The Weekly Wrap: Jan. 24 - Jan. 30

Odds and Ends

• Xtreme Fighting Championships, the Tampa, Florida-based group that has at times drawn 10,000 fans to its events, has inked a deal with HDNet to broadcast four fight cards this year. The first broadcast will be April 18.

• The UFC announced this week that they will be opening their own licensed fitness gyms across the country. Two particular gyms will be branded for Georges St. Pierre and B.J. Penn, with each sharing in his gym’s revenue. The first facility, which will be tailored toward the general public as opposed to aspiring fighters, will be built in California.

• Submission whiz Dustin Hazelett pulled out of his March 7 fight against Ben Saunders at UFC 96 in Columbus, Ohio, this week. Ohio-based welterweight Ryan Madigan, a kickboxing specialist, will make his UFC debut against Saunders.

• Houston Alexander has signed to face Andre Gusmao in what could be a make-or-break fight for the charismatic Nebraskan at UFC 98 on May 23, according to MMAJunkie.com.