Author: MMAjunkie.com Staff [mmajunkie-staff]

White bearish on UFC 109 PPV “buys,” relief on way with Lesnar’s likely July return

LAS VEGAS – The UFC’s crack team of pay-per-view scientists has arrived at an expected number of “buys” for Saturday’s UFC 109 event.

Following Thurday’s pre-event press conference, White said the promotion expects to draw 385,000 PPV buys, less than the near-final tally for January’s much-maligned and injury-plagued UFC 108 event.

However, relief is on the way. Some star-studded March, April and May shows already have fans buzzing, and PPV king and heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar is expected to make his long-awaited return in July.


LAS VEGAS – The UFC’s crack team of pay-per-view scientists has arrived at an expected number of “buys” for Saturday’s UFC 109 event.

Following Thurday’s pre-event press conference, White said the promotion expects to draw 385,000 PPV buys, less than the near-final tally for January’s much-maligned and injury-plagued UFC 108 event.

However, relief is on the way. Some star-studded March, April and May shows already have fans buzzing, and PPV king and heavyweight champ Brock Lesnar is expected to make his long-awaited return in July.


Jon Fitch vs. Thiago Alves II completes UFC 111 pay-per-view main card

A welterweight bout and long-awaited rematch between Jon Fitch (21-3 MMA, 11-1 UFC) and Thiago Alves (16-6 MMA, 9-3 UFC) officially has been added to next month’s UFC 111 event and completes the March 27 fight card.

MMAjunkie.com first reported the UFC 111 bout, which was initially expected to take place at UFC 107, back in December.

UFC 111 takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., and Fitch vs. Alves is one of five fights slated to air on pay-per-view.


A welterweight bout and long-awaited rematch between Jon Fitch (21-3 MMA, 11-1 UFC) and Thiago Alves (16-6 MMA, 9-3 UFC) officially has been added to next month’s UFC 111 event and completes the March 27 fight card.

MMAjunkie.com first reported the UFC 111 bout, which was initially expected to take place at UFC 107, back in December.

UFC 111 takes place at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., and Fitch vs. Alves is one of five fights slated to air on pay-per-view.


MMAjunkie.com Radio: Renzo Gracie, Anthony Njokuani, Trevor Wittman, Danny Acosta

MMAjunkie.com Radio kicks off another dual-show day, and today’s first live episode features recent UFC signee Renzo Gracie, who meets Matt Hughes at UFC 112 in April.

Also joining the show are WEC lightweight contender Anthony Njokuani,
Trevor Wittman (an assistant coach on “The Ultimate Fighter 10” who’s
prepped Nate Marquardt for his UFC 109 co-headliner this weekend) and
MMA journalist (FIGHT! Magazine/Sherdog.com) Danny Acosta.

MMAjunkie.com Radio begins at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. Listen to
and watch a video stream of the two-hour show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio.


MMAjunkie.com Radio kicks off another dual-show day, and today’s first live episode features recent UFC signee Renzo Gracie, who meets Matt Hughes at UFC 112 in April.

Also joining the show are WEC lightweight contender Anthony Njokuani,
Trevor Wittman (an assistant coach on “The Ultimate Fighter 10” who’s
prepped Nate Marquardt for his UFC 109 co-headliner this weekend) and
MMA journalist (FIGHT! Magazine/Sherdog.com) Danny Acosta.

MMAjunkie.com Radio begins at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) live from the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino’s Race & Sports Book. Listen to
and watch a video stream of the two-hour show at www.mmajunkie.com/radio.


Wisconsin becomes U.S. state No. 43 to adopt MMA regulation, UFC considering visit

Wisconsin on Thursday became the 43rd U.S. state to adopt mixed-martial-arts regulation with Gov. Jim Doyle’s signing of Senate Bill 290.

The bill took just five months to be signed into law following its September introduction.

With the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing’s boxing bureau now equipped with standard regulations, at least one major promotion – the Ultimate Fighting Championship – could be headed to the Badger State.


Wisconsin on Thursday became the 43rd U.S. state to adopt mixed-martial-arts regulation with Gov. Jim Doyle’s signing of Senate Bill 290.

The bill took just five months to be signed into law following its September introduction.

With the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing’s boxing bureau now equipped with standard regulations, at least one major promotion – the Ultimate Fighting Championship – could be headed to the Badger State.


“EA Sports MMA” adds top Strikeforce prospect Tyron Woodley to videogame roster

Fast-rising Strikeforce welterweight and former University of Missouri wrestler Tyron Woodley is the latest addition to the “EA Sports MMA” videogame roster.

An EA Sports official today confirmed the addition with MMAjunkie.com.

“EA Sports MMA,” available on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms, is expected to be released in late summer 2010 as a rival to THQ’s “UFC Undisputed” title.


Fast-rising Strikeforce welterweight and former University of Missouri wrestler Tyron Woodley is the latest addition to the “EA Sports MMA” videogame roster.

An EA Sports official today confirmed the addition with MMAjunkie.com.

“EA Sports MMA,” available on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms, is expected to be released in late summer 2010 as a rival to THQ’s “UFC Undisputed” title.


“The Sunday Junkie” deadline reminder, win a free Fighters Only subscription!

As a reminder, submissions for the upcoming edition of “The Sunday Junkie” are due Sunday at 10 a.m. ET.

All topics, including this weekend’s UFC 109 event, are open for discussion. The person who sends in the submission we deem the best – based on timeliness of subject, clarity and overall persuasiveness – will be invited onto MMAjunkie.com Radio to discuss the topic.

Each winner will also receive a free year’s subscription to Fighters Only, the world’s leading MMA and lifestyle magazine!


As a reminder, submissions for the upcoming edition of “The Sunday Junkie” are due Sunday at 10 a.m. ET.

All topics, including this weekend’s UFC 109 event, are open for discussion. The person who sends in the submission we deem the best – based on timeliness of subject, clarity and overall persuasiveness – will be invited onto MMAjunkie.com Radio to discuss the topic.

Each winner will also receive a free year’s subscription to Fighters Only, the world’s leading MMA and lifestyle magazine!