UFC 120 Website

The following is from the official MySpace blog of UFC fighter Tito Ortiz:

So, everyone is giving me shit for the Dana fight… No one knows what really went on. Let me tell my side of what real went on. Me and Dana had this agreement to box each other. I told Dana we should put it on video and sell it. He said "yes that a good idea". So Spike came to Big Bear before the Chuck fight for two days. Used my time from training to shoot for the Spike special. I said that was fine. I took two week off after the chuck fight. Then started my boxing training. You all have to understand that Dana was almost a pro boxer. I was going to take this fight serious. Jenna was helping me with the deal because I seen this as a big money maker. She ask if there was a contract for the fight? She made call's to dana to get the deal done. Craig from Spike called Jenna back to discuss is deal. She asked for executive producer rights for me. Since it was my idea. Help to promote Punishment Athletics for the fight and other deal points. Craig said he would talk to Dana and get back to us. After that I cancel a few appearance's that I had to do. A lot of money that was given up. So I could train for the fight. I had to get all of my medicals done as a normal fight. I got my eye done then we got a call from Craig. He said that Dana say that they are not going to shoot the fight or cover it in anyway. So this was a real lose,lose situation for me. I lost out on money for appearances. Now I was losing out on promotion and big dollars for the PPV. He didn't want to cut me in on the deal. So as a business man I couldn't do the fight. I have a very big fight with Evans. Why would I risk my health and that fight for free? I wasn't going to make anything for it? I was not going to get taken advantage of as a fighter or a business man. You tell me if I made the right decision? Hopefully this will get ironed out and will be done right the next time. Just trying to do business….. Tito Ortiz

UFC middleweight fighter Nathan Marquardt (25-6-2) just signed the bout agreement for UFC 72, sealing his bid to challenge for the 185-pound belt against current champion Anderson Silva (18-4) on July 7.

It’s been a long road for the mixed martial arts veteran, who will look keep his untarnished record inside the Octagon intact against one of the most gifted fighters in the sport today.

Nate recently wrote a quick note for his fans via MySpace, detailing some of his thoughts on the biggest fight of his successful career to date.

Here it is:

“Hello UFC fans. I am very excited to tell you that I will be fighting for the UFC Middleweight title on July 7 against Anderson Silva.

I have known for a while but have not told anyone until I was sure. I just signed the bout agreement yesterday and sent it in. I was told by my manager that if I beat Dean Lister that I would be fighting for the title. Then, our bout was not shown on television because of a decision by Spike TV.

I was worried that this might change the title situation, but the UFC has always kept their word with us and told us that we still would get the fight. I have learned not to get my hopes up until it is in writing.

Last week I received the bout contract and now I am very excited. I am fighting for the Middleweight belt, but I am more excited to fight against Anderson Silva. I believe he is a great fighter. I know my style will match up well with his and will make an exciting fight and in the end I will be victorious!

To prepare for this fight I will be training with all my normal training partners at Jackson’s and in Denver. I will be training just like I do for any fight. Anderson Silva is a great fighter, but is just that, a fighter. He is not invincible, he has weaknesses and I am Nathan Marquardt.

I would like to thank all of my fans, sponsors, students, teammates, family and friends who have believed in me throughout all the ups and downs.”

The following promotional poster has been released, confirming our report earlier today that UFC 71 on May 26th is set to feature the highly anticipated rematch between Chuck Liddell and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, for Liddell's UFC Light Heavyweight title: 

If that wasn't enough proof, Sherdog.com is reporting the fight will be made official this coming Tuesday, according to Jackson's manager and trainer Juanito Ibarra.

Light heavyweight contender Forrest Griffin has been sidelined by a severe staph infection in his knee and today was forced to withdraw from his UFC 70 bout with Lyoto Machida. A replacement is currently being sought to face Machida on the April 21st card, which will be held at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England.