“The thing I’ve concluded after four of these is that we still clearly need a story, personality and draw to make a successful network show. The sport itself -- even with a quality card -- isn’t enough. Even a relatively unknown person -- Kimbo [Slice] or Fedor -- works if there’s a great angle. Gina Carano would be helpful. I’d love to have Fedor again if we can get him. Now that we’ve reached a critical mass with him, I think we could really build on it.” -- CBS executive Kelly Kahl to SI.com on the network’s latest MMA effort
“This should prove that no one out there gives a [expletive] about Fedor. We’re pulling those numbers on Spike. I mean, how the [expletive] is what they did considered any good in any way, shape or form? What kind of numbers do you think we would pull with a live show on CBS? I’ll tell you. Huge. It would be significantly, significantly more than what they got with these idiots from Showtime.” -- UFC President Dana White to Yahoo Sports on Strikeforce’s CBS numbers
“On the way to the gym, I ran into Randy at the elevator! It was like a moment in a movie. I’m so stoked, I remember when Brandon was just a blue belt and we used to talk about fighting in the UFC. Now he’s the main event!” -- Lloyd Irvin, trainer of Brandon Vera, on Twitter, commenting on Saturday’s fight against Randy Couture
“Nobody’s ever, ever, ever, ever -- ever -- in the history of the UFC, ever tried to push the pace on Randy. Everybody’s been scared of pushing with Randy because he tires everybody out and pummels them to death, just blowing up their arms and making them work. So I figure, let’s see. Let’s see what happens. Let’s see if Randy can get tired. Let’s see what his breaking point is, if he has one. If he has one.” -- Brandon Vera to USA Today
“I still live with me parents. That’s how I’m living at the minute. I’m still getting funded a lot through my parents, you know. I still live under their wing at the minute. Obviously to get ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus, knockout, submission, that kind of money, to me, it’s life-changing. I’m 25 now. I think I’ve overstayed me welcome.” -- Ross Pearson ESPN Radio 1100
“I like piling that pressure on and I like, as Jerry Jones of the Dallas Cowboys says, ‘I like writing checks with my mouth that my ass has got to cash,’ and that’s what I do. I function better that way because I know when I get in there, not only do I have to win because I’ve done a hard 12-week training camp but because I’ve talked loads of trash on the guy, as well. And if I don’t do well, I’m going to look stupid, and that just pushes me a little further.” -- Dan Hardy to Sherdog.com
“Dana this Ocho Cinco, I want to fight your #1 and #2 best fighters asap, exhibition to raise money for a charity of choice!!!!!! … matter of fact I want Anderson Spider Silva -- please don’t ignore me or you’ll have to fight me yourself!!! Sincerely Esteban :) Mr. White this a serious matter, we can help a lot organizations with this fight, I have a good chance at winning against Silva … oh I’m dead serious, this will be one that goes down in history, Ocho defeats Silva in surprising upset, it’s on!!!” -- Cincinnati Bengal Chad Ochocinco on Twitter to UFC President Dana White
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The Week Ahead
Not only is UFC 105 likely to produce fireworks, the best featherweight fight possible at the moment -- Mike Thomas Brown vs. Jose Aldo -- headlines WEC 44 on Nov. 18.