Dana White announced the formation of a 125 pound Flyweight division, with the first champion being decided in a four man mini-tournament. White had told the media that the first fights will be held on March 3rd, likely on pay-per-view, but the UFC website has them listed for the “UFC on FX 2” card. The first fights will be Joseph Benavidez vs. Yasuhiro Urushitani and Ian McCall vs. Demetrious Johnson.
Post-fight bonuses were $75,000 to Jon Jones and Lyoto Machida for Fight of the Night, Chan Sung Jung for KO of the night and Frank Mir for Submission of the Night.
Attendance was 18,303 for a $3.9 million gate.
Other post-fight notes:
-White shot down rumours that Alistair Overeem was pulling out of his fight with Brock Lesnar. The subject was brought up again later in the press conference, however, with Mir saying if it was true he’d like to take Overeem’s spot.
-Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira requires surgery on both his elbow and his shoulder.
-Still no decision on what if anything will be done with Jason “Mayhem” Miller
-Dana ranks Jon Jones #2 pound for pound behind Anderson Silva.
-Two events in Brazil next year, one in Rio and another at a location yet to be finalized in May. The UFC will also be starting “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil” which Dana is flying out Monday to oversee.
-Dana: “Strikeforce Lives”. The fighters in Strikeforce are to remain in Strikeforce, Dana added: “I will make this right, they’re going to be happy to be there. I’ve got this figured out. Everyone will be happy.” Dana had hoped to make a Strikeforce announcement tonight, but said instead it would probably be Monday.
