Blackhawks’ Wirtz: UFC is Like Playoff Hockey

The UFC held its first event at the home of the Chicago Bulls and Blackhawks last Saturday, and Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz was there for the action.

In this interview for ESPN Chicago, Wirtz offers his thoughts on what he thinks about the UFC, what was most exciting about the event and if he’d like the UFC back in the United Center.

Mike Russow UFC on Fox Post-Fight Interview

Chicago’s Mike Russow spoke to Chicago’s MMA after his victory over John Olav Einemo at the United Center on Fox. He talks about the fight, training with Comprido and who he’d like to fight next.

UFC in Chicago: Card and Results

The UFC brings the Octagon to the United Center on Saturday night for UFC on FOX: Evans vs. Davis, and there are a ton of things going on all week. Check out our UFC in Chicago section for more news and interviews.

Main Card (Live on FOX)

Weidman vs. Maia
: Chris Weidman def. Demian Maia via unanimous decision
Evans vs. Davis

Sonnen vs. Bisping Chael Sonnen def. Michael Bisping via unanimous decision

LIVE RESULTS: PRELIMS

Camozzi vs. Jacoby: Camozzi wins via guillotine, 1:08, round 3

Beltran vs. Johnson: Lavar Johnson def. Joey Beltran via TKO-ref stoppage, 4:24 Rd. 1

Roller vs. Johnson: Michael Johnson def. Shane Roller via unanimous decision

Oliveira vs. Wisely: Charles Oliveira def. Eric Wisely 1:43, round 1, calf slicer

Swanson vs. RoopCub Swanson def. George Roop at 2:22, rd 2 TKO-Strikes

Russow vs. Einemo Mike Russow def. John Olav Einemo via unanimous decision

Dunham vs. LentzEvan Dunham def. Nik Lentz- TKO rd.2 5:00

Bisping Brings Two Birds to UFC on Fox Weigh-In

Michael Bisping broke out the double-bird salute for his ‘fans’ at the UFC on Fox weigh-ins.

Bisping was announced by UFC commentator Joe Rogan, and he came out on the stage to a roar of boos and catcalls. Bisping slipped off his clothes, got on the scale and gave the fans this response:

Does Bisping really mean that or is he just having some fun with the UFC fans here in Chicago? It’s probably a bit of both.

Here’s the video of how it went down.

Rashad and Phil Davis Talk Trash — Technique

It’s hard to steal the show from Chael Sonnen at a UFC press conference, but Rashad Evans and Phil Davis might have pulled off the feat yesterday at the UFC on FOX presser downtown.

Rashad ranted rapidly about Davis’ wrestling technique being ‘trash’, and Phil Davis used some ‘Chappelle’s Show’ quotes to jibe the former light heavyweight champion.

Evans and Davis will fight in the main event Saturday night from the United Center when the UFC on FOX airs at 7 CT.

Local Fighter Zings Bisping at UFC Press Conference

The UFC on FOX press conference featured some great zings between fighters — some coming from fighters not currently in the UFC.

Matt Giancarlo is an amateur fighter out of Gilbert Grappling, who has competed at Brawl at Bourbon Street and G2 Fight Night. He got the smack-talk rolling at the press conference yesterday with this exchange with Michael Bisping. In true Bisping form, he gives it right back.

Giancarlo has trained with Sonnen at Team Quest in Portland, and he’ll fight again locally in March or April. He’ll eventually turn pro, and maybe we’ll even see him on the same UFC card with Bisping some day.

UFC on FOX: Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis Preview

The training camps are finished, the poorly-timed Sandusky jokes have faded away and the fighters will finally enter the Octagon.

Rashad Evans and Phil Davis will battle at the United Center on Saturday night, with the winner getting the next shot at Jon Jones and his UFC light heavyweight title.

Evans lives in Chicagoland and has family here, but that’s not why I want him to win. Phil Davis is a very young fighter and he’ll have other shots at a title fight. I want Evans to win because I love a good grudge match. I think most of the MMA community wants to see Evans/Jones and I am no different.

But I think Evans just has too much for Davis at this point: Evans has too much power, too much experience and he’s a top-level wrestler, which is what ultimately might thwart Davis’ gameplan.

Here is the preview video from the UFC, as if you weren’t already pumped for this bout.

Chael Sonnen MMA Stop Seminar Video

Chael Sonnen will fight Michael Bisping Saturday night in the co-main event of the UFC on FOX event at the United Center, but he took time to give a seminar at MMA Stop in Crest Hill on Tuesday night.

In this clip, Sonnen gives a nice motivational speech that also has everyone cracking up — including Clay Guida.

Mike Russow: UFC Fighter, Chicago Cop

It will be a battle of two former PRIDE fighters when Chicago’s Mike Russow takes on Norway’s Jon Olav Einemo Saturday night at the United Center for the UFC on FOX event.

Russow is 14-1 as a pro fighter, suffering his only loss back in 2007 from a Sergei Kharitonov armbar at PRIDE 33. He has won all three of his UFC fights, including one of the all-time comebacks in UFC history when he knocked out Todd Duffee at UFC 114.

Chicago fight fans remember Russow crushing opponents in local promotions like Adrenaline, XFO and the Combat-Do Fighting Challenge. He’s also well-known around the area for his work as a Chicago police officer. ESPN did a nice feature on Russow, also interviewing Comprido, his Jiu-Jitsu coach.

“This is the biggest fight of my career, without a doubt,” Russow told ESPN. “I’m pumped I finally get to do it in front of my hometown on national television. I’m in the best shape of my life, and I’m ready.”

The matchup with Einemo definitely favors Russow. Russow has power in his hands, an excellent chin and a much better ground game than Einemo. All signs point to Russow getting his hand raised on Saturday night, something that is sure to make the United Center roar.

You can watch Russow’s fight, as well as the rest of the preliminary bouts on Fuel TV.

Clay Guida UFC on FOX After Party

Here’s your chance to hang with “The Dude”, “The Carpenter”, the one and only Clay Guida. The standout UFC lightweight fighter will be hosting a UFC on FOX after party at Proof Chicago on Rush St.

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