UFC 80: “Rapid Fire” on Saturday, January 19 from the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England, is the first major pay-per-view (PPV) for the promotion in 2008.
It features the “World Lightweight Championship” between BJ Penn and Joe Stevenson, as well as the heavyweight rematch between Gabriel Gonzaga and Fabricio Werdum.
For the complete UFC 80 fight card click here.
Up until this point all indications pointed to a LIVE broadcast at 3 p.m. ET because of the time zone difference. However, in the banner to the left, which is prominently featured on the UFC.com homepage, the start time is 10 p.m. ET.
If that’s the case then it would be aired via tape delay, similar to most of the European shows held in 2007 (UFC 72: “Victory” being the lone exception.)
However, the official fight card on UFC.com indicates that it will begin be broadcast at 3 p.m. ET. Therefore, have things changed or is this just one big confusing error?
I don’t think it’s an error — just confusing (especially since we’re getting loads of emails about the start time.)
I’m fairly confident that it will be available at 3 p.m. (LIVE) and on PPV at 10 p.m. (via tape delay).
Read the header on the UFC official UFC 80 microsite and tell me what you think. For those too lazy to click over it reads like this:
“Saturday January 19, 2008 — 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT or Watch it at 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT — LIVE on PPV”
Long story short, this all means (I think) we have two options come fight day: Watch it LIVE or via tape delay. And as far as I know that would be similar to “Victory,” satisfying fans who prefer to watch it LIVE earlier in the afternoon and those who want to wait until later in the evening to catch the telecast.
Apologies if I’m addressing this late but I want to pass along the news (if it’s accurate) because there seems to be a ton of confusion. If it is available at both times I will remind our readers that we will share the results as soon as possible.
Therefore, if you don’t want to know the results beforehand (whenever you watch it) then don’t come to our site until you are ready — we don’t want to spoil the event for anyone.
31 Comments »
if penn wins it is via technique, if stevenson wins it is because of his strentgh
i hope bj comes w/100% condition in this fight,if not, even though he could outscore stevenson in the early til the midfight, but if he gassed out,stevenson will punish him.
if he didnt come into this fight w/100% well condition, its a must a fight by penn in early round
So it the 10pm free on Spike or on PPV?
[quote comment="255465"]So it the 10pm free on Spike or on PPV?[/quote]
It’s a PPV event whenever you decide to watch it — LIVE or via tape delay.
This card should be on Spike..The ufc is abusing their power..with all the yadda yadda of we have the best fighter’s in the world in the ufc..then why don’t we get the best fight cards more often?? Zuffa is selling to us their brand..not he best fights possible..ufc78 is an example with Rashad/Bisping not being main event worthy still sold out the arena on the strength of the ufc brand. BJ shouldn’t be the only to tier guy on this card..Gonzaga/Werdum..I’m a napao fan but their styles will cancel themselves..it most likey play out o be a Naga submissio fight..if ufc 80 and 81 were together..it would be a different story. I feel I should get paid to watch ufc80..it’s bs. with a 39.99 price tag.
[quote comment="255462"]if penn wins it is via technique, if stevenson wins it is because of his strentgh[/quote]
Sounds like something Matt Hughes would say.
Hmmm, weak. I really wish they would have gotten that deal done with CBS.
As much as I’d like to see BJ/Stevenson, I don’t think this card is PPV worthy. I can’t complain after watching UFC 79, though. I was expecting a drop-off.
[quote comment="255474"]This card should be on Spike..The ufc is abusing their power..with all the yadda yadda of we have the best fighter’s in the world in the ufc..then why don’t we get the best fight cards more often?? Zuffa is selling to us their brand..not he best fights possible..ufc78 is an example with Rashad/Bisping not being main event worthy still sold out the arena on the strength of the ufc brand. BJ shouldn’t be the only to tier guy on this card..Gonzaga/Werdum..I’m a napao fan but their styles will cancel themselves..it most likey play out o be a Naga submissio fight..if ufc 80 and 81 were together..it would be a different story. I feel I should get paid to watch ufc80..it’s bs. with a 39.99 price tag.[/quote]
I completely agree. I also think that you are correct in saying that Zuffa is selling us there brand not the best fighters. Fedor not being with the UFC is a perfect example of this.
[quote comment="255475"][quote comment="255462"]if penn wins it is via technique, if stevenson wins it is because of his strentgh[/quote]
Sounds like something Matt Hughes would say.[/quote]
dude, the Penn/stevenson fight will be one sided and over quickly. Joe is a ju jitsu guy…good luck trying to play that game with BJ. Once the fight hits the ground BJ will take his back, its just inevitable. Combine BJ’s skills with his dexterity and flexabilty makes him the most dangerous ju jitsu fighter in the world.. This will be very one sided, with Joe being completely outclassed.
I expect to see Gonzaga trying to keep the fight standing because he has so much advantage. If the fight hits the floor there ju jitsu will just nullify each others….The differnce will be the striking…Gonzaga wins by TKO…2nd round at the latest!
I will probably be at Hooters for this event, although I hate watching it away from home, cuz I cant Blaze any blunts!!
oh,we almost forgot, theres also gonzaga & werdum on the way
i hope gonzaga avenge his loss, both guys are BJJ wizard, but da#mn man, if gonzaga is animal in BJJ,Werdum is a BEAST! danger for gonzaga
What’s frustrating to me is how most people agree that B.J. Penn is considered to be one of the top mixed martial artists in the world (this site has also stated this fact–that when he’s in shape, he is one of the best). Why then is B.J. Penn never ranked in the Top 10 in his weight class by MMA Weekly? He’s not listed as a Lightweight OR a Welterweight, yet they have, in the past, listed him in the top pound-for-pound in any weight class. That makes ZERO sense to me. If he’s one of the best pound for pound, clearly he’s one of the best in his weight class, right?
In the Lightweight division, MMA Weekly has both Stevenson (#8) and Florian (#10) listed. I like both fighters and don’t have a problem with giving them props, but most everyone agrees that Penn is the #1 Contender in the division, not Stevenson or Florian.
[quote comment="255630"]What’s frustrating to me is how most people agree that B.J. Penn is considered to be one of the top mixed martial artists in the world (this site has also stated this fact–that when he’s in shape, he is one of the best). Why then is B.J. Penn never ranked in the Top 10 in his weight class by MMA Weekly? He’s not listed as a Lightweight OR a Welterweight, yet they have, in the past, listed him in the top pound-for-pound in any weight class. That makes ZERO sense to me. If he’s one of the best pound for pound, clearly he’s one of the best in his weight class, right?
In the Lightweight division, MMA Weekly has both Stevenson (#8) and Florian (#10) listed. I like both fighters and don’t have a problem with giving them props, but most everyone agrees that Penn is the #1 Contender in the division, not Stevenson or Florian.[/quote]
Because it is unclear to which weight class BJ will stay. He keeps saying he wants to move down/move up. He also doesnt have fights on a consistant time basis. You need to fight consistantly to be ranked.
[quote comment="255630"]What’s frustrating to me is how most people agree that B.J. Penn is considered to be one of the top mixed martial artists in the world (this site has also stated this fact–that when he’s in shape, he is one of the best). Why then is B.J. Penn never ranked in the Top 10 in his weight class by MMA Weekly? He’s not listed as a Lightweight OR a Welterweight, yet they have, in the past, listed him in the top pound-for-pound in any weight class. That makes ZERO sense to me. If he’s one of the best pound for pound, clearly he’s one of the best in his weight class, right?
In the Lightweight division, MMA Weekly has both Stevenson (#8) and Florian (#10) listed. I like both fighters and don’t have a problem with giving them props, but most everyone agrees that Penn is the #1 Contender in the division, not Stevenson or Florian.[/quote] i agree totally. mma weekly’s rankimgs are the worst on the net. try foop’s or yahoo sports. they are both a little more realistic.
[quote comment="255535"][quote comment="255475"][quote comment="255462"]if penn wins it is via technique, if stevenson wins it is because of his strentgh[/quote]
Sounds like something Matt Hughes would say.[/quote]
dude, the Penn/stevenson fight will be one sided and over quickly. Joe is a ju jitsu guy…good luck trying to play that game with BJ. Once the fight hits the ground BJ will take his back, its just inevitable. Combine BJ’s skills with his dexterity and flexabilty makes him the most dangerous ju jitsu fighter in the world.. This will be very one sided, with Joe being completely outclassed.
I expect to see Gonzaga trying to keep the fight standing because he has so much advantage. If the fight hits the floor there ju jitsu will just nullify each others….The differnce will be the striking…Gonzaga wins by TKO…2nd round at the latest!
I will probably be at Hooters for this event, although I hate watching it away from home, cuz I cant Blaze any blunts!![/quote]
John..PPV in my crib. Some funk a few peers and beers.
[quote comment="255474"]This card should be on Spike..The ufc is abusing their power..with all the yadda yadda of we have the best fighter’s in the world in the ufc..then why don’t we get the best fight cards more often?? Zuffa is selling to us their brand..not he best fights possible..ufc78 is an example with Rashad/Bisping not being main event worthy still sold out the arena on the strength of the ufc brand. BJ shouldn’t be the only to tier guy on this card..Gonzaga/Werdum..I’m a napao fan but their styles will cancel themselves..it most likey play out o be a Naga submissio fight..if ufc 80 and 81 were together..it would be a different story. I feel I should get paid to watch ufc80..it’s bs. with a 39.99 price tag.[/quote]
PhilQNY: I will have to strongly agree with u on this. I mean come on Dana, just last month u charged us for that Horrible event UFC 78 and this event sucks and features 2 lop sided fights as main events. Not to mention UFC 81 is just around the corner, the card isnt much better then this one and you are gonna bump up the price to $45…….I feel that all the European events should be free. Everyone wants to see it LIVE and watching it at 3:00 pm blows, also most European events feature inferior cards..why not just make those free on Spike?
[quote comment="255695"][quote comment="255630"]What’s frustrating to me is how most people agree that B.J. Penn is considered to be one of the top mixed martial artists in the world (this site has also stated this fact–that when he’s in shape, he is one of the best). Why then is B.J. Penn never ranked in the Top 10 in his weight class by MMA Weekly? He’s not listed as a Lightweight OR a Welterweight, yet they have, in the past, listed him in the top pound-for-pound in any weight class. That makes ZERO sense to me. If he’s one of the best pound for pound, clearly he’s one of the best in his weight class, right?
In the Lightweight division, MMA Weekly has both Stevenson (#8) and Florian (#10) listed. I like both fighters and don’t have a problem with giving them props, but most everyone agrees that Penn is the #1 Contender in the division, not Stevenson or Florian.[/quote] i agree totally. mma weekly’s rankimgs are the worst on the net. try foop’s or yahoo sports. they are both a little more realistic.[/quote]
Speaking of rankings: Fightsport magazine, which happens to be the best mma magazine available puts out an issue every other month. The latest rankings were OK, but what sticks out in my head is that they have robbie Lawler currently ranked at the 3rd best welterweight in the world. Robbie is an exciting fighter but come on…#3 in the world…NO Way. I am a huge ninja fan, but the ninja robbie beat is not half the fighter the old ninja was…This is probably the most over rated ranking I have seen in a while.
Still, I would love to see Robbie back in the UFC. Win or Loose his fights were usually exciting.
[quote comment="255622"]oh,we almost forgot, theres also gonzaga & werdum on the way
i hope gonzaga avenge his loss, both guys are BJJ wizard, but da#mn man, if gonzaga is animal in BJJ,Werdum is a BEAST! danger for gonzaga[/quote]
mad drummer: I think you are severely mistaken. All fights start standing and Werdum’s bitch slaps wont be able to compete with Gonzaga’s power and much better overall striking. Gonzaga defended some of Randy’s takedown and I dont see Werdum being able to take Gonzaga down at will, which should be a very scary thought for werdum, who lacks the power and technique to compete with the Brazilian Sasquatch.
To add to that, I expect Gonzaga’s game to be raised to a higher level now that he lost that grueling fight against the champion Couture. That lost surely has helped Gonzaga. Its just the natural progression of a tough fighter. He fought his way up to the title, lost, found out 1st hand what it takes at the championship level, and I think that was a great experience for him. There ju jitsu will cancel each other out, but the striking battle is really lop sided in Gonzaga’s favor and that will be the difference. Gonzaga by a nasty TKO starting with a strike that will drop Werdum, and ending with nasty G n P via punches and elbows on an already dazed Werdum, this will all happen no later then the 2nd round!
[quote comment="255630"]What’s frustrating to me is how most people agree that B.J. Penn is considered to be one of the top mixed martial artists in the world (this site has also stated this fact–that when he’s in shape, he is one of the best). Why then is B.J. Penn never ranked in the Top 10 in his weight class by MMA Weekly? He’s not listed as a Lightweight OR a Welterweight, yet they have, in the past, listed him in the top pound-for-pound in any weight class. That makes ZERO sense to me. If he’s one of the best pound for pound, clearly he’s one of the best in his weight class, right?
In the Lightweight division, MMA Weekly has both Stevenson (#8) and Florian (#10) listed. I like both fighters and don’t have a problem with giving them props, but most everyone agrees that Penn is the #1 Contender in the division, not Stevenson or Florian.[/quote]
Someone needs to drink a Chilled glass of Haterade. “c-war” put it best. BJ fights at both LW and WW so it’s hard to rank him if he ain’t got more than three fights at either weight. BJ PENN is the best Lightweight in the World, and the second best WELTERWEIGHT next to GSP. In the next two to three years, BJ PENN will have that UFC Welterweight belt strapped around his waist.
[quote comment="255793"][quote comment="255695"][quote comment="255630"]quote]
Speaking of rankings: Fightsport magazine, which happens to be the best mma magazine available puts out an issue every other month. The latest rankings were OK, but what sticks out in my head is that they have robbie Lawler currently ranked at the 3rd best welterweight in the world. Robbie is an exciting fighter but come on…#3 in the world…NO Way. I am a huge ninja fan, but the ninja robbie beat is not half the fighter the old ninja was…This is probably the most over rated ranking I have seen in a while.
Still, I would love to see Robbie back in the UFC. Win or Loose his fights were usually exciting.[/quote]
If he comes back..which would be a good thing for what he brings into the octagon..I think he should fight at 185 to add more spice in that division.
I ended 2007 with a strong guarentee that GSP would finish Hughes before the 3rd round and I am gonna start off 2008 with another guarentee: BJ Penn finishes Joe before the end of round 3…………. I tend to reserve my guarentee’s for absolutely sure things and I havent gaurenteed many fights, to name a few:
Kongo over cro cop
GSP over Hughes 3
Anderson Silva vs. Franklin 2
add BJ over Joe to that list
Also I feel really strong that Werdum wont make it to the distance against Gonzaga….Not a guarentee because I dont want to start doing it all the time….but Gonzaga over Werdum is as close to a sure thing as it gets!
No other way to watch, except for LIVE!!
My boy PENN is finally fighting for a title again, and I have to watch it delayed? This Sucks
[quote comment="255630"]What’s frustrating to me is how most people agree that B.J. Penn is considered to be one of the top mixed martial artists in the world (this site has also stated this fact–that when he’s in shape, he is one of the best). Why then is B.J. Penn never ranked in the Top 10 in his weight class by MMA Weekly? He’s not listed as a Lightweight OR a Welterweight, yet they have, in the past, listed him in the top pound-for-pound in any weight class. That makes ZERO sense to me. If he’s one of the best pound for pound, clearly he’s one of the best in his weight class, right?
In the Lightweight division, MMA Weekly has both Stevenson (#8) and Florian (#10) listed. I like both fighters and don’t have a problem with giving them props, but most everyone agrees that Penn is the #1 Contender in the division, not Stevenson or Florian.[/quote]
Someone needs to drink a Chilled glass of Haterade. c-war said it best. BJ fights at both LW and WW so it’s hard to rank him if he ain’t got more than three fights at either weight. BJ Penn is the best Lightweight in the World, and the second best Welterweight next to GSP. In the next two to three years, BJ PENN will have that UFC Welterweight belt strapped around his waist.
[quote comment="255895"]My boy PENN is finally fighting for a title again, and I have to watch it delayed? This Sucks[/quote]
NO way dude, I think the general consensus is that it will be available both LIVE in the afternoon AND delayed at night. Live is the ONLY way to go.
I probably won’t get to see this one. Over in Europe we get the events for free all the time except when they actually take place over here. Then we have to fork out for the PPV. I won’t be parting with any money for this one though so I’ll have to catch it on the internet. Damn.
All in all though we get a good deal I think. Save for one small thing. We don’t actually get the PPVs free on Saturday, they’re aired on Sunday. I don’t mind that much though as the events would be on in the middle of the night.
even though live sounds good i think at night with friends would be better just gotta stay off the darn internet all day though
if we can watch at 3 in the afternoon that would be great.I’d rather watch sooner than later.cthen can get to bed at a decent hour.
[quote post="4400"]In the next two to three years, BJ PENN will have that UFC Welterweight belt strapped around his waist.[/quote]
Maybe, I’m not sure if he can beat GSP though. But anyways, a re-dedicated BJ Penn against a re-dedicated GSP in a 5-round championship fight will be a battle for the ages!
I’m a huge BJ Penn fan
But I like Stevenson and Werdum at 255….those are solid bets.
Werdum beat Gonzaga in their 1st matchup, and Joe Daddy should NEVER be a 250 underdog
[quote comment="255796"][quote comment="255622"]oh,we almost forgot, theres also gonzaga & werdum on the way
i hope gonzaga avenge his loss, both guys are BJJ wizard, but da#mn man, if gonzaga is animal in BJJ,Werdum is a BEAST! danger for gonzaga[/quote]
mad drummer: I think you are severely mistaken. All fights start standing and Werdum’s bitch slaps wont be able to compete with Gonzaga’s power and much better overall striking. Gonzaga defended some of Randy’s takedown and I dont see Werdum being able to take Gonzaga down at will, which should be a very scary thought for werdum, who lacks the power and technique to compete with the Brazilian Sasquatch.
To add to that, I expect Gonzaga’s game to be raised to a higher level now that he lost that grueling fight against the champion Couture. That lost surely has helped Gonzaga. Its just the natural progression of a tough fighter. He fought his way up to the title, lost, found out 1st hand what it takes at the championship level, and I think that was a great experience for him. There ju jitsu will cancel each other out, but the striking battle is really lop sided in Gonzaga’s favor and that will be the difference. Gonzaga by a nasty TKO starting with a strike that will drop Werdum, and ending with nasty G n P via punches and elbows on an already dazed Werdum, this will all happen no later then the 2nd round![/quote]
then.. we’ll just see,but i think it will go to the distance, i might wrong, just base on what i predict the silva vs. liddell fight,even though they’re both KO striker,but before the fight i thought it will go to the distance,which is funny that its really happen. LOL!
[quote comment="255796"][quote comment="255622"]oh,we almost forgot, theres also gonzaga & werdum on the way
i hope gonzaga avenge his loss, both guys are BJJ wizard, but da#mn man, if gonzaga is animal in BJJ,Werdum is a BEAST! danger for gonzaga[/quote]
mad drummer: I think you are severely mistaken. All fights start standing and Werdum’s bitch slaps wont be able to compete with Gonzaga’s power and much better overall striking. Gonzaga defended some of Randy’s takedown and I dont see Werdum being able to take Gonzaga down at will, which should be a very scary thought for werdum, who lacks the power and technique to compete with the Brazilian Sasquatch.
To add to that, I expect Gonzaga’s game to be raised to a higher level now that he lost that grueling fight against the champion Couture. That lost surely has helped Gonzaga. Its just the natural progression of a tough fighter. He fought his way up to the title, lost, found out 1st hand what it takes at the championship level, and I think that was a great experience for him. There ju jitsu will cancel each other out, but the striking battle is really lop sided in Gonzaga’s favor and that will be the difference. Gonzaga by a nasty TKO starting with a strike that will drop Werdum, and ending with nasty G n P via punches and elbows on an already dazed Werdum, this will all happen no later then the 2nd round![/quote]
then.. we’ll just see,but i think it will go to the distance, i might wrong, just base on what i predict the silva vs. liddell fight,even though they’re both KO striker,but before the fight i thought it will go to the distance,which is funny that its really happen. LOL