January 8, 2002
NEW
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Heavyweight (205-264.9 lbs) #1: Randy Couture #2: Rodrigo Nogueira #3: Josh Barnett #4: Mark Coleman #5: Pedro Rizzo |
Light Heavyweight (185-204.9 lbs) #1: Tito Ortiz #2: Vanderlei Silva #3: Dan Henderson #4: Chuck Liddell #5: Kazushi Sakuraba |
Middleweight (170-184.9 lbs) #1: Dave Menne #2: Matt Lindland #3: Paulo Filho #4: Ikuhisa Minowa #5: Murilo Bustamante [new entry into weight class] |
Welterweight (155-169.9 lbs) #1: Matt Hughes #2: Carlos Newton #3: Hayato Sakurai #4: Pat Miletich #5: Anderson Silva |
Lightweight (145-154.9 lbs) #1: Jens Pulver #2: BJ Penn #3: Takanori Gomi #4: Caol Uno #5: Din Thomas |
From the event’s promoter: WFA FIRST MIDDLEWEIGHT BELT UP FOR GRABS JHUN AND ANDRE RETURN TO FINISH BUSINESS… February 2nd is destined to be a night of mixed martial arts magic as the World Fighting Alliance makes it return to Las Vegas. The WFA’s second installment promises to top its first with even more electrifying sights and sounds, and fans are invited to go "where the fight club meets the night club" – this time at the beautiful Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino’s 8,000 seat Events Center. At the heart of the excitement are seven of the sport’s most anticipated match-ups, including the WFA’s very first title fight of the year. Ron "The Machine Gun" Jhun and Jermaine "Bamm-Bamm" Andre make their way back to the cage after a fierce encounter at the previous show. From the moment these warriors first clashed, it was a non-stop exchange of fists and knees. Andre was able to come away with the win via referee stoppage – a stoppage some say was premature, and left the fans screaming for more. To put the controversy to rest, the WFA will bring these two warriors together once again. This time, though, the victor will walk away with WFA Middleweight Championship belt around his waist. A devastating striker, Bamm-Bamm is out to prove the first time was no fluke. Is he happy with the win he earned from their previous fight? "I wasn’t done! I wasn’t yelling to the referee, ‘Hey, come stop the fight.’ I was just getting started!" Though respectful of his opponent’s skills, he is eager to give it another go with the aggressive Machine Gun. "There are reasons for having the rematch. Like I said, I wasn’t done. And Ronald’s a tough guy. I don’t mind re-matching him. I don’t mind giving him another chance." The Machine Gun had this to say of their last battle: "I felt is was a bad call, but I’m not going to take anything away from Jermaine. He’s a tough fighter. I felt like I did what I trained to do. There was a moment where I might have hesitated too long but… I guess we’re going to have to find out on February 2nd!" With an MMA record of 22-5 and a reputation for rapid-fire punching, this Hawaiian native promises not to disappoint. Whatever the outcome may be, this match-up is sure to entertain. Don’t miss out on the action. Tickets for this event are already on sale and can be purchased through the Mandalay Bay website (www.mandalaybay.com), Mandalay Bay’s Box office (702-632-7580), and through all TicketMaster locations (Ticketmaster WFA 2 Purchase Page). Ticket prices range from $30, $50, $65, and $100. Fans will also have the opportunity to enjoy the show ringside via $1000 VIP couch seating (5 seats per couch). Visit the WFA’s official web site for exclusive interviews and bio information on the entire card. (The World Fighting Alliance website) Fore more event information, please contact: Paula Romero, WFA Event Coordinator promero1@nyc.rr.com |
Full Contact Fighter returns to MSG (Madison Square Garden) Network tonight at 11:30PM (Eastern time) for a new season. The season opener is a UFC 35 preview show that will include an exclusive feature on "The Prodigy" BJ Penn. The season opener will also air on the Sunshine network on January 11, 2002 (Thursday night/Friday morning) at 1:00 AM. TSN will rebroadcast the season opener on Wednesday(1/9) at 7:30 PM, Thursday(1/10) at 1:00 AM & Friday(1/11) at 5:00 AM. Check with your local cable or satellite provider and your local listings. |
UFC Meet-n-Greet Charms New York By Loretta Hunt As snow fell on New York City for the first time this winter season, mixed martial arts fans made their way through the flurry of frosty flakes to Hooter’s bar and restaurant on 56th St. and 7th Ave. to attend the UFC’s Meet-n-Greet this Monday evening. Although attendance was lacking (maybe 30 or so made it out), the fans that did come out were treated to the unexpected — an intimate evening with UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Tito Ortiz and UFC president Dana White. The event was sponsored by popular local station 92.3 FM "K Rock" whose representatives were on hand to give out calendars, CDs, New Jersey Devils hockey tickets, and WWF Smackdown pro-wrestling tickets among other items. Dana and crew brought UFC bags as well as Tito Ortiz stickers, trading cards, and autograph cards which Tito gladly signed for all who asked. Highlights of UFC 34 played on a television in the background as attendees settled at tables to discuss UFC 35’s card, just days away. Dana made his way around the room, much to the delight of many onlookers, striking up conversations with some that lasted twenty minutes or more. Even without his entourage, Tito Ortiz is still larger than life when he walks into a room and his friendliness and approachability made for a relaxed atmosphere. Fans were also treated to fellow Team Punishment member Phil Baroni, who came to lend his support and sign autographs for fans that were undoubtedly impressed with the incredible heart he showed in his last match-up against Matt Lindland. Healing from a broken right hand that has sidelined him from competing this Friday, Phil spoke of his hopes of getting back into the Octagon for the upcoming Las Vegas show on March 22nd. When asked who he’d like to be squared off against, Phil said he’d fight anybody, but quickly added that he’d like another shot at Lindland. Tito had this to say about the event. "It’s nice to be in New York. It’s the heart of the nation. To see what happened on September 11th, it gave me a little shock to look out the window of my hotel and realize that I’m in New York. It’s a little scary, but at the same time, we’re safer than ever and I’m happy to be an American for sure." Turning his attention to his next opponent in March — the formidable Vitor Belfort, Tito stated he "hopes Belfort shows up, because if he does, it will be a great match. He said he’s ready to fight. I heard he was doing some acting in Brazil on a soap and I got scared that he was going to pull out of fighting. But it looks like he will fight and he might have to do horror films after I’m done with him.". When asked what he thought of the weather, the California native laughed and said he’s "got to get a taste of the winter once in a while." As the night wound down, Dana once again walked around the room, handing out UFC T-shirts to the remaining attendees. He seemed undaunted by the turnout. Although this night far lacked in the numbers that the Mohegan Sun will see this Friday night, gauging by the beaming faces that left to brave the cold as they made their way home, the evening was a success. |
A Quick Chat with UFC president Dana White By Loretta Hunt Attending Monday night’s UFC Meet-n-Greet in New York gave me the chance to corner UFC president Dana White and throw a couple of questions his way. I took the opportunity and ran with it. Here’s what I came up with… Hi Dana. How are you doing? Great. What are your thoughts on the attendance for tonight’s Meet and Greet? What will you be doing tomorrow? We’re here to visit cable call centers and we’ll be doing some radio. We’ll [Tito Ortiz and Dana] be on "Opie and Anthony." I’m sorry I don’t have the times, but they’re the big "drive time" guys. [The Opie and Anthony show airs weekdays from 3 to 7 PM on WNEW 102.7 FM in New York. The show is syndicated across the U.S.] Why will there not be a press conference for UFC 35? So you took the press conference on the road? What fights are you looking forward to Friday night? We know that the Ortiz-Belfort fight is a go. Care to throw any UFC 36 tidbits the hungry fan’s way? It’s definite? What about Carlos Newton? You’re going to make us all fly out to Vegas. Thanks Dana. |