UFC Fight Night 27 was overall a fantastic event, and hopefully the first of many Wednesday-night fight cards that will deliver entertainment for MMA fans. There were plenty of news and notes that came out post-event, and below I’ve put together those I found most interesting.
- UFC president said that Abel Trujillo, who was involved in a controversial No Contest against Roger Bowling, will be given his win bonus despite the fact it looked like he hit Bowling with an illegal knee. I believe this is a mistake on White’s part as replays show the second of two knees Trujillo threw hit Bowling right in the temple and it led directly to the fight ending. In my opinion, Trujillo should have been DQed.
- According to White, Wanderlei Silva is injured and can’t fight until January. The UFC wants to have Chael Sonnen fight at the 20th-anniversary card this November at UFC 167, but it won’t be against Silva, and instead White mentioned Phil Davis’ name as a possible opponent. Davis vs. Sonnen is a good fight stylistically and makes sense as far as the rankings go, so start thinking about how you’d cap it as I really think this is the fight that’s going to be booked. Personally, I lean Davis in this fight, but it’s likely to be relatively close at the books.
- White also said that he has a fight offer on the table for welterweight stud Matt Brown, who has won six-straight fights. White wouldn’t reveal who it was, but sources told me that Tarec Saffiedine has been offered the fight against Brown and that both men just have to sign the contract now.
- The UFC announced that it will be headed to Singapore on Jan. 4, 2014, the first time the UFC has visited that country. As well, the UFC has plans to go into the Philippines next year as they continue to globally expand their product.
- The UFC will most likely visit Mexico for the first time in 2014.
- Featherweight stud Conor McGregor had knee surgery yesterday and he’s expected to miss nearly a year of action after rehab and everything else. McGregor is a great fighter and when he returns to the cage in 2014 expect the UFC to promote him heavily.
- And the last thing of note is that the UFC is definitely interested in Ben Askren, but after Bellator matched Eddie Alvarez’ contract, White said he’s weary about offering Askren a big deal and then having Bellator match it. This is likely to turn into another circus situation like the Alvarez case, and I wouldn’t expect Askren to be fighting in the UFC anytime soon, if ever.