SPORTSNET.CA
The UFC will hold its first ever fan exposition this summer, to take place as part of the festivities for UFC 100.
"UFC Fan Expo" will be held on July 10-11 inside the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, the MMA organization announced in a news release Monday.
The event — which will include exhibits, gaming, fight gear and fitness equipment, MMA training and development, and products from what the UFC expects to be more than 100 companies — will cover more than 200,000 square feet of exhibition space.
"We are pleased to work with Reed Exhibitions to present UFC Fan Expo in conjunction with UFC 100," UFC president Dana White said. "The UFC 100 event is a milestone for us, for the sport of mixed martial arts, and for fight fans around the world, this will be an amazing weekend for UFC fans."
UFC 100, which will be held on July 11 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, will be one of the most stacked fight cards in the promotions history. It is expected to have a number of featured fights, including two title bouts — Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir for the heavyweight belt and Georges St. Pierre defending his title against Thiago Alves.
Fans can get more information on UFC Fan Expo and purchase tickets at UFCfanexpo.com.
NOTES: Victoriaville, Que.’s Jonathan Goulet has confirmed on his Facebook page he will take on Dong Hyun Kim at the July 11 event. Goulet is coming off a disappointing loss to Mike Swick at the UFC’s Fight for the Troops event in December, when he was knocked out in 33 seconds.
…
The Nevada State Athletic Commission is set to review the Jan. 31 bout between St. Pierre and B.J. Penn on Tuesday as part of its regular meeting. MMAweekly.com reported that world-renowned trainer Greg Jackson, one of St. Pierre’s cornermen at the fight, will attend the meeting and intends to speak to the commission, even though he hasn’t been summoned to do so.
Penn has accused St. Pierre’s side of illegally rubbing Vaseline on the champion’s body between rounds in an attempt to make him slippery and give him a competitive advantage. St. Pierre and his cornermen, including Phil Nurse who was the one who applied Vaseline to his face, has denied any form of cheating.
“We will continue to cooperate fully with the Nevada State Athletic Commission as this is a situation that deserves our utmost attention,” a member of St. Pierre’s camp told Sportsnet’s (Showdown) Joe Ferraro. “There is nothing for us to hide and hope that after the March 17th hearing, we can all look forward to a resolution.”
Tuesday’s discussion will be the first public one involving commission members since the incident. Depending on submissions heard and examined from both sides, a disciplinary hearing could be called for.
