Four Bouts Announced for UFC 103 on September 19 in Dallas; Tickets on Sale This Week
The UFC officially announced its long-rumored UFC 103 event on Tuesday, confirming that the pay-per-view event will take place on September 19 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas as expected.
Four previously-reported fights were added to the event’s official lineup, as Tyson Griffin vs. Hermes Franca, Josh Koscheck vs. Frank Trigg, Efrain Escudero vs. Cole Miller, and Mike Swick vs. Martin Kampmann were all formally announced.
Tickets for UFC 103 go on sale to UFC Fight Club members this Thursday, July 16 at 10am CT, while UFC Newsletter subscribers can purchase tickets beginning at 10am CT on Friday, July 17 using the presale password “TEXAS”. Finally, the tickets will go on sale to the general public on Saturday at 10am CT.
Rich Franklin is expected to co-headline UFC 103 against an opponent to-be-determined alongside a heavyweight matchup between veteran Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic and up-and-comer Junior dos Santos.
For the latest UFC 103 rumors check out the MMAFrenzy.com UFC rumors section.
Tags: Cole Miller, Efrain Escudero, Frank Trigg, Hermes Franca, Josh Koscheck, Martin Kampmann, Mike Swick, Tyson Griffin
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awesome i cant wait.i hope they find a exciting fighter for ace. i know im going to enjoy all these fights except the griffin-franca fight, hopefully somehow that will get bumped out of the top five show fights. tyson has no power and no sub skills. he will continue to be the most boring fight on every card. its a shame because franca fights are usually good, does everybody remember the sherk-franca championship fight. they were both on roids but they were both going for the finish and heads were bouncing off of knees, forearms,and fists.hopefully it can be the same.i hope its franca bashing him for all three rounds.
someone is going to get hurt in the cro cop fight.and swick vs kampmann enough said.dont know what i think about trigg vs koscheck but i want to see it bad.
i also have a question why does ufc.com always bump up the wins on fighters they have grey maynard at 8-0-1 and everyone else says hes 7-0-1. and if you look at melvin guillard they say he is 41-7 and if you look at any other website they say hes 23-7 or something. what is the deal with this. is there something i dont know or are they bumpin up so the fighters in the org. look better???
I would have to do some research into the thing about the records, but it could be that they are counting amature fights, just a guess though.
This looks to be a decent card, it’s good to know that Cro-cop and Franklin are going to co-headline this event. I’m hoping that Franklin fights a legit top 5 or 7 contender rather than someone at the end of their road. If Dos Santos Cro-cop happens it would make for an interesting matchup because if Dos Santos wins, where does that put him?
If Cro-cop wins it means he just beat a young rising contender,but is that enough for a title shot?
I think with Mirko’s experience he not carwin should be first in line…why wait have a year let that caulky ****** lesner step in with Mirko as early as Oct…
i dont think lesner is good for cro cop. unless he rocks him in the first min.
Saying that Brock Lesnar isn’t good for Mirko CroCop is like saying a boiling hot kryptonite enema isn’t good for Superman.
If CroCop does ever get into the cage with Lesnar, they’ll have to sift chunks of CroCop out of Lesnar’s gorilla-droppings to separate the 2, or did you not see how Lesnar was all over Frank Mir like a wetsuit Saturday night?
The last time Lesnar gave a fighter any sort of room to maneuver, Couture blasted him twice before losing the fight. The time before that Mir kneebarred the silverback in 90 seconds. Lesnar might not be a Rhodes scholar, but he isn’t Fing retarded.
Nonetheless the 103 card is growing by leaps and bounds almost daily…
thats what i was saying, if you think lesnar would let him even breathe without takin him down your crazy. gonzaga showed this in the first round of the fight. gonzaga ruffed him up,i dont think he would last a round with brock.did anyone else hear what carwin was sayin about brock if he gets by cain v. fireworks baby.cro cop may not even beat junior dos santos.even if he does 2-2 deserves a title shot come on buddy.
i guess nobody knows the ansewr to my question.
Who do you think Franklin will fight? Jon Jones? Not sure about the star power for a main event but who else is there? Has to be somebody I am missing.
Thats the thing yuor not missing anybody. there is absolutely no available matchups for Franklin in the so called most stacked division.
Sure there are plenty of available fighters but none who will draw for a main event, or benefit his career. Tito or bobalu would be cool but highly unlikely. Franklin has headlined with no name fighters before, UFC victory for example, and might have to do it again.
Franklin might wind up fighting Luiz Cane simply out of necessity. Even though Cane isn’t anywhere near a main event status 205er, no one else in that division at the main event level is stepping up and offering to mix it up with Franklin, or is available.
And for all you Cane supporters out there, I don’t want you to think I’m disrespecting or disregarding your man. I think he has a lot going for him, and I was glad that he decisioned a guy like Steve Cantwell, who’s behavior bordered on Lesnar-ian after the Al-Hassan fight. Cane’s time will come, he’s just a few fights away. I’m well aware that sherdog.com [sorry for referencing them] has Cane ranked ahead of Franklin, but I think that serves more to show how shady their ranking “system” is, than an actual measure of MMA accomplishment and achievement. Cane’s had I believe less than a dozen fights, and Franklin’s put the gloves on somethng like 30 times, and is a former champion.
That combined with his no-name status makes him a questionable [at best] choice for a PPV main event participant.
Andrew – I really like Jon Jones potential, and his performances and skillset to date, but Rich Franklin is a bit too much a bit too soon for Jones, if you follow. Maybe this time next year, but give the man a few fights to grow into his role as future LHW contender before you rush him off into a main event where the lights will be glaring, the pressure to perform and win backbreaking, and his opponent one of the most experienced and technical guys in the division.
Jon Jones is a year away, maybe a year and a half.
carls – I agree with you in that it’s not like anyone is “missing” somebody in terms of 103 matchmaking with Franklin. It’s not like Joe Silva or Dana White has “misplaced” a quality 205er for Franklin to hook it up with. The plain truth is that the UFC has so many events going on, both PPV and free-per-view, that they’re currently flat out of talent for Franklin to face at LHW. Liddell would have worked in a main event sense, but in every other aspect it would have been a fight that no one wanted to see, or was calling for, not to mention it wouldn’t have benefitted either fighter.
Its looking like one of four things is going to happen with this 103 main event, and they are as follows:
1)Franklin experiences a convenient “injury” and is pulled from the card and another main event plugged in.
2)Franklin agrees to fight Luiz Cane, in another selfless act of “taking [another] one for the team”. Remember, Franklin already put his 205 title quest on pause to take a catchweight 195 bout with Wanderlei Silva, which ultimately did nothng for his title hopes.
As I’ve previously posted, a Cane fight also does nothing for Franklin, and just about everything for Cane. An intelligent businessman sees no upside of taking this fight, unless the promotion somehow sweetens the pot in bonus money and/or a guaranteed title bout down the line. Franklin is however nothing if not intelligent. The guy used to teach math, so.. y’know…
3)the UFC brings in an outside name at 205 like Tito Ortiz or Babalu Sobral, as you threw out there. This is both the most intruiging and least likely option, but its there nonetheless.
4)Franklin takes another pointless catchweight fight with either a transitioning LHW like Tomas Drwal or an outside “get” like maybe Frank Shamrock or Vitor Belfort. Shamrock still has a couple halfway decent performances left in him IMO, so why should the UFC allow Strikeforce to have them? And Shamrock sells tickets, which is a huge plus for Dana White.
A 195 catchweight bout between Shamrock and the guy who KTFO’ed his brother Ken might, and I say might, gain some traction with the Texas-area fans, but ultimately does nothing for Franklin’s 205 aspirations.
Same with a Belfort fight. My understanding is that Belfort is RUMORED to be coming to the UFC, so maybe a nice re-intro fight for him would be some sort of catchweight 195 bout with Franklin, but again, its a fight with more sizzle than steak, and no upside for Franklin’s 205 aspirations.
Thats if even the rumors are accurate.
If there is an option I haven’t thought of, please someone throw it out there. I find this 103 main event thing a real exercise in intelligent matchmaking, especially when you fave to factor in fighters health, availability, and main event status…
I highly doubt they will drop Rich from the card. Hes guaranteed money. He’s their go to guy when there is no title on the line, time and time again. Rich has stated several times that hes just interested in putting on eciting fights at this point in his career. While every single other fighter sais “im comin for that belt” or “I want that gold strap” blah blah blah. But Rich is content with just putting on “exciting fights” for the fans. what that tells me is that Rich has little interest in the 205 belt. knowing that a bout with Machida wouldnt likely go in his favour. So to me he might look at this fight with Cane and think that even if he wins hes not getting a title shot. Which is cool for him, because i dont think he wants one.
Believe me when I say that Frank Shamrock will never fight in the UFC again. EVER. The two guys hate each other with a passion. the same way Dana hates Tito. But with Tito Dana atlest knows hes making money. Dana said that the casual fans barely know Frank. And if they did they think he is Ken. So its a lose lose.
Belfort has no interest at fighting anywhere above 185. Thats why the fight with Mousasi never happened. And Franklin wants no part of 185. So that fight is a no.
Sobral is fighting Mousasi in August which will likely be a tough fight so I doubt he will be ready. The UFC inst happy with Sobral either cause of what he did to Heath. They cut him immediately after. Plus even if he did come back he never realy was a big draw even though the guy is a vet.
Thamas Drwal……………….I actually cant belive you said that.
Not gonna happen. atleat Cain has been on the main card more than once, and beat the WEC champ.
Realy the smartest think the UFC could do is get Tito. Even if its for one fight. The winner will gain big momentum. And its a money fight no matter how you shake it.
At the end of the day though its gonna be Franklin vs Cane, guaranteed. If Rich loses he still draws still has a name and was never a real threat to the belt anyways. I can allready see how the UFC is going to bill this to the media. “Cane calls out Franklin” yada yada yada. It will sell, not alot but it will. Plus you got cro-cop on the card again so that wont hurt, against a guy who will have sick highlights for the PPV promo. We know the UFC is allways looking to build up fighters and hype potential champs. Well its safe to say that if Luis Cane is ever going to have a coming out party it will be with a KO over Rich. Which belive me “is” capeable(im looking at you jcohl) The guy hits hard and often plus hes accurate. To many people are judging him of his fight with Cantwell.
But what many dont know is that was his first decision. He has KOed everybody in front of him. Except Irvin who pussed out IMO(watch the fight if you dont belive me)That was his only loss so in a way this guy is undefeated. Dont be surprised if Luiz lands a big combo on Rich and puts him away. you herd it here first.
I tried making a post as long as yours Jcohl, and sprained two fingers.
carls – hey big guy, don’t hurt yourself trying to make your post as long as mine…size isn’t really supposed to matter anyways…
And the reason I threw names like Frank Shamrock and Thomas Drwal out there is that I’ve really been wracking my brain over this 103 main event thing. I know Drwal was a reach, as was Shamrock, but I’ll remain convinced that Tito is the right choice for 103.
I never thought the day would come when the UFC would actually run out of fighters to put in main events, but the times they are a’changing.
I probably should have added that I consider option #2, the fight with Luiz Cane, as the most likely choice. I think if the promotion had another option, they would have went with it by now. They will continue to stack 103 chock full of solid matches with quality fighters, roll out Mirko and dos Santos and hope that CC right leg kicks dos Santos into the hospital, and thereby propels himself back into relevence in the HW division, pray like h4ll that Swick-Kampmann bust out a fight of the night, and then main event with Franklin and Cane.
You’ll really be able to tell if Cane is in the 103 ME when his “calling out” of Franklin starts getting louder and more MMA media coverage.
Stay tuned for further developments, and carls go ice those sprained fingers…
I hear they’re going to sacrifice the winner of Swick/Kampmann to GSP. Imagine going into a fight knowing that if you win you’re royally screwed.
At least the winner of Swick-Kampmann will get some time to think about it. Unfortunately GSP injured his groin while putting on a show with Alves, so he’s most likely out for a bit…
Ya mandy moore must be pretty upset.
If Franklin fights Cane, then Swick/Kampman SHOULD be the headliner! IMO…
My question is..IF Cro Cop vs Junior and Franklin vs someone is added to this card…then who will they drop from those 4 mentioned fights from the main card?!!? I guess I could live without seeing the Cole Miller fight, though that looks VERY good – but thats it!
I’m a huge KOS fan, so I want to see that fight… Tyson Griffin is prob my next fav fighter, so that matchup looks great for him since Franca struggles vs wrestlers…. and then obviously, the Swick fight is staying on the main card…
I was actually just reading comments on mmajunkie and those guys are idiots!! They are complaining about how this card lacks names and talent.. and that its going to suck!! Obviously, they are mainstream fans and only want to see the Liddells, Coutures, etc… This card looks stacked now with great fights!! Its all about matchups!! I cant wait
IMO Tyson/Hermes is the best fight on the card, i am still interested in the others but these two guys have natural skill coming out the wazoo and i can see great stand up and amazing scrambles for this fight.
I’ve always liked Franca unfortunately some bad decisions were made but now i hope he’s back for real.
I make Tyson the favorite but we’ll have to see where Hermes is at.
where is the best place to order these tickets at and whats the avg price range for these tickets. as well the best viewing area!?
after reading the reactions to the mirko comments….it’s ridiculous how everyone is all on brocks jock right now…So I guess Barnett is a terrible wrestler, or randlemen in his prime or going the distance with fedor, or nog…. if you have only seen Mirko in his fights with Gonzaga, Congo and other UFC oppenents your crazy…He has shown about 30% of his ability thus far dont be surprised by the end of his three fight deal if he has a title shot…You will all be singing a different story. I have been watching since pancrase in 91 and if you dont think that brock is just like every other fighter that gets on a hot streak then you got something coming…he will get knocked out or out classed whichever comes first and once he loses he will continue to lose
i agree with you but you act like cro cop,if he fought lesnar ten times he would win all ten.brock is bigger than most heavyweights and has better wrestling than 90 percent of the heavys.cro cop would lose 60-70 percent of those fights against brock.you are right, i think once he loses bad he has less mental edge then most fighters. let him fight fedor, carwin, and cain v. big guys with good takedown defence hes in trouble. but he will always have a winning record from size and wrestling knowledge. cro cop could be at 205 if he really wanted to dominate, but honestly i think he has lost alittle fire in his want to be on top.
oh and if josh barnett comes he would be ok against brock also.
Nah I’m right there with you I just really think that no one has hit lesner yet…Randy had one or two good shots and Mir rocked him a little…but Mir had a horible fight that night..You have to admit he didnt look the same as he did against Nog.. I just am not jumping on this lesner hype until I see some more and see him take a beating and come back to win like the coutures and hughes, and Nog’s out there he hasn’t proven anything to me yet except he is a very strong heavyweight with dominating wrestling nothing else has impressed me.