This past week’s action has shaken up the ranks of the UFC middleweight division. In the span of just four days, two of the top five middleweights in the world tasted defeat and the dust has yet to settle. Chael Sonnen last his rematch against the UFC Middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 148 and the man thought to be next in line, Mark Munoz, had those dreams shattered by an elbow from Chris Weidman.
Remember when the rumors began to swirl that the Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen rematch would be moved to UFC 148? When those rumors finally became a reality the July 7th UFC 148 fight main card looked to be one of, if not the best UFC main card ever. Coinciding with the UFC Fan Expo, the card was in the drives seat for breaking records.
Injuries happen in every sport, they’re unavoidable but what the UFC is currently experiencing is on another level. In the past the UFC has dealt with injuries head on, often putting together better fights than what was originally scheduled. The mounting injuries that the UFC is going through right now have crippled then from doing this and the resulting moves have weakened the upcoming summer cards.
Just days after the UFC announced that Jose Aldo, the UFC featherweight champion would be taking on Erik Koch in the UFC 149 main event, tickets for the event will go on sale this week. The event will take place Saturday, July 21st from the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and will be the promotions first trip to Calgary.
With the addition on Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen to the top of the UFC 148, the July 7th fight card was arguably one of the most stack fight cards in History. Now with two title fights and several former champions anchoring the main card, you had to think something had to give.
On the heels on the UFC announcing a middleweight bout between Rich Franklin and Cung Le at UFC 148 the promotion has quickly added two more top matchups. Bantamweights Renan Barao and Jeff Hougland, along with middleweights Michael Bisping and Tim Boetsch were added to a quickly forming July fight card.
With no athletic commission in Japan the UFC handles the medical suspensions for last weekend’s UFC 144: Edgar vs. Henderson, from the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Today the UFC released its medical suspensions in accordance with the standards set by Nevada Athletic Commission.
The time has finally arrived, UFC 144: Japan marks the return of the UFC to the land of the rising sun. Bringing with them is a five bout preliminary card and a stacked seven deep main card airing on pay per view. The night will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between the champ Frankie Edgar against the former WEC champ, Benson Henderson.
