THE MONSTER IS COMING!

After years of waiting, Australian fight fans have been rewarded for their long-time loyalty to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The monster that is the biggest Mixed Martial Arts organisation in the world is touching down in Australia and the fans have spoken — from both their mouths and their pockets.



BY JARRAH LOH

Chances are, if you’re an MMA fan and didn’t know the UFC monster was coming to our shores in February to eat all the doubters in its path, then you’ve been living under a rock for the last six months. The event that a whole generation of fighters have been praying, begging and crying for has finally come to fruition as the biggest MMA promotion finally comes Down Under. At first, what was just a whisper eventually turned into a full-blown hot topic as Australia’s fighting community scrounged for whatever information they could find about the UFC’s planned tour to Australia, which had been announced in Blitz magazine in July, in an exclusive interview with UFC president Dana White.

Even so, it was still an amazing feat to see the Acer Arena sold out on the first day of release to the general public before the UFC had even announced anyone on the fight card — and before they’d even spent a cent on promotion. In essence, there were 16,000-plus hardcore MMA fans lining up to get their long-awaited glance at the Octagon in person. It turned out to be the second-fastest selling event in the history of the UFC — only second to UFC 83 in Canada (and we know what a fight-crazy bunch those Canucks are… take ice-hockey).

Just a few days after the sell-out, UFC held a press conference to finally announce their plans. Marshall Zelaznik, the UFC Managing Director of International Development, seemed just as amazed as we were with the instant sale. “While we were optimistic toward what would happen, what actually happened blew our mind,” says Zelaznik. “We sold out the Acer Arena in a single day of the tickets going to general sale. That effectively means every single ticket is spoken for — that is the second-fastest selling event in our history. What makes it perhaps even more interesting is that it happened before we even announced one single fight.

What that tells us is that the fans know that we will put on a meaningful and exciting fight, no matter what.” Zelaznik went on to mention that the organisation had set aside hundreds of thousands of dollars to launch a large advertising campaign, but now that the tickets are already sold, it will be invested in other places — which may help to explain the sudden announcement that the show, which was originally scheduled to be a Main Event pay-per-view (as are most of their shows) is now set to air for free on Ten’s high-definition channel, One HD.

It also might explain why UFC President Dana White was a no-show in Sydney after previously announcing he would be visiting the city. With the tickets firmly in their pocket, the UFC seem to be putting their efforts into other places. Craig Waller, the Executive Officer of the Combat Sports Authority of NSW, had been working with the UFC for several months to iron out any legal problems they might have had coming into the country, and he seemed more shocked than anyone at the popularity the promotion has already had. “My jaw bounced off the ground twice when I’d heard how they sold!” said Waller.

From all reports, both sides worked hard to get a full pass for the show and Zelaznik said although they had a few problems, it certainly wasn’t one of the harder times they’d had getting into a new territory. “Craig is probably sick of getting or calls and emails, but everything possible has to be taken care of,” said Zelaznik. “There were a few challenges but it actually wasn’t so bad. It made it easier because we were talking to Craig the whole time. We always go above and beyond to make sure everything is buttoned up. We are the leading organisation in our sport and to lead the way we have to make sure everything is accounted for.”

The ‘clean-up’ of fighting regulations is another perk that comes along with hosting the UFC here as the legal precedent set for this one event will be a benchmark in relation to MMA in NSW and hopefully for the other States in the future. “I will be working very closely with Marshall and the rest of the crew from UFC to create a standard and implement it to all other promotions in the State,” said Waller. “Our major concern was that utmost safety of our competitors and their livelihood — the last thing we want to see is serious injuries, touch wood. In NSW it has been over 40 years since a serious injury in combat sports. We want to keep that legacy alive.”

While here, UFC finally announced to the awaiting ticket-holders who exactly they’d brought in to fight. Most of the names had already been kicked around internet forums in some shape or form over the previous months, but it was great to see a solid card announced for the day. The UFC have provided several headline-worthy fights on the one card — a move that could have helped the fledging Green/Jones Jnr boxing fight, which landed another blow to the boxing community recently. As the UFC stands, it is in their best interest to continue to deliver strong events, and not just strong fights.

The first fight announced was one that every longtime MMA fan was happy and surprised to hear. Aussie pioneers Chris Haseman and Elvis Sinosic first met in battle more than 10 years ago during Australia’s first caged MMA event at Caged Combat 1 in 1997. The two haven’t fought since and it will be a great way to open proceedings on the day and it’s a dream come true for hardcore MMA fans.

Since facing Sinosic all those years ago, Haseman has fought legends Matt Hughes, Evan Tanner and even Fedor Emelianenko, to name a few. The famed NRL grappling coach says it is something that he has been waiting for since he first began fighting all those years ago. “It’s great to be back in the UFC after all this time — the last time I fought with them was back at UFC 38,” said Haseman. “I am really looking forward to fighting Elvis. It’s been a rematch that has been building for some time and what better place to do it than when UFC lands here in Australia? I’m looking forward to that day.” Sinosic has fought a ton of guys himself in the years since their last battle, such as Evan Tanner, Tito Ortiz, Michael Bisping and Forrest Griffin. Although both agreed it would have been a great opportunity to fight a US opponent on home soil, neither is complaining about their awaiting bout. “By the time UFC 110 rolls around it will be 13 years that I’ve been fighting MMA,” said Sinosic, “To me it’s just such a fantastic opportunity, I love the sport and UFC is the pinnacle of MMA across the globe and to be fighting in my hometown…

I just can’t explain it, it’s the most amazing opportunity. I look forward to fighting Chris. Even though it’s a rematch, to me it’s a new match. Chris is a different fighter today and so am I. I’m going out like it’s the first time we’re facing each other. Like me, Chris is a pioneer in the sport and deserves recognition for everything he’s achieved.” Haseman, however, couldn’t see Sinosic’s point of view, “I don’t know what all this is about where Elvis is like, ‘It’s not a rematch, it’s a different thing’,” laughed Haseman. “It is a rematch, that’s exactly what it is — and I’ll knock him out.”

The other match that Australians will be highly invested in, features Geelong lad George Sotiropoulos, who, after his successful stint on The Ultimate Fighter 8 and a four fight win streak with the UFC, will be taking on MMA veteran and lightweight challenger Joe ‘Daddy’ Stevenson. Sotiropoulos, who walked away from a business degree and a successful banking career to fight in MMA, says he has invested everything into his training and missed out on seeing his friends and family during Christmas to train in the US. ”That is nothing unusual for me now as I’ve spent the last few Christmases and New Years there training, away from the family,” said Sotiropoulos. “I would prefer to spend my time with the family and eat all the food and relax and everything but I enjoy the fighting and I actually enjoy the sacrifice and the payoff from that.”

He will be taking it very seriously, as a five-win streak will put Sotiropoulos in direct title contention. “I’ll just do what I always do. Obviously I make myself aware of what Joe’s strengths and weaknesses are and how he fights and how he moves. I want to know everything he does,” said Sotiropoulos. “How he turns, how he does everything. I have to train myself to defend whatever he has. His main strengths are in his grappling and wrestling. He has some lethal submissions. I am aware of what he is good at, and basically it’s just my skills against his and his game plan against mine.”

Even though Sotiropoulos is a rookie compared to Stevenson, who will be going into his 42nd fight, Stevenson assured me he will not be taking the fight lightly, “I have very much respect for George — I’m very much not celebrating Christmas with my family because I will be training hard for this fight,” said Stevenson. “On his feet, George is dangerous, on the ground George is dangerous; what am I going to focus on? He’s good everywhere! I am more worried about the intensity and passion that is going to happen behind every punch and every breath and every step because he is fighting alongside his own countrymen. I’m worried about the five States and two Territories! I don’t mean I’m afraid of the crowd more than him, I mean the crowd is going to be charging him up and it’ll be like fighting the Energizer Bunny! I am excited to fight George and I don’t know where it will lead me. Wherever God will lead me, that’s where I go. Whatever they call and tell me to do, that’s what I do. I’m going to try and fight this fight and make it great — I want to finish it with a standing knee-bar and use some leg-locks.”

Stevenson said he is honoured to be fighting in Australia and has fought in the UK several times as well. “I have not met one person that I dislike in Australia,” said Stevenson, smiling. “Everyone has been so nice, whether they know me as a fighter or not. Everyone is so proper and so respectful and good-hearted. It reminds me of the way the US was in like the ‘60s — in terms of being solid and a great place to be. I think UFC has an unbelievable future here. They joked about the show being a huge monster coming here, but its probably going to be a reality — this thing is going to be huge here.” Wanderei Silva was one name that has been kicking around since the very first rumours of a UFC in Australia.

He was originally set to fight Japanese sensation Yoshihiro Akiyama, but after some shuffling around, he is now signed to fight the British ‘Count’ Michael Bisping, and Silva seems more than happy with the change of opponent. “It’s a great honour for me to be fighting on the first card here in Australia. I was going to fight Akiyama. I think it’s better fighting Bisping,” said Silva. “I don’t know, I think maybe many people don’t like him. Everyone I run into tells me to kick his arse — and I think I can do this for my fans. Also he is one of the top fighters in the world and has a great name, so it’s good for me and will hopefully help me get back to the top.”

The top is where Silva stood for many years in his time with Pride FC that many used to call The Reign of Terror, as he stood completely undefeated for almost five years. When asked how long he has left in him, Silva admitted that his addiction to fighting won’t let him quit. “At this stage I have 44 fights and I still feel the same. The emotion is the same and the passion is the same; you know, I just love to fight. It’s like — man, I just love to fight!” he laughed. “I love the sensation; I love the feeling I get in the ring. I want to fight for a couple more years. I haven’t got long term plans, I’m just going to keep on going and see what happens. My next opponent is a great opponent and he has a great name.

They’ll be looking at my performance, and hopefully if I do very well then I can come back to the top. I am prepared for all. Maybe he will try and put the fight to the ground, but he’ll get himself in trouble if he does. I am prepared for all. We need to train in all positions — standup, ground. We need to put this fight to where we want it, but we need to prepare for all.” Silva also extended a hand to all the MMA diehards. “I would like to invite anyone in Australia who comes over to the US — they are welcome to train in my gym. He [pointing to James Te Huna] has been training there in the last couple of months, he’s going to do great.”

Although his opponent hasn’t yet been officially announced, the man Silva was referring to, is Australian MMA mainstay James Te Huna, who managed to get himself signed to the UFC for 110 and while he has been spending time at Silva’s gym, he believes he can live and train in Australia while he betters his career. “It’s always been a dream to fight in the UFC and it really is a dream come true,” he said. “I’m very excited, I was never good at sports or anything in school, but once I got into training it changed my life and now here I am.”

Other fights announced on the day were two tough-as-nails bouts that are sure to please the crowd, with the Croatian Sensation Mirko ‘Cro Cop’ Filipovic taking on the newly signed veteran Ben Rothwell. Both fighters need to put in a really great showing to stay relevant in the heavyweight division. The other bout is a light-heavyweight fight between up-and-comer Ryan Bader — who is on a bit of a hot streak — and hardcore vet Keith Jardine who is coming off two straight losses. This will also be a defining fight for both men. The main event should be a great bout, with Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, who is hot off his thrilling win over Randy Couture, set to take on the new heavyweight sensation Cain Velasquez.

A solid win for either of them will certainly put them at the top for a chance at a shot at the heavyweight title. Velasquez knows it’s the shot of a lifetime and will be taking the fight very seriously, “It’s a great opportunity for me to fight a legend like that,” said Velasquez. “I’ve just got to be really well prepared, because you never know what is going to happen when you go up against a guy like that. You never count a guy like that out of the fight either, no matter how it’s going. He’s a super tough guy and always goes out and fights his heart out.

My strengths are definitely the wrestling part. I certainly think my conditioning is at its best, so hopefully I’ll get him with that. We’ll see. I won’t be taking it easy; he’s a tough guy. There’s no real way I can see what is going to happen. I just have to get the fights and win them impressively. I’m just putting everything I have into this fight and concentrating on this and nothing else.”

Now that the event is set in stone, the next question on our lips is whether, and when, the UFC will return to Australia and whether we can expect to see it regularly Down Under. Marshall Zelaznik remained a little tight-lipped at this early stage, but a it was with a slight smile and telling vagueness that he admitted there were a lot of plans in the works to return here. ”When we start these events, we set out to plan one event,” he said. “Obviously, we’ll make a strong evaluation based on this early success and will probably look at coming back fairly quickly.

We are doing so many events now in so many different places, trying to spread the UFC, that I can easily see us coming back here at least once a year after this.” ▯

Blitz Martial Arts Magazine, FEBRUARY 2010 VOL. 24 ISSUE 02