February 6th, 2008
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It looks like we’re going to see Chris Leben and Alessio Sakara throw some leather after all at UFC 82: “Pride of a Champion” on Saturday March 1 from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, according to UFC.com.
In fact, the middleweight showdown bumped the welterweight bout between Diego Sanchez and David Bielkheden off the televised portion of the pay-per-view (PPV) broadcast.
For more details on the fight between Sakara, which marks his 185-debut, and “The Crippler” click here.
This latest news confirms that there will indeed be 10 bouts for the second-ever card to take place in Columbus. Let’s have one final peek:
Main Event:
UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva (20-4) vs. Dan Henderson (22-6)
Main card (televised):
265 lbs.: Cheick Kongo (11-3-1) vs. Heath Herring (27-13)
185 lbs.: Alessio Sakara (12-6) vs. Chris Leben (17-4)
185 lbs.: Evan Tanner (32-6) vs. Yushin Okami (21-4)
170 lbs.: Jon Fitch (15-2) vs. Chris Wilson (13-3)
Under card (may not be broadcast):
265 lbs.: Andrei Arlovski (11-5) vs. Jake O’Brien (10-0)
170 lbs.: Luke Cummo (6-4) vs. Luigi Fioravanti (11-3)
170 lbs.: Josh Koscheck (9-2) vs. Dustin Hazelett (10-3)
170 lbs.: Diego Sanchez (17-2) vs. David Bielkheden (12-5)
155 lbs.: Jorge Gurgel (11-3) vs. John Halverson (16-5)
This shake-up makes some sense — it was hard to explain the reason Koscheck was buried on the prelims even though he defeated Sanchez back in April 2007. “The Nightmare” then lost his next bout to Jon Fitch at UFC 76: “Knockout” later in September.
Having said that, the former winner of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 1 is a fan favorite and his bout will more than likely be aired between fights if time permits (something tells me the Leben-Sakara fight is not going the distance) and it is an exciting match.
For all the UFC 82-related information you can handle click here.
Written by admin on February 6th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Alessio Sakara and UFC 82 and Chris Leben and UFC Middleweight Division and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and MMA.
Props: Sukimma.Blogspot.com
Quoteworthy:
“Minotauro was terrific. That sweep was artistic. I was amazed to see his mental strength and his submission techniques. I found a lot to learn from his fight. I was also surprised to see how quick Sylvia gave up and tapped out though. It seems the American style.”
Middleweight contender Yushin Okami comments on the action this weekend during UFC 81: “Breaking Point” in a recent blog entry. I was just as surprised with the quick tap, however, I did not attribute it to the “American Style.” I’m not even sure I know what that means … has something been lost in translation or is it an insult to other American fighters? Surely, Chris Leben, Josh Koscheck, Drew McFedries, David Heath (not his decision), Phil Baroni and a ton of other American figthers who prefer to go night-night rather than submit would object.
Written by admin on February 6th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on UFC 81 and Tim Sylvia and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Yushin Okami and MMA.
When Chuck Liddell hooks up with Mauricio “Shogun” Rua during the main event at UFC 85 on June 14, “The Iceman” will more than likely have to do it outside the cozy confines of Las Vegas, Nevada.
In fact, the match up is penciled in for the O2 Arena in London, England — something that doesn’t sit too well with his long-time trainer, John Hackleman, according to FightNetwork.com.
Here’s a snip from “The Pit” boss:
“I’d just rather keep the training local. We just don’t like to travel, and we want to keep our camp local. It’s easier for all of us. It doesn’t make quite as much sense [to travel] on our side…. [However], Chuck will knock someone out anywhere.”
Regardless of the location, Liddell is up against another tough test from the now defunct Pride FC organization (Liddell just beat Wanderlei Silva at UFC 79). Shogun — the 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix winner — is still considered among the top 205-pound fighters in the world.
In fact, prior to his upset loss to Forrest Griffin at UFC 76: “Knockout” in September 2007, Rua had defeated a “Who’s-Who” of some of the best names in the sport such as Rampage Jackson, Ricardo Arona, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Alistair Overeem and others.
Not to mention the former ChuteBoxe prodigy will be out for redemption for his disappointing performance against Griffin, as well as for his former training partner, “The Axe Murderer.”
Liddell is no slouch, either, of course, and will look to put back-to-back wins together en route to an opportunity to reclaim his light heavyweight belt. With a win, he will more than likely face the winner of Rampage and Forrest Griffin sometime in late 2008 for the 205-pound crown.
UFC President Dana White has put Liddell in a great spot to go down as one of the best ever if he can pull it off. However, it will be the hardest stretch of his long and storied career (Silva, Rua and Jackson/Griffin.)
First things first and that’s Rua. It’s a fight that Liddell looks forward to regardless of the venue.
Here’s a snip:
“I think it’s going to be a great fight. I think he’s going to strike, he’s going to wrestle a little bit and he’s going to mix it up. It should be fun, and it should make for an interesting fight.”
Talk about an understatement.
Note: Brock Lesnar and Brandon Vera are also rumored to be competing on this card although there is no indication that the two heavyweights will fight one another.
Written by admin on February 6th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and UFC 85 and UFC Light Heavyweight Division and UFC UK and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and MMA.
If for some reason you can’t get the seats you want for UFC 83: “Serra vs. St. Pierre II’ (or any for that matter) on April 19 at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, then it’s more than likely because you’re not a UFC Fight Club member.
Last night, the organization sent around an email to newsletter subscribers, informing them that the traditional presale was not going to happen because most of the tickets for UFC 83 have already been purchased.
Here’s a snip:
“Due to incredible demand, nearly all of the tickets to UFC® 83: SERRA vs. ST-PIERRE 2 have been purchased by members of UFC® Fight Club in its exclusive presale which started on Sunday…. The UFC® organization is honored to welcome so many of its most devoted fans to the event that night…. Because of the unprecedented size of this presale, the normal UFC® Newsletter Presale will not take place.”
According to the bulletin, a “limited” number of UFC 83 tickets will be opened up to the general masses this Friday (February 8 ) at 12 p.m. ET. However, based on everything that has already happened, it doesn’t seem like those will last too long, either.
In fact, a ton of tickets for the first-ever UFC event in Canada are already up on eBay for some ridiculous prices. 
UFC 83: “Serra vs. St. Pierre II” tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster.com or StubHub.com (IMPORTANT NOTE: StubHub often has seats available even if the event is “sold out.”)
There are some solid match ups already confirmed for this card, including a welterweight rematch between current champion, Matt Serra, and interim titleholder and Canadian posterboy, Georges St. Pierre.
In addition, former middleweight champion Rich Franklin will loook to get back on track against The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 4 winner, Travis Lutter.
It’s going to be a great night that will showcase a large amount of Canadian talent.
Stay tuned for more updates. In the meantime check out the latest UFC 83 fight card right here.
Written by admin on February 6th, 2008 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on UFC Canada and UFC 83 and UFC Tickets and UFC Pay Per View (PPV) Events and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and MMA.
