Gold Coast to host UFC event
http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/...ast-sport.html
BRACE yourself, Gold Coast -- the Ultimate Fighting Championship is about to hit town.
The brutal sport is headed for the Gold Coast Convention Centre on December 15, in what is shaping as the biggest fight night the region has seen.
In what is a landmark deal for not only the Gold Coast but the country, the UFC event will be broadcast to tens of millions of people around the world, with Australia's George Sotiropoulos (14-4-0) and England's Ross Pearson (15-6-0) to headline the card.
The duo are their country's respective coaches in the associated reality television series The Ultimate Fighter: Australia vs UK The Smashes, which begins tonight on FX.
The card will feature the anticipated match-up between 'adopted' Aussie Hector Lombard and submission specialist Rousimar 'Toquinho' Palhares, and The Smashes finalists in the welterweight and lightweight divisions.
One of The Smashes contestants hoping to be on the card is Southport's Patrick Iodice.
The 19-year-old is the youngest competitor to feature in TUF and while he can't yet reveal if he made the finale, he may get an opportunity to at least fight on the undercard.
"It'd be a massive opportunity if I got to fight in it," Iodice said.
"Especially in my backyard with all my local support. It'd be great. I'd have fans from all over Queensland come if I got a go.
"This is great for MMA on the Gold Coast. It shows anyone can have the opportunity to fight on the big stage. I'm sure it will sell out quickly."
Iodice is one of the sport's rising stars but the teenager said he would have to get used to watching himself on TV.
"I'm pretty excited. I don't know how I'm going to take it seeing myself and hearing my voice," he said.
"People are just inviting themselves over to watch it (first episode) at my house.
"To be on The Ultimate Fighter was crazy. It'll be one of the best things I'll ever experience.
"I learnt a lot about myself and my training."
Also confirmed for the UFC on FX card is a bout between explosive light heavyweights, Ednaldo Oliveira and Krzysztof Soszynski.
