CORRECTION - Kalib Starnes Not Cut from ATT

**Pandinha** · Posted On: 4/24/2008 11:32pm

I was wrong in reporting the original thread. I saw a MMA.tv thread where it was confirmed by an ATT BB that Kalib was out.

ATT Statement Regarding Kalib Starnes

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From: AmericanTopTeam
Posted: 5 hours ago
AmericanTopTeam
Member Since: 4/23/02
Posts: 3024

There has been a lot of talk about Kalib’s relationship with ATT since his fight in Montreal. There have also been comments attributed to our head coach, Ricardo Liborio about Kalib’s future. We would like to set the record straight on this matter.

Obviously there were a lot of people disappointed in Kalib’s performance, including fans, UFC personnel, our team and Kalib himself. We respect the opinions of MMA fans and believe that, most of the time, criticism of fighters from fans and media comes when it is deserved.

Having said that, ATT takes tremendous pride in creating an environment where our members are treated with loyalty and respect. It is no coincidence that “ATT Family” is a common tattoo on many of our coaches and fighters. Expelling a fighter following a poor performance would not be consistent with this philosophy.

Ricardo Liborio did in fact address our fighters following a recent training session regarding what it takes to represent ATT as a professional fighter. The essence of his statements (which were obviously meant to be private) was that ATT sets high standards for its members and it is not possible to reach those standards unless a fighter dedicates himself to the program 100% and participates in all team training sessions. He stressed that anyone deviating from that mandate will not be allowed to train with or represent ATT in the future. Kalib’s preparation for this fight was used by Liborio as an example of what he does and does not expect of his fighters in the future.

We did not intend for this meeting to become public knowledge and regret that there was an inference of Kalib’s dismissal from our team. We believe that Liborio’s address, coupled with Kalib telling some friends he was contemplating retirement, fueled this speculation.

**Vince Tortelli** · Posted On: 4/24/2008 11:46pm

Originally Posted by Pandinha

I was wrong in reporting the original thread. I saw a MMA.tv thread where it was confirmed by an ATT BB that Kalib was out.

Your sentence does not compute. First you say you were wrong about Khalib being out, then you say that an ATT BB confirmed Caleb was out, then you post a quote that says Khaleb is not out.:dontknow:

SO IS HE OUT OR NOT!?!

Or is ATT be transferring him from "active fighter" to "conditioning coach"?

**Pandinha** · Posted On: 4/25/2008 12:04am

Originally Posted by Vince Tortelli

Your sentence does not compute. First you say you were wrong about Khalib being out, then you say that an ATT BB confirmed Caleb was out, then you post a quote that says Khaleb is not out.:dontknow:

SO IS HE OUT OR NOT!?!

Or is ATT be transferring him from "active fighter" to "conditioning coach"?

In the thread posed "Kalib cut from ATT", I used Parrumpinha's posting on MMA.tv as confirmation that Kalib was cut.

ATT has come out with an official statement that he was not.

**Vince Tortelli** · Posted On: 4/25/2008 12:18am

Okay. Bad idea IMHO, but then again I am some guy on the Internet and Ricardo Librio is...Ricardo Librio.

**elipson** · Posted On: 4/25/2008 5:47am

I think this is the right choice for ATT. There is alot to be said about sticking by your fighters when **** hits the fan. If he stays, hopefully they can work on his mental game and attitude and turn him into something useful.

**Teh El Macho** · Posted On: 4/25/2008 6:46am

Damn, my respects for ATT for sticking to his fighters.

**PirateJon** · Posted On: 4/25/2008 7:00am

Originally Posted by elipson

hopefully they can work on his mental game and attitude and turn him into something useful.

if it hasn't happened by now...

**elipson** · Posted On: 4/25/2008 7:49am

I think getting cut by the UFC, having Dana White question his heart in public, and being remembered for one of the strangest and most dissappointing performances in UFC history, might just be the wake up call he needed.

... or maybe not... only time will tell.

**Vince Tortelli** · Posted On: 4/25/2008 12:15pm

Anthony, you can tell us the real reason. Starnes gets to stay because he has already paid for his ATT Level 1 Certification, and Top Team doesn't want to refund his $6000, isn't that right?

***JohnnyCache*** · Posted On: 4/25/2008 12:19pm

Originally Posted by elipson

I think this is the right choice for ATT. There is alot to be said about sticking by your fighters when **** hits the fan. If he stays, hopefully they can work on his mental game and attitude and turn him into something useful.

Starnes is really, really good raw material.