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The heat-up begins for UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi (where Renzo Gracie is treated as a main eventer)
By Zach Arnold | April 7, 2010
If you have not read our Countdown to UFC 112 article, go read it. Then come back here to this post.
Regarding the media attention and fan demand for the Abu Dhabi event, it can be summed up in one word — big. A huge crowd showed up yesterday at Virgin Megastore in Dubai to do an autograph & photo session with UFC fighters. The Gulf News has a profile article on the show, including comments from both Anderson Silva and Demian Maia about how unique the event is going to be this weekend.
When the news first came out that UFC would be running an outdoor event in Abu Dhabi, I questioned whether or not they would be able to get the arena set up in time to make it happen. I’m pretty optimistic that everything will go smoothly, though I’m reading several articles with some handwringing about what should happen if there’s too much wind or rain or if something bad happens and there is “no Plan B.”
If you are looking for information on where you can view the UFC event locally in your area, check out the Joe Hand Promotions web site.
Before we get onto various news links about the UFC 112 card, we have to mention the story regarding gossip sites claiming Dana White has ran up huge gambling debts in Las Vegas. The LV Review-Journal debunks those claims.
Onto the UFC 112 article links:
- The National (Arab Emirates): BJ Penn says he doesn’t think about the Lightweight weight belt any more (way to put it over, champ)
- The National: Demian Maia, journalist at heart
- The National: Renzo Gracie reflects on fighting in “second home” of Abu Dhabi (Renzo is being treated as the main eventer on this show even though Penn and Anderson Silva have gotten good media coverage)
- The London Telegraph: Demian Maia wants to emulate Gracie family by submitting Anderson Silva
- The London Telegraph: Terry Etim hoping Rafael Dos Anjos looking for MMA fight and not grappling match
- The London Telegraph: Renzo Gracie says that even his wife doesn’t want him to quit MMA
- ESPN UK: Terry Etim writes about his thoughts of landing in Abu Dhabi
- Yahoo Sports: Renzo Gracie upset with way Royce Gracie performed against Matt Hughes years ago at Staples Center
- Heavy: A Matt Hughes career retrospective
- The Orange County Register: UFC 112 open workout quotes
Other news & notes
A closer look at the upcoming Bellator Lightweight Tournament featuring Roger Huerta.
A profile article on Ultimate Fighter contest Rich Attonito.
The strength coach for Team Quest has some interesting comments about weight loss.
The Gotham Gazette has an article on Matt Serra and the issue of punching, kicking, and wrestling for revenue in the state of New York.
The Las Vegas Sun and Fighthype have quotes and comments from King Mo about his upcoming fight against Gegard Mousasi on 4/17 for Strikeforce in Nashville.
Ever thought about becoming an MMA judge? Read one man’s path on becoming a sanctioned MMA judge.
The Guardian newspaper in the UK asks if women can cut it in “the macho world” of MMA.
Internet arguing about Bobby Lashley.
Topics: Media, MMA, StrikeForce, UFC, UK, Zach Arnold | 2 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
That Hughes article was terrible. They even got his debut wrong. When newb reporters are too lazy now to even check the fight finder, all is lost.
The Hughes retrospective was brutal.