Author: UFC News

LOS ANGELES, CA – FUEL TV (www.fuel.tv), FOX Sports Media Group’s dynamic entertainment and sports network for males, officially kicks off the Ultimate Fighting Championship® (UFC®) on FUEL TV January 1 with a 24-hour marathon of UFC programming featuring five show premieres. 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 pre- and post-fight shows. In the New Year, FUEL TV offers more UFC programming than any network has ever offered.

“We’re beyond excited for the monster launch of the UFC on FUEL TV and can’t wait for the ball to drop on New Year’s so we can finally unveil all this incredible programming,” says George Greenberg, FUEL TV Executive Vice President and General Manager. “On January 1, FUEL TV becomes the number-one television destination for UFC fans. We’re going to deliver amazing live fights, FOX-style pre- and post-fight shows with expert commentary, insightful news shows with exclusive material and powerful documentaries that followers of the UFC have never seen before.”

“We’re excited that FUEL TV will become the ultimate destination for UFC programming in 2012,” says Dana White, UFC President. “We knew when we made the partnership with the FOX Sports Media Group that FUEL TV would allow us to put on more programming than every other network. If you’re a fan of the UFC, you’ve got to have FUEL TV.”

In addition to five shows premiering on January 1, FUEL TV launches “UFC Tonight,” the official news and information show of the UFC hosted by Todd Harris, on Tuesday, January 3 at 10:00 PM ET. The first Live UFC Weigh-in (UFC RIO™: ALDO vs. MENDES) is Friday, January 13 at 1:00 PM ET, followed by the first Post-Fight Show on Saturday, January 14 at 1:00AM ET. FUEL TV features the first Preliminary Bouts for UFC® on FX: GUILLARD vs. MILLER on Friday, January 20 at 6:00 PM ET.

For a complete listing of FUEL TV shows, go to: http://www.fuel.tv/schedule/. For more information, go to www.fuel.tv and www.fuel.tv/ufc

To find out FUEL TV on your television, go to www.fuel.tv/getfueltv, or call 877-4 FUEL-TV.

FUEL TV Schedule UFC 24-hour New Year’s Day Marathon

January 1, 12:00 AM ET
UFC Reloaded 1 (UFC 79 Nemesis)
Missed that one Pay-Per-View everyone’s always talking about? Not to worry because FUEL TV is bringing you some of the biggest and most memorable events in UFC history, featuring exclusive, never-before-seen, footage and much, much more. You may know the result, but the epic battles on “UFC Reloaded” will keep you on the edge of your seat. There will be 14 episodes in 2012.

January 1, 3:00 AM ET
UFC Bad Blood: Liddell vs. Ortiz
Once friends, now bitter enemies. UFC superstars Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell and “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz waged intense battles in and out of the Octagon. The 90-minute special “UFC Bad Blood: Liddell vs. Ortiz,” gives an all-access look at the epic feud forged in heated competition over the UFC Championship, and fueled by personal conflict outside of the cage. Through new, exclusive interviews, rare behind-the-scenes footage, and hard-hitting action from their historic fights, you can re-live the rivalry that helped launch the Ultimate Fighting Championship into the mainstream and made Chuck Liddell and Tito Ortiz household names that will be forever linked.

January 1, 4:30 AM ET
UFC Champion’s Roundtable with Jay Glazer
In this FUEL TV produced half-hour special, Jay Glazer chats all things UFC with current and past champions Jon “Bones” Jones, Frank Mir, Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin. Watch this intimate discussion about the UFC’s meteoric rise, what it means to be a champion and many other topics.

January 1, 5:00 AM ET
UFC Unleashed®
“UFC Unleashed®” features the best fights from the UFC vault! With 12, one-hour specials over 2012, “UFC Unleashed®“ brings viewers the big names and epic battles they want to see.

January 1, 6:00 AM ET
UFC Ultimate Knockouts™
“UFC Ultimate Knockouts™“ brings viewers the greatest knockouts in MMA history, delivered by fighters who refuse to leave results in the hands of the judges … or even allow their opponent a chance to tap out. In this two-hour special, these warriors seek not just to win, but to dominate … with one devastating strike!
(Note: The January 1 schedule repeats this eight-hour block the rest of the day.)

Other UFC Show Premieres in January:

January 3, 7:00 PM ET
Best of PRIDE Fighting Championships®
Peer into the PRIDE® vault as FUEL TV brings viewers some of the greatest mixed martial artists in history, featuring classic wars from Japan’s MMA glory days. In 12, one-hour shows, watch as many of today’s biggest UFC stars like Anderson “The Spider” Silva, Mauricio “Shogun” Rua, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, and Antônio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira first rose to prominence in the PRIDE ring. Viewers get to relive all of the classic battles in the “Best of PRIDE Fighting Championships®.”

January 3, 10:00 PM ET
UFC Tonight
“UFC Tonight” is the official weekly news and information show of the UFC. With in-depth event coverage and analysis, jaw-dropping highlights, exclusive fighter interviews before and after bouts, and segments unavailable anywhere else, “UFC Tonight” is a fan’s number-one source for the latest happenings in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. This weekly, half hour show is hosted by Todd Harris, with analyst Kenny Florian, Insider Ariel Helwani and features from Jay Glazer.

January 10, 6:00 PM ET
UFC Best of 2011
Each year, the Ultimate Fighting Championship gets more exciting than the last. Re-live the thrilling action of the best bouts, the greatest knockouts and submissions, and other incredible highlights of the previous 12 months in this three-hour special, as we breakdown top contenders in each weight class, rising stars, and the warriors currently dominating the sport.

January 10, 9:00 PM ET
Countdown to UFC RIO™: ALDO vs. MENDES
“Countdown to UFC” sets the stage for the UFC’s biggest fights with exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes access to fighter training camps. Over 14 episodes of this series, witness the intense preparation, hear each fighter’s opinion of their opponent, and get expert analysis on the match-up – all leading up to the big fight.

LIVE UFC Programs on FUEL TV in January:
January 13, 1:00 PM ET
Live UFC Weigh-in: UFC RIO™: ALDO vs. MENDES
UFC’s biggest and baddest stars weigh-in and face-off live before a night of epic battles inside the Octagon.

January 14, 1:00 AM ET
UFC on FUEL TV: Post-Fight Show – UFC RIO™: ALDO vs. MENDES
Jay Glazer and today’s top MMA analysts recap the night’s bouts, serve up exclusive fighter interviews, and talk about ‘what’s next’ for the winners and losers after the big fight in this one-hour show.

January 19, 5:00 PM ET
Live UFC Weigh-in: UFC® on FX: GUILLARD vs. MILLER
UFC’s biggest and baddest stars weigh-in and face-off Live before a night of epic battles inside the Octagon®.

January 20, 6:00 PM ET
UFC on FUEL TV: Preliminary Bouts – UFC® on FX: GUILLARD vs. MILLER
Witness the next generation of UFC stars rise as FUEL TV kicks off a night of unforgettable action, featuring three hours of MMA’s hungriest and most promising fighters. If you want to see the battles that make up-and-coming fighters into household names, you don’t want to miss the prelims on FUEL TV.

January 20, 11:00 PM ET
UFC on FUEL TV: Post-Fight Show – UFC® on FX: GUILLARD vs. MILLER

January 27, 5:00 PM ET
Live UFC Weigh-in: UFC on FOX

January 28, 5:00 PM ET
UFC on FUEL TV: Preliminary Bouts – UFC on FOX

January 28, 10:00 PM ET
UFC on FUEL TV: Post-Fight Show – UFC on FOX

January 31, 9:00 PM ET
Countdown to UFC® 143: DIAZ vs. CONDIT

FUEL TV
FUEL TV is the only cable and satellite television network that features the exciting world of adrenaline and thrill-seeking sports including MMA, surfing, motocross, snowboarding, skateboarding BMX, wakeboarding and more. This new generation of sports provides a rich landscape of some of the most vibrant and action-packed television entertainment in the world. With more hours of UFC coverage than any other network, FUEL TV is the place to be for live fights, weigh-ins, prelims, pre- and post-fight coverage, specials and events you won’t see anywhere else! See why adrenaline sports fans call FUEL TV the channel they never turn off. FUEL TV, part of FOX Sports Media Group, was launched July 1, 2003 and is seen in more than 36 million U.S. homes. FUEL TV programming is available in more than 50 countries around the world with 24/7 channels operating in Australia and Europe. To subscribe to FUEL TV, call 877-4 FUEL-TV. For program times and other information, visit www.fuel.tv.

FOX Sports Media Group
FOX Sports Media Group (FSMG) is the umbrella entity representing News Corporation’s wide array of multi-platform US-based sports assets under Chairman & CEO David Hill. Built with brands that are capable of reaching more than 100 million viewers in a single weekend, FSMG includes ownership and interests in linear television networks, digital and mobile programming, broadband platforms, multiple web sites, joint-venture businesses and several licensing partnerships. FSMG now includes FOX Sports, the sports television arm of the FOX Broadcasting Company; Fox’s 19 regional sports networks, their affiliated regional web sites and FSN national programming; SPEED and SPEED2; Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Soccer Plus; FUEL TV; and Fox College Sports. In addition, FSMG also includes FOX Sports Interactive Media, which comprises FOXSports.com on MSN, whatifsports.com and scout.com, reaching almost 30 million unique visitors monthly. Also included are Fox’s interests in joint-venture businesses FOX Deportes, Big Ten Network and STATS, LLC, as well as licensing agreements that establish the FOX Sports Radio Network, FOX Sports Skybox restaurants and FOX Sports Grills.

“The rapid rise of an athletic icon is a wondrous thing to watch, and even more so when you never saw it coming. Albert Pujols going from 13th-round pick to the best hitter in baseball in just a few years. John Daly being the ninth alternate for the PGA Championship one day then a major champion and cult hero a few days later. Tony Romo, Tom Brady and Kurt Warner ascending from backups to the NFL’s elite over the course of a single season.

“And now Jon Jones, going from a fighter with potential to the face of the UFC.”

Read full article

Six fighters attended the UFC 140 post-fight press conference alongside company president Dana White: reigning light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, his opponent Lyoto Machida, and main card winners Frank Mir, Rogerio Nogueira, Chan Sung Jung and Brian Ebersole.

The event’s Fight of the Night bonuses went to headliners Jones and Machida. Jones stopped Machida in the second, but was rocked by the former champ in the first, seemingly the first time in his young career that Jones has been in danger. White reminded the media that Jones is the first light heavyweight since Chuck Liddell to defend his belt and said he has no doubt that “Jon Jones is the real deal.”

The award for Submission of the Night went to Mir. White dubbed the brutal armbar of Minotauro Nogueira the “Submission of the Century.” KO of the Night went to Jung, aka the Korean Zombie, for tying the official UFC record for fastest knockout. Jung’s fight against Canadian favorite Mark Hominick ended in just seven seconds.

Each bonused fighter received $75,000.

At the press conference, White also announced the introduction of the UFC’s 125-pound flyweight division, beginning with the March 3 event.

Video highlights from the following fighters are linked below:
Jon Jones
Frank Mir

The UFC’s first event of March 2012 will be a historic one, as the organization introduces the 125-pound division with two bouts that will determine the contenders for the UFC’s first-ever flyweight championship.

UFC President Dana White made the announcement at Saturday night’s UFC 140 post-fight press conference.

In the two bouts, which are part of the March 3 UFC on FX card, former number one bantamweight contender Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson battles Ian McCall, and longtime 135-pound standout Joseph Benavidez will also drop to 125 pounds to face Japan’s Yasuhiro Urushitani.

Considered by many to be the best flyweight in the world today, California’s Ian McCall (11-2) has finally found a home at 125 pounds after competing against the best bantamweights in the world for years. A three fight alumnus of the WEC, where he won a stirring TKO over “Ox” Wheeler and went the distance with current 135-pound champion Dominick Cruz, the 27-year old McCall has won four in a row, a nice way to lead into his new career in the Octagon.

A 5-foot-3 ball of energy that has been tearing through the bantamweight division of the WEC and UFC, Demetrious Johnson (14-2) soared to the number one contender’s spot in 2011 with UFC wins over “Kid” Yamamoto and Miguel Angel Torres. And though he lost a tough five rounder against Cruz in his October title fight, the flyweight division allows “Mighty Mouse” to compete on a level playing field against fighters closer to his natural weight.

One of the top bantamweights in the world, Joseph Benavidez (15-2) is now looking to nab UFC gold at 125 pounds. Winner of seven of nine Zuffa bouts (WEC and UFC) with his only losses coming via close decision to Cruz, Benavidez has defeated the likes of Eddie Wineland, Miguel Angel Torres, Rani Yahya, and Jeff Curran. Now he’s got his sights set on taking out the flyweight elite.

A Shooto bantamweight (123 pound) champion, Yasuhiro Urushitani (19-4-6) is currently sporting a five fight winning streak that matches the best he’s had in his 10 year pro MMA career. Owner of wins over recent Ultimate Fighter winner John Dodson, Mamoru Yamaguchi, and Daniel Lima, the 35-year old has ended his last two wins by knockout.

The busy week for the men of Team Alpha Male continues: TJ Dillashaw was a finalist in Saturday’s TUF 14 Finale, Urijah Faber was announced as coach of TUF 15, and now Danny Castillo will follow up his UFC 139 win with a quick turnaround at UFC 141.

UFC president Dana White announced today that TUF 13 finalist Ramsey Nijem has been injured, forcing him to withdraw from his planned bout against Anthony Njokuani. Njokuani and Castillo have verbally agreed to the lightweight bout.

Escudero Returning to UFC December 30 updated December 7
TJ Grant has been forced to withdraw from UFC 141 due to an injury, according to UFC president Dana White. Stepping in to replace him will be TUF 8 winner Efrain Escudero, making his return to the UFC against Jacob Volkmann. Both fighters have verbally agreed to the new match.

Fan Fave Nam Phan Set for UFC 141 updated November 15
Featherweights Nam Phan and Jim Hettes have verbally agreed to fight at UFC 141 on December 30th. Phan is coming off win marked by a record-setting offensive display, while Hettes remains undefeated, finishing all opponents by submission.

Riddle vs. Ramos Added to December Card updated November 15
Verbal agreements are in for a welterweight bout between former Shooto champion Luis “Beicao” Ramos and Ultimate Fighter veteran Matt Riddle December 30th in Las Vegas at UFC 141, UFC president Dana White announced today.

Cowboy vs. Diaz plus Featherweights at 141 updated October 31
A potential fight of the year has been verbally agreed to as two of the most exciting fighters in the lightweight division will battle it out at UFC 141, UFC president Dana White confirmed today. Riding a six-fight win streak and ending his last two bouts in the first rounds, Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone will take on Ultimate Fighter winner Nate Diaz, who is coming off a spectacular submission victory over Japanese legend Takanori Gomi.

The bout will be the co-main event UFC 141, which is headlined by a heavyweight battle between Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem.

Additionally, two featherweight bouts have been verbally agreed to for the same card.

Featherweights Manny Gamburyan and Diego Nunes have re-booked their bout, originally slated for UFC 135 in September. The fight was scrapped after both men suffered injuries leading up to the date.

Plus, another veteran with lots of firepower is entering the featherweight ranks. Ross Pearson is dropping a weight class and jumping into the division against Junior Assuncao.

Assuncao told one website that Pearson instigated a fight with him by staring him down at past events. The two called for the bout on Twitter, with Assuncao writing “I’ll give him the welcome to the 145 class” in response to a tweet announcing that Pearson had successfully made the featherweight limit on a test cut. “u may just get what u wish for, see u very soon!!” responded Pearson.

Lightweight Battle Added to UFC 141 Card updated October 26
Two of the best grapplers in the lightweight division have verbally agreed to fight December 30th at UFC 141 as Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist TJ Grant takes on relentless wrestler Jacob “Christmas” Volkmann at the end-of-year event.

Stun Gun Returns in Dec. to Face Pierson updated October 3
A welterweight showdown is on tap for December 30th, as South Korea’s Dong Hyun Kim returns to the Octagon for what should be an exciting scrap with Canada’s Sean Pierson.

“Two talented welterweights on the comeback trail will face off at UFC 141 when Sean Pierson takes on the ‘Stun Gun’ Dong Hyun Kim.” said UFC President Dana White.

Janitor vs. Mauler Re-Set for December
Two of the toughest contenders in the light-heavyweight division have verbally agreed to fight in Las Vegas December 30th as Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson will take on Vladimir “The Janitor” Matyushenko.

The two were originally slated to meet at UFC 133 in Philadelphia last month, but a late injury sidelined Matyushenko. Instead, Gustafsson fought Matt Hamill, winning via TKO in the second round.

Jon Fitch vs. Johny Hendricks at UFC 141 updated September 12
A second bout between top contenders has been added to the UFC’s year-end card, company president Dana White confirmed today. Verbal agreements are in for a matchup between top-ten welterweights as 11-1 Johny Hendricks takes on 23-3-1 Jon Fitch. Both men are standout wrestlers; the December bout will be Fitch’s first return to the cage since being sidelined by injury earlier this year.

Overeem Signs with the UFC; Faces Lesnar in December updated September 6
Former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem has
found a new home – in the UFC. But after signing a deal with the
promotion today in Las Vegas, he’s going to get put to work immediately,
as it was also announced that he will make his Octagon debut on
December 30th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena against former UFC

heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.

Stay tuned for more information on Overeem vs. Lesnar and the December 30th event in Las Vegas.

“Verbal agreements are in for a welterweight match between grappling specialists Daniel ‘Ninja’ Roberts and Charlie ‘The Spaniard’ Brenneman,” confirmed UFC president Dana White today.

Also at that event, Joseph Sandoval will be taking on one of Canada’s most exciting bantamweights, Nick Denis in Denis’ UFC debut.

Rivera vs. Schafer, 3 More Bouts Set for FX updated November 29
Verbal agreements are in for a middleweight match in Nashville on January 20 as Eric “Red” Schafer takes on Jorge “El Conquistador” Rivera, announced UFC president Dana White today.

Plus, a bevy of international stars and new signees will look to wow the fans in Tennessee as verbal agreements are in for a trio of intriguing matchups.
 
Former featherweight champion Mike Brown looks to keep another run at the title alive as he takes on Vagner Rocha in Rocha’s first visit to 145 pounds.

Stockholm, Sweden’s Reza “Mad Dog” Madadi will make his UFC debut against Rafaello Oliveira in a lightweight bout. And at light heavyweight, Ryan “Big Deal” Jimmo will look to extend his 16-fight win streak in his UFC debut against Czech powerhouse Karlos Vemola.

Shalorus Returns in January Against Unbeaten Nurmagomedov updated November 24
Looking to bounce back from the first loss of his career to Jim Miller last March, hard-charging lightweight Kamal Shalorus will look to get back on track on January 20th, as he faces 16-0 Russian prospect Khabib Nurmagomedov on the FX card in Tennessee.

“Undefeated Russian fighter Khabib Nurmagomedov has verbally agreed to make his UFC </a>debut against powerful wrestler Kamal ‘Prince of Persia’ Shalorus January 20 in Nashville,” said UFC President Dana White.

Miller vs. Guillard Headlines FX Card in January

The main event for the UFC’s first FX event in January promises to be one to remember, as lightweight contenders Jim Miller and Melvin Guillard square off in a venue to be announced.

“Two of the top ranked lightweights in the UFC have verbally agreed to square off in the main event on FX, as top ten ranked Jim Miller takes on explosive fan favorite Melvin ‘The Young Assassin’ Guillard,” said UFC President Dana White.

Two Bouts Set for First FX Fight

The first-ever UFC </a>fight card to be televised live on FX is taking shape with two bouts featuring fan favorites known for their fast-paced fights.

A welterweight bout with fight of the year potential will unfold as Josh ‘The Dentist’ Neer and Duane ‘Bang’ Ludwig have verbally agreed to meet in the new year.

In addition, a heavyweight showdown has been verbally agreed to for with Christian Morecraft taking on Pat ‘HD’ Barry.”

City, date and international viewing information will be made available shortly.