UFC 131 Press Conference Recap: Five-Round Non-Title Fights Added, Flyweights Coming, Diaz Vacating Strikeforce Belt + Much More

(Dana White runs down some current events with Ariel Helwani following the press conference. Props: MMAFighting)

The UFC hosted a press conference in Vancouver yesterday in advance of UFC 131, but the most interesting announcements had nothing to do with Saturday’s “Dos Santos vs. Carwin” event. Here’s a recap…

Five-round non-title fights: UFC president Dana White announced that the UFC will make non-title main event fights five rounds from now on; previously, only title fights were worthy of the five-round distinction. The rule doesn’t apply to non-title main events that are already booked — Dos Santos vs. Carwin, or Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis at UFC 133, for example — but it will apply to every non-title main event signed in the future, even for UFC Fight Night and UFC Live events.

Flyweight division in the works: According to White, the UFC will be adding a 125-pound division “really soon,” possibly by the end of 2011. He expected that some of the UFC’s current bantamweights would make the drop.


(Dana White runs down some current events with Ariel Helwani following the press conference. Props: MMAFighting)

The UFC hosted a press conference in Vancouver yesterday in advance of UFC 131, but the most interesting announcements had nothing to do with Saturday’s “Dos Santos vs. Carwin” event. Here’s a recap…

Five-round non-title fights: UFC president Dana White announced that the UFC will make non-title main event fights five rounds from now on; previously, only title fights were worthy of the five-round distinction. The rule doesn’t apply to non-title main events that are already booked — Dos Santos vs. Carwin, or Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis at UFC 133, for example — but it will apply to every non-title main event signed in the future, even for UFC Fight Night and UFC Live events.

Flyweight division in the works: According to White, the UFC will be adding a 125-pound division “really soon,” possibly by the end of 2011. He expected that some of the UFC’s current bantamweights would make the drop.

Nick Diaz to vacate Strikeforce welterweight title: When Diaz returns to the UFC to challenge Georges St. Pierre for GSP’s welterweight title in October, he’ll be leaving his own belt behind. Said DW: ”[Diaz] will give up his Strikeforce title. He will come in and fight Georges St-Pierre, two guys will fight for the vacant belt in Strikeforce and we’ll go from there.”

Jon Jones vs. Quinton Jackson slated for September: The rumored light-heavyweight title scrap between Bones and Rampage will take place at UFC 135 (September 24, Denver), pending medical clearance for Jones’s hand. Diego Sanchez vs. Matt Hughes is also expected for that event.

UFC still looking at China, Sweden for future events: Though the U.K. is getting shut out this year, Dana White announced that he hopes to bring the promotion to China “within the next 18 months.” The UFC also has plans for an event in Sweden sometime after 2011.

TUF 14 hype-up of the day: “The fights to get into the house happened Tuesday,” White said. “I’m going to figure out a way to make sure every one of those fights airs on TV. The best fights ever in the history of ‘The Ultimate Fighter.’…There’s some nasty guys on this season. Just the show open is better than the entire last season’s fights.”

UFC to Add Flyweight Division "Really Soon" According to Dana White

MMAJunkie.com reports that UFC President Dana White confirmed that the promotion is looking to add the 125 lb. flyweight division possibly by the end of the year.”Like, really soon,” White said, revealing the organization’s plans to expand its ran…

“Like, really soon,” White said, revealing the organization’s plans to expand its ranks.

Talk of this addition has been swirling around for years, with White hinting at the WEC adding the division back in 2010, before their merger with the UFC.

In the video above, White told a fan in 2010 at the Boston UFC Fan Expo that the organization would possibly bring flyweight fighters in as early as last year, although the merger has since stilled these talks.

Now that the lighter weight classes are firmly planted under the UFC banner, the time looks right for adding another division.

“We have to get out there; we have to create the division,” White to MMAJunkie.com.  

There are many routes the UFC can take to find the first 125 lb. UFC champion.  One option is a tournament format, an idea White is surprisingly open to.

“Maybe,” he told MMAJunkie.com. “There’s a lot of options we could do.”

Even just filling out the roster, the UFC has many options in obtaining flyweight warriors, including a drop in weight for some of the UFC’s smaller bantamweights, such as Joseph Benavidez, who has expressed an affinity for the weight class,

Naturally, the UFC would also attract outside talent, including No.1 ranked flyweight Mamoru Yamaguchi, Shooto champion Yasuhiro Urushitani, and Tachi Palace Fights star Jussier da Silva. Promise of fame and a bigger paycheck will certainly gravitate these fighters to the big time show.

Although a time table is not in place, with all the recent changes the UFC has made over the past few months, they seem poised for adding this weight class quite soon.

Follow Matt on Twitter @MattJuulMMA.

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4 Reasons That Wrestling Is Killing the Sport of MMA

As of recently, fighters have realized that a good way to win fights is to lay on their opponents and kill time, scoring a 10-must round for barely “fighting at all.” Some people call this tactic “lay and pray,” some call it a more appropriate name, “w…

As of recently, fighters have realized that a good way to win fights is to lay on their opponents and kill time, scoring a 10-must round for barely “fighting at all.” Some people call this tactic “lay and pray,” some call it a more appropriate name, “wrestling”, but I call it “boring.” Wrestlers in the limelight are killing the sport of MMA, by winning fights doing the bare minimum they need to win the fight. Some may disagree with what is being said, but not many people find Jon Fitch to be an exciting fighter, albeit his last fight wasn’t awful.

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UFC Rio: Renzo Gracie Says a Gracie Should Be Represented at UFC Rio

The UFC will make its anticipated return to Brazil this summer for UFC Rio on August 27.The entire card features some of Brazil’s most prominent fighters, but perhaps the most prominent Brazilian does not appear to be included at the historic event: A …

The entire card features some of Brazil’s most prominent fighters, but perhaps the most prominent Brazilian does not appear to be included at the historic event: A member of the Gracie family. 

Renzo Gracie spoke to Ariel Helwani on “The MMA Hour” and he said that a Gracie should be represented at UFC Rio due to all of the contributions and influence the family has brought to mixed martial arts. 

“To have a Gracie fight there would be great—great for the fans, to have someone from my family fighting,” Gracie said. 

Gracie added that while he can’t be included on the card because of time restraints and scheduling, he does hope the Gracie name is represented in some form, even going as far as to request his cousin, Royce Gracie, to be featured on the card.

And although the Brazilian will not be competing at UFC Rio, he didn’t rule out a return to the Octagon in the future. Gracie last appeared at UFC 112 against former UFC welterweight champion, Matt Hughes. Gracie said that when he does return to the UFC, he expects to compete in the lightweight division.

Gracie said his respect for the organization and for UFC president Dana White is what has kept him in the UFC boss’ good graces.

“I love Dana,” he said.

“I’ve known Dana since before he was the UFC president and I’ve always had a great relationship with him.”

Gracie mentioned that his 16-year-old son has been active in jiu-jitsu competitions and he expects his son to eventually transition into MMA full-time and compete in the UFC in the future.

So although The Brazilian or his son won’t appearing in the UFC anytime soon, Gracie did express his desire to see a Gracie family member to appear at the event in some capacity. 

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UFC 131 Preview: White Says "Diaz Will Vacate Title and Joe Silva Is a D*ck"

The UFC held it’s pre-fight press conference this afternoon at Robson Square, and president Dana White was on hand to pontificate about various UFC and mixed martial arts topics. Bleacher Report MMA was there and here is a recap of some of the comments…

On the current negotiations for a major television contract, and a future UFCTV:

“We’re negotiating with all the networks. That’s it. People think that we’re the one organization that can pull it off, I don’t know if that’s true.”

On the ongoing difficulties getting MMA sanctioned in the state of New York:

“I’m never confident about New York. Obviously this run was a little better we had more support than we did the last time so you know we’ll see. Whatever happens, happens. I know the unions were there battling us that day literally in the hall battling us and we still had a great vote. It’s New York politics, man, New York politics.”

On Diaz fighting GSP and conflicts with Showtime:

“We’re trying to figure this thing out. First of all we have a deal with Showtime and we’re gonna honor that deal with Showtime. Showtime has worked with us really good. I can’t believe you guys are gonna hear me say some positive Showtime stuff right now, but to be honest, they have been great with us. With the Diaz fight people were screaming for it, and we went and talked to Showtime and they were cool with it.”

What about the Strikeforce title?

“Diaz will give up the Strikeforce title and come in and fight GSP for the UFC title, and two guys will fight for the vacant belt and then we’ll go from there. No we have not decided who those two will be.”

Is Nick Diaz different this time around with the UFC. Has he learned to play the game?

“His attitude is a lot different this time around, I had a sit down talk with him and we’ll see how that went. That’s the million-dollar question, my friend.”

White also announced that the UFC is adding a 125-pound flyweight division because they need more fights and fighters, most of whom will come from places like Asia and Mexico, as they dominate that weight class.

I am looking forward to the card on Saturday night, but I am a little disappointed at where one of our Canadian fighters, Krzystof Soszynski is placed on the card. I asked him about it and got a typical Dana White response.

“Joe Silva is a dick.” Just the answer I was looking for, ending the presser with a bang. 

Obviously, he said he was joking, but personally, I’m not so sure.

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things UFC 131, including the latest UFC 131 results, fight card analysis, UFC 131 news and live reaction from Vancouver.

Dwight Wakabayashi is a Feature Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA (also a Correspondent for MMACanada.net).

Catch him on Twitter @wakafightermma.

 

 

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UFC News: UFC President Dana White Announces All Main Events Will Be 5 Rounds

Good news for some fighters, from now on every UFC main event fight will be five rounds. This change could help produce more finishes and bring more entertainment to the non-title bouts that end up being the main event.No matter what card it is, Spike,…

No matter what card it is, Spike, Versus or pay-per-view, the main event will be a five-round bout.

Writers Kevin Iole and Brett Okamoto announced the news that UFC president, Dana White, said that main events will now be five round bouts. The change from three rounds to five rounds won’t be in effect until after UFC 133 when Phil Davis and Rashad Evans square off in their three round main event in Philadelphia.

The reasoning behind that is that fighters have already signed contracts for their fights.

“What I don’t want to do to guys, fights that we’ve already made and they signed the bout agreement, you’re mentally training for a 3 round fight. ‘Oh now it’s 5 rounds’, you can’t do that to guys,” White told MMA Weekly.

“From this day forward as we speak right here, right now today, every fight that is a main event that is not a title fight will be a five round fight,” said White. “For Spike and everything else.”

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