Company president Dana White today confirmed via Yahoo!Sports.com the three top main card bouts for the UFC 92 year-end mixed martial arts bonanza on December 27.
We’ve already known about the solid match ups for quite some time, but let’s quickly recap what we can expect on New Year’s Eve weekend for those who may need a refresher.
In the main event of the evening, interim heavyweight champion Antonio Rodrigo “Minotauro” Nogueira will clash with former division titleholder Frank Mir. Of course, the pair is currently in the midst of coaching opposite teams on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 8 to pump up the showdown.
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Forrest Griffin will defend his newly-won 205-pound belt against Rashad Evans. Both fighters scored major upsets against former champions (Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Chuck Liddell, respectively) to earn their spots atop the loaded weightclass.
It’s the first time ever two former TUF contestants will vie for a world title.
And last but certainly not least, Jackson will take on Wanderlei Silva for the third time, hoping he can exact revenge after suffering two crushing defeats to “The Axe Murderer” several years ago while competing under the Pride FC banner.
Here is the rest of the rumored UFC 92 fight card:
185 lbs.: Yushin Okami (21-4-1) vs. Dean Lister (11-5)*
265 lbs.: Cheick Kongo (12-4-1) vs. Mustafa Al-Turk (6-3)
185 lbs.: C.B. Dollaway vs. Jorge Rivera*
170 lbs.: Ryo Chonan (15-8) vs. Brad Blackburn (12-9-1)*
White mentioned in the article that he wanted to “stack” this blockbuster pay-per-view (PPV) event. And it’s safe to say he’s already accomplished that goal … and there are still more spots to fill on the card.
UFC 92 will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena (not the Mandalay Bay Events Center as previously reported) in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday, December 27. The televised portion of the card will be available for purchase on PPV, beginning at 10 p.m. ET on fight night.
For more on the show stay tuned to MMAmania.com. In the meantime, feel free to hit up out comprehensive event archive right here.
76 Comments »
Other than the 3 main fights I cant say Im that excited about the rest of the card.
Oh well maybe its just me.
Ca$x (nice name, d-bag) is one of those guys who isn’t happy unless every PPV has Jesus c. Satan in the battle for humanity’s everlasting souls headlining every card.
Wouldn’t pay to see that one, already saw their first fight for free on South Park!
Yea and Satan took a dive……lost big $ on that chump!
Solid card. Anytime I get to see Nog defend a title I am stoked, too bad its against an undeserving mir. who knew that beating Hardonk n Lesnar would earn a title shot?
I am worried aqbout sitting through 5 rounds of Rashad vs. Forrest (2 fighters that rarely excite me)…who knows maybe they can put on a great fight, but I have my reservations.
The fight I am interested in is Wandy vs. Rampage! Now that alone would get me to purchase any ppv
I think Rashad and Forrest should be a good one! They’ll definitely have great gameplans, and while neither tends to be over-exciting, should match up fairly well. As for Wandy and Rampage? My concern is that this is a F’IN HUGE fight physically and mentally for Rampage to take on so soon after recent debacle.
i do think its a solid card but for the end of the year even they should throw in 1 more big fight because i could see forrest vs evans being a 5 round snoozer.
I think they could use one more big fight as well. On paper, this event does not excite me nearly as much as the card they ran at the same time last year.
I’ll say it again Yushin “Machida” Okami is getting screwed. He’ll never get a title shot. Nog and Wand on the same card is always sick, if only wand was fighting someone else. As for the third, Rashad takes via LnP-The easiest way to beat a “hard worker” with no power or subs.
Bad analogy! Difference between Okami and Machida is that Machida actually has a shot at the LHW title, Okami can fight Silva 10 times and still would not come close to winning!
Being a lamb for slaughter doesn’t mean you should be excluded from Title shots. Okami has a better chance than Cote even with a broken hand. A title shot regardless of result would do good things for his career and marketability. If he bails for affliction he can at least makes a boatload of cash beating up cans like lindland and belfort leaving UFC with no contenders that stand a chance. PS am not a UFC basher.
now this is a stacked card! Mir n Norgeia should be the co-main event, and grifin and evans main event.. Rampage n Silva should face off after lister and Okimi to get the crowd pumped
Mir might be deemed worthy cause he is an ex-champ who never lost the title
OTHER THAN THE 3 MAIN FIGHTS?? THAT’S THE POINT! WE HAVE 3 MAIN FIGHTS IN ONE NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!
Does using capitals make you hard?
No reason to insult just making comments about a MMA card that’s all nothing more, nothing less.
why do they got jardines face insted of rampage’s????
Since they look so much alike I guess.
I noticed the same thing. I was thinkin Rampage should be on there. Then I started lookin to see if Jardine was even on the card, and he’s not.
That ain’t Jardine man, you blind? hehe!
I don’t give a f*&k about the forrest vs evans fight! That title fight is a joke! Should have been a 4-way tourney for the lhw instead of this!!!
Can you just imagine what this match up(forrest vs evans)will do to the minds of the casual fans out there? they would think that the toughest SOB in the lhw is between these baboons!!!
i dont get the hatred toward these two fighters, forrest beat shogun who was the number one lhw at the time then he beats rampage who was the number one lhw at the time. Rashad is undefeated and has beat everybody thrown his way and he just knocked out the former champ and face of the ufc in liddell so i get what u mean saying “they would think that the toughest sob in the lhw is between these baboons?” they beat the best of the best and now they are the best give them some credit.
Are you seriously saying that they are the best?!
I luv the main card but am certainly not thrilled by the undercard… it definitely could have been better.
Yeah but mustafa al-turk coming to the ufc is huge imo.
Okami should be facing tougher competition imo, he will destroy lister. I’m looking forward to silva destroying rampage again with those deadly knees.
I think Okami has already earned his title shot and they just want to give him a warm up fight against a guy he should beat rather than just throwing him to the spider after a year long layoff.
okami likes to take the fight to the ground and lister has the best submissions in the mw division if not all of mma.
Jacare man. Thats ok, he’s probably a bit out of your comfort zone (UFC)
People who slag off 90 per cent of mma fights must not get much enjoyment out of the sport then! they only want to watch the top 5 fighters in the world and the rest are bums in there world! Im going to UFC 89 and there is lots of good fights on that card without any huge names!
i’ll see you there im really looking forward to shane carwin vs neil wain i think carwin is one for the future
Well for me, Im always usually more excited about undercards than the main event as I get to see fighters that Ive seen grow sometimes from other organisations get better and evolve and take on ever increasing competition on bigger and bigger stages and thats what makes it so interesting.
Its not just the fighters that make good fights its the match-ups and Im pretty sure that most of these fights (ON THE UNDERCARD!) will be pretty one sided or unexciting although some would debate that.
Cant wait for Nog to submit Mir though and the Rampage vs Wanderlei is a sick rematch which I just cant call at the moment.
paul taylor/chris lytle looks sick
Best. Card. Ever.
Well pretty close anyway.
im really stoked for this one! I might be the only person who is looking forward to griffen vs evans i think it will be a very action packed fight from start to finish
Wow, that is a great line up. Does anyone know what channel shows UFC in India? Im there over New Year and dont want to have to wait till I get back to watch it.
WTF are you doin’ in India? Go back to the UK so you could get to watch every UFC event…Or better yet, log on to the net the next day, at least you’re just a day delayed, right?
hehehehe
New Year in Goa, will be awesome. I hate just reading the results. Will have to wait until I get back to UK.
Mania the date is wrong in the article 92 is the year end show Dec 27.
Whoops … fixed.
not impressed
Your point is…………
His point is that he ain’t a hardcore fan…
i am there i wonder when tickets will be on sale
As much as I like Rampage, I like Wandi more.
Silva by KO
As much as I like Rampage, I like Wandi more.
Silva by KO
Great Card! Can’t Wait! GO RASHAD!
This is a great card. All three fights could be on a main event by their self. Even the Wandi and Rampage fight even though it’s not for a title. I figured you guys would be more stoked about this card than you are. Just like spoiled little kids, never satisfied, I want more and I want it now. King Dana could have spread these fights out with a bunch of crap undercard fights with them. You all should be licking Danas nuts right now. Ha Ha
How do you think we got this d@mn card? I’m still trying to get the taste out of my mouth! Ummm…..that was just a joke!
If you people have a problem with UFC cards i suggest you go watch Elite XC and see if that satifies your appetite cause you are insane if you arent impressed with ufc cards, there the best fights your ever gonna see so common and stop your negativity and enjoy the fights.
If Wanderlai beats Rampage he will get the next title shot against the winner of forest Vs rashad it wont be Lyoto or Thiago, you heard it here first.
im not that interested in wandy/rampage3 it would be like watching chuck and rampage again.. i am excited about 2 title fights although both will be boring and 1 is a setup for next dude lesnar humps
Awesome card, the only bad part is you know that one of the fights is going to make all the other fights a vague memory.
I think wandy/rampage will steal the show personally.
What happened to Penn vs GSP??? I thought that fight was slated for the end of the year……Has that fight even been signed yet?
this fight will take place on the superbowl weekend card which i believe is ufc 94
I can’t wait until they start building up the Wandy/Rampage fight. Those two do not like each other at all. They will be able to voice their opinions of one another in interviews, something they were not able to do in Pride. Can’t wait to hear what Rampage has to say about the fight.
Wanderlei is going to put the hurt on Rampage for the third time! This is going to be a war.
Bad fight for Rampage at this point in his career – he needs a confidence booster fight – Matt Hammil or cheick Kongo anyone?
Hammill is too far down the roster for Rampage. He trains with Kongo & Kongo is HW not LHW.
Oh right – he trains at wolfs lair – forgot about that…for Dana trying to build up the Pride guys..wandy or rampage taking another loss cant be a good thing
Where’s tito when you need him?!
wow was i wrong on a whole bunch of levels haha
Oh right – he trains at wolfs lair – forgot about that…for Dana trying to build up the Pride guys..wandy or rampage taking another loss cant be a good thing
Where’s tito when you need him?!
Now if we could get Jon Fitch vs. Karo as the 4th fight on the main card, consider me 100% completely hooked.
NICE! but maybe better for the sched if Grifin woul have fount in ireland?
this card makes me happy. I want to see Sugar take out the trash.
Sugar will be the trash, hahaha!
well my point has been proven from yesterday!! British fight cards always get noised up, we get bisping v leben as a main event and once again all the exciting fights and big names get shown to the american public, 2 title fights and huge names throughout with rampage/wandi/kongo/griffin/nogueira/mir/chonan/al turk/evans/okami ????? and you guys have the cheak to moan about it!!!! Why does dana always give you guys the exciting fights and we get in comparison, very weak cards!!!!!
the dublin show better get atleast 2 other big fights, as we aint gony get a title fight on the card once again!! Atleast get the ICEMAN, or TITO as most other big names are already booked and will be unavailable,itjust pisses me off how weak our cards are and the ufc is trying to expand and grow over seas??!! I lovewatching fights like bisping v leben, but NO WAY is it amain event!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Plus our big fightsalways seem to get cancelled, which one will it be this time?? franklin v hendo or the injured shogun v the ancient coleman??
Sorry for the negativity but it annoys me that we arent getting treated to some mouth watering fights over here!!!!!!
shut the f**k up and get over it mate.
Mo, what Jay probably meant to say is that when UFC events take place in the UK, in order for those in the US to watch the fight live, we’d have to tune in during the early afternoon because of the time difference. Early afternoon time slots don’t make for big PPV buys because no one wants to head out to the sports bars/get their friends together for some beer and pizza during the early afternoon! In order to cater to the US, the UFC airs the event in the UK on a tape delay so that we’ll see the action during prime time hours. The tape delay for the US forces the event off ppv and on to spike tv. Of course the UFC isn’t going to make huge money with no ppv buys so they mask it as being a gift of a free night of fights for fight fans. Being that it’s free, they save their more intriguing matchups for events that will be aired on PPV to maximize sales. I understand why you’re frustrated but at least you guys have been the focus of the UFC’s international expansion. They could have shot for Brazil, Japan, Australia, etc. You guys are the man!
Thanks for your sensible rsponse redog, i never really thought of it like that, it makes sense from a business sense i guess!!
All be it i have to say up until 3am for ufc events which i do regularly, i understand the poilitics, however i would love to be able to and see some great fights here in the uk atleast once a year, guess its a bit greedy!! I just love the sport and want to go to some top events, as i cant afford to make my way to vegas im kinda stuck!! I appreciate we are very lucky that the sport is expanding in the uk and we atleast have the opportunity to see the ufc live here!
thanks again man!!
How can you complain about this card?!! This looks amazing, it’s got three main events all of which can go either way( Except Nog and Mir, I say Mir gasses and nog gets the finish). Other than that you got some pretty good fighters in Okami, Kongo. Also Jorge Rivera’s daughter passed away not too long ago so you have to respect the fact he’s fighting so soon. I for one love this card, and praise Dana for making it happen.
It looks like a great card so far, but why not have Wanderlei fight someone else like Brandon Vera if he wins his next fight against Keith Jardine or even Wilson Gouveia if he returns to 205. Rampage is just coming back from a rough period in his life it would not be smart to make him fight a guy to who he lost to twice in the past and badly. Why not build him up again give him like a comeback fight against Shogun or the winner of Sokodju-Luiz Cane that would be interesting. I also think that Okami vs. Hendo would be better for now rather than Dean Lister vs. Okami, Lister shuld fight Palahares they match up really well they have both good ground game and it would be a technical fight. Add anothe light heavy weight fight Rich Franklin vs. Stephan Bonnar and there is a great card. Anyway if Wanderlei does beat Rampage he will get a title shot against the winner of Forest Griffin-Rashad Evans and if he wins the title from either one of the two his first defense will be against the winner of Machida/T.Silva unless the UFC makes Shogun fight the winner of Machida vs. T.Silva as a No. 1 contender match that would be interesting too. I can t wait for these fights to happen December can t come soon enough.
i just cant believe randy is back i think it is awsome and first fight back against brock lesnar cant wait and how about the main fight card this is going to be the best yet they should off could this one stacked to the max and i dont care who wins out of randy and brock lets just hope it is one hell off a fight for the ufc and us the fanatic fans come on november 15.
People, its Wanderlei Silva. We won’t be watching him forever, my goodness. Cripes, the guy is all out, down in flames if I lose, or somebody is getting KTFO when I win, no middle ground.
Pay the ticket price, or the PPV and quit bellyaching. The guy is the most exciting fighter ever, bar none.