News and notes

Just catching up on some news from today. I left for work right after I wrote the column on Jon Fitch so I didn’t have time to catch you guys up on some other tid-bits. Here are some other news and notes from today:

• Dave Meltzer from Wrestlingobserver.com reported in his most recent newsletter that UFC 66, while it didn’t reach the goal of 1.2 million buys the UFC set forth, did become the biggest non boxing Pay Per View event in North American history. Preliminary estimates are slightly in excess of 1 million buys. That would put the total PPV revenue in the neighborhood of $40 million. Meltzer is widely regarded as the best inside reporters in pro wrestling as well as mma, with sources in every major promotion’s front office.

• If you haven’t gone over to Sportspickem.com to sign up for the UFC 67 picks, you are definitely missing out. It is completely free and only takes a minute to sign up. The winner will be receiving UFC Ultimate Knockouts 1 and 2 DVDs. MMAlowdown.com is the official sponsor of the contest and myself, Keith, and possibly Dann from UFCjunkie.com will be coming up with something for future contest, so you should definitely head over to Sportspickem.com to get in on the action.

• Joe Pearson, who lost to Urijah Faber for the WEC featherweight title on Jan. 20th, failed his pre-fight drug test for marijuana, or THC. This is some sad news that hopefully won’t look too bad for mma because it shouldn’t. Although it is a failed drug test, Joe is not a cheater, he is just a kid who has a bad habit and could use some help. Nothing more, nothing less. I really hope Joe bounces back from this, He is a gritty competitor who always puts forth a great effort.

• The Fight Network is also reporting that Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and PRIDE newcomer Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou, out of Team Quest, has been added to PRIDE “the Second Coming” on Feb. 24th in Las Vegas. Sokoudjou is a U.S. Open Judo champion and newcomer to MMA with a 2-1 record. He had olympic aspirations in Judo but was unable to compete due to visa complications.

I will have a great interview posted either tomorrow or the day after. Be sure to check back for that. It is really one of a kind. For now I need to get some rest.