Author: UFC News

UFC heavyweight contender Matt Mitrione will provide the ceremonial coin toss at the Pittsburgh Power Arena Football League game Saturday night at CONSOL Energy Center as they host the Milwaukee Mustangs at 7:30 p.m. 

Mitrione, a former NFL defensive lineman with the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings, is fighting on the main card of UFC Live on Versus 4 Sunday in Pittsburgh vs. Christian Morecraft.

The Power are encouraging fans to join the players, coaches, staff and dance team as they wear all white in support of White Out Night and the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. For Power tickets:  http://www.pittsburghpowerfootball.com.

 

In just one hour and 14 minutes, tickets to the UFC’s return to Brazil on August 27th have sold out, setting the stage for what will be an incredible night inside Rio’s HSBC Arena when Anderson Silva defends his UFC middleweight crown against Yushin Okami in the UFC 134 main event.

Also in action will be Brazilian heroes Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira, who will face Forrest Griffin and Brendan Schaub, respectively on this historic night, which marks the first UFC event in Brazil since 1998. The card will air on Pay-Per-View.

Las Vegas, NV (USA) – The Ultimate Fighting Championship® returns to the birthplace of mixed martial arts, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, Aug. 27, as one of the country’s most recognizable superstars defends his title against the division’s nearly unstoppable number one contender. Live from the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba’s Anderson “The Spider” Silva puts the middleweight title on the line when he meets Japanese star Yushin Okami, the only man to hold a victory over Silva in the last five years.

“Anderson Silva is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world,” said UFC President Dana White. “He has won 14 straight and hasn’t lost since January 2006, when he lost a controversial fight against none other than Yushin Okami. Okami is the number two middleweight in the world and a powerhouse in that division. He is the winningest Japanese fighter in UFC history and also the only guy to have beaten the greatest fighter in the world in the last seven years. He wants to do it again, but this time, in Anderson’s home country and win the UFC middleweight title. If he does, he will be the first ever Japanese champion.”

An explosive co-main event features the rematch between former light heavyweight champions Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Forrest Griffin, while unbeaten Brazilian lightweight Edson Barboza looks for his ninth professional victory when he battles British bomber Ross Pearson. UFC’s first event in Brazil since 1998 will also feature a pivotal heavyweight collision pitting former champion and Brazilian legend Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira against the surging Brendan Schaub. In addition, Sao Paulo’s Luiz Cane collides with unbeaten Bulgarian Stanislav Nedkov in a surefire slugfest.

Tickets for UFC® 134: SILVA vs. OKAMI go on sale on Friday, June 17 at 11:30pm PT and are priced at R$1,600, R$1,000, R$450, and R$275. Tickets are available online at INGRESSO.com.

UFC® 134: SILVA vs. OKAMI will be available live on Pay-Per-View at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, 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.

Ranked as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and one of the greatest of all time, Anderson Silva (fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) has won 14 straight fights and has defended the middleweight crown a record eight times. On Aug. 27, “The Spider” gets a chance to avenge a controversial disqualification loss he suffered to Yushin Okami in 2006. Owning wins over the likes of Rich Franklin, Nate Marquardt, Dan Henderson and Vitor Belfort, the 36-year-old is looking forward to adding Okami’s name to his legendary resume.

“This is a great opportunity for me to fight in Brazil, close to my home and my family,” Silva, who boasts a 28-4 record,” said. “It’s a great opportunity for Yushin and the fans in Japan after all they have been through this year. To see one of their top fighters fighting for the title makes this a special event.”

A winner of six out of his last seven fights, Japanese middleweight star Yushin Okami (fighting out of Kanagawa, Japan) has emerged as the division’s top contender thanks to his tremendous strength and overwhelming power. With wins over Jason MacDonald, Nate Marquardt and Mark Munoz, the six-foot-two powerhouse has set out to become the first Japanese champion in the history of the UFC.

“I understand Anderson has a lot of emotion (fighting in Brazil),” Okami, who has compiled a record of 27-5, said. “This time it will be in his home country, so I will see him fully focused, at his most dangerous, and in the best shape ever when I step in to the Octagon.”
“But no matter what, I have to try to smash him with all of my speed, strength and skills,” Okami continued. “The last time we fought, I felt the pressure of his striking, so I have been sharpening up my striking skills, and though he is the best opponent I have faced, he is the man I have to beat to become the UFC middleweight champion.”

Silva isn’t the only superstar looking to avenge a loss on Aug. 27. Former light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) returns to the Octagon® in Rio de Janeiro to battle Forrest Griffin (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.), a former 205-pound champion who defeated him in 2007. Known for his fierce Muay Thai skills and devastating power, the 29-year-old Rua (19-5) holds wins over Hall of Famers Mark Coleman and Chuck Liddell, and was the first man to ever knock out Lyoto Machida. He’ll need to be on point to upend Griffin, who won the first season of The Ultimate Fighter® and is best known for wins over Stephan Bonnar, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Tito Ortiz and Rich Franklin.

The stock of lightweight striker Edson Barboza (fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is soaring thanks to two impressive wins in the UFC. Unbeaten at 8-0, the 25-year-old returns to his hometown this summer to meet The Ultimate Fighter season nine winner Ross Pearson (fighting out of Sunderland, England). Boasting wins in four out of his last five fights, the 26-year-old Pearson plans to spoil Barboza’s homecoming in August and prove that he truly is “The Real Deal.”

Mixed martial arts legend Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira (fighting out of Bahia, Brazil) returns to his native Brazil with hopes of displaying the tenacity that helped him win both UFC and PRIDE® titles in his illustrious career. The 35-year-old nicknamed “Big Nog” starts that quest back to the championship when he meets red-hot heavyweight prospect Brendan Schaub (fighting out of Denver, Colo.). A 28-year-old former NFL player, Schaub (9-1) has won four straight fights in the Octagon. The toughest test of his young career awaits the heavy-handed fighter nicknamed “The Hybrid” at HSBC Arena when he meets Nogueira (32-6-1, 1NC) in hostile territory.

Knockout artist Luiz Cane (fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) finished Eliot Marshall in his last fight in March and expects nothing less when he battles unbeaten Stanislav Nedkov (fighting out of Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria) in light heavyweight action. Thus, it should come as no surprise that the bout between Cane (12-3-1) and Nedkov (11-0) is an early sleeper for Fight of the Night.

For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit UFC.com. All bouts live and subject to change.

UFC president Dana White awarded bonuses to UFC newcomers Dave Herman and John-Olav Einemo for Fight of the Night and to Chris Weidman for the first-round Submission of the Night scored in his sophomore UFC outing. He also announced that Sam Stout received Knockout of the Night for what White described as “One of the most vicious knockouts in UFC history, if not the most vicious.” Each bonus scored $70,000 for the fighters.

Video highlights from the fighters below will be linked below as they become available.
Junior dos Santos
Kenny Florian
Sam Stout and Mark Munoz
Donald Cerrone and Dave Herman

Las Vegas, NV – This Saturday’s UFC® 131: DOS SANTOS vs. CARWIN event in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada features an explosive showdown between two of the biggest punchers in history, Junior dos Santos and Shane Carwin. Thus, when the two mega forces collide at Rogers Arena live on Pay-Per-View to determine who gets the next shot at UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, fans around the world expect an epic war.

The Brazilian dos Santos has been thoroughly dominant in his UFC career, stopping the likes of Fabricio Werdum, Stefan Struve and Mirko Cro Cop, as well as besting Roy Nelson over three brutally one-sided rounds. Meanwhile, Carwin’s fists have finished all 12 of his victims inside one round, including former world title challenger Gabe Gonzaga and two-time champion Frank Mir.

In anticipation of the Saturday night bout between the two giants, numerous UFC stars came together to offer their opinions on the colossal number one contender fight.
 
MARK HOMINICK, UFC FEATHERWEIGHT
“I believe that this is dos Santos’ fight. He seems very motivated at capturing the title and willing to take out whoever is in the way. The advantage that Carwin has is in his wrestling, but I think he will try to exchange on his feet, where dos Santos has the speed advantage and will take him out. ”
PICK: dos Santos by KO

MICHAEL BISPING, UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT 
“I think dos Santos takes this. Carwin is a massive threat to anyone, and no matter who you are, if he hits you, you’ve got a serious problem. This is a great fight for the fans because literally the very next punch could end it at anytime, either way. But, I think dos Santos is more technically sound, he hits hard from range and he is more athletic, and in a battle of two massive punchers you have to give the edge to the guy who is faster and more athletic. I think he’s going to get hurt and maybe dropped along the way, but I think dos Santos wins this by KO late.”
PICK: dos Santos KO 3

DaMARQUES JOHNSON, UFC WELTERWEIGHT
In the cosmic clash of man-sized fisticuffs, my Nostradamus-like fight predicting capability sees a loss of consciousness in the near future. Both JDS and Carwin have the kit bag full of power bursting at its seams. However, I give the edge in hand speed to JDS. A few questions still remain about both these monstrous men, so you can never really be sure. Did Shane get a new gas tank? Can JDS handle the power of a man that resembles just as much grizzly bear as he does human being? I guess we will see come fight time.
PICK – Carwin

DAVID HAYE, WBA HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION
“This is a really exciting fight, just the type of fight I love to be in, as two big heavyweight punchers are going to just blast each other. I’m too close to my own big heavyweight fight with Wladimir Klitschko to stay up to watch, but I’ll be watching the replay. I think this fight is really going to set the bar high in terms of excitement and power-punching. Someone is getting knocked spark out! Either man can KO the other – another similarity between this fight and mine – but I think dos Santos is faster and will land his bomb first. The same thing will happen in my fight.”
PICK: dos Santos KO 2

GEORGES ST-PIERRE, UFC WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION
“This is a really tough fight. Both guys are really heavy hitters and early finishers. The guy that connects first is likely coming out with the win and I’m thinking it is Carwin. He’s got the best chance at winning.”
PICK:  Carwin by KO

BRIAN STANN, UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT
“Tough to pick against a very motivated dos Santos right now, but I am going with my friend, Shane Carwin. Superior wrestling has become a noticeable advantage in many big fights and Shane has it in this bout. Dos Santos can beat anyone in the division on the right night, but I think Shane uses his sound boxing to land big punches and takedowns en route to an eventual finish by TKO.”
PICK: Carwin by KO late

ROY NELSON, UFC HEAVYWEIGHT
“I think Carwin has to shoot, take JDS down and try for the ground and pound. He’s lost some muscle mass and should be faster. But, you know what, dos Santos beat me, so he must good. I think – actually I know – his punches come in fast and I can see him getting Carwin out of there in two rounds.”
PICK: dos Santos KO 2

KYLE KINGSBURY, UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
“Carwin wins. Strength, athleticism and wrestling ability will be the difference.”
PICK: Carwin

RANDY COUTURE, UFC HALL OF FAMER
“Both these guys like to stand and bang and both can knock you out. Carwin has amazing power, but it will be interesting to see if he chooses to wrestle here and if he can wrestle for three rounds. I don’t think he should play around striking with Dos Santos. Junior is too sharp in the striking. But I think Carwin will have improved his game to where he can use his NCAA wrestling skills over three rounds for the win.”
PICK: Carwin by decision

ROSS PEARSON, UFC LIGHTWEIGHT
“I think dos Santos is winning. He’s got the faster hands, better movement and I think the first big shot that’ll land will be his. If Carwin lands first, he wins, but I think JDS lands first. Of course, Carwin can fool everyone and use his wrestling, but I don’t think that will happen.”
PICK: dos Santos KO 1

MARTIN KAMPMANN, UFC WELTERWEIGHT 
“I think dos Santos is gonna win. He’s got the sharper boxing skills and better reach. Carwin can definitely knock him out if he comes in and there’s an opening, but I think JDS is gonna catch him first.”
PICK: dos Santos via KO

KYLE NOKE, UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT
“This is a great matchup for both guys. It’s hard to pick with Carwin’s size and power versus dos Santos’ athleticism and power. I can guarantee one thing: this fight will not go to a decision. My pick is Carwin by TKO.”
PICK: Carwin by KO

MATT BROWN, UFC WELTERWEIGHT
“I got dos Santos. I think he is faster and more technical on the feet than Carwin. Carwin is a dangerous and powerful guy, but I believe dos Santos has the ability to avoid Carwin’s power and will land more shots more often.”
PICK: dos Santos via knockout

BRENDAN SCHAUB, UFC HEAVYWEIGHT
“JDS is one of the best in the world, but I think Carwin will be too much for him. Shane can do it all and is more motivated then ever after having a year layoff. He’s stronger, leaner and in the best shape of his life. This is Carwin’s fight!”
PICK: Carwin KO 1

FORREST GRIFFIN, UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
“For some reason, I’m leaning toward dos Santos. He seems to be a little bit quicker than Carwin. Dos Santos has tremendous speed for a big heavyweight and I honestly think that dos Santos versus Cain (Velasquez) would be a great fight.”
PICK: dos Santos

JOSH GRISPI, UFC FEATHERWEIGHT
“That’s a tough one to call, but I’ll take dos Santos by KO. I think he’s more technical.”
PICK: dos Santos

GILBERT MELENDEZ, STRIKEFORCE LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION
“Junior versus Shane is going to be a great fight.  Probably a better fight than what the fans were going to see at first. These guys are going to get in there and give the fans an all-out war.  I see Junior grinding this one out though.  He’s going to have stay away from one of Shane’s bombs, but I think he’ll end up getting his hand raised in the end.”
PICK: dos Santos

TJ GRANT, UFC WELTERWEIGHT
“I think Carwin is going to be a tougher fight for dos Santos than Brock Lesnar would have been. Both guys are very dangerous and anything can happen, but I truly believe Junior has the better striking and that will win him the fight.”
PICK: dos Santos by TKO