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UFC 144 takes place February 26, 2012 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
Injuries have forced George Sotiropoulos (14-4) out of a UFC 144 lightweight bout against Takanori Gomi (32-8, 1 NC), according to reports from MMA Weekly.
Japanese grappling ace Eiji Mitsuoka (18-7-2) has been tapped as a replacement. UFC officials have yet to confirm the switch.
A 12-year veteran of Pride, DREAM, and a slew of various other Japanese promotions, Mitsuoka makes his UFC debut after capturing a two-fight win streak over Bruno Carvalho and Jung Gyeong Lee in mid-2011. The 36-year-old has finished 14 of his 18 victories -- 11 via submission -- and holds notable wins over Rodrigo Damm, Joachim Hansen, and Brian Cobb.
Sotiropoulos, meanwhile, enters simply hoping to stave off the dreaded three-fight losing streak. Momentum swung suddenly for the 34-year-old, who started his UFC career with seven straight wins before stumbling against Dennis Siver and Rafael dos Anjos last year.
UFC 144 takes place February 26th, 2012 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Former WEC lightweight champion Ben Henderson challenges UFC lightweight king Frankie Edgar in the night's main event.
UFC 144 fight card:
Main card:
Lightweight Championship: Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson
Light Heavyweight: Quinton Jackson vs. Ryan Bader
Heavyweight: Mark Hunt vs. Cheick Kongo
Welterweight: Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields
Lightweight: Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon
Preliminary card:
Middleweight: Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch
Lightweight: Takanori Gomi vs. Eiji Mitsuoka
Featherweight: Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski
Bantamweight: Norifumi Yamamoto vs. Vaughan Lee
Middleweight: Riki Fukuda vs. Steve Cantwell
Bantamweight: Takeya Mizugaki vs. Chris Cariaso
Featherweight: Tiequan Zhang vs. Leonard Garcia
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) held their pre-fight press conference yesterday to formally announce and promote UFC 144 at the Ritz-Carlton Tokyo Ballroom in Tokyo. UFC 144 takes place February 26th at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
Among other notes, more fights were announced and formalized at the presser.
Lightweights George Sotiropoulos and former PRIDE lightweight champion Takanori Gomi will face off on the evening's preliminary card. Chinese standout Tiequan Zhang has a bout with Greg Jackson-product Leonard Garcia in a featherweight contest.
In addition, two bantamweight bouts were announced: Japanese superstar Norifumi Yamamoto will face Vaughan Lee and Takeya Mizugaki will fight Chris Cariaso.
Tickets are available for pre-sale on November 28th in Japan through UFC mobile. They will be available on the 29th through WOWOW and Nikkan Sports as well as ePlus in December. Ticket sales will be opened up to other ticket retailers on December 10th.
Ticket Prices (in JPY): 100000, 34000, 19000, 9800, 5800.
You can read more about the event from the UFC's press release.
The full UFC 144 fight card is as follows:
Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson
Ryan Bader vs. Quinton Jackson
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields
Joe Lauzon vs. Anthony Pettis
Tim Boetsch vs. Yushin Okami
Cheick Kongo vs. Mark Hunt
George Sotiropoulos vs. Takanori Gomi
Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski
Norifumi Yamamoto vs. Vaughan Lee
Takeya Mizugaki vs. Chris Cariaso
Riki Fukuda vs. Steve Cantwell
Tiequan Zhang vs. Leonard Garcia
Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson, the former UFC light heavyweight champion and PRIDE star, will apparently get his wish to fight in The Land of the Rising Sun.
ESPN is reporting Jackson has agreed to meet Jackson's request (made after his loss to Jon Jones at UFC 135) to fight in Japan (the original request was to face Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua):
The UFC has granted Quinton Jackson's request to fight in Japan in February.
The former light heavyweight champion will meet Ryan Bader at UFC 144. UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta confirmed the matchup to ESPN.com.
The UFC has not formally announced this bout.
UFC 144 takes place February 26th at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
UFC 144 fight card:
Lightweight Championship: Ben Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar
Light heavyweight: Quinton Jackson vs. Ryan Bader
Middleweight: Steve Cantwell vs. Riki Fukuda
Featherweight: Hastu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski
Lightweight: Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon
Welterweight: Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields
Middleweight: Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch
Heavyweight: Cheick Kongo vs. Mark Hunt
Bantamweight: Takeya Mizugaki vs. Chris Cariaso
Despite his best efforts, it appears Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will not get a chance to participate in the UFC's February foray to Japan. Jackson tweeted the news early Tuesday morning.
@Rampage4real
Quinton Jackson It don't look like I'm fighting n Japan which I'm not happy about at all,I think its a big mistake by the UFC... Fuck it
FavoriteRetweet
Jackson has been publicly campaigning for a spot on UFC 144 since the idea's inception in early September, even as he was preparing for a title fight against Jon Jones.
"I love Japanese fans, they know how to respect a fighter and they know what's up," Jackson said to MMA Weekly at the time. "Win or lose (the Jones fight), I would like to be on the Japan show.
"I love Japan, I miss the Japanese fans. I would love to go and put a show on in front of them."
It briefly looked as if "Rampage" would get his wish, as UFC President Dana White said as much last month after Jackson's loss to "Bones". However, it now appears that the former champion's services were needed elsewhere. Perhaps a potential brawl with Stephan Bonnar on UFC on Fox 2?
A bantamweight match-up between Takeya Mizugaki (15-6-2) and Chris Cariaso (12-3) has been targeted for the card of UFC 144, according to reports from MMA Weekly. UFC officials have yet to confirm the bout.
Mizugaki, a top-10 ranked Japanese striker known as "The Intelligent Sniper", makes his return to the cage after earning a TKO win over former WEC champion Cole Escovedo at UFC 135. Since leaving Japan for the bright lights of the WEC -- and eventually the UFC -- the 27-year-old has rotated wins and losses, collecting a hard-fought 4-4 record against the likes of Brian Bowles, Urijah Faber, Miguel Torres, and Scott Jorgensen.
Meanwhile, Cariaso, a fellow WEC veteran, hopes to continue the momentum built by a razor-thin split-decision loss to uber-prospect Michael McDonald and a win over Vaughan Lee at UFC 138. Prior to his recent 2-2 run, "Kamikaze" tasted victory in ten of his first eleven bouts.
UFC 144 is scheduled for February 26th, 2012 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Former WEC lightweight champion Ben Henderson challenges UFC lightweight king Frankie Edgar in the night's main event.
UFC 144 fight card:
Lightweight Championship: Ben Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar
Featherweight: Hastu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski
Lightweight: Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon
Welterweight: Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields
Middleweight: Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch
Heavyweight: Cheick Kongo vs. Mark Hunt
Bantamweight: Takeya Mizugaki vs. Chris Cariaso
It didn't take long for Hastu Hioki (25-4-2) to return home. According to reports from MMA Weekly, the Japanese star has been matched-up against WEC veteran Bart Palaszewski (36-14) for UFC 144 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. UFC officials have yet to confirm the bout.
Hioki, the No. 3 ranked featherweight in the world, earned the Shooto lightweight title and Sengoku featherweight crown overseas before making his October UFC debut. Despite entering the Octagon to much acclaim, the 28-year-old struggled en route to a razor-thing split decision victory over George Roop. Nonetheless, the win was Hioki's fifth straight and tenth of his last eleven contests.
Across the cage, Palaszewski returns after a tremendous Octagon debut that saw the 28-year-old flatten Tyson Griffin with a thunderous left hook midway through the first round at UFC 137. The stunning finish earned "Bartimus" Knockout of the Night honors and was his fifth victory in sixth contests. Palaszewski holds previous wins over UFC contenders Anthony Pettis and Ivan Menjivar.
In addition, reports indicate a heavyweight tilt between French striker Cheick Kongo (17-6-2) and K-1 veteran Mark Hunt (7-7) has been targeted for the February card.
Kongo, a kickboxing specialist training out of Wolfslair MMA Academy, last tasted defeat in a late-2009 first-round submission loss to Frank Mir. Since then the massive veteran his ripped through three victories over Paul Buentello, Pat Barry, and Matt Mitrione.
Meanwhile, Hunt hopes to extend his momentum after earning a two-fight win streak with UFC victories over Chris Tuchscherer and Ben Rothwell. The surprising run snapped a six-fight slump stretching back to mid-2006.
UFC 144 will be held on February 26th, 2012. UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar defends his belt against former WEC lightweight kingpin Ben Henderson in the night's main event.
UFC 144 fight card:
Lightweight Championship: Ben Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar
Featherweight: Hastu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski
Lightweight: Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon
Welterweight: Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields
Middleweight: Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch
Heavyweight: Cheick Kongo vs. Mark Hunt
They called for it, they got it. According the UFC officials, a significant lightweight tilt between Anthony Pettis (12-2) and Joe Lauzon (21-6) has been scheduled for UFC 144 in Japan. Both men verbally agreed to the contest after a respectful back-and-forth through the media in late-October.
Pettis, the former WEC lightweight champion, hopes to piece together another run towards title contention after derailing a guaranteed shot with a listless decision loss to Clay Guida in June. Since then "Showtime" has returned to good graces, earning a hard-fought split decision victory over Jeremy Stephens for his fifth win in six appearances.
Meanwhile, Lauzon hopes to capitalize on the biggest triumph of his career after stunning surging contender Melvin Guillard in just 47 seconds at UFC 136. The win was the third of his last four fights, and earned the 27-year-old his fifth "Submission of the Night" and eighth overall "Fight Night" bonus.
UFC 144 takes place on February 26, 2012 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Former WEC lightweight champion Ben Henderson takes on UFC champion Frankie Edgar in the night's main event.
UFC 144 fight card:
Lightweight Championship: Ben Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar
Welterweight: Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields
Lightweight: Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon
Middleweight: Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch
Eyeing a fourth straight UFC loss, Japanese standout Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-4, 2 NC) is hoping a return home will be the remedy he covets. According to Monday reports, "Sexyima" is set to make his welterweight debut against former Strikeforce champion Jake Shields (26-6-1) at Zuffa's February return to Japan -- UFC 144. Promotion officials have confirmed the matchup.
Akiyama, a former K-1 Hero's light heavyweight grand prix champion, hopes the drop in weight will elicit a return to his winning ways after suffering consecutive losses to Chris Leben, Michael Bisping, and Vitor Belfort. A three-time "Fight of the Night" winner, the 36-year-old is a fan-favorite notorious for his frenetic style and penchant for firefights.
Meanwhile, Shields hopes to curb his own slump after suffering consecutive losses for the first time of his career. Following his failed title challenge in April, the 32-year-old met a quick end against rising prospect Jake Ellenberger at UFC Fight Night 25. Shield's father, Jack Shields, passed away less a month before the bout due to complications with congestive heart failure.
UFC 144 is slated for February 26, 2012 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. A championship lightweight tilt between Ben Henderson and Frankie Edgar headlines the event.
UFC 144 fight card:
Lightweight Championship: Ben Henderson vs. Frankie Edgar
Welterweight: Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields
As expected, Ben Henderson netted more than a win with his impressive performance on Saturday night. In the fuzzy afterglow of the UFC's historic debut on Fox, UFC president Dana White confirmed the former WEC lightweight champion earned the next lightweight title shot against Frankie Edgar at February's UFC 144 card.
"They're both exciting fighters," White explained at the UFC on Fox post-fight press conference. "Them being the main event in Japan should be a great show."
Henderson defeated rising contender Clay Guida in the night's frenetic co-main event, claming the unanimous decision with a performance that earned "Fight of the Night" honors. Afterward, "Smooth" was all smiles as White confirmed his next opponent.
"I think it's a great matchup," Henderson excitedly stated. "With Frankie, I think I matchup very well. I just have to stick to the game-plan and do a little better job.
"I'm very excited. I think we're going to put on a show."
Despite success in the early stages of Quinton Jackson's career, the legend of "Rampage" would not ignite until he landed on the shores of the "Land of the Rising Sun" in mid-2001. Within six years the fighter transformed from relative unknown to beloved superstar on the heels of a spectacular run in Japan's Pride Fighting Championships.
Since then the 33-year-old has moved on to tremendous acclaim, but now he is calling for a chance to return to his roots.
UFC 144 Fight Card: Leonard Garcia Scratched With Injury
The trickling of injuries has drained UFC 144 once again.
High-motor crowd favorite Leonard Garcia (15-8-1) has been scratched from the late-February fight card due to an injury sustained in training camp, according to reports from MMA Weekly.
UFC officials have yet to confirm the withdrawal or announce a new opponent for Chinese veteran Zhang Tiequan (15-2).
A perennial headliner of Zuffa's 'Fight Night' bonuses, Garcia hoped to rebound after dropping three of his previous four contests, including a pair of frenetic rematches with Nam Phan and Chan Sung Jung last year. Despite his reckless style, the 32-year-old owns four 'Fight of the Night' awards to his credit, and his 2010 battle with Jung was widely considered to be a leading candidate for 'Fight of the Year.'
Tiequan, meanwhile, will likely remain on the Japan card, albeit with a new adversary. Ominously known as "The Mongolian Wolf," the 33-year-old has thus far split his two UFC appearances, submitting Jason Reinhardt in 48 seconds before dropping a decision to Darren Elkins at UFC 136.
UFC 144 takes place February 26th, 2012 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. Former WEC lightweight champion Ben Henderson challenges UFC lightweight king Frankie Edgar in the night's main event.
UFC 144 fight card:
Main card:
Lightweight Championship: Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson
Light Heavyweight: Quinton Jackson vs. Ryan Bader
Heavyweight: Mark Hunt vs. Cheick Kongo
Welterweight: Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Jake Shields
Lightweight: Anthony Pettis vs. Joe Lauzon
Preliminary card:
Middleweight: Yushin Okami vs. Tim Boetsch
Lightweight: Takanori Gomi vs. Eiji Mitsuoka
Featherweight: Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart Palaszewski
Bantamweight: Norifumi Yamamoto vs. Vaughan Lee
Middleweight: Riki Fukuda vs. Steve Cantwell
Bantamweight: Takeya Mizugaki vs. Chris Cariaso
Featherweight: Tiequan Zhang vs. TBA
Jan 30 11:23a by Shaun Al-Shatti - 1 comment