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Anderson Silva Being Added To UFC 89 To Seal Deal With Spike TV? (Update II)
July 26th, 2008
For an England card, UFC 89 is looking pretty good. We already have solid fights with Michael Bisping and Chris Leben, Lyoto Machida and Thiago Silva and Sokoudjou and Luiz Cane. Not bad, right?
Well, it turns out UFC 89 may get even better. With the UFC running UFC 90—a pay-per-view event—the following weekend, UFC 89 makes for a great card to put free on Spike TV. However, it’s been reported that without a big main event, Spike TV has been unwilling to pay large rights fees to broadcast the event.
Dana White Confirms UFC 90 In Chicago On October 25
July 18th, 2008
The rumor that the UFC would be holding a major pay-per-view event just one week following UFC 89, has now been confirmed by Dana White. UFC 90 will take place at the Allstate Arena in Chicago on October 25.
White confirmed the news to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Chicago is a huge market for us. We track pay-per-view buys for our events and ratings on Spike TV, and Chicago is a killer market for us.
UFC 89 To Air Free On Spike TV; UFC 90 A Week Later?
July 3rd, 2008
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, the UFC will be giving us UFC 89 “Leben vs Bisping” free on Spike TV. The card, as its titled, will be headlined by a middleweight clash that was originally scheduled for UFC 85 between contenders Chris Leben and Michael Bisping. The event will take place at the NIA in Birmingham, England on October 18. It was also recently reported that a welterweight matchup between Diego Sanchez and Thiago Alves is scheduled for the event. It seems plausible that this fight could determine the next number one contender in the welterweight division considering Alves all but had the spot locked up if he beat Matt Hughes until he came in four pounds heavy.
So why is the UFC giving us this event for free? Well, it appears the UFC is planning to run a major pay-per-view event, likely UFC 90, right on its heels on October 25. Meltzer didn’t have any further details, although there have been rumors of the UFC wanting Wanderlei Silva to fight in October.
Keep in mind that EliteXC is planning its third CBS card for October and Affliction is looking around November 1 as a possible date for their second event. EliteXC likely won’t go with October 18 or 25, so we may end up having four consecutive weekends of major MMA events!
The latest UFC 89 “Leben vs Bisping” fight card and event info can be found in our fight cards section.
UFC 89: Chris Leben Evolution Of An Icon Web Documentary Preview
July 1st, 2008
Nice idea. Why wait for the UFC to promote you when you can do it yourself?
CR: MMAMania.com
Michael Bisping & Chris Leben To Headline UFC 89 UK Event
June 27th, 2008
The UFC’s head of the UK, Marshall Zelaznik, has announced that TUF alum Michael Bisping and Chris Leben will headline UFC 89, which is scheduled to take place on October 18 in Birmingham, England. Bisping and Leben were originally scheduled to compete at UFC 85 until Leben was forced to withdraw due to a stint in the slammer. Leben was replaced by Jason Day, who Bisping easily dispatched in the first round.
Is Wanderlei Silva’s Next Opponent Thiago Silva?
June 24th, 2008
Photo property of UFC.com
After breaking out of his slump at UFC 84, one of the bigger questions in upcoming fight pairings has been who will Wanderlei Silva be fighting next? Wanderlei was allegedly offered a fight against Brandon Vera at Ultimate Fight Night 14 on July 19, but turned it down due to inadequate time to prepare. The two other heavily rumored names have been Lyoto Machida and Thiago Silva.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, Wanderlei was given the choice between the two, and he apparently chose Thiago. The bout is believed to be taking place in October, presumably at UFC 89, which scheduled to take place in Birmingham, England on the 18th.
Silva vs Silva would be a great matchup, and would likely get Wanderlei very close to a title shot if he were to defeat the younger Brazilian. While Wanderlei certainly has the edge in experience, this would be by no means a gimme for the former PRIDE Middleweight Champion. Thiago is similar to Wanderlei in the fact that he has solid striking skills and great Jiu-Jitsu. Wanderlei certainly has the edge in intensity and aggression, but Thiago isn’t quite what you would call a laid back fighter either. It would be Thiago’s toughest test to date and a victory would certainly propel him near the top of the heap in the UFC’s light heavyweight division.
