MMAConvert.com

As the talk for one UK UFC event winds down comes talk for another. According to a report at UK based website MMABay, the UFC plans on returning to England in February for what will presumably be UFC 95.

Hot on the heels of UFC 89 this weekend in Birmingham, Mmabay can EXCLUSIVELY reveal that the UFC are set to return to England in February 2009 for an event, likely to be UFC 95.

Following the event it was mentioned to a member of the Mmabay team by more than one source that the promotion intended to return in February, following the Superbowl card. As well as this it was revealed that London and O2 arena, where the UFC have made their UK home, would again be the venue.

It looks like the UFC is holding two events in January again next year. According to a report Yahoo! EuroSport, the UFC is headed to the O2 Arena in Dublin, Ireland on Jan. 17 to hold UFC 93. The Super Bowl weekend event which is believed to be headlined by the GSP vs. BJ Penn II mega fight would become UFC 94.

It appears they already have a few names in mind for the trip to Ireland.

And early indications suggest Rich Franklin could possibly take on Chuck Liddell or Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua in a stand-out headliner at the new arena, which officially opens on December 21.

Another rumoured fight being considered for the event is the much-anticipated welterweight showdown between Matt Hughes and Matt Serra.

As part of the UFC’s international expansion plan, the UFC is making a major promotional push in the Philippines with plans of running an event there sometime in 2009. Brandon Vera, because of his Filipino descent, has been the face of the expansion into the Philippines thus far, however as you can see from the above video, Chuck Liddell is pretty popular there too.

The GAEC has released the fighter payouts for UFC 88 “Breakthrough.” Keep in mind, these figures represent the base contracted pay the fighter receives from the promotion. These figures do not include any additional “locker room” bonuses or sponsorship money, which in many cases exceeds a fighter’s base pay. These numbers also do not account for taxes, insurance, and license fees.

Not surprisingly, Chuck Liddell was by far and away the night’s big money winner earning $500k to get knocked out cold. Rashad Evans, Dan Henderson, and Rich Franklin did well for themselves taking home $120k, $250k, and $100k, respectively.

Payouts

Courtesy of MMA Junkie:

• Rashad Evans: $60,000 + $60,000 win bonus
  Chuck Liddell: $500,000
• Rich Franklin: $50,000 + $50,000 win bonus
  Matt Hamill: $10,000
• Dan Henderson: $100,000 + $150,000 win bonus
  Rousimar Palhares: $7,000
• Nate Marquardt: $28,000 + $28,000 win bonus
  Martin Kampmann: $15,000