Last night’s UFC on FX was supposed to be the coming out party for the last two Strikeforce middleweight champions. Luke Rockhold and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza were making their long-awaited UFC debuts in the top two fights on the card. What transpired though were outcomes at the opposite ends of the spectrum, leaving one fighter overjoyed and the other extremely disappointed.
After every event MMA Fans and even some Media will make outlandish claims of a certain fight or the entire event being the “best/worst of the year/all-time” and last night’s UFC on FOX 7 was no different. As the card headed into the co-main and main event UFC on FOX 7 was being called the best card of the year all over the internet. Hard to blame them though, 8 of the first 10 fights ended within the first two rounds via knockout and you know how much fans love the knockout.
It might be nothing but the coincidence UFC president Dana White says it is but tomorrows UFC on FOX 7 main card should be dubbed “UFC vs Strikeforce”. Each of the four main card bouts that will air live on FOX features a UFC veteran against a former Strikeforce fighter.
We’re in the middle of a long schedule of UFC action, and the king of FOX fights, Benson Henderson, is once again on deck in Saturday’s UFC on Fox 7 main event. Having handily defeated Nate Diaz in his last outing, he’ll look to keep his belt away from the next contender from the Scrap Pack, as Gilbert Melendez makes his UFC debut. We also have another Lightweight fight for the ages, as Josh Thomson returns to the UFC to take on Nate Diaz.
Though Strikeforce is no more, many of its former fighters continue to fight on in the UFC. Showing that the now defunct organization had some great fighters step into its ring, five former Strikeforce fighters hope to continue their winning ways at UFC 158.
Tonight’s UFC 156 started the invasion of Strikeforce fighters making their UFC debut following the promotions final event. Three debuting former Strikeforce fighters fought on the preliminary card against very tough competition and came out with a clean 3-0 sweep.
Days after Strikeforce held its final event; the UFC announced that several of the promotions fighters have joined the ranks of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Not all of the fighters are coming over but this also wasn’t the complete and final list, expect a few more to be announced in the coming weeks.
Former Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez is finally getting his wish. Unable to defend his title at last weekend’s final Strikeforce event due to injury, Melendez instead will get an immediate title shot against UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson.
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.
