UFC 80 "Rapid Fire"

[Rappy Veteran]

As the UFC Rumors section of MMAjunkie.com has reported for the past month, a UFC 80 event is expected to take place in Newcastle, England in mid-January.

Additionally, as MMAjunkie.com first reported last month, UFC welterweight contender Marcus Davis (13-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC) will take on Frenchman Jess Liaudin (12-8 MMA, 2-0 UFC) at the event. Davis today confirmed his opponent but said a date for the event still remains an unknown.

UFC 80 is expected to take place at Metro Radio Arena, which can accommodate approximately 11,000 spectators. A source close to the arena recently old MMAjunkie.com that Jan. 19 is the targeted date for the event, though Jan. 12 remains a likely back-up date.

Davis, who?s riding a 10-fight win streak, has won his past five UFC contests. After wins over Jason Tan in Northern Ireland (UFC 72) and Paul Taylor in London (UFC 75), he?ll return to Europe for the third time in three fights to face Liaudin, who has own five-fight win streak with UFC victories over Dennis Siver (UFC 70) and Anthony Torres (UFC 75).

Davis recently moved into a top-10 spot in MMAWeekly.com?s welterweight rankings.

In addition to Davis vs. Liaudin, a fight between Canada?s Sam Stout (12-3-1 MMA, 1-2 UFC) and England?s Terry Etim (10-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has also been booked for UFC 80, reports The Fight Network.

Edited December 21, 2007 by Rappy

[Matrix XII]

Marcus Davis is a great fighter, I watched his last two fights, he's a real force to be reckoned with.

[Rappy Veteran]

After dropping a unanimous decision to Andrei Arlovski in his UFC debut back in April, Fabricio Werdum (9-3-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) will return to the organization to take on Gabriel Gonzaga (8-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) at UFC 80.

The news comes from GracieMag.com, citing the head of Gonzaga?s Team Link.

UFC 80 takes place in Newcastle, England ? either on Jan. 12 or Jan. 19 ? at Metro Radio Arena.

The heavyweight bout between the two Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts will be a rematch from four years ago. At a Jungle Fight 1 event in Brazil, Werdum scored a third-round TKO of Gonzaga.

Gonzaga last competed at UFC 74 in August ? in a title fight against UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture. In the weeks leading up to the main event, Gonzaga was considered a slight favorite. However, despite breaking Couture?s arm while throwing a head kick, Gonzaga would suffer a broken nose and eventual third-round TKO.

The loss snapped Gonzaga?s six-fight win streak, including a four-fight win streak in the UFC.

Werdum, a former PRIDE Fighting Championships fighter, signed with the UFC earlier this year. He was considered an instant heavyweight contender (fresh off a first-round submission victory over Aleksander Emelianenko), but after the lackluster loss to Arlovski at UFC 75, Werdum seemingly fell off the UFC?s radar.

His UFC 80 bout will be just his second fight in 14 months.

[Rappy Veteran]

[Shaun N.]

Penn Vs Stevenson!!! that's gonna be an interesting fight :D

[Zoom7000]

I thought they'd give Kenny Florian a shot at the title. Is Sherk definately gonna be stripped? BJ Penn at LW is definately an exciting prospect.

Whatever happened to Yves Edwards?

Edited November 6, 2007 by Zoom7000

[Rappy Veteran]

I thought they'd give Kenny Florian a shot at the title. Is Sherk definately gonna be stripped? BJ Penn at LW is definately an exciting prospect.

Whatever happened to Yves Edwards?

I would imagine thats it for Sherk after testing positive the chances he will have the title are slim but I remember somewhere that if is cleared that he will get first shot at the winner.

[Christopher]

I thought they'd give Kenny Florian a shot at the title. Is Sherk definately gonna be stripped? BJ Penn at LW is definately an exciting prospect.

Whatever happened to Yves Edwards?

I cant stand Kenny Florian for some reason.

I do wish that they would throw a title shot Spencer Fishers way though.

But, Penn vs Stevenson will prove to be an exciting title fight (havnt seen too many of them lately, all of the fights have been one sided), they both look to finish fights rather than ride them out.

As for Yves Edwards, he just recently lost a fight in Bodog by knockout. Which causes him to now have 3 losses in a row.

[Rappy Veteran]

January?s UFC 80 event in Newcastle, England, will feature a welterweight bout between Paul Taylor (8-2-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and Paul Kelly (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), as well as a heavyweight fight between Colin Robinson (8-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) and Antoni Hardonk (5-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC).

The news comes from Mark Gilbert of The Sun.

UFC 80, which hosts an interim lightweight title fight between B.J. Penn and Joe Stevenson, takes place at Newcastle?s Metro Radio Arena on Jan. 19.

Taylor, who hails from Walsall, England, is coming off a first-round submission loss (via armbar) to Marcus Davis at UFC 75. The 27-year-old Taylor had the early edge in the fight, chopping Davis down with leg kicks and dropping him with a head kick. Davis, though, reversed the position, unleashed some ground and pound, and secured the submission. The loss followed Taylor?s third-round TKO of Ediberto de Oliveira at UFC 70.

Kelly, a training partner of ?The Ultimate Fighter 3? winner Michael Bisping, sports a perfect 6-0 record since turning pro in 2005. Kelly is another Brit recently signed to a UFC contract.

His bout with Taylor will likely land on the preliminary section of the card.

The same goes for the heavyweight bout between Robinson and Hardonk.

Robinson, a 38-year-old from Northern Ireland, made his octagon debut at a June UFC 72 event in Belfast. There, he suffered a second-round TKO to Eddie Sanchez, which snapped his six-fight win streak.

His opponent, Hardonk, is coming off a disappointing 77-second submission loss to Frank Mir at UFC 74. The 31-year-old, who was born in Holland, made his UFC debut with a first-round KO of Sherman Pendergarst at UFC 65 but followed it with a unaninous-decision loss to Justin McCully at UFC Fight Night 9.

[LRoling]

Dana White already stated that Sherk is clear. The CSAC's decision is irrelevant to him, which is a huge mistake on White's part. They still use some of the best testing facilities in the country and their decision still matters in the realm of MMA.

[caster316]

White changed his story again today, he's now saying Sherk will most likely be stripped if he isn't cleared of the steroids charge by the CSAC.

[Rappy Veteran]

Full Card

The UFC has announced the official fight card for next month?s ?UFC 80: Rapid Fire? event, including the five bouts that have been guaranteed TV time on the pay-per-view broadcast.

UFC 80 takes place Jan. 19 at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England. It?ll be the organization?s first-ever trip to the English city of 260,000.

In the night?s main event, B.J. Penn and Joe Stevenson battle for the UFC lightweight title. The belt was recently vacated after Sean Sherk was stripped of the title when his UFC 73 drug suspension was upheld by the California State Athletic Commission.

Additionally, one-time top contender Gabriel Gonzaga looks to rebound from a UFC 74 title loss to Randy Couture, and Marcus Davis goes for his 10th straight win ? including his sixth straight in the UFC ? when he meets Jess Liaudin.

The full card includes:

MAIN CARD (Televised)

* B.J. Penn vs. Joe Stevenson (for vacant lightweight title)

* Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Fabricio Werdum

* Marcus Davis vs. Jess Liaudin

* Jason Lambert vs. Wilson Gouveia

* Kendall Grove vs. Jorge Rivera

PRELIMINARY CARD (Un-Televised)

* Antoni Hardonk vs. Colin Robinson

* Paul Kelly vs. Paul Taylor

* James Lee vs. Alessio Sakara

* Per Eklund vs. Sam Stout

Because UFC 80 takes place overseas, the event airs in an unusual pay-per-view time slots ? 3 p.m. ET/noon p.m. PT.

[digipoi]

The BJ Penn fight will be awesome. You got to think what great gift to us Hawaii folks to have one of their best fighting plus a free PPV since all the UK events have been free thus far.

I don't care what time it airs either (10am ouch), call me a lush, I'm drinking some serious beer.

[Rappy Veteran]

Fans have been confused, and the MMAjunkie.com readers are no different. However, after a little digging, we finally have an answer: next weekend?s UFC 80 event ? which takes place overseas in Newcastle, England ? will air live at 3 p.m. ET/noon PT, but a tape-delayed replay of the pay-per-view broadcast can also be purchased in the normal time slot of 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) confirmed the broadcast plans with a variety of sources, including representatives from the Comcast and Time Warner cable systems. UFC.com recently clarified the broadcast times, as well.

The UFC 80 pay-per-view fee is $39.95 ? or $49.95 for a high-definition broadcast. (The price goes up for next month?s UFC 81 event, which costs $44.95 for the standard broadcast and $54.95 for high definition.)

?UFC 80: Rapid Fire? features a main event of B.J. Penn vs. Joe Stevenson for the UFC?s vacant lightweight title. Heavyweights Gabriel Gonzaga and Fabricio Werdum also battle, and welterweight Marcus Davis goes for his 11th straight victory when he faces Jess Liaudin. Kendall Grove and Jason Lambert also appear on the main card.

[bilston]

So what channel is this being aired on in the UK?

Bravo getting it for free? :D

[Rappy Veteran]

So what channel is this being aired on in the UK?

Bravo getting it for free? :D

Nope bet on it being on Setanta or Box Office.

[pixelpixel]

So what channel is this being aired on in the UK?

Bravo getting it for free? :D

Nope....Try Setanta once again.

It will be piped back to the states via HBO and Bravo only have coverage for spike tv.

[Matrix XII]

Go Joe Daddy! :p

[Rappy Veteran]

I'll put these in tags just incase the US Audience is watching it later :)

PER EKLUND VS. SAM STOUT

ROUND 1 ? After some early exchanges, Stout begins to stuff Eklund?s many takedown attempts. Things slow as the fighters stalemate against the fence. Stout lands some short punches before Eklund lands a knee to the inside thigh and one to the body. Stout forces Eklund to the canvas and delivering some ground and pound to finish out the round. It?s 10-9 for Stout.

ROUND 2 ? Little action to start the second round, so Eklund again shoots for some takedowns. The attempts are sloppy and results in some boos from an unimpressed crowd. Stout works the jab and then reverses Eklund?s takedown attempt and lands in his opponent?s guard. Eklund tries to take his back, but Stout powers out of it. Stout again delivers some ground and pound, but he doesn?t do much damage. Eklund grabs an arm and considers a submission attempt, but Stout breaks free. Stout stands and uses some kicks to keep Eklund at bay. The round ends with little action. It?s another 10-9 for Stout.

ROUND 3 ? A restless crowd isn?t happy as the third round begins. Eklund is laboring for breath. Stout lets his hands fly a bit and connects on some technical punches and low leg kicks. A head kick nearly connects. Eklund again shoots for takedowns but is too tired and telegraphs the attempts. Stout appears annoyed by it all. Stout closes out the round with a few more strikes after quickly rebounding from Eklund?s takedown attempt. It should be 10-9 round for Stout in a clean sweep. Sam Stout def. Per Eklund via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-27, 30-27).

JAMES LEE VS. ALESSIO SAKARA

ROUND 1 ? Nice ovation for the Italian Sakara, who fought in two UFC U.K. events last year. The fight is underway, and Lee scores an early trip/takedown. He does little damage before Sakara pops back up to his feet. Sakara snaps a body kick that does some damage and tries to follow with another. Lee scores another takedown, though. Lee loses the position and Sakara transitions into top position and begins a barrage of punches. Lee?s eating a lot of punches and may have tapped out, and the bout is stopped. Alessio Sakara def. James Lee via TKO (punches) at 1:30 of Round 1.

PAUL KELLY VS. PAUL TAYLOR

ROUND 1 ? The two British welterweights touch gloves, and we?re underway with a wild exchange. Kelly breaks free from a couple early guillotine attempts and then spent the rest of the round working from inside Taylor?s guard. Kelly?s content to keep top position, and Taylor suffers some damage from the ground and pound. He then took a big blow from a stiff right that caught flush. The round ends, and it?s 10-9 for Kelly.

ROUND 2 ? After the fighters exchange strikes early on, Taylor clinches and forces the fight to the ground. Kelly gets tagged with a couple shots before a scramble on the floor. Taylor takes his opponent?s back and looks to sink in a body triangle. He follows with a rear-naked choke, but Kelly escapes and takes top position. Taylor looks for an armbar but eats some punches in the process. The crowd comes to life. Taylor then grabs an arm and pulls for the kimura, but Kelly escapes and again connects on some ground and pound. A big left sneaks through that bounces Taylor?s head off the canvas. It should be a 10-9 round for Kelly.

ROUND 3 ? Another brief exchange starts the round. Taylor sneaks in a couple jabs and considers a leg kick before shooting for the takedown. Kelly eventually wrestles his opponent to the ground, though. Kelly maintains the top position and looks to improve his position but is content dropping elbows and some punches from above. Taylor sneaks in an elbow from below, but Kelly shakes it off. Kelly closes out the final few minutes with consistent strikes from above. It should be another 10-9 round for Kelly in a clean sweep. Paul Kelly def. Paul Taylor via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

ANTONI HARDONK VS. COLIN ROBINSON

ROUND 1 ? Well, that was quick. Hardonk quickly goes on the offensive, landing a series of knees to the body. He follows with a couple kicks and a punch that drops Robinson to the mat. The ref steps in and stops it. Antoni Hardonk def. Colin Robinson via TKO (strikes) at 0:17 of Round 1.

KENDALL GROVE VS. JORGE RIVERA

ROUND 1 ? Rivera fakes an overhand right and scores the early takedown. Grove is pushed against the fence, and Rivera lands some big right hands. Grove tries to create distance with his long legs, but Rivera punches right through it. Grove gets back to his feet, but he continues to eat shot after shot, and Grove?s legs give out. After he falls to the mat, the ref steps in for the early stoppage. Jorge Rivera def. Kendall Grove via TKO (strikes) at 1:20 of Round 1.

WILSON GOUVEIA VS. JASON LAMBERT

ROUND 1 ? Lambert goes into stalking mode but Gouveia dances free. Lambert finally closes the distance but nearly gets caught in a guillotine. However, he breaks free and no works from inside Gouveia?s guard. Lambert starts to connect on a few punches, but Gouveia does a good job of deflecting most of the blows. Gouveia eventually kicks himself free but Lambert again closes the gap, connects on a knee to the body and an uppercut, and takes Gouveia back to the canvas. Lambert again works the ground and pound, but Gouveia sinks in a triangle choke. Lambert slams out of it, though. Working from inside the guard, Lambert works ground and pound again. Lambert closes out the round with a series of elbow strikes to take it 10-9.

ROUND 2 ? The round is delayed as Gouveia?s corner searches for his mouthpiece. We?re finally underway, and Lambert stalks again and shoves Gouveia into the fence. The fighters exchange shots before Gouveia creates some distance and throws a left-hook haymaker that connects as flush as a punch can land. Lambert instantly hits the canvas, and the fight is halted immediately. Wilson Gouveia def. Jason Lambert via knockout (punch) at 0:37 of Round 1.

MARCUS DAVIS VS. JESS LIAUDIN

ROUND 1 ?Liaudin whiffs on a lazy kick and then on a front kick. Liaudin then lands an inside leg kick, and Davis lunges in with a left hook. Liaudin continues to work kicks, but Davis counters with a body kick. One second later, he lands a left-right combination that freezes up and drops Liaudin. The ref steps in for another quick KO stoppage. A replay shows that Davis connected on the left hook on the side of his opponent?s head under his ear. Marcus Davis def. Jess Liaudin via KO (punch) at 1:04 of Round 1.

GABRIEL GONZAGA VS. FABRICIO WERDUM

ROUND 1 ? Intense staredown to start this one, and we?re underway. Werdum attempts a combination, but Gonzaga wraps him up and scores a trip-takedown. Gonzaga passes to half guard and then throws some short punches. The two BJJ black belts now jockey for position. Gonzaga finally tires of the ground battle and jumps to his feet. Gonzaga lands a leg kick once they?re standing, and he buckles him with a second. Werdum charges in and nearly eats a head kick. Werdum id dropped with a leg kick but gets back to his feet. Again, Gonzaga snaps him with a couple leg kicks and buckles him. Gonzaga then throws a body kick, but Werdum stuffs it and forces the fight to the ground. Working from half guard, Werdum has little offense from the top. However, he postures up and pops Gonzaga with an elbow. Gonzaga tries to roll over into a knee bar, but the lock simply keeps Werdum from throwing punches and the round ends. It?s all Gonzaga, 10-9.

ROUND 2 ? Werdum throws combination that partially connects, but Gonzaga stuffs the takedown. Werdum again goes on the offensive but swings and misses. Gonzaga goes back to the leg kicks, Werdum counters with his own, but Gonzaga stuffs it and tags him with a body kick. Gonzaga again throws a leg kick that buckles Werdum. Gonzaga lets him stand back up. Werdum charges in, and Gonzaga simply throws him to the mat but lets him back up. Werdum lands a flush knee to the face and then another. Gonzaga then eats another two, but Gonzaga doesn?t seem affected. Werdum continues more knees and uppercuts in the clinch and then locks in a guillotine, can?t get it, and instead takes Gonzaga?s back. Instead, Werdum sticks Gonzaga against the fence and rains down punches that Gonzaga can?t defend. After about a dozen punches with his head pinned against the fence, the ref is forced to stop it. Fabricio Werdum def. Gabriel Gonzaga via TKO (strikes) at 4:34 of Round 2.

B.J. PENN VS. JOE STEVENSON

ROUND 1 ? With the introductions out of the way, the fighters touch gloves, and this five-round title fight is underway. Penn throws n overwhelming flurry of punches that drops Stevenson early on. Penn jumps on top, but Stevenson ties him up with half guard. Both fighters trade elbows, and Penn slowly forced Stevenson against the fence near his corner. Stevenson connects on some shots from the bottom, but Penn shoves against him the fence again. Stevenson tries to escape but gives up his back, rolls out, and gives Penn the mount position. Stevenson works his way up to a sitting position against the fence, but Penn cracks him with a right hook and forces the fight back to the ground. Stevenson lands trikes from the bottom as Penn looks to improve his position. Penn cracks Stevenson with an elbow that forces a huge, huge gash on Stevenson?s forehead. That?s gonna be a problem. Stevenson is visibly upset as the round ends. It?s all Penn, 10-9.

ROUND 2 ? It?s a deep gash right in the middle of Stevenson?s forehead, but the fight goes on. Stevenson comes out firing and lands an elbow, but he?s still dripping blood. Penn lands a body punch, and the two fighters eachanges jabs. Penn lands a left that stuns Stevenson. The fights turns into a boxing match, but ref Herb Dean stops the bout for a doctor?s check of the cut. The fight is given the grene light, and Penn lands a combination that sends Stevenson to the mat. Penn takes the mount position and drops some more elbows. Stevenson is gushing blood that?s pooling into his eyes. Stevenson tries to roll free, but Penn keeps in his hooks and works from the mount, peppering Stevenson with punches. Stevenson gives up his back, and Penn tries to go for the rear-naked choke. Stevenson is warned about biting his opponent?s hand. Penn quickly sinks in the rear-naked choke, and there?s no getting out of it. Stevenson is forced to tap out. B.J. Penn def. Joe Stevenson via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:02 of Round 2 to become UFC lightweight champion.

[metallithrax]

****, wanted Penn to lose, don't like him.

[G_0]

That was by far one of the best UFC's in a very long time. If you are thinking about catching the replays do it! You will not be disappointed!

[Rappy Veteran]

****, wanted Penn to lose, don't like him.

Don't worry Sherk will own him.

[Guest]

I caught some of the fights at the pub this evening, I really wish I'd got tickets now :(

[digipoi]

Don't worry Sherk will own him.

Sherk will be submitted by Penn. Penn is no joke. Great Jiu Jitsu and good boxing skills. Sherk will need his roids for this one.

[Rappy Veteran]

Sherk will be submitted by Penn. Penn is no joke. Great Jiu Jitsu and good boxing skills. Sherk will need his roids for this one.

Yeah one thing is for sure in UFC nothing is straight forward its a bit like Brocks debut next month I think Brock will lose and it will be so funny.