UFC 123 principals hit the media circuit to promote the first UFC show in Michigan since 1996, including ESPN Sportscenter and “Late Show with Craig Ferguson” appearances by Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
A “Countdown” hype special premiered Nov. 15 on Spike TV, paying equal mind to Jackson vs. Lyoto Machida, B.J. Penn vs. Matt Hughes and Joe Lauzon vs. George Sotiropoulos. The push for the trilogy bout between Hughes and Penn, a fight with more Octagon experience between two fighters than any matchup in UFC history, proved the most compelling.
Jackson and Machida, who typically train in England and Brazil, respectively, were shown preparing 66 miles from each other in California. Jackson rented a warehouse in Rancho Santo Margarito, near his home, to be closer to his children and worked under Lance Gibson. Machida worked with the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose. UFC President Dana White was non-committal when asked if the fight would determine a new No. 1 contender in the busy light heavyweight division.
Michigan looks to have embraced the Octagon’s return, set for The Palace of Auburn Hills in suburban Detroit. The average ticket resale price for the event -- $247 -- is the highest since at least UFC 118, according to SeatGeek Web site.
All UFC 123 fighters made weight at Friday’s official weigh-in.