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Rodriguez Stops By Bisping Camp
LAS VEGAS -- Ricco
Rodriguez joined Michael
Bispingâs camp Monday night in a brief cameo appearance at the
Tapout Research and Development Training Center.
The former UFC heavyweight champion couldnât stay for long due to prior engagements, so Iâll cut to the chase and say he looked great.
Rodriguezâs weight issues have been his main story line since he lost the title to Tim Sylvia at UFC 41 in 2003.
At one point, Rodriguez, who battled his boozing and gambling addictions publicly on VH1âs âCelebrity Rehabâ in 2008, had ballooned to well over 300 pounds -- a far cry from the 230 pounds heâd carried in his heyday.
I didnât think to ask Rodriguez his weight (and even if I had, I probably wouldnât have asked anyway), but he looks to be sound in body, mind and soul now. If I had to guess, Iâd say the 31-year-old fighter is back in the 260-pound range and calm and collected as ever.
Rodriguez told me heâs preparing for a fight at TPMMAâs âArmageddon â09â on June 27 in Tyler, Texas, then for another at the WFC on July 10 in Tampa, Fla., and yet another title bout on July 25 for Rich Clementiâs Reality Combat in Slidell, La.
Thatâs quite a comeback schedule.
The former UFC heavyweight champion couldnât stay for long due to prior engagements, so Iâll cut to the chase and say he looked great.
Rodriguezâs weight issues have been his main story line since he lost the title to Tim Sylvia at UFC 41 in 2003.
At one point, Rodriguez, who battled his boozing and gambling addictions publicly on VH1âs âCelebrity Rehabâ in 2008, had ballooned to well over 300 pounds -- a far cry from the 230 pounds heâd carried in his heyday.
I didnât think to ask Rodriguez his weight (and even if I had, I probably wouldnât have asked anyway), but he looks to be sound in body, mind and soul now. If I had to guess, Iâd say the 31-year-old fighter is back in the 260-pound range and calm and collected as ever.
Rodriguez told me heâs preparing for a fight at TPMMAâs âArmageddon â09â on June 27 in Tyler, Texas, then for another at the WFC on July 10 in Tampa, Fla., and yet another title bout on July 25 for Rich Clementiâs Reality Combat in Slidell, La.
Thatâs quite a comeback schedule.
