Sherk, Franca fail CSAC drug tests

Sean Sherk tested positive for Mandrolone Metabolite after his July 7 fight with Hermes Franca where he successfully defended his UFC lightweight title. The CSAC has fined him $2,500 and has suspended him for a year. Sherk is expected to appeal the suspension and should he lose, I don't see any way that the UFC keeps the lightweight title on him. If for no other reason than it is not good to have the belt out of commission for 1 entire year.

As for Franca, he tested positive for Drostanolone and is also being fined and suspended $2,500 and 1 year. He issued a statement confessing to the failure and explaining that he took the drug to help heel an ankle injury about 8 weeks prior to his fight with Sherk.

In California the Athletic Commission does not have the power to over-turn an official decision like the Nevada State Athletic Commission does.

All UFC fighters on the Sacramento event were drug tested but not all the results have been made available yet. However, we know that Mark Bocek, Frank Edgar, Jason Gilliam and Chris Lytle have all passed their tests.

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Casey's Commentary: Live Round-by-Round Coverage, UFC 73 'Stacked'

Hello all and welcome to our live coverage of UFC 73 'Stacked'. The full report will start at 10:00 PM ET.

CARE/Other Vuz, Vuz, Vuz, Jabroni Roundtable Preview - UFC 73 'Stacked'

All the good stuff is behind the cut, refresh your browser for the latest.



After the dark fights ended, here was the standings for the CARE/Jabroni Preview.

1. Casey, Art, Ric and Wade: 4-0
   
2. Scott: 3-1
   
3. Euan and Mark Danger: 2-2

The opener contains the men in the 3 top matches talking smack. People are threatening to make other people lose.

Mike Goldberg calls this the most stacked sport in Mixed Martial Arts and he actually said combat sports. Ooook, Mikey.

Joe Rogan has no idea who will win tonight. I'd make a joke about not looking at the format sheet but that's more of a WWE and TNA deal.

The talking heads run down the rest of the fight card. In the case of UFC it doesn't bother me because most people don't know the undercard...It is a pain when WWE and TNA remind us of what we've paid for already.

Heavyweight Bout:
"The Texas Crazy Horse" Heath Herring: 29, 6'4, 259, 27-12-1 (+600)
Vs.
"Minautoro" Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira: 31, 6'1, 240.5, 29-4-1, (-1000)
Referee: Yves Lavigne

R1: Nogueira takes Herring down pretty quickly, right after Rogan said how confident Herring appeared. Nog has side control and Herring is going for the left leg hoping to pull to half guard. He keeps working and instead gets to his feet to a crowd pop.
Heath hits a nice high-kick. They continue to exchange on the feet. Crowd is booing, and that's a little unfair. Nog hits a right then a straight punch which knocks Herring back but not down. Herring's nose is bloody but he hits a body kick.
Herring tries a high-kick again but Nog has none of it. Knee from Nog and he's winning the standup and thus the round. Herring just clobbers Nogueira with a huge headkick and he's got Nogueira in big big trouble. Herring didn't really try to finish.

Scoring: It was Nogueira's round until the head kick hak it became Herring's round. Suddenly, I'm regretting some of the things I said to Art. 10-9 Herring

R2: I don't know why Herring isn't pressing harder for the finish. He's just hitting some legkicks and the crowd is booing again, these fans are fickle.
Nogueira is recovering and is back in the fight. Herring did nothing in that first minute and I don't get it. Nog takes Herring down and in to side control. Herring just went to the well one too many times with that same kick as Gorilla Monsoon would say.
Herring is able to escape from the full mount that Nogueira had him in and we're back up to a standing position. I want my pizza to get here, Scott and I are hungry. Our friend Duane is in a world of hurt on the floor but he was not put there by either one of us.
Nog is pressing the action and the crowd starts to boo. These fans are impatient, I'll give them that much.
Nogueira takes Herring down near the end of the round.

Scoring: Minautoro took this one 10-9.

R3: Pizza is here. Herring is taken down early in the round and Nogueira gets his back. He looks for a choke but Herring is able to escape. Herring able to eventually work back to his feet believe it or not.
Herring is in need of a big shot. He hits a nice body shot but eats a right in response> Herring again tries the high-kick and again it misses. It remains standing the rest of the round.

Scoring: Giving it to Nog 10-9.

Eddie Bravo gives it 29-28 Nogueira as well.

Winner: Antonio Rodrigo "Minautoro" Nogueira - Unanimous 29-28 decision.

Rogan interviews him and Nogueira says nothing I can understand.

Up Next, Sherk Vs. Franca.

I'll bet Art is pissed at Herring and so is anyone who bet on him.

While Sherk-Franca is next first we get an extended UFC 74 'Respect' promo.

Franca says in order for Sherk to win, he must stop his heart. Then there will be a Hermes Franca tribute show.

Franca comes out to Crazy Train which means he's a great man.

Lightweight Championship Bout:
Hermes Franca: 32, 5'6, 154.5, 18-5-0 (+200)
Vs.
"The Muscle Shark" Sean Sherk: 33, 5'6, 154.5, 29-2-1 (-260)
Referee: Big John McCarthy

R1: Hermes Franca gets on the ball quickly and hooks a guillotine choke but Sherk is able to escape. The fight is like 30 seconds old at this point.
Sherk is able to pass from Side control to a full mount. Thus far, Sherk has not done a lot with the position which is one he prefers. It goes back in to side control.
Sherk is just moving and pounding and shifting and being all dominant but Franca isn't taking a lot of damage. Franca briefly reverses to the top position but Sherk reverses back

Scoring: Round 1 for Sherk 10-9. Franca started strong but Sherk was strong for longer.

R2: Franca catches Sherk with a big knee starting the round, but again Sherk is able to escape the trouble that was on him after it. He's not liking the early seconds of each round.
Sherk has moved Hermes to the North-South position. This has been a ground battle largely. Hermes gets the top position and tries for another choke but it is very difficult to get a choke on Sherk. The round comes to an end.

Scoring: Hard for me to score as I had to do a little bit of research but I'll go Franca 10-9. Serk did more controlling but Franca did more damage.

R3: Sherk avoids the shoot early which was his trouble the first two rounds but he takes Franca down in to half guard. Sean had Franca in a north-south choke but Franca roles free.
Crowd is starting to boo for lack of action. Sherk is just such a controlling fighter, Franca is able to escape his clutches for a brief moment but is promptly taken back down.
Sherk just controls him the rest of the round which comes to a close. Sherk is in much better condition than Franca.

Scoring: Sherk's round 10-9. He did little, Franca did less.

R4: Franca nails another knee but Sherk takes him right back down. Franca has to be frustrated at this point. Sherk just taking him down at will now. Franca able to escape again and this time when he gets back up he moves away...but this lasts only a moment as you guessed it, Sherk takes him back down, this time in to side control.
Sherk just does what Sherk does to win the round.

Scoring: Sherk 10-9 I'm sensing a pattern here.

R5: Sherk slams Franca down again and easily passes. Franca is bloodied up and taken down.
Franca keeps trying things and they just keep not working. Not much happening and the crowd as booing as time ticks down to the end of the fight and a Sherk victory.

The crowd politely cheers the end of the fight.

Scoring: Sherk's round 10-9. I've got Sherk 49-46 but 50-45 is very possible.

Eddie Bravo gives it 49-46 for Sherk.

Winner: Sean Sherk - Unanimous (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) Decision.

Rogan with Sherk: He says Ric DaLazbian is a cock sucking jew.

Couture now joins the crew and has the nerve to call Tito Ortiz mature.

Light Heavyweight Bout:
"Sugar" Rashad Evans: 27, 5'11, 204, 15-0-0 (+110)
Vs.
"The Huntington Beach Bad Boy" Tito Ortiz: 32, 6'2, 205.5, 15-5-0 (-140
Referee: Big John McCarthy

R1: Tito takes Rashad down pretty damn quick in the beginning of the round. Rashad gets back to his feet by walking up the cage. Fight is stopped briefly so a mouthpiece can be retrieved and upon the resumption, not much happens for a bit and the crowd isn't happy.
Tito knees Rashad in as Rogan put it, the balls but he's not really phased and the fight is not stopped. Tito tries another takedown but Rashad able to defend.

Scoring: Tito's round 10-9.

R2: Crowd is a bit quiet considering this is a Tito fight. Evans goes for a takedown but Tito is able to escape. Not a lot is really happening right now. Ortiz hits an elbow and Rashad tries to answer with an elbow of his own.
Rashad is taken down again but Rashad isable to counter out. Tito has a guillotine but also got a point taken away for grabbing the fense.

Scoring: Tito won the round but with the point taken away its 9-9 whereas it would've been 10-9. It is 19-18.

R3: Crowd comes alive a bit for Tito in the third. Round is thus far Tito going for takedowns and Rashad trying to make sure Tito doesn't get it.
Tito looks a bit sluggish but Rashad pulling a Herring and not capitalizing. Rashad starts trying a bit but he's only playing for a draw at this point. Rashad gets a late takedown and that might get the draw.

Scoring: Rashad's round 10-9 and that gives us a draw at 28-28.

Winner: Unanimous Draw (28-28)

Rogan interviews Tito and he's dumb enough to ask the fans if they're satisfied with the fight. The booing is not a clue.

Rashad also thinks he won the fight but what would I expect him to say? Rashad wants Tito-Rashad II.

Middleweight Championship Bout:
Nate "The Great" Marquardt: 28, 6'0, 182.5, 28-6-1 (+140)
Vs.
Anderson "The Spider" Silva: 32, 32, 6'0, 184.5, 18-4-0 (-170)
Referee: Big John McCarthy

R1: Silva starts in the southpaw stance and not a lot going early just trading a few shots back and forth. Silva hits a right and tries a jumping knee. Marquardt takes him down after working for a bit. Anderson working from the bottom, Marquardt tries to pass and Silva ends up in full guard. More of not much happening and McCarthy decides to stand them up which is bad news for Marquardt.
Silva nails a big left and then some body punches. Silva blitzes Marquardt and he knocks him out with a big right.

Dear Anderson:
I'm sorry for doubting you.
Sincerely:
Casey Trowbridge
PS. May Sheiky humble me for a million years for this.

Dear Ric:
Fuck you!
Casey

Winner: Anderson Silva - TKO 450 R1

Bruce announces we've got one fight to go.

Rogan interviews Silva who says: Casey Trowbridge you will pay for your non-belief.

Lightweight Bout:
"Kid" Alvin Robinson: 24, 5'8, 156, 9-1-0 (+275)
Vs.
Kenny "KenFlo" Florian: 30, 5'10, 155.5, 8-3-0 (-350)
Referee: Yves Lavigne

R1: The fight starts with them both exchanging judo throws and just a fun back and forth. They end up on the ground with Florian in Robinson's guard. Florian able to pass in to side control. Florian just keeps working and working and finally finishes Alvin Robinson with strikes on the ground late in round 1.

Winner: Kenny Florian - Strikes 4:30 R1

My thoughts on the show: This wasn't Strikeforce by any way shape or form as Ric said in the comment section below. However, one of the better UFC shows of the year for sure, though I think after Strikeforce, Pride 33 comes next then this show, UFC 71, and EXC are all in the mix and Fight Night 10. We haven't seen a dud of an MMA card in quite awhile.

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MMA News and Notes for 07/06/2007

Lets go around the 'Net one last time before UFC 73 tomorrow.

I've tried something different, more sarcastic comments in the articles I linked...if you enjoy this or if you'd rather me just do these more serious, leave a comment or send me a note



Anderson Silva is a Neil Diamond Song

Nate Marquardt is called a WWE faction with a horrible song

This article about Nate Marquardt states the obvious which is that he's not the champion.

This article about Marquardt makes me think he's Destoned for the WWE cruiserweight division or TNA's X-division

Alvin Robinson wants to prove something but I can't remember what it is.

I think Ricardo Almeida is returning a big dog but I might have it flipped a bit.

Hermes Franca is a fan of Duane Johnson and Dusty Rhodes but again I may have missed the point.

Rashad Evans is all like check out my old school HHH theme

I know I missed the point of this article because I don't think Tito Ortiz is actually unable to walk or getting ready to give birth to a second child

Sam Caplan who writes for CBS Sportsline and FiveOuncesofPain.com previews UFC 73 here well, 5 out of 9 ain't bad I guess.

The world was just begging for another MMA show and showtime will provide and as a subscriber to Showtime I can guarantee recaps of this.

People keep throwing out names for Ultimate Fighter 6.

UFC Heavyweight Brandon Vera talks about going all Vince McMahon on his manager and other stuff.

B.J. Penn's camp says he's not fighting Diego Sanchez in August even though an anonimous source told Sherdog he was going to do exactly that. I'd like to note, that I never bought it and thus why you didn't see a link to the original story here.

Yahoo Sports breaks down Silva Vs. Marquardt and Sherk Vs. Franca

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira is ready to beat Heath Herring's ass I mean compete in the UFC.

Tito Ortiz has visions or something and they seem to be different.

CBS Sportsline has a preview of UFC 73 here

They also have a deal where they ask Sean Sherk questions and he answers them that kind of thing could really catch on but it needs like a 3 symbol abreviation to stick.

Sherdog's preview of UFC 73 is here

MMA Weekly's is here

another look at Ortiz-Evans this time from Zach Arnold.

The Oregon State Boxing and Wrestling Commission is getting a name change

In his audio show, Eddie Goldman looks at what the Benoit family tragety means for MMA

In more audio Mauro Ranallo previews UFC 73

In even more audio, the first Karl Stern show is up at Karl Stern.com

Michael Coughlin of F4WOnline and Wrestlingobserver.com previews UFC 73

Pawel Nastula says Pride is coming back in September I say he's misinformed, and Dana White would say something similar with more curse words.

Pro Elite has a new Vice President Hopefully, he doesn't have any mob ties.

Serene Thio of Sympatico-MSN Previews UFC 73

An article on Dana White from AOL is here

I've got enough for now, but I'll have more later.

Continue Reading!

MMA News and Notes for 07/03/2007

Its gearing up to be a busy week with UFC 73 this weekend.

I remind everyone of our roundtable preview where you can read and laugh at our picks and submit your own.

The rest of the news is behind the cut:



A lot of articles dealing with men fighting on the UFC 73 show.

UFC.com looks at Frank Edgar Stephan BonnarAntonio Rodrigo "Minautoro" Nogueira and Sean Sherk

The site also has breakdowns of:
Hermes Franca Vs. Sean Sherk and Nate Marquardt Vs. Anderson Silva

Looking around the web at other stuff...

K-1 Hero's 9 is beginning to take shape highlighting this event will be the first round of the 155 LB Grand Prix.

Even though I mentioned it last week more confirmation of David Heath Vs. Renato "Babalu" Sobral at UFC 74.

Back to UFC 73 as Yahoo Sports has its own writeup on Frank "The Answer" Edgar

Steve Sievert of the Houston Chronicle mentions that the IFL got permission from shareholders to release more stock

The IFL also announced an online photo store

Sam Caplan has the IFL semi-final matchups all I can say is Horodecki-Palaszewski II!

The latest on Joe Riggs is here

Mauro Ranallo had an interview with Brandon Vera on Fight Network Radio today which you can hear along with other episodes of the show here

Tim Sylvia says he'll return in October and Euan and I were hoping to make fun of he and Travis Lutter in the same roundtable.

Is Pride's Light Heavyweight Champion Dan Henderson Vs. UFC's Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton Jackson going to be non-title bout?

Phil Baroni has words for Dana White.

UFC will be welcoming some familiar faces soon.

There's more out there to be sure, but this will due for now.

Continue Reading!

Thanx To Zuffa, LLC, For The Following Preview Of 'UFC 73: Stacked'

pAnA 10 minute preview of UFC® 73 STACKED

UFC presents the biggest fight card of the summer on Saturday, July 7th! “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz returns to the Octagon to face the undefeated winner of The Ultimate Fighter 2, Rashad Evans. The UFC Middleweight Championship will be on the line when champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva brings his Muay Thai skills to the Octagon™ against the 7-time King of Pancrase, Nate “The Great” Marquardt. Then, Sean “Muscle Shark” Sherk makes his first defense of the UFC Lightweight Championship against Brazilian fighter Hermes Franca. UFC 73: STACKED – live from ARCO Arena in Sacramento, CA on Saturday, July 7th on pay-per-view and on UFC ON DEMAND®.

Continue Reading!

UFC 73 'Stacked' card officially announced

UFC.com had the news earlier today.

The event is set for July 7 in Sacramento, CA.

The card is behind the cut:



UFC 73 'Stacked'

1. Lightweight Bout: Frankie Edgar Vs. Mark Bocek
   
2. Lightweight Bout: Jorge Gurgel Vs. Diego Saraiva
   
3. Light Heavyweight Bout: Stephan Bonnar Vs. Mike Nickels
   
4. Welterweight Bout: Drew Fickett Vs. Chris Lytle
   
5. Lightweight Bout: Kenny Florian Vs. Alvin Robinson
   
6. Heavyweight Bout: Heath Herring Vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
   
7. Light Heavyweight Bout: Tito Ortiz Vs. Rashad Evans
   
8. Lightweight Title Bout: Hermes Franca Vs. Sean Sherk
   
9. Middleweight Title Bout: Nathan Marquardt Vs. Anderson Silva

Continue Reading!

The World is Ready for the UFC - UFC 73 July 7, 2007

Las Vegas, NV (USA) – Tired of paying your hard-earned cash for events packed with hype and little else? Sick of sitting down

for a pay-per-view event and finding out that you’re paying over $50 for just three fights that include a showcase and a mismatch? The Ultimate Fighting
Championship® has the cure for what is ailing fight fans, and in a continuing effort to provide what the world is truly waiting for, it is announcing yet
another UFC card stacked with at least five fights that include two intense championship bouts and a heated grudge match between two light heavyweight
rivals. UFC 73: STACKED features UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva in his first title defense vs. Nate “The Great” Marquardt. UFC Lightweight
Champion Sean “The Muscle Shark” Sherk puts his newly-won belt on the line vs. Brazil’s Hermes Franca. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira steps into the Octagon™
for the first time for a heavyweight war with Heath Herring – and Tito Ortiz intends to put a painful end to Rashad Evans’ perfect 15-0 record. Let the
fireworks begin. UFC 73, loaded with UFC superstars, takes place LIVE from ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif. Saturday, July 7, 2007.



“We have five UFC events lined up now through July in the US and UK, and every one of them is stacked with great fights,” said UFC President Dana White.
“No matter where we have a UFC, our goal is always the same – to deliver the best fights between the best mixed martial arts fighters. Our fans know they
will always see a good fight, and that’s why the UFC reigns supreme in live sports today.”

White continues, “UFC 73 is one of the best cards we’ve put together this year. It’s going to deliver the one-two punch fight fans want – it has Tito Ortiz
and Rashad Evans, two all-state college wrestlers, both who dislike each other, settling their differences in the Octagon, as well as title defenses by
our two champions Anderson Silva and Sean Sherk. We’re working on more fights right now to pack this card even heavier from top to bottom.”

About his upcoming fight versus Rashad Evans, “Huntington Beach Bad Boy” Tito Ortiz stated, “Everybody should expect fireworks. Rashad is standing in the
way of my getting another title shot, and my prediction is that he won’t be able to handle my tempo or the 18,000 Tito Ortiz fans that are in Sacramento
to see me win. My prediction is that fans will definitely get their money’s worth.”

Evans countered, “Tito needs to learn the meaning of respect. On July 7, I’m going to teach him what that’s all about. Let him come down from the mountain
to Greg Jackson’s training camp and he’ll see what he’s up against. I’m focused and on a mission, and my goal is to knock him out.”

Tickets for UFC 73: STACKED go on sale Saturday, May 12 at 2pm PDT with prices $550, $350, $250, $150 and $50. The fastest and most convenient way to purchase
tickets is by visiting the Ticketmaster Web site at Ticketmaster.com. Tickets may be purchased by calling Ticketmaster Charge-By-Phone at (916) 649-TIXS,
(530) 528-TIXS and (209) 551-TIXS. Tickets are also available at the ARCO Arena Box Office, which is open Monday thru Saturday from 10am to 6pm and at
all Sacramento-area Ticketmaster locations and at www.ufc.com.

UFC® Fight Club™ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Tuesday, May 8 starting at 10:00am PT via the website www.ufc.com.
A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, May 10 starting at 10:00am PT. To access this presale, users
must register for the UFC newsletter through www.ufc.com.

UFC 73: STACKED is available live on pay-per-view at 10:00pm. ET/7 p.m. PT on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN, Bell ExpressVu, Shaw Communications
and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $39.95 ($39.99 CAD).

The last UFC event held at ARCO Arena took place Nov. 18, 2006 to a sellout crowd of more than 15,300 with a gate of $2.7 million. This event promises to
be another sell-out with the layers of spectacular matchups planned, including the featured main event Anderson Silva vs. Nathan Marquardt.

Silva (18-4), fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil, defeated Rich Franklin by first round TKO at UFC 64 to become the new UFC Middleweight Champion. He is an
extremely well-rounded fighter with phenomenal striking skills. He took on Travis Lutter in what was supposed to be his first title defense, but Lutter
fell short of making weight by a half-pound. As a result their fight was altered to a three-round non-championship bout, but Silva still finished Lutter
by submission at 2:11 of the second round. “The Spider” is looking forward to fighting Marquardt and nabbing his first successful title defense in the
UFC. Wyoming-native Nathan Marquardt has yet to disappoint in mixed martial arts competition, as he has put together an impressive resume that includes
28 wins, a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and recognition as a seven-time King of Pancrase. In the UFC, Marquardt’s success has continued, with wins
over Ivan Salaverry, Joe Doerksen, Crafton Wallace and Dean Lister. Marquardt has earned this shot at UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, and plans
to take out the Brazilian champion and take home his middleweight crown.

In a second championship bout, UFC Lightweight Champion Sean Sherk will take on Hermes Franca in his first title defense since defeating Kenny Florian in
October of last year.

Sean Sherk (35-2-1), fighting out of Oak Grove, Minn., holds an incredible record, with only two losses. The first came to Matt Hughes for the UFC World
Welterweight title. Sherk went on to win 12 straight fights before losing by TKO in the second round to Georges St-Pierre. Sherk is an excellent wrestler
and is one of the pound-for-pound strongest competitors in the sport. He defeated Kenny Florian in a battle for the vacant UFC lightweight title last October
at UFC 64 to become champion in the newly restored weight division. Hermes Franca (18-5) has won his last eight fights – all by knockout or submission.
Included in this amazing streak are UFC wins over Joe Jordan, Jamie Varner, and most recently a TKO over Spencer Fisher. This 32-year old ground ace from
Fortaleza, Brazil wants to win the lightweight crown by finishing the fight Hermes-style.

One of mixed martial arts' premier heavyweights, Rio De Janeiro, Brazil's Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira (29-4-1) returns to fight in the United States
for the first time since 2000 and will make his UFC debut against one of his toughest foes in Heath Herring. A premier ground fighter with a Black Belt
in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Nogueira is known for his varied offensive attack and his habit of never being in a boring fight. The former PRIDE heavyweight
champion, Nogueira holds wins over a Who's Who of the sport, including Herring, Mirko “Cro Cop”, Dan Henderson, Ricco Rodriguez, Josh Barnett, Mark Coleman,
and Fabricio Werdum. On July 7th, fight fans will be in for a treat when Nogueira enters the Octagon to face “The Texas Crazy Horse.” Herring, the 6’4”
250-pounder who hails from the Lone Star State, is a perennial heavyweight contender and a tough out for anyone in the game. He is coming off a unanimous
decision over 6 foot 7 giant Brad Imes at UFC 69, and is looking to ascend further up the UFC ranks with a payback win over “Minotauro” at UFC 73.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship organization is regularly holding events throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. The last three UFC events
have broken venue records and overwhelmed sell-out crowds with spectacular fights and surprising upsets.

UFC 68, which took place March 3rd at Nationwide Arena in Columbus Ohio, drew a sell-out crowd of more than 19,000 and shattered the record for the highest
North American attendance figure for a mixed martial arts event. At $3 million, it was also the highest grossing gate in Nationwide Arena history. The
fight featured the heavyweight championship bout between Randy Couture and Tim Sylvia, where Couture electrified fight fans by dominating the much-favored
Sylvia through all five championship rounds to earn status as the first three-time heavyweight champion in UFC history.

UFC 69, which took place April 7 at Toyota Center in Houston, drew a crowd of more than 15,000 and earned a gate of more than $2.8 million. It set the record
for the highest gate ever in Toyota Center history. The card featured the championship bout between welterweights Georges St-Pierre and Matt Serra. Serra
– who many dismissed as no match for St. Pierre – charged in at the opening bell and TKO’d St-Pierre with a flurry of strikes at just 3:25 of the first
round.

UFC 70, which took place two weeks ago at MEN Arena in Manchester England, was attended by over 14,500 people and grossed a gate of more than £1.3 million.
It set the record for the third largest gate in MEN’s storied history, and also broke the all-time merchandise record for the arena. UFC 70, which also
aired on Spike TV in the United States, was the fifth highest rated cable sports program on television – network and cable – for the week of April 16,
2007. It was the number one rated television program on television period in the 18-34 year demographic. UFC 70 featured Croatian superstar Mirko “Cro
Cop”, a heavy favorite over Gabriel Gonzaga, in the heavyweight main event. Known for causing devastation with powerful leg kicks, “Cro Cop” was expected
by many to end the fight by knockout. Just before the end of the first bell, Gonzaga caught “Cro Cop” with his own weapon and landed a head kick, KOing
the former Pride Grand Prix champion at 4:51 of the first round.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has five live events lined up now through July, with a dozen more planned before the end of 2007, and full lineup of
fights around the globe, including Canada, United Kingdom, Europe, Japan, Australia and Mexico in 2008.

UFC 71: LIDDELL vs. JACKSON, featuring the mixed martial arts superstar and seemingly unstoppable UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Chuck “The Iceman” Liddell
vs. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson takes place May 26th at MGM Grand Garden Arena. Liddell will attempt his seventh successful title defense and complete his
mission to avenge all of his previous losses.

UFC 72: VICTORY, featuring the middleweight main event fight Rich “Ace” Franklin vs. Denmark’s Martin Kampmann, and the light heavyweight special feature
Forrest Griffin vs. Hector Ramirez takes place June 16th from the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

The Ultimate Fighter® 5 Finale, featuring Jens Pulver vs. BJ Penn - who matched wits for six weeks as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter® Season 5 - square
off June 23rd in a long-awaited rematch live from The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas.

UFC® Fight Night™, the UFC live series of fights telecast on Spike TV, features Spencer Fisher vs. Sam Stout, and will take place from the Seminole Hard
Rock Hotel & Casino in Hard Rock Live.

For more information about UFC 73 or any upcoming UFC event, visit www.ufc.com or uk.ufc.com. All bouts are live and subject to change.

About The Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship® brand is the world’s leading professional mixed martial arts organization and offers the premier series of MMA sports
events. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., the UFC® organization produces approximately twelve to fourteen live pay-per-view
events annually that are distributed through cable and satellite providers. In addition to its U.S. distribution, UFC fight programs are distributed throughout
the world including broadcast on WOWOW, Inc. in Japan, on MAIN EVENT in Australia, Globosat in Brazil and Bravo in the United Kingdom. For more information,
or current UFC fight news, visit www.ufc.com.

Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa™, The Octagon™ and the eight-sided
competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC in the United States
and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC or other respective owners.

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UFC 73 starting to take shape.

MMAWeekly Reports that Anderson Silva Vs. Nathan Marquardt for the Middleweight title, and Tito Ortiz Vs. Rashad Evans in the 205 Light Heavyweight division are signed for UFC 73 which will take place July 7.

Awhile ago, it was also reported that Sean Sherk would make his first title defense on that show. The Lightweight champion is set to fight Hermes Franca next regardless of if it is at UFC 73 or not.

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Sean Sherk to fight at UFC 73?

According to a report at MMAWeekly.com the UFC Lightweight Champion who has been out of action since having shoulder surgery after defeating Kenny Florian at UFC 64 on 10/14/2006 to capture the vacant title will be returning to the Octagon at UFC 73.

UFC 73, now scheduled for July 7 is currently set to feature a Middleweight title bout with Nathan Marquardt challenging Anderson Silva. Sean Sherk's opponent for the show is expected to be Hermes Franca who has had 3 consecutive wins in the UFC, most recently defeating Spencer Fisher on the 1/25 Ultimate Fight Night Live event.

Sherk's only 2 UFC losses have come to the current Welterweight champion Georges St. Pierre and the former champion Matt Hughes.

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