Former UFC Heavyweight Champ Takes 'Big' Fight
Ricco Rodriguez
(Pictures) isn't gingerly jumping back
into mixed martial arts.
Having fought highly-touted Ben Rothwell (Pictures) on short notice following a stint in a drug rehab clinic, the former UFC heavyweight champion has agreed to fight Antonio Silva Feb. 16 on Showtime as part of EliteXC's "Street Certified" card in Miami, Fla.
Rodriguez (27-7) took the bout after several fighters, including Gary Turner (Pictures) and Shane Carwin (Pictures), were rumored as the big Brazilian's opponent.
The 30-year-old New Yorker was scheduled to fight Mike Kyle (Pictures) on Jan. 12 on the cancelled WCO card in San Diego, Calif.
Silva is one of EliteXC's best prospects at heavyweight. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound American Top Team-trained fighter has suffered but one defeat, a stoppage loss to Eric Pele (Pictures) in December 2006, in 10 fights.
Since joining EliteXC, Silva finished Wesley Correira (Pictures) and Jonathan Wiezorek (Pictures) in less than four minutes respectively.
Having fought highly-touted Ben Rothwell (Pictures) on short notice following a stint in a drug rehab clinic, the former UFC heavyweight champion has agreed to fight Antonio Silva Feb. 16 on Showtime as part of EliteXC's "Street Certified" card in Miami, Fla.
Rodriguez (27-7) took the bout after several fighters, including Gary Turner (Pictures) and Shane Carwin (Pictures), were rumored as the big Brazilian's opponent.
The 30-year-old New Yorker was scheduled to fight Mike Kyle (Pictures) on Jan. 12 on the cancelled WCO card in San Diego, Calif.
Silva is one of EliteXC's best prospects at heavyweight. The 6-foot-4, 265-pound American Top Team-trained fighter has suffered but one defeat, a stoppage loss to Eric Pele (Pictures) in December 2006, in 10 fights.
Since joining EliteXC, Silva finished Wesley Correira (Pictures) and Jonathan Wiezorek (Pictures) in less than four minutes respectively.
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