Ufc

In the past decade, the Zuffa-owned Ultimate Fighting Championship has made considerable strides in pushing mixed martial arts further into the mainstream. And at 8 p.m. Saturday, the UFC makes its debut on Fox in a move that should serve to show even more people what MMA is all about. When the UFC was shopping for TV deals, there was a lot of interest regarding who would take the brand to the next level. There were conversations with old broadcast partner Spike TV, and there were rumblings that the UFC simply would create its own network.

Sure, hockey is back and the Blackhawks are off to a hot start. However, another hard-hitting sport invades the United Center on Saturday: mixed martial arts. Clay Guida of Johnsburg and Ricardo Lamas of Chicago step into the UFC octagon in separate bouts this weekend. Before they trade punches, kicks and chokeholds with their opponents Saturday, they spoke to RedEye about training, working up an appetite and partying - Chicago-style.   How is a Chicago UFC event different from others?

It's understandable if you are watching UFC - either live on TV or in person - for the first time Saturday night. The sport hasn't been in Chicago since 2008 and Fox just starting televising UFC bouts late last year. So, what do you need to know as a first-time attendee or viewer? Here's a start. Pre-game: With the event sold out, expect to arrive at the United Center early, just as you would for a Blackhawks puck drop or Bulls tipoff. The first fight starts around 3 p.m. If you are watching at home, FUEL broadcasts the prelims before the main card airs on Fox.   ...

READ "The Big Miss: My Years Coaching Tiger Woods" Available Tuesday Hank Haney, one of Woods' former coaches, shares what he knows about working with world's most famous golfer, including Tiger's dalliance with Navy SEAL training. Don't expect any dirt of the sexual affair variety, but there might be more than just a detailed breakdown of Woods' swing. At least, we hope there's more.   WATCH "UFC: Best of 2011" Available Tuesday on DVD andBlu-ray From the sport's stars - such as Junior dos Santos and Anderson...

Don't let his name fool you: Chris Tickle doesn't plan on making people laugh. He wants to hurt them. Tickle, of Pontiac, Ill., grew up the "tough guy" in the town about 100 miles southwest of Chicago. That reputation eventually led the 29-year-old to mixed martial arts. Now, with 19 MMA fights under his belt, Tickle is taking the next step in his career and trying to break into the UFC. He's getting that chance on the FX reality competition "Ultimate Fighter Live," premiering Friday.

The UFC was in town Wednesday to hype up its Jan. 28 event at the United Center, and league president Dana White and his fighters came equipped with their best quotes. Here are some of the best lines and moments from the news conference.   Chicago butt-kissing "We never had an event like this here in the United Center and our focus was always on this great arena. I don't see us waiting another three years before coming back to this great city. "--Dana White, UFC president Best smack talk "I guarantee you'll be the first to take a shot, because I'm...

Leave your answers in the comment section. You might score an invite to appear in RedEye.   1. How would you trash talk a fellow UFC figher? 2. What would be your UFC finishing move? 3. How would you suggest Luol Deng deal with his wrist pain while playing? 4. If you were a Blackhawk, what would you do on your All-Star break? 5. What surprising development might come out of this weekend's SoxFest?  Follow @redeyesportsguy on twitter for information on print openings.

I'm sure you've noticed 2012 resolution makers hitting the gym, trying to achieve their goals for the new year. The sport of mixed marital arts is no different, as fighters look to find a way to grasp that title shot. In what should be a busy year for the burgeoning sport, here are a few highlights to circle on your shiny new 2012 calendar.       UFC returns to Chicago After a three-plus-year absence, the UFC returns to Chicago on Jan. 28 at the United Center - the event also happens to be a Fox broadcast.

ATTEND Blackhawks vs. Nashville 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, CSN Let's see if the Blackhawks can exact a bit of revenge on the Predators, who just won Saturday night's matchup of the two teams - oh, and also knocked out captain Jonathan Toews.   ATTEND Bulls vs. Indiana 7 p.m. Wednesday, CSN The Bulls and Pacers are the only teams to remain undefeated at home. The Pacers would like to change that.   RIDE Critical Mass monthly ride 5:30 p.m. Friday, Daley...

My typical weekend does not involve sports bars. This past weekend, however, I went to six. On a self-induced wing-a-thon at some of Chicago's newest sports bars, I spent my evenings popping aspirin for flatscreen-induced migraines and trying to come off as though I know anything about the NBA, NHL or UFC by mimicking the grunts and groans of people near me wearing jerseys. Overall, I think I did pretty well. By the time Monday rolled around, I'd even managed to come out learning a few things: Everyone looks disgusting eating wings.

Don't let his name fool you: Chris Tickle doesn't plan on making people laugh. He wants to hurt them. Tickle, of Pontiac, Ill., grew up the "tough guy" in the town about 100 miles southwest of Chicago. That reputation eventually led the 29-year-old to mixed martial arts. Now, with 19 MMA fights under his belt, Tickle is taking the next step in his career and trying to break into the UFC. He's getting that chance on the FX reality competition "Ultimate Fighter Live," premiering Friday.

My typical weekend does not involve sports bars. This past weekend, however, I went to six. On a self-induced wing-a-thon at some of Chicago's newest sports bars, I spent my evenings popping aspirin for flatscreen-induced migraines and trying to come off as though I know anything about the NBA, NHL or UFC by mimicking the grunts and groans of people near me wearing jerseys. Overall, I think I did pretty well. By the time Monday rolled around, I'd even managed to come out learning a few things: Everyone looks disgusting eating wings.

It's understandable if you are watching UFC - either live on TV or in person - for the first time Saturday night. The sport hasn't been in Chicago since 2008 and Fox just starting televising UFC bouts late last year. So, what do you need to know as a first-time attendee or viewer? Here's a start. Pre-game: With the event sold out, expect to arrive at the United Center early, just as you would for a Blackhawks puck drop or Bulls tipoff. The first fight starts around 3 p.m. If you are watching at home, FUEL broadcasts the prelims before the main card...

Mike Russow's life sounds like the stuff blockbuster action movies are made of--on paper at least. By day - er, night actually - the 35-year-old works the beat as a police officer in Chicago's Grand Crossing District on the South Side. But when he's not wearing his Chicago Police Department uniform, you might find him in workout gear as he trains for an upcoming mixed-martial arts fight. That's what he's been doing a lot of recently as the 35-year-old of Mount Greenwood prepares for his big hometown debut in the UFC on Saturday night at the United Center.

Leave your answers in the comment section. You might score an invite to appear in RedEye.   1. How would you trash talk a fellow UFC figher? 2. What would be your UFC finishing move? 3. How would you suggest Luol Deng deal with his wrist pain while playing? 4. If you were a Blackhawk, what would you do on your All-Star break? 5. What surprising development might come out of this weekend's SoxFest?  Follow @redeyesportsguy on twitter for information on print openings.

A week before the UFC invades the United Center, the fighters head 470 miles south to the land of country music in Nashville. It's the first live "UFC on FX" event and, accordingly, features some pretty good matchups at Bridgestone Arena. A few of the fighters involved are looking to bounce back from recent losses and can't afford another setback or else they might find themselves out of the league. Here are three fighters who need to come out of Nashville with not only a singing voice but also a victory.

I'm sure you've noticed 2012 resolution makers hitting the gym, trying to achieve their goals for the new year. The sport of mixed marital arts is no different, as fighters look to find a way to grasp that title shot. In what should be a busy year for the burgeoning sport, here are a few highlights to circle on your shiny new 2012 calendar.       UFC returns to Chicago After a three-plus-year absence, the UFC returns to Chicago on Jan. 28 at the United Center - the event also happens to be a Fox broadcast.