LAS VEGAS, NV – A star-studded lineup comes to Ohio featuring current UFC® Heavyweight Champion Tim “The Maine-iac” Sylvia along with Rich “Ace” Franklin and Matt Hughes – two former UFC champions who are hot on the championship trail and loaded with a vengeance. The Ultimate Fighting Championship® organization presents UFC 68: THE UPRISING live from Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio Saturday, March 3. [details (http://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=6817)]

sounds like a good one, i guess they dont know who they are fighting yet huh.

I wouldnt be surprised to see da hammerhouse in attendance, maybe they can put some of thier younger talent on the undercard.

I don't understand why they are posting UFC 68 bouts when they haven't finalized the UFC 67 card, yet. What's up, man? I'm anxious.

Jason MacDonald has been offered a fight with Rich Franklin. Franklin's camp is currently waiting to see if MacDonald will sign.

Matt Hughes will likely be facing Chris Lytle but at this point it isn't official. Lytle was originally expected to face Forrest Petz but he was forced to pull out. One other note, Karo Parisyan was offered a fight with Hughes but apparently he turned it down.

As for Tim Sylvia, the rumor now is he will be facing Gonzaga but I don't think that'll go down. The UFC hasn't been able to re-sign Vera so I think they'll bring someone in and put together an intriguing match-up to make up for the one lost with Vera.

swhite.
is there a link on that stuff?

thanks

swhite.
is there a link on that stuff?

thanks

I actually received that information from a source within the Miletich camp.

ok cool... thanks for the updates then :)

Why did jason mcdonald lose to fighters that aren't so good? I guess he wasn't training fulltime back then.

I don't understand why they are posting UFC 68 bouts when they haven't finalized the UFC 67 card, yet. What's up, man? I'm anxious.

Well, a lot of the people fighting on the 68 card will not be ready to fight on the 67 card. The fighters on 67 all know if they are on the card or not, the UFC has just not told the public for some reason.

Jason MacDonald has been offered a fight with Rich Franklin. Franklin's camp is currently waiting to see if MacDonald will sign.

Matt Hughes will likely be facing Chris Lytle but at this point it isn't official. Lytle was originally expected to face Forrest Petz but he was forced to pull out. One other note, Karo Parisyan was offered a fight with Hughes but apparently he turned it down.

As for Tim Sylvia, the rumor now is he will be facing Gonzaga but I don't think that'll go down. The UFC hasn't been able to re-sign Vera so I think they'll bring someone in and put together an intriguing match-up to make up for the one lost with Vera.


Rich Franklin is gon murder Jason Mcdonald, hate to say it cause Mcdonald is canadian but last 2 fights he seemed gassed pretty quick and his defense against Lebans striking wasnt too good. I dont think he is ready for Rich Franklin, but it would be a good way to give him more spotlight.

Rich Franklin is gon murder Jason Mcdonald, hate to say it cause Mcdonald is canadian but last 2 fights he seemed gassed pretty quick and his defense against Lebans striking wasnt too good. I dont think he is ready for Rich Franklin, but it would be a good way to give him more spotlight.

I agree, MacDonald left himself open way to much against Leben and if he does that against Franklin he will be in trouble.

MacDonald was recently on 'MMAWeekly Radio' and here is what he had to say about a possible fight with Franklin...

There has been much speculation that his next fight will be against the former middleweight champion Rich Franklin. MacDonald is not crazy about the proposition, but not because he is afraid. “A Rich Franklin fight is not a great fight for me, he’s coming off a loss and I’m coming off two wins, but it is Rich Franklin and he is one the top middleweights in the world.” While speculation has pointed to Franklin, MacDonald would like to dispose of another TUF fighter in Kendall Grove. “He beat Ed Herman and so did I. That’s the fight I’m looking for is Kendall Grove.” Joe Silva has mentioned that he has a “surprise” for Jason’s next fight. One thing is for sure, whomever he does fight, MacDonald will not take him lightly.

its looking more and more like sylvia/gonzaga will happen at this event. Whoop de do

I agree, MacDonald left himself open way to much against Leben and if he does that against Franklin he will be in trouble.

MacDonald was recently on 'MMAWeekly Radio' and here is what he had to say about a possible fight with Franklin...


He talks about the TUF guys trying to use him for a stepping stone, sounds like he using the TUF guys himself for wins if he wants to fight Kendal Grove next fight.

Jason MacDonald has been offered a fight with Rich Franklin. Franklin's camp is currently waiting to see if MacDonald will sign.

Matt Hughes will likely be facing Chris Lytle but at this point it isn't official. Lytle was originally expected to face Forrest Petz but he was forced to pull out. One other note, Karo Parisyan was offered a fight with Hughes but apparently he turned it down.

As for Tim Sylvia, the rumor now is he will be facing Gonzaga but I don't think that'll go down. The UFC hasn't been able to re-sign Vera so I think they'll bring someone in and put together an intriguing match-up to make up for the one lost with Vera.


Hughes said he doesn't know his opponent, adding he had asked to fight unbeaten Diego (The Nightmare) Sanchez.

It definitely looks like Hughes will end up facing Lytle.

2swell k-wells - You're correct Hughes does want Sanchez but the UFC is apparently saving him for a shot.

From Matt Hughes Blog...

The UFC says that I'm fighting on March 3rd, but I don't know who yet. I asked for Diego, but they want to save him for a title shot. I am glad to be fighting in Ohio, this way people from around here, who can't really afford to fly out to Vegas or California, will be able to watch one of my fights. So I look forward to a lot of local support.

I'll try to get an update tonight on the situation.

Confirmed: Franklin to Fight MacDonald at UFC 68

by Andy Cotterill

Former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin (Pictures) will return to action for the first time since losing his belt to Anderson Silva when he faces quickly-rising middleweight contender Jason MacDonald (Pictures), March 3 in Columbus, Ohio, Sherdog.com confirmed on Friday.

MacDonald's manager, Mark Pavelich of Pro Camp Sports Management, informed Sherdog.com that MacDonald was offered to fight Franklin on the UFC 68 card several days after the Canadian's sophomore appearance in the Octagon, where he defeated Chris Leben (Pictures) by modified guillotine choke.

UFC matchmaker Joe Silva was so impressed with MacDonald’s performance, said Pavelich, that on top of the Franklin offer, he agreed to a signing bonus and a new four-fight contract.

Definitely a tough fight for MacDonald but kudos to him for taking it. Also great to see the UFC give him a new four-fight deal along with a signing bonus.

Confirmed: Franklin to Fight MacDonald at UFC 68

by Andy Cotterill

Former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin (Pictures) will return to action for the first time since losing his belt to Anderson Silva when he faces quickly-rising middleweight contender Jason MacDonald (Pictures), March 3 in Columbus, Ohio, Sherdog.com confirmed on Friday.

MacDonald's manager, Mark Pavelich of Pro Camp Sports Management, informed Sherdog.com that MacDonald was offered to fight Franklin on the UFC 68 card several days after the Canadian's sophomore appearance in the Octagon, where he defeated Chris Leben (Pictures) by modified guillotine choke.

UFC matchmaker Joe Silva was so impressed with MacDonald’s performance, said Pavelich, that on top of the Franklin offer, he agreed to a signing bonus and a new four-fight contract.


This one is already over, Read what he had to say about it on the radio and he is not confident to fight Franklin. But ya my hats off to him too for taking this fight, if he wins I say maybe a title shot cause Franklin is a big boost for Mcdonald.

It definitely looks like Hughes will end up facing Lytle.

2swell k-wells - You're correct Hughes does want Sanchez but the UFC is apparently saving him for a shot.

From Matt Hughes Blog...



I'll try to get an update tonight on the situation.


Alright thanks for the update on his fight. Wouldve been better if he fought Sanchez though. So does that mean Diego has a title shot coming already? He should fight either hughes or Penn before a title shot but maybe that would ruin his undefeated streak :s who knows right.

I definitely agree. I'd much rather see Matt Hughes faces Diego Sanchez but of course they want to save Sanchez for a shot and they want to give Hughes a comeback fight.

As for Sanchez and a title shot, Dana White has said that Sanchez is definitely in line. It was originally rumored that Georges St. Pierre would fight Matt Serra at UFC 67 and then he'd fight Sanchez at UFC 69 is April but St. Pierre's injury has messed everything up.

Personally I can't see Diego sitting out for a huge length of time waiting for a title shot. The UFC should definitely give him one more fight putting him in a situation which was alot like George St. Pierre's when he was working his way back up to a rematch with Matt Hughes.

When St. Pierre began his climb back up he was forced to fight four very tough welterweights (Miller, Sherk, Trigg, Penn). St. Pierre walked through the first three and had some trouble with Penn but his performances showed he deserved a shot.

Diego has been awesome so far and shown he is a true contender but of his six UFC wins he only has a couple of legit guys (Parisyan, Diaz). I didn't include Riggs because I feel he is highly overrated. Diego has trouble with both Parisyan and Diaz but in the end he still earned the win. I will admit though his performance against Riggs was impressive.

One more fight for Sanchez before a title shot wouldn't hurt and with St. Pierres' injury I think it is a definite possibility. If Hughes wins, which im sure he will, they should match Sanchez up with him for a title shot. That way both guys will stay active while St. Pierre finishes his business with Serra at UFC 69?.

Also we likely won't see Penn versus Sanchez anytime soon because he is moving down lightweight to fight Pulver in June. He won't be able to fight before then because he will be busy taping TUF 5 which starts January 20th.

I definitely agree. I'd much rather see Matt Hughes faces Diego Sanchez but of course they want to save Sanchez for a shot and they want to give Hughes a comeback fight.

As for Sanchez and a title shot, Dana White has said that Sanchez is definitely in line. It was originally rumored that Georges St. Pierre would fight Matt Serra at UFC 67 and then he'd fight Sanchez at UFC 69 is April but St. Pierre's injury has messed everything up.

Personally I can't see Diego sitting out for a huge length of time waiting for a title shot. The UFC should definitely give him one more fight putting him in a situation which was alot like George St. Pierre's when he was working his way back up to a rematch with Matt Hughes.

When St. Pierre began his climb back up he was forced to fight four very tough welterweights (Miller, Sherk, Trigg, Penn). St. Pierre walked through the first three and had some trouble with Penn but his performances showed he deserved a shot.

Diego has been awesome so far and shown he is a true contender but of his six UFC wins he only has a couple of legit guys (Parisyan, Diaz). I didn't include Riggs because I feel he is highly overrated. Diego has trouble with both Parisyan and Diaz but in the end he still earned the win. I will admit though his performance against Riggs was impressive.

One more fight for Sanchez before a title shot wouldn't hurt and with St. Pierres' injury I think it is a definite possibility. If Hughes wins, which im sure he will, they should match Sanchez up with him for a title shot. That way both guys will stay active while St. Pierre finishes his business with Serra at UFC 69?.

Also we likely won't see Penn versus Sanchez anytime soon because he is moving down lightweight to fight Pulver in June. He won't be able to fight before then because he will be busy taping TUF 5 which starts January 20th.

IMO hughes/sanchez is the perfect fight and makes the most sense.. Both guys want title shots, diego is yet to beat anyboyd worthy of a title shot.. hughes got schooled by GSP so bad i personally dont think he deserves a title shot.. so they should both earn it. fighting one another is a good way for both of em..

IMO hughes/sanchez is the perfect fight and makes the most sense.. Both guys want title shots, diego is yet to beat anyboyd worthy of a title shot.. hughes got schooled by GSP so bad i personally dont think he deserves a title shot.. so they should both earn it. fighting one another is a good way for both of em..

Why would u risk having sanchez lose to hughes, i'm sure dana wants more guys challenging for his 170 champ than bj and matt.

IMO hughes/sanchez is the perfect fight and makes the most sense.. Both guys want title shots, diego is yet to beat anyboyd worthy of a title shot.. hughes got schooled by GSP so bad i personally dont think he deserves a title shot.. so they should both earn it. fighting one another is a good way for both of em..


I agree with this thread, Hughes doesnt deserve it yet and there are other guys like Diego working thier ass off for a shot. Hughes is gon fight a lil guy that aint at his level (lytle) and Diego is beating the best in WW. Sanchez probably has the better chance at GSP, hughes got :owned: last fight. Plus this fight would make tons of money for dana white, he is stupid.

Looks like Lytle vs. Hughes is a go.

Here is a piece from Lytle's Myspace bulletin:

For those of you who haven’t heard the news already, I have taken a fight against Matt Hughes at UFC 68 in Ohio on March 3rd. Just when I thought I had faced the most important fight of my career with Matt Serra, the UFC presents this opportunity to me. I am very excited to fight Matt, who is coming off of a loss and losing his long held welterweight title and is easily considered the most dominant 170 lb fighter in the UFC and quite possibly the world. My skills are always improving and I train with Integrated Fighting in our new facility shared with the Carmel Kickboxing Academy. Any of my fans that are in the midwest have a great opportunity to come see me at a live UFC event. Tickets go on sale to the general public Tuesday, Jan 9th at 10 a.m. The decision loss to Matt Serra was difficult for me to accept, considering most of the viewers of that fight thought I should have won or had a 4th round to decide the victor. I appreciate all my fans and all their support and look forward to this exciting new challenge ahead of me.

way to go dana, way to bring integrity to the sport...

MMA in usa is no more a sport than it is a spectical.. if nevada lets this fight goes through it's a huge insult to hughes (former champ) and a disgrace to any fan of the sport..

Why don't we just let the ravens play michigan state in a football game??
Thats abuot as even as hughes fighting lytle..

Even better someone tell dana i have a 6yr old nephew we can feed to cro-cop if you want... just call nsac and makesure you tell them it's a UFC promotion, wouldn't want them to cancel this fight because they thought it was pride or something.

That whole event will suck!

Dana is pissing me off, i mean you have good fighters now, make good matchups you ***got.

At least put Thiago Alves against Matt Hughes, Thiago put on some impressive matches. But i dunno, cause i heard he is suspended or whatever...still he would be a better matchup for hughes than Lytle.

Lytle couldn't even beat a fellow tuffer(guys that couldn't successfully compete in UFC) and now theyr'e feeding him to a guy that lost his first fight in how many years??

goes to show money and new fighters still don't help the UFC, they'll alwasy have dana white holding em down with bull**** like this..

Lytle couldn't even beat a fellow tuffer(guys that couldn't successfully compete in UFC) and now theyr'e feeding him to a guy that lost his first fight in how many years??

goes to show money and new fighters still don't help the UFC, they'll alwasy have dana white holding em down with bull**** like this..


Im very ****ing sure that the UFC gets more ratings than Pride.

Im very ****ing sure that the UFC gets more ratings than Pride.

oo ratings.. mean nothing as far as quality goes.. pride is quality ufc is quantity.. you know who the whore is right??

ps.. retired fighters getting title shots.. Not good for the sport.. maybe for viewership but not for the sport.. At this rate they'll never allow leg strikes to a downed opponent..

whats next elf vs gary coleman?? really i'm waiting for the headline.. ufc 68.25 yo'll see.

oo ratings.. mean nothing as far as quality goes.. pride is quality ufc is quantity.. you know who the whore is right??

ps.. retired fighters getting title shots.. Not good for the sport.. maybe for viewership but not for the sport.. At this rate they'll never allow leg strikes to a downed opponent..

whats next elf vs gary coleman?? really i'm waiting for the headline.. ufc 68.25 yo'll see.

Well looks like quality is doing **** all for pride if nobody is watching it lol.

Sylvia hasn't looked like a "maniac" lately. He needs to fight Emelianenko. Franklin left his last fight in the gym. I think he was reading too many articles about himself. Hughes was finally exposed as a limited fighter. The opponents will make or break these matches.....

Well looks like quality is doing **** all for pride if nobody is watching it lol.

Gotta keep tellin americans.. Thers a world outside of the USA.. Open your fukin eyes retard...

Gotta keep tellin americans.. Thers a world outside of the USA.. Open your fukin eyes retard...


There are probably lots that know about pride but didnt like it, Liked the fighters maybe, but UFC is jus better in a way ****ing idiot. Your probably the only one that thinks pride is better haha. Ya sure they have top ranked fighters but it still is nothing compared to ufc. When u gonna get it through your ****ing head to that small brain of yours.

ps.. retired fighters getting title shots

First of all, you really should lay off with the Pride nuthugging... it's kind of lame.

You make a comment about Randy Couture getting a title shot against Sylvia so what do you have to say about Mark Coleman getting a shot against Fedor Emelianenko during Pride's first USA show? There is no way in hell Coleman deserved that fight over someone like Josh Barnett or Mark Hunt but he was given it because he was a DRAW in the States. Seems like Pride overlooked the quality aspect there...

Umm coleman/fedor was the first PrideUSA show.. when trying to breakout into a new market you have to do things that appeal to that market (un-even/un-warranted title shots is what america wants..)

UFC has been in USA for 10yrs, they have no excuse, if they havn't solidified a fan base yet, it's safe to say they never will..

when i say fan base, i mean fans of the sport who realize the ground game is part of the sport and choose to learn about it, rather than boo it any chance they get....
Not a bunch of idiots sharing a 24 saying "cant wait for blood, he's gonna get KTFO's.. oohh man chuck is the hardest puncher in the entire ninja turtle galaxy... I bet chuck could take conan the barbarian." these are not fans of the sport.. They are fans of the spectacle.. they want blood and ko's and could care less where the sport is in 10yrs or even the fighters...

Anybody who know's anything about fight sports knows what UFC is doing is wrong and will only reeep immediate benefits nothing long term....

Umm coleman/fedor was the first PrideUSA show.. when trying to breakout into a new market you have to do things that appeal to that market (un-even/un-warranted title shots is what america wants..)

I don't see why you're complaining abou the American market when Pride is doing the exact same thing. Why is Dan Henderson getting a title shot over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira or Paulo Fihlo? Pride is no better then the UFC, look at their cards in Japan, sure they put on some great fights but hell the other half is a bunch of freak show fights. They do that because it appeals to the Japanese market. Why the **** do they have guys like "Giant" Silva, Butterbean, James Thompson, etc. in the organization? It's because they draw people.

UFC has been in USA for 10yrs, they have no excuse, if they havn't solidified a fan base yet, it's safe to say they never will..

If they haven't solidified a fan base yet? I think it's safe to say they have. The UFC is currently one of the large draws in the US. They have huge live gates and PPV numbers and they are consistent about it. The UFC has/will surpass boxing within the next year.

Swhite, Pride needs to bring in the big guys, they are trying to appeal to 2markets where ufc is stilll just tryin to keep solid ground in just the US.. UFC has only put on shows in like 3states as of late.. If they're so big why aren't they traveling like the WWE(to states that are sanctioned)..

Pride can hurt the ufc and compete with them in the USA... UFC cannot compete with pride in japan... pride has japan and are digging for usa, ufc is fighting for just usa market and pick up others along the way(uk,mexico which pride also has viewership)...

The japanese fans of pride like the big guys, they also like the "davey vs goliath" matches.. OH yah their havin a superHW gP as well, it's still in the works..

So how can they have all of this if they don't introduce these big guys to the fans?? they can't... so they must put these guys on fight cards while make interesting match-ups..

Zulu vs fedor.. zulu was huge, towering over fedor and fedor dropped him one punch.. brilliant introduce one fighter(for a purpose "GP") while showing off your champion..

minow/giant silva.. on paper looked like ****, everyboyd was like WTF?? but when you saw the fight, minowa delivered.. it was brilliantly entertaining.. how can you complain about that fight?? Think silva had a broken face bone at the end...

UFC on the other hand. whats the point of having TUF, getting fans to know the fighters, than feed them to champs(serra, lutter, quarry) where they get destroyed (Quarry) by the champ never to been seen again for like a year or longer..?? what the **** is the point of that??

Pride has a plan, UFC has an idea.. thats' the difference..