Sources: UFC 92 Card in Flux

by Michael Rome on Sep 14, 2008 6:45 PM EDT in MMA News

Rashad Evans will definitely fight Forrest Griffin for the light heavyweight title, but it may not be at UFC 92. Sources indicate to Bloody Elbow that the UFC is considering moving that fight to another show. There is some internal concern that with Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Couture headlining in Vegas in November, and GSP vs. BJ Penn headlining in Vegas in January, Vegas fans may skip the December show if it doesn't have a huge name on it.

There is still an outside possibility that Chuck Liddell could fight in December. He is an established draw in Vegas, and he does not plan to retire after his last loss. There are numerous potential opponents he could fight in December as well, including the returning Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. He was originally scheduled to fight on that show as well, but it's unclear whether he would be ready to fight again after such a bad knockout.

As of last night, Rashad Evans vs. Forrest Griffin will most likely headline UFC 92 alongside Frank MIr vs. Antonio Nogueira, but things could change if they are able to set up a big fight for Liddell in December.

Update: To clarify, Mir vs. Nogueira is locked for this show. It is Griffin vs. Evans that could be moved.

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

So WTF would they do with Nogueira/Mir by canceling the December show? Seems like a waste of a season of TUF and would put the interim title on hold for another month or two.

by Mike Fagan on Sep 14, 2008 6:57 PM EDT reply actions

???? I don’t know what you’re talking about. That fight is definitely still on, it’s Rashad/Forrest that may be moved.

by Michael Rome on Sep 14, 2008 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you edited on me, but I originally read it as “They (the UFC) would skip the December show.”

by Mike Fagan on Sep 14, 2008 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions

I added that update, but you misread. No worries. They definitely will not skip the December show, no way.

by Michael Rome on Sep 14, 2008 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions

It will probably be franklin v lidell if chuck can make it.

by mmalogic on Sep 14, 2008 7:46 PM EDT reply actions

Well why not just move the card from Vegas?
If I was the UFC I would schedule the card in California and at the Pond..

Feature a double main event with the two title fights..
Noguiera vs Mir
Griffin vs Evans

Forrest is a big draw for the UFC now and with TUF they have months of build up to make that fight draw.
Other fights i’d include would be
Hendo/Marquardt – #1 contenders match
Lyoto/Silva – #1 Contenders match
and throw in Dong Hyun Kim and market him to the big Korean support in Southern California and you got yourself a card that could draw very well..

Plus with Affliction putting a card in January in California at the Pond putting a UFC card to rival sales with the Affliction card its a total win/win situation.

by MatteoFC on Sep 14, 2008 9:38 PM EDT reply actions

Not really, even with a bad number they’ll easily beat the gate total at the pond, where they’ve never done well, and doing that will just bring attention to Affliction. They should move the superbowl show.

by Michael Rome on Sep 14, 2008 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions

What they should do, is move the Faber/Brown fight to December, as a special WEC attraction. This would give them great exposure, a great fight and a great lead in to the WEC ppv next year.

"The bigger the cushion, the sweeter the pushin'"

by BJJDenver on Sep 14, 2008 11:56 PM EDT reply actions