Issue 075
May 2011
Your monthly guide to what’s been going on in the world of MMA
Dana Says Women Will ‘Never’ Fight In The UFC
UFC president Dana White has stated he doesn’t expect women will ever fight in the UFC. Upon being ambushed by a reporter from celebrity gossip website TMZ, White was asked when fans can expect to see women in the UFC. He replied with an abrupt: “Never.” However, as recently as 2009 White and co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta had met with female fighting sensation Gina Carano to discuss her joining the company. Whether the UFC could be swayed is up for speculation, however White has often joked that he is occasionally liable to renege on strongly worded statements using the word ‘never’.
UFC Planning Japan Event
America’s top promotion, the UFC, has announced its intention to stage an event in Japan. Company president Dana White said issues previously blocking a Japan visit by the Las Vegas firm had cleared up, and has mentioned that December is a likely date. Speaking to MMA Junkie, White said he was confident the world’s largest MMA organization would stage a Japan show, despite their previous troubles in doing so. White said: “Everything that needs to happen to go to Japan has fallen into place so far, so it’s looking good. It’s on our calendar this year.”
Sengoku Fighters Stage Mass Exodus
Three fighters have been amicably released from their contracts with Japanese fight company Sengoku over fears about the company’s future. The promotion’s middleweight champion Jorge Santiago, American heavyweight Dave Herman and British featherweight Ronnie Mann have all severed ties with the company.
World MMA Awards nominee Jorge Santiago (23-8) reportedly asked for his release in order to take an opportunity with the UFC. The Brazilian’s last fight was an August defense of his Sengoku 185lb title against Kazuo Misaki which saw the pair nominated for ‘Fight of the Year’ at the 2010 Fighters Only World Mixed Martial Arts Awards. Dave ‘Pee Wee’ Herman (20-2) has followed suit and reportedly signed with the UFC, while Shark Fights featherweight champ Ronnie Mann (18-2-1) has moved to Bellator.
Edgar, ‘Rampage’, Mir, Alves, Maynard, Nelson, Torres At UFC 130
A bumper crop of fighters has been confirmed for the massive May 28th UFC 130 in Las Vegas. The main event will be the Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard lightweight title rubber match to finally settle ownership of the 155lb gold. Former champs ‘Rampage’ Jackson and Frank Mir will take on wrestler Matt Hamill and portly Roy Nelson respectively. Jorge Santiago will make his UFC return at the event – after taking the Sengoku middleweight belt in 2009 – and will tackle all-American Brian Stann.
Finally, Thiago Alves will look to keep his form against hardy welterweight Rick Story. Also, vertically gifted heavyweight Stefan Struve is expected to square off with Hawaiian slugger Travis Browne, while pint-sized scrappers Miguel Torres and Brad Pickett throw down in the bantamweight class.
