Photo: Josh Hedges
Wand may have opponent
Not having fought since February 2010, when he beat Michael Bisping at UFC 110, Wanderlei Silva has a possible opponent for his octagon return. As reported by MMAFighting.com, Dana White has admitted to the possibility of Brian Stann, who recently dispatched Chris Leben with a quick knockout at UFC 125, being Wand’s next. Stann has ten wins and three losses on his record and four wins in six fights for the promotion.
UFC in NY
This Thursday at Madison Square Garden in New York, UFC president Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta held a press conference to push for MMA events to be legalized in the state. Their plan is to hold two events in New York per Year, preferably at the world famous Madison Square Garden gymnasium.
“It’s time to bring the fastest growing sport in the world to New York and to Madison Square Garden,” said White. “We know New York is full of UFC fans wanting to watch the event live in their state. With the economic benefits the UFC can bring to New York, the time has come to hold the UFC in Madison Square Garden.”
Lyoto vs. Couture in Toronto
Nothing has been confirmed yet, but all signs point to former champions Lyoto Machida and Randy Couture doing battle in the octagon. According to a number of websites, the fight will likely be held in Toronto and will be on the card for UFC 129, headlined by Georges Saint-Pierre and Jake Shields, as previously reported here on GRACIEMAG.com. Check out the card:
Georges St-Pierre vs. Jake Shields
Randy Couture vs. Lyoto Machida
Phil Davis vs. Matt Hamill
Mark Bocek vs. Ben Henderson
Claude Patrick vs. Daniel Roberts
Rory MacDonald vs. James Wilks
Brian Foster vs. Sean Pierson
Pablo Garza vs. Yves Jabouin
Ivan Menjivar vs. Charlie Valencia
Jason MacDonald vs. Ryan Jensen
Marquardt and Cro Cop confirmed for UFC 128
As previously reported, Nate Marquardt is confirmed – now officially – as Chael Sonnen’s replacement against Yoshihiro Akiyama at the March 19 show in New Jersey. Another confirmed on the card is Raphael Assunção, as well as Ricardo Almeida, Edson Barboza Jr., Joseph Benvidez, Luiz Banha, Cro Cop, and Gleison Tibau, and of course, Maurício Shogun, who will defend his title against Rashad Evans. Check out the card:
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Rashad Evans
Urijah Faber vs. Eddie Wineland
Jim Miller vs. Kamal Shalorus
Nate Marquardt vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama
Brendan Schaub vs. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic
Kurt Pellegrino vs. Gleison Tibau
Ricardo Almeida vs. Mike Pyle
Anthony Njokuani vs. Edson Barboza Jr.
Luiz Cane vs. Karlos Vemola
Joseph Benavidez vs. Ian Loveland
