Mexico City – The UFC® was in Mexico today to kickoff ticket sales for UFC® 180: VELASQUEZ vs. WERDUM, and unveil several of the fighters and bouts slated for the Saturday, November 15 event at the Arena Ciudad de México in Mexico City.
UFC Chairman and CEO Lorenzo Fertitta, UFC President Dana White, heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, heavyweight title contender, Fabricio Werdum, Kelvin Gastelum, Jake Ellenberger, Diego Sanchez, Augusto “Dodger” Montano, Erik Perez, Ricardo Lamas and Norman Parke were present at the press conference, which took place at the Polyforum Siqueiros – the capital’s iconic forum. Inaugurated in 1971, it is home to “La Marcha de La Humanidad,” the largest mural in Latin America and work of Mexican artist David Alfaro Siqueiros.
Headlining the November card is the highly anticipated five-round main event featuring UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez (13-1, in his professional career, fighting out of San Jose, Calif.), and no.1 contender Fabricio Werdum (17-5-1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Calif. by way of Porto Alegre, Brazil). The heavyweight clash marks the culmination of 12 weeks of rivalry and competition as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter Latin America.
In addition, eighth-ranked Jake Ellenberger (29-8, fighting out of Lake Forrest, Calif. by way of Omaha, Nebraska) goes up against no.11 Kelvin Gastelum (10-0, fighting out of Yuma, Ariz.) in a welterweight showdown. Ellenberger, a former Marine and NCAA wrestler, will bring his grit and knockout power to the Octagon® against the undefeated winner of the 17th season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Other bouts for UFC® 180 include:
– The Ultimate Fighter winners, Diego Sanchez (27-7, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) and Norman Parke (21-2-1, fighting out of Bushmills, Ireland) will collide in a lightweight battle
– No.4 ranked, Ricardo Lamas (14-3, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.) will meet Dennis Bermudez (15-3, fighting out of Lindenhurst, N.Y.) in a featherweight showdown that could have title implications
– Born and raised Mexican fighter, Erik Perez (14-6, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.by way of Monterrey, Mexico) squares off against Marcus Brimage (6-3, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.)
– Augusto “Dodger” Montano (13-1, fighting out of Mexico City, Mexico), the newest Mexican fighter signed to the organization and making his UFC debut
The card will also feature the final featherweight and bantamweight bouts of The Ultimate Fighter Latin America. The series, brought to you by Bud Light®, which started airing August 20, can be seen throughout Latin America on TV channels and free-to-air, including UFC Network. Networks, air dates and times can be seen here: http://www.ufcespanol.com/news/tuf-latam-donde-ver.
