Gono

(Please just tell me there's a dancing seminar by Gono.)

The UFC sent out an email today announcing their first ever UFC Fan Expo around UFC 100 in Las Vegas this summer.  It includes training demos, autotgraph sessions, and “keynote addresses,” possibly from Dana White and/or Lorenzo Fertitta (though details on anything are very sketchy at the moment).  Basically, a lot of fun stuff for UFC fans in the days leading up to what is supposed to be the biggest UFC event to date.  Sounds great.

The trouble is, you have to buy a ticket, and they aren't cheap.  You can get a two-day pass for $50 if you buy in advance, or a one-day pass for $30.  This way the UFC gets you to pay for the fights, whether you watch them live or on pay-per-view, and also gets you to pay for some idle entertainment before the fights, like watching Matt Hughes demonstrate how he choked out Frank Trigg’s pompous ass, or listening to Dana White swear his way through a speech about professionalism and ethics in business. 

Okay, those things would both be worth paying for.

If you’re headed to Vegas for UFC 100 you should a) put aside some money to buy me a beer at the Hofbrauhaus, and b) keep an eye on this website for Expo information.  It doesn’t offer much help at the moment since they just announced it, but the last question on the Frequently Asked Questions list is worth a chuckle:

(Carwin looked impressive, but how about a tough opponent next?)

You're wondering who's up and who's down after UFC 89. The Potato Index's system of arbitrary numbers devoid of any unit of measurement will tell you. It's kind of like the stock market, only less depressing. We spent all weekend doing the math and here's what we came up with. You're welcome.

Michael Bisping +16

"The Count" won a fight he was supposed to win. Via decision. He never took any chances, didn't show anything extra special, but he fought smart and he got the win. As a reward, he gets the TUF coaching job and the fight with the Hendo/Ace winner that was already his anyway. At least he didn't screw it up.

Brandon Vera -132

Once upon a time Vera was the heir apparent in the heavyweight division. Now he's a mediocre light heavyweight who doesn't even put on much of a show anymore. What happened? He's no longer exciting or effective, and he's far too conservative. He's making too much money to be doing so little.

Chris Leben -8 1/2

Leben chased Michael Bisping for three rounds and only got a little frustrated and reckless toward the end. A sign of his maturity? Sure, but also a sign that middleweight gatekeeper is about as high as he can hope to climb. He's still exciting, so he's not going anywhere. He also won't be back in the main event any time soon.

Joe Rogan's tribute beard +18

Sounded a little hokey at first, but it turns out that facial hair can be an effective homage to a fallen champion.

Luis Cane +284

The biggest win of Cane's career, by far, and one that should get him noticed by the UFC brass. We called his record padded before, but he added some meat to it on Saturday night.

(Gono won't be doing the 'airplane' at UFC 82.)

As UFC 80 was the focus of the MMA world this weekend, UFC 81 & 82 saw some adjustments to their cards. On Friday, Akihiro Gono announced on his personal blog that a hand injury is forcing him out of UFC 82 against Jon Fitch. Here's the message (unedited):

I have a pain in my righthand from November(UFC debut fight)
So I could not train enough
I wondered it,Doctor checked my hand again,and This condition was so bad,
Doctor ordered me to stop fight and all training.
And operation is done. maybe in Junuary
I am verry sorry,my fans and John Fitch........
I will annnounce operation schedule and come back time

Gono, an eccentric welterweight, debuted for the UFC back in November when he beat Tamdam McCrory via a second round submission. It is not clear who will replace him against Fitch since many of the top welterweights in the division have fights already booked or have fought too recently to accept another so soon.