Back from another trip to Brazil the UFC returns home this Memorial Day weekend with a heavyweight title fight and UFC 160. Having regained his title in December of last year, Cain Velasquez defends the heavyweight title against a man in Antonio Silva that he completely destroyed almost exactly one year ago.
Fighters have thin skin these days. Say someone hits like a girl, or that they make funny noises during a match, or that they’re legally cheating with TRT, and all of a sudden everyone has hurt feelings. Back in the day, this was just your standard banter before the fight, and for good reason: Everyone was scared shitless. If you’re a judoka walking into a rickety cage against some monster of unknown origins and skills, you’re damn right you’re going to call him a name or three to make yourself feel better.
The UFC heads into uncharted territory with its upcoming 18th season of The Ultimate Fighter. The long running reality series will feature women coaches for the first time, as well as both male and female fighters living in the same house while separately competing for a UFC contract.
MMA has been on hiatus for the first third of the month and fight fans addicted to the sport are starting to going through withdraws. Thankfully those of you suffering from the shakes get your fix this with Friday’s MFC 37. Things begin to pick up from there as there will be two UFC events as well as LFC 20.
With Bellator still on summer vacation the UFC filled the month of April with four fight cards featuring nine fighters that appeared on last months MMA Valor Fighter Rankings. Two of those nine were champions who successfully defeated their titles and five of the other seven also walked away with victories this past month.
The UFC will be in Newark, New Jersey this weekend with a UFC 159 fight card that features the light heavyweight champion Jon Jones versus the “People’s Champion” Chael Sonnen for the UFC light heavyweight title. The Ultimate Fighter 17 coaches played nice during the show but returned to hyping the fight (Sonnen) and mean mugging (Jones) as the two will finally step into the cage on Saturday.
The UFC makes its return to San Jose, California this weekend with the UFC on FOX 7, sporting a main card with a UFC vs. Strikeforce feel to it. The four UFC on FOX 7 bout on the main card feature one UFC veteran against a former Strikeforce fighter, which seems only fitting since they are in the old stomping grounds of the once #2 Mixed Martial Arts promotion in the United States.
The UFC is pushing out Ultimate Fighter winner’s right and left these days and at Saturday’s Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale, Dana White will be handing out yet another trophy. The 17th season of the reality series has been one of the best ever and Uriah Hall and Kelvin Gastelum are the last two fighters standing.
UFC on FOX 7: Henderson vs. Melendez Weigh-in Pictures
Due to a previously scheduled Arena Football game at the HP Pavilion, today’s UFC on FOX 7 weigh-ins were held less than a mile away at the California Theater. The small theater was completely filled with cheering fans and all the fighters they came to see made weight.
The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale Weigh-in Pictures
Amidst everything else going on, the UFC has themselves a busy day today with the UFC on FX 6 taking place in Australia and The Ultimate Fighter 16 finale weigh-ins. All 24 fighters made weight today for tomorrow’s event that will crown The Ultimate Fighter 16 welterweight winner.
UFC on FUEL TV 4 Weigh-in Results and Photos
SAN JOSE, Cal. – Still recovering from Saturday’s UFC 148, MMAValor.com was inside the HP Pavilion for today’s UFC on FUEL TV 4 weigh-ins. A few of the fighters would need to step onto the scale behind a towel but all 22 fighters on the UFC on FUEL TV 4 fight card made weight.
TUF Live Finale Live Results and Event Pictures
The long grind of the first live version of The Ultimate Fighter ends tonight at the TUF Live Finale in Las Vegas. Featuring 12 of the 16 TUF Live contestants, the 10 bout card will be headlined by an important match-up in the welterweight division between Jake Ellenberger and Martin Kampmann.
TUF Live Finale Weigh-in Results and Pictures
All the fighters for tomorrow’s TUF Live Finale were on weight as they stepped onto the scales inside the Pearl at the Palms. The 20 fighters, including 12 of the 16 TUF Live fighters will begin entering the Octagon tomorrow starting at 2:45pm PT / 5:45pm ET.
