It seems the UFC could still be looking for a city to hold light heavyweight champion Jon Jones‘ title defense to Glover Teixeira. Although UFC 172: Jones vs. Teixeira is tentatively expected to take place Apr. 12 from the Baltimore Arena in Maryland, it doesn’t seem any concrete plans are in place.
According to the Baltimore Business Journal, via a report from MMA Mania, Frank Remesch, general manager of the Baltimore Arena, says he ‘had a vague conversation’ with the UFC about holding the event in Baltimore but that no specific dates were mentioned. “It’s a great event that I’d love to have here, but it’s not on the books,” Remesch said Monday. Dave Sholler, the UFC’s senior director of public relations reportedly confirmed those sentiments.
Although Jones seemingly confirmed that he’d be fighting in Baltimore, he did admit he’s yet to sign a bout agreement with a specific date. Speaking with Ariel Helwani on Friday, Jones voiced some frustrations on having his fight pushed back for a third time saying, “A lot of jumping the gun was going down, kind of making me look bad, but it happened.” Jones went on to explain that fighting in Baltimore was the perfect compromise to the scheduling issues.
“Me and Dana [White] came up with a way to salvage this whole thing and that was pushing me back one more time to fight in Baltimore. My brother’s a Raven so this is going to work out great for me. I think the marketing going into this will be phenomenal.”
Jones was originally slated to headline UFC 169 on Feb. 1, but was removed after Dana White claimed the UFC’s public relations staff had acted prematurely. Jones was then booked for Feb. 22 at UFC 170 in Las Vegas, but then withdrew himself just a day later. Next, Jones was penciled in for UFC 171 set for Mar. 15 in Dallas, Texas, but was moved once again after the news that Johny Hendricks would face Robbie Lawler the same night for the welterweight championship.
UFC 172 was rumored to be earmarked for the promotion’s debut event in Mexico City, but those plans fell through when heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez opted for shoulder surgery earlier last week.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
All the pressure. Johny Hendricks can’t wait to have everyone gunning for him. “I want everybody to come after me. That’s been my goal since I started fighting. Is that I want the gold and I want everybody to sit there saying, ‘I want to beat that guy.'”
Like a new man. Firas Zahabi says Georges St-Pierre is settling into his new lifestyle, but believes he’ll eventually regain the hunger to compete in MMA. “Georges is right now the happiest I’ve ever seen him. His mood is better, he’s sleeping better, he’s gaining weight, muscular weight, not fat. The stress was making him weaker, miserable, he was suffering. He didn’t have peace. He had too much stress in his life. Now we’re doing jiu jitsu and wrestling for fun.”
Signal to noise. Luke Thomas hands out his post-fight awards for UFC on FOX 9.
Matchmaker. Retiring from MMA following her loss at UFC Fight Night 33, Julie Kedzie will now serve as the matchmaker for Invicta FC.
Willing to wait. Going 4-0 in 2013, Urijah Faber would prefer waiting for a title shot against Dominick Cruz or Renan Barao.
It’s Tuesday so make sure to check out yesterday’s MMA Hour featuring – Ian McCall, Ray Longo, Johny Hendricks, Carla Esparza, Firas Zahabi, Phil Baroni, Demetrious Johnson and Julie Kedzie.
MEDIA STEW
UFC On FOX 9 Phantom Cam highlights.
Episode 4 of Joe Lauzon’s UFC on FOX 9 video blog.
Fighters talk GSP.
The pros pick Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman 2.
All access at BAMMA 14.
GLORY Tokyo promo on Remy Bonjasky.
Random MMA:
Warley Lopes vs. Ricardo Dias at Gringo Super Fight 8.
Jarrah Al-Silawi vs. James Burrows at Cage Warriors 61.
Pedro Brum vs. Danilo Motoserra at Gringo Super Fight 8.
Callum Gahgan vs. Paul Douglas at ECC BANNED 2. (skip to 4:00)
TWEETS
RIP Joe Camacho.
He passed at 5 AM to a heart attack. Joe Was 43 yrs old. Joe camacho. pic.twitter.com/Usm9RB3SOw
— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) December 16, 2013
Really sad news hearing about loosing another fighter due to a heart attack. R.I.P. Joe Camacho 🙏
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) December 16, 2013
RIP joe camacho. My cousin died this morning of a heart attack. I love you bro.
— Charlie Valencia (@charlievalencia) December 16, 2013
Sad to hear about Joe Camacho passing, competing against him a few times. Always a nice guy. Such a young age. Life’s too short
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) December 16, 2013
RIP Joe Camacho, black belt & Bellator fighter.He suffered a heart attack this morning.I just saw him competing @ the BJJ tourney on Sat 🙁
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) December 16, 2013
And this one actually gives you concussions.
Pretty sure cereal helps concussions. #DrJoeB
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) December 17, 2013
Congrats.
.@shanknapp @InvictaFights thank you for this amazing opportunity!! Let’s take over the world!!!!
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) December 16, 2013
Finished with the antibiotics. Going to the gym today!! #happy Terminei de tomar os antibióticos hoje, vou dar um treininho!! #feliz
— Claudia Gadelha (@ClaudiaGadelha_) December 16, 2013
It always starts by purchasing an exotic cat.
Down here in Kingman Arizona pick up my seven month old savanna/serval http://t.co/CydUkeLHxy
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 17, 2013
Will we see more standup?
Letting hands go after wrestling the other day…. http://t.co/FcGen9oUcQ
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) December 16, 2013
Nice.
@BamBamHealy I didn’t get the chance to talk to u after the fight but I just wanted to say your a great fighter I have nothing but respect
— Bobby King Green (@BobbyKGreen) December 16, 2013
@BobbyKGreen thanks man and likewise. Too bad we couldn’t cash out on that bonus.
— Patrick Healy (@BamBamHealy) December 16, 2013
Just being modest.
I am the greatest!! Treino pela manha com mestrao e na marra!!! alexchadud @351marlon http://t.co/pZCyxe7otZ
— Jose ‘Scarface’ Aldo (@josealdojunior) December 16, 2013
A lot going on here.
Oh I see how it is @BenWallMMA… sooooo rude 😉 pic.twitter.com/iy1IPM7Ukx
— Bec Rowdy Hyatt (@RowdyBec) December 17, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Dec. 16. 2013)
NA
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via leriksson.
Revisionist MMA history – A look back at 2004 rankings and fight odds pt. 1
I’ll be honest I’ve only been watching MMA for about 5 years. However, I’ve already seen how some fans can easily have an altered view of a fighters past. One of my favorite thing about other sports is the deep history they all have. I absolutely love looking back at records, and going “wow, that actually happened”. A Sherdog user dug up some fight odds and rankings from 2001-2004 just before the TUF boom/rebirth. I’ll be taking a look at them in this major MMA free week. Starting with 2004 (kay, I should have started with 2001, but whatever… it’ll go 2004, then 2001 – 2003)
All data is taken from Sherdog forum by user “IRS”. IRS said the website Archive.org was used to get this data. All data is compiled by “IRS”, inaccuracies may occur. Please say so in the comments if there are any
Rankings 2nd half 2003
Check out the rest of the post here.
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