Final News and Notes from UFC 75 Conference Call

As reported earlier, the major news is that Renato "Babalu" Sobral has been cut from his contract with the UFC.

Highlights from yesterday's conference call:

Dana White:

There is no doubt about it, Dan Henderson is still overall number one or two at 185, win or lose against Rampage.

No clue what I might do with Sean Sherk and that situation if he loses his appeal.

Have not signed Ryo Chonan to a contract.

Randy Couture will be out with his injury at least six weeks with his arm injury, but it should have no impact on the timing of his next title defense. Super Bowl weekend is a potential return date.

This season of The Ultimate Fighter is just as good or better as previous seasons. The coaches do not get along well.

There are a lot of options for a next opponent for Randy. He won't fight again until the beginning of the year. If Fedor Emelianenko came in, he' probably receive a title fight right away. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira will fight again before the end of the year, if he wins he'd be the number 1 contender, or the guy who beats him.

Regarding Josh Barnett's statements that Randy Couture is a paper champion: "Nobody gives a shit about Josh Barnett, especially me."

Wanderlei Silva will fight in December, but there is currently not an opponent lined up for him.

Regarding Brock Lesnar: "I've never taken any of the WWE guys serious. But I take this guy serious. He's a big strong guy. He's a great wrestler. And I actually think this guy can adapt to MMA and i think he can do well."

The UFC has got all the PRIDE stars, except Fedor. There have been talks with Denis Kang, but he isn't one of the big stars out of PRIDE, but would like to get him as well.

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson:

I've trained the same way for this fight than every other fight when I was a challenger. My belt has got nothing to do with this fight.

As soon as I heard Dan was fighting Wanderlei I knew Dan was going to win. I've been knocked out by Wanderlei too, and I know you are a little gun shy coming back from a knock out, I don't think it was the same Wanderlei after being beaten by Cro Cop.

We've been training in Big Bear with Michael Bisping, Brandon Vera, Cheick Kongo, a lot of guys.

Dan Henderson:

I feel that I have better wrestling credentials and am better on the ground than Rampage. He has some explosiveness that helps him out. The preparation for everyone at the top level is tough. It is just a matter of coming with a good gameplan for each guy. Rampage is going to be tough all around. I am expecting to go a 25 minute war, against a guy that is really explosive and bigger than me as well.

I haven't thought much past this fight where I may fight after weight class wise, though I'd rather not cut weight. I don't really notice the weight difference of my opponents at 205. I feel that I can beat anyone at 205, so why should I move down to 185 and cut weight. It's a more difficult challenge for me at the higher weight.

Michael Bisping:

When asked what has changed between his earlier statements that Matt Hamill was not a fight he was interested in: I can see why the fans want to see this fight against Matt. This is the fight that the UFC has lined up for me.

Regarding what it means to him to beat Matt: It doesn't mean too much to beat Hamill other than answering the question of how I match up against a world class wrestler.

Matt Hamill:

I am not really concerned with Bisping outside of his kicks.

Other Noteables:

Dana announced that Dan Henderson's wife had a baby girl last night.

When Dana was asked if he knew Babalu's reaction to being released from his contract: "I'm sure he's not f**king happy about it".

As the conference call was winding up, Rampage jumped in with this gem: "Dana, you more famous than all of us put together."

Source: www.411mania.com