UFC 112 in Abu Dhabi

Today, Yahoo Sports’ Kevin Lole confirmed with UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta that The Ultimate Fighting Championship will hold UFC 112 at the Concert Arena, Ferrari World, Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

 There has been a lot of speculation in the past month as to whether the event would take place there.  Dana White had only recently confirmed plans for the event when the official announcement was made on January 12^th that the UFC had sold a 10% stake of the company to Flash Entertainment, an event management company that has been behind some of Abu Dhabi’s biggest concerts.  That’s when speculation of an Abu Dhabi event in April turned much more of a sure thing.  “This is one of the biggest and most significant nights in the history of the UFC,” said company president Dana White. “UFC 112 is our first ever outdoor event and it is taking place in the hometown of our brand new partners, Flash Entertainment.”  There are plans for an indoor arena to be built for future UFC events to be held in Abu Dhabi.

This event is indeed significant and historic, but for more reason than the fact that it will be the first ever live outdoor UFC event.  If this card lives up to it’s potential, we could see fights that are so amazing that the entertainment value of this show could also be measured as a historic success.

 A Double Main Event headlines the show as two titles are on the line.  Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva returns from elbow surgery to be challenged by Vitor Belfort.  These two men are both lethal with their hands and surely this will not be a grappling match.   The Champion has yet to come close to losing a fight in the UFC, and Belfort definitely injects a huge dose of excitement and possibilities into the Middleweight division.  “Silva vs. Belfort is one of those fights where, if there was a roof for this event, it would come off just before the start of the first round”, says Dana White.  Even if you agree with many who feel that Vitor is undeserving of the title shot in only his second fight back with the organization, and given the fact that he is still yet to actually fight as a middleweight in the UFC, you may have to weigh the alternatives on this one.

Would you rather see the champ in a re-match or would you like to see him fight a dangerous veteran who has the potential to put on a hell of a fight and possibly win?

Anderson and Vitor have a combined 3 TKO/KO’s over the ex-Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin.

 The Co-Main Event brings BJ “The Prodigy” Penn back to defend the Lightweight belt.  It is no secret that BJ is considered the best Lightweight in the game.  The question is what can Frankie “The Answer” Edgar come to the fight prepared to do to give himself a chance?  Frankie’s weapons are his wrestling, boxing, and quickness.  This skill set, which mimics BJ’s minus the Black Belt level Jiu Jitsu, is one that BJ has not faced as Lightweight Champion.  That is not to say that Frankie will be a problem for BJ, but it does suggest that we may get to see a Lightweight that is able to match BJ in the standup, and hold his own in the wrestling department.  Frankie Edgar’s only UFC loss, and only career loss, was to Gray Maynard in April of 2008.  B.J. Penn’s only loss as a Lightweight was in 2002.

Renzo Gracie meets Matt Hughes in fight that holds great stakes for both fighters.  Matt Hughes is one of the most dominant champions in UFC history.  The Hillsboro, IL native won two championships and had 9 successful title defenses over 5 years.  After knocking out everyone involved in his 2001 Championship fight with Carlos Newton, Matt went on to ground and pound his way into future hall of famer status.  At this point in his now 50 fight career, Matt has hit a skid and lost 3 of his last 5 fights.  After pondering retirement, he comes back to the Octagon in hopes of resurrecting his winning ways.  Renzo is a veteran who has given us many great fights throughout the years as he has taken on B.J. Penn, Pat Militech, Sakuraba, and Frank Shamrock just to name a few.  For hardcore fans, having Renzo on the card seems long overdue.   It is just hard to believe that none of his fights have taken place in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.  The legendary Gracie may have some hand in the UFC and Abu Dhabi coming together as he has trained members of the Abu Dhabi royal family in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for many years. “Matt Hughes vs. Renzo Gracie is a clash between two legends that each has a lot on the line in this fight.  The winner adds another great name to his list of victims and gets right into the title hunt,” said Dana White.   

The remainder of the card is yet to be announced.