"I want to be able to end my career in the UFC. I think a lot of fans want to see a Ricco Rodriguez/Randy Couture, they want to see possibly Frank Mir, there’s still a lot out there they want to see me in top contendership and see if I’m even capable of doing it. Most of all, the Nogueira fight. Because of the fact that I did beat Nogueira in Japan and there were no elbows allowed, and I lost that decision. I think a lot of fans want to see how that fight would end up, especially in a cage and with elbows. It kills me every single day when a person comes up to me and asks me when am I going to be back in the UFC. The reality is the talent has gotten a lot tougher, there’s no more freebies. The one thing I have now is experience and training with some of the top guys I always have traveling around, that’s been my plus. This would be the best end of a Rocky story. Going in there and finishing my career at the top and having a second chance."
Former UFC Heavyweight Champion Ricco Rodriguez (via MMA Weekly) wants another shot at UFC stardom after floundering on the local and International circuit since his 2003 departure. "Suave" captured the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) title in 1998 (open weight) and defeated Randy Couture at UFC 39 to win the promotion's vacant heavyweight strap in 2002, but has also had his share of his public battles with obesity and drug abuse, even appearing on the "Celebrity Rehab" reality show with Dr. Drew. After missing weight at November's IFC "Genesis" event, Rodriguez was adamant that it was an isolated incident. Do you believe him? And can he even be competitive in today's UFC landscape if he was given the chance to return?
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