Author: Michael David Smith

Sluggish Ticket Sales Show Rapid Growth of UFC Is Waning

Filed under: UFCAs the UFC exploded in popularity over the last few years, the promotion always prided itself on moving into new markets and breaking arena records by selling 10,000 or 15,000 tickets in a matter of minutes. But the UFC’s rapid growth m…

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As the UFC exploded in popularity over the last few years, the promotion always prided itself on moving into new markets and breaking arena records by selling 10,000 or 15,000 tickets in a matter of minutes. But the UFC’s rapid growth may be slowing down.

The UFC announced Monday that it has moved its August 1 show out of Salt Lake City because it was struggling to sell tickets. The event, headlined by Jon Jones vs. Vladimir Matyushenko, will now take place in San Diego. It’s the second time in less than a week that we’ve had news of a weak market for UFC tickets; in the days before Saturday night’s UFC 115 show in Vancouver, scalpers began to sell tickets for less than face value as supply outstripped demand.

Jamie Varner: Kamal Shalorus Is the Toughest Guy You’ve Never Heard Of

Filed under: WECSix days before he faces Kamal Shalorus at WEC 49 on Sunday night, Jamie Varner made a comment that speaks volumes about why it’s such a dangerous fight for him.

“Kamal is the toughest guy you’ve never heard of,” Varner said.

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Six days before he faces Kamal Shalorus at WEC 49 on Sunday night, Jamie Varner made a comment that speaks volumes about why it’s such a dangerous fight for him.

“Kamal is the toughest guy you’ve never heard of,” Varner said.

UFC 115: Rich Franklin KOs Chuck Liddell

Filed under: UFC, ResultsChuck Liddell, the biggest star the UFC has ever had, returned to the Octagon Saturday night at the age of 40 after more than a year away. It did not go well.

At the end of an action-packed first round, his opponent, Rich Fran…

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Chuck Liddell, the biggest star the UFC has ever had, returned to the Octagon Saturday night at the age of 40 after more than a year away. It did not go well.

At the end of an action-packed first round, his opponent, Rich Franklin, landed a hard right hand that knocked Liddell cold, ending the main event at UFC 115 and likely ending Liddell’s career.

UFC 115 Weigh-In Video

Filed under: UFC
The 22 fighters participating in UFC 115 will step on the scale in Vancouver Friday evening for the UFC 115 weigh-in, and if you can’t be there in Vancouver, you can watch it live here at MMAFighting.com.

In the main event, Chuck Lidd…

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The 22 fighters participating in UFC 115 will step on the scale in Vancouver Friday evening for the UFC 115 weigh-in, and if you can’t be there in Vancouver, you can watch it live here at MMAFighting.com.

In the main event, Chuck Liddell will have to make the light heavyweight limit of 205 pounds after more than a year away from the sport. That shouldn’t be a problem for Liddell, who has appeared to be in excellent shape recently. Liddell’s opponent, Rich Franklin, will be moving back up to 205 after fighting at 195 pounds in his last two bouts.

The weigh-in starts at 7 PM ET and the video is below.

Ken Shamrock Admits Steroid Use, Says Fans Wanted It

Filed under: UFCUFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock acknowledged in a recent interview that he used steroids during his mixed martial arts career. That shouldn’t surprise anyone; Shamrock has long looked the part of a steroid user and tested positive after …

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UFC Hall of Famer Ken Shamrock acknowledged in a recent interview that he used steroids during his mixed martial arts career. That shouldn’t surprise anyone; Shamrock has long looked the part of a steroid user and tested positive after his last fight.

But what is noteworthy about Shamrock’s comments is that he said he thinks the fans want to see athletes use steroids because they always want to see bigger and stronger competitors.

UFC 115 Pre-Fight Press Conference Video

Filed under: UFC Former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell, former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin and UFC President Dana White will all meet the press on Thursday for the UFC 115 pre-fight press conference, and if you can’t be there …

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Former UFC light heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell, former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin and UFC President Dana White will all meet the press on Thursday for the UFC 115 pre-fight press conference, and if you can’t be there in person in Vancouver you can watch it live right here at MMAFighting.com.

Of particular interest at this press conference will be how the local media treat the UFC: This is the promotion’s first show in Vancouver, and not everyone is happy that MMA is coming to town.

The press conference starts at 3PM ET and the video is below.