THQ

(Shoulda used your Vaseline cheat-code, Georges. Props: urdirt.com) 

Even if you don't read the news regularly, you may be aware that our country is going through a bit of a recession. Maybe your former boss might have mentioned it when you were fired. Basically, it's a bad time to own a company in America, or work at one. And though the UFC's pay-per-view buys have looked seemingly recession-proof, they may be feeling the pinch in an unexpected way. WatchKalibRun reports that THQ, the publisher of UFC 2009 Undisputed, is in serious financial straits, which could affect the fate of the hotly-anticipated video game:

According to The Fight Network, Patrick Cote is out at UFC 83. It was just days ago that Cote's involvement in the event was being reported in a match-up against Alan Belcher. Now Cote is being forced not to take the fight due to injury. MMA Mania is quoting Cote’s manager, Stephane Patry, on the matter:

"We were still talking [to the UFC] about an opponent when Patrick fell on the ice. He went for the MRI, and the doctor told him it’s sprained and he can’t train for four to six weeks – so he won’t be available to fight [in April]… We were not going to take that fight [with Belcher] anyway. It wouldn’t make sense."

Snap! Patry say no-makey-sense. Whatever, we move on. On to Jason "Dooms" Day that is. Day has signed a multi-fight deal with the UFC and his virgin fight with them will now be against Belcher at UFC 83 on April 19th. Middleweight Day is 15-5 and 14-2 in his last 16. His split decision win at HCF: Destiny on February 1st over former UFC 185-pounder David Loiseau probably boosted him to his own UFC signing.

Belcher is 12-4 and will be going for his third win in a row. Not many of his fights go to decision, so he'll look to wrap the win up early.

And in other news:

-Remember THQ? No, it's not the miracle tablet that makes you go all smiles for the better part of a cab ride, but the video game maker that's been working on the UFC's new video game. The game will be revealed in a 'to date' format at UFC 84, which is slated for Saturday, May 24th. MMA Junkie is saying the company made the teasing comments during a financial/stockholder conference call.

THQ's five-year contract gives them the rights to UFC games until the end of 2011 for all console and portable platforms, and wireless formats. A street date should also be revealed at UFC 84, and maybe even the official name of the game. It's been referenced as "UFC 2009" and "Ultimate Fighting Championship 2009" so far. So get your thumbs loosened up and tell your mom to slide your TV dinners under the basement door. There's games to be had.

-The Dayton Daily News is reporting that tickets for UFC 82 are going fast and about 10,000 have already been snatched up. The UFC expects a sell-out, of course. Last year, the Nationwide Arena in Colombus, Ohio hosted UFC 68 where it set a UFC attendance record with 19,049. It's own venue record could go down on March 1st.