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November 21, 2009

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UFC 101: Declaration

  • Video

    A Declaration of Dominance

    By Christine Killimayer · August 9, 2009 · 6:00 p.m.

    The UFC made its Philadelphia debut Saturday with UFC 101, which saw two headlining fights live up to their billing thanks to a first-round knockout by Anderson Silva and a fourth-round submission by B.J. Penn.

  • UFC middleweight champ Anderson Silva celebrates his first-round victory over Forrest Griffin at the Wachovia Center on Saturday August 8, 2009.

    What’s next for Silva? Champ has plenty of options

    By Andy Samuelson · August 10, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

    Anderson Silva had already cleaned out the UFC’s middleweight division. “The Spider’s” first-round destruction of former light heavyweight champ Forrest Griffin during Saturday night’s first-ever UFC event in Pennsylvania likely means Silva is moving up a class and laying claim to another crown. Or is it? Keep reading »

  • Fans of mixed martial arts and the UFC gather at the Wachovia Center on Saturday evening August 8, 2009 for a night of fighting. Battle between lightweights. BJ Penn, defending Lightweight champion, chokes Kenny Florian moments before the referee called the fight.

    B.J. Penn delivers an encore at UFC 101

    By Brett Okamoto · August 9, 2009 · 3:30 a.m.

    As if there wasn't enough pressure on Penn already, following a miserable loss in his last fight with George St. Pierre, and facing an opponent as hot as Kenny Florian. Now he had to follow the Silva Show. Thanks Anderson. "I heard the crowd and the next thing I see is Anderson walking in and he goes, 'Now it's your turn,'" Penn said. "That's a tough act to follow, huh?" Keep reading »

  • Photogallery

    UFC 101 Weigh-in

    August 7, 2009 · 4:33 p.m.

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    The Ultimate Fighting Championship weigh in at the Wachovia Center in South Philadelphia fon Friday afternoon August 7, 2009. The fight will take place on Saturday evening August 8, 2009.

  • The Ultimate Fighting Championship weigh in at the Wachovia Center in South Philadelphia fon Friday afternoon August 7, 2009. The fight will take place on Saturday evening August 8, 2009. At left is UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn facing off with opponent Kenny Florian after weigh in on Friday afternoon at the Wachovia Center.

    Fighters, Philadelphia fans weigh in

    By Brett Okamoto · August 7, 2009 · 1:59 p.m.

    PHILADELPHIA - Now it's official. The UFC has arrived in Philadelphia. Fans got their first chance to see the organization in full effect at Friday's weigh-in at the Wachovia Center. And they did what Philly fans do best - they booed. Keep reading »

  • The Ultimate Fighting Championship weigh in at the Wachovia Center in South Philadelphia fon Friday afternoon August 7, 2009. The fight will take place on Saturday evening August 8, 2009. At left is UFC Lightweight Champion BJ Penn facing off with opponent Kenny Florian after weigh in on Friday afternoon at the Wachovia Center.

    Philly all set for UFC debut

    By Andy Samuelson · August 8, 2009 · 2:00 a.m.

    The UFC makes its Pennsylvania debut and first show on the East Coast tonight for the first time since UFC 78 took place in Newark, New Jersey in November of 2007. Some 17,000 fans are expected to pack the Wachovia Center for a lightweight title fight between B.J. Penn and Kenny Florian and a co-main event between superstars Anderson Silva and the Las Vegas-based Forrest Griffin. Keep reading »

  • UFC fans from Boston and Cape Cod make the obligatory run up the famous 'Rocky steps' at the Philadelphia Art Museum.

    Day 5: ‘Rocky’ readies fight fans for UFC 101

    By Brett Okamoto, Andy Samuelson · August 8, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

    The Las Vegas Sun has traveled to Philadelphia for UFC 101 and are inviting anyone that wants to join along. Follow MMA writers Andy Samuelson and Brett Okamoto as they cram some of the sights and sounds from the "City of Brotherly Love" before checking out all the fights of UFC 101 Saturday night from the Wachovia Center. Keep reading »

  • Video

    UFC 101 Workouts

    By Brett Okamoto · August 6, 2009 · 4:35 p.m.

    Las Vegas Sun fighting writer Brett Okamoto goes inside the UFC 101 workouts. UFC 101 is Saturday with the co-main event being Forrest Griffin vs. Anderson Silva. The main event will feature BJ Penn defending his UFC Lightweight Championship against Kenny Florian.

  • UFC competitors BJ Penn (left) and Kenny Florian (right) face off following the press conference in advance of Saturday's card at the Wachovia Center.

    Breaking down UFC 101: Penn vs. Florian

    By Brett Okamoto · August 8, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

    PHILADELPHIA - Although the way a fighter trains is usually an interesting aspect leading up to a fight, it's definitely taken a spot in the limelight regarding the Saturday night championship fight between B.J. Penn and Kenny Florian. Penn has been one of the most respected fighters throughout his mixed martial arts career and there's no doubt he's a future hall-of-famer. Keep reading »

  • Fighters with the Ultimate Fight Championship hold workouts at the Loews Hotel in Center City Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon August 5, 2009. Pictured is Kenny Florian running in place on the practice mats at Loews Hotel.

    The new and improved Kenny Florian

    By Brett Okamoto · August 7, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

    Every fan of the Kenny Florian that lost to Sean Sherk in 2006 doesn't have a favorite fighter anymore. Even fans of the Kenny Florian that dominated Joe Stevenson just a short nine months ago are out of luck. Sorry guys. Those Florians no longer exist. Keep reading »

  • Fighters with the Ultimate Fight Championship hold workouts at the Loews Hotel in Center City Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon August 5, 2009. Pictured is BJ Penn, the UFC Lightweight Champion. BJ Penn did not workout with the other fighters on Wednesday afternoon.

    Even champions need comebacks sometimes

    By Brett Okamoto · August 6, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

    B.J. Penn is hoping he still recognizes his daughter the next time he sees her. As all parents know, children grow up quick. Which is why above every challenge he faces this week - traveling to Philadelphia, putting an ugly loss to Georges St. Pierre behind him, fighting to defend his UFC lightweight championship - not seeing his 10-month-old daughter, Aeva, has been the hardest. Keep reading »

  • Photogallery

    UFC 101 Press Conference

    August 6, 2009 · 6:35 p.m.

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    The Ultimate Fighting Championship held a press conference at the Independence Visitor Center in Center City, Philadelphia to present its main attraction fighters to the media on Thursday afternoon August 6, 2009. The fight will take place at the Wachovia Center in South Philadelphia on Saturday, August 8, 2009.

  • UFC competitors Anderson Silva (left) and Forrest Griffin (right) pose together following the press conference in advance of Saturday's card at the Wachovia Center.

    Breaking down UFC 101: Silva vs. Griffin

    By Brett Okamoto · August 7, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

    Anderson Silva apologized to the crowd for boring them during his last fight at UFC 97 against Thales Leites. The ugly truth is, he was probably bored too. Keep reading »

  • Facing off are Anderson Silva of Brazil, UFC middleweight champion (left) and opponent Forrest Griffin of Columbus, Ohio.

    Griffin returns to comfortable role as underdog

    By Andy Samuelson · August 7, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

    Forrest Griffin found his self-deprecating humor as a way to avoid being picked on as a youngster. While the six-foot-three, 205-pounder would have few problems taking care of bullies nowadays, his quirky personality stuck with him — making the former light heavyweight champ a UFC fan favorite. But for media members often trying to tell the former Georgia sheriff deputy’s tale can be a struggle as Griffin’s true individuality is often intertwined with his punchy press conference persona. “Yeah it takes a little while to get a read on him,” says Ron Frazier, Griffin’s boxing coach at the Las Vegas-based Xtreme Couture gym. Keep reading »

  • Fighters with the Ultimate Fight Championship hold workouts at the Loews Hotel in Center City Philadelphia on Wednesday afternoon August 5, 2009. Anderson Silva peeks out from behind a UFC backdrop before his workout session.

    Silva already putting on a show

    By Andy Samuelson · August 6, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

    PHILADELPHIA — For any UFC fans still upset about Anderson Silva’s “boring” performances in his last two fights, don’t be surprised to see the “The Spider” back to his old highlight-reel tricks Saturday night. At least that’s the theme Silva projected at an intense, playful, and highly entertaining workout Wednesday at Loews hotel. If the 45-minute session serves as any indication on how his bout against Forrest Griffin at UFC 101 might play out, than the middleweight champ could be leaving everyone inside the Wachovia Center on the edge of their seats. Keep reading »

  • Photogallery

    UFC 101 Workouts

    August 5, 2009 · 4:45 p.m.

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    B.J. Penn, Kenny Florian, Anderson Silva and Forrest Griffin prepare for their fights in Philadelphia this weekend.

  • Las Vegas resident Shane Victorino is looking forward to the UFC bringing its brand to Philadelphia for the first time with UFC 101 on Aug. 8. Victorino is close friends with UFC president Dana White and owner Lorenzo Fertitta as well as a handful of fighters within the organization.

    All-Star Victorino welcomes UFC to Philadelphia

    By Brett Okamoto · August 4, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

    For those who don’t know, Shane Victorino does have an amateur career in mixed martial arts. He’s 1-0 too. One win by technical knockout over his fiancé, Melissa Smith. Victorino isn’t the first professional athlete to admit being a fan of the UFC, but he is probably the most dedicated. Keep reading »

  • Burt Watson, a longtime boxing promoter/manager, is the UFC's site coordinator, basically making sure the fighters are where they need to be and are taken care of during fight week.

    Philly native pumped for UFC’s first event in hometown

    By Andy Samuelson · August 3, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

    Burt Watson a long-time boxing promoter and manager is now the UFC's on-site coordinator — the main man behind the scenes on fight week who serves as a liaison to the fighters. But with the organization making its first-ever trip to his hometown of Philadelphia this week for UFC 101. “It’s going to be a complete thrill to be part of an event in my hometown,” Watson said. “Just awesome.” Keep reading »

  • Joe Hand, a longtime boxing aficionado, poses in his office filled with boxing memorabilia in Feasterville, Penn. Hand is now involved with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

    Longtime Philly fight man helping to sell UFC

    Bernard Fernandez, Philadelphia Daily News

    There never was a burning-bush moment, or a celestial voice whispering in their ears. For two very influential older converts to the church of mixed martial arts, the revelation was gradual, like the changing of the seasons. To tell the truth, it sort of sneaked up on them. “Joe Jr. and then Joey Jones [the sales manager of Joe Hand Promotions] got into this before I did,” Joe Hand Sr., the national closed-circuit distributor for boxing and UFC events, said of his introduction to mixed martial arts. “I was the last one to come aboard.” Keep reading »

  • Video

    An Enchanting Forrest

    By Christine Killimayer · August 3, 2009 · 7:00 p.m.

    Forrest Griffin talks about this weekend's light heavyweight fight against Anderson Silva the only way he knows how, honest, straight-forward and with just the slightest bit of sarcasm.

  • Forrest Griffin works out at Xtreme Couture Gym in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Griffin will face Anderson Silva at UFC 101 on August 8.

    UFC’s ‘Rocky Balboa’ looking to shock Brazilian ‘Ivan Drago’

    By Andy Samuelson · July 30, 2009 · 1:30 a.m.

    If there were a real life Rocky Balboa in the mixed martial arts world, Forrest Griffin would likely be the first choice to fill the role of the fictional boxing champ from Philly. From his self-deprecating personality to his insane workouts, the only things that seem to be separating the former UFC light heavyweight champ from Sylvester Stallone’s famous character are the dark stocking cap, grey sweat suit and stoic jog up the steps to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. “No (I’m not Rocky), but I wish I had Rocky’s chin. You can’t knock that guy out if you hit him with a sledgehammer,” joked Griffin (16-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC), who fights MMA pound-for-pound king Anderson Silva at UFC 101 on Aug. 8 at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia. Keep reading »

  • Photogallery

    Forrest Griffin Workout

    By Justin M. Bowen · July 29, 2009 · 7:12 p.m.

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  • Amir Sadollah, right, lands a kick against C.B. Dollaway during "The Ultimate Fighter" season No. 7 finale in June 2008.

    Fighter says struggles only made him stronger

    By Andy Samuelson · August 5, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

    As Amir Sadollah sat shaking in an ice-cold whirl tub last week at Xtreme Couture gym, it was the first time in a long time he enjoyed the recovery soak for what it was, recovery — and not to nurse an injury. A pair of injuries have kept “The Ultimate Fighter” season No. 7 champ from fighting for more than a year. Keep reading »

  • Matt Riddle (left) throws a punch on Steve Bruno during their fight at UFC Fight Night in February in Sun Dome, Fla. Riddle trains out of Las Vegas and will fight Dan Cramer on the undercard of UFC 101 on Aug. 8 in Philadelphia.

    Las Vegas fighter will battle in home state at UFC 101

    By Brett Okamoto · August 4, 2009 · 12:00 a.m.

    It would be hard to find anyone on the UFC 101 fight card looking forward to fighting in Philadelphia more than Las Vegas resident Matt Riddle. He was born in Pennsylvania and is off to a strong start in the UFC welterweight division, with wins in the first two fights of his career. Keep reading »

  • Georges St. Pierre pounds on B.J. Penn in the fourth round of their welterweight title bout at UFC 94 Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

    B.J. Penn ready to move past ‘Greasegate’

    By Brett Okamoto · July 29, 2009 · 8:00 a.m.

    B.J. Penn hears what they’ve been saying about him. During a conference call Tuesday for his upcoming fight against Kenny Florian at UFC 101 on Aug. 8 in Philadelphia, Penn didn’t come out and specifically admit he follows himself in headlines. But it was pretty obvious that’s the case. Keep reading »

  • Kenny Florian unleashes on Joe Stevenson during their lightweight bout at UFC 91 on November 15, 2008 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Florian won by submission in the first round. Florian will face UFC lightweight champion B.J. Penn with his belt on the line at UFC 101 in Philadelphia.

    Q&A with Kenny Florian

    By Brett Okamoto · July 20, 2009 · 2:05 a.m.

    Kenny Florian was the guest of honor for the UFC 100 Q&A session for Fight Club members. In case you missed it, here are the highlights. Keep reading »

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