Tag: UFC on Fox

Ortiz vs. Franklin In the Works for UFC On Fox 1


(Two former champs who are in need of new nicknames.)

According to a report from Tatame, a clash between former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz and former middleweight champion Rich Franklin has been verbally agreed to for the un-televised portion of the UFC’s inaugural event on Fox November 12.

The event, which will take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California and will be headlined by a heavyweight championship bout between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos, will also feature a number one light heavyweight contenders match-up between Ben Henderson and Clay Guida.


(Two former champs who are in need of new nicknames.)

According to a report from Tatame, a clash between former UFC light heavyweight champion Tito Ortiz and former middleweight champion Rich Franklin has been verbally agreed to for the un-televised portion of the UFC’s inaugural event on Fox November 12.

The event, which will take place at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California and will be headlined by a heavyweight championship bout between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos, will also feature a number one light heavyweight contenders match-up between Ben Henderson and Clay Guida.

Ortiz’s jiu-jitsu coach Ricardo Abreau revealed the news of the potential fight this afternoon.

“Ortiz’s next fight will be against Rich Franklin, at UFC on FOX 1,”said. “He’s out of town travelling and I haven’t spoken with him for a couple days. As far as I know that’s the fight, but it’s not signed yet”.

1-5-1 in his last seven outings, “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” was handily beaten by Rashad Evans in his last bout at UFC 133 last month after stepping in for an injured Phil Davis on short notice. He bought himself more time in the Octagon when he snapped a three-fight losing streak by defeating Ryan Bader by first-round guillotine at UFC 132 one month earlier.

Franklin, who stamped Chuck Liddell’s retirement papers with an impressive first-round knockout of the UFC Hall-of-Famer at UFC 115 in June 2010 will be hungry for a win after dropping a unanimous decision to Forrest Griffin in the TUF 1 winner’s first fight back from a year-long layoff due to injury.

Main Card (On Fox)
Heavyweight Championship Bout
Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos

Preliminary Card
Rich Franklin vs. Tito Ortiz
Ben Henderson vs. Clay Guida
Dustin Poirier vs. Pablo Garza
Cub Swanson vs. Ricardo Lamas
Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto vs. Darren Uyenoyama

Henderson vs. Guida, Yamamoto vs. Uyenoyama Added to Inaugural UFC On Fox Event Nov. 12


(Bendo” and “The Carpenter” will be appearing alongside in Encino Man 2: The Encino Twins.)

UFC officials announced a pair of fight bookings for it’s November 12 Fox premier show overnight.

According to a posting on UFC.com, former WEC lightweight champion Ben Henderson (14-2) will take on Clay Guida (29-8) in a 155-pound affair and top Japanese bantamweight Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto (18-4, 1 NC) will square off against Strikeforce and Shooto veteran Darren Uyenoyama (6-3) in 135-pound action on the card.

Although neither fight will be shown during the one-hour broadcast which will feature only one bout — a heavyweight title fight between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos — UFC president Dana White mentioned last week that they are looking at options to ensure fans can watch the entire card.


(Bendo” and “The Carpenter” will be appearing alongside in Encino Man 2: The Encino Twins.)

UFC officials announced a pair of fight bookings for it’s November 12 Fox premier show overnight.

According to a posting on UFC.com, former WEC lightweight champion Ben Henderson (14-2) will take on Clay Guida (29-8) in a 155-pound affair and top Japanese bantamweight Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto (18-4, 1 NC) will square off against Strikeforce and Shooto veteran Darren Uyenoyama (6-3) in 135-pound action on the card.

Although neither fight will be shown during the one-hour broadcast which will feature only one bout — a heavyweight title fight between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos — UFC president Dana White mentioned last week that they are looking at options to ensure fans can watch the entire card.

A win by Henderson or Guida will likely lead to a title shot considering that in June “The Carpenter” defeated the man who was supposed to be next in line at the winner of Edgar and Maynard — the WEC’s last lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, who took the title from “Bendo” last December.

Yamamoto, who lost in his UFC debut to Demetrious Johnson in February will be looking to rebound against his fellow countryman with his first North American win, but in spite of his deceiving record, Uyenoyama is a tough opponent and a win over him won’t come easy, especially in his first Octagon appearance since he’ll be fighting like his career is on the line.

———-

Main Card (On Fox)
Heavyweight Championship Bout
Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos

Preliminary Card
Ben Henderson vs. Clay Guida
Dustin Poirier vs. Pablo Garza
Cub Swanson vs. Ricardo Lamas
Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto vs. Darren Uyenoyama

Ben Henderson vs. Clay Guida Added to UFC on FOX Debut Event

Filed under: UFC, News, UFC on FOX A lightweight scrap featuring a pair of the division’s top-rated competitors has been added to the card of November 12’s UFC on FOX premiere.

The tilt will feature Ben Henderson taking on Clay Guida. The bout, first …

Filed under: , ,

A lightweight scrap featuring a pair of the division’s top-rated competitors has been added to the card of November 12’s UFC on FOX premiere.

The tilt will feature Ben Henderson taking on Clay Guida. The bout, first reported by Yahoo! Sports’s Kevin Iole, has been confirmed to MMA Fighting by sources with knowledge of the situation, though not yet officially announced by the UFC.

Henderson has won both of his starts since moving over from the WEC, where he was at one time the organization’s lightweight champion. His consecutive defeats of Mark Bocek and more recently Jim Miller have come in decisive fashion, rocketing Henderson up the divisional rankings.

A winner of 12 of his last 13 fights, Henderson stands at 14-2 overall.

Guida rallied from two straight losses in 2009 to post four straight wins, most recently derailing Anthony Pettis from a possible title shot in a unanimous decision victory. He also holds wins over Takanori Gomi, Shannon Gugerty and Rafael dos Anjos during that stretch. Guida is 29-8 overall.

UFC on FOX takes place on Nov. 12 from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California and will feature a main event of heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos. However, that one-hour scheduled broadcast is for now guaranteeing only Velasquez-dos Santos airtime.

While Henderson vs. Guida is likely to be the co-main event, the fight has not yet been guaranteed a live television airing, according to sources with knowledge of the information, although given its importance, the UFC is likely to find airtime for it somehow.

 

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Swanson vs. Lamas Booked for UFC Debut on Fox


“It’s cool, bro. The UFC offers accident insurance now.”

Sometimes, we like to pretend that our articles actually influence the UFC’s decision making. The other day, when we gave the UFC some friendly advice concerning their debut on Fox, we suggested that the UFC should probably schedule more than one fight. Having the support of a network like Fox and only displaying one fight, no matter how epic, is like buying a hooker just to hold hands with during Shark Night 3D. So when the UFC announced the addition of Cub Swanson vs. Ricardo Lamas to this card, our first thought was “The UFC was simply doing what they always do by announcing the main event before they announce supporting fights”. But we still feel pretty good about ourselves.

The fight potentially marks Cub Swanson’s UFC debut. As you may remember, Cub Swanson was set to make his UFC debut against Erik Koch twice, but was injured both times and forced to withdraw. Cub Swanson also holds the distinction of being the first fighter to utilize the UFC’s accident-insurance, after a knee to the face during a sparring session resulted in a broken jaw, as well as orbital, nasal and cheek fractures. Swanson’s last fight was a FOTN winning split decision over Mackens Semerzier at WEC 52. Meanwhile, Lamas is coming off of a TKO victory over Matt Grice at UFC Live on Versus: Kongo vs. Barry. His fight against Grice also marked his featherweight debut.


“It’s cool, bro. The UFC offers accident insurance now.”

Sometimes, we like to pretend that our articles actually influence the UFC’s decision making. The other day, when we gave the UFC some friendly advice concerning their debut on Fox, we suggested that the UFC should probably schedule more than one fight. Having the support of a network like Fox and only displaying one fight, no matter how epic, is like buying a hooker just to hold hands with during Shark Night 3D. So when the UFC announced the addition of Cub Swanson vs. Ricardo Lamas to this card, our first thought was “The UFC was simply doing what they always do by announcing the main event before they announce supporting fights”. But we still feel pretty good about ourselves.

The fight potentially marks Cub Swanson’s UFC debut. As you may remember, Cub Swanson was set to make his UFC debut against Erik Koch twice, but was injured both times and forced to withdraw. Cub Swanson also holds the distinction of being the first fighter to utilize the UFC’s accident-insurance, after a knee to the face during a sparring session resulted in a broken jaw, as well as orbital, nasal and cheek fractures. Swanson’s last fight was a FOTN winning split decision over Mackens Semerzier at WEC 52. Meanwhile, Lamas is coming off of a TKO victory over Matt Grice at UFC Live on Versus: Kongo vs. Barry. His fight against Grice also marked his featherweight debut.

Will the third time be a charm for Cub Swanson? If not, then who do you think should be a replacement? Does this fight make the televised portion of the card? Have at it in the comments section.

Side Seat Driver, or, What the UFC Must do to Avoid an EliteXC Style Meltdown on FOX

No matter how many times young Dana White reminded him, Gary Shaw always found himself having the same conversation.

Alright boys, we’ve finally managed to ink a possibly sport changing deal here. I know we’re all excited, but let us not forget that this opportunity to shine can quickly become a bigger disaster than The Green Lantern. I’m looking at you, HEAT, you nearly screwed us all. But this time, we’ve got the fights, my God do we got the fights, to back up all our talk. So, do we want to be winners or losers?! Do we want to change the face of MMA, or kick dirt in its eyes?! Well then, here’s how we do it!!

No matter how many times young Dana White reminded him, Gary Shaw always found himself having the same conversation.

Alright boys, we’ve finally managed to ink a possibly sport changing deal here. I know we’re all excited, but let us not forget that this opportunity to shine can quickly become a bigger disaster than The Green Lantern. I’m looking at you, HEAT, you nearly screwed us all. But this time, we’ve got the fights, my God do we got the fights, to back up all our talk. So, do we want to be winners or losers?! Do we want to change the face of MMA, or kick dirt in its eyes?! Well then, here’s how we do it!!

First and foremost, neither of these men can be within seeing distance of our main event:

Not as judges, not as referees, not even as bathroom attendants should these men by any means be allowed in the building. Now Dana, I know that you complained before over your lack of influence when it comes to choosing the ref or judges for that matter, but I’m pleading to you, they have SCREWED US BEFORE. Didn’t one of them just write a book? Yeah, let’s get that guy for this one.

Secondly, we cannot play the drama card at any point during this event. It is cheap, unrealistic, and lumps us in with the likes of the WWE in the eyes of the casual audience member. No stare downs between contenders and champs, especially not immediately following the fight; this can only end in disaster. Let the fights do the talking, as we always have, because that’s where the real “drama” lies.

Speaking of the fights, can we possibly schedule more than one? We do not want to look like the American Idol of the sports world do we? If there’s one thing a crowded bar full of drunken men doesn’t want, it’s to be toyed with. And what if said fight ends in the opening minute? No offense Dana, but those screaming, profanity laced “talks” you and Joe have to kill time at the end of the free prelims aren’t jacking up your PPV sales.

Let’s be honest, except for a few select people out there, the pre fight talk is often the weakest aspect of our pay per views in general, if only because they are so damn predictable. Amidst the clichéd gladiator poses, we’re going to hear how well training has been going, how each fighter is ten times better than their last fight, and how there is absolutely a zero percent chance that either man will lose to the other. Let’s trim the fat and get on with what everyone’s tuning in for. Well, beside the interviews, we should just skip the interviews.

I know it’s early, but we are knocking on history’s doorstep here. This deal could equal validation. It could equal legalization in even the most stubborn of places. Heck, maybe even the anchors over at Sportscenter will talk about us with a tone that doesn’t reek of ignorance and condescension. And we’re lucky enough that this time it seems the people overseeing this deal having a fucking clue about how to run a business. So for now, let’s just take to our G5’s and consider how long it has taken us to get where we are.

-Danga

UFC Announces Velasquez vs. dos Santos for Main Event of November 12 Debut On Fox


(“Let’s try to make this thing last at least one round, deal?”)

UFC president Dana White announced during a conference call today that a heavyweight championship bout between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos will be the only bout on the promotion’s inaugural one-hout broadcast on Fox November 12. The heavily-anticipated bout, which was rumored to be the capper for UFC 139 a week later in San Jose, was instead moved to the Fox show and will now be the UFC’s landmark first fight on network television. The promotion is confident that it could do for them what Griffin vs. Bonnar I at the TUF 1 finale did for the sport back in 2006.


(“Let’s try to make this thing last at least one round, deal?”)

UFC president Dana White announced during a conference call today that a heavyweight championship bout between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos will be the only bout on the promotion’s inaugural one-hout broadcast on Fox November 12. The heavily-anticipated bout, which was rumored to be the capper for UFC 139 a week later in San Jose, was instead moved to the Fox show and will now be the UFC’s landmark first fight on network television. The promotion is confident that it could do for them what Griffin vs. Bonnar I at the TUF 1 finale did for the sport back in 2006.

White says that he’s “literally betting everything” that the fight will deliver and the fact that the UFC and Fox are putting all of their eggs in one basket with the bout, which could be an issue if it is over quickly, especially since the network is planning a big red carpet Superbowl-type party in Hollywood and a pre and post-fight show for the event, proves this. Fox Sports chairman David Hill is also confident that the bout won’t disappoint fans, referring to it as MMA’s equivalent of a “Ali-Foreman.”

The remainder of the show, which will be held at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, will feature a full 10-fight card, will likely be broadcast elsewhere according to White, who said they are ironing out those details now.

Tickets for the event go on sale next Friday at the Honda Centre.