127 tele-conference call

The UFC held a conference call today to promote the main event at UFC 127 between Jon Fitch and BJ Penn. On the call was UFC President Dana White and main event fighters BJ Penn and Jon Fitch.

A variets of topics was discussed ranging from the fight, the implications for the winner and the UFC's advancement towards global expansion.

Here are some key notes from the call:

- White is prepared to bring The Ultimate Fighter to every country. First stop being, TUF Philipines as early as this year. Also plans for TUF UK And TUF Canada.

- Despite his latest twitter rant, White claims to have not watched the latest Strikeforce Show

- White plans on throwing same day shows in the future. (EX. Simultaneous fights in Vegas and Australia.) Says that day is coming.

- White confirms 17,000 tickets sold for UFC 127

- White confirms that the sold out Rogers Centre for UFC 129 is the largest North American gate in UFC history. $11million dollars in ticket sales.

- White anticipates the UFC being seen in over a billion homes worldwide soon

- White, confirms that winner of BJ vs. Fitch will be number 1 contender for the welterweight title.

- Fitch, when asked if its hard to get motivated for Penn..."When fighting BJ Penn? Hell no"

- Fitch has no opinion on GSP vs. Shields

- Penn says Hughes coach Matt Pena hooked the two up for training. Says he had a great time with Hughes and Matt was the best partner he could've had.
- Penn when asked if he would return to 155... "I don't even like cutting the weight" clarified that its not a hard cut, but not sure it's the best thing for his health.

- Penn thinks Shields will do well against GSP... "It's a toss-up"

- Penn on Florians decision to drop to 145... "It's going to be hard to be competitive if you chop off your right leg,"

He had better win, for himself and for us!

Originally Posted by Dethbob

He had better win, for himself and for us!

+1!!!!!!!!!!!!

[J.B.]

It reads as if Dana is implying that one billion homes will actually tune in...lol

[JavierDLC]

So he beats Hughes and IF and that's a big IF he beats Fitch he gets a Title FIGHT!!! That's BS......

Originally Posted by JavierDLC

So he beats Hughes and IF and that's a big IF he beats Fitch he gets a Title FIGHT!!! That's BS......

Why shouldn't he? The man just lost 2 at LW took a huge step to go up to WW and won 1 who else can you say worked their *ss off enough to do that and is more worthy of a title shot if he does win Fitch? Sorry, but your on that Bj hater train so your not making sense at all..

Originally Posted by JavierDLC

So he beats Hughes and IF and that's a big IF he beats Fitch he gets a Title FIGHT!!! That's BS......

I would agree with this. But there are plenty of times don't understand Joe's logic behind the fights he puts together so I can't say I'm surprised.

Originally Posted by JavierDLC

So he beats Hughes and IF and that's a big IF he beats Fitch he gets a Title FIGHT!!! That's BS......

?... Penn is a legend in the sport. Fitch is #2 or top 5 in every ranking of welterweight’s world wide. If Penn beats Fitch, how would you rationalize him NOT getting a title shot?

[Llamafighter]

Originally Posted by JavierDLC

So he beats Hughes and IF and that's a big IF he beats Fitch he gets a Title FIGHT!!! That's BS......

I don't know that being the #1 contender @ WW at this point necessessarily means a title shot in the next year.
If GSP beats Shields, he is prob going to fight Silva.
Will probably ask for 6 months to beef up. might have injuries to recover from
after fighting Silva it will take time for GSP to get back down to 170. if he even wants to go back down.

if GSP vacates the 170 belt then we'd probably see winner of Fitch vs Penn fight the winner of (just guessing) Alves and Condit or Koschek or Kampman...

It's going to be a crazy year for both MW and WW