UFC announces new partnership which will bring more live events to the Middle East

UFC Partners with Flash Entertainment to bring live events to the Middle East

Commencing with UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Nogueira, on the 11th April at Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
 
UFC, the world’s premier mixed martial arts organisation, has today announced a major expansion into the Middle East after entering into an exclusive partnership with FLASH Entertainment, the region’s foremost live entertainment producer and promoter, to deliver live UFC events as part of a two-year agreement.

The UFC will return to the Middle East on Friday 11th April, at Abu Dhabi’s entertainment hotspot Yas Island, for the second of six Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Fight Night events to take place in 2014. The partnership will see at least five regional events staged in the next two years.

The UFC will also work to bring the hit reality sports television show, The Ultimate Fighter to the region. This will give aspiring athletes the opportunity to develop and compete for a contract with the world’s fastest-growing sports organisation.

The UFC Fight Nights will join a roster of prestigious, world class sporting events that FLASH Entertainment has staged across the region including F1, FIFA Club World Cup and ATP Tennis.

Garry Cook, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of UFC EMEA, said:

“This agreement is a major step in our strategic expansion across EMEA and, in particular, will see our audience grow dramatically across the region. There is a huge market for the UFC in the Middle East; the fans want live events and can now look forward to local tailored content in the region.

“FLASH Entertainment has worked with some of the biggest sports organisations and brands in the world and they are committed to a shared vision for delivering an unrivalled product in terms of excitement and production values to the Middle Eastern audience.”

John Lickrish, Chief Executive Officer at FLASH Entertainment, said:

“FLASH Entertainment has been proud partners of the UFC for many years, stretching back to the historic UFC 112 event in Abu Dhabi in 2010. The announcement today heralds a bright future for the millions of fight fans and practitioners alike across the Middle East and North Africa, as we work together to develop a programme of year-round UFC events. We look forward to making further announcements very soon.”

The first EMEA event of 2014 takes place in London, England on Saturday 8th March. UFC Fight Night London 2014 will see Sweden’s light heavyweight title challenger Alexander Gustafsson take on England’s undefeated Jimi Manuwa in the main event at the city’s O2 Arena.

Chael Sonnen vs Rashad Evan Confirmed For UFC 167

SONNEN VS EVANS TO CO-MAIN UFC 167 IN LAS VEGAS

By Tommy Strong @strong_tea

If UFC 167 wasn't wetting your appetite enough already, then news of Chael Sonnen vs Rashad Evans being the co-main event of the evening, will surely have the desired effect?!

The bout will be at light heavyweight (205lbs) and take place on November 16th in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Sonnen (29-13-1) found himself fighting at light heavyweight after being the only fighter to step up at short notice to fight Jon Jones after Dan Henderson had to pull out due to an injury. Though it was Jones who refused to take the fight on such short notice forcing the UFC to cancel UFC 151.

With a heavy first round loss to Jon Jones at UFC 159 in April, when the pair met after being 'TUF' 17 coaches. Sonnen looked like he was fighting in the wrong division. Though a very impressive win over 'Shogun' Rua last month at UFC Fight Night 26, Sonnen managed to pull off a first round submission victory that earn't himself a top contender in Evans.

Though defeat for him here would more than likely see him return to the middleweight division, where he will be seeking to get another crack at the title or just possibly Anderson Silva!

Former light heavyweight Rashad Evans (18-3-1) has looked very poor since his defeat to Jon Jones in April 2012 when the pair squared off at UFC 145 for the light heavyweight title, losing via unanimous decision after 5 rounds.

Then going onto lose his next fight to Antionio Nogueira in a woeful performance and more recently getting back to winning ways with a split decision win over Dan Henderson at UFC 161 in June which wasn't easy to digest.

This could be just the type of fight Rashad needs to find his mojo, and climb his way back up to the top of the division where he belongs.

UFC 167 will be headlined by Georges St-Pierre when he puts his Welterweight belt on the line and faces the very dangerous and heavy handed Johny Hendricks.

UFC on Fuel TV 10 Main Card Result: Antonio Nogueira vs Fabricio Werdum

Werdum defeats Nogueira to line up potential title shot

by Ben Heather @benheather

The main event on Saturday night was an all Brazilian affair as the coaches on the recent TUF Brazil 2 show went in to battle. This fight was a rematch, the pair originally fought each other while they were both fighting for Pride in 2006. Now seven years later would the outcome be different and would Werdum be able to get revenge.

Werdum came in to the fight of the back of a two fight win streak, that same win streak is since his UFC return. He dominated both Roy Nelson and Mike Russow and now was looking to do the same against Big Nog.

Big Nog came in to the fight looking to get back to back wins on his record for the first time since UFC 81 in February '08. Since then he has won a fight, then lost the next most recently defeating Dave Herman via armbar at UFC 153.

Big Nog came out putting pressure on Werdum at close range with boxing and trying to grab the clinch, however it was Werdum who surprisingly got the takedowns by grabbing a single leg takedown and getting Nogueira to the mat. Both men then grappled on the floor and the fight was going back and forth as the two heavyweights were scrambling to get control.

Nogueira kept switching up how he had Werdum in his guard going from full guard to half guard and back again until he got hold of Werdum's knee and was able to get back to his feet. In the process of getting up he did get caught with a few punches and knee.

In the second round, during yet another scramble, Werdum took Nog's back and straight away got one hook in, however Werdum could not get the second hook in he was looking for as Big Nog blocked the attempts with his right hand.

Werdum though was not to be stopped as he got his leg all the way over Big Nog's shoulder and cranked on the arm in an inverted armbar. The end of the fight was a little confusing as Mario Yamasaki stopped the fight, but Nogueira hadn't tapped. It wasn't until Bruce Buffer announced that the fight was ruled a verbal submission and things became a little clearer.

Big Nog did not appear to verbally submit but Werdum let go of the hold at the same time Yamasaki came in to stop the fight. Also, Big Nog did not contest the decision.

A very fitting way to end the night full of some of the best BJJ anyone could ever want to see and I think it once and for all put to bed the question of.... Does BJJ actually work??

Sonnen Offers to step in to face Shogun at UFC 161

Chael Sonnen wants to replace Nogueria and fight Shogun

by Jack Broadey @J3cK_b

Chael Sonnen has history, he has history with Brazilian's. He has history offering to step in to fight at late notice. Recently he has stepped in on last minute notice to fight Michael Bisping. He also tried to step in at the last minute to fight Jon Jones and in doing so earned himself the chance to coach on The Ultimate Fighter season 17 and a title shot.

Now after Antônio Rogério Nogueira had to pull out of his fight with Shogun Rua due to an undisclosed injury at UFC 161, Sonnen is up to the old tricks again. Sonnen took the media by storm in his efforts to promote his two title fights with Anderson Silva. He has noted rivalry with the majority of the Brazilian roster and was expected to face Wanderlei Silva in the near future.

Sonnen took to his twitter to leave the following message for Shogun Rua making it clear he is the ultimate company man.

"@sonnench: @ShogunRua I HEAR BRAZILIAN
CHICKEN IS OFF THE MENU. AMERICAN GANGSTER IS STILL AVAILABLE IF YOU WANT TO SEND YOUR WAITRESS OVER."

5 UFC fights to watch in the next 6 weeks

5 Fights To Look Out For In The Near Future

by Jack Broadey @J3cK_b

With a break in the UFC schedule I thought I would take a look at the fights upcoming with some maybe flying under the radar. We have been spoilt lately with UFC events the last few weekends. These are my 5 must watch fights that take place over the next 6 weeks and I have tried to avoid picking the obvious matches and main events. However some main events do deserve inclusion here.

1. Junior Dos Santos v Mark Hunt
For me the co main event of the heavyweight double bill at UFC 160 is the more intriguing fight. Can Mark Hunt's fairy tale rise back up the rankings continue? Can Dos Santos get back into contention after a brutal beatdown and losing his title last time out? It's going to be great whilst it lasts either way!

2.Antonio Nogueira v Fabricio Werdum
What has Nogueira got left in the tank? This kind of fight should suit him stylistically. His boxing ability means this almost certainly will end up as jiu jitsu battle. Is Werdum the real deal and the next title contender many think he is? The 2 BJJ experts go at it in Brazil in June.

3. Gray Maynard v TJ Grant
The winner of this fight will meet Benson Henderson for the chance to win Lightweight gold. Gray Maynard is always a solid contender at the top of the division and Grant has rose very quickly with a string of not only good wins but very good performances to go with them. Can he get past his biggest test to date to get that elusive title shot?

4. Vitor Belfort v Luke Rockhold
If Belfort keeps winning in the fashion he is the UFC can't keep denying him another title shot. He's running through top contenders. Rockhold comes over from Strikeforce as the last Middleweight champion. Can he defeat Belfort and set up his own title shot? It would be hard to argue against the winner being granted a title shot whoever that might be.

5. Rashad Evans v Dan Henderson
Lets face it both men are coming off hugely disappointing losses. Henderson was supposed to fight Jon Jones for the Light Heavyweight title and instead got injured. He lost to Lyoto Machida instead in a very boring fight. An unmotivated  Rashad Evans surprisingly lost to little Nog and that's what makes this fight so exciting. Both men badly need to get back into the win column if they have serious title aspirations. Who wants it more at this stage of their career?