UFC Says Mir/Velasquez, Griffin/Ortiz III In The Works + Other Various Topics

[No More Sorrow]

Feb 10, 2012 - In a wide-ranging late-night chat with his Twitter followers, UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta confirmed several pieces of news, including plans to book Cain Velasquez vs. Frank Mir and Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin.

Fertitta, who has more than 76,000 followers on his verified Twitter account, said late Thursday night that he'd answer questions from fans. Among the pieces of information he provided are that Velasquez will fight Mir in a bout that may determine the No. 1 contender for the upcoming heavyweight title fight between Junior dos Santos and Alistair Overeem. Fertitta also said a third fight between Ortiz and Griffin is coming. Ortiz beat Griffin by split decision at UFC 59 in 2006, and Griffin beat Ortiz by split decision at UFC 106 in 2009.

In addition to those fights, Fertitta offered his opinions and plans on a variety of issues including:

--The dos Santos-Overeem fight is planned for Memorial Day weekend in Las Vegas.

--Fertitta called a potential superfight between lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and featherweight champion Jose Aldo a "good idea."

--Despite Nick Diaz's positive marijuana test, Fertitta still thinks Diaz has a future in the Octagon. Fertitta wrote, "really like the kid just needs to get it together. I'm a sap for real fighters."

--Fertitta agrees with UFC President Dana White that Jason "Mayhem" Miller looked "terrible" in his loss to Michael Bisping.

--Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber is planned for July 7 in Las Vegas, and Rich Franklin might return for that event as well.

--It hasn't been determined yet whether Carlos Condit will defend the interim welterweight title or wait to fight Georges St. Pierre.

--Fertitta likes the potential of lightweight Stephen Thompson, a karate specialist whose head kick won the Knockout of the Night bonus at UFC 143.

--Fertitta, who always looks ripped, says he can bench press 340 pounds.

--Asked if Jon Jones might fight Anderson Silva some day, Fertitta said, "maybe."

--The UFC would be interested in signing Bellator's Hector Lombard and Alexander Shlemenko.

--Chuck Liddell is Fertitta's favorite fighter.

--Fertitta would still consider signing Fedor Emelianenko, if it were at the right price.

--The upcoming Brazilian season of The Ultimate Fighter will likely be available with English subtitles on UFC.com.

Definitely some interesting stuff here.

 

[The Cork]

I was wondering when Franklin was due back.

Good stuff though, I like how open him and Dana are with the fans.

 

[Slim]

I like all of that. Mir/Velasquez will be good. Mir has been lookin real good in his fights lately. Really good. Almost like the Mir of old except with much much better striking. That Mir was dangerous and seemed unbeatable. This Mir can be rocked but can also finish you. Ortiz/Griffin III... that is the proper way to end that war and also a good sendoff for Ortiz. A fight he won't be dominated in and if Griffin retires after that fight... he'll have a good showing as well.

Edgar vs. Aldo would be insane. Of course I would be pulling for Aldo if that fight were to ever happen.

All of that just looked good.

 

[Troy]

What other owners in sports are this open with fans. Fantastic work by him to answer so many questions from fans.

Mir vs. Velasquez would be good for the number one contender spot. Mir has looked good in the past year or two but Velasquez is still an incredibly tough competitor that was caught with just one big punch. Other than that Velasquez hasn't really been challenged so it will be a good match-up. Ortiz vs. Griffin is the right way for Ortiz to go out if that is what he wants and it would probably be the biggest fight Griffin can get these days. Interesting that UFC would still sign Fedor if they could get him for a good price.

 

[Slim]

Fedor can still be a draw plus he can still fight. Then also... just to have him in the UFC at least for one fight would mean something. The guy is still a legend.

 

[Ben]

Like already said, like how much behind the scenes info/planning UFC regualry gives. Lots of stuff here though that will never happen or I don't care about. Mir/Cain is the main point and a fight I want to see, hasn't been announced but got to assume winner gets the title shot and I'll be pulling for Mir who has just gotten better and better since the Brock loss.

 

[No More Sorrow]

Yeah that'll be for a title shot, I'm pulling for Mir also good chance he could be champion by the end of the year if he keeps fighting like he did last time we seen him.