Author: Mike Hodges

UFC 148: Is It Now the Most Anticipated Card in UFC History?

After learning earlier today from MMA Fighting.com that Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen would now headline UFC 148, the main card has become a much more stacked event than what fans had first expected.In addition to the middleweight title bout, UFC ban…

After learning earlier today from MMA Fighting.com that Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen would now headline UFC 148, the main card has become a much more stacked event than what fans had first expected.

In addition to the middleweight title bout, UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will defend his title against Urijah Faber, as well as a trilogy between UFC veterans Tito Ortiz and Forrest Griffin.

The card has been given a major boost in terms of marketability, as the rematch between Silva and Sonnen is expected to draw a lot of viewers, and for it being billed as one of the greatest fights of all time.

This card draws comparisons to UFC 100, where the company put on a historic event featuring two title bouts and a bout involving Dan Henderson and Michael Bisping in a pivotal middleweight matchup.

The magnitude of the two events contrast from each other, but most of the attention will be drawn to the main event. However, considering the presentation of the card, this will be one event that fans will be anticipating for quite some time.

Also, take into consideration that the UFC will be hosting it on their traditional fourth of July weekend, and the amount of media coverage for UFC 148 will increase.

Sure, the UFC took a risk in moving their main event off their previous card in Brazil, but it is well worth it. It is expected that UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo will headline UFC 147 in Silva’s absence, which is a win-win for the company.

Given the right amount of marketability, UFC 148 will be one event that nearly every fan will want to tune in for on July 7th.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Dana White Blames M-1 Global Management for Turning Down Fight with Brock Lesnar

Despite his constant belittling of the former Pride FC heavyweight champion, UFC president Dana White insists he does not hate Fedor Emelianenko.The Russian heavyweight was a hot commodity for the UFC boss for many years and had pursued Emelianenko on …

Despite his constant belittling of the former Pride FC heavyweight champion, UFC president Dana White insists he does not hate Fedor Emelianenko.

The Russian heavyweight was a hot commodity for the UFC boss for many years and had pursued Emelianenko on several occasions in an attempt to sign him with the company.

White made one last effort on trying to lure Emelianeko, on the notion that he would be given an immediate title shot against then-UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, but White said his management, M-1 Global, prevented the deal from happening.

“I really don’t hate Fedor. His management made the biggest (expletive) in the history of all sports,” White told MMA Interviews following UFC 145. 

White explained how he travelled to meet Emelianenko and his manager, Vadim Finkelchtein, in 2009, who offered him a lot of money to sign a contract in addition to fighting Lesnar. 

White said Finkelchtein rejected the offer and proceeded to laugh in his face. White was disrespected by the gesture and has since refrained from doing business with M-1 Global.

“I told Vadummy, ‘You’re one punch away from being worth zero.’ He didn’t take it. They thought they were too cool and too slick and too (expletive) funny,” he said. “Like I said, they’re not laughing now.”

Emelianenko eventually signed with Strikeforce that same year, where he would go on to defeat Brett Rogers before dropping three consecutive bouts to Fabricio Werdum, Antonio Silva and Dan Henderson. 

Emelianenko is scheduled to meet former UFC heavyweight champion Pedro Rizzo in Russia on June 23.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Dana White Interested in Acquiring Bellator’s Hector Lombard and Eddie Alvarez

The UFC has always been known for having some of the best talent in the entire sport.And it appears UFC president Dana White is keen on acquiring two more talented fighters to his roster in the near future.White hinted at the idea that the UFC would so…

The UFC has always been known for having some of the best talent in the entire sport.

And it appears UFC president Dana White is keen on acquiring two more talented fighters to his roster in the near future.

White hinted at the idea that the UFC would soon make a bid to sign Bellator FC stars Eddie Alvarez and Hector Lombard.

“I think Eddie Alvarez is a great fighter,” White told MMAJunkie.com. “You know us, man. We’re always looking to get the best fighters in the world in the UFC, and he’s one of them.” 

Both Alvarez and Lombard been successful for the promotion thus far. Lombard is the current middleweight champion, while Alvarez held the lightweight title until last November.

However their contracts are soon to expire, which leaves them with the allowance of pursuing the free-agent market. And with the UFC eager to make an offer to both fighters, the power and status of the company will play a significant role in luring them in. 

White spoke highly of both fighters, and it is certain he will be in constant pursuit of two of the promotion’s biggest stars.

“I like him,” White said of Lombard. “I like him a lot. So we’ll see what happens.”

The possible departure of both Alvarez and Lombard would be damaging for Bellator FC, which is set to begin their television deal with Spike TV in 2013.

Although the company does not hold a lot of star power on its roster, it has rather adapted to constructing tournaments and producing marketable fighters to attract audiences and add more appeal and credibility to their brand. 

It is likely that Bellator could always promote a new star in the absence of either fighter, but it seems like their trying to revolve the promotion heavily around Alvarez and Lombard.

Should the UFC acquire rights to both fighters, it will only expand the quality of the competition on its roster, ultimately making it the premier organization in the sport, but it would be detrimental to the future of Bellator.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Dan Henderson Believes He Can Expose Some Openings on Jon Jones

Immediately following his victory over Rashad Evans at UFC 145, Jon Jones learned that he would be matched up against Dan Henderson in his next title defense.Henderson, who was sitting cageside to view the main event, anticipated a potential meeting wi…

Immediately following his victory over Rashad Evans at UFC 145, Jon Jones learned that he would be matched up against Dan Henderson in his next title defense.

Henderson, who was sitting cageside to view the main event, anticipated a potential meeting with either competitor and will attempt to become the only fighter in mixed martial arts history to hold three major championship titles from three different organizations.

The 42-year-old shared his opinion on the upcoming bout with the champion, who will make his fourth title defense since capturing it last year against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua at UFC 128.

“He looked pretty solid,” Henderson said while analyzing Jones’ performance. “He threw a lot of stuff that’s, I guess, typical of him. Unorthodox with some nasty elbows. A lot of kicks.”

Henderson had been holding out for a title shot since his last appearance at UFC 139. Since then, the 42-year old has turned down bouts with Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and a rematch with Rua.

Although he possesses efficient Greco-Roman wrestling skills, the former two-time Olympian has recently relied more on his striking prowess to determine the outcome of his bouts.

Henderson has finished a majority of his opposition with his devastating knockout power, including former champions Rafael Cavalcante and Fedor Emelianenko.

However, “Hendo” hopes to take a different approach heading into his title bout against Jones.

“You’ve really got to get inside and fight with him and end up in the clinch with him a lot. Jones is better than most guys in the clinch. … (But) that’s where I’m most comfortable,” he said. “At the same time I need to be real careful with catching one of those goofy elbows that he throws.”

Henderson poses as an interesting challenge to Jones and is considered by some fans to be the last legitimate challenge of Jones’ title reign.

The odds might not be in his favour, but at his age Henderson continues to outlast father time and remain a relevant figure at 205 pounds.

And with his career winding down, the UFC must take advantage of Henderson’s marketability for all they can.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Dana White Denies Rumors That Anderson Silva Will Be Stripped of UFC Title

With the UFC travelling to Brazil this week to make an announcement regarding UFC 147, UFC President Dana White dismissed the idea of possibly stripping UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.It is believed that the main event between Chael Sonnen an…

With the UFC travelling to Brazil this week to make an announcement regarding UFC 147, UFC President Dana White dismissed the idea of possibly stripping UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

It is believed that the main event between Chael Sonnen and the champion will be postponed and relocated to Las Vegas, where the two middleweight contenders will be placed on the UFC 148 card, tentatively scheduled for July 7th.

It was reported that the notion of facing Sonnen in Las Vegas had not sat well with Silva and he refused to fight him.

White cleared up the rumor during the UFC 145 post-fight press conference this past weekend:

“That is such a f***ing lie. It’s crazy. Wherever that came from, if it was a media source or whoever said it, it’s an absolute flat-out lie. Anderson and I haven’t had a problem about this fight.”

The event has been forced to change venues due to a United Nations conference scheduled for the same week, putting the main event in jeopardy.

It still expected that UFC 147 will commence, but co-headliners Vitor Belfort and Wanderlei Silva are likely to replace Sonnen and Silva in the main event.

White did not reveal too many details, but he said they are still planning on holding the card in Brazil on June 23rd.

“We had the whole arena mapped out and ready to go. We were pumped and ready for that,” he said.

“The whole thing just fell apart. We’re working on it still at this minute.”

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 145 Promo: "Define Me" Featuring Jon Jones

As Jon Jones prepares to fight Rashad Evans, the UFC continues to promote the 24-year-old and build him as one of the company’s top stars.The UFC has released a new promo in anticipation of Jones’ upcoming title bout against Evans at UFC 145.The traile…

As Jon Jones prepares to fight Rashad Evans, the UFC continues to promote the 24-year-old and build him as one of the company’s top stars.

The UFC has released a new promo in anticipation of Jones’ upcoming title bout against Evans at UFC 145.

The trailer features Jones describing what it means to be a UFC athlete and all the expectations that come along with it. The montage also shows footage of fellow UFC fighters like Georges St-Pierre, Vitor Belfort and Junior dos Santos.

Some of Jones’ comments have not sat well with some fans, so in an attempt to sway their opinion, the UFC has packaged a trailer symbolizing the champion’s humble demeanor and hard work as an athlete.

The consensus with Jones is that he could become one of the greatest UFC champions of all time, so the UFC is hoping to capitalize on his charisma and marketability as a fighter

Jones will be making his third title defense against Evans, as the the two light heavyweights are set to headline UFC 145 this weekend at the Phillips Arena. 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com