UFC 182: Starting with a bang

Photo Credit: Zuffa LLC via Getty

By Chris Huntemann, Columnist

The new year is here, and the UFC is hitting the ground running by delivering one of the most anticipated title fights in recent memory: Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier. Ever since their infamous brawl at a promotional event for the fight last year, and an alleged “off-camera” exchange that somehow found its way on-air (which I continue to believe was planned to further develop interest in the fight), this title fight rivals previous ones such as Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen and Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz on the anticipation scale.

But there are other fights on the card that feature competitors who are a hit with the fans, including Hector Lombard and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone. Who do I think will emerge victorious on this particular night’s main card? Read on, dear reader.

Hector “Showeather” Lombard (34-4-1) vs. Josh “The People’s Warrior” Burkman (27-10) (Welterweight – 170 lbs.)

This is Lombard’s first fight in almost a year, which he attributes to fighters being reluctant to face him because he’s allegedly “the most hated guy in the UFC.” Lombard has won three of five in the UFC, with his two losses being close split-decisions. Burkman was kind of a last-minute choice, as he was previously in World Series of Fighting until March of last year. Burkman won four of five in WSOF, with all but one coming with a finish. These guys seem very evenly matched on paper, but I like Burkman to outstrike Lombard for a unanimous decision victory that some might consider an upset.

Winner: Burkman by unanimous decision

Kyoji Horiguchi (14-1) vs. Louis “Goodnight” Gaudinot (7-3) (Flyweight – 125 lbs.)

Horiguchi has been on a tear in the UFC, winning all three of his fights – which includes a TKO of Dustin Pague. Horiguchi’s overall winning streak in MMA goes all the way back to 2012. Gaudinot is coming off a no-contest, preceded by a loss, and I think Horiguchi’s speed and skill will overcome a scrappy Gaudinot.

Winner: Horiguchi by second-round TKO

Brad Tavares (12-4) vs. Nate “The Great” Marquardt (36-13-2) (Middleweight – 185 lbs.)

Tavares rebounded from his loss in The Ultimate Fighter Finale in 2010 to Court McGee by reeling off seven wins in his next eight fights and approaching the fringes of middleweight title contention. Unfortunately, he’s since suffered back-to-back losses to Yoel Romero and Tim Boetsch.

Marquardt is rebuilding his middleweight resume after a run at welterweight, and he's coming off a first-round submission victory over James Te Huna last summer. Tavares loves to scrap, and I’m sure he’ll make Marquardt earn every inch. But, I think the wily veteran Marquardt will show the kid how it’s done.

Winner: Marquardt by unanimous decision

Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone (25-6) vs. Myles “Fury” Jury (15-0) (Lightweight – 155 lbs.)

Speaking of young guys wanting to make a name for themselves, Jury is quickly rising up the lightweight ranks and boasts victories over the likes of Diego Sanchez and Takanori Gomi. Cerrone continues to follow his “anyone, anytime, anywhere” philosophy with EIGHT fights over the last two years, winning six and managing four finishes in a row before his last bout with Bellator import Eddie Alvarez.

Jury is supremely talented, and an upset win over “Cowboy” would put him in the conversation for a title shot. However, Cerrone combines the experience of a veteran with a devil-may-care attitude and a burning drive to finish every fight. Jury may go on to do great things in the lightweight division, but it won’t be in this fight.

Winner: Cerrone by second-round TKO

Jon “Bones” Jones (20-1) vs. Daniel “DC” Cormier (15-0) (Light Heavyweight Title – 205 lbs.)

The history and animosity between these two is well-documented. Jones was able to run through every challenger he’s faced so far, making it look easy while doing so. The only exception is his last title defense against Alexander Gustafsson, which many fans scored for the Swede. Cormier bulldozed Patrick Cummins, who was slinging coffee a week before that fight, and then he threw Dan Henderson around like a rag doll. Cormier's superior wrestling and improved striking helped him prove that Henderson’s best days are far behind him.

If you’re basing this fight purely on resumes, it should be Jones in a cakewalk. Jones is younger, faster and more dynamic in all areas. Cormier is a world-class, former Olympic wrestler who many think can finally get Jones on the ground and keep him there to grind out a victory. I just don’t see it happening. I truly believe that when it’s all said and done, Jon Jones will be the greatest mixed martial artist we’ve ever seen. Cormier will bring everything he’s got, but it won’t be enough.

Winner: Jones by third-round submission

This pay-per-view is the first in a string of shows that feature marquee fights such as Anderson Silva vs. Nick Diaz, Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort and Ronda Rousey vs. Cat Zingano. After a tumultuous 2014 that saw the UFC weather injuries to multiple top fighters and other hardships, UFC 182 represents a great opportunity for the organization to start the new year on the right foot.

Chris Huntemann writes about mixed martial arts in the state of Maryland. He also contributes his thoughts to our site on the UFC, Bellator, and World Series of Fighting. Check out his blog, or follow him on Twitter: @mmamaryland.

A quick fix to a slow-growing problem?

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/MMA Fighting

By Chris Huntemann, Columnist

Much has been made lately about UFC bringing back old faces and signing new ones, with former WWE wrestler CM Punk making the biggest splash. He announced live during UFC 181 earlier this month that he signed a contract with UFC.

The signing of Punk is on the heels of the UFC bringing back famed rebels-without-a-cause Nate and Nick Diaz, and was followed by the company bringing back Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, who left under less-than-pleasant circumstances in 2013, to put it mildly.

Punk’s signing was met with derision by multiple fighters, while Nate Diaz’s return was marred with a missed open workout, missing weight, continued complaints about his pay and a three-round beating by Rafael Dos Anjos. His brother Nick seems to be faring slightly better, landing a main event fight with former middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 183 in late January and staying out of trouble since his most recent arrest.

Not much is known yet about Jackson’s return to the UFC, as it is being contested in court by Bellator MMA and its parent company, Viacom. But the signing of a former pro wrestler with zero MMA experience, brothers who are accomplished fighters but also certifiable pains-in-the-asses and another accomplished fighter who has displayed numerous instances of questionable behavior outside the cage, suggests the UFC may be scrambling for something – anything – to increase fan interest.

Oh yeah, and the UFC is also being sued by former fighters over claims the company has created a monopoly in MMA and doesn’t fairly compensate its fighters. Are all of these occurrences related? It’s possible.

Pay-per-view buy-rates for the UFC are down, no question about it. UFC 177 – which was supposed to feature a rematch between TJ Dillashaw and Renan Barao for the bantamweight title but changed at the last minute after Barao had to withdraw from the bout – received one the lowest buy-rates in recent memory.

What could the UFC do to bring in more fans besides signing pro wrestlers with no experience (though they don’t seem to be alone – Bellator is apparently courting former WWE wrestler Alberto Del Rio and has entered the Brock Lesnar sweepstakes) and bringing back controversial former stars who may have lost a step? The answer is simple, yet complicated.

The buy-rates for UFC PPVs are likely proportionate to the quality of the card being offered. Cards that seemed “stacked” with multiple fights featuring popular fighters (like UFC 181 earlier this month, that featured two title fights and fighters like Anthony Pettis, Gilbert Melendez and Robbie Lawler) still fare pretty well.

But, due to what I believe is an increase in demand for programming from FOX and the presence of UFC Fight Pass, the company has to put on more and more live cards and stretch its roster thin in order to meet this demand. As a result, many live fight cards are headlined by fighters who would normally be on the undercard on PPVs and are supported by fights that wouldn’t even make it on to broadcast.

In layman’s terms, the UFC product as a whole feels very watered down, a sentiment shared by fans:

Haven't missed a UFC PPV since UFC 40 and UFC 149 was one of the worst ever! These weak watered down card HAVE to stop. #UFC 149
— Colin Hollett (@colinhollett) July 22, 2012

#ufc149 this Faber vs Barao fight blows the load UFC PPV's are getting watered down
— Manny (@MannyKicks) July 22, 2012

@danawhite Hey Danal, is the next @ufc ppv gonna be better than that last watered down POS event???
— Timebomb (@Timebomb_101) September 8, 2014

So while reducing the number of live cards is the simple answer, the trade-off for having your product on a platform like one of the big four networks is playing your role to help fill that network’s programming.

So maybe this is the new reality for UFC. Fight cards that feature only one “marquee” bout and several fights featuring unknown fighters. Bringing back fighters that may have lost a step but still bring name recognition. Signing professional wrestlers or other athletes that have no MMA experience, but can bring new viewers with them. While UFC has a future in 2015, it’s very much an unknown one.

Chris Huntemann writes about mixed martial arts in the state of Maryland. He also contributes his thoughts to our site on the UFC, Bellator, and World Series of Fighting. Check out his blog, or follow him on Twitter: @mmamaryland.

Are The Diaz Brothers a Train Wreck Waiting to Happen?

By: Rich Bergeron

The UFC's Diaz brothers continue to offer their bosses one figurative "Stockton Slap" after another. From their now infamous refusal to sit through interviews and press events to their obnoxious, narrowly-framed demands for more money and better opportunities, Nick and Nate Diaz present a serious problem for the UFC brass. They cannot be reigned in, and punishment is futile.

Although I am only a recent convert to MMA fandom, I've watched plenty of fights featuring these two talented brothers. I've caught a few of their interviews here and there as well. At times they gained and lost my respect, taking rebellion to a pointed extreme and exposing their crude nature in a way that only taints the image of the whole sport. Nick sets a bad example for his younger brother in this regard with his long list of offensive actions. He's no role model, but so many people still love this scrappy and mysterious madman. He drives drunk, he smokes weed, he skips press tours, he flips people off, he talks trash to his opponents in the cage, and he continues to refuse to get with the program.

At first, Nate Diaz was humble and willing to remain in the UFC's good graces after his successful stint on The Ultimate Fighter. As if watching his brother struggle with meeting media commitments and staying motivated to fight had a profound impact on Nate, his recent interactions with management have been much more abrasive.

He bit the hand that feeds him repeatedly over the course of the week leading up to his UFC on Fox appearance Saturday night, even coming into the weigh-in heavy. He slept in instead of participating in an open workout, walked out of a pre-fight interview before answering the first question, and criticized the UFC's new Reebok deal and their signing of CM Punk to a fight contract.

"I could to be fired tomorrow. I hope not. I want to work for the UFC forever," Nate said at a recent UFC media event. "But I also would like to be treated like, you know, we're not caged animals. I feel like we're professionals." He went on to explain that "kissing ass" isn't going to help any fighter out there who wants to benefit from new programs like the Reebok deal.

It all only adds more insult to the injury Diaz caused his employers when he raked them over the coals in the press over the past few months for not paying him and other fighters enough. Even Dana White admitted seeing Diaz win Saturday night would make matters more difficult. White told FOX Sports 1, "I don't know what to do with him if he wins. There's a laundry list of problems there."

Rafael Dos Anjos improved to 23-7 with a one-sided beating of the younger Diaz brother, but even the ass kicking didn't humble Diaz. He spent the last few seconds of the fight slapping and smack-talking Dos Anjos. Instead of just proclaiming himself the best in the division, Dos Anjos proved his mettle by dominating Diaz and respectfully called for a title shot. 

Nick Diaz is surprisingly much more reserved than his younger brother these days, but the two still have one thing in common: a problem with financial stability. Both have the skills to turn to the fight game for an income, but both seem equally reluctant to continue on the fight path. Consider Nate's comments in a recent ESPN piece:

"I don't think I'll ever get the work and damage I've done to myself back -- and if I keep going, it's just going to get worse. So, what the f--- am I doing it for?"  

Nate also admitted to fighting Saturday because he needed the money, which is also why his older brother Nick is coming out of retirement to be the first fight on Anderson Silva's comeback trail. Some of Nick's most memorable interviews include him wondering aloud why he even bothers to fight. They both seem inherently discontent with their respective choices to turn fighting into something they now have to rely on to get by.  Both also have obvious issues with anxiety and possibly some deeper behavior problems that may be genetic in nature. Certain people just don't have shut off switches.

Though both brothers have made statements and taken actions I could never agree with, they also bring up some very legitimate and crucial points when they get their jaws flapping in front of a microphone. At times like these, they show a different side to their personalities.

Remember when Nick Diaz retired Frank Shamrock? Rather than rub Frank's nose in the loss, Diaz barked at Frank to get up and finish his career on his feet, even giving him a hand and pulling him up from the ground. It was one of the classiest tributes I've ever seen one fighter make to another even though Diaz flipped Shamrock off at the weigh-ins rather than shake his hand that day. There are also countless times I can recall seeing Nate or Nick all banged up in a fight and somehow continuing to just walk through punches. This is why they both have such a huge fan base despite their outlandish behavior and lofty overconfidence.

So, while these brothers may in some ways be severely misunderstood, the reality is they both became the way they are as a result of their experiences under the UFC umbrella. As much as it might seem disrespectful and wrong for them to be so vocal, their popularity is in many ways bolstered by that bravado and willingness to step forward and stand up for the fighter perspective.

I wish they had cleaner language, a better relationship with the media, and more respect for their opponents. I think maybe then their message would be taken more seriously. Though sometimes I can't imagine why anyone would really look to the Diaz brothers as genuine role models, I am equally impressed with their ability to piss off Dana White while also forcing him to employ their services at the same time.

For their part, the Diaz brothers really can't be faulted for their gritty and grating attitudes if you consider how White became so famous in the first place. Like the kid in that old 80s anti-drug commercial caught by his dad with a stash of weed, the Diaz brothers can always claim, "I learned it from watching you, Dana!" 

As much as their careers are bound to end badly with very little fanfare, these brothers will always be cult classics. Like that line of cars that always stacks up when there's an accident on the side of the highway, the fans of the Diaz brothers continue to wait patiently for the next F-bomb to drop. As long as this dastardly duo continues to treat the fight game as an easy paycheck and expect to be treated like royalty everywhere they go, they will have a hard time creating a solid future for themselves when fighting is no longer an option.

ANDERSON SILVA DISCUSSES GLORY DENVER BOUT

ANDERSON SILVA PRE FIGHT INTERVIEW

Anderson "Braddock" Silva is one of four men fighting in the Heavyweight Contender Tournament, a one-night showdown between some of the best heavyweight striking talent on the planet. Braddock hails from Brazil, and he's in it to win it at GLORY 16 Denver.   Click the image below to watch the video GLORY DENVER LIVE ON SPIKE TV

After UFC 162 win, Mark Munoz would gladly take title shot vs. Weidman

Munoz is Selling his UFC 162 Gear on Ebay to help promote Wrestling!!

by Matt Erickson on Jul 07, 2013 at 3:45 pm ET

Mark Munoz has some ideas if Anderson Silva isn't in the mood for a rematch with Chris Weidman to try to recapture his middleweight title.

Well, really just one idea: He'll take the shot.

Munoz (13-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) returned from a yearlong layoff on Saturday night and tore through Tim Boetsch (16-6 MMA, 7-5 UFC) with a dominant display of ground-and-pound. He's won five of six – with that one loss coming at the hands of Weidman, a brutal knockout in July 2012.

Munoz has issued middleweight title challenges before – when Silva was the king of the mountain. Now that he's finally been dethroned, despite UFC President Dana White saying a rematch is in the cards for Silva if he wants it, Munoz is ready to step up in his stead.

"If Anderson doesn't fight Chris, I would love to step in," Munoz said at the post-event news conference for UFC 162, which took place Saturday at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. "This was the real Mark Munoz tonight. When I fought Chris, I actually had some adversity fighting him. I would really love a rematch with him if (Silva) doesn't take it."

After he beat Chris Leben at UFC 138 in November 2011, Munoz made a few ripples in the middleweight ocean when he said he'd love to fight Silva for the title. He had four straight wins at that point and seven in his past eight, with just a split-decision loss to Yushin Okami keeping him from eight in a row.

But considering Munoz had done some training with the Black House camp Silva is a part of, Silva reportedly found it odd that a sort-of teammate would want to fight him.

That appears to be water under the bridge. Munoz said Silva's loss to Weidman, which came by second-round knockout in UFC 162's main event (after Silva got caught with a punch while dipping and dodging and otherwise clowning around, as critics instantly called it) was one that was disappointing to him – but that the two talked about getting together again in the gym.

"I was disappointed because I know what Anderson can do and what he's capable of," Munoz said. "He got caught tonight. But he'll be back, though. He's a champion. He's been there for so long. I told him I want to train with him, and he said he'll come train."

Munoz's win was a big one for him from an emotional standpoint. After his loss to Weidman, he had an injury he needed to recover from. And he went through a bout of now well-documented depression in which he took his stress out on food.

At one point, Munoz said leading up to the fight with Boetsch, he had ballooned up past 260 pounds. That left plenty of work to do in order to reach 185 pounds again. But he did it, and said before the fight he felt better physically than he ever has before.

After beating Boetsch – landing nearly 200 strikes – Munoz said his right hand was a little sore, and he wasn't sure if it was broken. But one thing that wasn't broken was his spirit. That appears to be renewed in a big way. Now he just hopes it can ultimately lead to a title shot.

"It feels amazing to be back," he said. "I went through a lot of stuff, and I'd just say that adversity is the dust that polishes the diamond. It was my time to shine tonight, and I did. I love being in there – it felt like home. It really did. The stuff I went through is the stuff I think a lot of people go through – and I was just vocal about it. Now, I'm past it.

"It made me a better person and now I'm here – and I'm here to stay."

For complete coverage of UFC 162, stay tuned to the UFC Events section of the site. 

 

Scott Casber - Takedown Wrestling Media - 515-707-8657

Don't Miss UFC 162 Live Tomorrow Night

UFC 162: Silva vs Weidman Live Tomorrow Night UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva defends the title against the undefeated Chris Weidman! UFC 162 presented by Bud Light - live tomorrow night at 10pm ET / 7pm PT on Pay-Per-View andUFC.TV Fight Week Continues In Vegas The biggest UFC Fan Expo to date kicks off today! Plus, UFC 162 weigh-ins, amateur MMA, and more, all leading up to the live event tomorrow night! Visit ufc.com for the full schedule. More Than 50 Guest Fighters To Appear At UFC Fan Expo Thousands of fans will celebrate their passion for America's fastest growing sport through participation in exhibitions, fighter autograph and training sessions, fan-inspired special events and competitions. Plus, UFC Fan Expo 2013 will feature more UFC fighters than any other UFC fan event ever. Be a part of this historic weekend! Tickets Available For Upcoming UFC Events At Ticketmaster.com Great tickets still available for Silva vs Weidman in Vegas - Condit vs Kampmann 2 in Indianapolis and Shogun vs Sonnen in Boston on sale now!

UFC 162: Silva vs Weidman - LIVE on Pay-Per-View - Sat. July 6 - Las Vegas, NV FOX UFC Saturday: Johnson vs Moraga - LIVE on FOX - Sat. July 27 - Seattle, WA

BANG! LUDWIG AT UFC FAN EXPO THIS WEEKEND

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MMA STARS UNITE FOR NEW MOVIE PROJECT

LOS ANGELES - Edward James Olmos and reigning UFC MiddleweightChampion Anderson "The Spider" Silva have signed on for acting roles in "Monday Nights At Seven," a love story set against the intense world of mixed martial arts, according to the independent film's leading actor, director and producer Marty Sader, who announced details for the film today. Sader also launched a Kickstarter campaign today to raise $500,000 in the next 30 days to secure funding for the project.   Sader and co-writer and co-producer Laura Keys, who have been seeking outside investments since 2006 with no success, are now turning to Kickstarter as their financing alternative. Sader and Keys are appealing to MMA enthusiasts and independent film supporters to raise funds for the project.   "The struggle to get the movie made has been an underdog story in itself," said Sader. "I believe in this film and Edward James Olmos, Anderson Silva and Frank Shamrock see the heart and soul as well. With the help of Kickstarter contributions, we hope to start production on 'Monday Nights At Seven' in September."   Sader scored big when legendary screen actor and Oscar nominee Edward James Olmos agreed to produce and have a supporting role in "MondayNights At Seven." After meeting with Sader, Olmos immediately took to the story and has been involved in the day-to-day operations ever since.   From L to R - Ed Soares, Marty Sader, Anderson Silva, Edward James Olmos & Laura Keys    "'Monday Nights At Seven' is a modern take on the underdog story," says Olmos. "It's the human condition that is the hero in this film. By the end, you're cheering for all the characters."   UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva, who fights to defend his title at UFC 162 this Saturday, July 6 versus top contender Chris Weidman, has agreed to play Sader's close friend and training partner in the film. Silva is giving away autographed memorabilia including the walk-in shirt he wears in "Monday Nights At Seven" to lend his support. Silva's personalized items will be among the top prizes offered to people who contribute funds through Kickstarter.   "'Monday Nights At Seven' is going to be an incredible film and I know MMA fans will love it," said Silva. "I am asking everyone in the MMA community to watch our Kickstarter video and join me in supporting Marty Sader and this film. Ossss!"   Former UFC Champion Frank Shamrock is the executive producer of the film. He also has pledged autographed memorabilia from his personal collection for the Kickstarter campaign, as well as a one-on-one training session with him.   "'Monday Nights At Seven' captures the magical bond between a father and daughter while exploring the deepest human emotions: love and fear," said Shamrock. "This film will capture the truth, in the cage and out, of a man whose dreams are our own, whose fears are our own, and one who does something about it."   In an unprecedented move to capture the authenticity of the sport on film, Sader will be stepping into the cage as his character, but fighting an opponent for real. "Monday Nights At Seven" marks the first time in movie history that an unscripted, un-choreographed, actual MMA fight - with no predetermined outcome - will be part of a narrative feature.   Having gone through a 200-pound bodyweight fluctuation for his micro-budget debut independent film, "Most High," Sader has transformed himself again for "Monday Nights At Seven." Over the past four years, he has trained with some of the most respected names in fighting including Greg Jackson, Judo and Grappling Master Gokor Chivichyan, and kickboxing icon Benny "The Jet" Urquidez.   Ed Soares, President of Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) and respected manager of Anderson Silva, is promoting Sader's bout in an upcoming RFA event. Sader will be one of numerous matchups on the card, but his bout will be filmed entirely from start to finish for the actual fight scene in "Monday Nights At Seven."   Sader's decision to fight professionally is one of the main reasons the project is seeking financing through the crowd-funding site, Kickstarter. It seems like a risky move, but according to Olmos, Silva and Shamrock, Sader will be ready.   "Of course," Olmos says, "This adds so much intrigue to the story. You'll have to go see 'Monday Nights At Seven' to see the outcome of the fight."   Watch the Kickstarter video for "Monday Nights At Seven" here:  http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mna7/monday-nights-at-seven   Follow the film's progress via Twitter@gomna7.

The Countdown to UFC 162 Begins Tonight

The Countdown to UFC 162 Begins Tonight Before their championship showdown this Saturday night, see Anderson Silva and Chris Weidman make their final preparations as fight night approaches! Countdown to UFC 162 premieres tonight at 11pm ET/ 8pm PT on FUEL TV Fight Week Hits Vegas Starting Tomorrow! It's the ultimate week-long experience for UFC fans! Featuring the largest gathering of fighters and unprecedented access to UFC stars, the biggest UFC Fan Expo® to date, an Ultimate Poker® tournament, UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony, a free Three Days Grace concert presented by Bud Light®, an exclusive UFC fan party, autograph signings, weigh-ins and UFC® 162. More Than 50 Guest Fighters To Appear At UFC Fan Expo Thousands of fans will celebrate their passion for America's fastest growing sport through participation in exhibitions, fighter autograph and training sessions, fan-inspired special events and competitions. Plus, UFC Fan Expo 2013 will feature more UFC fighters than any other UFC fan event ever. Be a part of this historic weekend! Tickets Available For Upcoming UFC Events At Ticketmaster.com Great tickets still available for Silva vs Weidman in Vegas - Condit vs Kampmann 2 in Indianapolis and Shogun vs Sonnen in Boston on sale now!

UFC 162: Silva vs Weidman - LIVE on Pay-Per-View - Sat. July 6 - Las Vegas, NV FOX UFC Saturday: Johnson vs Moraga - LIVE on FOX - Sat. July 27 - Seattle, WA

Tuff-N-Uff announces July 5 event in Las Vegas as part of UFC Fight Week 2013 action

Finally, Las Vegas' two best mixed martial arts promotions have come together for a holiday spectacular.

As part of the Ultimate Fighting Championship's highly anticipated UFC Fight Week 2013, "Tuff-N-Uff: The Future Stars of MMA" returns to Las Vegas' South Point Arena on Friday, July 5, for the latest installment of its now-legendary nights of entertainment filled with high-paced MMA action, live music, free beer sampling, Papa John's pizza-eating contest and some of Las Vegas' finest BBQ for the promotion's one-of-a-kind "Festibrawl."

"The UFC has always featured the very best professional MMA fighters on the planet, and we've always strived to do the same at the amateur level," Tuff-N-Uff president Barry Meyer said. "For us to now be joining forces for a project as incredible as UFC Fight Week is an amazing accomplishment. We know fans from all over the world will be in Las Vegas to see Anderson Silva face Chris Weidman at UFC 162, and we hope they'll make the five-minute drive to South Point Arena to check out the best amateur talent in the country – truly the future stars of MMA."

The "Festibrawl" pre-party, which includes food, drinks and live music, starts at 5:30 p.m., just moments after the conclusion of the official weigh-ins for "UFC 162: Silva vs. Weidman." UFC contenders Travis Browne, Clay Guida and Erik Perez will be on hand to sign autographs, and the first Tuff-N-Uff fight is at 7:30 p.m.

The "Tuff-N-Uff: Festibrawl" features an incredible six championship bouts, including a long-awaited grudge match between current Tuff-N-Uff lightweight champion Shane "Biggs" Johnson (7-2-1) and former title holder Jake "Rorshach" Swinney (7-2).

The two lightweights were once training partners but have openly feuded since Johnson left his former home at Xtreme Couture. Swinney relinquished the title in 2012 as he looked to turn pro, but an injury slowed those plans. Now he's hoping to win back the title he never actually lost and silence a critic in the process. Meanwhile, champ Johnson is unbeaten in his past seven fights and has defended his belt twice during the impressive run.

In additional championship action, undefeated middleweight titleholder Dylan Jahrling (5-0) puts his perfect record on the line against former light heavyweight champ Khalil "The War Horse" Rountree (5-1).

House of RYU's Jahrling has finished four of his five opponents in the very first round, but he now meets Wanderlei Silva product Rountree, who needed just 49 seconds to earn a win in his first fight at 185 pounds. Both are explosive finishers, and the fight seems certain to deliver fireworks fitting of the Fourth of July weekend.

In additional featured action, welterweight titleholder Jeff "The Bullet" Roman (4-0) meets undefeated challenger Richie "The Boogeyman" Martinez (3-0-1).

Top One Kick Nick product Roman claimed the Tuff-N-Uff title in January with a second-round stoppage of Kawika Lagasca, who was the first fighter to make it past 54 seconds in the cage with the explosive new champ. He'll face top challenger Martinez, who is unbeaten in four amateur fights.

Rounding out the championship action, women's flyweight champ Brenna Larkin (5-0) meets Kari Lichtenwalner (4-4), Steve Ramirez (7-2) faces Jesse Romero (5-4) for the vacant 130-pound title and heavyweights Jesse Cervantes (2-0) and Jermaine McDermott (2-0) will compete for Tuff-N-Uff's heavyweight belt.

In addition to the night's headlining contests, a full lineup of aspiring amateur fighters from some of the world's top academies – including 10th Planet, House of Ryu, One Kick Nick, Syndicate MMA, UFC Gym, Wand Fight Team and Xtreme Couture – will compete at Tuff-N-Uff's July 5 "Festibrawl."

Tickets for the event, which start at just $25, are available by calling the South Point Arena Box Office at (702) 797-8055 or online at SouthPointArena.com.

Pink Spot Vapors presents Tuff-N-Uff, brought to you by Findlay Kia, Glen Lerner Injury Attorneys, Las Vegas Nutrition Center and TapouT Hybrid. UFC contenders available for signing are subject to change.

The full fight card is available for viewing at TuffNUff.com. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tuffnuff. Follow us on Twitter at @tuffnuff.

Come see the future stars of mixed martial arts.

Don't Miss UFC 153 Live Tomorrow Night

Silva vs Bonnar Live Tomorrow Night - Can The American Psycho Upset The Spider? Middleweight king Anderson Silva moves up to 205-pounds in the UFC for the third time to face TUF season one finalist Stephan Bonnar, who is coming off three straight victories en route to facing Silva. Plus, Minotauro Nogueira returns to take on Dave Herman, Glover Teixeira battles Fabio Maldonado and Jon Fitch and Erick Silva go toe-to-toe! UFC 153 presented by Bud Light - tomorrow night at 10pm ET / 7pm PT Live on Pay-Per-View and UFC.TV See The Prelims Live On FX Tomorrow Night Before the action hits Pay-Per-View, see the prelims live tomorrow at 8pm ET / 5pm PT on FX Watch The UFC 153 Weigh-In Live Today on UFC.com or FUEL TV Fighters hit the scales at approximately 3pm ET / 12pm PT

UFC 153: Silva vs Bonnar on Pay-Per-View - Sat. Oct. 13 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

UFC Returns To Seattle - Tickets On Sale This Week

Henderson and Diaz Battle For The Lightweight Title In Seattle - Tix On Sale This Week Lightweight champion Benson Henderson defends the title against Nate Diaz, plus former champ BJ Penn returns to take on rising contender Rory MacDonald, Shogun faces Alexander Gustafsson and Mike Swick battles Matt Brown! UFC Fight Club presale starts Wednesday, October 3 at 10am PT - join today for first access to tickets!

TICKETS ON SALE THIS WEEK UFC: Henderson vs Diaz Saturday, December 8  KeyArena - Seattle, WA  UFC Fight Club Presale Starts Wednesday, October 3 - 10am PT Join today for first access to tickets! UFC VIP Packages On sale Wednesday, October 3 - 10am PT Purchase UFC Newsletter Presale Starts Thursday, October 4 - 10am PT Presale Password: WASHINGTON Purchase Public On-Sale Starts Friday, October 5 - 10am PT Purchase

UFC on FX: Browne vs Bigfoot on FX - Fri. Oct. 5 - Minneapolis, MN UFC 153: Silva vs Bonnar on Pay-Per-View - Sat. Oct. 13 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil