Full Contact Talk: MMA discussion

EliteXC Champ KJ Noons Stripped of His Title

KJ Noons was stripped of his EliteXC lightweight title on September 19. The announcement came on Friday by EliteXC’s Head of Fight Operations, Jeremy Lappen.

According to Lappen, Noons was stripped of his title for refusing to defend the belt against Nick Diaz. Noons and Diaz have a history of bad blood that resulted in a post fight riot after a recent Noons victory when Bill Goldberg invited Diaz into the cage for a future fight challenge.  In many minds, Noons was simply taking the high road and possibly even a small bit of revenge in refusing Diaz a shot.

Noons was offered a headline fight for his title defense against Diaz on the upcoming October 4 CBS show that also features EliteXC darlings, Kimbo Slice and Gina Carrano. Jeremy Lappen went on to reveal that Noons was given a second chance for the defense against Diaz on Showtime but continued his stance of refusal.

The EliteXC brass has commented that the move by Noons is extremely bad for his career but kept the door open by saying he still had two fights to honor on his contract and there was still enthusiasm for Noons to fight again on a future EliteXC card. Lappen had no official fight announcement for the now vacant lightweight title.

Below is video footage of the incident between KJ Noons and Nick Diaz that was widely suspected to be choreographed controversy on the part of former EliteXC president, Gary Shaw. Following a victory in his home town, Noons was challenged and insulted by Nick Diaz after Bill Goldberg invited both Nick and his brother Nate (UFC fighter) into the cage. What followed was a lowbrow spectacle more fitting of WWE or possibly even the Jerry Springer Show. Many people in the wake of this unfortunate incident criticized EliteXC for exploiting a vulnerable situation considering the bad blood between the two fighters. A large percentage of fans sided with KJ Noons during the post fight incident as well as presently during his championship dethroning.

Full Contact Talk attended Fight Night 14 at Wild Bill’s in Duluth and caught up to Hardcore Gym fighter Dave Mewborn after his second round victory over Todd Carney. FCT also talked to UFC fighter, Ultimate Fighter 7 cast member and Hardcore Gym fighter, Cale Yarbrough.

When Murphy’s Law beats you down, why not have some fun?

Rich Franklin, on the verge of his battle with fellow Ohioan and personal friend, Matt Hamill,  responds to a question from Full Contact Talk during the pre-fight press conference for UFC 88.

UFC 88 is a stacked fight card which is now receiving massive fan response. Just a day away, the event this Saturday at Philips Arena has experienced record ticket sales according to sources at the Philips main office.

Stay tuned to Full Contact Talk for a preview of UFC 88.

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