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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Brock Lesnar's next title defense is official, as the UFC today announced the full main card for UFC 121 on October 23 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.
Lesnar will take on 8-0 Cain Velasquez in the night's main event, and the main card features Jake Shields in his UFC debut against Martin Kampmann, Diego Sanchez against Paulo Thiago, Tito Ortiz against Matt Hamill and Brendan Schaub against Gabriel Gonzaga.
"Throughout fighting history, there has never been a Mexican heavyweight champion, but at UFC 121, Cain Velasquez will try to make history and become the first,” UFC President Dana White said in today's release. “To do that though, he must defeat the baddest man on the planet, UFC heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar. Also, fresh off his destruction of Dan Henderson, Jake Shields enters the UFC, and he’s got his sights set on the welterweight title, but he’s got to get by Martin 'The Hitman' Kampmann first."
Both main event competitors commented on their matchup as well.
"I’m looking forward to getting right back in the Octagon,” Lesnar said. “After the long layoff, my last fight was just an appetizer, I’m still hungry. I’m in great condition and the timing couldn’t be better. Cain Velasquez is undefeated and he’s the legitimate No. 1 contender, but he’s not the guy that is going to take my UFC heavyweight title. It’s not his time; it’s my time. I’m coming to California to defend my crown, and on October 23rd, I’ll be walking out of the Octagon with my hand raised and the belt around my waist. Cain will be leaving with his first loss. It’s as simple as that.”
The UFC pointed out in today's release that Velasquez will be the 20th fighter in the organization's history to fight for a title with less than 10 professional fights. Only four have been successful in their bids, but all have been heavyweights.
"I feel honored to be fighting for the heavyweight title against Brock,” Velasquez said. “He is a great fighter with a lot of size and is super athletic. This will be a great fight with a lot of action and it means a lot to me to be fighting for the title in L.A., close to my hometown. I will have a lot of people behind me cheering me on."
Tickets for the event go on sale to the public this Saturday, August 21, and range from $500 down to $75. UFC Fight Club members can get their crack at tickets beginning this Thursday, August 19.
Penick's Analysis I cannot wait for this event. It's shaping up as one of the strongest fight cards in UFC history, with a lot of great matchups from top to bottom. The main card is excellent, the preliminary card is excellent, and this is assuredly going to be another pay-per-view that gets over a million buys for the UFC this year.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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