UFC Formally Announces UFC Fight Night 20 for January 11th at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia

by Luke Thomas on Nov 17, 2009 10:30 AM EST in MMA News

Ufn18_poster_medium_medium MMA Mania establishes the context:

Spike TV announced today that UFC Fight Night 20 is official for January 11 at the Patriot Center on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.

Set to headline the event is former Ultimate Fighter (TUF) contestant Gray Maynard (8-0) attempting to avenge the loss that sent him packing on season five of the cable TV reality show when he faces former cast mate Nate Diaz (11-4).

The event is expected to air live on Spike TV beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

Diaz went on to win the TUF crown, submitting "The Bully" in their semifinal match up during the show. While Maynard was denied his chance at the "six-figure contract," he hasn't been defeated since, racking up six straight wins after a bizarre No Contest in his Octagon debut against Rob Emerson in June of 2007.

...

Now it comes down to a rematch over two years in the making. The winner will likely be in talks for a 2010 title shot, while the loser goes to the back of the line.

I'd be shocked if the first fight looked anything like the second with Maynard's massive improvement. We shall see.

I'm very excited for high-level professional MMA to be in my backyard, but I will not stop asking the UFC for their stance on Virginia's athletic commission. In the wake of the very dubious UFC 104 and UFC 105 decisions, it becomes more important than ever the largest and most important MMA organization in the world use their considerable resources and leverage to make sure the government of Virginia properly regulates this contest. That means no fighters wearing pants, no botched weigh-ins and judges who understand what back control means.

To the staff of the UFC: I humbly ask that you assuage the fears of many by indicating how you plan on working with Virginia's athletic commission to make sure the event is properly regulated and professionally run.

Nate Diaz, Gray Maynard and all of the fighters on the card deserve no less.

SBN coverage of UFN 20: Maynard vs Diaz

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Comments

Now… how much are tickets? haha

The mat is my church, the ground is my heaven, Jiu-Jitsu is my religion. And once you hit the ground you're in my world. My world is like the ocean, I’m like a shark and most people don't even know how to swim - Draculino

by Patrick Tenney on Nov 17, 2009 10:38 AM EST reply actions

This is the info that was passed to me

Ticket Prices: $203.00, $128.00, $93.00, $63.00, $43.00

Onsale to General Public
Start: Sat, 11/21/09 10:00 AM EST

Fight Club Presale
Start: Thu, 11/19/09 10:00 AM EST
End: Sat, 11/21/09 09:59 AM EST

Newsletter Presale
Start: Fri, 11/20/09 10:00 AM EST
End: Sat, 11/21/09 09:59 AM EST

Not sure if it is accurate tho… lol

I'm the kind of girl who loves to watch a GOOD fight!
--------
Join the DC Area UFC Meetup Group
http://www.meetup.com/DCUFCGroup

by funnytiger on Nov 17, 2009 11:03 AM EST up reply actions

Not actually as bad as I thought they would be.

by Patrick Tenney on Nov 17, 2009 11:15 AM EST up reply actions

This is correct information, but you need the passwords for the presale.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 17, 2009 11:20 AM EST up reply actions

You need to be a Fight Club member to get the password.

Not a Member Yet?
Beginning Thursday, November 19 at 10:00am, you can purchase tickets before the general public by ordering a UFC Fight Club membership during the presale as part of your ticket purchase transaction, which will cost another $82.90.

In approximately 20 business days the UFC Fight Clubwill send you a member activation email.

To learn more about the benefits of the UFC Fight Club, click here. Center Stage Show! Card Subject to Change

I'm the kind of girl who loves to watch a GOOD fight!
--------
Join the DC Area UFC Meetup Group
http://www.meetup.com/DCUFCGroup

by funnytiger on Nov 17, 2009 11:44 AM EST up reply actions

I know.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 17, 2009 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

sigh

That was for the benefit of people who don’t know. Just saying they needed a password wasn’t really very informative.

I'm the kind of girl who loves to watch a GOOD fight!
--------
Join the DC Area UFC Meetup Group
http://www.meetup.com/DCUFCGroup

by funnytiger on Nov 17, 2009 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

The most expensive ticket is $203.

I paid that much for UWC, and that was on special.

...Behold, a pale horse. The man that sat upon it was Wieters, and hell followed with him.

"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Nov 17, 2009 11:47 AM EST up reply actions

Note: I already talked to Brett about this, but our UWC tixs were VIP and included fighter meet and greet and food and booze. Also, I think the UFC has zero faith in the east coast.

by szucconi on Nov 17, 2009 1:08 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think it has anything to do with the East Coast. If anything, they lack faith in this card.

I don’t, though. I love the top two matches.

...Behold, a pale horse. The man that sat upon it was Wieters, and hell followed with him.

"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Nov 17, 2009 1:48 PM EST up reply actions

From the patriot center website

by Balrog on Nov 17, 2009 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

Can we get please same judges from UWC 7?

by CSKit on Nov 17, 2009 10:55 AM EST reply actions

Bahaha, my thoughts exactly. Nate Diaz by decision!

by Chris Nelson on Nov 17, 2009 11:21 AM EST up reply actions

Are you finally credentialed Luke?

by The Bronzeville Bully on Nov 17, 2009 11:00 AM EST reply actions

Through CBS radio, I should be. Not through this site.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 17, 2009 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

And to that effect

NOTHING is confirmed and it’s all just being proposed, but in talks with station management we’d like to do a pre- and post-fight show from the Patriot Center live on 106.7 The Fan. Should be good if we can make it all happen.

by Luke Thomas on Nov 17, 2009 11:02 AM EST up reply actions

Nate Diaz

is it me or does Nate headline every fight night? when was the last time he actually fought on a ppv? I wonder if this benefits him more with endorsements and what not.

by TruthSeeker1223 on Nov 17, 2009 11:04 AM EST reply actions

I was thinking the same thing, seems like there are a few guys who only fight on fight nights or TUF finales.

by ufc4 on Nov 17, 2009 11:17 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Wait, Nate Diaz

would be in line for a title shot? I find that hard to believe, personally. Gray might be next up, but Nate needs another couple wins, particularly after his losses to Clay and Joe Stevenson.

by rzor on Nov 17, 2009 11:22 AM EST reply actions

He has five FOTN or Sub of the Nights in a row.

And is a TUF winner. You think they can’t manufacturer a title shot out of this and another mid-tier win?

by pdl on Nov 17, 2009 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

Dana could manufacture a title shot out glue and bits of string. See: shogun, lesnar, leites, sanchez, etc.

The path to my fixed purpose is laid with iron rails, whereon my soul is grooved to run. Towards thee I roll, thou all-destroying but unconquering BROCKLESNAR; to the last I grapple with thee.

by judonerd on Nov 17, 2009 6:21 PM EST up reply actions

Gray by smotherin’

Keep firing Assholes!

The only thing Fishbob does consistently is dissapoint.

by Ubernoober on Nov 17, 2009 11:36 AM EST reply actions

I wish that weren’t the case, but I feel that will happen. For some reason, I just want to see Maynard have a loss on his record. I am already not a fan of Maynard’s because of his lay n prey special he did on Clementi, but it does look like he is working on his standup. I don’t even like Diaz, but I actually want him to win this one. The only way I see that is if Diaz gets a submission on the transition of a takedown.

by chrisbboy82 on Nov 17, 2009 12:09 PM EST up reply actions

I think Maynard hands are coming along, and people need to give him a break. A little lay n pray is a pretty common technique until a high level wrestler rounds out his game.

Or maybe i just want to nip these comments in the bud before they turn Maynard into the next Koscheck.

by Rabbit915 on Nov 18, 2009 3:05 AM EST up reply actions

Super Sweet

See ya’ll there

Just when I thought I could not like Machida any less....UFC 104

by beery_pbr on Nov 17, 2009 11:45 AM EST reply actions

Fight Club

So anyone think there is any chance of getting great tickets without ponying up the extra $$ for fight club?

by jcraft on Nov 17, 2009 12:14 PM EST reply actions

Nope

I think this will sell out fairly quickly actually.

I'm the kind of girl who loves to watch a GOOD fight!
--------
Join the DC Area UFC Meetup Group
http://www.meetup.com/DCUFCGroup

by funnytiger on Nov 17, 2009 12:15 PM EST up reply actions

I think there is. Not a lot of need for a fight club membership in the area since this is the first fight in the area. I think it will sell out, but not by sunday. It was just announced and it takes a while for the info to get to the casual fans. I, however, will not be waiting that long.

by szucconi on Nov 17, 2009 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

If you have the newsletter, you’ll be fine.

...Behold, a pale horse. The man that sat upon it was Wieters, and hell followed with him.

"BJ on the BE" - Kierkegaard

by Brett Jones on Nov 17, 2009 1:49 PM EST up reply actions

How do you get the newsletter? I am moving to NoVA in a few weeks and really want to go to this show.

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Nov 17, 2009 9:47 PM EST up reply actions

Ugh, get over yourself

Neither of those decisions were dubious, I and the people around me picked the winners as soon as the fight was over and were flabbergasted when people persisted on making noise about them being poor decision.

by Hesperus on Nov 17, 2009 3:28 PM EST reply actions