UFC Roundup: UFC 77 Suspensions, Early-2008 Returns, Updates on UFC Veterans, and More
Mark Bocek will face Doug Evans at UFC 79. Evans confirmed the bout to MMAFrenzy.com earlier today.- The most-recent issue of Men’s Fitness features an extended cover with UFC Champion Matt Serra and challenger Matt Hughes as well as a “UFC Workout”.
- Luke Cummo has announced on MySpace that he will be an injury backup for UFC 79 and will fight in early-2008 if no one is injured:
I went to Las Vegas yesterday only for the day because there was a mandatory UFC meeting for all fighters. Basically they had different aspects of the corporation represented, including the Nevada State Athletic Comission, doctors, lawyers, production and public relations, etc.
Anyway I emailed the matchmaker to see if I could get on the Dec. 29th card when Matt Serra defends his belt. Unfortunately they have filled all the matches up so I’m on the waiting list in case someone gets injured. I’ll be taking over for Ray Longo a little while he’s out in Vegas with Matt. Then once my schedule changes I’ll start fight training and look to book something for early-ish 2008.
- Sean Sherk’s appeal has been scheduled to continue on December 4th.
- Middleweight Nate Marquardt will reportedly be returning to competition on February 2nd at UFC 81. A report earlier this week in the Houston Chronicle indicated Marquardt had not received word on his next fight because he has just one bout remaining on his current contract though he is now working with the UFC towards re-signing.
- The Ultimate Fighter 3 castmember Ross Pointon will face Marios Zaromskis at Cage Rage 24 in December. Drew Fickett will face Mark Weir at the event.
- Some reports suggest that Tim Sylvia will face Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 81 in February for the UFC Heavyweight Championship.
- UFC vet Jonathan Goulet will face Dan Chambers in the main event of Ring Xtreme Challenge II. The event is November 24th in Victoriaville, Quebec.
- The UFC has announced that they will be holding an open casting call for The Ultimate Fighter 7 November 19th in New Jersey. Interested middleweight participants should show up at the Newark Airport Hilton Hotel at 8am and can sign up in advance at UFC.com.
- A new report at Sherdog connects Xyience with UFC owners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta and also discusses recent reports of fighters turning down sponsorship by the company due to non-payment.
- Mike Swick will reportedly be returning in January 2008, presumably at UFC 80 in England.
- Forrest Griffin will be appearing on Law and Order: SVU on November 20th.
- In a recent interview Martin Kampann indicated that he hopes to return in early-2008.
- Suspensions for UFC 77 have been handed out. Rich Franklin, Kalib Starnes, and Eric Schafer all received 30-day suspensions while Forrest Petz received a 60-day suspension.
- This weekend UFC veteran and fan favorite Nick Diaz will face KJ Noons in the main event of EliteXC: “Renegade”. The event will air live on Showtime on Saturday.
- The WEC has officially announced four fights for it’s December 12th event including the return of former UFC champion Jens Pulver:
Featuring WEC Featherweight Champion “The California Kid” Urjiah Faber against Jeff “Big Frog” Curran, “The Rhino” Doug Marshall defending his Light Heavyweight title against Cuba’s own Ariel Gandulla, Paulo Filho returning to the Cage to defend his WEC Middleweight crown, and former UFC® Lightweight Champion Jens “Lil’ Evil” Pulver making his WEC debut at 145 lbs. against rising star Cub Swanson, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas will be rocked off its foundations by the most explosive MMA action of 2007.
Tags: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Dan Chambers, Doug Evans, Eric Schafer, Forrest Griffin, Forrest Petz, Jens Pulver, Jonathan Goulet, Kalib Starnes, KJ Noons, Luke Cummo, Marios Zaromskis, Mark Bocek, Martin Kampmann, Matt Hughes, Matt Serra, Mike Swick, Nate Marquardt, Nick Diaz, Rich Franklin, Ross Pointon, Sean Sherk, Tim Sylvia
Loading ...
Great updates Kris; thanks for all of them. I still don’t understand why Filho’s opponent hasn’t been determined; I guess it is not going to be Frank Trigg.
I read somewhere the Trigg fight fell through, I haven’t heard about a replacement opponent yet though.
Great updates. Most exciting was word about Swick and Kampmann. Can’t wait to see both of them back in action. Especially Swick at 170.
I am really bummed that there is no news on Couture. I would imagine that the silence is bad for us fans who hoped for some resolve. I don’t think I like the idea of Sylvia fighting for the title. Vera didn’t fight through their whole fight (due to broken hand) and then Brandon said it best….” Did Tim kick my ass?????” The whole crowd responded correctly by anouncing in unison “NOOO!” If Arlovski lost his title shot for having a boring fight with Werdum, should Sylvia get one for not being able to put away an “offenceless” Vera. I honestly think if Vera wouldn’t have broken his hand, Sylvia wouild still be asleep. I did find it funny how Sylvia was whacking Vera upside the head with his “titanium” plate in his arm. He has admitted to using it as a wepon before. He was talking about hitting Monson upside his head with it and how funny the sounds of pain were that he made.
I think Sylvia should get the title shot. He has had a few boring fights latley…I am really hoping he turns it on in his next few fights. I dont really think that Big Nog deserves a title shot. He should have lost to Herring, but Herring seemed to just give him that fight after he basically knicked him out. Its really hard to pick the best fights for the title in the HW division. I still think that Cro Cop could turn it on at any time…I dont think he is too far past his prime. I really wish Randy would come back and fight Nog…then for his last fight, fight Sylvia once again.
We just disagreed Scotchy! About time! haha
Filho – would like to see him fight winner of Silva/Henderson (if it happens)
Swick – I think he’ll have problems with the top 5 or 6 fighters at 170 currently in UFC (Serra, GSP, Hughes, Parisyan, Koscheck & Fitch)
Kampmann – can’t wait to see him return – he was supposed to fight Franklin instead of Okami originally (at least I’m pretty sure) – He really hasn’t fought any “name” fighters in the UFC and I think he’s a darkhorse to climb into contender status
Sylvia – like him or not (and I personally don’t – I proudly boo’d him at UFC 68), the only one to beat him as champion in his last run was Randy – if he resigns, Sylvia deserves to be in the match (it still has to be about wins and losses)
Vera – made a terrible decision to clinch early on and used up too much energy that cost him later in the match – I liked the flashes of attack he displayed, but was very disappointed in his overall performance
FixXer – I couldn’t agree more regarding Nog as a title contender right now – I’d like to see Gonzaga v Nog with the winner facing Tim for the title if it’s vacated (I really would like to see a 12 man tournament in 2008 for the title, but that won’t happen)
Everyone should check out EliteXC this weekend. Nick Diaz, Yves Edwards, and Kimbo Slice are supposed to fight in that one. Its this Saturday! Check it out, im kinda excited to see how Kimbo does against an actual MMA fighter instead of….was it Ray Mercer? He is fighting Bo “Redrum” Cantrell, whom i never heard of, but he is a big dude with a 10-10 record. Should be interesting!
Vampslyr, you really think Swick will have problems with the top 5 or 6 WWs? Come on, he submitted Riggs, he’s knocked out all sorts in less than two minutes , and he’s pretty good on the ground with wrestling. Also, think how much reach he’ll have some of the WWs. I think he will be a force to reckon with at welterweight. That doesn’t mean I don’t want to see a Leben-Swick rematch, because that’s who I want to see him beat badly.
holy_dave – Diego Sanchez beat Riggs in less time (1:45 Round 1) and he’s borderline top 10 in the UFC at 170. I don’t mean to knock Swick, I personally like him as a fighter and look forward to his matches. The 170 division is a lot deeper than 185 in the UFC right now and if he can’t cut it at 185, going to 170 isn’t any easier.
bring nick diaz back to the ufc
Diaz…LOL. He’s a punk and I love watching him continue to lose, including last night when he stormed out of the ring after doctor stoppage.
I like Nick Diaz as a fighter, but he’s slowly ****ting away every chance to be in the UFC again. Maybe him and his brother can fight for some weed. Now that’s their motivation.
I’d like to see Nate fight Parisyan. They had genuine heat during TUF.