UFC Fight Night 39: Big Country favored vs. Big Nog
Published on Tuesday, 4/8/14, at 8:11 a.m. Eastern.
Updated on Tuesday, 4/8/14, at 9:25 p.m. Eastern.
By Brian Edwards
–The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Yas Island in Abu Dhabi for the first time since UFC 112 this Saturday for a nine-fight card. The main event will feature a pair of star heavyweights who are both in dire need of a victory. Roy ‘Big Country’ Nelson will take on Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Nelson, who has lost back-to-back fights since winning three in a row, is a -155 ‘chalk’ at most books. ‘Big Nog’ is +130 or +135 on the comeback. The entire card will be broadcast on UFC Fight Pass, which requires a monthly payment. The four-fight main card starts at 2:00 p.m. Eastern.
–Check out the updated odds here:
–In other UFC developments this week…
–Welterweight contender and former Strikeforce middleweight champ Jake Shields was released from the promotion following a lopsided loss to Hector Lombard. Shields joins other big names like Melvin Guillard, Yushin Okami and Jon Fitch who have been released in recent months. It’s clear the UFC isn’t going to pay top dollar to veteran fighters who aren’t in serious contention for a title shot in their respective divisions. I’m not saying it’s wrong, just saying it’s so.
–Guillard signed with the World Series of Fighting promotion on Tuesday.
–Mike Pierce has been forced to pull out of his proposed fight against Demian Maia at TUF Brazil 3 Finale after breaking his hand in training.
–Tyron Woodley and Rory MacDonald will square off in the main event at UFC 174 in Vancouver on June 14. The winner will almost certainly face Johny Hendricks for the welterweight strap. Woodley inked a new eight-fight deal with the UFC.
–Nate Diaz lashed out at the UFC about his contract today. Check out what Diaz had to say and Dana White’s response at MMAFighting.com
–Sportsbook opened its odds for these two UFC 173 fight a couple of hours ago (see below)…
