Category Archives: UFC

LFA, mixed martial arts, MMA, UFC

LFA LAUNCHING PAD: LFA SENDS 9 FIGHTERS TO UFC IN 30 DAYS

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THE SUMMER OF LFA

 
 
LFA ALUM IMPRESS IN THE UFC:
TITLE SHOTS, BONUSES and RECORD BREAKERS
 
 
4 SHOWS IN 4 WEEKS:
LFA SET TO VISIT 4 STATES IN 4 WEEKS 
HOUSTON, Texas – Legacy Fighting Alliance (LFA) has had a busy summer. In last month’s newsletter, it was reported that LFA alum accumulated $200,000 in UFC bonus money in the month of June, former RFA headliner Zach Freeman secured an “Upset of the Year”  nominee in New York City, and three inaugural LFA titles were awarded to get the summer started.

LFA LAUNCHING PAD
The summer continued to heat up in July. The UFC hosted 5 events along with the first 3 episodes of UFC President Dana White’s new weekly web series titled “Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series” throughout the month.
The number of LFA alum that participated in those events was staggering. 19 fighters that have fought for LFA or the two promotions that merged to create it (RFA and Legacy FC) competed in the UFC. UFC 213 headliner Valentina Shevchenko would have made that 20 fighters, but Amanda Nunes withdrew from their title fight on the day of the fight.
The presence of LFA alum on Dana White’s new show was just as impressive. In the first three episodes that aired in July, 17 of the 30 competitors (56.6%) had previously competed for LFA, RFA, or Legacy FC.  Each of the three episodes also featured two “LFA vs. LFA” matches. The most impressive stat, however, is the fact that an LFA fighter was signed by Dana White off of each episode.
That trend carried over into August with a fourth LFA fighter being signed to the UFC off of the fourth episode of “Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series”. The four LFA stars signed off of the show so far are Boston Salmon (Week 1), Sean O’Malley (Week 2), Geoff Neal (Week 3), and Julian Marquez (Week 4). There are currently 32 fighters from LFA scheduled to compete on theTuesday might summer series. LFA also currently has 19 alum ranked in the latest UFC fighter rankings.
LFA ALUM IMPRESS IN THE UFC
While former LFA fighters impressed in the UFC last month with the sheer number of participants, what they accomplished in those bouts is even more important. Perhaps the biggest shining star of the bunch was former RFA featherweight champion Brian Ortega. The man known as “T-City” improved his perfect record to 12-0 and saw his UFC fighter ranking move up to #6 in the world.
Ortega did this by breaking his own UFC record at UFC 214 on July 29th. Going into his bout with fellow unbeaten star Renato Moicano, Ortega held the UFC record for most consecutive third round finishes. He extended that streak by submitting Moicano in the final frame with a $50,000 UFC “Performance of the Night” bonus winning Guillotine Choke.
The following Saturday at UFC Fight Night 114, RFA great Dustin Ortiz broke another UFC record to secure his own $50,000 UFC “Performance of the Night” bonus. Ortiz accomplished this feat by knocking out Hector Sandoval in 15-seconds to record the fastest finish in UFC flyweight history. His teammate and former RFA flyweight champion Sergio Pettis happened to headline the same card. Pettis won his marquee bout against Brandon Moreno unanimously in a pivotal battle between two Top 10 ranked UFC flyweights.
The UFC will be off for the next few weeks, but September looks to be just as big for the LFA greats competing inside the famed UFC Octagon. UFC 215 on September 9th will feature two LFA alum challenging for UFC world titles. Legacy FC great Ray Borg will headline the card for a shot at the UFC flyweight title, while Shevchenko will finally get a crack at the UFC women’s bantamweight title in the co-main event. Seven other LFA alum have UFC bouts already announced for next month as well.
4 SHOWS IN 4 WEEKS
LFA started August with the first title defense in the promotion’s history. Two of the inaugural LFA champions that were just crowned in June (Eryk Anders and Roberto Sanchez) have already made their UFC debut, but LFA featherweight champion Kevin “Angel of Death” Aguilar was able to defend his title in the main event of LFA 18 this past Friday. He did so by sweeping the scorecards against a very game challenger in #1 contender and world-class BJJ black belt Justin Rader.
LFA is now set to end the summer with four shows in four weeks in four different states. The quadruple-header starts next week in South Dakota at LFA 19. The promotion then heads east to Minnesota the following week at LFA 20. LFA kicks off first day of September in Missouri at LFA 21. Then the final leg of the four week trip will go down in Colorado at LFA 22.
LFA 19 – Michaud vs. Rodrigues takes place Friday, August 18th at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The event will serve as the second LFA event to take place in the state of South Dakota. RFA visited “The Mount Rushmore State” four times before the merger. LFA 19 is headlined with a welterweight war between three-time UFC vet David “Bulldawg” Michaud (11-3) and Brazilian powerhouse Ciro “Bad Boy” Rodrigues (20-7).

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS TO LFA 19

LFA 20 – Curry vs. Barnes takes place Friday, August 25th at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The event will serve as the third LFA event to take place in the state of Minnesota. RFA and Legacy FC hosted a combined nine events in the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” before the merger.  LFA 20 is headlined with a welterweight showdown between rising star Chad “Blitz” Curry and former RFA title challenger Nick “The Phoenix” Barnes.
LFA 21 – Noblitt vs. Branjão takes place Friday, September 1st at the Branson Convention Center in Branson, Missouri. The event will serve as the first LFA event to take place in the state of Missouri. RFA visited the “Show Me State” four times before the merger. LFA 21 is headlined with a light-heavyweight battle between undefeated American prospect Kyle James Noblitt (8-0) and undefeated Brazilian prospect Antônio Paulo “Montanha” Branjão (4-0).
LFA 22 – Heinisch vs. Perez takes place Friday, September 8th at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colorado. The event will serve as the third LFA event to take place in the state of Colorado. RFA visited “The Centennial State” eight times before the merger. LFA 22 is headlined with an LFA middleweight title fight between Colorado’s own Ian “The Hurricane” Heinisch (8-0) and Brazilian dynamo Markus “Maluko” Perez (8-0).
The entire main card of these four events will be televised live and nationwide on AXS TV at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
In September 2016, RFA and Legacy FC officials announced that they would be merging to form the premier developmental organization in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) starting in January 2017. RFA and Legacy FC have launched the careers of over 100 athletes that have reached the pinnacle of MMA by competing in the UFC.
Please visit LFAfighting.com for bout updates and information. LFA is on Facebook at Legacy Fighting Alliance. LFA is also on Instagram at @LFAfighting and Twitter at @LFAfighting.
Bellator, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

FNU Combat Sports Show: UFC 214 breakdown, Nobody Likes Dana White, Tom and Tony break down Broner vs. Garcia and Lomachenko vs. Marriaga

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This week’s combat sports show is a split personality situation. We had technical difficulties getting all of us together for the show, so we recorded Tom and Tony chatting with each other on Thursday night. I’ve added my portion today. It all worked out to some incredible insight about Mayweather vs. McGregor, Dana White’s growing problem with disgruntled stars in the UFC, Broner vs. Garcia and Lomachenko vs. Marriaga. We also break down Jon Jones beating Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 and the implications for a Brock Lesnar showdown in the Octagon. It’s far from likely, but it’s intriguing. We also touch on the retirements of Juan Manuel Marquez and Wladimir Klitschko.

Tom and Tony Talk Shop:

Rich Wraps it Up:

 

boxing, Las Vegas, Mayweather Promotions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, UFC

Closed Circuit Tickets Available Now for Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor Showdown Saturday, Aug. 26

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Closed Circuit Locations Available at MGM Resorts International Properties Along The Strip
 
LAS VEGAS (August 2, 2017) – Closed circuit tickets for the blockbuster summer matchup between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor are available ahead of theSaturday, Aug. 26 SHOWTIME PPV® event taking place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Tickets for the Mayweather vs. McGregor closed circuit telecast at ARIA Resort & Casino, Bellagio Resort & Casino, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, The Mirage Hotel & Casino, Monte Carlo Resort and Casino, New York-New York Hotel & Casino, Luxor Hotel and Casino and Excalibur Hotel & Casino are priced at $150, not including applicable fees and are now on sale. Party Packages including food & beverage options also are available at select viewing locations beginning at $99. To purchase closed circuit package tickets at ARIA, Bellagio and MGM Grand call 855-329-2260. Tickets for all other locations may be purchased online at ticketmaster.com, in-person at any MGM Resorts International Box Office or by phone with a major credit card at 1-800-745-3000.
boxing, Las Vegas, Mayweather Promotions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, UFC

SHOWTIME SPORTS® LAUNCHES OFFICIAL MAYWEATHER vs. McGREGOR PPV COMMERCIAL SPOT

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Feat. Multi-platinum Recording Artist Aloe Blacc’s new song “King Is Born”

 

 

* * * Watch, Share, Embed: http://s.sho.com/2h0w090 * * *

 

Four weeks before the August 26 showdown between legendary boxing champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather and UFC ® champion “The Notorious” Conor McGregor, SHOWTIME Sports® has released the official 30-second commercial spot set to the newly-released track from GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum XIX / Interscope recording artist Aloe Blacc, “King is Born”.

 

Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor is a 12-round super welterweight matchup that pits the legendary boxer Mayweather against the all-time MMA great McGregor in an unprecedented event that takes place Saturday, August 26 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.  The event telecast is produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV® and promoted by Mayweather Promotions.

Bellator, boxing, mixed martial arts, MMA, PFL, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC

FNU Combat Sports Show: Mayweather vs. McGregor, UFC 214 Preview

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This week’s show features lots of Mayweather vs. McGregor discussion and a look back at the last two weeks in combat sports. We preview this weekend’s fights as well. Tune in to find out what Rich’s new favorite Conor McGregor insult is…and why it applies to Dana White as well. Psychic Tom gives his valuable insight and Tony the Tornado breaks down all the boxing angles in this episode.

boxing, Las Vegas, Mayweather Promotions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, UFC

SHOWTIME SPORTS® ANNOUNCES PREMIERE EPISODE OF ALL ACCESS: MAYWEATHER vs. McGREGOR TO BE SAMPLED FREE ACROSS MULTIPLE PLATFORMS

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First Episode Of Four-Part Series To Be Available On YouTube And SHO.com

Immediately Following Network Premiere This Friday At 10 p.m. ET/PT On SHOWTIME®

 

Watch, Share or Embed an Exclusive Clip from First Episode: http://s.sho.com/2tJNubu

 

NEW YORK (July 28, 2017) – SHOWTIME Sports today announced that the first episode of ALL ACCESS: Mayweather vs. McGregor will be offered for free to consumers who do not subscribe to SHOWTIME, immediately following the network premiere tonight at 10 p.m. ET/PT.

 

Starting tonight, the first episode will be available for free on multiple platforms including YouTube and SHO.com and other online portals. Consumers can also sample the premiere episode for free across multiple television and streaming providers’ devices, websites and applications and free On Demand channels. The subsequent episodes of the four-part series, which will premiere every Friday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on SHOWTIME, will be available only to SHOWTIME subscribers. 

 

Weekly installments of the Emmy® Award-winning series ALL ACCESS will peel back the curtain on the August 26 blockbuster bout between boxing legend Floyd Mayweather and UFC® superstar Conor McGregor.  Four revealing episodes will immerse fans in the lives and training camps of the outspoken, charismatic champions, documenting their preparation for an unprecedented fight that has captured the world’s attention. 

 

Winner of multiple Emmy Awards, the SHOWTIME Sports original franchise takes viewers behind the scenes of boxing’s biggest events and surrounds the world’s most compelling fighters with intimate access and signature storytelling.

 

SHOWTIME subscribers will have access to the entire series on SHOWTIME ON DEMAND®, SHOWTIME ANYTIME® and SHOWTIME the stand-alone streaming service available through Amazon, Apple®, Google, Roku, Xbox One, Samsung SmartTVs and at showtime.com, as well as through Amazon Channels, Hulu, YouTube TV, Sling TV, and Sony PlayStation™ Vue. The series will also be available through TV providers’ authenticated online services.

boxing, Las Vegas, Mayweather Promotions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, UFC

Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor Live Event Tickets Go On Sale to General Public Tomorrow, July 26 at 10 a.m. PT!

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Fans Can Purchase Tickets Through Ticketmaster for the
Saturday, Aug. 26 Matchup at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
 
LAS VEGAS (July 25, 2017) – Live event tickets for the Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor showdown will go on sale to the general public tomorrow, July 26 at 10 a.m. PT through Ticketmaster for the Saturday, Aug. 26 event taking place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. All guests will receive a 3-D ticket as a commemorative souvenir to bring home from this once-in-a-lifetime event.
The official on-sale went live yesterday, powered by Ticketmaster Verified Fan®. For those who weren’t able to preregister for the Verified Fan® on-sale, additional tickets will be available for purchase on Ticketmaster.com starting tomorrow, Wednesday, July 26 at 10 a.m. PT.
MAYWEATHER vs. MCGREGOR
Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor is a 12-round super welterweight matchup that pits the legendary boxer Mayweather against the all-time MMA great McGregor in an unprecedented event that takes place Saturday, August 26 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The event telecast is produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV and promoted by Mayweather Promotions.
For more information visit www.sho.com/sports and www.t-mobilearena.com, follow on Twitter @FloydMayweather, @TheNotoriousMMA, @MayweatherPromo, @UFC, @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions,www.Facebook.com/SHOSports and www.Facebook.com/UFC.
boxing, Las Vegas, Mayweather Promotions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, UFC

Mayweather vs. McGregor to be Presented Live in U.S. Cinemas Saturday, August 26

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Fathom Events Partners with Mayweather Promotions to Deliver Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor Blockbuster to the Big Screen
 
DENVER – July 25, 2017 – The unprecedented showdown between legendary boxing champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather and UFC® superstar “The Notorious” Conor McGregor will be broadcast live to U.S cinemas on Saturday, August 26. “MAYWEATHER vs. MCGREGOR” will feature a 12-round super welterweight contest that marks the first time champions from both boxing and MMA will meet in a sanctioned boxing match.
Fathom Events and Mayweather Promotions partner to give fans nationwide the opportunity to view undercard bouts and the unprecedented main event in movie theaters nationwide on Saturday, August 26, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. PT/ 7:00 p.m. MT/ 8:00 p.m. CT/ 9:00 p.m. ET.  The fight will originate from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas and the event will be produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV.
“The buzz that my fight against Conor McGregor is getting has been great already, so what better way to watch this larger than life event than on the big screen?” said Mayweather. “We brought boxing back to movie theaters eight years ago and it was a huge success, but this event is on a different level and I’m so glad we are giving fans another way to see all the action. Grab your popcorn because this is a fight no one will want to miss.”
“I’m going to knock him out inside of four rounds,” McGregor said. “Mark my words…I don’t care about a ring or an octagon. Put me in there and I’m going to kick ass.”
Tickets for “MAYWEATHER vs. MCGREGOR” can be purchased online by visitingwww.FathomEvents.com, or at participating theater box offices. A complete list of theater locations is available on the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).
 
“Mayweather Promotions is very proud of its longstanding partnership with Fathom Events and we’re glad to be able to once again bring a Floyd Mayweather fight to movie theaters nationwide,” said Leonard Ellerbe, CEO of Mayweather Promotions. “If you can’t make it to T-Mobile Arena, but want to feel like you’re sitting singside, watching this mega-event on the big screen will be an experience fans won’t want to miss.”
 
“We are excited to once again partner with Mayweather Promotions and all promotional partners to be part of what is shaping up to be the most anticipated match up in years,” Fathom Events VP of Programming Kymberli Frueh said. “Since our first bout broadcast to cinemas, fans of boxing and MMA have come together and enjoyed a larger-than-life ring-side experience on the biggest screens around.  This will certainly be one for the history books for fans and all involved.”

For artwork/photos related to “MAYWEATHER vs. MCGREGOR,” visit the Fathom Eventspress site.

Follow on Twitter @FloydMayweather, @TheNotoriousMMA, @MayweatherPromo, @UFC, and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions and www.Facebook.com/UFC
boxing, Mayweather Promotions, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, UFC

MAYWEATHER vs. McGREGOR WORLD TOUR CONCLUDES IN LONDON AFTER WHIRLWIND THREE-COUNTRY TOUR TO ANNOUNCE AUGUST 26 BLOCKBUSTER ON  SHOWTIME PPV® AT T-MOBILE ARENA IN LAS VEGAS

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More Than 50,000 Fans Packed Four Sold-Out Venues In Los Angeles, Toronto, New York and London
 
Click HERE For Photos; Credit Esther Lin/SHOWTIME Sports
Click HERE For Photos; Credit Idris Erba/Mayweather Promotions
LONDON (July 14, 2017) – Four days of a contentious international world tour came to a fitting close on Friday when global superstars Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor faced off for the final time on their three-country excursion at London’s Wembley Arena.
After 98 hours, over 14,000 totaled miles traveled, four sold-out venues, and more than 50,000 raucous fans in attendance, the Mayweather vs. McGregor World Tour has concluded.
What follows next before the boxing legend and UFC superstar meet Saturday, Aug. 26on SHOWTIME PPV live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas?  Forty-three days of grueling preparation, speculation and pundit analysis as the world’s best combat fighters continue their collision course toward an event that has become a global phenomenon.
In front of a capacity crowd at a famed venue that has hosted acts ranging from The Beatles to the Olympic Games, Mayweather and McGregor capped off nearly a week of intense gamesmanship that grew with each tension-filled face off.
“You’re the student and I’m the teacher,” said Mayweather, a once-in-generation talent who has dispatched at least five future Hall of Famers en route to an unblemished 49-0 professional record.  “On August 26, I’m going to take you to school.”
McGregor, an unrivaled figure in mixed martial arts who has transcended his sport to become a must-see attraction, answered, “In six weeks, I’m going to sleep this fool. And when I sleep him, I’m going to bounce his head off the canvas as well.”
The World Tour may be over, but the show has just begun.
# # #
MAYWEATHER vs. MCGREGOR
Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor is a 12-round super welterweight matchup pitting the legendary boxer Mayweather against the all-time MMA great McGregor in an unprecedented event that takes place Saturday, Aug. 26 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.  The event telecast is produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV.
boxing, Mayweather Promotions, ShoBox, Showtime, Showtime Boxing, UFC

Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor World Tour Hits  Fever Pitch at New York City Press Conference

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(Photo Credit: Rosie Cohe/SHOWTIME)

 
Quotes & Photos from Barclays Center Event in Front of
Over 13,000 Fans
 
Click HERE for Photos from Idris Erba/Mayweather Promotions
 
Click HERE for Photos from Rosie Cohe /SHOWTIME
 
NEW YORK (July 13, 2017) – Day three of their blockbuster world tour sawboxing legend Floyd Mayweather and UFC superstar Conor McGregor continue to trade verbal jabs as the global stars went face-to-face in front of over 13,000 fans at Barclays Center ahead of their Aug. 26 showdown on SHOWTIME PPV from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
After filling venues in Los Angeles and Toronto, an electric crowd greeted the two fighters Thursday as Mayweather and McGregor picked up right where they left off, building on the two increasingly combative press conferences held Tuesday andWednesday.
The world tour concludes on Friday when the fighters travel to The SSE Arena, Wembley in London.
Here is what the fighters had to say Thursday:
FLOYD MAYWEATHER
“I knew that this was going to be a huge event. We had to give the people what they wanted to see and if we break the PPV record, all I’ll be doing is breaking my own record.
“I’m just thankful to be in this position. To be at this age and compete against young guys, it’s a blessing. He’s bigger, he has a longer reach and I’ve been inactive. Plus, we’ve never seen him lose standing up. He feels like he’s the best. I was the best when I was competing. So I think I had to come back for this last hurrah.
“Even though I haven’t been competing in boxing, you still have young guys calling me out all the time. Even the MMA fighters call me out.
“My thing is that either I’m going to get him, or he’s going to get me. The outcome is going to be what it’s going to be. Once you have that mindset, you’re going to be okay. He’s coming for me and I’m coming for him.
“Nobody knows that squared circle like me. I know angles. I know where to touch you at. I know what you don’t like. I don’t have to watch your tapes. That’s something I’m blessed with. But, he’s unorthodox. So it’ll definitely be something different in the ring. I just have to keep my composure.
“I have to stand up for the Americans and the American fight fans. He represents his country and I represent the red, white and blue. I represent everyone in this country.
“I’ve been doing this for 21 years in five weigh classes. I’ve never quit.”
CONOR MCGREGOR
“Floyd saying he’s going to knock me out is the funniest comment of the whole tour. I hope he comes for it and I hope he brings it. I’ll be prepared for anything and anticipate whatever he brings.
“I’m in great shape, that’s why I’m not wearing a shirt. I’m in shape to fight right now. I don’t have a nick on my body right now. I’m going to be 100 percent on fight night.
“I have a very high fight IQ. I understand when to go and when not to. Only me and the opponent can see these details. I’m very confident whether it’s in a ring or an octagon.
“The rounds are two minutes shorter than I’m used to and there’s a lot less action than I’m used to. He’s going to feel like he’s wrestling a bear when we tie up for the first time. He’s too small. I’m going to have my way with him.
“I know every shot he throws. I know what to expect. He fights the same every time. So we’re preparing. But he knows nothing about me. He has no idea how I’m going approach him.
“I’m not tired of this. It’s really a lot of fun. We’ll keep it professional for now. I could never get tired of this. It’s such a great time to be a fight fan.
“Floyd is saying a lot about me tapping out, but he’s never had a true fight. He knows nothing about the game that I’m involved with. We’ll see who is quitting on Aug. 26.
“To come back here in New York, where I made history and become the first fighter in UFC history to win titles simultaneously, I’m blown away by the support.”
#          #          #
MAYWEATHER vs. MCGREGOR
Floyd Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor is a 12-round super welterweight matchup that pits the legendary boxer Mayweather against the all-time MMA great McGregor in an unprecedented event that takes place Saturday, August 26 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.  The event telecast is produced and distributed by SHOWTIME PPV.
For more information visit www.SHO.com/Sports and www.mgmgrand.com, follow on Twitter @FloydMayweather, @TheNotoriousMMA, @MayweatherPromo, @UFC, @ShowtimeBoxing, @SHOSports, and @Swanson_Comm or become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MayweatherPromotions,www.Facebook.com/SHOSports andwww.Facebook.com/UFC