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UFC 140 Press Conference: Dana White, Jon Jones and Lyoto Machida in Toronto

Toronto is primed and ready for the UFC to return on December 10th with light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones defending his title against the world-class and elusive Brazilian Lyoto Machida.It will be the 2011 encore for the UFC north of the border as i…

Toronto is primed and ready for the UFC to return on December 10th with light-heavyweight champion Jon Jones defending his title against the world-class and elusive Brazilian Lyoto Machida.

It will be the 2011 encore for the UFC north of the border as it debuted in April with an incredible show both inside the cage and out, as fighters were scattered all over the city making appearances for flocks of rabid fans.

The UFC announced today that Jones, Machida, UFC President Dana White and Director of Canadian Operations Tom Wright will be in Toronto tomorrow, Oct. 12, to discuss the event at a press conference at 1:00 P.M. EST at the Air Canada Centre. It will be open to the public and streamed live at UFC.com.

Additionally, the fighters will hold an autograph session from 5:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at Real Sports Apparel, located within Maple Leaf Square.

“After his performance against Rampage, there’s no doubt Jon Jones is one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport,” UFC President Dana White said.

“He’s already beaten Shogun and Rampage this year and now he gets Machida, a former champion. Machida is one of the most elusive and dangerous strikers in the UFC and he’s motivated to get the belt back. We’re giving the fans in Toronto a really great title fight.”

“I am thrilled to be fighting Lyoto Machida at UFC 140 in Toronto, which is just a few hours from my hometown, Endicott, N.Y.,” Jones said.

“He is an incredibly skilled fighter and one who poses numerous challenges inside the Octagon. He has only been defeated twice in his career and is coming off a big victory in April. For me, it will be important to just continue to focus on making myself better as a fighter, and keeping the fight at my intensity and aggression levels. It is my goal to become the first UFC fighter to defeat three former champions in one year.”

“I’m really excited to be fighting for the light-heavyweight title again,” Machida, owner of a 17-2 record, said. “Jon Jones is a great fighter and a great champion. It’s going to be my experience and technique against his youth and athleticism. It’s going to be a great fight.”

Aside from the mouth-watering title fight, the UFC rewarded Canadian fans with the Nogueira brothers, Tito Ortiz and Frank Mir all fighting on the card. They have also followed the usual blueprint of stacking the card with fighters from the host country, as we will see fan-favorites Mark “The Machine” Hominick. Rory MacDonald, Mark Bocek, Krzysztof Soszynski, John Makdessi and Mitch Clarke, all on the card.

Christmas is coming early for UFC fans in Canada.

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA and Correspondent for MMACanada.net. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained first-hand.

Catch him on Facebook and Twitter at wakafightermma

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UFC 141 Fight Card: Why Jon Fitch Needs to Make a Statement

Let me describe a fighter for you and you try to guess who I’m talking about.This man (let’s call him “Fighter X”) is one of the top contenders in his division. In fact, he could very well be ranked No. 2 in the world behind the champ. Fighter X comes …

Let me describe a fighter for you and you try to guess who I’m talking about.

This man (let’s call him “Fighter X”) is one of the top contenders in his division. In fact, he could very well be ranked No. 2 in the world behind the champ. Fighter X comes from a wrestling background and uses that style predominantly in his fights. Fighter X is considered a “grinder” and relies on constant pressure to break an opponent’s will.

Who am I talking about? If I added “Fighter X just challenged someone to a loser leaves town match,” I’d be talking about Chael Sonnen.

But if I said “Fighter X hasn’t lost a fight in three years, has been promised and denied title shots, has given the champ his most exciting title defence, and has been the undisputed No. 2 in his weight for nearly half a decade,” then I’m talking about Jon Fitch.

Here’s a simple question: Does Jon Fitch need to win his next fight? The answer: Only if he wants to keep his job. So I guess that’s a yes.

If we believe the rumours, then Jon Fitch is scheduled to face off against Johny Hendricks at the year end Lesnar-Ubereem Card.

Originally, Fitch wanted a rematch with BJ Penn in order to settle the score. That got shut down when Dana White declared that “The Fans” didn’t want to see that particular rematch. It’s a good thing Dana has such a Vince McMahon-esque grip on “what The Fans want.”

With that fight gone, Fitch then wanted to take a fight at UFC 139 in his backyard of San Jose in November. White agreed to this as long as Fitch was willing to face his training partner and friend Josh Koscheck. After suggesting that fight, I’m guessing White made this face.

Okay, so the Lesnar-Ubereem card isn’t such a hard spot to find yourself, really, except that he’s facing Johny Hendricks. Johny Hendricks who, on paper, has all the right tools to be the anti-Fitch missile. Elite wrestling: Check. Gritty style: Check. Epic beard: Oh, you know it.

This is almost a lose-lose fight for Jon, as Hendricks is a fringe welterweight contender at best. I don’t see Fitch stomping his foot and screaming for a title shot after three rounds of Hendricks. Actually, I do, I just don’t see management caring one bit.

Does Fitch need to win? Absolutely. A loss won’t just mean ejection from the title picture, it could even cost him his job. Dana White has fired Fitch for less in the past.

And even with a win, nothing is certain about Jon’s future. There’s still no clear timeline regarding his title shot and no one—from UFC brass, to media, to the average fan—is standing up to applaud him as the heir apparent. A win lets him keep his job, that’s about it.

Am I telling Fitch to change his style? Hell no. This is sports, baby. And in sports winning is God. Jon Fitch doesn’t have to necessarily be the World’s Most Exciting fighter to be popular. Fitch need only look to the top of his division to see that.

But still, the least he could do during his post-fight interview is to challenge someone to a loser leaves town match. Then make a racially charged comment or two. Then cheat in a title fight.

Then we might finally have a reason to care about you, Jon. But if you lose against Hendricks we could very well be looking at the next Bellator Welterweight Champion.

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Dana White on Rampage’s Boxing Aspirations: “The Grass is Always Greener”

(Props to MMAWeekly.)

You can say what you want about Dana White when it comes to title fights, but the man never beats around the bush when it comes to his fighters. In a recent interview, “The Baldfather” spoke in typically frank fashion when asked about former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s claims to pursue boxing at the end of his UFC contract on the heels of his fourth round submission loss to current champ Jon Jones at UFC 135. A few highlights from the interview:

On boxing promoter Bob Arum’s claims that the UFC underpays their fighters: “You hear [boxing promoter] Bob [Arum] out there: ‘Yeah, they don’t pay their guys anything.’ Rampage got paid for his last fight, trust me. A lot of money. Bob Arum pays guys $600 on his cards. We’ve never paid a guy that, ever. We’ve only been around ten years, Bob’s been promoting fights for 120 years”

(Props to MMAWeekly.)

On Rampage’s belief that people won’t run from him in the boxing ring: “He’ll find out when he starts boxing that [running from opponents is] pretty much the game these days. The game is: Let’s step in there and do everything we can do avoid a fight, so we can get on to the next payday. No matter where you are, no matter what you do, you’re always going to have guys chirping about something.”

On Rampage’s thought process in general: “Rampage thought the movie business was the answer to all his fucking dreams and that didn’t work out too good. The pay over there wasn’t what he thought it was, the pay over here was a lot better. A lot better. The grass is always greener until it’s not there any more, and then you realize you made a lot of mistakes and you should have done things differently.”

DW makes some interesting points here, and given Rampage’s history of mental…let’s say shakiness following title fights, it’s hard to judge whether he is truly serious about moving to boxing or just blowing smoke up our ass. What do you guys think? Is Jackson really serious about this move, or is it just a case of his infamous post-loss blues?

-Danga

Mirko Cro Cop vs. Roy Nelson: Early Breakdown

UFC 137 will feature two heavyweights on two-fight losing streaks, as Mirko Cro Cop will be facing Roy Nelson. Mirko Cro Cop is on the tail end of his career, and many fans want to see him retire without taking any more injury. He’s been kn…

Roy Nelson entered the UFC with two straight knockout wins, but then quickly lost two lopsided unanimous decisions. His OK skill set is largely hindered by his poor athleticism, and he has suffered against strong competition because of it.

Both fighters need to win this fight, and both will leave it all in the cage. Will Cro Cop win and vindicate himself of his past UFC losses, or will Roy Nelson end the storied career of Cro Cop in violent fashion? Only one fighter can be victorious.

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Brock Lesnar Signs New Deal with WWE, Will Appear in WWE Video Game

Brock Lesnar will be making his return to the squared circle. According to TMZ.com, the former WWE superstar has signed a new deal with World Wrestling Entertainment that will feature him in an upcoming video game, “WWE:12”. The deal will reported…

Brock Lesnar will be making his return to the squared circle.

According to TMZ.com, the former WWE superstar has signed a new deal with World Wrestling Entertainment that will feature him in an upcoming video game, “WWE:12”. The deal will reportedly see him as a “featured star” in the upcoming game.

TMZ.com also reports that developers for the game approached Lesnar in January and asked for his permission to use his likeness for the game and advertising campaign.

Lesnar agreed to the offer, however he had to get permission from UFC President Dana White, who also agreed.

“I love WWE and I have nothing but love for Vince McMahon — I’m totally OK with Brock being in the game,” White told TMZ.com.

Lesnar was an employee of the WWE for just two years before pursuing a career in the NFL and the UFC. Lesnar was a big draw for the WWE and brought a lot of mainstream success to the company. Lesnar would eventually make the transition to mixed martial arts and signed with the UFC in 2007, debuting for the company the following year. Since his debut Lesnar holds notable wins over Frank Mir and Randy Couture, and is a former UFC heavyweight champion.

TMZ.com confirmed the first commercial, which will feature Lesnar, is expected to be released today.

Lesnar is expected to make his return to the Octagon later this year when he faces Alistair Overeem at UFC 140.

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Gilbert Melendez Wants UFC Recognition, Shot at the UFC Lightweight Title

Since Frankie Edgar’s dramatic win over Gray Maynard at UFC 136, there has been further speculation regarding the potential move of Strikeforce Lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez.Melendez has been vocal about switching to the UFC and UFC President …

Since Frankie Edgar’s dramatic win over Gray Maynard at UFC 136, there has been further speculation regarding the potential move of Strikeforce Lightweight champion, Gilbert Melendez.

Melendez has been vocal about switching to the UFC and UFC President Dana White is also remaining active in attempting to acquire his services. Of course, once the deal is done, Melendez said it only seems fitting to get an opportunity to challenge for the UFC lightweight title.

“The UFC title is the best belt,” Melendez said during an appearance on The MMA Hour. “I want that belt and I want it as soon as possible.”

Although his current crop of competition pales in comparison to the UFC’s talent, Melendez said he believes he has earned a chance to face Edgar. Melendez praised Edgar’s win last weekend and believes a future bout against him is inevitable, but “El Nino” still has an obligation to fight in Strikeforce and fulfill his contract.

Melendez spoke on his upcoming bout against Jorge Masvidal, who he will face in December.

“He’s the first guy in line. I think he’s the No. 1 contender, as of now, in Strikeforce, and as of now I have to focus on that guy,” he said.

Melendez’s resume is impressive as he holds notable wins over competitors like Clay Guida and Shinya Aoki. But despite all of his accomplishments, Melendez feels frustrated at the fact that he is not given the same recognition as other fighters simply because he competes in Strikeforce.

“A lot of people don’t recognize me as a great fighter because I haven’t beaten any UFC guys,” he said.

Melendez is one of the many talents the UFC has yet to acquire from Strikeforce. The idea of seeing the Strikeforce champion competing inside the Octagon seems very likely, considering UFC has already acquired Nick Diaz, Alistair Overeem, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, and most recently, Dan Henderson.

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