UFC 77 Weigh-In Results, Fighter Problems, Loads More

UFC 77 Weigh-In Results, Fighter Problems, Loads More

Jason MacDonald noted the following today: "As far as the decision to not be on the main card, the UFC has told me that it has nothing to do with me. It has to do with the fact that Okami is a boring fighter. They know I'll try to put on an exciting fight. In fact, as I felt the hotel on Thursday, I ran into Joe Silva, the matchmaker for the UFC, and he asked to talk to me to express that again and apologized in advance to me."

MMAScoops.com has learned that Anderson Silva arrived in Cincinnati yesterday morning. All Visa issues are cleared up.

Check out the following excerpt from an article featured in The Canadian Press: White maintains Couture was well compensated with a UFC contract second only to Chuck Liddell. "Randy Couture is a multimillionaire, don't ever feel sorry for a multimillionaire, OK?" White told a news conference prior to UFC 77. "A lot of these guys are multimillionaires, they make millions and millions of dollars." Asked about Keith Jardine, who made just US$14,000 for beating Liddell at UFC 76, White said his fighters weren't complaining – noting former champion Rich Franklin may only make $28,000 plus a $28,000 bonus if he beats title-holder Anderson Silva in Saturday night's main event.

The following are the numbers from the official weigh-ins for tomorrow night's (10/20) UFC 77 "Hostile Territory" event from Ohio:

-Anderson Silva (184.5 lbs.) vs. Rich Franklin (184 lbs.)
-Brandon Vera (225.5 lbs.) vs. Tim Sylvia (260.5 lbs.)
-Eric Schafer (203.5 lbs.) vs. Stephan Bonnar (204 lbs.)
-Alan Belcher (186 lbs.) vs. Kalib Starnes (186 lbs.)
-Alvin Robinson (155.5 lbs.) vs. Jorge Gurgel (155 lbs.)
-Jason MacDonald (184.5 lbs.) vs. Yushin Okami (186 lbs.)
-Demian Maia (185 lbs.) vs. Ryan Jensen (185.5 lbs.)
-Forrest Petz (170 lbs.) vs. Josh Burkman (171.5 lbs.)*
-Matt Grice (155 lbs.) vs. Jason Black (156 lbs.)

* Josh Burkman is allowed one hour to drop half a pound for his bout with Forrest Petz. UPDATE: He's fine and good to go.

Former UFC welterweight champion BJ Penn might not grace the Octagon at Dec. 29's UFC 79 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. The popular Hawaiian lightweight, who once tangled with current UFC light heavyweight fighter Lyoto Machida at heavyweight in Japan's K-1 HERO'S, might be moved to fight a month later during UFC's Super Bowl weekend festivities. Penn (11-4-1) will face either UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk (31-2-1) or contender Joe Stevenson (28-7-1). On Oct. 31, Sherk appeals a yearlong suspension handed down by the California State Athletic Commission for steroid use following his successful July 7 title defense over Hermes Franca (18-6) at UFC 73 in Sacramento, Calif. If Sherk is unable to get a reduced suspension, Stevenson confirmed to The Fight Network last month that he he will step into the role if need be.

According to multiple sources that MMAScoops.com has talked with, UFC 80 is scheduled to take place at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle, England. World Wrestling Entertainment runs shows there as well. MMAScoops.com has learned that it is an 11,000 seat facility.