Kevin Randleman will fight anybody, anywhere, as long as it isn't 'Feijao' Cavalcante

by Jesse Holland on Apr 23, 2009 1:50 PM EDT

Do you wanna be a f-ing fighter?

So much for that heartfelt speech "The Monster" gave us at the post-fight press conference for Strikeforce: "Shamrock vs. Diaz" earlier this month.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman inked a deal with the San Jose-based promotion to make a return to mixed martial arts action and hinted at a June 6 debut in St. Louis -- with plans to make an immediate impact.

Here's a snip:

"Now that I'm here, understand this – it comes from the heart. I'll fight anybody, anywhere. When Scott (Coker) says it's time to get down and dirty, understand this: I'm not coming to lose, and I'm not coming to back up."

Though according to Ariel Helwani over at MMA Fanhouse, "back up" is exactly what he did when Strikeforce officials presented him with the chance to fill in for a paternal Renato Sobral at the upcoming "Lawler vs. Shields" event at Missouri's Scottrade Center.

"Babalu" voluntarily withdrew from his first-ever light heavyweight title defense against former EliteXC superstar Rafael "Feijao" Cavalcante because his wife is expected to have a baby around the same time as the event.

Strikeforce brass have been scrambling for a replacement, and Randleman seemed (on paper) like a perfect fit -- though apparently Randleman doesn't see it that way.

Talk about wasting an opportunity -- a win over Cavalcante could put him in line for the 205-pound strap after Babalu is done changing diapers.

"The Monster" last competed on the second Sengoku card in May 2008, pulling out a unanimous decision victory over Ryo Kawamura (9-3-2). The fight was Randleman’s first MMA bout since 2006 — a submission loss to Mauricio "Shogun" Rua at Pride 32: "The Real Deal."

It’s been a pretty bumpy ride for ex-Hammerhouse fighter.

In addition to surviving a SERIOUS staph infection that could have killed him if went untreated, Randleman — who is now training with XTreme Couture out of Las Vegas — was also stopped for Driving Under the Influence (DUI), intimidating a public officer and other charges in Sin City in late 2007.

He satisfied a one-year suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), which was issued for providing a non-human urine sample following his loss to Rua.

The two-time NCAA Division I Wrestling Champion from Ohio State University defeated Pete Williams at UFC 23 in 1999 to capture the vacant heavyweight title. Randleman’s title reign was brief, however, when Randy Couture stopped him the following year via technical knockout (strikes) at UFC 28 in round three of their championship bout.

Now nearly ten years later, the 37-year old Randleman is looking to recapture some of that old glory. Perhaps someone from the old Hammerhouse crew can tell the hammerhead that in order to do that, you have to first accept an actual fight, and not just pound on a desk at a press conference.

The real loser here is Cavalcante, an exceptional talent with no one willing to engage.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on Strikeforce: "Lawler vs. Shields" as it develops.

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Comments

Well, I can certainly understand not wanting to fight Cavalcante right away with a year of ring rust, but then he shouldn’t have been so emphatic about being willing to fight anyone, anywhere, at any time. If he wanted a tune up fight before taking on a contender, he should have said so. Tito has been vocal about wanting a tune up fight when he makes his return. There’s nothing wrong with that.

by mburtoni on Apr 23, 2009 1:56 PM EDT reply actions

Well he’s got a baby on the way; would be pretty hard for his wife to fake birthing a child so he could get out of a fight. It makes sense that he’d want to be there for the family, can’t fault him for that. Just bad timing, imo.

by O damn he got caught on Apr 23, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Randleman’s wife is expecting a baby also? Are you talking about Babalu or the Monster?

by mburtoni on Apr 23, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

O, my bad, misread the post; just ignore me. Lights on and no ones home… lol

by O damn he got caught on Apr 23, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Damn I should of read your second post. I though you were talking a Babalu, i guess noone is home in my head either lol

by lokie on Apr 23, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Randleman’s wife is having Babalu’s baby…so neither can fight cause they both need to be there I guess

by McArthur on Apr 23, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Its a shame. THey better find Fejao a good opponent, he deserves one. I dont know who else they can throw in there. Maybe they could barrow matsyshenko from affliction…or beg Sokoudjou to fight fejao, but he wants a can

by john on Apr 23, 2009 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions

it seems like all the LHW Strikeforce guys want tune ups or easy fights as they can’t afford to lose or go to an even lesser org…Southworth actually looked real good till he got cut open by babz…maybe he’ll step up and fight Fejao

by McArthur on Apr 23, 2009 4:21 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s so so very late for Kevin. MMA passed him and his team by a long time ago. Baroni said it best about team Hammerhouse -“Hammerhouse is Coleman’s porch.”

by NameNotRequired on Apr 23, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Good call MCArthur, Southworth should step up and take this one. If he wins, then he gets an immediate rematch with Babalu, which probably not too many people want to see (including me) but I’m sure he wants it

by mburtoni on Apr 23, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

you’re confusing people or didn’t pay attention to the article. Re-read the article.

by Alex on Apr 23, 2009 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree, but he didnt know when his wife was due when he signed to fight? I dont blame him for wanting to be there but Babalu knew this when he took the fight

by lokie on Apr 23, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions

yeah i think he should not have said i will fight anyone,but other than that i don’t blame him for not wanting this fight aget the long lay off and being sick he needs a warm up fight.

by roy on Apr 23, 2009 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Randleman isn’t married.
Maybe his gf is expecting.

by jj on Apr 23, 2009 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions

its not randleman that is expecting a child its babalu,and he should have already known this before hand.

by roy on Apr 23, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions

what’s this? Randleman is having Babalu’s babalu’s baby via artificail insemination?

by McArthur on Apr 23, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions

He probably can’t get a sample of horse urine in time to give to the CSAC when they show up to dope-test him.

by Drake_Labatt on Apr 23, 2009 2:04 PM EDT reply actions

LOL

by Alex on Apr 23, 2009 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions

If Randleman says “no” to any fight, theres a great reason for it. He aint scurred of nobody. He took CROCOP on short notice in 2004.

by Ermac on Apr 23, 2009 2:07 PM EDT reply actions

Randleman isnt even relevant in MMA anymore. He knows Cavalcante would destroy him.

by El Mexicutioner, formerly The Mexicutioner on Apr 23, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

What about Ruiz or Southworth???

by McArthur on Apr 23, 2009 2:12 PM EDT reply actions

Jimmy Mcperson would take the fight, he’s my hero.

by O damn he got caught on Apr 23, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

For anyone that doesn’t know who Jimmy McPerson is, you can find out here:

http://www.eatliver.com/i.php?n=2789

by O damn he got caught on Apr 23, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I spit in the face of this article. Not only does Kevin no longer train at Hammerhouse, but Hammerhouse doesnt even exist anymore.

by Ermac on Apr 23, 2009 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

Not true: Hammerhouse was the punching bag on Coleman’s porch and according to Baroni, Randleman stole it. Therefore Hammerhouse exists and it is in the trunk of Randleman’s ’88 Civic.

by DDT on Apr 23, 2009 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

HAHA I read that interview too, so funny!!

NS: Do you have any advice for the nerds on how to get girls?

PB: Do steroids, lift heavy weights, get contacts, go tanning. And stop playing all those gay fu#% video games. You can’t get pussy in front of a TV playing games with your geeky friends. Go out to night clubs and bars, hit the beach. If you got money, floss. Whatever you do, don’t be yourself.

by Ermac on Apr 23, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Which is why it says “ex-Hammerhouse fighter.” When you’re done spitting, take another look at the article.

by Jesse Holland on Apr 23, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah thats why i said “my bad” after i said that, i had just scanned through it the first time.

by Ermac on Apr 23, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Oops i got angry before reading all of it, my bad!

by Ermac on Apr 23, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions

Smart move on the Monsters part. After all the years of steroids, freak injuries (caused from use of steroids), and all the time away from the cage, he needs a warm up fight for sure.
Lets just hope he does break a hip or knee as he walks to the cage. I’m so excited! I cant wait for Randelman to go into the cage take down his opponent and hold him there for 3 rounds and get the decision win.
Lay n’ Pray ftw!

by jjdnb on Apr 23, 2009 2:34 PM EDT reply actions

“I’m so excited! I cant wait for Randelman to go into the cage take down his opponent and hold him there for 3 rounds and get the decision win”.

Thats awesome. I love it! LOL!

by Nick on Apr 23, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions

sounds to me like people are dodging Mr. Calvancante!

by Adam on Apr 23, 2009 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

yep…poor fella

by McArthur on Apr 23, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

man, it sucks for these older fighters. they help build the sport but never got to cash in. cant believe he is fighting after his ridiculous staph infection. gluck to the monster.

by COR on Apr 23, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

Kevin Randleman already had a win over Babalu

by Winner by Strikes!! on Apr 23, 2009 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

But not Calvancante…

by O damn he got caught on Apr 23, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

this is turning into a “who’s on first” thread

by McArthur on Apr 23, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Kevin Randleman is a beast… I def. wouldn’t wanna be in the same ring with that guy

by ShitleTot.com on Apr 23, 2009 4:14 PM EDT reply actions

2 be fair kevin randleman usually speaks b4 he thinks, and i would agree Feijao would be a bit too much for kevins 1st fight back. If he gets a win under his belt again then theres no reason he shoud pull away from the top guys or else he needs to pack it in… still like randleman tho – ne of yus guys ever seen him do a squat/tuck jump – the height he rises is unreal! hah just tot id add that in!

by Randy for Couture on Apr 23, 2009 5:11 PM EDT reply actions

If any fighter says " Il fight anyone, anytime, anywhere!" they don’t mean it literally, and to think that they do mean it literally is retarded.

by Ermac on Apr 23, 2009 6:30 PM EDT reply actions

I just love Randleman’s pre fight interviews in Pride…

lol

the guy definitely doesn’t think before he talks

by Nick on Apr 23, 2009 6:49 PM EDT reply actions

“Cavalcante was never even offered to us…We’ve had about five names thrown our way and his was not one of them,” stated Elizabeth Broglia, who is Randleman’s manager and soon to be wife.

“I’m getting ready to marry Elizabeth Broglia next week so I’m not even thinking about business right now. I’m tied up with the wedding and everything that comes along with that, so I haven’t even been thinking about opponents. Mike Whitehead is the name I keep hearing anyway”

by Ermac on Apr 24, 2009 11:21 AM EDT reply actions

“I’m a fucking man and no one will ever question that because I am a man before I am a fighter and to have some pussy that sits behind a computer all day question my manhood pisses me off,” explained Randleman, but he didn’t stop there. “This shit didn’t get under my skin, but it’s funny how most of these so-called experts have never been punched in the face. Hell, most of them have never had a fight before. I’ve been doing this shit since before half of them motherfucker’s knew what the UFC was and now they’re trying to call me a pussy,” Randleman continued.

by Ermac on Apr 24, 2009 7:26 PM EDT reply actions

If it will make him feel better, I will let him punch me in the face in St. Louis on June 6. I only ask that I get to wear a mouthpiece.

by Jesse Holland on Apr 28, 2009 2:44 PM EDT reply actions

Its a shame and quite pathetic that nearly all of you commenters are so obviously uneducated, unintelligent and just plain overall idiots. None of these comments help MMA in any way.

I guess if it stays in the toilet, then you will still be able to afford to watch it?

Seriously though. If you want MMA to be better and more recognized. Pretend like you have something analytical and thoughtful to say. The public will have a whole lot more respect for you, you know?

by GEB Jr on Apr 30, 2009 12:04 PM EDT reply actions