UFC Belfast 19th Nov

Killergreene

DrPhilG wrote: »

I have no issues with the card, it's the prices that gall me.

I didn't think the prices were too ruthless. In saying that I snagged two 50 euro seats which should be prime enough with no upper tier in belfast. The event hasn't even close to sold out so I'd expect a few of us in the back rows to be bumped down to the front section anyway.

The big problem now is getting to belfast! awful that there is no direct or overnight services to the west of ireland.

DrPhilG

Killergreene wrote: »

I didn't think the prices were too ruthless. In saying that I snagged two 50 euro seats which should be prime enough with no upper tier in belfast. The event hasn't even close to sold out so I'd expect a few of us in the back rows to be bumped down to the front section anyway.

The big problem now is getting to belfast! awful that there is no direct or overnight services to the west of ireland.

It's the amount of top bracket prices that are the problem. Half the arena is £175.

I got £95 tickets and I'm in the second last row of the building.

Wrongway1985

Paully D wrote: »

MrStuffins wrote: »

Look at the card which was supposed to be tomorrow night? One man (BJ Penn) gets injured and the whole card gets cancelled!

Allegedly not the real reason it was cancelled!

Yeah ticket sales hadn't performed well for Philippines card anyway according to Helwani.

DrPhilG

Wrongway1985 wrote: »

Yeah ticket sales hadn't performed well for Philippines card anyway according to Helwani.

Also not the alleged real reason it was cancelled!

Apparently the lunatic Phillipino president was going to drug test every fighter, UFC staff member any crew member and anyone found with traces of anything, recreational or otherwise, would have their passport taken.

hendo111

Good card I hope to go tickets depending,I got prime tickets for 204 for £125 for a ppv card with proper names on it,not a hope am I paying 175 for the tickets that are left my own fault for not buying early,


Horiguchi could be main event hes elite in the world,I hope Gunnar does stand with Stungun he lit Tumenov up last time looked his best performance yet striking wise.

Paully D

DrPhilG wrote: »

It's the amount of top bracket prices that are the problem. Half the arena is £175.

I got £95 tickets and I'm in the second last row of the building.

At 11,000 capacity it's a pretty small arena and despite being in the second last row you have a cracking seat, especially if you're on the north or south side:

hendo111

I think if your not in the first few rows of the floor seats your best off with a cheaper mid tier ticket.

Wrongway1985

DrPhilG wrote: »

Wrongway1985 wrote: »

Yeah ticket sales hadn't performed well for Philippines card anyway according to Helwani.

Also not the alleged real reason it was cancelled!

Apparently the lunatic Phillipino president was going to drug test every fighter, UFC staff member any crew member and anyone found with traces of anything, recreational or otherwise, would have their passport taken.

Bizarre had they are change of president since Edgar v Faber card that happened there?

Also Horoguchi fight was originally planned for that card so Belfast wouldn't have got it otherwise, now if only they'd give ye Derrick Lewis or smilin Sam

Mellor

Wrongway1985 wrote: »

Bizarre had they are change of president since Edgar v Faber card that happened there?

Why is that bizarre? That was nearly 18 months ago.

The new president is apparently going going fully psycho on drugs.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/14/philippines-drug-crackdown-warning-icc-rodrigo-duterte

Wrongway1985

Wrongway1985 wrote: »

Bizarre had they are change of president since Edgar v Faber card that happened there?

Also Horoguchi fight was originally planned for that card so Belfast wouldn't have got it otherwise, now if only they'd give ye Derrick Lewis or smilin Sam

Pretty sure Sam Alvey has already been moved onto the Mexico card. Lewis would be a great addition for the Belfast card though.

amorgan

Deleted User wrote: »

Wrongway1985 wrote: »

Bizarre had they are change of president since Edgar v Faber card that happened there?

Also Horoguchi fight was originally planned for that card so Belfast wouldn't have got it otherwise, now if only they'd give ye Derrick Lewis or smilin Sam

Pretty sure Sam Alvey has already been moved onto the Mexico card. Lewis would be a great addition for the Belfast card though.

Lewis is booked already for FN102. I'm really looking forward to this card though, much better than expected.

Wrongway1985

amorgan wrote: »

Lewis is booked already for FN102. I'm really looking forward to this card though, much better than expected.

Ya I was just kinda thinkin out loud I'd say with 12 fights booked card is complete.

As I mentioned in general thread FN102 shocking main event Russian bloke that Lewis is up against was Ko'd not so long ago by Timmy the tache Johnson who is on this Belfast card

Wrongway1985

Mellor wrote: »

Why is that bizarre? That was nearly 18 months ago.

The new president is apparently going going fully psycho on drugs.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/14/philippines-drug-crackdown-warning-icc-rodrigo-duterte

Maybe not bizarre just a surprise given the last one seemingly went off without a hitch is all,was unaware of presidential situation makes more sense now.

The UFC officially stated this was to be rescheduled but that means another different event there as they've already started booking the fighters due on this card for different events.

R.F.

Anyone know which hotel the fighters will stay in?

In Dublin last year I got to meet loads in the Gibson.

Paully D

R.F. wrote: »

Anyone know which hotel the fighters will stay in?

In Dublin last year I got to meet loads on the Gibson.

The UFC seem to like the Radisson's. That would be my guess, especially as it's only a 5 minute drive from the arena.

Wrongway1985

Paully D wrote: »

R.F. wrote: »

Anyone know which hotel the fighters will stay in?

In Dublin last year I got to meet loads on the Gibson.

The UFC seem to like the Radisson's. That would be my guess, especially as it's only a 5 minute drive from the arena.

Radisson in Manchester anyway,actually the Embedded series can tend to give away location some of the time.

Killergreene

Where is everyone planning to stay in Belfast? Are ye travelling back to Dublin afterwards? Anyone have any interest in organising a bus back like was done for Manchester?

maximoose

Aircoach is an option for getting back to Dublin afterwards - leaves from beside the Europa at 30mins past every hour for £8/€10 to Dub city centre

About a 20 min walk away from the SSE though.

hendo111

maximoose wrote: »

Aircoach is an option for getting back to Dublin afterwards - leaves from beside the Europa at 30mins past every hour for £8/€10 to Dub city centre

About a 20 min walk away from the SSE though.

Yeah im probably going to do this,no real interest in heading out afterwards in belfast no idea where to be going so a nitelink bus will be my plan.

irishejit

maximoose wrote: »

Aircoach is an option for getting back to Dublin afterwards - leaves from beside the Europa at 30mins past every hour for £8/€10 to Dub city centre

About a 20 min walk away from the SSE though.

You can walk into the City Centre from the aircoach drop off, 5 mins max, and then take the 26B bus which drops you at the door of the SSE, another 5 mins trip, think its £1.25 single journey

scudzilla

R.F. wrote: »

Anyone know which hotel the fighters will stay in?

In Dublin last year I got to meet loads in the Gibson.

At UFC 72 they stayed at The Hilton, we stayed there also, was like a who's who of MMA, met all the fighters on the card plus more (Randy Couture being a highlight)

Biggest dick though was Dampage, walking around with his LHW belt saying he was charging for autographs

ryaner777

Have people received their tickets yet ?

John_D80

ryaner777 wrote: »

Have people received their tickets yet ?

Got mine yesterday actually. Wasn't expecting them for another couple weeks at least.

DrPhilG

Mine are printed.

BOHtox

Your man Dizz on Twitter is reporting Nelson is out injured. The same guy who initially reported McGregor was ko'd in training... Take it as you will

Gamebred

https://twitter.com/arielhelwani/status/789589517745422336


Confirmed,Mousasi wants his redemption good replacement Im happy with that.

That replacement appeases me

Deadst4r

That means the only real local fighters are artem and neil right?

Deadst4r

Deadst4r wrote: »

That means the only real local fighters are artem and neil right?

Mark Godbeer is kind of local

wonderfullife

Not a bad replacement fight whatsoever if they can get it done but the UFC would be well-advised to try throw the likes of Peter Queally, Ryan Curtis, Joe McColgan etc on to the card to try bolster Irish interest.

Gamebred

wonderfullife wrote: »

Not a bad replacement fight whatsoever if they can get it done but the UFC would be well-advised to try throw the likes of Peter Queally, Ryan Curtis, Joe McColgan etc on to the card to try bolster Irish interest.

Curtis (im a fan know him from my area since hes a kid) has been fighting street sweepers hes not ready for the Ufc,McColgan probably on the level going by his destruction of Queally but hes like 3-0 not many getting signed with that record Charlie Ward did on the basis Conor made the call,Queally coming off a bad loss wont be getting signed,


They recently signed Paul Craig from Bamma so Im guessing he was signed with this card in mind,if not they might take another Bamma fighter.

loudnoises89

UFC will have to pill something out of the hat to salvage this one. Mousasi v Hall, is that really the answer? Maybe to the seasoned fan but to the average fan, i'm not convinced.

Gamebred

Gunnar v Stungun was hardly ppv material to be fair,Mousasi is a bigger name and better fighter than him too.

Deadst4r

Do we get the option of refunds for a main event change?

Porthallian

Getting to see Gegard fight live twice in the space of 7 weeks.
I couldn't be happier!!

amorgan

why would you want a refund when the main event has been upgraded essentially? the preoccupation with local/irish fighters is strange to me. i want to see the bigger fight. gunnar isn't even irish.

the idea that they need to salvage the card as suggested above is ridiculous. for a fight night in somewhere as tiny as belfast, it's a really solid card. it's much better than what ended up in dublin last year.

Deadst4r

amorgan wrote: »

why would you want a refund when the main event has been upgraded essentially? the preoccupation with local/irish fighters is strange to me. i want to see the bigger fight. gunnar isn't even irish.

the idea that they need to salvage the card as suggested above is ridiculous. for a fight night in somewhere as tiny as belfast, it's a really solid card. it's much better than what ended up in dublin last year.

Actually, I was just intrigued as I'm considering upgrading my seats or if the prices drop - availing of that.

'gunnar isn't even Irish'. Oh really?

Gamebred

Gunnar v kim didnt do much for me tbh,hopefully he gets a bigger name now up the division.

Deadst4r

Gamebred wrote: »

Gunnar v kim didnt do much for me tbh,hopefully he gets a bigger name now up the division.

I think gunnar will struggle against most of the top ten unfortunately.

I think it was a good match up.

Who would you like to see him face? A lot of the fighters are already booked as well. Obviously he'll have to sit out a while though.

loudnoises89

Could they leave Kim on the card?

Gamebred

Deadst4r wrote: »

I think gunnar will struggle against most of the top ten unfortunately.

I think it was a good match up.

Who would you like to see him face? A lot of the fighters are already booked as well. Obviously he'll have to sit out a while though.

I wouldnt disagree,the thing about him is though like some fighters cant be written off due to one serious skill (One punch Ko power for ex) he has his grappling,I think on his day he could takedown and sub anyone not named Maia at 170,


The Gunni who whooped Tumenov (striking mainly infairness) then mauled him on the ground is a tough fight for many people he looked in better shape than ever too no drinking beer the week of the fight,

I'd give him someone like Condit if he decides to return,looks a favorable return for Carlos but theres every chance Gunni does what Maia did,or Lorenz Larkin if he resigns.

wonderfullife

I wonder what sort of injury it is to pull him out so early? I suppose any sort of injury 4 weeks out is not good but i'd have thought it must be serious enough.

On a slightly related note, are we getting towards the stage where John Kavanagh can't, in good faith, call himself Head Coach of Gunnar?

He hasn't been involved in any of Conors fight camps in 2016, didn't train a single day in SBG in the lead-up to UFC Belfast and has been representing Mjolnir.

I have a feeling there's a potential amicable parting of ways soon. No fall-outs, just the practicality of Gunni having a small child in Iceland and running his own gym there.

He might pop up in SBG now and then for a few weeks but i think the days of him doing full 12-week camps in Dublin and sleeping in Kavanaghs gaf are over.

joshrogan

Don't see why Mousasi wouldn't just sit out and wait and fight the winner who doesn't get the title shot against Bisping. A win vs Hall would put him in the exact same spot where he'd likely face that opponent anyway.

wonderfullife

joshrogan wrote: »

Don't see why Mousasi wouldn't just sit out and wait and fight the winner who doesn't get the title shot against Bisping. A win vs Hall would put him in the exact same spot where he'd likely face that opponent anyway.

$$$, pride and ego. Wanting revenge.

In no particular order.

He's got 2 fights left on his contract. If he demolishes Hall, he's probably thinking the UFC will come in with a good offer instead of letting him go to Free Agency.

Whereas if he waits and comes up short against Romero/Rockhold, his value goes down....

TimRiggins

loudnoises89 wrote: »

UFC will have to pill something out of the hat to salvage this one. Mousasi v Hall, is that really the answer? Maybe to the seasoned fan but to the average fan, i'm not convinced.

Mousasi v Hall is a better fight then Gunnar/Stun Gun.

They don't have to salvage anything. The tickets are already sold.

wonderfullife

TimRiggins wrote: »

Mousasi v Hall is a better fight then Gunnar/Stun Gun.

They don't have to salvage anything. The tickets are already sold.

Mousasi-Hall is undoubtedly a better fight. I think the issue, from a casual fan perspective, is that most of them know Gunnar Nelson from Conor. I'd argue Nelson is a bigger 'draw' to the local audience.

That being said, tickets are sold. I just think they need to make a couple of moves to pad out the event with a little more Irish talent. They don't have any obligation to do it but i don't care what anybody says - whether it's Albany, NY or Belfast, Ireland - local fighters fighting generate a better atmosphere on the night.

There's a risk this will be a very flat-feeling card, even with the improved main event.

Lukker-

It's a good opportunity for Mousasi to step up and save a card and get into the UFC's good books. They seem to be giving him a little push and see if he can get become a draw for the European market. Other than Conor and Bisping, the UFC don't have much, especially on continental Europe except for Gustufsson who is out indefinitely. The Reem too actually but who know how long he has left.

TimRiggins

wonderfullife wrote: »

Mousasi-Hall is undoubtedly a better fight. I think the issue, from a casual fan perspective, is that most of them know Gunnar Nelson from Conor. I'd argue Nelson is a bigger 'draw' to the local audience.

That being said, tickets are sold. I just think they need to make a couple of moves to pad out the event with a little more Irish talent. They don't have any obligation to do it but i don't care what anybody says - whether it's Albany, NY or Belfast, Ireland - local fighters fighting generate a better atmosphere on the night.

There's a risk this will be a very flat-feeling card, even with the improved main event.

Yeah I get that but people are acting like the UFC have an obligation to put on Irish fighters because Gunni is gone is ridiculous. The card was a poor one whether or not Gunni was on the main event and the days of seeing UFC Dubin 2014 cards are gone now.

Its a shame they couldn't get local fighters on it but with 5 weeks to go they're not going to add local fighters to appease the locals because a guy who trains in Dublin pulled out.

The decision to put Charlie Ward on in Albany and not here baffles me to be honest.

fermanagh_man

Mousasi did speak about this fight on the MMA hour this week

Mousasi also talked about some DM's him and Conor exchanged on twitter so it will be interesting to see if anything builds from that, Hall could very well be the fighter the crowd gets behind which would be very strange for a European card where they are behind the American and not the European

TimRiggins

fermanagh_man wrote: »

Mousasi did speak about this fight on the MMA hour this week

Mousasi also talked about some DM's him and Conor exchanged on twitter so it will be interesting to see if anything builds from that, Hall could very well be the fighter the crowd gets behind which would be very strange for a European card where they are behind the American and not the European

It'll be a sad sad state of affairs if the crowd get behind Hall because of what Mousasi said. I don't think they will though anyway.