UFC Returns to Michigan With UFC 123 in Auburn Hills
by Brent Brookhouse on Sep 1, 2010 2:30 PM EDT
in UFC News
Email
Print
UFC 123 is headed to Auburn Hills, Michigan.
That's the word from UFC president Dana White, who told MMA Fighting that the finalization of a deal to bring the Nov. 20 event to The Palace of Auburn Hills in the Detroit suburb closed on Wednesday morning.
The event will be headlined by the bout between Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and Lyoto Machida.
Being a Michigan resident there is a part of me that is very excited to see the UFC make the trek to the Detroit suburbs and hold an event, if for no other reason than that the sport is really poorly represented in the state.
Then there is the realist in me that is fairly certain the ticket sales for this event will be a disappointment. The Michigan economy is pretty awful and we're sporting the second highest unemployment rate in the country (even with a recent boom of new jobs). Nevada is first and obviously the UFC is strong there, but it also has the benefit of Las Vegas being a destination and there being a lot of money in the pockets of a lot of people. Michigan is a state that I just can't see a major UFC event selling well in.
Still, I'm going to choose to be happy about seeing the world's biggest and best MMA promotion return to my state for the first time since UFC 9 and I look forward to being in attendance when it goes down.
91 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Having lived in southern Ontario I can tell you that the Palace is only a short drive from major Canadian cities like Toronto, London, Guelph, Windsor, Kitchener and Hamilton. Don’t be surprised to see a large contingent of Canadian fans there to help sell out the event.
"Pain don’t hurt" James Dalton
"take the biggest guy in the world, shatter his knee and he’ll drop like a stone." James Dalton
by James Dalton on Sep 1, 2010 2:37 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
You know it.
Kind of stinks as I live in Cambridge (an hour from Toronto) and I already bought tickets to 119 and will be going to 124. I wish I made enough to squeeze this in.
"90% of this sport is 50% mental" - Tim Sylvia
We’ll drown them out with random chants of “Suuuuhhhhhh!!!”
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Sep 1, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm from Toronto
And I’ll think about going, although I also plan on going to 124 in Montreal and I don’t know if going to both will fly with the wife
"If the commission would sanction it and Dana would move, I’d fighter Anderson right now."
- Chael Sonnen at the post fight press conference following his loss to Anderson Silva.
Support independent artists
http://worldisart365.blogspot.com/
by Worldisart on Sep 1, 2010 3:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Also...
Chicago is just a few hours away. I certainly would consider making that drive.
Semper Fi
PREDICTION for 2010-2011 NFL Season: "The England Patriots will finish 8-8 plus or minus 1" ~8/13/10 1230p
by ChicagoMarine on Sep 1, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Said the same thing below
From “Chicago Army”. here… Hoah for me and a big hoorah to you Sir.
Good to go, killer! I’m no longer active Marine Corp (reside in Chicago though), but “once a Marine; always a marine”.
Nice to meet you.
Semper Fi
PREDICTION for 2010-2011 NFL Season: "The England Patriots will finish 8-8 plus or minus 1" ~8/13/10 1230p
by ChicagoMarine on Sep 1, 2010 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions
No longer active and reside in Chi as well....
And also for me, “once a paratrooper always a paratrooper;” see you around Leatherneck!
Just a few hours?
I mean, I’m sure some will make the drive, but it’s still almost a 5 hour drive. That’s a bit of a haul.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Sep 1, 2010 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m sure there will be a ton of Canadians at the shows in Detroit, Toronto, Montreal and even Chicago. None of them are excessively long drives from SW Ontario, and there are a huge number of UFC fans here.
I’m assuming that the first UFC in Toronto (which will presumably be at at the Rogers Centre) will be the biggest in UFC history.
Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.
Hopefully a lot of them make the trek...
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Sep 1, 2010 2:43 PM EDT up reply actions
My friends and I are already thinking about this. It’ll be MUUUCH cheaper than heading to Montreal for 124.
That being said, is there anything worth doing around Auburn Hills for 20-somethings?
I live in the area, and the answer is no. There’s no entertainment district unless you go down to Birmingham, Royal Oak or the D itself. However, if you like to fish or hunt, you’re golden:)
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Sep 1, 2010 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks for the head’s up. I suspected as much.
However, we love the novelty of using firearms! =D
Are there any good outdoor ranges that allow you to use their guns for the afternoon?
Honestly I don’t know. I should say that Auburn Hills is only 35-45 minutes from the casinos and entertainment district in Detroit. There is actually a good bit to do down there as far as restaurants, clubs, gambling, etc. goes, and as long as you stay in well lit areas, you’ll probably make it out alive:)
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Sep 1, 2010 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks again. I figured it was worth asking since you mentioned hunting.
I’ve been to the D before for a Blue Jays.. er .. Tigers game. Ten guys wearing Blue Jays gear made it out alive, so I’m sure we’d be fine if we went again. :)
Calgary is actually playing the Wings the day after the fights, but presumably you’re a Leafs fan:)
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Sep 1, 2010 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh dang, a legit New Years card!
Too bad the 108 Curse will strike again and this will end up headlined by Sam Stout vs. Rafael Dos Anjos.
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Sep 1, 2010 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions
That would suck as a headliner
But would be a serious sick fight.
"90% of this sport is 50% mental" - Tim Sylvia
For sure.
I was going to say something like Rich vs. Rashad, but decided awful hyperbole would be funnier in my head. Although I did just end up with awesome matchmaking of guys who Stephens messed up pretty bad…
"Someone is WRONG on the internet. What do you want me to do? LEAVE? Then they'll keep being wrong!"
-Randall Munroe
by pdl on Sep 1, 2010 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
The UFC will never make a non-title fight over a title fight as the main event. . It would be Edgar/Maynard as main and Couture/Franklin as co-main.
Hmm, UFC 51 Ortiz vs Belfort
With the heavyweight and middleweight titles as co-main events. For sure, it would never happen. Wait, maybe Ortiz vs Cote with welterweight as the co-main event?
"90% of this sport is 50% mental" - Tim Sylvia
That's a fair point
but it’s also fair to say it hasnt been done in 5 years and I dont think they’re going to start just because people are not excited about Edgar/Myanard 2.
If anything Edgar/Maynard 2 will probably be the co-main for either GSP/ Koscheck or Silva/Sonnen.
But your right, I was wrong and I stand corrected.
UFC
Should buy FEG so they can get their cool Dynomite staging, i guess a few of their fighters wont hurt the card either
Twitter @i_c_u_hater
http://dreamthemez.wordpress.com
http://dreamthemez.unfilteredmma.com
http://fightlife.unfilteredmma.com
by Thats It For you! on Sep 1, 2010 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I question how well that card will do
a lot of the UFC’s audience is the same group that is gonna get wasted the night before and then spend Jan. 1 laying around watching movies or college football.
Why not lie around watching UFC instead?
by Horselover Fat on Sep 1, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
That's awesome.
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Contributor for WatchKalibRun.com
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com
by Derek Suboticki on Sep 1, 2010 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions
I've mapped out the card already
Main Event: Silva vs. Sonnen II
Co-main: Edgar vs. Maynard II
3rd: Franklin vs. Couture
4th: Maia vs. Palhares
5th: Sanchez vs. Diaz (if Sanchez beats Thiago)
Prelims on Spike
Spencer Fisher vs. Cole Miller
Mike Swick vs. Patrick Cote
Un-aired
Marcus Davis vs. Brian Foster
Tyson Griffin vs. Jacob Volkmann
Seth Petruzeli vs. Tim Boetsch
Christian Morecraft vs. Chris Tuchscherer (Tuch gets cut after loss)
Mo Johnston is what John Schneider could be in 4 years.
I think you should talk to Joe Silva. I don’t think half the fighters will be ready by Jan. 1st, but that is a great wish list of a card.
"90% of this sport is 50% mental" - Tim Sylvia
The prelims were hard to do
But I think Franklin said he was out until December so maybe he’ll be ready for 2011.
Mo Johnston is what John Schneider could be in 4 years.
You're assuming Paul Harris beats Marquardt I take it...
Oh and Paulo Thiago vs Nate Diaz would be awesome.
Griffin v Volkmann is great.
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not.
Maynard being an MSU guy makes that make a lot of sense.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Sep 1, 2010 8:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I was talking about UFC 125
But you have a point. Edgar/Maynard II in Detroit is pretty nice.
Mo Johnston is what John Schneider could be in 4 years.
awesome awesome awesome.
awesome. can’t wait for this card. i hope ticket prices aren’t too high, but if they are I will sell blood, sperm, plasma, testicles, anything to go.
how much can you get for a testicle these days?
a life: it's the shit that happens while you're waiting for moments that never come -Lester Freamon
by eastcoastatlas on Sep 1, 2010 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
just glad...
…to not see another headline saying it’s in Detroit…..followed by potshots about the city.
Great News
I am in London Ontario and it’s not much difference between Detroit and Toronto. Pretty pumped about this news. I know at least a dozen guys from my gym who will probably make this trek.
by alibabba on Sep 1, 2010 3:06 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Should’ve quoted me :-(
When a true genius appears in the world, you may know him by this sign, that the dunces are in a confederacy against him. - Jonathan Swift
Contributor for WatchKalibRun.com
Still Subo at Fightlinker.com
I honestly didn't see your piece...
Otherwise I would have. You gotta e-mail me these things man, or hit me on GTalk.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Sep 1, 2010 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Despite the terrible Athletic Commission
I would love to see the UFC come back to Dallas, soon, Cowboys Stadium would be an awesome venue.
I told you not to f*ck with me.
thankfully
you didn’t say “come back to the AA arena in Dallas, soon.” that was THE worst venue i’ve ever been in for a UFC event.
I wasnt terribly impressed either, I was just excited to have UFC in Dallas.
I told you not to f*ck with me.
same here. I don’t know what it was, the lackluster crowd (too quiet), the card, whatever…..i just don’t know, but I do agree w/you that having a UFC event at cowboys stadium would be badass as hell
The card was very fun
At least the 10 fights they aired out of 13.
I don’t remember the crowd all that much though.
Mo Johnston is what John Schneider could be in 4 years.
I think it was both
the card, not so great, some good fights, but I’ve seen better, Dallas crowds usually suck as is. Mavericks games, all of the douchers go to, to be seen, Cowboys games, tickets are too damn expensive, Rangers games, too damn hot to cheer, Stars games are really the only games I have been to that you see a passionate fan base.
I told you not to f*ck with me.
Chi-Town
Its a bit of hike, but seeing Page and Machida would be worth it. I actually really like this move; it will bring $ to a place that needs it.
by Karate_Kid on Sep 1, 2010 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Detroit, huh?
A city where 1/3 of all residential buildings are vacant, and the population has fallen by more than 50% in the last 30 years.
Though, the collapse of civilzation in Detroit has significantly improved air quality in Toronto, so it’s not all bad.
I do think they’ll need to lower their rices to sell out a venue in Detroit, though. Detroit has the lowest level of tourism of any US metropolitan area with a population greater than 1 million. Nobody travels to Detroit for leisure. So the UFC’s market is exclusively locals.
I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.
and canadians
a life: it's the shit that happens while you're waiting for moments that never come -Lester Freamon
by eastcoastatlas on Sep 1, 2010 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Dude. The metropolitan area is actually sprawling and pretty affluent, despite the economic woes. Sure it’s no tourist destination, but there is a pretty large population within 2 hours of Auburn Hills. Detroit itself is in terrible shape, but with people coming from Ohio, Chicago, and Canada, this should do alright if the local promotion is well handled. I’m sure Rampage himself is already fairly popular in the city, and Detroit is still a blue collar town that loves fighting and tough guys. The Midwest doesn’t get a lot of cards, so I expect people will take advantage.
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Sep 1, 2010 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions
@Llewdor
Well it’s clear that you know nothing of the Motor City. Detroit is a city of fighters and fight fans that live and die by the sport/sports they love. The UFC will do just fine with this card at The Palace of Auburn Hills which actually isn’t within the Detroit City limits. I’ll bet by bottom dollar that fans not only from the “Muddy Mitten” come out in force but fans from Chicago, Ohio, and Canada will be laying down the money to see the UFC live. I know 1st hand how hard we have it here in Detroit but I’ll be at the Palace Nov 20th paying 8 bucks a beer and hopefully watching Rampage clean someone’s clock.
Detroit What!
Detroit not that far
from Cleveland, Columbus and even though I was 45 miles South of Columbus, I’d consider the trip.
The main event is going to be quick
Rampage is gonna get KTFO’d in the first. He is tailor-made for Machida to destroy.
YES!!!! I did not see this coming. Lyoto? 15 miles away from me?!!! YES!!!!!!!! Great to see the Palace hosting an event worth attending.
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Sep 1, 2010 4:45 PM EDT reply actions
Great
an arena full of people painted up like clowns.
"Don’t quote old fucks to me" – Brent Brookhouse
I jacked it up and replied to you below.
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Sep 1, 2010 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Dude, after the meth and malt liquor bill, Juggalos have no money for something like this:)
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Sep 1, 2010 4:57 PM EDT reply actions
+1 I live about a half an hour away also. Can’t wait to watch Machida move one step closer to regaining the strap!!!
Huge Machida fan in Waterford here! This is so great, I am geeking out badly and annoying everyone I know and work with about it. Didn’t expect them to come here anytime soon.
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Sep 2, 2010 5:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Correction, Auburn Hills.
Just a bit safer. Check the crime stats.lol
I think you're sorely wrong.
I have at least five friends alone that are already biting to buy tickets. The buzz even among my friends that are luke-warm on UFC are interested and talking about this. Expendable income for something like this is still there.
I hope I'm wrong...
I’d love to see more events come to the state.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Sep 1, 2010 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Brent, I don’t know if you listen to 97.1 the Ticket very often, but we’ve got to badger their hosts about this:) Gator and Valenti bring MMA up occasionally, usually with horrendously misinformed listener call-in results.
What's this war in the heart of nature? Why does nature vie with itself? The land contend with the sea? Is there an avenging power in nature? Not one power, but two?
by Kwisatz Haderach on Sep 2, 2010 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions
Five tickets.
This thing is selling out.
And then God created Saturn... and he liked it, so he put a ring on it.
Twitter me and what not.
UFC needs to come to St. Louis
strikeforce has come here twice and from what i read i thought they sold pretty good. i would love for them to come here.
I second that
I'm gonna give you three seconds; exactly three-fucking-seconds to wipe that stupid looking grin off your face or I will gouge out your eyeballs and skull-fuck you!
Thirded good sir
"The greatest enemy will hide in the last place you would ever look." - Revolver
by flyingkneetoface on Sep 2, 2010 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions
I'd like to check it out.
I like Machida in this for the k.o.
The local economy can always use it.
rampage gone have to lay him out. they already swore up and down he was ducking machida
they been trying to fade rampage for a long ass time and they still trying
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Bloody Elbow
Related FanShots on Bloody Elbow
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
MMA Rankings
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
