UFC 72: VICTORY

UFC 72: Victory
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Distributed by Canadastar Boxing Inc.
To Canadian Commercial Establishments
Live! From Northern Ireland
On Closed Circuit-Pay Per View

THE BOUT

This first ever UFC event in Belfast features the main event middleweight bout Franklin vs. Okami.  Franklin, (23-2-0) fighting out of Cincinnati, Ohio, is an extremely well-rounded fighter possessing great striking and submission skills.  He fought most of his career as a light heavyweight before moving to the middleweight division.  At UFC 53, he knocked out UFC champion Evan Tanner to capture the middleweight crown.  He made his first title defense against Nate Quarry at UFC 56 winning by first round KO and his second defense against Canadian David Loiseau at UFC 58, winning by decision after dominating “The Crow” through all five championship rounds.  He faced Anderson Silva in his third UFC title defense, but was KOd by the Brazilian in the first round.  At UFC 68, he returned to the Octagon™, and in front of his home state crowd, stopped Canadian Jason MacDonald at the start of the second round.  At UFC 72, Franklin faces Japan's Yushin Okami for the fight that could make him the number one contender for the middleweight title.  

Also on the card is the special features Forrest Griffin vs. Hector Ramirez.  Forrest Griffin (13-4-0), fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev., is a well rounded fighter whose freestyle propelled him to become the Light Heavyweight winner of The Ultimate Fighter® Season 1.  Never one to back down from a challenge, Griffin has faced serious opposition in the Octagon, taking on Tito Ortiz, Stephan Bonnar, Elvis Sinosic and most recently, Keith Jardine.  Originally, scheduled to fight at UFC 70, Griffin was sidelined to due illness, but is back in full form and ready to rock against Hector “Sick Dog” Ramirez.  Griffin wants to reclaim his status as a rising light heavyweight while winning over the Belfast crowd with a spectacular victory at UFC 72.

Ramirez (6-2-1), who hails from the same East Los Angeles neighborhood that produced boxing superstar Oscar De La Hoya, is a well-rounded competitor who is known for his explosive right hand.  Also known for his wrestling and kickboxing skills, Ramirez possesses the power to knock out his opponent with either a swing or a kick.  He made his UFC debut at UFC 65 last November, and is excited to take on Griffin and prove he belongs in the high ranks of the UFC.

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