I could trust him. I'm breaking a confidentiality agreement but there were circumstances where I was jammed up and I had to make an executive decision...To say he was ruining the show may be extreme, but the interaction between he and I is an element of the show that's important. There has to be the interaction of the coaches. It's an important factor. I didn't know what to do. I didn't know how to handle this. This is the same time I'm losing my grip on my character as a heel. I can feel it slipping away. He's being aggressive. He's skipping practices. He's partying. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to handle this...Paul was a guy that even without knowing him, I knew I could trust him. We have mutual friends, Brock Lesnar and (former pro wrestling headliner) CM Punk. I knew he was an expert in psychology and I was stuck, working through this spot, having to deal with this, [Silva] not talking to me and the reversal of roles that I didn't see coming."

Sonnen on the advice Heyman gave him: "He told me, `Listen, you have to shoot (be completely real, not holding back verbally) on him. If he's not playing along, you have to drop everything and shoot on him.' He laid it out a lot more aggressive than that. `You have to drop everything and come clean.' He went into it a lot more detail than that. In many ways, Paul Heyman saved Ultimate Fighter (Brazil) 3. He kept his word. He kept his secrecy up. So not only should we thank Paul for the huge ratings, but we can also blame him for all the bad things."

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WWE News: Brock Lesnar returning to UFC?

There are rumors within the mixed martial arts world that WWE star Brock Lesnar has interest in returning to UFC. The MMA Fighting website has a story that notes there are rumors that Lesnar will be in attendance at UFC 168 and meet with UFC President Dana White in Las Vegas on Saturday.

White was asked about the rumors at the UFC 168 press conference. "Really?" White responded. "I don't know. I honestly don't know." When asked if he was being honest, White replied, "Honestly." Read more on the story at MMAFighting.com. 

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Bully Ray Offers To Fight Rampage Jackson at Bellator Show

From Mike Johnson- Former TNA champion Bully Ray has taken to Twitter campaigning that he wants to step into Bellator's cage and replace Tito Ortiz against Rampage Jackson on 11/2.
The 11/2 event was originally scheduled to be a PPV broadcast, but with Ortiz out, will not be a free special on Spike.

Ortiz had been seen in TNA as part of Ray's Aces & Eights group during the build for the fight, which saw Rampage Jackson booked as part of the Main Event Mafia.

Ray's offer to fight Jackson led to a back and forth between the two on Twitter over the last several days.

In asking around, I am told that this wasn't Ray just trying to get publicity for himself, but being absolutely serious in that if Bellator would entertain his offer, he'd step in the ring with Jackson in what would be most interesting TNA-Bellator crossover.

Here are some of the Tweets in question:

Bully Ray        ✔ @REALBully5150

Heard @Rampage4real needs a new opponent. Show me the $$$ and I'll step into that cage and make ya famous...when I knock you out.

If @Rampage4real would accept my challenge, I would show him the TRUE meaning of Hell in a Cell. @Titoortiz out, BULLY in. #HIAC.

1. Quinton Jackson        ✔ @Rampage4real

   @REALBully5150 lets do this.. I'll fight u anytime brother. U will learn real fast y I'm called Rampage. Step n the cage!

Bully Ray        ✔ @REALBully5150

Your peeps know where 2 find me. Fans wanna c it.RT @Rampage4real: @REALBully5150 lets do this. I'll fight u anytime bro. Step in the cage.

Opinionated View-  I highly doubt this would happen. If I had to guess Rampage will face the winner of the King Mo vs Emmanuel Newton fight. The interesting thing would be if TNA uses this when Rampage returns to Impact. 

Major UFC Name Headed To WWE?

- A major UFC name is reportedly meeting with WWE this week about working for them in 2014. No name was given, but it is not Chael Sonnen. Sonnen previously expressed an interest in becoming a pro wrestler. 

Opinionated View- The Key is Reportedly witch could mean nothing will ever come from it. As for how major the name is we will see. My guess it could be Josh Barnett who has wrestled in Japan for years. 

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Bobby Lashley Returning to MMA

Former Wrestlemania main eventer Bobby Lashley will return to MMA on 6/29 in Kansas City at the debut Global Warrior Challenge event. His opponent still has yet to be named. The show will be broadcast on PPV this weekend.

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Rampage Jackson Comments on TNA and Bellator Deal

TMZcaught up with Rampage Jackson and asked him about his new deal with Spike TV, Bellator andImpactWrestling. Here is what he had to say…

"When you look at my deal in the UFC, and the scope of what my deal with Bellator and TNA is, this is a dream come true. When other fighters get the chance to see everything I'm able to do with this deal and the benefits it provides, you're going to see a big change inMMA. I guarantee it."


When asked for comment about the deal, UFC President Dana White had the following to say…

Good for him. I couldn't be happier for him. I hope he is happy. And good luck to him."

Press Release on Rampage Jackson Joining TNA and Bellator

From Impactwrestling.com:

QUINTON “RAMPAGE” JACKSON JOINS FORCES WITH BELLATOR MMA, TNA WRESTLING AND SPIKE TV FOR LANDMARK PARTNERSHIP

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, the mixed martial arts icon and action-movie star has agreed to a monumental, multi-year partnership with Spike TV, Bellator MMA, and TNA Wrestling, it was jointly announced today by Kevin Kay, Spike TV President, Bjorn Rebney, Bellator CEO, and Dixie Carter, TNA Wrestling President.

The landmark partnership includes Jackson competing in Bellator MMA, along with joining the superstars of TNA’s “Impact Wrestling,” which includes fellow Bellator fighter “King Mo” Lawal.

Spike TV will also create a special reality series featuring Rampage that will lead into his debut with Bellator, along with other entertainment initiatives.

“Rampage is a true superstar both inside and outside the MMA cage” Bellator CEO & Chairman Bjorn Rebney said. “The partnership that we’ve created with Quinton is unlike anything that’s ever been done in the sports & entertainment arena and Rampage is the perfect athlete/entertainer to carry it off.”

"Rampage is one of the best known MMA fighters competing today," said Carter. "He is a true cross-over star and his talent, big personality and popularity among a wide range of fans make him an extraordinary fit for our company,”

“We are thrilled to create this opportunity for one of the greatest athletes and personalities in MMA,” said Kevin Kay, Spike TV President. “Rampage is a proven ratings driver who brings incredible star power to both Bellator and TNA.”

Jackson (32-11) joins Bellator as a former Pride and UFC champion, having last fought on Spike TV in September 2007, in a fight vs. Dan Henderson that drew nearly 6 million viewers, making it one of the most watched fights in the sport’s history. In 2009, Jackson served as a coach on Spike’s “The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights,” the highest-rated season by far in franchise history, delivering over 3 million viewers per week. Rampage joins a Bellator Light Heavyweight division that features “King Mo,” Renato “Babalu” Sobral, Emanuel Newton, Attila Vegh and Vladimir Matyushenko.

The charismatic fighter from Memphis, TN began his professional MMA career in 1999 and established his legacy across the globe through epic battles with MMA titans including Wanderlei Silva, Chuck Liddell, Jon Jones and Dan Henderson among others.
Jackson starred in the 2010 blockbuster film, “The A-Team,” as “B.A. Baracus,” the character made famous by Mr. T in the television series. Jackson’s other film credits include “Confessions of a Pit Fighter,” “Fire With Fire,” “Never Surrender,” and “Miss March.”

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson Signs With TNA

TNA President Dixie Carter on Twitter:

MMA Icon, Movie Star & now @IMPACTWRESTLING Superstar! Welcome Quinton "Rampage" Jackson (@Rampage4real) to the family.

MMAFighting.com is also reporting that Jackson has also signed with Bellator and his deal will be much like "King" Mo Lawal where he will appear for both TNA & Bellator.