MMA News and UFC Betting Odds

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Quoteworthy:

“I have not personally spoken to Dana, the UFC or any of the production people about [TUF 9]. Six weeks in Vegas, I’ve gotten to the point where I could care less for staying in Vegas for that period of time. It’s time away from my family and time away from doing the things I can do to make money. The show doesn’t pay very well. But anything the UFC asks me to do, I’m always on board for. I guess they would more than likely — whoever, between Dan and I wins — they’d do that fight at 185 pounds. How that makes sense to me I’m not sure, but I take it one fight at a time. So if the UFC comes to me and says, ‘We’re doing the Bisping fight at 185 pounds,’ then it is what it is.”

-A reluctant but agreeable Rich Franklin confirmed today that the winner of his light heavyweight battle with Dan Henderson at UFC 93 will be asked to oppose TUF 3 winner Michael “The Count” Bisping on the ninth season of the UFC and SpikeTV reality show “The Ultimate Fighter.” Franklin recently moved back to light heavyweight after going 0-2 against current middleweight champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva. While a return to TUF might go a long way in attracting casual viewers, it sounds like “Ace” would rather be somewhere a little more lucrative at this stage of his career. All of this is of course moot if Franklin is unable to defeat “Hollywood”.

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MMA News, Michael Bisping, TUF 9, UFC 93, dan henderson, rich franklin

Frank Mir takes a stand and lest loose about the truth on what really happened during this season of The Ultimate Fighter 8 reality series.

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Frank Mir, Interview, MMA News, TUF 9, The Ultimate Fighter, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), Video

UFC President Dana White announced today that the winner of the upcoming fight between Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson at UFC 93 in Dublin, Ireland on January 17 will oppose Michael Bisping as coach for the upcoming ninth season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9.

The confirmation was made earlier today at a special UFC Fight Club Q&A session in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

Rumors have been swirling for weeks that both men were up for consideration. Franklin served as coach opposite Matt Hughes on TUF 2 and was initially lukewarm to the idea of serving a second term.

"Ace" did however agree to assume the position if indeed asked when the topic was brought up at the UFC 91 Fight Club Q&A last month.

Despite some erroneous reports about Henderson’s level of interest, "Hollywood" told host Larry Pepe on MMAmania.com’s exclusive presentation of Pro MMA Radio that he would be more than happy to try his hand at coaching a group of new recruits.

When asked if he found the idea of coaching interesting:

Yeah, I think it would be fun to do. Especially in the setting they’re gonna have of the US vs. the UK, I think that’s a little bit different, I think it would be fun to do.

Sounds like Hendo is interested to me.

TUF 3 winner and current British UFC posterboy Michael Bisping on the other hand was always a clear choice for the position, considering TUF 9 will be themed, “U.S. vs. U.K.” White confirmed his participation following "The Count’s" unanimous decision victory over Chris Leben at UFC 89.

TUF 9 was originally set to feature a mix of middleweight and welterweight hopefuls competing for a “six figure” UFC contract in a tournament-style format.

However the 185lb weight class was recently scrapped in favor of lightweight in anticipation of the influx of middleweights that is expected to follow the dissolution of the middleweight division in the Zuffa-owned World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).

The production schedule has not been revealed at this time; however, the promotion is targeting a January 2009 start (and April debut) in order to wait for the conclusion of Franklin vs. Henderson.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com as more details become available for season nine of The Ultimate Fighter.

(Special thanks to MMAmaniac "They Live" who was in attendance)

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MMA News, Michael Bisping, TUF 9, dan henderson, rich franklin

UFC President Dana White revealed during a special Q&A session in Fort Bragg, North Carolina on Tuesday that the winner of a planned light heavyweight attraction between Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson at UFC 93 on January 17 will be named a head coach for the ninth season of The Ultimate Fighter. TUF 9 will feature [...]

MMA News, TUF 9, UFC 93, dan henderson, rich franklin

“He’s with a great popularity, is a good guy to fight now and I think it’d be a great fight. It doesn’t mean I’d win, but he fought great guys and always made god fights, and I believe it’d be a good fight to my career. I need this, I need good fights and I believe the time has come…. He’s a stand-up guy, doesn’t like to fight on the ground, but he’s not easy. I always think the same, he’ll try to stand, avoid the ground, and I’ll try to put him down and do my Jiu-Jitsu, trying to submit.”

– Undefeated middleweight contender Demian Maia continues to talk about a possible fight against Michael Bisping with Tatame.com. The accomplished Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt called out “The Count” after he stopped Nate Quarry in less than three minutes via rear naked choke at UFC 91: “Couture vs. Lesnar” over the weekend. He has also already accepted the position opposite Bisping on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) if UFC President Dana White offers it to him. The only problem is that Maia would be unable to represent the “U.S.” in the “U.S. vs. U.K.”-themed show. Unless, of course, that format, which White has called “dumb” is scrapped between now and the end of January when production on TUF 9 is set to commence.

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MMA News, Michael Bisping, TUF 9, UFC Middleweight Division, UFC Quick Quotes, UFC The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), UFC on SpikeTV, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

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Quoteworthy:

“It’ll be interesting to see when they actually come to me because the UFC are actually the ones who encouraged me to move up to 205 pounds. And with Bisping now being at 185 I’m not sure what they are going to do about that. I did [The Ultimate Fighter] one time and it was great, but I’m not as excited about it this time. But I’m always willing to help the UFC out and do what they need me to do so we’ll talk about it after the fight.”

Former middleweight champion Rich Franklin shares his thoughts on the rumors that he is on the short list of coaching candidates for the next season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) opposite Michael Bisping during the UFC Fight Club question and answer session today for UFC 91: “Couture vs. Lesnar.” He still says he has never even been approached about the possibility and finds it a bit weird since he no longer fights in the middleweight division. “Ace” will take on Dan Henderson in the main event at UFC 93 in Dublin, Ireland, on January 17. It’s widely assumed that the winner of that match will get the nod — both fighters have competed at 185 pounds. However, it’s also possible that if Franklin defeats Henderson the UFC could go in a different direction altogether and select someone like Nate Marquardt because a third match with Anderson Silva, by his own admission, is not that interesting (the TUF 9 coaches will likely compete at the conclusion of the show for the right to challenge “The Spider” at a later date). In short, a decision on a TUF 9 U.S. coach will likely be made shortly after January 17.

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MMA News, TUF 9, UFC The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), UFC on SpikeTV, rich franklin

“It’s dumb, I don’t like it — it’s not USA vs the UK, we’re looking for the best fighter in the world. We put on a card one time, the USA v Canada, it was f***ing retarded. I don’t care if you’re from the UK, Croatia or Brazil because at the end of the day, when Michael Bisping comes to America — Americans don’t boo him. When GSP comes down and fights in the US more people cheer for him than the guy who’s from America! When Tim Sylvia from the United States fought Antonio Nogueira from Brazil, everybody booed Sylvia on the way in and cheered for Nogueira. The reason is because in this sport it’s not country versus country. You either like the guy’s fighting style or personality — nationality has nothing to do with it. We’re looking for the best fighters in the world — this country versus that country is irrelevant.”

-UFC President Dana White reacts to The Sun about the gimmicky “US vs UK” theme for the upcoming ninth season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF). While I agree that anything encouraging drunk Americans to boo at live events is a bad thing, it sounds like an unusual complaint considering Dana must have given this project the green light at some point. Conspiracy theorists - sound off!

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Dana White, MMA News, TUF 9

“There’s been rumors and supposedly news that I’m going to be the coach of the next season (of TUF) with a victory over Dan (Henderson), but the UFC hasn’t actually approached me about that or not. I know that they spoke to Dan several months ago about him being a coach, and that was probably well before this fight was planned. But as for me, they haven’t talked to me about it. I actually tried putting a phone call in to Dana himself to ask him about it, and he hasn’t gotten back to me yet. So, I can’t confirm or deny that rumor at this point … I never say never, but it’s not really something that I’m particularly interested in doing again. But with the right incentive, anything can look appealing.”

— Rich Franklin talks to MMATraining.com on whether or not he has been approached for a coaching spot on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 9: “U.S. vs. U.K.” It’s interesting to note that Franklin claims not to be interested in the opportunity, but yet placed a call in to UFC President Dana White to talk specifically about it. Perhaps “Ace” is working an angle here — money talks. Regardless, when Franklin and Henderson meet for the main event at UFC 93: “Dublin” on January 17, you can expect fireworks. The TUF coaching job may not be the only thing on the line, as the winner will likely face opposing coach Michael Bisping immediately after the TUF 9 Finale, followed by what could be a title shot.

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MMA News, TUF 9, UFC Quick Quotes, UFC The Ultimate Fighter (TUF), UFC on SpikeTV, rich franklin

Monday’s open tryouts for season nine of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) in Chicago, Illinois produced a record number of applicants after 700 amateur mixed martial artists stormed the Crowne Plaza Hotel in an attempt to prove their worth.

According to Spike TV, that number shatters the previous record of 500 hopefuls that turned out in Florida for season five.

Including the 200 aspiring fighters that auditioned in London on October 20, a total of 900 applicants will be considered for the 32-member cast, which will eventually be whittled down to 16 in the first few days of taping.

UFC President Dana White recently confirmed the participation of future coach Michael “The Count” Bisping, fresh off his unanimous decision victory over Chris Leben at UFC 89.

Bisping — TUF 3 winner and current British UFC posterboy — is a clear choice for the position, considering TUF 9 will be themed, “U.S. vs. U.K.” White did not confirm the opposing coach, however, he did indicate that Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson are both under consideration.

Perhaps that decision will be made a little easier when “Ace” and “Hollywood” clash in the main event at UFC 93: “Dublin” on January 17.

Time will tell.

TUF 9 was originally set to feature a mix of middleweight and welterweight hopefuls competing for a “six figure” UFC contract in a tournament-style format.

However the 185lb weight class was recently scrapped in favor of lightweight in anticipation of the influx of middleweights that is expected to follow the dissolution of the middleweight division in the Zuffa-owned World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC).

The production schedule has not been revealed at this time; however, the promotion is targeting a January 2009 start (and April debut) in order to wait for the conclusion of Franklin vs. Henderson.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com as more details become available for season nine of The Ultimate Fighter.

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MMA News, TUF 9

Season nine of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) is starting to take shape after UFC President Dana White recently confirmed the participation of future coach Michael “The Count” Bisping, fresh off his unanimous decision victory over Chris Leben at UFC 89.

Bisping — TUF 3 winner and current British UFC posterboy — is a clear choice for the position, considering TUF 9 will be themed, “U.S. vs. U.K.” White did not confirm the opposing coach, however, he did indicate that Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson are both under consideration.

Perhaps that decision will be made a little easier when “Ace” and “Hollywood” clash in the main event at UFC 93: “Dublin” on January 17.

Time will tell.

TUF 9 was originally set to feature a mix of middleweight and welterweight hopefuls competing for a “six figure” UFC contract in a tournament-style format. However the 185lb weight class was recently scrapped in favor of lightweight.

No reason was given for the change, but tryouts held at London on October 20 yielded over 200 aspiring fighters - a far cry from the mere 25 who auditioned for season three.

Perhaps there was an abundance of talented lightweights at the London evaluations that led to the change?

Even TUF 3 alum Ross Pointon got in on the action, showing up with the letters U-F-C buzzed into his hair.

Tryouts are also scheduled for Chicago, Illinois on October 27 to finish selecting the 32-member cast, which will eventually be whittled down to 16 in the first few days of taping.

That’s not to suggest the UFC is looking for every Tom, Dick and Harry that knows how to shadowbox or submit their five-year old nephew. The UFC recently sent out a memo asking for applicants to have a verifiable background in professional mixed martial arts.

The production schedule has not been revealed at this time; however, if the promotion decides to wait for either Franklin and Henderson then it could be pushed back until January 2009.

Stay tuned to MMAmania.com as more details become available for season nine of The Ultimate Fighter.

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MMA News, Michael Bisping, TUF 9