Due to some current work that needs to be done offline, I will be unable to competetively maintain the high influx of news and information in the world of Mixed Martial Arts. This project is still, however, on my priority list and will be back in action as soon as possible. Sorry to any readers that have come to enjoy the content provided on MMA Smash Up, but hold tight and check back every so often; we’ll be back soon.

Until then, thanks for your readership.

UFC 2009 is the first video game to be released as a part of THQ’s agreement with the world’s leading mixed martial arts organization, which continues to experience sold-out crowds at live events, grow its worldwide pay-per-view audience and reach its key demographic through the Spike TV reality television series “The Ultimate Fighter®,” now in its seventh season. The video game is expected to feature a number of UFC fighters and champions, as well as all other UFC event content, including the famed Octagon. UFC 2009 is tentatively scheduled for release in spring 2009.

Evan Tanner and Fioravanti vs. Sanchez after the jump.

Unrelated: ESPN’s MMA Live episode 6 will be posted later today, and you’ll catch Dana White live, so tune in.

Evan Tanner interview.

Fioravanti vs. Sanchez

“Honest to God, I ain’t got no pressure coming into this fight. That’s what I did wrong in my last fight with Jorge (Rivera), I took into that fight like ‘aw, (expletive) I can’t get hit, I don’t want to get hit, I don’t want get hit.’ That’s what screwed me up in the past is me putting all that pressure on myself. I’ve got to win. I’ve got to win. No, I’ve just got to go out there and fight. That’s all that matters.”

This will be a decisive bout, and while some fans don’t think the match up will fare well for Tanner due to his extended absence from cage bouts, others are hyped to see if he can hold his own against Grove.

“This is a make or break fight for both of us,” stated Grove. “We’re both coming off devastating losses, make it or break right here. I think that’s what’s going to make it a good fight. Each one of us has everything to gain and everything to lose. I forget who told me this but ‘America is built on winning,’ and nobody likes a loser, so there you go.”

Full story.

Fertitta went on to explain:

Think about this for a second: India has 350 million men between the ages of 18 and 34, and that’s our key demographic. The magnitude of these markets is staggering. Dana has been doing a phenomenal job with this company, and I’ve been doing what I could given my responsibilities (at Station Casinos). The UFC is going to have a global footprint in the not-too-distant future. We’re already working on furthering our position in Brazil. This is getting so big that it demanded I spend more time with it.

White and Fertitta made it clear that this move has nothing to do with ownership problems or a suffering financial state of UFC; rather, they both explain they wish to make the UFC as influential as the NFL or any other major sport organization.

In my opinion, I think this was a calculated counter-move to answer Affliction’s teaming up with Donald Trump. Bringing on these financial giants not only provides a sense of security to their fan base, but it also lends clout to the organization’s agenda, that the business behind-the-scenes is working hard to brand their organization as the best in the world, not the U.S. I’m not certain how long this decision was in the works, but it seemed timely now that Trump is backing Affliction.

To read the full report, including the background to this business move, please click here.

• Melvin Manhoef defeats Kazushi Sakuraba via TKO round 1
• Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza defeats Jason Miller via Unanimous Decision
• Zelg Galesic defeats Kin Taiei via TKO (arm injury) round 1
• Gegard Mousasi defeats Yoon Dong Sik via Unanimous Decision
• Hideo Tokoro defeats Darren Uyenoyama via Unanimous Decision
• Ralek Gracie defeats Gadzhiev Alavutdin via Submission round 1
• Alistair Overeem defeats Lee Tae Hyun via Knockout round 1
• Shinya Aoki defeats Katsuhiko Nagata via Submission round 1

Results courtesy of Proelite.com

I’ll have more fight clips from EliteXC up tomorrow; taking it lite today.

Videos updated: June 21, 2008

More after the jump.

Dave Herman vs. Ron Waterman

Wayne Cole vs. Rafael Feijao

Murilo Rua vs. Tony Bonello