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If you thought live counter-programming was the only trick the UFC has up their sleeve for Strikeforce on April 17, you might be sorely mistaken. They may be going after Strikeforce’s ticket sales too.

The venue for the proposed UFC event has not been settled upon, though speculation centers on Vanderbilt University’s Memorial Gymnasium in Nashville. Tennessee Athletic Commission Executive Director Jeff Mullen told Sherdog.com the UFC had not yet applied for a permit.

For those that aren’t familiar with Nashville, the Bridgestone Arena and Vanderbilt University are literally only two miles apart. If Tennessee mixed martial arts fans have the choice between attending a UFC event live or a Strikeforce event, you know a lot are going to hit up the UFC show even if their card is weaker, and I wouldn’t put it past the UFC to give away boatloads of tickets if they have to just to screw Strikeforce. All is fair in love and war I suppose, but damn, that would just be downright mean.

By the way, Mike Swick will not fight Matt Serra on the card. He has a pretty serious arm injury that will likely need surgery. The other big rumor out there is that James Toney would make his debut against Kimbo Slice, but all actual reports on Kimbo and Toney suggest otherwise. The rumor is coming from Carmichael Dave who’s close with Dana White though, so you never know.

One other tidbit, and it probably goes without saying, but word is Strikeforce’s future with CBS may be heavily dependent upon the ratings of the Nashville show.

Update: More from Dave Meltzer:

On Thursday, UFC president Dana White confirmed a live show on the same date, “Ultimate Fight Night 22,” on Spike TV. While UFC countered an Affliction pay-per-view show in 2008 with a live event featuring Anderson Silva, if things don’t change this time, it will be the first time the two top promotions run major nationally televised events simultaneously.

No matches are confirmed for the UFC show, however. Thursday, White attempted to make Matt Serra vs. Mike Swick, but that will be impossible since Swick just suffered an arm injury and will likely need surgery. UFC sources indicated Kimbo Slice vs. James Toney was under consideration, but the talks hit snags.

No site has been confirmed for the UFC show, although it is known at least two locations are under consideration in the state of Tennessee, including Nashville’s Vanderbilt University.

So it’s definitely happening, the questions are with who and where?

Check out Mike Swick, Roger Huerta and friends eating bugs in Thailand. I’m not talking about a bunch of little crickets either, I’m talking about cockroaches the size of a chicken finger. Yummy.

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UFC 109 took place earlier this evening at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In the night’s main event, Randy Couture and Mark Coleman finally met in the Octagon.

In the co-main event, Nate Marquardt and Chael Sonnen battled it out for a shot at the UFC middleweight title.

Demian Maia returned to action against Dan Miller.

Frank Trigg fought for his job against Matt Serra.

Mike Swick stepped in to take Paulo Thiago.

Results, thoughts, bonuses and live gate (when available) after the jump.

Paulo Thiago faces off against Mike Swick on Feb. 6 at UFC 109.

Mike Swick takes on Paulo Thiago on Feb. 6 at UFC 109.

Here’s another face to take off the UFC 109 poster.

MMA Fighting is reporting that Josh Koscheck has sustained an injury that will take him off the Feb. 6 card. The good news is the UFC has already found Paulo Thiago an opponent, Mike Swick.

Mike Swick has agreed to step in for his injured American Kickboxing Academy teammate Josh Koscheck on short notice and face Paulo Thiago (12-1) at UFC 109 on Feb. 6.

MMAFighting.com learned of the new bout after reporting Koscheck’s decision to pull out of his scheduled fight against Thiago earlier Monday.

With Anderson Silva, Lil Nog and Koscheck all off the card with injuries, that leaves Randy Couture and Mark Coleman as the only original poster-worthy match-up still intact. Kinda funny if the two fighters well into their forties are the ones who actually make to February injury-free.

UFC 105 took place earlier today at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England.

In the night’s main event, Randy Couture returned to the light heavyweight division to take on Brandon Vera.

Dan Hardy and Mike Swick fought for a potential welterweight title shot against Georges St. Pierre.

Michael Bisping looked to rebound from his humbling defeat at the hand of Dan Henderson in a middleweight match-up against Denis Kang.

James Wilks looked to get his first victory since winning season 9 of The Ultimate Fighter against TUF 7 veteran Matt Brown.

The other TUF 9 champ, Ross Pearson took on Aaron Riley in a lightweight contest.

Results, thoughts, bonuses and live gate (when available) after the jump.

UFC 105 will take place tomorrow, November 14, at the Manchester Evening News Arena in Manchester, England and will air on Spike TV at 8PM ET.

If you’re the gambling type, we recommend visiting BetUS. BetUS is currently offering a $75 sign-up bonus.

Odds below are from BetUS and are subject to change. Feel free to check out the live lines on our UFC Betting Odds page for the most up-to-date betting odds.

The Fights

Minus (-) = favorite | Plus (+) = underdog

With a line of -150 & +150, you would have to wager $150 to win $100 if you’re picking the favorite. You would win $150 for every $100 if you bet on the underdog assuming he won.

Good luck!

Preview and picks after the jump.

Images via CombatLifestyle.com