Ask the Insider: UFC coming to Western Canada?

Dana White (CP Photo)

It’s a jam packed edition this week, with a wide array of questions from MMA and professional wrestling to the outright absurd.

My initial answer is neither, but if I had to pick one of the two it would be fighter. And hopefully like Kimbo Slice, he would be a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter.



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Big Nog is surely not a happy camper today, but Junior dos Santos does have the right to do whatever he likes with his career. Loyalty is at a premium these days and unless we know the real story, we shouldn’t judge. There could be some bad blood there that may have been brewing for years, but we don’t know. All we can do at this point is speculate. And I’m told the two will never fight, so let’s put the spark out before a fire ensues.

As for Demetrious Johnson versus Renan Barao, I like the fight and don’t care where and when it takes place. I just want to be there to cover it.

I highly doubt it. That was one of those once in a lifetime type fights. But heck, even if they give us half of that fight, we will all be smiling from ear to ear.


I’m pretty sure you mean “Bendo,” as in Ben Henderson. If you didn’t, then I doubt Hendo is upset about the fight. But if you did mean Benson, he does have a right to be (partially) upset, but he knows the drill. Dana White said he likely won’t get a rematch with Anthony Pettis for quite some time, as he’s lost to him twice. He’ll have to put some work in (see: Urijah Faber). And as for my thoughts on the super fight, it’s safe to say I’m one step away from salivating.

Too early to tell, but rumours are TUF 19 coaches B.J. Penn and Frankie Edgar will finish their trilogy at Rogers Arena.


Yup, there’s always a chance. I’m just noticing that the UFC would rather deal with provincial commissions as opposed to municipal ones. I could be wrong, but that could be one of the reasons why they did not return to Calgary. I don’t know for sure, because I know some good people at the Calgary commission. Another thing to consider is market strength. Only the UFC knows how big and popular they are in the Greater Edmonton Area. Can they handle a pay-per-view? Can they handle a Fight Night? Trust me, the only ones who know are the UFC planning and analytical teams – not the fans or media.

I doubt it — Chad Mendes and Cub Swanson will not let him leave.


I don’t think he’ll be given a choice. I can’t see him waiting until October to return, and I also doubt the Halifax card will see a lightweight title main event.

Not sure if there is any truth to it, but doing the math it seems like it could be the main event.


Too early to tell — it’s still February. Look for bouts to begin being added in the second week of March.

I wish they got paid more. But if you don’t like the term(s) and the compensation, don’t sign the contract. There are plenty of jobs and careers out there that pay more.


Déjà vu.

Sometimes it’s a no-win situation when you win (yup, I just said that). Varner was gun-slinging and had Abel Trujilo nearly out. Overeem knew Mir was one underhook away from victory. Plus, history has shown that Dana isn’t a fan of “The Reems,” so…


Well, pay-per-views only have five fights. Then there’s four required for the prelims broadcast, so nine is all the UFC really needs. Anything extra is what I call “a safety buffer.”

From Facebook:

Justin Bruckmann: “Will you go to the prom with me?”

I know I haven’t visited your dojo since Joachim Hansen was in town, but I had no idea you were still in school. Twenty-seven years old and you’ve finally graduated. Congrats. But my answer is, “sorry, I can’t. I have a hair appointment that night.”

Cody Ryan: “Hey Showdown, do you feel the UFC should mandate weight classes for fighters to avoid huge cuts in weight? I remember Anthony Johnson cutting 50 pounds to fight Yoshida at 104”

It wouldn’t be a bad idea, but this is something that one day will come from the Athletic Commissions.

Phil Lanzarotta: “Dana said at the 169 press conference that if Aldo wanted to fight Pettis for the lightweight title that he would have to vacate the featherweight belt. Why can’t someone hold a belt in two or more divisions at the same time and defend then accordingly?”

It’s bad for business. As a promoter, you don’t want to tie up two titles — champions are used to sell pay- per-views. And champions go down with injuries. Trying to keep the rotation has been difficult enough, now imagine if one fighter had two belts then gets injured.

Kenny J DaSodbusta Boucher: “What do you think about the Davis vs Johnson match-up & prediction? Second, is there a chance for a women’s 145-pound and 155-pound division, and if so, would the UFC bring in Cyborg? Thanks Joe.”

I think it’s a tough bout for Johnson to take for his first one back, but he’s got some crazy hand speed and explosive knockout power. And based on my conversation with him on this week’s UFC Central podcast, he could care less about Davis as an opponent.

As for the women’s featherweight and lightweight divisions, it’s all about depth. Until there is enough depth in both divisions, they (and Cyborg) won’t be added to the UFC anytime soon.

Marshall Schey: “Following what many thought was an early stoppage in the main event of UFC 169, does there need to be a more clear definition concerning what is intelligent defence?”

It’s already defined. It’s not rocket science. People just choose to make it subjective and ambiguous. Just like some of the judging criteria.

Chris Beauchamp: “The alleged case involving Julianna Pena brings to mind other cases (e.g. Tara Larosa, Bec Rawlins) of fighters being assaulted in training under the guise of doing contact drills or sparring. What should MMA students watch for to ensure that this doesn’t happen to them, and what should the MMA industry do to address this?”

Based on the evidence, especially with what Michael Chiesa , one of Juliana’s teammates, told me on this week’s UFC Central podcast, I’m going to have to speak with Julianna. That, or she needs to come out with a statement. It seems the team was guilty and had to prove their innocence. I’m hearing her case, and her innocence is on the verge of being proven guilty.

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