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UFC

UltimateBet Inks Chuck Liddell to Sponsorship for UFC 97


Whether or not UltimateBet has any staying power in sponsoring major MMA fighters/events after this month remains to be seen (we say "no,"), however, Bluff Magazine is reporting that they did just finish a deal to patch up Chuck Liddell for UFC 97.

Liddell wore Poker Stars at the 2008 WSOP Main Event and is one of the few fighters not to have a big Full Tilt sticker on his ass during a fight in recent months.

Unlike Full Tilt Poker, who slapped patches on just about every fighter in the octagon, UltimateBet seems to be taking a cheaper more targeted approach.

Tilt may still end up as a UFC sponsor after this month though, as UB has nothing guaranteed past 97. And Bluff notes they are still carrying on promotions:

"Full Tilt has been running a series of freerolls for Canadian players that would see them travel by train with Howard Lederer, Erick Lindgren and Gavin Smith to see UFC 97. Given the relatively quick notice it is unlikely that Full Tilt would cancel their promotion."

Read more here and here.

In completely unrelated and way sexier news, below is a vid from last year of UFC ring girl Arianny Celeste doing a Maxim photo shoot.


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UltimateBet Hijacks UFC Sponsorship from Full Tilt Poker


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The UFC appears to be turning its back on Full Tilt Poker.

For the MMA fans out there: if you follow the UFC, you've probably noticed Full Tilt Poker logos and patches increasingly taking over the octagon.

Looks like that's coming to an end, at least for a little while.

The UFC today informed some of its business associates (and fighter managers) that Full Tilt Poker is banned from appearing on fighter's trunks, corners, or in the octagon itself.

With the amount of money FTP was dumping into the UFC, some other company had to be taking its place, right? The UFC had to get some sort of a better offer, you'd think.

And where did it come from?

UltimateBet.

Wow. Really? No. Seriously?

UltimateBet?

 

Really?

Read more here.

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Full Tilt Poker Branding All Over UFC Stars’ Behinds


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Full Tilt Poker is really getting behind MMA fighters…

When we were first introduced to mixed martial arts we didn't quite get it as it just seemed like a bunch of half-naked sweaty dudes pinning each other in positions with their junk in each other's faces.

But once you get past that, it blows boxing away and it satisfies the occasional bloodlust. So while watching fights, we've been interested to see the likes of Randy Couture, Mike Swick, and Josh Koscheck donning Full Tilt Poker logos lately.

We were on-hand to speak with Forrest Griffin the day after he won the UFC Light Heavyweight title and was put in the WSOP Main Event by FTP. So there is some precedent for getting involved with MMA stars.

Since the Entities are all about judging books by their covers, not giving the benefit of the doubt, and drawing conclusions, we can only surmise this trend will continue as Poker Stars markets heavily to people who don't speak U.S. American while Tilt shores up the base by targeting the "like" demographic that MMA represents to poker.

Or maybe FTP management just likes fighting and has some extra bones to throw around. Whatever. Hey look over there! It's Danielle Lloyd only wearing a Santa cap and stockings!

Get more MMA news.

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BREAKING: Forrest Griffin, UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, to Play Main Event Today


UFC champion fighter Forrest Griffin will play the 2008 WSOP Main EventWicked Chops Poker has learned that newly crowned UFC light heavyweight champ Forrest Griffin (pictured, for the ladies) is expected to play today in the WSOP Main Event.

Griffin, a big under-dog going into the bout, defeated ex-champ Quinton "Rampage" Jackson last night for the title by decision. The fight swung towards Griffin’s favor with punishing leg kicks in the second round.

For a hint at what it’s like to get kicked in the leg (and have it fractured) by Forrest Griffin, watch the video below. See Forrest train for UFC: 76 here. And check out RawVegas.tv later for an exclusive interview with the new champ.

VIDEO: Forrest Griffin leg kick

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UFC Octagon Girl Arianny Celeste Photo Shoot Video Makes for a Good Post


Las Vegas native and UFC Octagon Girl Arianny Celeste is one of the hottest girls in the MMA world, and recently RawVegas.tv was on hand to film her choke-holdingly sexy photo shoot for Throwdown Industries Energy Drink.

It’s delicious.

UFC Octagon Girl Arianny Celeste video

After the jump, a web cam video of Arianny Celeste singing some Christina Aguilera song.

[click to continue…]

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