UFC just confirmed they are coming to Belfast in June and will showcase an Ultimate Fight Night.
No fighters confirmed at this early stage but should be a good opportunity for Irish Fans to see some decent match-ups and get a taste of the UFC ringside.
Here comes the pain.
Where did you hear this Iceman?
You'll need to send us a link or something with more info! Wonder will any local clubs be represented?
Got an email sent to me from my mate in a local Belfast Radio Station asking them to run a series of interviews in the build up to the fight and an Interview with Bisping.
Jorge Gurgel also confirmed on Sherdog.com that he was fighting in Belfast too.
Not sure if anybody local will be representing the Irish.
I'm sure we would have heard something by now. Greg Loughran would be the only guy with a shot maybe? I can't see Davy Patterson fighting and he certainly isn't training for a fight at the moment.
Some snippets from the email:
QuotePlease find attached The Ultimate Fighting Championship which stages the biggest mixed martial arts event Europe has ever seen. There is an event in planned in Manchester on the 21st of this month. The UFC are scheduling an event in Belfast in June and I wondered if you would be interested in running a feature on the sport that has had a history of controversy but is now fully regulated and is the number 1 pay per view sport in America .
The pay per view and gate receipt figures are expanded upon in the articles pasted below this e-mail – I could get you an interview with the Chairman of the organisation and with Mike Bisping who is becoming one of the sports most recognizable faces – so much so that in Times Square in New York his picture currently resides plastered across advertising billboards promoting the sport.
UFC is huge in the USA at the moment, their last PPV seen 900,000 buys IIRC.
If they're looking for local talent, put some of the local spides into the octagon with Sylvia, Ortiz etc. then they'll have a real claim for DLA! :D
I think it will really help the sport here locally. There are a lot of clubs with some great trainers and great fighters who don't get enough recognition for their efforts.
Hopefully this will help to raise the profile and increase interest in local shows.
It could be a regular thing too as UFC have opened a UK office in London. Fingers crossed there is more to come.
Any odds on Martin McGuinness and Ian Og in the cage?
If they are looking for local competitiors I hear this lad likes getting fisted in the ring.
(http://www.glam.ie/Paul+Berry2.jpg)
very good GBB,
Of the lads on the local scene only Davy Patterson would be able to hold his own against that standard imo. Last time I was talking to him he was retiring with a bad back, but that was maybe a year and a half ago. Has he fought since that Iceman? A genuine tough nut.
He has been retired now for over two years I think - he is concentrating on Progressive and building up a solid team and promoting his "Ultimate Fighting Revolution" Nights.
Tom Lamont would hold his own with some guys - he's a crazy mofo. But yeah Davy is phenomenal - but maybe a little too old at this stage - though don't tell him I said that ;).
Maybe some of the guys from England will come over - Mark Weir etc.... who knows - if you hear anymore info - post it up!
Give me boxing anyday. How much does it pull regularly on PPV? Can't see it beating Pretty Boy Floyd vs De La Hoya (although i'm not trying to represent that boxing PPV's generally draw anywhere near what that fight's going to generate)
QuoteMost PPV buys, Jan.-Oct. 2006
1. May 5 Boxing Oscar DeLa Hoya vs. Ricardo Mayorga 925,000
2. July 8 UFC Tito Ortiz vs. Ken Shamrock 775,000
3. Sept. 23 UFC Matt Hughes vs. B.J. Penn 700,000
4. April 2 Wrestling Wrestlemania 22 636,000
5. May 27 UFC Matt Hughes vs. Royce Gracie 600,000
6. Aug. 26 UFC Chuck Liddell vs. Renato Sobral 500,000
7. April 15 UFC Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin 425,000
8. Feb. 25 Boxing Shane Mosely vs. Fernando Vargas 420,000
9. Feb 3 UFC Chuck Liddell vs. Randy Couture 400,000
10. April 8 Boxing Floyd Mayweather vs. Zab Judah 375,000
I think this speaks for itself. So if you are going to choose boxing over MMA based on PPV then choose a different argument Cike :P
Not a big fan of the UFC, too vicious for my liking, when they go to ground it can be very boring. , love a bit of boxing though.
I love the boxing too - grew up with it, fought myself, loved it back in the golden days when you had champions you could aspire to being like, characters who lit up our TV screens and captured our attention when they fought.
Today we have very few stars, very few characters and certainly nowhere near the same "draw" that boxing had before.
Please step forward MMA.
MMA is Mixed Martial Arts. Mixed martial arts has come a long way from its bare-knuckle roots. While violence still plays a central role, the sport has toned down and slicked up to attract a wider audience. The ground fighting is extremely technical and to the "virgin" viewer often appears boring. However once you begin to understand the submissions, the counter-submissions and the technicality involved - you really appreciate what happens on the mat and how much training is involved to get to that level.
It can be brutal, but statistically it is safer than boxing. The referees do an amazing job in MMA.
Out of most of the promotions - UFC is definitely one of the safer ones where the fighter is protected by more rules and regulations.
Give the UFC a chance and listen to the commentators - watch the Ultimate Fighter on Bravo and try to understand the technical side of the fights and I can guarantee you'll change your mind.
Ah i dont know, to see a bloke pinned down and have someone rain down elbows to his head and face, it's just not for me. I prefer a stand up fight, toe to toe.
Some good Irish boxers making a name for themselves, Dunne, Duddy and yerman Lee.
Have to admit that the UFC does bore me a little bit with a lot of grounding - I just can't get into the technical aspect that much though I can see why it attracts a big following - it isn't the staged "sports entertainment" theatre of pro wrestling (which I do like in small doses) or the often wounded reputation of boxing.
In terms of pro wrestling PPV numbers, WWE Wrestlemania is the biggest PPV of the year in terms of numbers bought, usually around the 650,000 to 800,000 mark in the USA, plus international buys. The monthly PPVs usually attract 200,000 to 300,000 buys. TNA's monthly PPV's get around 30,000 to 50,000 buys.
Rich Franklin is fighting on this show
QuoteThursday, April 05, 2007
by Josh Gross (joshg@sherdog.com)
The next chapter in Rich Franklin's (Pictures) quest to regain the UFC middleweight crown will unfold on June 16 Sherdog.com has learned, when "Ace" faces Martin Kampmann (Pictures) in the main event of UFC's first foray into Ireland.
In his return to the Octagon after losing the belt to Anderson Silva, the 32-year-old Franklin easily stopped Jason MacDonald (Pictures) in early March. On that same card Kampmann, 24, endured Drew McFedries' power before winning by arm-triangle choke.
Having won each of his three UFC contests, the Dane (15-2-0) gets a chance to prove he belongs among the best at 185 when he steps in against Franklin (21-2-0, 1 NC; 8-1 in the UFC).
It's expected Zuffa will officially announce the fight during Thursday's UFC Fight Night telecast from Las Vegas on SpikeTV.
Also, a fight between Forrest Griffin (Pictures) and Hector Ramirez (Pictures) is being discussed.
Iceman, if you read what I said, you will see that I asked how much it pulled in regularly. I mentioned that the Mayweather v De La Hoya will be the biggest boxing PPV event ever, and it is likely to be so by quite a distance. I then went on to say that most of the biggest fights generate nowhere near that amount of PPV's.
That said, your figures are way off the mark. The biggest PPV event ever in terms of buys was Holyfield v Tyson II that generated 1.99mn. Lewis-Tyson was the biggest grossing with 1.95mn buys. Outside of the heavyweight division to my knowledge the biggest PPV fight was Trinidad-De La Hoya at 1.25mn
I prefer boxing because it's a much better spectacle at least it is south of Cruiserweight, the heavyweight fights generally speaking these days are pretty boring, although there have been a couple of exceptions in the last year.
Cike my figures are not off the mark - they are not the biggest PPVs ever and I never said they were - they are simply the biggest PPVs during a period last year.
UFC is eclipsing boxing in terms of overall PPVs this year and that is set to continue - FACT
Its cool that you prefer boxing. Each to their own. I think if people became educated in MMA they would appreciate it too as the "spectacle" it is.
Its like comparing street fighting and boxing. Street fighting is a brawl - Boxing is an art. But MMA is a science and an art also.
You should try it sometime.....
I see it doesnt specify Belfast as the venue?
Has this been confirmed?
Thats the talk so far - fighters said Belfast, Media says Belfast but you know yourself how these things work.
Lets hope so!
Indeed
Are you going to Manchester Iceman?
Na its a terrible card and I'm in London at the moment working so don't think its worth the trip up.
Tickets are £50 - £250 - hopefully I'll be about home for the Belfast Night.
I heard Joe McVeigh got a wild card entry and is fighting for the title.....
I've never looked at this UFC stuff. Is it real sport, junk sport or choreography, like "wrestling"?
Its the real deal Hardy.
OK, MMAWeekly says this event is officially UFC 72 and that the card headlined by Silva vs Marquardt is UFC 73.
Rumored Card:
-Rich Franklin vs. Martin Kampmann
-Forrest Griffin vs. TBA (Ramirez?)
-Jorge Gurgel vs. TBA
-Tyson Griffin vs. Clay Guida
Griffin vs Guida - tremendous
Good work Gabriel!
So it may be an actual UFC! I hope they come to Belfast now. Not sure about the truth of some of the rumours floating around as UFC 72 was originally scheduled for July and Gurgel was due to fight then too.
Franklin vrs Kampmann would be a good enough fight but definitely a win fof Franklin - Kampmann just doesn't have the experience though Rich was very hesitant in his last fight - maybe he has lost the killer instinct!
Griffin vrs Guida should be a war!
Now if we could get Tito vrs Evans moved to Ireland we would be on a winner!
What are the rules (roughly)?
Ortiz vs Evans is on UFC 73
QuoteThe current rules for the Ultimate Fighting Championship were originally established by the New Jersey Athletic Control Board.[22] The "Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts" that New Jersey established has been adopted in other states that regulate mixed martial arts, including Nevada, Louisiana, and California. These rules are also used by many other promotions within the United States, becoming mandatory for those states that have adopted the rules, and so have become the standard de facto set of rules for professional mixed martial arts across the country.
Rounds
Every round in UFC competition is five minutes in duration. Title matches have five rounds, and non-title matches have three rounds. There is a one minute rest period between rounds.
Weight divisions
See also: Mixed martial arts weight classes
The UFC currently uses five weight classes:
* Lightweight: 146 to 155 lb (66 to 70 kg)
* Welterweight: 156 to 170 lb (77 kg)
* Middleweight: 171 to 185 lb (84 kg)
* Light Heavyweight: 186 to 205 lb (93 kg)
* Heavyweight: 206 to 265 lb (120 kg)
Cage
The UFC uses an octagonal caged enclosure, "The Octagon", to stage bouts. Originally, SEG had trademarked The Octagon and prevented other mixed martial arts promotions from using the same type of cage, but in 2001, Zuffa gave their permission for other promotions to use octagonal cages (whilst reserving use of the name "Octagon"). Their rationale was that the young sport needed uniformity in order to continue to win official sanctioning.[23]
The cage is composed of an eight-sided metal fencing coated with black vinyl, with a diameter of 11.5 m (38 ft), allowing 9 m (30 ft) of space from point to point. The fence is 1.83 m (6 ft) high. The cage sits on top of a platform, raising it 1.2 m (4 ft) from the ground. It has foam padding around the top of the fence and between each of the eight sections. It also has two entry-exit gates opposite each other.[24]
The mat, painted with sponsorship logos and art, is replaced for each event.
Attire
All competitors must fight in approved shorts, without shoes or any other sort of foot padding. Shirts, gis or long pants (including gi pants) are not allowed. Fighters must use approved light gloves (110 to 170 g / 4 to 6 ounces) that allow fingers to grab. These gloves enable fighters to use tremendous punching power with less risk of an injured or broken hand.
Originally the attire for UFC was very open if controlled at all. Many fighters still chose to wear tight-fitting shorts or boxing-type trunks, while others wore long pants or tight wrestling suits. Multi-time tournament champion Royce Gracie wore a Jujutsugi in all his early appearances in UFC.
Match outcome
Matches usually end via:
* Submission: a fighter taps on the mat or his opponent three times (or more) or verbally submits.
* Knockout: a fighter falls from a legal blow and is either unconscious or unable to immediately continue.
* Technical Knockout: stoppage of the fight by the referee if the referee determines a fighter cannot "intelligently defend" himself; if warnings to the fighter to improve his position or defense go unanswered (generally, two warnings are given, about 5 seconds apart); or by ringside doctor due to injury.
* Judges' Decision: Depending on scoring, a match may end as:
* unanimous decision (all three judges score a win for one fighter),
* split decision (two judges score a win for one fighter with the third for the other),
* majority decision (two judges score a win for one fighter with one for a draw),
* unanimous draw (all three judges score a draw),
* majority draw (two judges score a draw).
* split draw (the total points for each fighter is equal)
A fight can also end in a technical decision, technical draw, disqualification, forfeit or no contest.
Judging criteria
The ten-point must system is in effect for all UFC fights; three judges score each round and the winner of each receives ten points, the loser nine points or less. If the round is even, both fighters receive ten points. In New Jersey, the fewest points a fighter can receive is 7, and in other states by custom no fighter receives less than 7.
Fouls
The Nevada State Athletic Commission currently lists the following as fouls:[25]
1. Butting with the head.
2. Eye gouging of any kind.
3. Biting.
4. Hair pulling.
5. Fish hooking.
6. Groin attacks of any kind.
7. Putting a finger into any orifice or into any cut or laceration on an opponent. (see Gouging)
8. Small joint manipulation.
9. Striking to the spine or the back of the head. (see Rabbit punch)
10. Striking downward using the point of the elbow. (see Elbow (strike))
11. Throat strikes of any kind, including, without limitation, grabbing the trachea.
12. Clawing, pinching or twisting the flesh.
13. Grabbing the clavicle.
14. Kicking the head of a grounded opponent.
15. Kneeing the head of a grounded opponent.
16. Stomping a grounded opponent.
17. Kicking to the kidney with the heel.
18. Spiking an opponent to the canvas on his head or neck. (see piledriver)
19. Throwing an opponent out of the ring or fenced area.
20. Holding the shorts or gloves of an opponent.
21. Spitting at an opponent.
22. Engaging in unsportsmanlike conduct that causes an injury to an opponent.
23. Holding the ropes or the fence.
24. Using abusive language in the ring or fenced area.
25. Attacking an opponent on or during the break.
26. Attacking an opponent who is under the care of the referee.
27. Attacking an opponent after the bell has sounded the end of a round.
28. Flagrantly disregarding the instructions of the referee.
29. Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.
30. Interference by the corner.
31. Throwing in the towel during competition.
When a foul is charged, the referee in their discretion may deduct one or more points as a penalty. If a foul incapacitates a fighter, then the match may end in a disqualification if the foul was intentional, or a no contest if unintentional. If a foul causes a fighter to be unable to continue later in the bout, it ends with a technical decision win to the injured fighter if the injured fighter is ahead on points, otherwise it is a technical draw.[26]
Match conduct
* The referee has the right to stop the fighters and stand them up if they reach a stalemate on the ground (where neither are in a dominant position, nor are working towards one) after a verbal warning. This rule is codified in Nevada as the stand-up rule.
* If the referee pauses the match, the match is resumed with the fighters in the position they were before.
* Any grabbing of the cage will result in a verbal warning, followed by an attempt by the referee to release the grab by pulling on the grabbing hand. If that attempt fails or if the fighter continues to hold the cage, the referee may charge a foul.
When you go through the hits that are not allowed, it leaves an awful lot that you're allowed to do to your opponent. Presumably kicks and knees to any part of the anatomy are allowed (including the head, providing the opponent is not grounded)? What's the death rate among participants?
There's only ever been 1 death in MMA
There has only been one death in the sport of MMA, in an event in Kiev, Ukraine in 1998, where American Douglas Dedge fought against doctor's orders and despite a pre-existing medical condition that was frequently causing him to black out in training (US promoters were unwilling to let him compete with his condition).
His death is unmistakably tragic, and may have been preventable, but this single death in MMA compares favorably to the death toll of boxing over 1200.
MMA has a lot of set rules and regulations now - the UFC in particular does its utmost to protect the fighters first and foremost.
It amazes me, though that in an activity where you can kick and (maybe more dangerously) knee your opponent almost anywhere and strike with a very lightly-gloved fist that there aren't more fatalities and very serious injuries. That's why I'm wondering about the RATE of fatalities and maimings - i.e. the deaths/life-threatening injuries per match or participant. I don't understand how it can be less than the rate in boxing, where you have padded gloves, restricted hitting area, no kicking, elbowing, strangling, whatever, standing counts, fights stopped for cuts, etc.
Well in MMA you target basically the entire body. Boxing is more than 50% to the head - and its brain damage and head injuries which have been the cause of most deaths in boxing.
You'll often see the odd broken arm or limb - but no more than in any other full contact sport. Fighters are smart, when you have submissions the fighter taps out.
The fighter being submitted knows that there is no point in sustaining serious injury - if you are beaten you are beaten.
The fighter applying the submission (like the choke) knows the other guy is going to tap out and the ref is on hand to make sure anything serious doesn't happen.
MMA has come a long way since its bare knuckle origins. Its now a recognised sport.
I think the biggest appeal is the "spectacle" the "wow factor". The underdog winning. The everyday people fighting. The 42 year old, 6ft 2, 230 llbs, former light heavyweight coming out of retirement to fight the 7ft 265llbs Heavweight champion and winning!
Don't forget Randy was a 2 time Heavyweight Champ before he dropped down to light-heavyweight
And saying Sylvia is 7 foot tall is a bit of stretch - he's only 6'8 :P
You know what I mean! :P
Randy didn't make it at Heavyweight against the bigger guys so he dropped down to Ligh Heavyweight.
At the end of the day he's 42, a lot smaller, a lot lighter, he was a HUGE underdog and caused an upset that I will be smiling about for a long time, a la Matt Serra.
He held his own pretty much
He never really lost the HW title anyway - first time - he left the UFC over a contract dispute and the second time he was beaten by a guy who failed a post-fight drug test
Was talking to one of the boys from my club back home and he said Davey Patterson announced he has been approached to enter a local fighter for the show on June 16th.
Davey is probably the best fighter there but at 40 he is too old and isn't fighting anymore.
We reckon Greg Loughran will get the golden ticket or maybe Rodney......
Watch this space!
Confirmed for Saturday June 16th in the Odyssey
Franklin v Kampmann are headlining it & Forrest Griffin is also on the card
Tickets go on general sale this Saturday
I've seen a DVD of bare-knuckle gypsy/traveller grudge fights, mostly held in the west in on farms or in handball alleys, and quite a few along a border in the headlights of 2 4x4s. All filmed on cam-corders. They dont seem to be for money alothough there is betting going on, but are mainly due to family insults. The rules are pretty strict with no hitting on the ground and when a man turns his back the fight is over. Theres a hilarious scene where they visit on travellers caravan for a bit of pre-fight build up and his wife comes out screamin that she'll tear the opponents wife's face off and starts shadow boxin and high kicks. Then the whole family then join in even the granda. lol
That kick in the Cro Cop fight the other night
:o :o :o :o :o :o :o :o
(http://c.photos.cx/CroCopgetsatasteofhisownmedicine...Napaownage-a08.gif)
massive knock out, normally cro is on the giving end of the round house kick than on recieving end
what way did the sale of the tickets go, is there many left!!
look at the way Cro Cops ankle goes under him after the kick, thats bound to have done damage. well, that and the 3 or 4 punches he was hit while knocked out!!
Anyone get tickets for the event?
I'm headin away to USA so can't go :( Loadsa lads from the club going - Progressive Combat have two fighters on the bill - Stevie Lynch and Big C. Both should do well depending on the opponents obviously.
Heard Rich Frankin's opponent had to pull out of the fight so that slot is lookin pretty bare right now.
Also rumours that there may be a Dublin show later this year.
Yushin Okami is filling the void.
He is 4-0 in UFC & just beat Mike Swick
he didnt just beat Mike Swick - he absolutely destroyed and dominated Mike Swick - so much so Swick has now decided to drop to Welterweight. What a division that is!
Middleweight division is pretty empty right now.
should be the first of many good shows in ireland!
Colin Robinson fighting Eddie Sanchez
Steve Lynch fighting Dustin Hazelett
Sanchez is the dude that cro cop knocked out in his first UFC fight - he will be out to prove a point against Big C - though Colin is more than capable with good hands and a decent ground game.
Dustin Hazelett is a lot younger than Stevie (think 17 years!) with great hips on the ground and a solid BJJ background. Stevie hits HARD and has a good enough ground game but is cutting a bit of weight to meet Hazelett in the Octagon. If he keeps his strength he should come through with a good performance.
both fighters have signed a 3 fight deal with the UFC so should be fighting again in Belfast / Dublin / Scotland or somewhere else in England maybe......
Watch this space!
MMAWeekly has the breakdown of main card and prelims:
Main Card Bouts:
-Rich Franklin vs. Yushin Okami
-Forrest Griffin vs. Hector Ramirez
-Tyson Griffin vs. Clay Guida
-Jason MacDonald vs. Rory Singer
Preliminary Bouts:
-Jake O'Brien vs. Tom Murphy
-Ed Herman vs. Scott Smith
-Marcus Davis vs. Jason Dent
-Eddie Sanchez vs. Colin Robinson
-Dustin Hazelett vs. Stevie Lynch
Chuck getting KTFO'd
(http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p262/Cide187/LiddellJackson.gif)
any truth local men Neil "hard as our nails" Loney and tommy "the machine" hamill will be havin a bout to warm up the crowd before the main events start?
Anyone go? Whoever is in charge of running the bars in the main arena should be f**king shot, one of the bars there was 3 people serving. Its as if they were surprised there were loads of people turned up.