Author: UFC News

For the second year, the Call of Duty Endowment has paired up with Hire Heroes USA (HHUSA) in an effort to increase awareness about veterans’ unemployment. The Call of Duty Endowment has already given HHUSA at $20,000 grant—but HHUSA needs your help to increase that funding.

For every person who “donates” their Facebook status between now and Monday, the Call of Duty Endowment will increase HHUSA’s funding by $1—up to $50,000.

UFC 130 fighter Brian Stann is the president of Hire Heroes USA, having left active duty in
May 2008 as a United States Marine Corps Captain with a Silver Star.

“With featherweight champion Jose Aldo’s exact return date to the Octagon uncertain, #1 undefeated featherweight contender Chad Mendes looks to stay active by taking on the extremely dangerous submissions specialist Rani Yahya,” said Dana White. Mendes and Yahya have verbally agreed to an August 6th bout at UFC 133 in Philadelphia.

Aldo stated Monday via Twitter that due to the standard medical suspension he received after UFC 129, he wouldn’t have enough time to train for an August bout.

Pyle vs MacDonald Agreed to for UFC 133 updated May 23
UFC President Dana White announced today that the City of Brotherly Love will get another dose of high-impact welterweight action on August 6th with a veteran vs. prospect meeting.

“Welterweight standouts Mike ‘Quicksand’ Pyle and Rory ‘The Water Boy’ MacDonald have verbally agreed to fight at UFC 133 in Philadelphia,” said White.

Menjivar vs. Pace added to UFC 133

This August in Philadelphia, veteran Ivan Menjivar will look to follow-up his crushing UFC 129 knockout of Charlie Valencia with a win over hot 135-pound prospect Nick Pace.

“Bantamweights Ivan Menjivar and Nick Pace have agreed to fight each other August 6, at UFC 133 in Philadelphia,” said UFC President Dana White. “Menjivar is coming off a devastating elbow KO win and Pace utilized a rarely seen type of submission to secure the victory in his last outing.”

Pace was orginally slated to fight Michael McDonald at UFC 133, but McDonald stepped in for an injured fighter on the UFC 130 card.

Mauler vs. Janitor Confirmed for UFC 133
Two light heavyweights coming off of impressive performances have verbally agreed to meet at UFC 133 – Dana White confirmed today that Swede Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson will take on Belarusian newlywed Vladimir “The Janitor” Matyushenko.

Brown vs. Phan Set for UFC 133 Showdown updated May 11
Always exciting Mike Brown will look to get back in the win column at UFC 133 on August 6th in Philadelphia when he takes on The Ultimate Fighter 12’s Nam Phan.

“Former featherweight champ Mike Brown and Nam Phan have both verbally
agreed to fight August 6th in Philadelphia,” said UFC President Dana White.

Pierce gets Hendricks in UFC 133 Bout
It’s an all-wrestling showdown as Mike Pierce meets Johny Hendricks in a welterweight bout this August.

“Powerhouse wrestlers collide as verbal agreements are in for Mike Pierce vs. Johny Hendricks in Philadelphia August 6th,” said UFC President Dana White.

Evans Battles “Mr. Wonderful” at UFC 133 updated April 25

With UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones currently sidelined by injury, number one contender Rashad Evans will step back into the Octagon to risk his title shot against unbeaten and dangerous Phil Davis at UFC 133 in Philadelphia.
 
“Undefeated ‘Mr. Wonderful’ Phil Davis has verbally agreed to face former UFC world light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans in Philadelphia on August 6,” said UFC President Dana White. Evans was originally supposed to face new champ Jon ‘Bones’ Jones but Jones is unable to compete due to injury.”

Little Nog vs. Franklin in Philly updated April 21
Two more big names have signed on for UFC 133 August 6 in Philadelphia.

“Verbal agreements are in for what should be an amazing fight as former Pride superstar Rogerio ‘Minotoro’ Nogueira will take on former UFC World Middleweight Champion Rich ‘Ace’ Franklin in a light heavyweight bout,” said UFC president Dana White.

Belfort-Akiyama, Hallman-Ebersole at 133 updated April 21
A welterweight matchup has been verbally agreed to between Brian “Bad Boy” Ebersole and Dennis “Superman” Hallman at UFC 133 in Philadelphia, said UFC president Dana White. Ebersole opened eyes when he joined the UFC on short notice against Chris Lytle at UFC 127 and won. With 62 pro fights on his record, the American-born Sydney resident is the rare opponent who’s nearly as experienced as Hallman, a veteran of 81 bouts.

Earlier in the day, White announced that verbal agreements are in for a UFC 133 battle between two of the most exciting fighters in the middleweight division. “After three straight Fight of the Night performances, Yoshihiro Akiyama will take on former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort August 6 in Philadelphia,” he said.

McDonald Meets Pace at 133 updated April 12
Bantamweight phenom Michael McDonald is back this summer to take on Staten Island’s Nick Pace at UFC 133.

“Coming off an incredible Fight Of The Night win, top prospect Michael McDonald returns to the Octagon to face another exciting up-and-comer, Nick Pace, as they have verbally agreed to face each other in a bantamweight bout at UFC 133,” said UFC President Dana White.

Also on that card, BJJ specialist Rafael Natal and Japanese grappler Riki Fukuda have agreed to a middleweight matchup.

Rivera Finally Gets Sakara at 133 updated April 12
“Better late than never, verbal agreements are in for what should be an action-packed match between Alessio Sakara and Jorge Rivera at UFC 133,” said UFC president Dana White today.

The two middleweights were originally scheduled to meet at UFC 122 in Oberhausen, Germany but Sakara had to pull out due to illness. Details on UFC 133, which will take place in August 2011, will be announced soon.

Lafayette, California (USA) –UFC® Gym™ announced today that it will partner with UFC superstar and former two-division champion BJ Penn to establish a signature BJ Penn fitness facility in the fighter’s home state of Hawaii. The facility, which will begin enrolling members in Summer 2011, is set to open for workouts in January 2012, and will be located in the Kamehameha Schools Kaka‘ako neighborhood, at the former Pipeline Café on Pohukaina Street in Honolulu.

Integrating mixed martial arts, innovative fitness training, nutrition, and youth programming, the 37,000 square-foot facility is expected to raise the bar for fitness in Honolulu. UFC Gym Hawaii will feature cutting-edge training techniques inspired by BJ Penn, including  MMA classes, muay thai and jiu-jitsu, progressive group fitness, UFC Kids’ Gym youth training and the Daily Ultimate Training Series.

Much like the three successful UFC Gym locations currently operating in California, UFC Gym members in Honolulu will enjoy a variety of amenities, including the signature Arm Bar Café which will feature some of BJ’s favorite foods, a UFC Gym Store for the latest in apparel, and full amenity locker rooms complete with dry saunas. Other features include functional training areas, group fitness rooms and the famed UFC Octagon®.

“BJ Penn is one of the biggest superstars in the UFC, a future Hall of Famer, and an icon in his home state of Hawaii,” UFC President Dana White said. “We’re excited to open a signature UFC GYM with BJ and expect it to become the ultimate fitness destination in Honolulu.”
 
“I’m very excited to be part of this tremendous opportunity,” the 32-year-old Penn, a native of Hilo, said. “I look forward to working with the UFC and UFC Gym to make this a huge success. It will be such an honor to have a UFC Gym with my name, especially in my homeland of Hawaii.”

In addition to becoming an instant destination for fitness enthusiasts in Honolulu, the lease to UFC Gym marks another milestone for the local community. Officials from Kaiaulu o Kaka‘ako, Kamehameha’s 29-acre master planned community in Kaka‘ako, envision a healthy and sustainable community and are excited to have a UFC Gym as a cornerstone.

“UFC Gym will be a perfect addition to the master plan for our community” said Christian O’Connor, Kamehameha Schools’ senior asset manager. “A true neighborhood includes a variety of housing integrated with retail, restaurants and gathering places. A high-energy fitness center, such as UFC Gym, is the kind of establishment that creates a sense of community.”

UFC Gym’s enrollment center will be opening in the old Cutter lot on Ala Moana Boulevard in early summer 2011.  Anyone interested in the ultimate fitness experience, which combines a conventional gym with mixed martial arts training for families, and people of all ages and fitness levels, may visit www.ufcgymbjpennhawaii.com.

Watch Rampage Jackson in his second appearance on CBS’ The Late Late Show on Monday, May 23. Host Craig Ferguson usually wheels out the light-hearted banter, but Quinton is in fight week mode which may give Ferguson a side of the former champ he’s yet to see… especially if the name Matt Hamill comes up.

Tune in Monday at half past midnight to see how it all goes down.

Albuquerque, NM – On May 20th, 2011, Jackson’s Mixed Martial Arts offers you the chance to bid on a one of a kind piece of sports memorabilia.

This exclusive boxing bell celebrates the union of one of the most recognizable and decorated teams in modern combat sports. Members who signed the bell include coaches Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn plus fighters Georges
St. Pierre, Keith Jardine, Jon Jones, Diego Sanchez, Gina Carano, Joe
Stevenson, Cub Swanson, Clay Guida, Damacio Page, Kyle
Noke, Brian Stann, Carlos Condit, Melvin
Guillard, Nate Marquardt, Rashad Evans, Leonard Garcia, Ryan Jensen, and Donald Cerrone.

100% of the proceeds of this auction will be donated to the Children of the Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund, a nonprofit organization that supports the children and spouses of American soldiers that have given their lives in the line of duty.

Please join us in our efforts to support the families of our fallen American heroes, and bid on an opportunity to own a piece of mixed martial arts history. For more information, go to www.jacksons.tv or the ebay page.

The auction ends May 27.

Las Vegas, NV — The Ultimate Fighting Championship® announced today that it will partner with Texas-based the Boot Campaign to launch a fundraising effort benefiting the Lone Survivor Foundation. UFC® fans are encouraged to “get YOUR boots on” by purchasing The Boot Campaign’s signature “give back” combat boots and apparel at www.BootCampaign.com/UFC , with proceeds benefiting the Lone Survivor Foundation.  Fans purchasing “give back” combat boots will be granted free admission to the UFC 130 after-party on May 28 at XS Nightclub at Encore Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.   

In support of the Lone Survivor Foundation, the UFC is offering fans the chance to bid on rare UFC memorabilia made available to the public for the first time. Items signed by UFC superstars such as Royce Gracie, Chuck Liddell, Cain Velasquez, Georges St-Pierre, Jake Shields and Jon Jones will be included. In addition, the auction will feature a limited-edition UFC Octagon Book (411 out of 600), the Octagon canvas from UFC 129, one-on-one training with UFC fighters, as well as VIP fan experiences and tickets to upcoming UFC events. Beginning May 18, the online auction will be held at UFC.com/boots and give fans an opportunity to raise money for military servicemen and women injured while in the line of duty. The auction will run through UFC® 130 on May 28 and all donations received will fund the construction of the Lone Survivor Foundation’s Veteran Ranch in Texas.

Founded by retired Navy SEAL Marcus Luttrell, the Lone Survivor Foundation welcomes home, empowers and restores American wounded warriors and their families. Luttrell, author of the #1 New York Times Best-Seller, Lone Survivor, was inspired to build the center after his own recovery post-combat at his ranch in Texas. Luttrell envisioned a facility as a unique place of healing for soldiers recovering from physical wounds and emotional trauma suffered during combat.  
The ranch, while still a medical facility, would offer a non-clinical environment designed to offer soldiers and their families an integrated, holistic approach to recovery.  Located on over 1,000 acres, the ranch will house up to 15 families a week.  The foundation intends to build three other facilities throughout the U.S. in the future.

“The UFC is pleased to partner with the Boot Campaign and the Lone Survivor Foundation as we continue to find ways to support the men and women of our armed forces,” Lorenzo Fertitta, Chairman and CEO of UFC, said.

“Marcus Luttrell is an inspirational hero and we are more than willing to assist him as he creates facilities that will aid in the recovery of our returning servicemen and women.”

“It brings me great pride to unite two of my passions — the UFC and supporting our wounded warriors,” Luttrell said. “The UFC is making it possible to achieve our goal of bringing awareness to the service and sacrifice of our military. I hope all UFC fans will be inspired to join the fight and help our troops when they come home.”

To bid on prizes and for more information on the UFC’s Boot Campaign, please visit UFC.com/boots.