Friday, October 29, 2010

UFC & WEC Merge January 1, 2011



The move was finally announced that the UFC will absorb the WEC in the new year. The 155 lb. Lightweights will join the roster as will the Featherweights (145 lbs.) and the Bantamweights (135 lbs.). This will up the roster of the Zuffa company quite a bit and losing will include banishment much quicker than before. Matt Riddle and Kendall Grove, your days are numbered.

The UFC will continue its relationship with Versus Network putting on 4 shows next year as well as 4 shows with Spike TV (UFC Fight Nights).

What a great opportunity for the always exciting smaller weight classes to really make some money and steal those fight bonuses from the big fellas. Also time for fighters like Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo, "Cowboy" Donald Cerrone, Lightweight Champion Ben Henderson, and Miguel "Angel" Torres to become the big stars they should be (I already consider Urijah Faber a well known star).

We will also have the chance to see some amazing fights we have always dreamed of like perhaps a rematch of Urijah Faber and Tyson Griffin or Clay Guida vs Jose Aldo etc. There are a ton of good match ups out there and now fighters can go to the weight classes the should be fighting out without "losing" money or standing in MMA by going to a lighter weight class.

The 1st major business will be the situation with 2 Lightweight Champions. Ben Henderson will defend the WEC Lightweight title against Anthony Petitis at WEC 53 December 16th in Arizona with the winner facing the UFC Lightweight Champion which will be decided at UFC 125 January 1, 2011, between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. At 1st glance I'm betting we see Ben Henderson vs Gray Maynard but that's just me.

More money, more fights, and more fighters means a win, win, win for the fans and Zuffa alike. I am personally very excited that the lighter weight classes have a chance at the spotlight which I believe they will steal. If the UFC needs more roster space they can always cut Tito Ortiz' boated salary down to 0, since he hasn't even won a fight in 4 years.

And finally the most important news, WEC Ring Girl Brittney Palmer will be joing UFC Ring Girls Arianny Celeste and Chandella Powell. So don't worry fellas.

No comments: