(YAMMA’s next “Super Fight” contestants.)

— You guys rocked it again as we gave away our last copies of Chuck Liddell’s Iceman: My Fighting Life. And don’t forget to contribute to the latest challenge we tossed at ya’.

— The EliteXC paid Kimbo serious cheddar. The other fighters not so much. But at least they attempted to ‘splain their $1 payday.

— YAMMA added to their “Old Farts Throwin’ Down” debut event.

— We continued shaking our heads at the Xyience mess.

— Kimbo videos got some play, including episode two of “WWKD?” and a Showtime Short.

— Sick submissions. Believe it.

— UFC Fight Night 13 was upped to three hours and gained another fight.

— News came at you in nuggets, morsels, bits, and small potatoes.

— Wandy and Baroni made love, not war.

— MMA reality series continued to be churned out of the crap factory.

— We talked chicks – and CP reader Anonymous obviously has a score to settle with Kim Couture.

Enjoy the weekend. We’ll do this all again next week!

(Fedor feeding the geese, or catching them for his supper? You be the judge.)

We’ve heard from Randy Couture about all the shit surrounding the attempt to make the Fedor/Randy fight happen and the subsequent lawsuit spin-offs. And we’ve heard from Dana White almost daily defending his ridiculous position. Now we’re hearing from Fedor Emelianenko himself about the fight and Lex Luthor’s repeated public bashings of him. In an open letter to Dana White that was posted on m1mixfight.com, the site of Fedor’s management team, the Russian superstar let it all out.

As posted on MMA Junkie:

As Emelianenko wrote (keep in mind it’s been translated by a third party):

Numerous times have I read mister White’s statements on Internet concerning myself. In my opinion, allowing yourself to say those things is not a sign of a gentleman or a grown man at all! If he candidly wants to prove himself right then let my fight with Randy happen or let me face the reigning UFC champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. In the future I wouldn’t want to hear those statements in my address ever again and I won’t tolerate that.

My last fight in Japan proved that I’m ready to fight anybody with any height advantage, skillset or experience. I have fought and still wish to fight the best athletes. The Randy fight is my goal number one right now, he’s a great fighter and this is a very unfortunate situation when too strict and one-sided UFC contracts don’t let this fight happen.

The whole world is eager to see me fight your champions, people don’t want to listen to your press-conferences. I’m signed with M-1 Global and this promotion is ready to organize such fights under our banner or in co-promoted events.

Fedor wants to fight the best. For those out there who thinks he only takes mediocre fights, he wants to shut them up. But he didn’t sign with the UFC because of the restrictive contracts and Dana White’s business tactics. We all know Dana’s style. If you don’t want to play by his sometimes-absurd rules, he’ll make it his life’s work to kick shit on your name. And he’s tried to do that with Fedor and now Randy.

Yet again, M-1 is ready to make this happen. Fedor has penned a letter begging for it. Randy is willing to be sued in order to hold out for it. Dana, you blow.

Need a little science to explain why guys like Rampage and Chuck seem a little educationally-challenged at times? Well, now you can get your geek on when National Geographic crunches the numbers on Sunday, January 27th at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Here’s what the NG site says about the new “Fight Science”, the series that examines…well, fighting stuff:

At the pinnacle of mixed martial arts (MMA) is the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), which has sought to legitimize MMA in a league that has become a pop culture phenomenon. Now, scientists analyze the unique fighting styles and capabilities of legendary fighters like Randy Couture, former UFC heavyweight champion Bas Rutten, former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz and two-time world submission grappling champion Dean Lister. Among the results, scientists determine that Rutten’s kick generates a force equivalent to a 35 mph (56 kph) car crash, and Couture’s endurance is nearly 10 times better than that of the average person and his blows generate double the force of a heavyweight boxer’s best punch.

As usual, things like the brain bouncing around in fluid after you get punched and your nerves sending signals to your jock that you’re in pain, are sure to be a big part of the show. The computer fighters – aka, creepy digital skeletons – will also factor into every test to help us simpletons understand just why guys go to sleep after being pummeled in the head a few times.

Honorable Mention: Pat Miletich 

10. Frank Trigg 

9. Matt Hughes

On Sunday, the Green Bay Packers took the field for the first time since losing to the Dallas Cowboys. But their Saturday night had them as giddy as a bunch of schoolgirls. Why, one might ask? Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reports that the Pack was paid a pre-game visit by none other than Randy Couture. Rumor has it that ageless wonder Brett Favre is a huge fan and coach Mike McCarthy also felt the Cheeseheads needed a pep talk from someone who knows how to fight through pain.

After playing clips of The Natural’s greatest hits, during which the Packers cheered like high school boys watching the American Pie movies, Coach McCarthy brought in Couture for a pep talk. Glazer writes:

The highlight of the talk came when young, brash defensive back Frank Walker got up and said there was a linebacker in the room named Brady Poppinga who was much bigger than him and stronger than him and continually picking on him. Was there anyway Couture could knock him around a bit?

The room exploded in laughter.

“Hilarious,” said McCarthy. “Only Frank Walker. Classic.”

May you rest in peace, Brady Poppinga.

Aside from movies and TV, Randy might even have a third career in motivational speaking. He was to spend four days in Green Bay, which is 3 1/2 days too long for anyone who has been to Green Bay. He lunched with Favre on Saturday, during which the two discussed aging like a fine wine while still kicking ass. The Packers went on to beat the Oakland Raiders 38-7 on Sunday. The Raiders must have been given a pre-game pep talk by Richie Hightower.
-Kipp Tribble

From last night’s episode…

Wow. Just look at that thing. My goodness.

As for Randy himself, I gotta be honest and say this was one of those “don’t resign from your day job”-type situations. As an actor, he enunciates every word in a very unnatural sort of way (no pun intended). Plus, he’s got those horribly disfigured ears. I just don’t see “leading man” in his future. Though I would love to see a romantic comedy starring him and Sandra Bullock…

[Refresh page every few minutes to read my sage insights. Enjoy.]

3:55-4:15: Spent the last 20 minutes downloading bullshit plug-ins to listen to audio on Yahoo! Sports. Jesus H. Christ. What did I miss? Dana is fielding questions…

4:17: UFC was talking to HBO for a TV deal, but it fell through. They’ll still be on Spike. So, it’s more of a non-announcement.

4:18: “As far as I’m concerned, [Randy Couture] is still the heavyweight champion.”

Today at 4 p.m. ET, the UFC will hold a media conference call to announce a new television deal, as well as the signing of Brock Lesnar and the UFC 79 fight between Chuck Liddell and Wanderlei Silva.

A half-hour later, Randy Couture will be holding a press conference in Las Vegas to explain his disassociation with the UFC — and hopefully comment on his future plans. Couture’s press conference will be broadcast live on HDNet as well as on ProElite.com. (Hmm…could this mean a signing to EliteXC is a possibility? Could a Randy Couture/Kimbo Slice fight be far behind?)

Stay tuned for live-blogging madness…

UPDATE: The UFC media announcement will be broadcast here.

Everything you need to know to start planning your week…

Monday, 10/22
Fedor Emelianenko will formally announce the details of his new fight contract today at 5:30 p.m. ET, from Marc Ecko’s offices in New York City. Could this mean that Ecko has bought a controlling stake in the M-1 Mix Fight organization? Or will he announce his intention to brand Randy Couture’s UFC Hall of Fame plaque with an asterisk? Tune in tomorrow morning for my full report on the press conference (yes, I’ll be there).

Tuesday, 10/23
Speaking of the world’s greatest heavyweight, the ION network will be televising Emelianenko’s April 14th BodogFight match against Matt Lindland at 11 p.m. (10 p.m. Central). Get pumped for the bout by watching the 25 Tuffest Moments of All Time highlight special on Spike at 8 p.m.

Wednesday, 10/24
If you want to make some easy money, bet a friend that Team Hughes will drop another match this week on The Ultimate Fighter, putting Team Serra up 5-1. Let’s just call it a hunch (and not inside info from someone who isn’t allowed to comment on these things).

Thursday, 10/25
How can you think about MMA when MTV’s Making Menudo is premiering tonight? Priorities, people…

Friday, 10/26
Undefeated 205-pounders Aaron Rosa and Jared Hamman clash at ShoXC: Elite Challenger Series, which will be broadcast on Showtime at 11 p.m., while former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Marcus Jones makes his professional MMA debut at WFC’s Cage Wars V in North Tampa, Florida.

Saturday, 10/27
Founded by Randy Couture and Matt Lindland, Sportfight will showcase Oregon’s best fighters at “Homecoming”, held at the Rose Garden in Portland and presented by BodogFight. King of the Cage welterweight champion Aaron Wetherspoon defends his title against James Fanshier at “Arch Rivals” in Reno, Nevada.

Sunday, 10/28
Controversial lotion-user Yoshihiro Akiyama and PRIDE veteran Denis Kang headline the 12-fight card at Olympia HERO’s Korea 2007 in Seoul, Korea. So, if you’re in the area…