Zuffa sells out the MGM Grand for UFC 94: 'St. Pierre vs Penn 2'
by Jesse Holland on Jan 14, 2009 3:51 PM EST
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UFC 94: "St. Pierre vs. Penn 2″ is — believe it or not — almost here. The promotion today made the announcement that the colossal fight card has officially sold out the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, set for January 31.
The title of the event speaks for itself — the headlining bout will be a rematch between two of the most talented fighters in the history of this sport. Lightweight champion BJ Penn will step back up to the welterweight division to take a shot at 170-pound kingpin George St. Pierre in hopes of carrying both titles simultaneously.
Company President Dana White recently said that it would be the biggest fight in the history of the promotion. He is more than likely right on the money … literally.
Also on tap for UFC 94 is a light heavyweight match up of undefeated Brazilian contenders Lyoto Machida and Thiago Silva. The winner will likely get a crack at 205-pound title holder Rashad Evans (or Quinton "Rampage" Jackson" somewhere down the road in 2009.
Something else that’s interesting about this card and speaks volumes of just how stacked it is: Former welterweight number one contender Jon Fitch has been relegated to the under card in his bout with Akihiro Gono.
To check out the complete UFC 94 fight card click here.
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I cant wait for this fight to finally happen, or happen again technically.
by El_Mexicutioner, formerly The_Mexicutioner on Jan 14, 2009 5:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I am so shocked at this news! Who would have thought GSP vs. Penn was going to be a sell out! Never in a million years would I have thought it!
NEXT!!!!!!
I look forward to Lyoto vs. THiago
by john on Jan 14, 2009 5:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
made alot of money at the company with this card… sold way better than 91 and 92
by brendan on Jan 14, 2009 5:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
lol, got me there… we dont purchase afflcition events :(
by brendan on Jan 14, 2009 6:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
You all saw it on primetime. BJ is on vacation. Hope it was worth it when he’s gasping for air in the 2nd.
by NameNotRequired on Jan 15, 2009 3:29 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I am not making to much out of the whole vacation thing. BJ will be ready to fight!
by john on Jan 15, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He’s going to lose either way, so let him have his vacation.
by LJ on Jan 15, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I wonder how long ago tickets went on sale, because it seems like this one took a while to sell out…
by Shadyone33 on Jan 15, 2009 7:56 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Looks like there won’t be any mad ticket give-aways in front of the arena the night of the event like there was at the EliteXC events.
by PW on Jan 15, 2009 9:03 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
for real, just one thing i dont get, ya Bj got the better of the first round, but that doesn’t mean that GSP didn’t do anything the first round either, he just bleed alot, so i don’t understand this whole controversy that BJ should of won or atleast a Draw, cuz clearly BJ lost the other two rounds.
I can’t wait
WAR GSP-
WAR MAchida!!
by ricky on Jan 14, 2009 6:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
“Something else that’s interesting about this card and speaks volumes of just how stacked it is: Former welterweight number one contender Jon Fitch has been relegated to the under card in his bout with Akihiro Gono.”
Someone explain to me why Bonnar and Jones are on the main card of this “stacked” lineup.
GSP/BJ….awesome
Silva/Machida…great, if Machida actually fights
Always liked the Diaz bros.
The rest…meh.
by introvert on Jan 14, 2009 5:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
That’s the biggest sugar-coating of a situation I’ve ever seen. The reason the Fitch/Gono fight is on the under card is not because it’s such a “stacked” card (don’t get me wrong, it’s a great card) — it’s because of the UFC and Fitch/AKA contract situation last November.
UFC is punishing Fitch and sending a message to every other fighter under contract with the promotion — there is no question about that.
by fs2117 on Jan 14, 2009 5:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Agree with sending Fitch a msg and i think that they are thinking that it is going to go to a decision so they put it on the undercard. I think if it is finished then they will show it
by ehoglund on Jan 14, 2009 5:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
screw the UFC and their gestapo tactics… punsishing a fighter for not signing some nonsense agreement? you guys realize how ridiculous that sounds right?
by brendan on Jan 14, 2009 5:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Typical response to a comment like this would be: he can fight for another promotion if he doesn’t like it.
I’m sorry if that is a little overused, but it works every time.
by RealDrew on Jan 14, 2009 6:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree one hundred percent. It actually makes me pissed. I think that is a super messed up move. Tons of respect lost. I really hope somebody from Zuffa reads all these posts and see’s just how pissed people really are with the way they are trying to strongarm people.
War Fitch!! Ur the man bro!
by enzo-enormous on Jan 14, 2009 6:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Remember seeing AA’s last fight in the UFC… Oh wait he too was on an undercard, now he’s fighting Fedor. If there were 5 solid fights above Fitch I wouldn’t care but honestly Karo… The GateKeeper… This fight should be before people arrive that way Karo doesn’t get scared.
by Arnold on Jan 15, 2009 7:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I can’t see BJ stopping GSP from taking him to the ground, and on the ground I think GSP has huge advantage. If it stay’s a stand up I think the advantage goes slightly to Penn.
by Beaver on Jan 14, 2009 5:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Just finished watching the 1st fight. Bj was taken down 4 times and got up 3. The 4th was at the end of the 3rd round and time expired. Bj took Gsp down once but he got right back up.
by Kdog on Jan 15, 2009 12:57 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fitch and Gono are on the under card because of the beef Dana had with the AKA and nothing else, but i don’t really care anyways his inability to finish fights and put on entertaining fights is limited… this card looks very much like the Lesnar vs Couture card if not worse
by RoB on Jan 14, 2009 6:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I’m thinking Fitch vs Gono won’t make it out of the first round. He will be a different person and Gono won’t know what hit him.
by Arnold on Jan 15, 2009 7:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
RoB did you see Fitch finish Alves, Burkman, Roan, Luigi but you’re right he does have an inability to finish fight in 2008… Or maybe you just have an inability to remember over a year ago.
by Arnold on Jan 15, 2009 7:50 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
GSP has a huge advantage on the ground vs one of the most talented and flexible bjj fighters in the world? Dubious!
by sigepsal on Jan 14, 2009 6:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I agree with ur sarcasm. I see GSP winning, but I dont agree that he has a huge advantage on the ground at all. Just wrestling, not bjj. Even tho they are both black belts. I feel that Penn is ahead of GSP in that department.
Not saying that GSP cant submit someone better than him… that just wasnt a well thought out statement in my opinion.
by enzo-enormous on Jan 14, 2009 6:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
The f*ck is Fitch vs Gono on the UNDERCARD for.
i mean i know why but still it’s bullsh*t…
by SoCalStunNa on Jan 14, 2009 7:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
no, you all think you know why. you know what they say about assuming right?
by Egads on Jan 14, 2009 8:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
how nice would it be to be in the front row watching this ass bj tko’s george
by The Philicutioner on Jan 14, 2009 8:47 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
He said he was going to TRY to kill him and he said he was willing to die and die he will. GSP seemed pretty pissed when Penn said he was a quiter. BJ has to hate his opponent and GSP didn’t bite and retaliating. GSP is still training like an animal and BJ is going on a 5 day holiday. BJ had everything handed to him all his life, so he doesn’t know the first thing about dedication and sacrifice. I’m not saying it’s a bad thing or his fault,just that GSP will always have that advantage. I thought BJ fans said BJ was smart. Insulting GSP and pissing him off is the stupidest tactic ever. The only thing he accomplished by that is making GSP more determined to beat him.
by Gord on Jan 15, 2009 12:08 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly. Is Dana White BJ’s daddy? Calling him to make sure he is training and doing the right things?!?!?
by LJ on Jan 15, 2009 3:28 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
((Adam G)) – this is way off topic, but i just watched GSP-Penn I on my UFC 58 DVD, and i cant remember for sure, but i thought you said that the first round should have been 10-8 for BJ… i may be completely wrong here though, so correct me if i am. but if you did say that, would you mind telling me how you see that? cause yes GSP’s face was busted up and he was bleeding all over, from the accidental eye poke and the nose clip, but strike for strike the round was pretty close IMHO
by $Andrew$ on Jan 14, 2009 9:12 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
10-8 is a stretch/ you would need to hang on Joe Rogan’s every word to believe this. I feel BJ was more aggressive inside and GSP figured this out and picked up the tempo and closed the gap in the second. I am not so sure that Penn gassed as much as I think GSP raised the bar(tempo). I am sure many would disagree, but I don’t give a dam. Count the number of leg kicks GSP landed in the first round and the allusion of Penn’s dominance starts to fade.
ADAM G – you the best, but WAR GSP.
WAR Eagles
by TapedUpPair on Jan 14, 2009 9:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Much love, soon it will be settled huh . . .
by ( (AdamG ) ) on Jan 14, 2009 10:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
soon to be settled but i am going to miss it as well as the super bowl. have to go to Texas for some training and will be out of the loop. will be back on line Tuesday to either take my medicine or dish it out = )
good luck with your song and your bj.
by TapedUpPair on Jan 14, 2009 11:05 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
HELP: My lady likes this song we heard on the radio so i wanted to get her the cd this week but after searching i got no love on an artist name, song title, etc, PLEASE HELP GUYS! Details i know: Its country-ish, a girl, and she talking about how her man is “probably at a bar” and not at home with her. I dont know much else, but the course has that line in it “You’re probably at a bar” and then goes on to describe him on the jukbox, drinking etc. And how she misses him. HELP!!! Fining this cd could mean i get a couple BJ BJ BJ’s!!! of my own!!! Come on suckas! Ask your sisters, mamas, lady friends, find it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think its called “At a bar” or “Biggest Mistake” or “Favorite Mistake” and NO, its not the Sheryl Crow song or the Rehab song, KEEP GOING!!!
by ( (AdamG ) ) on Jan 14, 2009 10:48 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I recgonize your number , its burnt into my brain , I felt my heart beating faster evertime it rang . Somethings never change , its why I didnt answer , I bet your in a bar. Listening too a country song , glas of Johnny walker red with no one too take you home , they are prolly closing down saying no more alochol , I bet your in a bar.
by dayzah on Jan 15, 2009 12:43 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
MANIA – How many UFC Championship Belts do you think will be made available at UFC 100? I got HW, LHW (hence rushing Rampage v Rashad), 155 pd (Penn v Florian) … either GSP v Thiago or GSP v Anderson Silva.
Does anyone think there will be the greatest number of titles up for grabs in history of UFC at 100?
by DownUnder on Jan 15, 2009 4:42 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
I personaly think Gsp is all hype, I dont know how a guy gets call a pfp best after being ko’d by a ww thats not evan ranked. And dont say well sometimes you get cought, if your the best you dont get cought, and by Serra, an out of shape no tallent midget. let me get this, Gsp gets ktfo by serra, lays on kos for a ud, sub washed up Hughes, beats a fat unfocussed Serra, then has one good perfomance and you want me to buy that he is a pound for pound best, A silva would eat this guy alive, so would T silva, it dosnt matter you guys will see gsp is just a marketed tool i think the next time he loose his belt he dont get it back.
by Thebending on Jan 15, 2009 5:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
let me guess you started following MMA a month ago!
by jet99 on Jan 15, 2009 8:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Just watched the first fight again and I’m even more convinced that GSP will destroy Penn. The first 130 seconds were horrible for GSP, but at no time did he slow down or stop his attack. He was bloodied, but certainly not as one sided as many people say. The next 2 rounds were actually better then I thought with GSP easily taking Penn down 4 times. Yes, he didn’t do much damage, but he stayed active and Penn couldn’t defend.
In short, I really think Penn needs a KO to win. If he doesn’t get the KO he will be KTFO himself or take a 5 round beating.
by SilasM on Jan 15, 2009 5:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
BJ grew up in the great ghettos of Hawaii. As a child he persevered though many hardships including having his bicycle threatened daily. He was on a path to nowhere only living off his natural fighting ability. Fueled with anger the young Hawaiian was defiant against any and everybody until one day he found the great art of BJJ. His life would never be the same.
Through martial arts BJ Penn found the discipline and structure his family and upbringing never gave him. I natural born athlete he overcame the obstacles to become the only lw and ww champion in UFC history.
Today BJ Penn is recognized as one of the hardest working athletes in MMA and is a hero and inspiration to local Hawaiians. BJ Penn is a true life story of someone that beat all the odds to become the greatest fighter in history.
by wat fool on Jan 15, 2009 6:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
What the promotional Blah Blah Blah?
- Mania, can you bill for this free advertising?
by TapedUpPair on Jan 15, 2009 9:44 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Bj, the talented spoiled brat, has learned to tap into his ego and narcissistic tendencies to fuel himself to higher levels.
Through video blogs and well place mirrors, BJ was able to see himself in a larger light allowing for greater Narcissism. This greater Narcissism helped the natural athlete overcome pot smoking and general laziness.
Today BJ Penn is recognized as one of the biggest egomaniacs and quasi-professionals in MMA. BJ Penn is an inspiration to cannabis consumers and pineapple harvesters. BJ Penn is a true life story of an amazing athlete who has used the image of himself to propel himself forward in spite of male pattern baldness.
by TapedUpPair on Jan 15, 2009 9:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Prime Time was hilarious last night, all BJ did was talk shit come on dude act like youve been there before. We all saw the fight man GSP beat you down for 2 rounds, just because you gave him a bleeding nose in the 1st does not mean you won the fight. I like BJ but shut your pie hole already man you sound like a total bitch. Prime Time Special = 1 spoiled brat acting like he is going to beat someone up after school and then youve got GSP acting and handling his business like a real PRO come on BJ grow up. When you said you were going to try and kill him on national TV I think you drossed the line. So if GSP ends up dead in the ring and BJ admitting to wanting to kill him, would that not add up to First Degree Murder charge. After watching it I really decided to cheer hard for GSP I hope he just destroys BJ now.
by Spyder on Jan 15, 2009 11:54 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
In all seriousness – I was thinking the same thing. God forbid something happen to GSP. This type of talking may help sell tickets in the short run but in the long run it could be the thing that prevents further sanctioning of MMA.
I thought GSP was all class especially in contrast to Penn. Dana White kind of surprised me with the phone call. I wonder what he is really concerned about??
by TapedUpPair on Jan 15, 2009 12:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Penn is coming off like such an ass on this show I wouldn’t be surprised if he loses some fans, or at least takes some of the stream out of the die hards. I agree with TapedUpPair and think gsp is a class act, maybe not the most charasmatic guy, poor english and all but humble and not a trash talker. Penn is going to look like a gigantic ass if he loses escpecially if he loses badly, and ends up in the hospital himself. I agree with Spyder and TapedUpPair except the gsp getting killed thing, its as likely as herb dean getting struck by lightning during the fight. Its a fight and if a fighter gets killed in the octagon it can’t be ruled as a homicide I’m sure they sign all sorts of legal wavers and know the riskes they take. The perfect way this fight plays out, round 1 gsp out strikes penn for 4 minutes, then takes him down for some ground and pound penn getting saved by the bell, penn and helped back to his corner a bloody mess. Round 2 penn comes out agressively goes for a take down and get knocked down by a knee to the head, gsp all over him with ground and pound, penn giving up him back, gsp sinks the hooks in gsp applies a rear naked choke and a dazed penn taps weakly. Its all over just over 1 minute into the second round!!! gsp does his famous back flip, penn runs out of the octagon “discobobulated” even before the winner is anounced, and spend the night in the local hospital. He’s consolled after 2 months of crying and then finally agrees to fight kenny florian, 2 months later they fight and kenny beats him by split decision, penn retires and ends up in a local mental hospital saying I could have been the greatest, I could have been the greatest. ;P
by nathan on Jan 15, 2009 2:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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