All rankings acquired from Fight Matrix

Pedro Rizzo steps up to face Fedor Emelianenko for M-1 Global on June 21 in St. Petersburg. The Rock hasn't fought in over two years and recently had to pull out of a bout with Tim Sylvia at ProElite 2 due to injury. Both fighters have mentioned the UFC as a desired destination in the last few months with little to derisive response in return. If Rizzo were to pull the upset, Zuffa would most likely allow him to finish his career with the promotion since they've signed all three fighters that have recently beaten Emelianenko and White loves to deride the former PRIDE champ, or more accurately his management. When Rizzo was active he ranked #23 in a thin heavyweight division and could serve the UFC in either gauging new talent or rallying an Army for his own resurgence. A win by Fedor would only open the door a millimeter or so considering Rizzo's layoff and age...and the obvious history with Zuffa.

Jay Hieron signing with Legacy FC seems like a positional move to try to get back into the good graces of a major promotion. Staying active for a freelance fighter is key in making that push. Is he still relevant at 35 and with a boatload of issues with past employers? I'd say yes, since he's still a top 25 welterweight, won the Bellator tournament at his weight class, and tested Ben Askren better than anyone yet in Funky's career. White may not be sold yet on Heiron, but a win or two might bring him back into the Zuffa fold.

Hector Lombard jumps up on the scene with a lean, and a pocket full of green. The UFC nabbed the best middleweight outside the promotion when Lombard outlasted the Bellator champion's clause in his contract. Good move for Lombard and the UFC, not so bad for Bellator since they couldn't find the opponents or the reserve for one of the fighters that basically helped put the promotion on the map. Is Eddie Alvarez next?

Jamie Varner is also staying active by signing on with Legacy and trying get the attention of Zuffa. Varner may not be the most likable person in MMA, but he's attempting to erase the image of a cocky, listless fighter that he has been branded as. On a side note, I've completely given up hope on Strikeforce signing anyone of note from now until they merge with the UFC. There are many quality fighters out there that could have been signed and promoted to face the current stable, but Showtime has shot themselves in foot by not allowing White to offer his input. This is a case where I hope I'm wrong, but the silence is deafening.

Please check out past issues

MMA Transaction Wire: April 12-19

MMA Transaction Wire: April 6-11

MMA Transaction Wire: March 31-April 5

MMA Transaction Wire: March 27-30

MMA Transaction Wire: March 23-26