MMA weekly is reporting that Shannon Briggs has signed. He will be the first cross trained boxer to set into the Octagon.

I hope they don't give him a wrestler first time out.

Dana White said it was BS. Said that there's little to no chance of Shannon Briggs fighting in the UFC.

Until I see soild proof that he has or hasn't signed with the UFC, I'm taking everything with a grain of salt.

If this is true, I would like to see him fight a good wrestler or Jiu Jitsu guy, Ricco and Mir come to mind......

On ething i want toknow is why would he want to fight fo the UFC? What is he going to get paid? Like 8 grand at teh most if he wins? That is insane. I bet if he boxed he could get a hell of a lot more than that. i know he could. So why woudl he want to fight in something more dangerous where he has a greater chance fo losing for less money?

Its called the love of the sport satan.

what this is based on.

the love, the feeling, testing one's self.

And you gotta know that he'd get WAY more than 8 grand to fight. I'd bet that just about every fighter on the next UFC card will make more than that.

Originally posted by Mr.Satan
On ething i want toknow is why would he want to fight fo the UFC? What is he going to get paid? Like 8 grand at teh most if he wins? That is insane. I bet if he boxed he could get a hell of a lot more than that. i know he could. So why woudl he want to fight in something more dangerous where he has a greater chance fo losing for less money?

Briggs wants to test himself.

Thats the only reason a boxer of his level would want to enter MMA. He knows he can make more money in boxing, he just wants to fight real fights

Have to wait & see I guess if it's true, but remember Dana said the same thing about Tank not getting signed right up to the last minute.... ya just never know.

But, it it's true, think of the boxing fans that will follow Briggs right into the octagon! WOW! :)

Zuffa just spoke with Maxfighting.com and Mr. White himself is denying all these rumors. His exact words were: "the chances of Shannon Briggs fighting in the UFC at this point are next to none"
and "we have never come close to a deal with Shannon"

from: www.maxfighting.com

I wonder who is lying and why?

WILL BRIGGS SIGN A UFC DEAL?

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To say it's been a roller coaster ride with Monday's news about Shannon Briggs is an understatement. We will try to breakdown what we know at this hour.

MMAWeekly writer, John Hartnett reported that Shannon Briggs will be fighting in the UFC and it could be as soon as UFC 44. Hartnett talked with Erika Lukas who represents Briggs and is also the publicist for Briggs and American Top Team.

Lukas told Hartnett point blank that "A deal with the UFC has been agreed upon and Shannon will be competing at UFC 44 in September." Then our friends at maxfighting talked with UFC President Dana White who denied the story. Hartnett made another call to Lukas and asked again after maxfighting had their story and once again she confirmed it saying, "yes, it's been agreed upon."

Then late last night Briggs confirmed the story to Hartnett as John was confirming to him that he would be on today's radio show. Briggs said he had a contract and was looking forward to fighting in the UFC. When asked who is opponent would be, he said "it looks like it will be Tim Sylvia." Briggs also said two other opponents had been mentioned.

They should set Briggs up with someone who will take him down. They need to match him with someone who he can strike with for about two fights.

I just want to know why Dana White denied it

I read that he ws going to fight about a year ago n like ultimate athlete or something. He was an above average boxer, I suspect he is going to do very well. I also hope they do not pit him against a world class wrestler. I hope they feed him a couple of strikers to let him get his feet wet.

I would love to see them throw Tank or Cabbage at him. It'd be great to see a world class striker fight a good mma striker, I'm curious as too how much of a difference there really is. He'll get the **** GnP'd out of him against a good wrestler IMO.

Has he practice some of grappling?....

Yeah, but it's hard to imagine that he's developed a good takedown defense due to his relatively short time training in MMA and his height.

Originally posted by Blue Dawg
Yeah, but it's hard to imagine that he's developed a good takedown defense due to his relatively short time training in MMA and his height.

From what I heard, Briggs can really sprawl

I am excited to see what happens when he steps into the cage

Hopefully we're seeing the next stage in MMA evolution. Boxers of descent standing (none of those early UFC ****s, but guys who are professional or atleast have done well in amateurs) training BJJ and entering MMA. Sort of advanced versions of Vitor Belfort. ATT is an excellent team and hopefully they'll create strong laisons w/ their former team-mates at BTT.

Tito said he'd be interested in fighting Briggs, it could be a bigger seller than Ortiz-Shamrock. Vendetta rocked, but this would take it further. It shouldn't occur immediately, Briggs should get more familiar w/ the sport and Tito should fight Liddel. Although i really don't feel like compromising my principles, I'd accept Tito fighting Briggs before Liddel. It be tito making the ***** move not me, but as a fan, i'd hate supporting Tito's dodging Liddel.

Briggs vs. Sylvia, McGee, Tra and Rizzo would make for some classic ****. In Pride fights w/ Igor, Cro-Cop and Yvel. Not to mention Fedor, Heath, Nog etc. oh and especially LeBanner or Hunt. Those last two would be ****ing sick.

Originally posted by Blue Dawg
I would love to see them throw Tank or Cabbage at him. It'd be great to see a world class striker fight a good mma striker, I'm curious as too how much of a difference there really is. He'll get the **** GnP'd out of him against a good wrestler IMO.
Heh...he considers Tank a 'professional' and 'worthy' opponent. Now now Kamino, he has his right to opinion. Ok, whatever. Ghey!

This only good for the sport if top class boxers make their way into MMA. Name boxers = ratings = greater fighter payments = more fighters = bigger cards = Happy days

I agree seldom...BUT, not many "top class" boxers are willing to sacrifice their current payrate and lifestyle to experiment with the elements of MMA. Just food for thought...mmmmmmm...food