MMA Quick Quote: 'Dont call it a comeback' for Kevin Randleman ... it's a rebirth

"LL Cool J has a great song: ‘Don’t call it a comeback. I’ve been here for years.’ Don’t call it a comeback. I don’t think of it as a comeback. I look at it like I needed to go back to school and learn a lot more. I’m just going to give it my all Saturday night. I don’t anticipate anybody at 205 being able to knock me out or take me out. Think of it as the ‘Rebirth of the Monster.’ But I’m not a monster anymore. I’m not running around in the streets like a crazy man. I just want to fight. I just want to be the guy I always was but was too scared to be. The best thing that ever happened to me was the UFC firing me because I was just too crazy and too out of control. There has always been so much chaos in my life that now that it’s calm I feel nervous. But not because I’m fighting Mike Whitehead or whoever on June 6. I’m not nervous because I’m angry. I’m nervous because I know for one year I’ve trained for this fight. I’ve been training because I knew I had to be ready to fight once I got that contract. And my last three fights I’ve gotten better and better and better. Right now I feel like I’m in the sewers. People don’t know my name and that’s exactly what I like. I’m not fighting again for the fame. I’m fighting for the money and for the wins. And I know that the wins will take care of the money."

-- Former UFC heavyweight champion Kevin Randleman talks about his return to action against The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 2 contestant Mike Whitehead on the main card of the "Lawler vs. Shields" event tomorrow night (June 6) from the Scottrade Center in St. Louis, Missouri. "The Monster" (17-12) last competed on the second Sengoku card in May 2008, pulling out a unanimous decision victory over Ryo Kawamura. The fight was Randleman’s first MMA bout since 2006, which was 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 recent years. 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 also served a suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), which was issued for providing a non-human urine sample following his loss to Rua. Now with a clean bill of health, new wife and insulated from bad influencers, Randleman feels it's now or never. Can he do it? We'll find out in 24 hours or less. He's just a little excited.