UFC Quick Quote: Ricardo Arona eyes return to light heavyweight division

by Jesse Holland on Jun 1, 2010 10:29 AM EDT

"[Our meeting] was better than I expected, because (Dana White) is a very busy guy, we’ve been seeing this great event, a great show he is promoting. It was a while since we last spoke and there were some rumors in the internet, some interviews… What really happened was that he said he was really glad to see me here, asked about my last fight, where it was, how it was and I told him and also said I wanted an opportunity to rejoin the event on the end of the year, a chance to be here and he said he wanted me on his event, that I have a space for me here on his event and that he only had to talk to his manager and then we would set things up. He said the doors were opened to me, but he would have to consult first his manager. It was much better than I expected, he was really honest and friendly, so it’s enough for me to come back to the hard trainings with an extra energy ... It’s a motivation for all my trainings from today on. That’s what I needed to hear. He said we have to keep in touch, so I just have to follow these steps to come closer to the treasure. First I have to worry about my knee recover and I said to him it would be a good thing for me to do a comeback on the end of the year and he said it’d be ok. He told me to take care of my knee while he consults his manager. He was very friendly and honest and so was I and now what I have to do is to keep in touch with him and I’m much closer than I expected."

Former PRIDE light heavyweight contender Ricardo Arona tells Tatame.com that his UFC debut may happen towards the end of this year after some encouraging discussions with promotion president Dana White. "The Brazilian Tiger" has only competed once since his stunning upset loss to Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou back at PRIDE 33 in 2007, a decision win over Marvin Eastman at last September's Bitetti Combat. Can he still be a force at 205-pounds? Or will his recent injuries and extended layoff hurt his chances for a possible "Shogun" rematch? Thoughts?

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No interest in seeing thins guy

A win over Marvin Eastman in the last 3 years shouldn’t get you into the best LHW division in the world.

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by _Felix_ on Jun 1, 2010 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

well yea maybe not a title shot

…but I see nothing wrong with giving him a fight. So he fights a James Irvin? He wins, give him a Bader, and so on. He loses to an Irvin’esque fighter? Big deal, pay him his 20k and that ends that.

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by daniel worby on Jun 1, 2010 10:37 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Then

they should put him on a free show or an under card. I’m not down w/ paying to see him fight.

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by _Felix_ on Jun 1, 2010 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Come on man !

the guy is a big name in any MMA org. He’s fought and beaten some of the best in the world ffs. 14-5 and still only 31.

by Reedy on Jun 1, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Yaawwn,

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by _Felix_ on Jun 1, 2010 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Arona's style would score very well in the UFC

It’s like the rules are tailored made for his lethargic style.

by RayRayJr on Jun 1, 2010 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions

what about arona as a return give-me for forest?

by DANdaLION on Jun 6, 2010 9:41 PM EDT up reply actions

true...but kimbo just fought in the ufc

Throw him in there with a mid level guy and see what happens

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by salamagogo on Jun 1, 2010 10:38 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

And Kimbo didn’t belong in the UFC.
You shouldn’t really even be comparing the two. Granted, IMO, Arona isnt at the top of his game and wouldn’t hang NOW in the UFC, he is no Kimbo.

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by _Felix_ on Jun 1, 2010 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions

i wasnt comparing them

Just saying that it wouldn’t be the first time a crappy fighter signed with the ufc

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by salamagogo on Jun 1, 2010 10:45 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

and got a main card spot....

Well, that one in the center: he had a flap holster and he was in no itchin' hurry. And the one second from the left: he had scared eyes, he wasn't gonna do nothin'. But that one on the far left: he had crazy eyes. Figured him to make the first move.

by Dragon101 on Jun 1, 2010 11:07 AM EDT up reply actions

he beat Fedor but was robbed. I think he will need a tune up fight for sure how bout jardine?

by hatteras on Jun 1, 2010 10:37 AM EDT reply actions

i said irvin but, same thing

Don’t get this turned into a Fedor thing. Ill picture the fuck out of this place with ‘His Holiness’, I’m warning you….

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by daniel worby on Jun 1, 2010 10:39 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Any one dimensional fighter for his debut and will make it.

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by Eduardo Cruz on Jun 1, 2010 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

loser of jardine-hammil

So yea, jardine it is….lol

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by salamagogo on Jun 1, 2010 10:40 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Can't be Jardine, if he loses, he's out. That would be 4 in a row.

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by BNF on Jun 1, 2010 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Ricardo Arona wasted much of his time surfing insteady of training. He has the potential to be a top fighter, he was in Pride, but lost the focus like Paulo Filho. This one completely.

The Tiger should fight for Shine, for instance, to recover the rhythm of fighting. I think he can take advantage of performing into the Octagon. It makes his job easier for being a grappler.

"No one wants to be defeated" Michael Jackson on MMA fights

by Eduardo Cruz on Jun 1, 2010 10:39 AM EDT reply actions

He would be a good addition to strikeforce and bring in a new challenge for King Mo, thats if he shows up ready. He wouldhave a toung time in the UFC i imagine.

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by Thats It For you! on Jun 1, 2010 10:50 AM EDT reply actions

spelling + grammar fail

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by Thats It For you! on Jun 1, 2010 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions

king mo would walk through him

Lawal would be top 5 if not 3 in current LHW UFC division. He would paw Page like Shad did or worse. Him and Shad could play well, but I feel Lawal would outwrestle and frustrate Shad. Shogun is still a slight “?” to me as of current. Its not that I doubt “He’s back”, I would just like to see another fight first. I can’t stress enough: DO NOT doubt LAWAL!!!

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by daniel worby on Jun 1, 2010 10:56 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions