UFC 94 extended preview video: Georges St. Pierre vs BJ Penn 2

Jon Fitch RVDDW T-Shirt

Fitch has recently been sponsored by rvddw. Rvddw stand for reversal, dogi, design, works. They are a Japaneses fight company.

To the left you will see the new official Fitch tee. You should check it out here since you won't be seeing it live on Saturday. Fitch has been banished to the preliminary, non-televised card.

It could have something to do with the hard time he gave the UFC about signing a contract that gave the UFC the rights to his name and likeness for videogames and other promotion, marketing products. The UFC wanted a lifetime commitment while Fitch thought giving the UFC 15 or 20 years at this point was just as resonable.

Althought they worked it out, you know there is still some hard feelings between the AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) and the UFC.

It is unfortunately because the Fitch-Gono bout has potential to be a great one. Not just good but great.

Jon Fitch Blessed with RVDDW T-Shirt [gymtops]

Chris Horodecki off Saturday's Afflication: Day of Reckoning

"Chris has a bulging disc in the base of his neck," Horodecki's head trainer and manager Shawn Tompkins told Sherdog.com Wednesday evening. "It's restricting 80 percent of his strength in his right arm and the doctors wouldn't approve [the fight]."

Horodecki, was at the press conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday morning said that he will not be re-licensed by the California State Athletic Commission in time to fight Saturday.

That's really unfortunate for all parties; Hordecki, Lauzon and Affliction. The winner of that fight was going to take the next step in their career. Also, for Affliction that was Fight of the Night material that has just been taken off your card.

No word on if their will be a last minute replacement to fight Dan Lauzon. That really bums me out personally and makes me question spending the money on the PPV. Not a good turn of events for Affliction just 3 days out from a gigantic day for their company.

Bulging Disc Knocks Horodecki Out of Affliction [Sherdog]

UFC and mainstream advertisers

The New York Times has a piece about how major mainstream companies are coming around to the idea of advertising in the realm of Mixed Martial Arts.

Back at UFC 88 when Rashad Evans beat Chuck Liddell he wore a curious shirt as he had his hand raised. The shirt was of none other than Bill Gates.

"That shirt, it's [Gates'] mugshot," Evans said. "He was arrested in Albuquerque, N.M. He started off Microsoft in the basement of the Bank One Building. That's right next to the (Team Jackson) gym. At the time that was believed to be the only association. Evans even joked, "Maybe one day he'll be part of my crew."

However not long later this Microsoft commercial debuted:



The New York Times article then predictably goes on to talk about the Fertitta brothers and The Ultimate Fighter series. But there are a few interesting tidbits from the article. Over the last year and a half the UFC has signed advertising deals with sponsors like Harley-Davidson, Bud Light, Burger King and, most recently, Bacardi.

Dave Meltzer says that in 2008, the UFC likely posted the biggest per-year revenue numbers in the history of pay per view television. While Rashad's manager Jervis Cole says that expects Evans to earn $700,000 to "several million" dollars in total endorsements in 2009.

There is certainly a demographic to be capitalized on and money to be spent and made in the world of Mixed Martial Arts. An economic turnaround would certainly help push the UFC further into the mainstream.

Companies Warm to Sponsoring Mixed Martial Arts [NyTimes.com] via MMApayout.com

Joe Lauzon Training Diary

Joe Lauzon is blogging about his training for the Boston Herald as he prepares for his February 7th fight with Hermes Franca. He made his first post today.

Lauzon explains that the UFC offered him a number of options for his next fight and he took what he deemed to be the toughest... Hermes Franca. I'd imagine this to be 100% true. Franca is no joke and is going to be very tough for the young Lauzon.

Joe talks about how he decided to train at home in Massachusetts this time rather than going back out to Hilo to train with BJ which he had done for his previous two fights.

Lastly, he runs down the basics behind his training routine. Good to see the Herald giving some more MMA coverage and good to see Joe as a part of it.

Getting ready for Hermes Franca [Boston Herald]

Tapout partners with Skechers

Tapout has a deal in place to create a line of shows with popular footwear brand Skechers. These will go nicely with your Tapout socks.


You will need your Tapout folder when you wear your socks and shoes combo to school or work.
After that long day at work/school you will need a place to rest your head.
And for your Tapout baby? Of course they have a Tapout infant line.
Mask, Skyskrape and Punkass truly have thought of it all.

BJ Penn UFC 94 Cornerman Shirt