MMA Newswrap: Brown Injury Update, Angle, Buy EliteXC, Leben, Kang, Tons More

In case you missed it, all the details on Wednesday's WEC show featuring the Mike Brown upset over Urijah Faber is here. I was listening to Jim Rome's radio show today and he briefly mentioned the upset. I'm hearing a lot about the untelevised Rob McCullough/Donald Cerrone match being a Match of the Year candidate, but I have yet to see it.

Also, Brown's injury he was favoring post-fight turned out to be torn cartilage in his ribs and he'll be out for 4-to-6 weeks.

-Hey, Kurt Angle is still talking about MMA! Despite most experts saying this will never happen, Angle told Max Kellerman on ESPN Radio earlier this week he was getting an 'MMA physical' and will be holding a presser about his future in the sport. When is this going to be again?

-You have some extra money? Wanna buy EliteXC? Despite word the fed was considering putting on shows in 2009, it was announced Thursday that Showtime will be selling off the assets of EliteXC on November 17th in Los Angeles via public auction. Fighter contracts will be what will garner the most interest and yes, Mr. Slice's contract can be purchased.

-UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva might have some competition as it was announced that Canadian Denis Kang has been inked to a four-fight deal. The 31-10-1 Kang (pictured above) was recently seen knocking out former UFC vet Marvin Eastman in 48 seconds and will be looking to do the same in his yet-to-be announced UFC debut.

-Also on the contract front, 13-2 Martin Kampmann has a new four-fight deal with UFC. Speculation is that he'll drop down to the welterweight division. Kampmann was last seen losing to Nate Marquardt via first round TKO at September's UFC 88, but is 4-1 in his UFC career.

-Oh, Chris Leben. Just when we think everything is turned around, you go and get busted for steroid use and get suspended from the UFC for nine months. The 28-year-old Leben lost a unan decision to Michael Bisping in October and tested positive at the event. Credit Leben: he's admitting to his mistake and taking his medicine. He also gets docked 1/3 of his pay from that Bisping match. Ouch.

-Jay Hieron (16-4) vs. Jason High (6-0) are getting ready for a welterweight tilt at Affliction's January 24th event in Anaheim, CA. It's unofficial, but several sites have reported it. Hieron is a former IFL Champion and is someone to keep your eye on.

-UFC President Dana White can't stand the new format of The Ultimate Fighter featuring the U.S. vs. the U.K. and told The Sun: "It's dumb, I don't like it — it's not USA v the UK, we're looking for the best fighter in the world." The question that no one is asking? If he hates the format so much, why doesn't he change it?

-Speaking of TUF, I thought Wednesday's episode was one of the most disturbing I've ever seen. I realize that 'boys will be boys' and that the juvenile antics are part of the show, but I'm all set with guys eating urine and semen-soaked food. For a guy in White that is all about fighter image, this stuff makes these guys look like frat-boy neanderthals. Also, there is no truth to the rumor that the show has been renamed The Ultimate Junie Browning.

Josh Nason has written and maintained Ropes, Ring and Cage since 2007. He can be reached at [e-mail].