ROGERS SPORTSNET HEADS TO THE JERSEY SHORE FOR THE UFC 128 PRELIMS ON SATURDAY

Event will be broadcast exclusively in HD in Canada on Sportsnet

TORONTO (March 16, 2011) – Brazilian lightweight Edson Barboza looks to continue his undefeated record as part of the prelims for UFC 128 from Newark, New Jersey on Saturday, March 19 at 9 p.m. (ET)/6 p.m. (PT) on the Rogers Sportsnet East, Ontario, West and Pacific channels.

Barboza (7-0) is a former Ring Of Combat Lightweight champion who made his UFC debut at UFC 123. He beat Mike Lullo with a third round TKO. Barboza’s opponent will be Anthony Njokuaniwas in his UFC debut. Njokuaniwas (13-4) was formerly a part of World Extreme Cagefighting but moved over after last year’s WEC merger with the UFC.

The highlight of the main card for UFC 128 will be the light heavyweight championship bout between Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Jon “Bones” Jones. Rua became the champ after his knockout of Lyoto Machida at UFC 113 in May 2010. Saturday’s fight will be his first defence of his belt.

Sportsnet Connected will also provide coverage leading up to UFC 128 with nightly reports hosted by “Showdown” Joe Ferraro during the evening and prime editions starting on Wednesday, March 16.

For even more coverage, sportsnet.ca will have live streaming of the UFC 128 official weigh-in on Friday, March 18 at 4 p.m. (ET)/1 p.m. (PT) and the Post Fight Press Conference on Saturday, March 19 after the event ends.

Monday’s edition of MMA Connected, hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro from Newark, will feature all the highlights and post-fight reactions from UFC 128.

For all the highlights, breaking news and inside stories from the MMA, tune into MMA Connected with “Showdown” Joe Ferraro every Monday night and log on to sportsnet.ca. One Cage, One Dream, One Network.

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