UFC® HITS HOUSTON ON OCT. 8 WITH TWO WORLD TITLE FIGHTS
Aug 12, 2011 Comments
(PRESS RELEASE) -- The wait for the much-anticipated third fight
between UFC® lightweight champion Frankie
Edgar and unbeaten top contender Gray
Maynard is finally over. The Ultimate Fighting Championship®
announced today that Edgar and Maynard will settle the score when
the organization returns to the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on
Saturday, Oct. 8. If one major title fight wasn’t enough, UFC
officials also confirmed that UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo will
defend his crown against the always-dangerous Kenny
Florian.
All four competitors will take part in a press conference this Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. CT at the Toyota Center in Houston. The conference, which will be hosted by UFC President Dana White, is open to the public and will be held in the 1994-1995 Championship Rooms. Media interested in attending should RSVP to UFC media operations manager Heidi Gerber – [email protected].
“Frankie and Gray had a Fight of the Year candidate the last time
they met and I expect nothing different this time around in
Houston,” UFC President Dana White said. “Both guys truly believe
they won the last fight and the wait for their third fight is over.
On Oct. 8, neither of these guys plans on leaving it to the
judges.
“Aldo’s been running through guys at 145-pounds, but Florian is the most experienced guy he’s ever fought,” White continued. “Kenny looked really sharp against Diego Nunes in his last fight and Diego is a guy who trains with Aldo. I think Kenny is out to prove that he can get over the hump and win his first UFC world title.”
Tickets for UFC®136: EDGAR vs. MAYNARD 3, presented by Bud Light, go on sale Friday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. CT and are priced at $350, $250, $150, $100, $75 and $50. Tickets can be purchased at ToyotaCenterTix.com, by phone at 1-866-4-HOU-TIX, at select Houston area Randalls locations, and the Toyota Center Box Office. Tickets are subject to applicable service charges and event time and date are subject to change.
UFC® Fight Clubâ„¢ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m CT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, Aug. 18, starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.
UFC® 136: EDGAR vs. MAYNARD 3 will be available live on Pay-Per-View at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.99 US/$49.99 CAN for Standard Definition and $54.99 US/$59.99 CAN for High Definition.
UFC® 136: EDGAR vs. MAYNARD 3 will coincide with the UFC® Fan Expo, which takes place Friday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 8 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Fans won’t want to miss this chance to participate in the ultimate fan experience, including special events, interactive Q&A sessions, meet & greets with top UFC fighters, Training & Development sessions and much more. Tickets and VIP packages are on sale NOW at www.ufcfanexpo.com
A tremendous boxer with great takedowns and poise, UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar (fighting out of Toms River, N.J.) earned back-to-back wins over the legendary BJ Penn in 2010 before battling to an epic draw with Maynard in January. The 29-year-old heads to Houston with the sole mission of defending the title and upending the only man to ever defeat him.
“In reality, this fight is everything to me,” Edgar, 13-1-1, said. “This is everything I worked for and this is a defining fight in my career. I want to end this chapter with Gray on a positive note. I expect more fireworks in this third fight based on how both Gray and I fight. I’ve been training really hard and I expect to come out on top.”
Since joining the UFC in 2007, Gray Maynard (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) has proven to be one of the most dominant contenders in the lightweight division. Holder of wins over the likes of Jim Miller, Roger Huerta and Kenny Florian, the 32-year-old former collegiate wrestling standout at Michigan State has vowed to leave Houston with the title he rightfully believes is his.
“I’m always expecting 110 percent from Frank Edgar,” Maynard, 11-0-1, 1NC, said. “That’s why I’m gonna be more prepared and determined than ever before. I thought I won the last fight. This time, there won’t be any doubt in the judges’ minds or the rest of the world that I’m the UFC lightweight champion. This fight means everything to me and I’m going to prove it on Oct. 8th in Houston, Texas.”
Recognized by many as one of the sport’s top three pound-for-pound best, UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo (fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) has torn through the likes of Urijah Faber, Manny Gamburyan and Mark Hominick in recent outings. With his devastating display of striking and knockout power, the 24-year-old titleholder may face the toughest test of his young career when he faces Florian in Texas. It’s a fact that has the once-beaten fighter as motivated as ever.
“Kenny Florian is a tough fighter with experience in many weight classes,” Aldo, 19-1, said. “This is an exciting fight for the fans and will show why the featherweight division is one of the toughest in the UFC.”
Fresh off a win over Diego Nunes in his featherweight debut in June, fan favorite Kenny Florian (fighting out of Boston, Mass.) now has his sights set on claiming his first world title. A gifted submission artist with underrated striking, the 35-year-old “Ken-Flo” believes he’s found a home at 145-pounds – a home he plans on ruling for a long time.
“Being at 145 pounds, I feel like I’m one of the better, stronger athletes in the division,” Florian, 16-5, said. “Jose Aldo is the most dangerous opponent I’ve ever faced, but I’ve never felt more prepared. Most people are intimidated by Jose, but I plan on bringing the fight to him. I expect this to be a really exciting fight that ends in me realizing my dreams of becoming a world champion.”
One of the best middleweight matchups of the year pits contenders Chael Sonnen (fighting out of West Linn, Ore.) and Brian Stann (fighting out of Scranton, Pa.) against one another. After nearly defeating champion Anderson Silva last Aug., the 34-year-old Sonnen (26-10-1) wants nothing more than another shot at “The Spider.” Getting there might prove to be a treacherous path, as in his way stands “All-American” Stann (11-3), who is coming off back-to-back knockout victories over Jorge Santiago and Chris Leben.
A potential heavyweight slugfest is scheduled for Oct. 8 as Dave Herman (fighting out of Temecula, Calif.) meets Mike Russow (fighting out of Chicago, Ill.). Nicknamed “Pee Wee,” the 26-year-old Herman (21-2) has proved to be no joke in the Octagon, knocking out John Olav Einemo in his UFC debut in June. He’ll face another heavyweight on the rise at Toyota Center in Russow (14-1, 1NC), a winner of three straight, including consecutive KOs of Todd Duffee and Jon Madsen.
Believing one more win will earn him a coveted lightweight title shot, Melvin Guillard (fighting out of New Orleans, La.) looks to extend his winning streak to six when he meets submission ace Joe Lauzon (fighting out of East Bridgewater, Mass.). Nicknamed “The Young Assassin,” Guillard (46-9-3, 1NC), 28, is riding consecutive knockout victories over Evan Dunham and Shane Roller. However, his road to gold is paved with a serious potential roadblock in 27-year-old Lauzon (20-6), who is fresh off an outstanding submission over Curt Warburton in June.
For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit UFC.com. All bouts live and subject to change.
About Ultimate Fighting Championship®
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC® produces over 12 UFC live Pay-Per-View events annually around the world. UFC programming is distributed in the United States on Viacom, Inc.’s Spike TV and on Comcast, Inc.’s VERSUS network. UFC content is distributed commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada. Globally, UFC programming is broadcast in over 132 countries and territories, reaching 597 million homes worldwide, in 21 different languages.
UFC® also boasts a powerful presence online, with UFC.com attracting over six million unique visitors per month, while also possessing one of the most powerful social media followings in all of professional sports. To date, UFC has over six million fans on Facebook and over 300,000 followers on Twitter. In addition, UFC President Dana White is one of the most accessible and most followed executives in sports with over 1.5 million followers on Twitter. On January 22, 2011, UFC continued to set trends in social media, becoming the first major sports league to stream live, broadcast quality action on Facebook.
Ancillary businesses include the best-selling UFC “Undisputed” videogame franchise distributed by THQ, UFC Gymâ„¢, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expoâ„¢ festivals, branded apparel, trading cards, articulated action figures and other media including best-selling DVDs and a bimonthly magazine.
About Toyota Center
Since opening in October 2003, Toyota Center has set a new standard for sports and entertainment, becoming one of the premier live entertainment venues in the nation. Laid over the span of six city blocks, Toyota Center is home to the NBA’s Houston Rockets and the AHL’s Houston Aeros. Toyota Center also plays host to the nation’s top concerts and touring shows.
Winner of the Allen Award for Civic Enhancement by Central Houston in 2003, “Rookie of the Year” by the Harlem Globetrotters in 2004 and a finalist for Pollstar Magazine’s “Best New Concert Venue" award, Toyota Center welcomed more than 1.5 million fans during its first year alone.
Designed by HOK Sports and Entertainment Group in conjunction with Houston based Morris Architects, Toyota Center is highlighted by large open windows and some of the most comfortable seats of any arena anywhere. The arena’s playing surface is set nearly 32-feet below street level giving Toyota Center the largest lower level of any arena in the nation. Coupled with the exclusive Lexus Lounge and Red and White Bistro’s superior food and service, Toyota Center offers something for everyone making it the hottest spot for sports and entertainment in Houston.
All four competitors will take part in a press conference this Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 1 p.m. CT at the Toyota Center in Houston. The conference, which will be hosted by UFC President Dana White, is open to the public and will be held in the 1994-1995 Championship Rooms. Media interested in attending should RSVP to UFC media operations manager Heidi Gerber – [email protected].
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“Aldo’s been running through guys at 145-pounds, but Florian is the most experienced guy he’s ever fought,” White continued. “Kenny looked really sharp against Diego Nunes in his last fight and Diego is a guy who trains with Aldo. I think Kenny is out to prove that he can get over the hump and win his first UFC world title.”
In addition to the two world title fights, former number one
middleweight contender Chael Sonnen
hopes to spark another run at the belt when he locks horns with the
heavy-handed Brian Stann,
while heavyweights Dave Herman
and Mike
Russow are set to collide. Plus, a pivotal lightweight bout
pits Melvin
Guillard against submission ace Joe
Lauzon.
Tickets for UFC®136: EDGAR vs. MAYNARD 3, presented by Bud Light, go on sale Friday, Aug. 19 at 10 a.m. CT and are priced at $350, $250, $150, $100, $75 and $50. Tickets can be purchased at ToyotaCenterTix.com, by phone at 1-866-4-HOU-TIX, at select Houston area Randalls locations, and the Toyota Center Box Office. Tickets are subject to applicable service charges and event time and date are subject to change.
UFC® Fight Clubâ„¢ members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets to this event Wednesday, Aug. 17 at 10 a.m CT via the website www.ufcfightclub.com. A special Internet ticket pre-sale will be available to UFC newsletter subscribers Thursday, Aug. 18, starting at 10 a.m. CT. To access this presale, users must register for the UFC newsletter through UFC.com.
UFC® 136: EDGAR vs. MAYNARD 3 will be available live on Pay-Per-View at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.99 US/$49.99 CAN for Standard Definition and $54.99 US/$59.99 CAN for High Definition.
UFC® 136: EDGAR vs. MAYNARD 3 will coincide with the UFC® Fan Expo, which takes place Friday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 8 at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. Fans won’t want to miss this chance to participate in the ultimate fan experience, including special events, interactive Q&A sessions, meet & greets with top UFC fighters, Training & Development sessions and much more. Tickets and VIP packages are on sale NOW at www.ufcfanexpo.com
A tremendous boxer with great takedowns and poise, UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar (fighting out of Toms River, N.J.) earned back-to-back wins over the legendary BJ Penn in 2010 before battling to an epic draw with Maynard in January. The 29-year-old heads to Houston with the sole mission of defending the title and upending the only man to ever defeat him.
“In reality, this fight is everything to me,” Edgar, 13-1-1, said. “This is everything I worked for and this is a defining fight in my career. I want to end this chapter with Gray on a positive note. I expect more fireworks in this third fight based on how both Gray and I fight. I’ve been training really hard and I expect to come out on top.”
Since joining the UFC in 2007, Gray Maynard (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) has proven to be one of the most dominant contenders in the lightweight division. Holder of wins over the likes of Jim Miller, Roger Huerta and Kenny Florian, the 32-year-old former collegiate wrestling standout at Michigan State has vowed to leave Houston with the title he rightfully believes is his.
“I’m always expecting 110 percent from Frank Edgar,” Maynard, 11-0-1, 1NC, said. “That’s why I’m gonna be more prepared and determined than ever before. I thought I won the last fight. This time, there won’t be any doubt in the judges’ minds or the rest of the world that I’m the UFC lightweight champion. This fight means everything to me and I’m going to prove it on Oct. 8th in Houston, Texas.”
Recognized by many as one of the sport’s top three pound-for-pound best, UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo (fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) has torn through the likes of Urijah Faber, Manny Gamburyan and Mark Hominick in recent outings. With his devastating display of striking and knockout power, the 24-year-old titleholder may face the toughest test of his young career when he faces Florian in Texas. It’s a fact that has the once-beaten fighter as motivated as ever.
“Kenny Florian is a tough fighter with experience in many weight classes,” Aldo, 19-1, said. “This is an exciting fight for the fans and will show why the featherweight division is one of the toughest in the UFC.”
Fresh off a win over Diego Nunes in his featherweight debut in June, fan favorite Kenny Florian (fighting out of Boston, Mass.) now has his sights set on claiming his first world title. A gifted submission artist with underrated striking, the 35-year-old “Ken-Flo” believes he’s found a home at 145-pounds – a home he plans on ruling for a long time.
“Being at 145 pounds, I feel like I’m one of the better, stronger athletes in the division,” Florian, 16-5, said. “Jose Aldo is the most dangerous opponent I’ve ever faced, but I’ve never felt more prepared. Most people are intimidated by Jose, but I plan on bringing the fight to him. I expect this to be a really exciting fight that ends in me realizing my dreams of becoming a world champion.”
One of the best middleweight matchups of the year pits contenders Chael Sonnen (fighting out of West Linn, Ore.) and Brian Stann (fighting out of Scranton, Pa.) against one another. After nearly defeating champion Anderson Silva last Aug., the 34-year-old Sonnen (26-10-1) wants nothing more than another shot at “The Spider.” Getting there might prove to be a treacherous path, as in his way stands “All-American” Stann (11-3), who is coming off back-to-back knockout victories over Jorge Santiago and Chris Leben.
A potential heavyweight slugfest is scheduled for Oct. 8 as Dave Herman (fighting out of Temecula, Calif.) meets Mike Russow (fighting out of Chicago, Ill.). Nicknamed “Pee Wee,” the 26-year-old Herman (21-2) has proved to be no joke in the Octagon, knocking out John Olav Einemo in his UFC debut in June. He’ll face another heavyweight on the rise at Toyota Center in Russow (14-1, 1NC), a winner of three straight, including consecutive KOs of Todd Duffee and Jon Madsen.
Believing one more win will earn him a coveted lightweight title shot, Melvin Guillard (fighting out of New Orleans, La.) looks to extend his winning streak to six when he meets submission ace Joe Lauzon (fighting out of East Bridgewater, Mass.). Nicknamed “The Young Assassin,” Guillard (46-9-3, 1NC), 28, is riding consecutive knockout victories over Evan Dunham and Shane Roller. However, his road to gold is paved with a serious potential roadblock in 27-year-old Lauzon (20-6), who is fresh off an outstanding submission over Curt Warburton in June.
For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit UFC.com. All bouts live and subject to change.
About Ultimate Fighting Championship®
Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC® produces over 12 UFC live Pay-Per-View events annually around the world. UFC programming is distributed in the United States on Viacom, Inc.’s Spike TV and on Comcast, Inc.’s VERSUS network. UFC content is distributed commercially through Joe Hand Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada. Globally, UFC programming is broadcast in over 132 countries and territories, reaching 597 million homes worldwide, in 21 different languages.
UFC® also boasts a powerful presence online, with UFC.com attracting over six million unique visitors per month, while also possessing one of the most powerful social media followings in all of professional sports. To date, UFC has over six million fans on Facebook and over 300,000 followers on Twitter. In addition, UFC President Dana White is one of the most accessible and most followed executives in sports with over 1.5 million followers on Twitter. On January 22, 2011, UFC continued to set trends in social media, becoming the first major sports league to stream live, broadcast quality action on Facebook.
Ancillary businesses include the best-selling UFC “Undisputed” videogame franchise distributed by THQ, UFC Gymâ„¢, UFC Fight Club affinity program, UFC Fan Expoâ„¢ festivals, branded apparel, trading cards, articulated action figures and other media including best-selling DVDs and a bimonthly magazine.
About Toyota Center
Since opening in October 2003, Toyota Center has set a new standard for sports and entertainment, becoming one of the premier live entertainment venues in the nation. Laid over the span of six city blocks, Toyota Center is home to the NBA’s Houston Rockets and the AHL’s Houston Aeros. Toyota Center also plays host to the nation’s top concerts and touring shows.
Winner of the Allen Award for Civic Enhancement by Central Houston in 2003, “Rookie of the Year” by the Harlem Globetrotters in 2004 and a finalist for Pollstar Magazine’s “Best New Concert Venue" award, Toyota Center welcomed more than 1.5 million fans during its first year alone.
Designed by HOK Sports and Entertainment Group in conjunction with Houston based Morris Architects, Toyota Center is highlighted by large open windows and some of the most comfortable seats of any arena anywhere. The arena’s playing surface is set nearly 32-feet below street level giving Toyota Center the largest lower level of any arena in the nation. Coupled with the exclusive Lexus Lounge and Red and White Bistro’s superior food and service, Toyota Center offers something for everyone making it the hottest spot for sports and entertainment in Houston.
