It took just eight hours to sell-out the highly anticipated UFC 180: VELASQUEZ vs. WERDUM event scheduled for November 15 at the Arena Ciudad de Mexico (Mexico City Arena).

Fans made history at the box office, as well as online, to sell out Mexico’s first ever live UFC event. UFC 180: VELASQUEZ vs. WERDUM is the fastest sell-out in the history of the Arena Ciudad de Mexico and it will also set a new attendance record with over 20,000 fans attending the monumental event.

On Tuesday, August 26 the UFC’s Chairman and CEO, Lorenzo Fertitta, and UFC President, Dana White, held a press conference in Mexico City to announce the launch of ticket sales, accompanied by some of the featured fighters on the UFC 180 card. It was also revealed that several fighters of Mexican or Latin American decent would showcase their skills at the November event. Fighters include: 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.

That we’ve sold out in the blink of an eye is proof that Mexico is ready for its first UFC event and shows the true devotion of UFC’s fan base,” said Jaime Pollack, UFC Senior Vice President, International Development and General Manager, Latin America. “We couldn’t ask for a better partner in Zignia Live, who provided the staffing and technology to keep pace with the high demand and ensure a seamless experience from UFC fans in Mexico and around the region.

The full UFC 180 fight card will be announced shortly. Stay tuned on Yell! Magazine for the update.

Dos Santos (15-1, fighting out of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil) ended Velasquez’ reign as heavyweight champion last November, knocking out the two-time Division I All-American wrestler in the first round. Now, the 30-year-old Velasquez (9-1, fighting out of San Jose, California) seeks revenge in arguably the biggest rematch in UFC history.

“Cain is on a mission to get the belt back and avenge the only loss of his career,” UFC President Dana White said. “He wants to prove that he’s still the best heavyweight in the world. But Junior is one of the hardest-hitting fighters ever, and he proved that by knocking out Cain and Frank Mir in back-to-back fights. This is the perfect fight to end 2012!”

In addition to the heavyweight title rematch, former light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin meets former Division I national champion wrestler Phil Davis in a pivotal 205-pound contest. Griffin, winner of Season 1 of The Ultimate Fighter, defeated Tito Ortiz in a trilogy bout in July. Now he collides with Davis, who is fresh off a brilliant submission victory over Wagner Prado at UFC 153.

UFC 155 also features surging middleweight star Chris Weidman (9-0, fighting out of Mineola, NY) taking on Tim Boetsch (16-4, fighting out of Sunbury, Pennsylvania) in a fight that will push the winner toward a 185-pound title shot. Weidman scored a first-round TKO of top contender Mark Munoz, while Boetsch snapped Hector Lombard’s five-year, 20-fight winning streak by defeating the Cuban in July.

If that wasn’t enough, Gray Maynard (12-1-1, fighting out of San Jose, California) faces submission ace Joe Lauzon (22-7, fighting out of Bridgewater, Massachusetts) in a bout between two of the lightweight division’s top contenders. Maynard defeated Clay Guida in his last fight in June, while Lauzon earned another Fight of the Night award in August with a thrilling win over Jamie Varner.

Source: UFC

What makes this promo so interesting is that the UFC has combined an old rant between boxing promoter Bob Arum and Ariel Helwani (from MMA Fighting). Bob, who’s had many controversies over the years, has insulted UFC Fans and MMA fighters in the past like this:

“UFC fans are a bunch of skinhead white guys who are watching people in the ring who also look like skinhead white guys,”

“It’s guys rolling around like homosexuals on the ground. It is not a sport that shows great, great talent. The guys can’t throw a punch to save their ass. When it lands, the guys have no chins.”

In the video promo, the UFC hits back each insult Bob gives with a dose of historical knockouts, exciting submission, and Hollywood celebrities who have been fans all along. It’s an amazing trailer that should silence him, and other critics alike who dislike MMA.

As a bonus, if you are new to the sport of MMA, below is a video of UFC stars like Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Ryan Bader, and bunch more giving their predictions on who will be victorious this weekend. Check it out, and let us know your thoughts in the comment section.

UFC Star Predictions

One reason the Mexican market is attractive to the UFC is that many top-tier MMA fighters are Mexican or Mexican-American. Names such as Cain Velasquez, Dominick Cruz, Tito Ortiz, Miguel Torres, Roger Huerta, and Gilbert Melendez shine in the UFC and are considered elite martial artists.

In recent interviews with MexicoToday, UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz credited the incredible work ethic of the Mexican fighter to this success, whereas rising UFC contender Aaron Rosa explained Mexican athletes such as himself have the heart that set them apart.

The first UFC fight to be broadcast live on the FOX Network is a blockbuster. Mexican-American UFC Heavyweight Champion, Cain Velasquez, will defend his title for the first time against top contender, Junior Dos Santos.

Not only does Mexico have a growing class of excellent mixed martial artists, but this country also has a giant fan base for the sport. Mexico is a country with a growing middle class that is youthful and has expendable income. The UFC sees potential in Mexico and has the right fighters to showcase to the Mexican people. Mexican fans are excited about the UFC and with so many popular Mexican fighters in the promotion; this expansion could be great for both parties.

Reed Harris, UFC Vice President of Community Relations, told MexicoToday that on a recent trip to Mexico the media attention surrounding the UFC was staggering. Harris explained that, from what he has seen, Mexican fans are excited and ready for the UFC in Mexico.

Marca Pais – Imagen de Mexico is an initiative to help promote a positive image of Mexico as a global business partner and an unrivaled tourist destination abroad.

Source: Marca Pais – Imagen de Mexico

UFC in Mexico (Caine Velasquez)

Source: TheCageDoctor.com

Source: TheCageDoctor.com