GB Olympic boxing: Selby should have been auto qualifier after world silver; Yafai to join pro ranks ?

It remains a mystery why Andrew Selby, the European champion and silver medallist from the world championships in Baku, Azerbaijan, was forced into a box-off for the Olympic with Khalid Yafai. Bonkers decision. No logic. And why, even, a box-off over three matches ? Isn't the world, and indeed, Olympic tournament quite clearly on a knock out basis. The British Amateur Boxing Association needs to not fall into the trap of doing what AIBA, the world amateur governing body for the sport have done (or got away with) for far too long, in making the rules up as they go along.

From this perspective, it was just that Selby won the first bout at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, by a princely margin, and that Yafai then struggled to make the weight for Saturday. It meant the Olympic placed passed automatically to the Welshman. The third of their bouts would have taken place at the test event at the ExCeL Arena early in December.

They are both flyweights, and the ruling for the Olympic Games is that one boxer per country per weight division is allowable. Yafai had already represented GB in Beijing in 2008. The underlying issue, after he had qualified a place in London with a quarter-final berth at the world championships, was that he had beaten Selby twice in prior bouts. The agreement with the GB team set-up was that if Selby took gold in Baku, he would not have to go through a box-off. In essence, a mess. The highest qualifier at a tournament should go to the Games. If they had both reached the semi-final, and won a bronze medal as losers at that stage, their equal standing might have merited it.

UFC: UNMISSABLE The funniest Chael Sonnen interview with Canadian television

Sonnen was a guest on Off The Record, the longest-running sports talk show on Canadian television. It airs on TSN, the Canadian equivalent of ESPN. Sonnen exploded on host Michael Landsberg, who was caught off guard. The interview got off to a poor start when Sonnen warned Landsberg to moderate his tone.

Landsberg had opened the interview by suggesting that Sonnen had “backed down” from Anderson Silva by supposedly withdrawing the offer he had made to Anderson Silva after beating Brian Stann at UFC 136.

Sonnen had made Anderson a ‘loser leaves town’ offer to Silva, who was ringside at UFC 136, after defeating Brian Stann yet when Silva stayed silent for weeks afterwards, Sonnen said the offer was no longer valid.

The insinuation made Sonnen rise. Once up, there was no backing down. “You’re telling me I backed down? That’s garbage. How do you say things like, ‘I hear you backed down?’ Here I am looking to pick a fight with Anderson and I backed down? I stood there big and tall while he covered his mouth like a little fruity boy, and you’re gonna come on ESPN and say I backed down while I give you a free interview?” he raged.

“He’s the one that backed down – how could you even say something so stupid? Why don’t you go and try and get a free interview with Anderson Silva and see how that works for you? You’re going to tell me that I backed down? Offers expire, it didn’t work, he didn’t accept it, so its not that I backed down but I need to make a new offer.”

UFC: The funniest Chael Sonnen interview with Canadian television

Manny Pacquiao: overtrained by Freddie Roach but overburdened by expectancy ?

Photo: Chris Farina, Top Rank

Freddie Roach has admitted that Manny Pacquiao was "overtrained" for the contest with Juan Manuel Marquez, and it stands up in some ways. I remember thinking, and saying to his biographer Gary Andrew Poole on Wednesday when Pacquiao spoke to us at small media conference before the main head to head shindig at the Hollywood Theater at the MGM Grand, that Pacquiao looked old in the face, sullen even. Is the burden of expectation, coupled with his pull towards politics beginning to weigh more heavily on him than ever before ?

In an interview Wednesday with The Sweet Science, Roach confessed. "I give him a B minus. He wasn't really himself, he had a bad night. I don't know why, but he maybe overtrained for the fight. Maybe we started him too soon. He helped Jorge Linares get ready, and we thought that was a good idea at the time. Maybe he was overtrained, and left a little in the gym."

However, while many believe on the strength of Pacquiao's performance against Marquez that Floyd Mayweather would enjoy tactical supremacy, Roach added: “Floyd Mayweather is my first choice. If he comes to the table, we’ll take the fight any day.”

Meanwhile, Marquez has laid out his demands ahead of a potential re-match. "The fight can't happen in Las Vegas, and there have to be neutral judges and we must do well economically," Marquez told boxingscene.com. "Then people will realise the fight is going to be completely neutral and a true winner will leave the ring."

"We must convey that boxing still has credibility. In the two matches that I've had with him, I found a weak point. And I've always said that if I fought him with the same speed, with movements of the waist and with counter-attacks, it makes things complicated for him. And that's just what we did, and we fought him with intelligence. If I don't fight [Pacquiao], there isn't anyone else, I'll just retire."

Marv Dumon, of Examiner.com, has had clarified the "yellow substance" being given to Marquez during the fight on Saturday night. Keith Kizer, the executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), told Dumon: "Water and electrolyte drinks are allowed in the corner. Any electrolyte drink must be brought to the arena in factory-sealed, plastic bottles. Mr. Marquez used water and Pedialyte on Saturday night."

Pedialyte, an electrolyte solution, is manufactured by Abbott Laboratories and is designed to rehydrate one's body, replacing fluids and mineral lost either through illness or strenuous activity.

CHRIS EUBANK JNR MAKES OPENING STATEMENT AS CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK

Chris Eubank Jnr made quite an impact last weekend on his professional debut in the UK, with his proud father in attendance. Via BritishBoxers – interesting piece.

Was Juan Manuel Marquez stepping on Manny Pacquiao toes consistently during trilogy fight

Was Juan Manuel Marquez deliberately stepping on Manny Pacquiao's toes and feet during their trilogy fight ?

Did it cause him to suffer from cramp ?

Video shows Juan Manuel Marquez stepping on Manny Pacquiao toes consistently during trilogy fight

Controversy ? Check for yourself…Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez III official scorecard and punch stats

Here's the official scorecard from Pacquiao-Marquez III. The judges concurred on 6 of the 12 rounds – 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

The Telegraph had it as a draw, 114-114. I gave Pacquiao rounds 3,4,6,10,11 and 12; Marquez 1,2,5,7,8 and 9.

Here are the punch statistics:

Pacquiao ————- Marquez

578 TOTAL PUNCHES 436

176 TOTAL PUNCHES CONN 138

304 JABS THROWN 182

58 JABS CONN. 38

274 POWER PUN THROWN 254

117 POWER PUN CONN. 100

AVERAGE PER ROUND: Pacquiao landed 17 per round from 49 thrown, Marquez 11 from 36 thrown.

On final analysis, in a close fight there are always doubts. The judges make a decision based on individual rounds and hand their scores in each round. Over the generality of the fight, Marquez looked the more impressive; Pacquiao came on strong at the end. But all judging is subjective.

Manny Pacquiao wins by controversial majority decision over Juan Manuel Marquez: round-by-round report

Manny Pacquiao retains the WBO welterweight title with a controversial majority decision over Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Most ringside observers had a draw (ESPN, BOXING NEWS, TELEGRAPH), others (LAS VEGAS SUN, USA TODAY, WALL STREET JOURNAL) had Marquez winning in the third fight between the pair.

ROUND BY ROUND

ONE

Cagey opening round, won by Marquez, who lands a couple of glancing blows to the champion’s head and a handful of body shots. Mexico, and Ole echo around the Arena. Both men very patient. Last 10 seconds they go at it.

Marquez 10-9

TWO

Two good lefts from Pacquiao. Left uppercut from Marquez, big right and a body shot. Marquez landing marginally more shots. Pacquiao allowing Marquez to dictate from the counter. Pacquiao reluctant to come forward, seems too cagey.

Marquez 10-9

THREE

Left uppercut from Marquez. Chants of ‘Mexico’, Marquez fans know their man on top. Body shot from Marquez. Good jabs from Marquez, then a fencing to the body. Left then great right hook from Pacquiao; the heat in the ring raised in the last few seconds as they trade.

Pacquiao 10-9

FOUR

Left, right and then a big left from Pacquiao. Then another left from Pacquiao. Yet Marquez returns, landing a right hand a body shot. Pacquiao hunting him down more now, but Marquez lands with two right hands at the end of the round. Screams his delight at the end of the round. Good finish by Marquez better Pacquiao lands more.

Pacquiao 10-9

FIVE

Crowd roars as left uppercut from Marquez lands. Mexican’s jab working well. Right hand knocks Pacquiao off balance. Left upper cut then a right hand all great work from Marquez.

Marquez 10-9

SIX

The fight really comes alive. Left from Manny, right from Marquez. Then two body shots from the Mexican. Pacman lands a right hook, then a flurry of punches from Pacman, and two rights from Marquez. Both men really opening up.

Pacqiuao 10-9

SEVEN

Marquez winds up with big right, then a left-right, sending Pacquiao’s hair up in a shock. Good movement and counters from Marquez. Best round of the fight so far for Marquez, catching Pacman time and again with counters.

Marquez 10-9

EIGHT

Good right from Pacquiao, left to the body from Marquez.

Pacquiao caught again by the right. Good left from Pacquiao, but Marquez is controlling the ring and moving brilliantly. Pacquiao is being caught in the exchanges; looks like he is having an ‘off’ night. Marquez is commanding the show.

Marquez 10-9

NINE

Pacquiao can’t seem to find a way in. Pacquiao upping his attacks but missing with lots of shots. Twice caught in exchanges.

Marquez 10-9

TEN

Good left from Pacquiao at the start of the round. Then another. Marquez is now tiring. Pacquiao looks strong, and is dominating more, Marquez on defensive. Pacquiao cut on the eye from a head clash

Pacquiao 10-9

ELEVEN

Body shot from Pacquiao, now in command but still sloppy work. Pacquiao looking to land and having some success. Marquez looks like he’s fighting protecting a lead

Pacquiao 10-9

TWELVE

Two lefts from Pacquiao, looking for a way in and now the aggressor. Marquez countering less, good movement from Pacquiao lands a couple of left hands. It is not a ferocious round, but Pacquiao lands with more. They exchange heavily in the final twenty seconds.

Pacquiao 10-9

Telegraph score: 114-114 DRAW

Judges score: 114-114, 115-113, 116-112 to Pacquiao by majority decision.

Clockwork running for fight week with Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in the combat capital of the world

It's fight day at the MGM Grand, and the Garden Arena staff arrived early with the venue ready for a clockwork running for an event which is sold out. The climax to the evening is Manny Pacquiao versus Juan Manuel Marquez. They are fighting for the third time, a trilogy of fights spanning seven years. Both have large followings, Filipino and Mexican respectively.

It beggars belief when 5,500 boxing fans come to a weigh-in. Even more so that they begin queuing at 8am to get into the MGM Grand Garden Arena to see the fighters on the scale six hours later. It feels like the event is being lifted several levels. I have witnessed it several times. The event is enhanced, the juice begins to flow. It happened on Friday.

And it only tends to happen only for a handful of names in the sport, and for particular match-ups: Any Manny Pacquiao fight, for Ricky Hatton's last two fights in Las Vegas, Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya…the MGM Grand Garden Arena hums to the beat 24 hours before any of the real fistic action begins. It all adds to the hype and hysteria, promotion and prognostications.

The media room is a scene. It opens early in the morning every day from Monday onwards. It closes late in the evening. Promoters, their fighters and even fighters who are not their fighters pass through the place, moving, shaking, huddles breaking out as, say, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, or any one of a number of current fighters pops through.

They are often on their way to visit a bank of radio stations positioned in an L-shape along the walls of the vast media room, perhaps 15 radio stations in all. Some of the voices of presenters can be heard booming through the large studio, where around 400 media people can be working at any one time. Some of the voices from the radio cavalcade sound like two men having arguments. They aren't. But let's face it…fight week is about several arguments. Wrapped in gloves.

The station broadcasting the event, in this case with Pacquiao-Marquez it's HBO, hums in the background, a large number of staff overseeing a large, in this case, pay-per-view event. It is expected to sell up to 1.5 million buys. That's a big number, and reflects the popularity of both men, and the fact that this is a trilogy fight.

Separate PR companies oversee the stories being created by the media, as Top Rank Inc. seek to get maximum exposure for Pacquiao, the fighting phenomenon who is transcending boxing to move into politics, and his opponent, the fine boxer Marquez.

In the media room, breakfast, lunch… and on fight night, dinner, are served. For this latest contest, over 1000 media accreditation requests were received.

Amy Zopfi, the Arena Event Services Manager for a number of years, who once handled all media credentials, explained:

"I love boxing, it creates a special atmosphere. It's where I come from, and it has created so many great events here. When Ricky Hatton fought Floyd Mayweather, the British fans were amazing. It was one of the biggest and craziest events we have ever done, but the fans were so courteous, and it was an amazing, fun event."

There were 16,000 fans in the arena that night, over 6000 at the weigh-in, trumpet band et al, and it is reckoned that almost 25,000 Brits passed through border control, over a third of the die-hard supporters only too well aware they would not even get to see the event live. The echo of 'There's only one Ricky Hatton…' being chanted through the MGM Grand is said to have gone on for weeks. They also drank the MGM Grand bars dry. And some.

Scott Ghertner, director of sports and promotions at MGM Mirage, is another figure prevalent in fight week with Zopfi. In the media room, they are part of the show. Behind the scenes, they are running the event like clockwork. Quite when they find the time to sleep is anybody's guess. "Based on the number of media applications, and there were more than one thousand, this is a major event," explained Ghertner. "But every event for us is major. It's an intricate process credentialling the media, based on lots of factors."

The two lynchpins for events here explained that with the Arena and HBO production numbers, there are huge numbers of people working the event. "There are at least 500 staff, there is catering every day, even down to the cocktail service inside the arena. Add in security, an usher team, Las Vegas Metro, we've got this place locked down from top to bottom," explained Zopfi.

Major fights are normally announced around 3 months in advance of taking place. Ghertner added: "We start planning as soon as fights are announced and depending on the size of the fight, we call boxing operations meetings with the promoter and we have a checklist we go through. Amy does a great job of overseeing these weekly meetings, and is a top leader in that effort."

Every detail is covered. "It's a big jigsaw, nowhere more so than in the arena, which is like an erector set and you have to work backwards in building it. It's amazing to watch it happen. Even more amazing than watching it go up is seeing the process of it coming down," added Zopfi.

Next week, there is a business convention in the arena, but the process will continue smoothly. In a four week span, it could be boxing, ice hockey, bull-riding and then a concert with The Eagles, as the sequence was recently.

Back in the media room, there are three generations of journalists, and perhaps a dozen nationalities. The crescendo is growing on fight night. Everything builds towards the main event. It is a pot-pourri of newspaper deadline writers, internet writers, boxing websites, bloggers, video journalists, and the players from television. Bert Sugar, the loud and venerated character is sadly not here for this contest. He is not well. Let's hope he returns soon.

Thomas Hauser, best known as Ali's biographer flits through the media room. Leon Gast, who made the documentary film When We Were Kings is now making a movie on Manny Pacquiao, and passes through with his crew.

Veteran promoter Bob Arum is always around. Top Rank No 2 Todd Deboef expounds with boundless enthusiasm about the developments he is creating at the company. The media room hums. It is a fertile ground where stories, ideas, and friendships germinate. And on Sunday, when the fights are done, it will fall quiet again, replaced by another group from another sphere. But nothing is quite as special as when this group of people come together in the fight capital of the world.

UFC on FOX: Historic night sees Junior Dos Santos become heavyweight champion flooring Cain Velasquez

Junior Dos Santos lets his hands go in UFC heavyweight title fight against Cain Velasquez

JUNIOR DOS SANTOS THE NEW UFC HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION AFTER FLOORING AND STOPPING CAIN VELASQUEZ IN 64 SECONDS

Junior Dos Santos emphatically took the UFC heavyweight title by stopping Cain Velasquez in 1 minute 4 seconds of the opening round in Anaheim, California.

It was as quick as it was brutal. Dos Santos signalled his intent with two long straight right hands which landed heavily on Velasquez in the opening salvos, Velasquez scoring with a pair of leg strikes. But then that huge booming right hand hook of Dos Santos landed flush to the side of the champion's head to scramble his senses. He was floored. Dos Santos dropped onto him and threw 11 unanswered punches as Velasquez covered up.

It was all over…huge emotion from both men in the Octagon. Velasquez had looked tense and nervous in the minutes leading up to the start. This was not the fighter who did for Brock Lesnar a year ago.

Dos Santos, however, looked magnificent. Velasquez was a 7-to-4 favourite coming into this fight, and had not fought since winning the title due to surgery for a torn rotator cuff in his right shoulder.

There was the feeling in the build-up to this event that this could be Velasquez’s coming-out party in front of a terrestrial TV audience, which could have established him as a star to the Latin American community. Velasquez was the first Mexican heavyweight champion in a combat sport.

“I have no words to say what I’m feeling,” an emotional Dos Santos said. “It’s amazing, my life. I want to thank all of my team, all my family, I’ve got a lot of good people around me. Thank you very much.”

A desperately disappointed Velasquez said: “I’m sorry for all the fans, my family and my friends that I disappointed you. I will come back. I will get this belt back for sure.”

Dos Santos will now face the winner of the December 30 fight between UFC neophyte Alistair Overeem and Brock Lesnar in Las Vegas. What will be intriguing is how 40 minutes of hype followed by 64 seconds of action will be viewed on American network television.

BEN HENDERSON STRIKES CLAIM TO UFC LIGHTWEIGHT TITLE FIGHT AFTER DEFEATING CLAY GUIDA

In an action-packed fight, Henderson defeated Guida to stake his claim to a lightweight title shot against Frankie Edgar.

While only the night's heavyweight title fight between champion Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos aired on FOX, the entire nine-bout preliminary card streamed on Facebook and FOXSports.com.

Early in the opening stanza, Henderson dropped Guida with a right hand. Guida worked for a single-leg takedown, but Henderson defended it, attacking Guida to the body. Guida attempted a guillotine choke – Henderson escaped, and threw a knee and kick to the body.

As expected, the frenetic pace continued into the second. Henderson scored the takedown. Guida scrambled, Henderson took Guida's back and worked for a rear-naked choke that was cut short by the end of the round.

Henderson closed the distance in a competitive third round and forced Guida against the Octagon wall, delivering some fine short elbows. Henderson continued scoring with knees and elbows, but then Guida forced Henderson to the canvas, and and worked away for a guillotine choke, but was unable to succeed. Henderson took the fight via decision, 30-27, 29-28 and 30-27 on the cards. "He's super hard to deal with," Henderson said. "But Frankie Edgar, we've got it. Let's do it baby." Henderson deserves his shot.

Manny Pacquiao painted as icon through the inspired eyes of David Drebin photography

David Dreben fell in love with boxing because of Manny Pacquiao. And with his genius eye, boxing loves Dreben.

If you don't know Drebin's work, spend five minutes surfing through his website.

See ? He's full of joy. The way he plays with light, his eye for beauty, and tenacity to experiment with the world according to DD. He's created a book of images of Manny Pacquiao which are set to become iconic.

It all happened by chance. "I took this photograph the moment after Manny knocked out Ricky Hatton – I was on assignment for ESPN Magazine but I was so enamoured with the fight, so into it, I forgot to take pictures…so I was up in the raised platform because there were not enough seats at ringside. When the fight was ending I thought 'Oh my God, I've got no photographs…'

I took one frame. This was the only frame I took of the fight. And I looked at this photograph – I'm not a boxing photographer, I'm more of an art photographer, so I looked at this picture and I had goosebumps instantly. The world has to see this picture. I took the picture, I made it 60 x 80 inches I put it up with one of my dealers, people in boxing will see this picture and I will become the boxing photographer for all the big fights. I just knew…"

"It's crazy. One of dealers sends Todd Deboeuf, who loves the picture. I didn't know he was, but we started exchanging emails and he was like, I've got to have that picture. He's in the picture. Then, he was like who the hell are you ? He came to New York, we bonded, and since then I do all the ad pictures."

"This is my fifth book, but I think the world needs this book. There's a version for the fans, I had access to him, the photos are for his fans. The light is amazing in the Wild Card Gym…I'm obsessed with boxing.

UFC: Quarter of a century since heavyweight title fight was aired free on network television in the US

Cain Velasquez versus Junior Dos Santos on FOX signals new era for MMA heavyweights on free television

I'm indepted to friend and fellow journalist Dan Rafael of ESPN for digging up the fact that, to the best of our knowledge, the last heavyweight title bout on American free network television was Larry Holmes vs. Carl Williams on NBC in May 1985 (I'm discounting the heavyweight boxing title match on Fox for the vacant IBF title between Michael Moorer and Axel Schulz in 1996. Not a major title). A quarter of a century has passed…

Given the backdrop this week of Joe Frazier’s early and saddening death, and widespread discussion about the state of the heavyweight scene in boxing, there is clearly a bare cupboard a present in the noble art. MMA, meanwhile, is full of heavies, and it genuinely does feel like the dawning of a new era in the heavyweight division as FOX airs the Cain Velasquez v Junior Dos Santos UFC heavyweight title fight from Anaheim, Cal. on Saturday early evening.

The lions of the old boxing heavyweight division – Frazier, Ali, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, George Chuvalo, Jerry Quarry, Ken Norton, a fighter rich period, were replaced by the Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Riddick Bowe, Evander Holyfield era. Now the cupboard is bare bones in boxing's heavyweight division. It is down at welterweight where the sport is at its strongest.

The MMA heavies now reign. You know the list. Now, the Mexican American Velasquez, the UFC heavyweight title holder and the Brazilian Dos Santos go to war on FOX, ahead of the seven-year $700 million dollar deal with the network which starts officially in 2012. Saturday night is arguably one of the most significant moments in mixed martial arts history. It is expected to be a stand-up war, with millions of new eyes on the sport. Both men have superb boxing and striking credentials, with Velasquez likely to have the edge if the battle goes to the ground.

Velasquez was an all-american wrestler but really has developed into one of the best strikers in the division. Dos Santos is a fine boxer. In many senses, they are both at the start of their journeys at the elite level. Like some of the great battles of the past in boxing, we are just as likely to see a trilogy of fights between Velasquez and Dos Santos as they develop.

Both camps remain supremely confident. Velasquez, the first heavyweight champion of Mexican descent in combat sports history, defends his title for the first time since winning the belt from Brock Lesnar in October 2010. He has been out of action since that fight with a torn rotator cuff, the longest layoff of his UFC career.

Despite being a two-time All-American and two-time Pac-10 champion wrestler at Arizona State, eight of Velasquez’s nine career wins have come by knockout including six in the first round. He has never lost a round in his MMA career. Like Velasquez, Dos Santos is a perfect 7-0 in the UFC but has suffered a loss in his MMA career (13-1). He has won eight straight since his only defeat in 2007 with six finishes in that span (five KO, one submission).

FOR A BREAKDOWN ON THE EVENT CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK'S ESPN UFC PODCAST: IS CAIN ABLE ?

He has finished 11 of his 13 career victories with 10 coming in round one. The winner will set the mark for the longest winning streak in UFC heavyweight history, passing the loser and hall-of-famer Randy Couture. The winner will also tie the fourth-longest winning streak overall in UFC history. This has the makings of a slugfest as these two rank first and second in strikes landed per minute and strike differential since the UFC began using unified MMA rules in 2000. Velasquez is also second in striking percentage and fourth in takedown percentage in that span.

Velasquez, for me, has the all-round game to defend his title. Good head movement, great hooks, the confidence to stand in the pocket because of his wrestling skills if he can take it to the ground, and good leg strikes from the outside from his muay thai background. Where Dos Santos will be dangerous is with his powerful uppercut, excellent jab and straight right hand.

Telegraph pick: Velasquez.

Televised on the PRELIMINARY CARD, Clay Guida takes on Ben Henderson in a potentially thrilling lightweight bout. Two former lightweight champions from other organizations meet in ought to determine the next UFC lightweight contender to face champion Frankie Edgar.

Guida, a former Strikeforce champion, has won four straight – the longest winning streak of his UFC career. The winning streak has come since switching his training camp to Greg Jackson before his last loss to Kenny Florian in 2009.

Guida is always exciting, winning fight of the night honors four times and submission of the night twice in the UFC. Henderson, a former WEC champion, comes off dominating top contender Jim Miller in August. He is 2-0 since joining the UFC and has won 12 of his last 13 bouts overall. Like Guida, Henderson is always a contender for a fight bonus – winning two fight of the night awards and a submission of the night with the WEC.

Telegraph pick: Henderson, on the rise and in scintillating form.

As a footnote, a taster indication of the relative business and marketing knock-on effect from the event comes via MMA Payout: "Ad Week reports that all ad inventory for Saturday night’s UFC on Fox event has been sold. Media buyers indicate that a 30 second spot for Saturday night cost "north of $100,000"."

That's a small yet significant sign of how the move into network television will herald business opportunities.

Dana White: UFC and boxing will co-exist in harmony when fightnights are great

It is a historic night for the UFC on Saturday when the heavyweight belt between Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos live on network television in the United States. UK viewers can also see the contest free on any one of several platforms, including an internet stream.

Dana White, the UFC President, made a statement today about what is being seen as a landmark day for mixed martial arts.

The FOX network has signed a seven-year deal with the UFC worth $700 million US dollars.

"This Saturday night is a huge night for fight fans, maybe the best night of fighting in 2012. In boxing, Manny Pacquiao faces Juan Manuel Marquez in Las Vegas on Pay-Per-View and – before the boxing even gets started – the UFC has an historic fight live and free on FOX.

In the first UFC fight ever on network TV, undisputed, undefeated UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez defends his title against the awesome No 1 contender Junior dos Santos. Modern mixed martial arts may be a young sport, but this fight from Honda Center in Anaheim, CA is a real throwback to the days of Dempsey or Ali or Tyson.

Cain became 'the Man' the old fashioned way just like Dempsey or Ali did: he beat the Man who beat the Man who beat the Man. And Junior earned his shot just like a Sonny Liston or a Mike Tyson: did he knocked out top 10 guys until he was the last man standing.

Cain and Junior are the biggest punchers in the heavyweight division and this is a fight that, as a promoter, I have no doubt that it will deliver on FOX.

The Velasquez v dos Santos fight on FOX revives the great tradition from boxing where the Undisputed Heavyweight Championship will be defend on network TV. It’s taken a long time for this to happen again – it is 26 years since Larry Holmes last fought on NBC. I have always wanted to bring big fights back to network TV.

There’s always been a lot of talk about the UFC killing boxing. I’ve always said that boxing is hurting boxing, not the UFC. I honestly believe that many people are fans of both. And I can prove it: on September 17, the UFC drew 2million viewers to a live fight on cable TV… a couple hours later over 1.3million fans bought the Floyd Mayweather PPV. Fight fans stayed in and watched both!

It will happen again this Saturday. The Cain v JDS fight will start at 6pm on the West Coast and 9pm in the East. [2am Sunday morning in the UK]. There will be a full hour between the UFC fight ending and the Pac-Man v Marquez fight beginning – and I promise you it will be a huge night for combat sports again.

On Monday morning, millions of Americans will go to work and be asked by a colleague if he saw ‘the fights’ on Saturday night. And the conversation will be about boxing AND the UFC on FOX."

UFC on Fox: Velasquez vs. Dos Santos on November 12, 2011, at the Honda Centre in Anaheim, California will air on Premiere Sports in the UK (SKY CHANNEL 433) and on Setanta in Ireland, as well as free on UFC.com. This event will be the UFC debut on Fox, with the Heavyweight Championship on the line.

Exclusive interview Bob Arum: Two-handed Manny Pacquiao will defeat Juan Manuel Marquez

Bob Arum joins The Telegraph for an interview in Las Vegas ahead of Manny Pacquiao – Juan Manuel Marquez III this weekend at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

Arum has seen most things in boxing in the last five decades. How does he see the promotion of Pacquiao vs Marquez III as a contest ?

"Well it's certainly a lot bigger than the last two fights, but essentially what makes this fight unique is that in the two prior fights, there was very little to differentiate the two fighters. The difference now is that Manny fights with two hands. His right hand is as good as his left. But you've got to understand that Marquez and Nacho [Beristein] are brilliant guys and the style of Manny is made for Marquez because he's a counter-puncher."

"The question is – can he fight with that right hand ? Everybody sees these Hispanics like Cotto and Margarito, they don't know about quitting. When Manny fought Clottey and when he fought Moseley, what made these fighters quit is that they were trained to fight the southpaw, then when they got clocked with the right hand, they couldn't believe it."

Arum: Mayweather fears Pacquiao because of right hand development

"They were like – how are we going to defend ourselves ? That's the problem fighting Pacquiao now. That's the problem Mayweather has… that's why Mayweather doesn't do it. Because if Manny, as a one-handed fighter, goes after Mayweather he can throw that lead right and give Manny trouble, but he can't throw the lead right if Manny is attacking him at the same time with the right hand, because then he'll get knocked out."

"That's the problem. So how that plays out in this particular fight we have to see, because everyone else. Half these people don't understand, Moseley didn't understand… Nazeem Richardson didn't understand that you cannot look at Manny Pacquiao as the typical south paw. The typical south paw throws a jab with his right hand and then uses his power hand. So that's for me what's going to be very interesting against Marquez."

Trilogy fights pass into boxing folklore. The most famous of them all, involving Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, was on everyone's lips this week, with the passing of Smokin' Joe, taken too early at 67. May he Rest In Peace. A lion of a heavyweight division.

Can the Pacquiao-Marquez trilogy honour that great heavyweight battle this weekend at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas ?

"Yeah, I think so because the first two were fairly equally spaced. I never expected Marquez to be as good as he was in that second fight. A lot of these writers missed the point completely. They talk about how Marquez was dead at the weight when he fought Mayweather. But he wasn't… he looked dead at the weight because he is a great counter-puncher and Mayweather isn't an attack guy, so he couldn't go after Mayweather and make the fight so it was a non-event because of the styles. [Mayweather] he's a great fighter, there isn't any question about the fact he's a great fighter but fighting a guy like Marquez is a no-contest for Mayweather. Not for Manny, but for Mayweather. That style is very tough. I think the right hand is going to make the difference though."

Arum, of course, has been involved in a few trilogies down the decades. "Ali-Frazier, yeah, that was an incredible trilogy and then Morales and Pacquiao, Morales-Barrera, Ali-Norton."

How does Arum see the buy rate on the Pacquiao-Marquez fight ?

Manny Paquiao fights you and he'll sell 500,000-600,000 pay per views. Mayweather fights you, he'll sell 400,000 pay per views. Hopkins fought Dawson and they didn't sell 50,000. Marquez is an easier sell than the Shane Moseley fight, because people said that Moseley was shot. The Mayweather fight [against Victor Ortiz], because of the way it transpired, left such a bad taste in people's mouths that they may, as a reaction, decide not to buy this fight. That's what I'm worried about. I mean I don't give a s*** about the theory that 'in boxing protect yourself at all times'. It's still entertainment. It's still sportsmanship. You don't throw those two punches you do not throw the two punches against a defenceless guy."

"In football it's like the equivalent of taking a cheap shot at the receiver unprotected. When I saw that fight, I was watching it on television, I was outraged. I never focused on whether it was illegal, I was outraged, the referee lost control of that fight, and this kid [Ortiz] is a doofus. That being said, it was not something that would please people who spent 60 dollars to watch it on pay per view."

The November 12 clash will be screened live and exclusive in the UK on Primetime (Channel 480 on Sky) for £14.95 by calling 08712004444, by visiting www.primetimelive.co.uk or Virgin Media customers can purchase using the ‘On Demand’ menu. Customers on Sky must register the first time they use Primetime and once registered can purchase using the ‘Box Office’ menu.

Days when Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali were kings of the ring are long gone

The era of Joe Frazier was one when the heavyweight champion of the world really was THE champion of the world. The title was considered 'the richest prize in sport' and as such, brought with it not just monetary riches, but global recognition.

The heavyweight champion was an iconic figure in American life. Frazier fought in arguably the greatest era of heavyweight boxing: there were challenges to pit yourself against, with the greatest to grow against. Frazier was just as responsible for Ali's name, as George Foreman was for the other two renowned boxers.

Frazier, Foreman and Muhammad Ali – then Cassius Clay - had all triumphed as gold medallists at successive Olympic Games. It meant a conveyor belt of styles and characters looking to be the dominant alpha male in an American culture beginning to open up to liberalism. The trio – along with the likes of Ken Norton, and later Larry Holmes – had different blood. The blood of pure warriors.

Compare that to the current era, with the likes of Britain's own Audley Harrison emerging as a gold medallist from the Games, yet hapless in the ring. The heavyweights of today bare no comparison to the generation which bestrode the world.

Today, there isn't an American heavyweight worthy of comparison to any of the great American heavyweights of the late 60s and 70s. The titles are dominated by two Ukrainians by the name of Klitschko, and the big American athletes have long since moved into basketball and American Football, where they do not have to get hit in the face for a living.

The proliferation of titles, the dilution of what being 'a world champion' means has inured a global public to all but the biggest fights in modern boxing. Time was when the entire planet knew the name of the world heavyweight champion.

The Trilogy between Ali and Frazier captured the entire world's imagination at a time when television was being more widespread, and the characters in the sport were embraced as super-heroes. Boxing does not hold such standing today, either in the media, or in the public consciousness.

But Frazier's era was a special one, there is no doubt about that. Perhaps we are seeing in the ravages of certain of those individuals now in their sixties, and in the late, great Frazier, that what they gave then, cost them later in life.

The iconic images of that era will remain forever. And boy, were they men's men. RIP Joe.

UFC 138 Post event reaction: Mark Munoz, Che Mills, Brad Pickett, Rafael Cordeiro videos

Dana White on the UK UFC scene. Says television deal needs working out. Committed and embedded in UK and not going anywhere… CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO

Mark Munoz on Bruce Lee moment with Anderson Silva; wants to fight for the UFC middleweight title. CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO

Rafael Cordeiro on the Anderson Silva – Mark Munoz match-up. "It's just a sport. They are friends now, they can be friends afterwards. CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO

Brad Pickett on needing 'to get back on the horse' as soon as possible after defeat to Renan Barao at UFC 138

CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO

Che Mills on his future in the UFC after 17 second KO of Chris Cope. CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO

UFC 138: Terry Etim and Che Mills star, Mark Munoz calls out Anderson Silva, Brad Pickett beaten by Renan Barao

Notes from UFC 138 in Birmingham:

UFC 138: Mark Munoz admits he had “a Bruce Lee moment with Anderson Silva” VIDEO TO FOLLOW on the night he retired Chris Leben on his stool after two rounds. But Munoz is also looking for a UFC middleweight title fight with team-mate Anderson Silva.

Leben had had a difficult weight cut, looked exhausted and was badly cut on the eye, and the side of his face.

The LG Arena was sold out, 10,000 seats.

Dana White – there are 40 fighters in the UFC who are millionaires

UFC president Dana White, after answering personal view and general questions from a broad European group of journalists, reckoned there are 40 US dollar millionaire fighters in the UFC.

White also expressed relief that the fan who ran into the Octagon – to be ejected like a rag doll by Referee Marc Goddard – ‘wasn't naked’. White may have jinxed himself for the next time.

Disappointment for Brad Pickett, Renan Barao brilliant

There was huge disappointment for Brad Pickett, beaten by Brazilian Renan Barao. It earned ‘fight of the night’ honours. A deflated Pickett told The Telegraph that he would have taken the ‘W’ instead of a $500,000 bonus. Pickett was submitted by Barao after being knocked down by right knee. Pickett scrambled but was tapped out by rear naked choke. Both fighters had gone heavily for each other for the first three minutes of the opening round, Barao having more accuracy in his strikes, though both men enjoyed success.

Great striking and submission from Terry Etim over Edward Faaloloto 17 seconds. Earns fight of the night.

Great to see Terry Etim show his personality after the win. One of the shyest men in MMA, and also one of the most dangerous lightweights. Etim had the chance to call out Donald Cerrone, after it was suggested the Liverpudlian was a better muay thai fighter that ‘The Cowboy’, but Etim’s response was simply that he “will fight anyone” Joe Silva, the UFC matchmaker, puts in front of him.

British fighters Che Mills [KO of the night 70K] over Chris Cope, and John Maguire, with points victory over Justin Edwards, performed brilliantly.

Mills put Cope away with a devastating knee to the chin, Maguire was knocked down early but then grappled his way to victory to win 30-27 unanimous decision.

Vaughan Lee lost 29-28 on the cards in a very technical fight against Chris Cariaso and Jason Young lost to Michihiro Omigawa in a close contest, which was even going into the third round.

Thiago Alves is back in the UK with a vengeance, enacting a vicious knockdown, ground and pound then submission of Papi Abedi.

I had picked Rob Broughton for the win in the all-British heavyweight fight, but was clearly wrong, Phil DeFries grinding out a 29-28 unanimous win, mainly on the ground.

UFC 138: Brad Pickett could be shoo-in for first British UFC champion

Mixed martial artist Brad Pickett has lived an incongruous existence

where the worlds of sport and fashion collide.

Pickett, 33, is rated as a top 10 bantamweight (135lbs) in the world,

and has been tipped to become the first British Ultimate Fighting

Championship world title holder.

Tonight, at UFC 138 at the LG Arena in Birmingham, Pickett will be

looking to create fireworks of his own against highly-rated Brazilian

star Renan Barao, on a 26-fight unbeaten streak.

Schooled in east London, then Delhi, followed by an American

International School in the Himalayas (where he fought off packs of

scavenging monkeys between boarding house and school house) and Oundle

–he grew up around the fashion industry, with customers Elton John and

Mick Jagger dropping into his parents’ bespoke shoe shop in London.

Pickett’s parents – Sid and Sheila – were prominent shoe designers,

his mother having taught at the London School of Fashion, where one of

her protégés was Patrick Cox. In the late Eighties, they went into

business with a prominent Indian entrepreneur, Ajay Kalsi, whose

wealth today is estimated at $1.7billion. It meant a move to Delhi to

set up four factories, train the machinists, and educate the pattern

designers.

“It was an amazing experience living in India, but it was in the

Himalayas that I really discovered that I have great cardio-vascular

strength, as cross-country was something I excelled in there,” Pickett

told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.

“I worked in the family firm – I can design shoes myself — but sport

was always my first love.” Pickett flirted with careers in

semi-professional football and amateur boxing, but began training in

martial arts eight years ago in order to train as a stuntman.

“I just took to it straightaway, and was quickly addicted. What’s

exciting at the moment is the fast-moving developments both within the

sport itself, and the growing fanbase worldwide. To get into the UFC

is great, but I’ve got to get the ‘W’ now against Renan Barao, who is

very, very skilful.”

If Pickett can extend his winning run he will move close to a title

shot against UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz. No British

fighter has won a UFC belt since the fighting organisation was formed

back in 1993.

Mixed martial artists use a combination of boxing, taekwondo, judo,

wrestling and jiu-jitsu to win on points, by submission, or knockout,

over three five-minute rounds. Pickett is as dangerous on the mat as

he is in the stand-up boxing and striking.

There are eight British fighters are on the card, including rising

British star Terry Etim, who faces Hawaiian Eddie Faalato. Che Mills,

Vaughan Lee, John Maguire and Philip DeFries are all on UFC debut.

Heavyweight DeFries faces Liverpudlian Rob Broughton, to establish the

British No 1, while featherweight Jason Young has a tough assignment

against Japanese wrestler and judo expert Michihiro Omigawa.

TELEGRAPH MAIN CARD PICKS:

Munoz

Pickett

Alves

Etim

Diabate

London 2012 Olympics: forcing female boxers to wear skirts is a flawed and sleazy idea

Would you like to tell Chantelle Cameron and Nicola Adams to wear a skirt? (Photo: PA)

What is it about a flouncey short skirt that male sports administrators find so appealing? Here we are in the 21st century, where women have forged their equal rights in most areas of life, including, to the dismay of some men, the boxing ring.

For the first time at London 2012 women’s boxing will be on the Olympic Games program. Initially there were some commentators objecting to women being involved in a brutal and bloodied sport. Their shoddy assumptions usually centred on the supposed frailty of women.

Now we have dinosaur officials, again men, in charge of the international boxing authority the AIBA, who have recommended that the women compete in the Olympics in skirts.

I wouldn't be surprised if tucked away in those ridiculous and anachronistic recommendations are also a maximum skirt length, similar to the skimpy skirt requirement for beach volleyball players.

Thankfully female boxers have brains to match their brawn.

Ireland's Katie Taylor said: "It's a disgrace that they're forcing some of the women to wear those mini-skirts. We should be able to wear shorts, just like the men. I won't be wearing a mini-skirt. I don't even wear mini-skirts on a night out, so I definitely won't be wearing mini-skirts in the ring."

The AIBA says outrageously, that having women wear skirts would distinguish them from men. Hmm, here are some clues, guys: hips and breasts.

Not only is the idea flawed that skirts can somehow make female boxing appear more feminine, it is somewhat sleazy to have ringside boxing officials – nearly always male – looking upwards, ostensibly to watch the action. That's what I call perving.

UFC 138: Chris Leben faces Mark Munoz but has sideswipe at Michael Bisping

Chris Leben prepares for his historic 5-round bonfire night battle with Mark Munoz in Birmingham on Saturday, returning to the city where he lost to British fighter Michael Bisping at UFC 89. Leben even had time for a sideswipe at the TUF coach, who faces off against Jason Miller in Las Vegas on Dec 5.

"Yeah, I remember Birmingham. I fought Bisping, he must prepare for his fights by running five miles backwards," Leben told The Telegraph. Leben was comprehensively outpointed on the night. Leben also said all he could find to eat in the hotel was "a salad". The American was not in too jovial a mood in the workouts in Birmingham. Good sign. Both Leben and Munoz love to battle, and it should be thrilling as long as it lasts.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL VIDEO INTERVIEW WITH CHRIS LEBEN

CLICK HERE FOR THIS WEEK's BUMPER ESPN UFC PODCAST WITH GUESTS GALORE ON UFC 138. JUST OUT…

OR ON iTUNES

HEAVYWEIGHT CLASH SET FOR MAINSTREAM ON FOX BETWEEN VELASQUEZ AND DOS SANTOS

With the world heavyweight championship fight set to air live on FOX a week on Saturday – Nov. 12 – from Honda Center in Anaheim, a major step change for the UFC on network television in the United States, Dana White, UFC President, said yesterday: “This is going to be a different format than we’ve ever done before. Obviously this is a show featuring one fight so we’re doing a lot of things differently. We are going to be rehearsing for this from Thursday."

“This is a throw-back to the old days of boxing; we are putting a big fight – a huge fight – on free TV to expose this thing to a new audience. Our goal has always been to bring big fights back to network television; we are thinking long-term for the future of this sport. It is an investment in the future of the UFC. Fans that have never seen the UFC before will see this show and that’s why we decided to put Cain and Junior in this position."

“I know for a fact this is going to be an awesome fight. I know it is going to be great. That’s why it was these two in this position. I have no worries at all this is going to be a great fight.

“There’s going to be a lot of backstage features, we are going to be talking to both guys backstage before they fight which isn’t something we’ve done for a very long time.”

The two protagonists are also primed. Cain Velasquez, the UFC heavyweight champion, who has not fought for a year, said:

“There’s always butterflies when you have a fight. It is natural to feel nervous, it means you are ready. But I’m not more nervous because I’ve been out (hurt) for more than a year. I know from my training camp I’m 100 percent and ready to go. I was 100 percent in July."

“I’m excited and it is a great honor to have this fight chosen by the UFC to be the first one on FOX. But I am not focused on the event, the hype or the (expected large TV audience), like any other fight I am focused on my opponent and not much else. Dos Santos is a great opponent. He’s very dangerous.”

Junior dos Santos, No. 1 ranked UFC heavyweight contender, added: “It was such a long wait for my title shot, but I am not sorry. This, right now, is the greatest opportunity I could have had, fighting for the world heavyweight title live on FOX for the very first time."

“I’m very happy in my life right now. I’m in such a good place mentally and physically. I’m proof that if you work hard, treat people right and don’t doubt yourself, you can achieve your dreams. I genuinely believe that Cain is the greatest heavyweight in the world and it is an honor to fight him."

“Yes, I come from humble beginnings, but I have been very lucky in my life. I don’t think this fight will go five rounds. I have trained for five rounds but I don’t expect this to do the distance.”



UFC 138 events this week:

Thursday Nov 3

Evening (5pm), Evans and Pearson will attend Hunt@UFC at Birmingham Bull Ring Shopping Centre, followed by Tesco DVD signing with the pair at Town Gate Retail Park, Birmingham Road.

Friday Nov 4

There is a Fight Club Signing at 1pm with Arianny Celeste, and Pearson, a Fight Club Q&A with Rashad (TBC) at 2pm, with the UFC 138 official weigh-in – at Community Hall, National Indoor Arena, King Edwards Road, B1 2AA – with fighters on the scales at 4pm. Doors open at 3pm. At 5pm, there is a Fight Club after party with Pearson.

From 6pm to 8pm, a signing session at HMV with Rashad Evans.

Saturday Nov 5

10am: JD Sports Signing with Rashad and Ross (Arianny to join from 12noon – 1pm)

1:30pm: Hunt @ UFC (Dana White TBC) with Pearson at Birmingham Bull Ring shopping centre

2pm: THQ Press Conference for UFC game at LG Arena

UFC 138 Leben vs Munoz, LG Arena, National Exhibition Centre, B40 1NT:

5:30pm: First Bout

11pm: UFC 138 Concludes

11.15pm: Post-fight press conference.

Main card

Middleweight bout: United States Chris Leben vs.United States Mark Muñoz

Bantamweight bout: England Brad Pickett vs. Brazil Renan Barão

Welterweight bout: Brazil Thiago Alves vs. Sweden Papy Abedi

Lightweight bout: England Terry Etim vs. United States Eddie Faaloloto

Light Heavyweight bout: France Cyrille Diabaté vs. Australia Anthony Perosh

Preliminary card (Facebook)

Welterweight bout: England John Maguire vs. United States Justin Edwards

Featherweight bout: Japan Michihiro Omigawa vs. England Jason Young

Heavyweight bout: England Rob Broughton vs. England Philip De Fries

Welterweight bout: United States Chris Cope vs. England Che Mills

Bantamweight bout: United States Chris Cariaso vs. England Vaughan Lee

UFC 138 is live on ESPN UK on Saturday night.

UFC 138: Paul Taylor out after car crash; Rashad Evans and Ross Pearson appear in Birmingham

UFC 138 took something of a body blow this week, when local lightweight fighter Paul Taylor was withdrawn from the event after a car crash. Tylor's injuries are not serious. It means, however, Anthony Njokuani is forced off the card, with the UFC unable to secure a late replacement.

Taylor was involved in a car accident late Monday night that resulted in him suffering a severe case of whiplash.

“I was very excited for the opportunity to fight in the UK. Unfortunately a situation outside of our control has caused the bout to be scrapped. I am sure Paul was excited to fight on his own soil so I feel for him as well,” Njokuani told MMAWeekly.com.

It seems that the Taylor-Njokuani bout could be rescheduled for Dec 30, when Brock Lesnar squares off against Alistair Overeem at UFC 141. Njokuani will remain in England through the week at UFC 138 and then head back home to Las Vegas to get back in training on Monday.

Carlos Condit given no option to step aside – claims agent Malki Kawa

Malki Kawa, president of First Round Management and agent for Carlos Condit, claimed this week that Condit had not agreed to step aside from his welterweight title shot against GSP.

“We are obviously disappointed in the UFC’s decision to cancel its commitment with Carlos Condit to give another fighter an opportunity at the Welterweight title based on emotional reactions from UFC 137," said Kawa. "Contrary to what has been stated, Carlos did not step aside to allow this to happen, and would not just hand over an opportunity for him to achieve his greatest career goal, one that he has earned through his strong performances in the Octagon. No option was given to him."

"For the second time in less than two weeks, Carlos has had an opportunity swept out from beneath his feet. He has shown nothing but pure class in his drive to the title, and will continue to do so. Carlos does not need motivation to fight for the title, he already has it."

However, Kawa claimed Condit will return even more motivated. "He will move forward and continue to train at the level that has made him the legitimate number one contender for the UFC Welterweight championship, and he is looking forward to the opportunity to earn that title.”

There is a busy sequence of events for the only UFC event in the UK in 2011

Wednesday, Nov 2:

There are UFC 138 fighter workouts at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel. Mark Munoz and Chris Leben, who headline the event, and British mixed martial artists Brad Pickett, Vaughan Lee and Jason Young will be working out there in the afternoon.

Throughout the week, Rashad Evans and Ross Pearson will be making several appearances. On Wednesday afternoon, Smiling Families Charity will come to the Hilton Hotel to meet the fighters. Later on Wednesday afternoon, Evans and Pearson will visit Birmingham Children's hospital. At 6:30pm – 8pm, at Waterstone’s, Birmingham New Street, Evans and Pearson will then move on to a book signing of the UFC Fan Guide, which has just been published. The book was written by Tom Gerbasi, and Anthony Evans, two of the most knowledgeable writers on the planet on boxing and MMA.

Thursday Nov 3

Evening (5pm), Evans and Pearson will attend Hunt@UFC at Birmingham Bull Ring shopping Centre, followed by Tesco DVD signing with the pair at Town Gate Retail Park, Birmingham Road.

Friday Nov 4

There is a Fight Club Signing at 1pm with Arianny Celeste, and Pearson, a Fight Club Q&A with Rashad (TBC) at 2pm, with the UFC 138 official weigh-in – at Community Hall, National Indoor Arena, King Edwards Road, B1 2AA – with fighters on the scales at 4pm. Doors open at 3pm. At 5pm, there is a Fight Club after party with Pearson.

From 6pm to 8pm, a signing session at HMV with Rashad Evans.

Saturday Nov 5

10am: JD Sports Signing with Rashad and Ross (Arianny to join from 12noon – 1pm)

1:30pm: Hunt @ UFC (Dana White TBC) with Pearson at Birmingham Bull Ring shopping centre

2pm: THQ Press Conference for UFC game at LG Arena

UFC 138 Lebon vs Munoz, LG Arena, National Exhibition Centre, B40 1NT:

5:30pm: First Bout

11pm: UFC 138 Concludes

11.15pm: Post-fight press conference.

Main card

Middleweight bout: United States Chris Leben vs.United States Mark Muñoz

Bantamweight bout: England Brad Pickett vs. Brazil Renan Barão

Welterweight bout: Brazil Thiago Alves vs. Sweden Papy Abedi

Lightweight bout: England Terry Etim vs. United States Eddie Faaloloto

Light Heavyweight bout: France Cyrille Diabaté vs. Australia Anthony Perosh

Preliminary card (Facebook)

Welterweight bout: England John Maguire vs. United States Justin Edwards

Featherweight bout: Japan Michihiro Omigawa vs. England Jason Young

Heavyweight bout: England Rob Broughton vs. England Philip De Fries

Welterweight bout: United States Chris Cope vs. England Che Mills

Bantamweight bout: United States Chris Cariaso vs. England Vaughan Lee

UFC 138 is live on ESPN UK on Saturday night.