Author: UFC News

The latest installment of the critically acclaimed official UFC® videogame franchise, UFC Undisputed 3, is available now at North American retailers for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, as well as the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system.  

UFC Undisputed 3 will take players inside the Octagon with focus on intense toe-to-toe combat, impressive visual presentation and significantly increased accessibility, including the debut of PRIDE® Mode, two new weight classes and an impressive playable roster of more than 150 UFC fighters. 

The PRIDE Mode will enable players to fight for the first time in the legendary Japanese MMA organization and include official commentators Bas Rutten and Stephen Quadros, authentic environments and notorious PRIDE rules, including the ability to execute soccer kicks, head stomps and knees to the head of grounded opponents. 

In addition, players will now enter the Octagon with a choice between traditional and simplified gameplay control options, enabling them, regardless of skill level, to experience the intensity of UFC and nuances of MMA combat while executing simple standing strikes or more complex ground and transition mechanics.

They will also enter into battle with an unparalleled choice of more than 150 playable UFC fighters, including talent from the newly added featherweight and bantamweight divisions.  Rounding out the virtual UFC experience with a revamped online experience, an extensive downloadable content program and a variety of new and returning gameplay modes, UFC Undisputed 3 lets players have their fights – their way – to deliver the most intense, competitive and engaging experience to date for the franchise.

For more information on UFC Undisputed 3, please visit www.ufcundisputed.com, facebook.com/UFCUndisputed and twitter.com/UFC_Undisputed.

 

FUEL TV (www.fuel.tv), FOX Sports Media Group’s dynamic sports network for males, offers a special free preview February 13-19, making it possible for millions of mixed martial arts fans to watch FUEL TV’s first-ever live main card event of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, “UFC ON FUEL TV: SANCHEZ VS. ELLENBERGER,” on February 15 at 8:00 PM ET. On Fight Night, the network will be airing five straight hours of LIVE fight programming, including a one-hour live Prefight Show (7:00 PM ET), three hours of live fighting, and a one-hour live Postfight show (11:00 PM ET). In addition, the network presents an entire Fight Week featuring all the best UFC programming including signature shows like “UFC Tonight,” “UFC Ultimate Insider,” “Best of Pride,” “UFC Champions Roundtable” and more.
 
“As a salute to UFC fans, FUEL TV will telecast an unprecedented amount of UFC programming – more than 100 hours’ worth – this week,” says George Greenberg, Executive Vice President and General Manager, FUEL TV. “If you’re a UFC fan, this is a must-see week highlighted by an amazing must-watch live fight on Wednesday night. Fans should check with their local television provider to see if the special preview is available so they can take advantage FUEL TV’s Fight Week upgrade opportunity.”
 
FUEL TV leads up to the February 15 live main card fight featuring welterweight Diego Sanchez taking on hometown favorite Jake Ellenberger in Omaha, Nebraska with a live weigh-in show on February 14 at 5:00 PM ET. During Fight Week, fans can also tune-in to programs including “UFC Tonight,” the official weekly news and information show of the UFC and “UFC Ultimate Insider,” which delivers unprecedented access, including in-depth profiles of the UFC’s biggest stars, tell-all features, and compelling backstage footage.
 
In 2012, FUEL TV telecasts more than 2,000 hours of UFC programming, with more than 100 hours of live fights, weigh-ins, preliminary bouts, and prefight and postfight shows. FUEL TV offers more UFC programming than any network has ever offered.
 
Multiple distributors in select areas are participating in the FUEL TV special Free Preview. From February 13 – 19, consumers can check directly with their local provider or go to www.fuel.tv/getfueltv to see who is participating.
 
For a complete listing of FUEL TV shows, go to: http://www.fuel.tv/schedule/. For more information, go to www.fuel.tv, www.fuel.tv/ufc, on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/fueltv and on Twitter: @FUELTV, #UFConFUELTV
 
To find out FUEL TV on your television, go to www.fuel.tv/getfueltv, or call 877-4 FUEL-TV.
 

With Leonard Garcia sidelined due to injury, Japan’s own Issei Tamura has agreed to step in and fight China’s Tiequan Zhang on February 26 at UFC 144 in Tokyo. The 6-2 featherweight Tamura is a teammate of Kid Yamamoto, who is also fighting on the Saitama supercard.

Sots Injured, Gomi Gets New Opponent updated January 30
An injury has sidelined Aussie BJJ black belt George Sotiropoulos, forcing him off of next month’s UFC 144 fight card.

Stepping up to face lightweight legend Takanori Gomi is another submission ace, Eiji Mitsuoka, who will fight in his hometown of Satiama, Japan. 

UFC Japan Fight Card Fleshed Out updated November 27
The Ultimate Fighting Championship® announced the full title card today of the organization’s return to the birthplace of mixed martial arts. UFC® JAPAN: EDGAR vs. HENDERSON features an epic lightweight title fight pitting champion Frankie Edgar against former WEC Champion Benson Henderson, a matchup first announced after Henderson’s win over Clay Guida at UFC on FOX.
 
UFC Japan – or UFC 144 – will also feature the return to Land of the Rising Sun of  Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, one of the biggest stars in the sport, in a bout which will mark the 6th anniversary to the day of his last fight in Japan. Jackson faces rising star Ryan Bader, whose most recent win came just two weeks ago at UFC 139 in San Jose. 

Other key matchups feature Mark Hunt, a veteran of Japanese kickboxing, versus French heavyweight contender Cheick Kongo; and Japanese superstar Yoshihiro Akiyama dropping weight divisions to meet the always dangerous Jake Shields in the welterweight division.  Rounding out the main card will be a lightweight bout pitting the underrated Joe Lauzon, coming off a stunning 67-second submission over Melvin Guillard, against former WEC champion Anthony Pettis.

Other bouts on that card feature Japan’s biggest MMA stars. Riki Fukuda will fight in a middleweight match against Steve “The Robot: Cantwell. “Kid” Yamamoto will go to battle against British bantamweight Vaughan Lee, fighting for the first time in almost two years in his home
country. 

Perennial top-10 bantamweight Takeya Mizugaki will square off against Chris Cariaso. And lightweight knockout artist Takanori Gomi will meet submission expert George Sotiropoulos.

Japan’s most promising title contender, Hatsu Hioki, will face Bart Palaszewski in a featherweight showdown. Hioki made his UFC debut by beating tough veteran, George Roop, while Palaszewski had a spectacular debut at his new weight with a big KO win over Tyson Griffin.”

Plus, China’s Tiequan Zhang and the always-game Leonard Garcia have agreed to meet inside the Octagon on that date.

All of the bouts mentioned are verbally agreed upon and subject to change.

Pettis vs. Lauzon Booked for Japan updated November 15
“Verbal agreements are in for a match between two of the most exciting lightweights in the sport as Joe ‘J-Lau’ Lauzon will face Anthony ‘Showtime’ Pettis February 26th in Saitama, Japan,” confirmed UFC president Dana White today.

Rumors of the matchup surfaced after Lauzon’s 47-second blitz win over then-top contender Melvin Guillard at UFC 136. Pettis told an interviewer he’d welcome a chance to fight Lauzon; shortly thereafter, Lauzon posted a video blog in agreeing to the bout.

Okami Returns in Feb. Against Boetsch update November 15
Middleweight contender Yushin Okami will get a home game in his first
bout since his UFC </a>134 clash with Anderson Silva when he takes on Tim
Boetsch in UFC 144 action on February 26th.

“Undefeated since
dropping down to middleweight, Tim ‘The Barbarian’ Boetsch has verbally
agreed to face top three ranked Yushin ‘Thunder’ Okami February 26th in Saitama, Japan,” said UFC President Dana White.

Akiyama Makes Welterweight Debut against Shields updated November 14
Japanese superstar Yoshihiro Akiyama will have plenty of support from
his home country fans on February 26th, when he makes his welterweight
debut in UFC 144 action against 170-pound contender Jake Shields at
Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

“Verbal agreements are in for a
welterweight matchup in Saitama, Japan between former Strikeforce champion
Jake Shields and Asian superstar ‘Sexyama’ Yoshihiro Akiyama February
26th,” said UFC President Dana White.

Scheduled to Attend:
UFC President Dana White
UFC Champion Jon ‘Bones’ Jones
Title Challenger ‘Suga’ Rashad Evans

Thursday, February 16 – 1 p.m. ET
Ventanas
275 Baker Street, Atlanta, GA 30313

TICKETS ON SALE FOR UFC 145 ON FRIDAY, FEB. 17

Las Vegas, Nevada – On the heels of the major announcement that UFC® light heavyweight champion Jon Jones will defend his title on April 21 at Philips Arena against rival Rashad Evans, the Ultimate Fighting Championship® will host a press conference on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. ET in the Luckie Marietta District of downtown Atlanta at Ventanas (275 Baker Street, Atlanta, Ga. 30313).

Both Jones and Evans will be in attendance, as will UFC President Dana White. The event is FREE and open to the public.

Tickets for UFC®145, presented by MetroPCS, go on sale Friday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. ET. Tickets are priced at $400, $300, $200, $125, $80 and $50 and are available through Ticketmaster.com, charge by phone (800) 745-3000, at all Ticketmaster Outlets, and the Philips Arena Box Office. Ticket prices do not include applicable service charges.

UFC® Fight Club™ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 10 a.m. ET via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers on Thursday, Feb. 16, starting at 10 a.m. ET. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter by entering their e-mail address in the field at the top of ufc.com.

Official UFC VIP packages are also available at http://vip.ufc.com. These packages include tickets to UFC 145, official event merchandise, as well as special VIP experiences with backstage tours and meet and greets with top UFC stars. Get closer to the action than ever before with this unique UFC VIP opportunity.

UFC®145 will be available live on Pay-Per-View at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, and in Canada on BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.99 US/$49.99 CAN for Standard Definition and $54.99 US/$59.99 CAN for High Definition.

WHO:           
UFC President Dana White                  
UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones                     
UFC light heavyweight title challenger Rashad Evans

WHAT:         
UFC® 145: JONES vs. EVANS Press Conference

WHEN:        
Thursday, Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. ET (doors at noon)

WHERE:      
Ventanas – 275 Baker Street, Atlanta, Ga. 30313

“We don’t recommend hole-jumping anyone, but it’d be a potentially life-threatening mistake to encroach on anglers Mike ‘Quicksand’ Pyle and Chad ‘Money’ Mendes. When Pyle and Mendes aren’t chasing fish, you can find them thrashing opponents in Ultimate Fighting Championship matches. ‘I got started fishing when I was four years old,’ said Mendes, 26, who lost his bid for the UFC featherweight title Jan. 14 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. ‘I came from an outdoor family, so I’ve been hunting, fishing and camping my whole life.'”

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Las Vegas, Nevada – Dana White, President of the Ultimate Fighting Championship© organization, has issued the following statement on the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s report on UFC 143 interim welterweight championship contender Nick Diaz.

“I am beyond disappointed that he tested positive for marijuana,” said White. “It is now in the hands of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.”