UFC 102: Rose Garden in Portland possible for August 29
by MMAmania.com on Mar 23, 2009 9:00 AM EDT
32 comments
Fear not, Northwesterners, it appears that Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) hasn’t forgot about you after all.
Lorenzo Fertitta -- majority owner of the promotion along with his brother, Frank -- revealed on the Underground Forum over the weekend that UFC 102 will likely take place at the Rose Garden Arena in Portland, Ore., on August 29.
It’s good news for fans there because it appeared that the previously rumored show was scratched in favor of a bigger market in Philadelphia, Pa., on August 8, which we first reported here. And that would have been the second time Portland was passed over -- UFC 91: "Couture vs. Lesnar" in November 2008 was talked about before being held in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Now it seems likely that "The City of Roses" will host its first-ever UFC show. And it will more than likely feature one of the sport’s biggest stars -- and local-area product -- former heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Randy Couture. He is scheduled to lock horns with former Pride FC and UFC interim heavyweight champion, Antonio Rodrigo 'Minotauro' Nogueira.
In addition, it is likely that the 205-pound showdown between former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin and the previously unbeaten Thiago Silva will serve as the co-featured fight of the night when the bout is made official.
UFC 101, therefore, will likely feature a main event between lightweight champion BJ Penn against number one contender Kenny Florian, as well as several other possible bouts that we have discussed in our event archive right here.
Rose Garden Arena can seat more than 20,000 fans at full capacity. It is the home of the NBAs Portland Trail Blazers NBA franchise. Stay tuned to MMAmania.com for more on this developing story.
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Kind of took the luster off of 101 now, with Couture/Nog and Forrest/T.Silva off..
by Synyster on Mar 23, 2009 9:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
im going to be in the ole U.S of A in november… there better be a ufc in vegas then. it also damn well better have some good names. there are so many of the good ones excluded now since they are fighting so close to nov. i am nervous =\
by josh on Mar 23, 2009 9:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This is FOCKING BullSPIT!!!!! R u kidding me? Last week UFC 101 in Philly was supposed to be:
Penn/Ken Flo
Couture/Nog
forrest/silva
now what?
THe orginal 3 big fights were fitting of a first ever UFC event in philly. At least we still getting a Benn title fight, but they better hook it up with a good c0-main event!
who am I kidding? This UFC event could feature synyster vs. Violentmike and I would still be there LIVE!!!
by john on Mar 23, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So who would you take in that fight? Me or VM??
by Synyster on Mar 23, 2009 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I would root for a douyble Knockout! hahaha, just teasin, I got love for you dudes!
by john on Mar 23, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ohhhh! I’m staying out of that argument. I’m still “working” on getting my ass to Philly (I hate marriage right now). Grrrrrr!
by DSmith on Mar 23, 2009 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
So far all we are getting in philly is:
Penn/florian
Melvin vs.Tavares
Neer vs. Batman!
I wish they would move Akiyama/Belcher to this event!
Fighters that arent booked yet that I would like to see fight in Philly:
GOnzaga
Dos Santos (if herring isnt hurt)
condit
Kampman
Shogun
Chuck
Anderson
THales
Maia
Marquardt
Goveai
kongo
who else would be available for UFC 101?
by john on Mar 23, 2009 9:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
maia/marquart would make most sense…anybody else on your list would only be 3-4 months off their last fight…doesn’t look good for UFC97 fighters to fight so soon John…WillyG, Kongo, maybe Carwin, Jardine etc…not bad if BJ/Kenny actually happens at 101
by McArthur on Mar 23, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
McArthur, can’t wait for the Maia/Marquart fight (and it should be a #1 contender fight IMO). However, I think that might be a little too early for that fight if Bisping/Hendo are fighting July 11th – not to mention Maia needs to round out his game. I think Maia should try to squeeze another fight in between him and Marquart. EARLIEST he’s getting a shot at AS if he beats Nate is very late ’09/early ’10.
I just realized a lot of this was written in the below posts, but whatever haha.
by WB on Mar 23, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
marquardt vs. maia would be a great co main event and would create the next number one contender in the middleweight division.
by matt on Mar 23, 2009 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
maybe carwin vs dos santos would be good.
k so is 101 in portland and 102 is in philly?
by NM on Mar 23, 2009 6:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
McArthur: 3-4 months is all fighters really should need between fights. I mean, people are giving Page shit about not fighting Sugar, well, he would’ve fought 3 times in 5 months and you’re saying guys from 97 can’t fight almost 4 months later? Why not? Fighters should be able to fight 3 – 4 times per year. Due to injuries and UFC promotions, sometimes a fighter will fight less and for fighters like Kos, some will fight more, but in general, 3 – 4 times is fair. Especially someone like Silva (3 fights in 2007, 3 fights in 2008) who claims he wants to fight as much as possible. The problem with fighting Silva at 101 would be that he has no opponent unless Maia or Marquart is elevated or he fights at LHW. Everyone else truly would have had a fight too soon with Bisping/Hendo at 100 and Franklin/Wandi at 99. I’d like to see the winner of Shogun/Liddell fight Jardine. If Chuck wins, he’d love a rematch and if Shogun wins, he needs to keep trying his way up the ranks.
by YouveGotGold on Mar 23, 2009 10:13 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
good points but its not the way it works…everything you said is a best case scenario…I hope your right but I doubt it…and who was giving Rampage shit for not fighting Rashad? As far as I know anyone’s opinion on here that matters thought Page made the right choice
by McArthur on Mar 23, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do you really think Silva wouldn’t be ready to fight at 101? Are you predicting that Leites will do anything to him at all?
Fighters that should be physically ready at 101 and don’t have anything scheduled for 98 – 100:
Page – won’t be fighting because he’s waiting for title. My guess is 103 in September.
Jardine – he just needs an opponent and I’d like it to be the Liddell/Shogun winner. Any other thoughts on who it could be?
Marquadt/Maia – possible number one contender matchup. Still possible for 100?
Sure, there are other fighters, but if you’re looking for a co-main event, this is it.
Does anyone know what’s up for the June TUF Finale? I’ve heard:
Diego/Clay
Nate Diaz/Stevenson
Both would be great fights in my mind. I didn’t see it on the UFC Schedule link here.
by YouveGotGold on Mar 23, 2009 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
jardine vs liddell 2?i would not want to see that.
how about jardine vs banha.
by NM on Mar 23, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
F*ck Philly we have been getting dodged left and right in Portland. 1st it was the Couture-Lesner fight that was supposed to be in Oregon and now they snatch 101 from us, and if 102 gets transferred somewhere else I will be pissed. Give 101 BJ/Florian and that is PLENTY for them, give us Couture/Nog and 1 more big fight (not forrest) and we will be fine.
by JRE on Mar 23, 2009 11:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Hope this one sticks. Portland holds 20 thousand and I bet you it will sell out in a few hours. (If that) Portland is huge in mma and I can’t wait for them to see that so they start coming here more often. I don’t mind the Forrest fight cause Thiago will knock him out in the first round. Other fighters they probably will consider is Chael Sonnen, Ed Herman, Mike Pierce, Rick Story, Ryan Schultz and Matt Lindland. Last two I named I’m sure it won’t happen, but who knows.
by bluepit on Mar 23, 2009 11:24 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree… Keep it in Portland please! I know it will sell out. I am having my second son around then and am just praying (or at least my husband is) that he comes on any night besides fight night!! BTW… Ryan Shultz Rocks!! =)
by Mrs. Hager on May 14, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No doubt JRE. We definitely got faked out w/ Lesnar vs. Couture. If they come to P-Town, I will be there!
by LJ on Mar 23, 2009 11:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I would not miss an event in the NW. Having Team Quest here and the fact that Oregon has had MMA regulation for a long time now (unlike Philly) makes Portland a logical choice for an event. Wake up Dana, your Sleeping on the North West!
by JRE on Mar 23, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, I’m actually from Vancouver, WA. I live real close to the columbia river, and it’s about a 5 min drive to portland.
by LJ on Mar 23, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m Vancouver as well. Pretty close to Clark College.
by bluepit on Mar 24, 2009 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have also heard that Chris Leben will be fighting in Portland.
by Alan on Mar 23, 2009 2:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i also heard the Chris Leben will be fighting in Portland and am trying to find out more about it. Does anyone know?
by Gwenn on May 21, 2009 6:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just moved to Portland a few months ago and have never seen a UFC fight live. Super stoked!
by robotplague on Mar 24, 2009 1:30 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
If you just moved to Portland you should check out Sportfight and also Rumble at the Roseland. Rumble at the Roseland is amateurs, but many of them are better fighters than most local pro’s in other areas. I got a buddy and a bro that fights there. Chael Sonnen and Kevin Keeney throw them. Great fights.
by bluepit on Mar 24, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can’t wait for UFC to come to portland! its likley to sell out quick. there are lots of fans here, and i dont care who fights. count on me being as close to the action as possible!
by olie on Mar 28, 2009 11:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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