Paul Buentello Out of Strikeforce, Likely to UFC
Paul Buentello has secured his release from Strikeforce and is negotiating a return to the Octagon, the former UFC heavyweight…
Paul Buentello has secured his release from Strikeforce and is negotiating a return to the Octagon, the former UFC heavyweight title contender told Sherdog.com.
Strikeforce President Scott Coker confirmed the news in an e-mail sent via company representative Mike Afromowitz.
We offered Paul a six-figure contract to fight Fedor, but he turned it down, Coker said. His decision is understandable considering Fedor’s level of skill but, at the same time, Paul didn’t really fit into our plans. He’s been a solid journeyman fighter and we wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
Buentello said the UFC would honor his Affliction contract — which has one fight left — and that they are negotiating an extension as well.
At 27-10 overall, the “Head Hunter” has run up a 12-2 record over the past six years with his only defeats coming in title matches against Andrei Arlovski and Alistair Overeem. The 35-year-old Texan was 3-1 in his first stint in the UFC.
