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Saturday, June 20, 2009
Wanderlei Silva Talks UFC 99, Wants 2 More Fights This Year
Wanderlei Silva talks about his fight with Rich Franklin and how he wants to fight again in September and December of this year, if the UFC will let him.Labels: Rich Franklin, UFC 99, Wanderlei Silva
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 2:32 AM
Thursday, June 18, 2009
MMA Live Looks Back at UFC 99, Ahead to TUF Finale and more...
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 6:14 PM
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Dana White's UFC 99 Video Blog (6/13/09) Part 2
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 1:43 AM
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Dana White's UFC 99 Video Blog (6/13/09)
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 9:01 PM
Sunday, June 14, 2009
UFC 99 Draws 12,854 Fans for $1.3 Million
 On a night of scintilating action both in and out of the Octagon -- Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva fought to a main event Fight of the Night finish and Mirko "Cro Cop" announced to the UFC, "Oh, by the way, I'm outta here. Going back to Japan" -- the UFC was fairly successful on its first stop in Germany.
Despite all of the backlash from mainstream German media that is caught in the MMA time warp of five to 10 years ago, UFC 99 drew an announced attendance of 12,854 to the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, accounting for estimated gate receipts of $1.3 million.Labels: Germany, Rich Franklin, UFC 99, Wanderlei Silva
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 2:27 AM
Friday, June 12, 2009
Dana White's UFC 99 Video Blog (6/11/09) Part 1 & 2
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 10:42 PM
Mike Swick's UFC 99 Video Blog
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 6:13 PM
Relax British MMA Fans, UFC 99 Will Still Air on Setanta
 Will it, won't it, where?
That has been the overwhelming question for British MMA fans this week wondering if they will get to watch UFC 99 from Germany on Saturday.
Rest assured, with a card half-filled with Brits, the U.K. contingent will have UFC 99 available after all.
As reports surfaced that UFC partner Setanta Sports has been in a beleagured financial state, with rumors of the company's ability to stay on-air flying all over the place, U.K. fans just 24 hours ago were still wondering if they'd be able to watch the UFC this weekend.
Thursday morning, via his official Twitter account, UFC president Dana White assured British fans, saying, "Hang tight we will be on tv. Either setanta or bravo. We are working on it."
He again turned to Twitter on Friday to let fans know that, at least for UFC 99, the promotion would remain with its current broadcast partner.
"UK fans UFC 99 will air on setanta live!!! Spread the word."
Who knows what the future holds for Setanta and the UFC? But, at least for now, U.K. fans will be able to get their fight on!Labels: Setanta Sports, UFC 99
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 1:38 PM
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Rich Franklin Believes UFC 99 Will Open Doors in Germany
 Maybe UFC's first co-promoted event.
Rich Talking about professionalism and negative press around 18:00
Although the UFC stepping into Germany for UFC 99 on Saturday has been a big step forward for the promotion and the sport -- it is the first time a major MMA promotion has landed in Germany -- it has also been a step into a time warp that goes back 10 years.
There have been front page news stories in Germany that decry MMA as a bloodsport, much like the American media of five to 10 years ago. The venue in Cologne even had to agree to UFC 99 being and 18-and-over event.
But main eventer Rich Franklin believes that UFC 99 will bust open some doors for the sport in Europe. At the pre-fight press conference he commented:
"I know we've gotten a little bit of negative press here in Germany, and I think once you see the level of professionalism and sportsmanship the UFC brings to a sport like this, you'll be more than impressed."
Labels: Germany, Rich Franklin, UFC 99
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 2:44 PM
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Dana White's UFC 99 Video Blog (6/8/09)
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 2:52 AM
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Countdown to UFC 99 Airs Tuesday on Spike
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 4:10 PM
UFC 99 Video: An In-Depth Look at Marcus Davis vs. Dan Hardy
The war of words between UFC welterweights Marcus Davis and Dan Hardy. How it got started and why this fight may not last very long at UFC 99. Who wins this grudge match?Labels: Dan Hardy, Marcus Davis, UFC 99
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 12:19 AM
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Dan Hardy Embraces Yanks, Trains With Roach
UFC welterweight Dan Hardy considers himself an Englishman in LA.
The 26 year-old Nottingham native spends most of his days with his girlfriend in the City of Angels. Only training camps take him from the city.
In addition to his usual work with grappling guru Eddie Bravo, Hardy is the latest MMA fighter to find Freddie Roach's Wild Card gym. It's also around the corner from his LA apartment, which made directions easy.
"There's always things to work on," Hardy said of the experience. "I'm not perfect at any range, so I've always got to keep working. It's just a good opportunity to work with a guy like Freddie. It's interesting to hear his opinions on MMA, how he sees the range is different from MMA and boxing.
He also worked with Michael Moorer, a multi-title boxing champion and one of Roach's early students that now coaches.
"He's a great southpaw," Hardy said of Moorer. "It's interesting getting his viewpoint on southpaws fighting orthodox fighters, because Marcus Davis is a southpaw as well. I've got some good input from the guys, like controlling the range and landing cleaner shots without getting caught. Kind of similar to my last fight."
Last week, he went to Germany to visit with US troops, and heads back to his hometown afterwards to begin preparation for a contentious fight with Marcus Davis at UFC 99.
"It's just a perfect fight for me, and I think he realizes that his time's come with his hold over the UK," said Hardy. "This is going to be the last fight against a British fighter."Labels: Dan Hardy, Marcus Davis, UFC 99
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 4:15 PM
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Sakara vs. Palhares Moved To UFC 101
 A fight between middleweights Alessio Sakara and Rousimar Palhares, as first reported by MMAWeekly.com has been moved from UFC 99 in Germany to UFC 101 in Philadelphia.
The news of the move was confirmed by sources close to the fight on Wednesday.
Sakara's involement on the UFC 99 card made sense because of the fighter's roots in Italy, but for unknown reasons the promotion decided to push the fight back for an August date instead.
Both fighters will step into the match-up coming off of wins. Sakara head kicked his way to a knockout win over Joe Vedepo, while Palhares dominated Jeremy Horn for three rounds en route to a unanimous decision victory in February.
It's likely that the fight between Sakara and Palhares will remain on the undercard for the UFC's debut show in Philadelphia, which will be headlined by lightweight champion, B.J. Penn, facing top contender, Kenny Florian.Labels: Alessio Sakara, Rousimar Palhares, UFC 101, UFC 99
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 1:23 PM
Monday, March 16, 2009
Dana White Talks About UFC 99 in Germany
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 12:45 PM
Thursday, March 12, 2009
UFC 99 in Germany To Be U.S. PPV Event
 The UFC's German invasion has shaped up quickly, with the bulk of the June 13 fighters confirmed in less than a month.
More than half the fighters on the card are either foreign-born or based outside the US, with one fighter, Peter Sobotta, bringing in the hometown crowd as a resident of Balingen, only 272 miles, or 438 kilometers, from the 20,000 seat Lanxess Arena in Cologne.
The UFC recently inked a deal with German sports network DSF to air UFC content, including live or tape-delayed events.
At the festivities for UFC 96 last weekend, UFC president Dana White said the European card would come at a premium for those watching in the US.
"It will be a pay per view event," White told reporters.
In past overseas events, the time difference has not been friendly to pay per view buyrates. So far, none of the Europe based pay events have cracked the 300,000 range. While by no means are those slim numbers, and the promotion has done extremely well in live attendance numbers, there appeared to be a push towards airing the events free for Spike TV viewers. UFC 99 appears to be a break from that strategy.
So far, the only official bout on the card is the main event, between Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva at a catch weight of 195lbs. Tickets for the event go on sale to the public in three days.Labels: Rich Franklin, UFC 96, UFC 99, Wanderlei Silva
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 1:00 AM
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Dana White's UFC 96 Video Blog (Episode 2): The German Press Conference
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 11:54 AM
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Couture To Promote, Not Fight, At UFC 99
In recent days, rumors have abounded about Randy Couture's next fight. In early January, the former heavyweight champ could not accept a fight with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira for the first half of 2009 due to a nagging elbow injury that needed surgery. Couture expected to eventually face the Brazilian, but was booked for the coming months with the upcoming action flick "The Expendables" starring Sylvester Stallone.
Several reports said Couture's rumored participation in the UFC's trip to Germany at UFC 99 had become a reality, with the 46 year-old fighter scheduled to face off-again/on-again UFC'er Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic in the main event of the June 13 card.
However, a source close to Couture says it is virtually impossible that the popular fighter will grace the card due to his film obligations and need for a proper 8 week training camp. Couture will, however, assist the UFC in a yet-undefined promotional role for the event.
Couture is fluent--with a little dust-off--in German from his days there in the US Army.
The source said a summer appearance was likely, but there were a number of variables that would play into Couture's eventual return. Of the "Natural"'s elbow, he is reportedly back in the gym as his hectic schedule allows.Labels: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Mirko Cro Cop, Randy Couture, UFC 99
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 9:58 PM
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Liddell Not Offered Fight With Couture, and Vice Versa
 Last week, a report from BloodyElbow talking about a fourth fight between Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture spurred a mixture of excitement and confusion among MMA fans. The duo had been responsible for one of the most successful trilogies in UFC history, with Liddell coming out ahead in the final two meetings. The proposed bout, reportedly scheduled for June 13 in Cologne, Germany at UFC 99, would pit the two against each other in the heavyweight division, where Couture has spent the majority of his career.
After speaking with sources from the camps of both fighters, it now appears the fight is merely an idea amongst many for the future of the MMA superstars.
Couture's fluency in German has made him a front-runner for the show, although sources from within his camp have told MMAInsider he has not been offered a fight against Liddell, nor is he thrilled about taking it.
On the other side of the coin, a rep from Liddell's camp also confirmed that the bout hadn't been floated by them.
"This is the first I've heard of it," the rep said.
While the fight would certainly garner excitement in the new market of Germany, doubts exist about its ability to draw stateside fans.
So far, the UFC has been mum on the bout happening.
Still, it might be interesting to see how both men rebound from their prospective losses, and if Couture's familiarity with the weight class will be the key to avenging his losses.Labels: Chuck Liddell, Germany, Randy Couture, UFC 99
posted by MMAInsiderBLOG @ 11:39 PM
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