The UFC just announced 2 more fights, previously confirmed on the Underground, but only just officially announced.ÿ Former Amarillo resident and USWF star Evan Tanner vs. undefeated Rich Franklin, and the wildly entertaining Genki Sudo vs. dangerous Duane “Bang” Ludwig, fresh off his KO win over Jens Pulver in UCC.ÿ Click READ MORE to see the full details and press release.
JAPANESE FAVORITE GENKI SUDO TO FIGHT DUANE LUDWIG AT UFC 42: SUDDEN IMPACT LIVE ON PAY-PER-VIEW, FRIDAY, APRIL 25
Lightweight Match A Highlight Of 8-Fight Card For Ultimate Fighting Championship’s First Florida Fight Show
Evan Tanner To Battle Rich Franklin In Light Heavyweight Action At AmericanAirlines Arena In Miamiÿ
TICKETS NOW ON SALE!
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ LAS VEGAS, NEV., April 9, 2003…. Japanese fan favorite Genki Sudo will meet the speed and power of Duane “Bang” Ludwig in a lightweight feature fight on the eight-fight card at Ultimate Fighting Championship 42: Sudden Impact live on pay-per-view Friday, April 25, from AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Fla.ÿÿ In a light heavyweight bout, strong contender Evan Tanner will battle submission specialist Rich Franklin as the UFC brings its brand of mixed martial arts fighting to Florida for the first time.ÿÿ
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ In the main event, UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Hughes (28-3-0 in mixed martial arts) of Hillsboro, Ill., will defend his title for the fourth time against undefeated number one contender Sean Sherk (22-0-1) of Oak Grove, Minn.
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ Tickets, $300, $200, $100, $60 and $30, are now on sale at the AmericanAirlines Arena box office in Miami, at all Ticketmaster locations and at www.ticketmaster.com.ÿ Tickets also may be ordered by telephone at 1-800-736-1420, 1-305-358-5885 (Dade County) or 1-954-523-3309 (Broward County).ÿ UFC fans can reserve rooms at the Renaissance Hotel in Miami by calling 1-888-754-3907 and asking for the Ultimate Fighting Championship special rate.
ÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿÿ UFC 42: Sudden Impact will be live on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. EST/7 p.m. PST on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, Dish Network, Bell ExpressVu and Viewers Choice Canada.ÿ The suggested retail price is $29.95.
Sudo (4-1-1) of Tokyo, Japan, is known as one of the most unorthodox MMA fighters.ÿ From cartwheel guard passes to spinning back fists, he utilizes a well-rounded arsenal to keep opponents off guard.ÿ He is one of the most popular fighters in Japan and made an impressive UFC debut July 13 at UFC 38: Brawl At the Hall at Royal Albert Hall in London by defeating the U.K.’s top lightweight fighter, Leigh Remedios, by submission due to a rear naked choke at 1:39 of the second round.
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Ludwig (12-2-0) from Denver, Colo., is a well-rounded fighter whose arsenal includes Thai boxing, jiu jitsu and wrestling.ÿ But his biggest weapons are striking and speed.ÿ Ludwig, who will be making his UFC debut, said Sudo is a very experienced fighter who tries to distract opponents with a variety of fakes and counter moves.ÿ “But, I’ll be ready for that.”ÿ Ludwig is the current Universal Combat Challenge lightweight champion and a K-1 North American Champion.ÿ In his most recent MMA fight, he knocked out former UFC lightweight champion Jens Pulver in the first round.
Tanner (8-1-0) from Gresham, Ore., has become a serious light heavyweight contender since moving from his hometown of Amarillo, Tex., to train with Team Quest led by former two-time UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture and top middleweight contender Matt Lindland.ÿ A former Texas high school wrestling champion, he has won his last three UFC fights with lightning quick submissions and devastating ground and pound attacks.
Franklin (12-0-0) from Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of the most well rounded fighters in the light heavyweight division.ÿÿÿÿ He has won fights by knockout with powerful kicks and punches as well as slick submissions.ÿ He knows that a win over the highly respected Tanner will launch him into the higher levels of the light heavyweight rankings and says he and Tanner are “similar in fighting style and size.ÿ I’m really looking forward to fighting him.”
The Ultimate Fighting Championship, headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., is the world’s leading mixed martial arts sports association.ÿ Owned and operated by Zuffa LLC, the UFC programs six live pay-per-view events yearly through cable and satellite providers.ÿ In addition to its U.S. distribution on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, Dish Network, TVN, Bell ExpressVu and Viewers Choice Canada, UFC events are distributed internationally through WOWOW, Inc., in Japan, Globosat in Brazil, Novavision in Mexico, Main Event Television in Australia and Sky Network Television in New Zealand.ÿ Zuffa LLC licenses its UFC video games for distribution on all major playing platforms through Crave Entertainment and TDK Mediactive.
The UFC’s next live PPV event will be UFC 42: Sudden Impact at 10 p.m. EDT/7 p.m. PDT on Friday, April 25, from AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Fla.ÿ The suggested retail price is $29.95.ÿ Look for UFC on the internet at www.ufc.tv.