Anything MMA, except thumb wrestling

[StillUnknown]

Would you really want to use Brock on a free televised event? Seems like he's made for PPV.

I agree, but it seems like the UFC would want to do something special for their first show on Fox. I'm grasping for straws trying to think of matchups that make sense and are work out time wise for that card, especially since its the week before Cain vs. JDS.

[#98QBKiller]

I agree with lovetoaster that I could see Hendo main eventing that card.

[d0ublestr0ker0ll]

I think Hendo might face the winner of Forrest/Shogun II. He could also fill a spot if either Machida or Davis receive an injury in training, but a fight in December seems too far away for him. He'll be 41 in 5 days...I imagine he wants to make a title run as quickly as possible so he can retire his right hand to a museum.

Edited August 19, 2011 by d0ublestr0ker0ll

[lovetoaster]

I think Hendo might face the winner of Forrest/Shogun II.

I had thought about that, but even assuming that the winner comes out healthy, that would be a pretty quick turnaround. I guess we will find out next weekend if that fight would be a possibility.

[StillUnknown]

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/18/ufc-on-fox-manny-pacquiao/

The UFC on FOX card begins at 6 p.m. and will feature two fights. It will last one hour and be completed before the start of Pacquiao's bout.

“We’ll be out of there before Pacquiao even walks to the ring,” Fertitta said. “This is going to be a perfect night for any fight fan. Get together with your friends, watch two big fights in the UFC and then change the channel to ride into the Pacquiao pay-per-view.”

The UFC has not announced which four fighters it will feature in the first FOX show, but Fertitta said the promotion had a plan. Starting in 2012, the UFC will show four cards per year on FOX.

Those events will likely feature more than the two bouts slated for the Nov. 12 card, which is expected to take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

“It’s going to be a little different with the first one,” Fertitta said. “It’s going to literally be back-to-back action. We aren’t going to mess around with a lot of pre-fight commentary, post-fight commentary. We are going to roll right in, set up the fights and let the action go.”

Fertitta promised the bouts headlining FOX events would be “big and relevant” and could potentially include title fights. But the first FOX card almost certainly won’t feature a belt on the line, as all seven UFC champions are already scheduled for their next defense.

The inaugural UFC on FOX card will feature a full preliminary slate — officials already confirmed a featherweight bout between Dustin Poirier and Pablo Garza for the undercard — before the two televised bouts.

“For the people coming live in Anaheim, it will be just like a full pay-per-view,” Fertitta said. “It’s a full fight card and if the first (televised fight) goes real quick, we’ll fill in like we always do.”

The event is scheduled a week before the promotion’s UFC 139 pay-per-view, which takes place in San Jose, Calif., and is headlined by a heavyweight championship bout between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos.

Fertitta said the UFC would use the opportunity on FOX to promote the Velasquez vs. dos Santos meeting. Using the network platform to hype upcoming pay-per-view cards is one area that will be constant going forward.

[#98QBKiller]

I imagine he wants to make a title run as quickly as possible so he can retire his right hand to a museum.

They're going to put a bust of it in the Zuffa HOF.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2011/aug/18/ufc-on-fox-manny-pacquiao/

That's awesome that they're coming out and encouraging fans to watch their event plus the Pac fight.

[StillUnknown]

They should move Condit vs. Penn to the Fox card.

I was thinking the Machida/Davis fight as well, but that has the potential to be a stinker.

[lovetoaster]

They should move Condit vs. Penn to the Fox card.

I was thinking the Machida/Davis fight as well, but that has the potential to be a stinker.

I was thinking the same thing this morning about Penn-Condit. I think that is the perfect fight to showcase on network TV. It is a relevant fight with a superstar that the public knows and a guy that could become a star with a big performance on a stage like this. I think both guys would love to be a part of that card. Then again, I think everyone would want to be, but this seems like a fight that would be tailor made for this setting.

I also agree about Machida/Davis. I am interested in that fight, but I would not put that one on network TV.

[#98QBKiller]

Between this and the FOX deal, the UFC is going big:

http://www.sportsgrid.com/boxing/ufc-134-to-be-aired-live-in-times-square-heres-how-it-might-look/

UFC 134 To Be Aired Live In Times Square – Here’s How It Might Look

Next Saturday’s UFC 134 may be scheduled to be held in Brazil, but Americans will be able to congregate to watch matches live in New York City — and we have a mockup of what it might look like.

UFC Rio: Silva vs. Okami will become the second UFC event held in Brazil when it launches August 27th from Rio de Janeiro. Newsday is reporting that preliminary matches will be aired for one hour on the digital screen at the Times Square Doubletree hotel. Here’s a photo illustration of what that might look like:

Looks pretty good! So is airing UFC live in Times Square a good idea? Let us know in the comments.

---------- Post added August-19th-2011 at 01:22 PM ----------

More goodies:

Dan Henderson Thinks the Biggest Fight Right Now Would be a Title Unification Bout in the UFC

When Dan Henderson stepped into the cage with Fedor Emelianenko he was doing so without much of a net below him if he fell short in the fight.

Obviously, Henderson didn’t need the net because he TKO’d the former Pride legend in the first round, picking up a huge win and putting himself in an enviable position as he entered his free agency period.

The fight with Emelianenko signified the last fight on Henderson’s contract with Strikeforce. Now, the veteran of several promotion and multi-time champion will go into negotiations seeking a new deal and the best possible fights for his career.

Currently, Henderson is enjoying some much needed downtime following the win over Emelianenko, but he still has hopes of getting at least one more fight in during 2011.

“I’m ready to fight, and I think I’m a valuable asset to make some money with also, and they know that,” Henderson told MMAWeekly Radio about his upcoming negotiations with Zuffa. “I’m not worried about what’s going to happen. I’d like to try and fight in December. Take another month off or so and get back to training.”

Despite Henderson’s standing as the Strikeforce light heavyweight champion, many wonder if it would be financially viable for Zuffa to re-sign him to that promotion or just bring him back over to the UFC where he competed for several fights previously.

As far as Henderson is concerned, he really doesn’t care as long as the right deal is presented.

“It will probably come down to money, but it’s coming from the same people, so it’s a matter of where they’re going to make the most money off of me as well, and to be able to pay what I’m getting paid, they need to be making money as well,” commented Henderson.

Where they’d make the most money from Henderson is undoubtedly in the UFC. The former two-weight-division champion in Pride believes that probably makes the most sense as well, and if he had his way, it would be a title unification bout against the winner of Jon Jones and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

“I think the biggest fight they could promote is probably a title unification with whoever is the champ in the UFC,” Henderson said.

“I think for them to utilize the best potential to make money for everybody, I think they’d have to have Rashad wait it out one more fight.”

It’s common knowledge that Rashad Evans is currently the top contender and next in line for a shot at the UFC light heavyweight title, but would the UFC switch things up to welcome Dan Henderson back into the fold and give him the spot instead?

Right now, that’s the great unknown, but UFC president Dana White has commented that he plans on sitting down with Henderson in the near future to hopefully hammer out a deal.

Henderson is even willing to sit down with his old boss to get it done.

“If he’s the one I gotta talk to, I’m sure I could stare at his face for a little while,” Henderson joked when talking about White.

As far as timing goes, Henderson is going to enjoy some vacation and spend time with his family while negotiations are ongoing. He’s hopeful for a new deal to be reached sometime in the next few weeks, and if it’s done right, Henderson will more than likely be UFC bound.

“Hopefully within the next month while I have this time off, I’d like to know what’s going to happen, but I’m not in a huge hurry,” said Henderson.

“Just want to make sure the deal’s right.”

[d0ublestr0ker0ll]

They should make Bob Reilly sit 1 inch away from that jumbotron the entire time.

Edited August 19, 2011 by d0ublestr0ker0ll

[Patrick86L]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jc322MIpfvs

[#98QBKiller]

Awesome video of Ronda Rousey throwing a reporter

Edited August 20, 2011 by #98QBKiller

[StillUnknown]

From Bellator last night:

[d0ublestr0ker0ll]

Man! The way he dies reminds me of Hornbuckle/Gono.

Edited August 21, 2011 by d0ublestr0ker0ll

[#98QBKiller]

Amazing video from ATT:

[Destino]

Two things:

1 - That Ronda Rousey throw at the end was nice. They were both airborn for a second with all the impact on that poor reporter. I wonder if she's ever tossed a drunk at a bar that didn't take a hint.

2 - ATT is training ninjas! It's about time someone stepped up to counter the pirate menace.

[d0ublestr0ker0ll]

umUOm7bsRtE

[StillUnknown]

already posted.

Edited August 22, 2011 by StillUnknown

[StillUnknown]

http://www.mmafighting.com/2011/08/23/injury-knocks-josh-thomson-out-of-strikeforce-bout-with-maximo-b/

A foot injury has sidelined Strikeforce lightweight Josh Thomson, forcing him out of his September 10 matchup with Maximo Blanco, MMA Fighting has learned.

Thompson hurt himself within the past week, and tests revealed damage that left him unable to complete his training camp and compete. A source with knowledge of the situation confirmed the worst-case scenario for a fighter who has had several injury problems in the past.

The Thomson-Blanco match had been scheduled as a main card bout of Strikeforce's upcoming show in Cincinnati, an event that will feature Heavyweight Grand Prix fights pitting Josh Barnett vs. Sergei Kharitonov and Antonio Silva vs. Daniel Cormier.

The 32-year-old former Strikeforce lightweight champion hasn't fought since December 2010, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Tatsuya Kawajiri. He hasn't competed in the Strikeforce cage since last October, when he defeated Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante via decision.

[#98QBKiller]

at that gif

And Josh Thompson was going to get KO'd, I hate that Blanco isn't going to be on the card though, I think mainstream fans are going to love him.

[StillUnknown]

That's why I'm mad, I was looking forward to Blanco's brand of violence being displayed to a larger audience.

[d0ublestr0ker0ll]

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/UFC-Announces-Amazon-Event-for-2012-Brazilian-Return-34998

UFC Announces Amazon Event for 2012 Brazilian Return

A snippet from the article:

The show is expected to go down in at the Convention Center of Manaus -- the city's sambadrome -- which has the capacity to hold 100,000 spectators.

“The opportunity to bring the UFC to Manaus and to the home of some of our great fighters makes us so excited,” Fertitta stated at the press conference. “Our expectation is that Manaus will set a new attendance record, with 100,000 people watching the show.”

[StillUnknown]

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Alvarez-Aoki-Rematch-in-the-Works-for-Bellators-2012-Campaign-35000

Eddie Alvarez may get his chance at revenge on Shinya Aoki yet.

Sherdog.com has learned that a clash between Bellator and Dream's respective lightweight champions Eddie Alvarez and Shinya Aoki is being targeted for early 2012 in the Bellator Fighting Championships cage.

Bout agreements have been distributed, and both fighters are expected to sign shortly. Sherdog.com confirmed the news with sources close to the situation on Wednesday.

Though both men are reigning champions in opposite organizations, neither title will be up for grabs if and when they clash.

Alvarez and Aoki met on New Year's Eve 2008. The Japanese submission specialist ended the American's night early, slapping on a tight heel hook and forcing Alvarez to submit in just 92 seconds.

Since that defeat, Alvarez has yet to lose, rattling off seven-straight victories in Bellator and Dream. The Philadelphia Fight Factory export won Bellator's lightweight title in 2009, running through the promotion's inaugural 155-pound tournament to capture the championship.

[lovetoaster]

http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Alvarez-Aoki-Rematch-in-the-Works-for-Bellators-2012-Campaign-35000

Nice...I like Alvarez, but I feel that he is wasting away in Bellator. There are some good LW fighters there, but I don't feel like there is anyone near his level. I would love to see an Aoki rematch, but what after that? I know he is getting paid pretty well over there, but selfishly, I would love to see him against better fighters. I guess there will be some steam behind a Curran rematch, but I think Alvarez is a much better fighter.

[Sebowski]

http://www.tatame.com/2011/08/24/Fertitta-talks-UFC-Rio-Silva-vs-Henderson-on-FOX

Fertitta talks UFC Rio, Silva vs Henderson on FOX: "Anderson just needs a win"

By Guilherme Cruz

Photo UFC

UFC owner Lorenzo Ferttita landed in Brazil and already got to work. After a trip to Manaus, where he met the governor, Fertitta went to Rio de Janeiro for the UFC Rio hype, and he spoke to TATAME about the expectations for the show, the possible return to Brazil in 2012, at Manaus, and a potential Anderson Silva vs Dan Henderson clash at UFC on FOX.

I heard you were at Manaus. How was the meeting there?

It was good. We’ve met with the governor of Manaus and they want us to do a fight there. It’s interesting for us, because Jose Aldo is from there, so it’s maybe an opportunity to bring him back to fight in front of his home town.

They said the show is already set for August 2012…

We’re talking to them, trying to find a day, maybe July or August.

How do you see the MMA market in Brazil? Do you already expected the tickets to sold out in 70 minutes?

No, we underestimated how popular it was here. If we could do it again, we would do it in a big soccer stadium, you know? But when we put the tickets on sale, we really didn’t know. But it’s been amazing the amount of support, it’s unbelievable.

What do you expect from this Saturday’s show?

I can’t wait… I’m really looking forward when Anderson Silva walks out for the fight – I think the arena it’s gonna explode. I think the Brazilian fans are very passionate, they’re gonna be loud, and I’m really looking forward feeling the Brazilian culture in the arena.

We spoke to Dana White, and he said he plans on doing a TUF Brazil in 2012. Are you really working on that?

We’re working on that, we’re really close to get something done. We think it’s gonna be very successful – a Brazilian Ultimate Fighter, all Brazilian fighters. One thing that is great about this country is that you have so many great fighters, finding talents is easy. There are some many good kids.

Do you think a TUF Brazil would do a good rating in as a TC show in the US?

I think it would, because one of the things about this sport is that people love to see fighters and good fights, so I do think the Americans would watch Brazilians in a Ultimate Fighter.

There was a report in a Brazilian newspaper saying that the UFC is planning 12 shows in Brazil on the next year. Is that possible, considering that the UFC did 24 shows all over the world last year?

I don’t think 12, maybe we’ll do 4 or 5 in Brazil. I think it’s more realistic.

Will Brazil host only pay-per-view card, or will we get some Fight Night shows?

Yes, we’ll do combinations of big pay-per-views, like we’re doing in Rio, as well as Fight Nights.

What do you expect for the future of the UFC in the US and all over the world?

First in the US, we just had a big announcement on FOX, the biggest sport network in the country, and we think that is gonna make this even more popular. On the same level as NFL. In other countries as Brazil and South America, we’re competing, we wanna be as big as soccer. That’s what we’re looking to do.

What do you expect from UFC on FOX’s first edition? Do you already have a main event set?

We don’t have a main event set yet, we’ll find out probably after this Saturday, these fights in Rio, then we’ll set a main event. But it’ll be something big. It’ll be a big fight.

We reported this Monday that Anderson Silva could put his middleweight title on the line against Dan Henderson, one he beats Yushin Okami…

I would love to do that. Anderson just needs a win.