The Weekly Wrap: Feb. 28 - March 6

UFC 99 set for Germany

The Ultimate Fighting Championship called a press conference in Germany this week to announce the Octagon's maiden voyage to the country. UFC 99 will take place June 13 at the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, and will be headlined by a superfight between Rich Franklin and Wanderlei Silva. The fight will take place at a catch-weight of 195 pounds, reportedly agreed to because Franklin, who has been working diligently in recent months to get up to his size up to compete at light heavyweight, did not feel comfortable going back down to middleweight to fight Silva. Silva said after his first round knockout loss to Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at UFC 92 that he was dropping to middleweight.

No other fights were officially announced for UFC 99, though reports of several possibilities surfaced this week. Heath Herring vs. Cain Velasquez, Dan Hardy vs. Marcus Davis and bouts featuring Paul Kelly and Stefan Struve are just about set for the show. A welterweight battle between “The Ultimate Fighter” alumni Mike Swick and Ben Saunders is signed, according to FiveOuncesofPain.com. Also reportedly finalized is a fight between undefeated prospect Todd Duffee and Mustapha al Turk, according to MMAJunkie.com. FightersOnly.com reported that U.K.-based lightweight Terry Etim has signed to face Justin Buchholz on the show as well.

The UFC recently completed a deal with German television station DSF to air the company's cards in the country. Over the next three years, DSF will air episodes of “Unleashed,” “Wired,” “Countdown” and live fight cards, starting with a March 14 airing of UFC 96 this Saturday night.

The UFC also confirmed this week that the Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir heavyweight title unification fight is set for UFC 98 on May 23 in Las Vegas. However, rumors swirled on Friday that Mir had pulled out of the bout due to a knee injury. As of press time, no official announcement has been made. Also at UFC 98, the oft-delayed grudge match between Matt Hughes and Matt Serra will take place, as will a clash between No. 2 ranked middleweight Yushin Okami and former IFL 185-pound champion Dan Miller.