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UFC Fight Night Berlin Announced


The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization, has announced that it will make its long-awaited return to Germany with UFC FIGHT NIGHT BERLIN on 31st May. This follows the upcoming Europe, Middle East and Africa events in London and Abu Dhabi.

The O2 World Berlin will host the UFC for the first time, in what will be the third event for the organization in Germany. The UFC previously held UFC 99 in Cologne in 2009 and UFC 122 in Oberhausen in 2010, both of which were incredibly successful.

Tickets will go on sale to UFC Fight Club members on 2nd April, UFC newsletter subscribers on 3rd April and general on-sale on 4th April. Tickets will be priced from €50 and sold through The O2 World Berlin and Ticketmaster.

Fight card details will be released in the coming weeks.

Garry Cook, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of UFC EMEA, said: “We are incredibly excited to announce this event and it is fantastic news for the many UFC fans throughout Germany and the rest of Europe. We are delighted to be returning to Germany in May and visiting Berlin for the first time. Germany is one of the leading world superpowers in sport and to be able to host a UFC FIGHT NIGHT to our passionate German fans will be an honour.”

Two middleweight standouts will end May with a bang, as Gegard Mousasi and Mark Munoz meet in a five round main event that headlines the UFC's return to Germany on Saturday, May 31.

Taking place at the O2 World Berlin, the event marks the UFC's first in Germany since November 2010's UFC 122 card in Oberhausen.

Ranked number seven in the world at 185 pounds, Munoz has won five of his last seven bouts, including wins over Demian Maia, Chris Leben, and Tim Boetsch. The 12th ranked Mousasi's recent run is just as impressive, as he's gone 6-1-1 in his last eight, with wins over Ovince Saint Preux, Mike Kyle, and Ilir Latifi.

"I've always wanted to go to Berlin," said Munoz. "To be able to compete there is an added bonus. Berlin is a historic place and I'm looking forward to being part of MMA history and putting on a great show for the fans! Mousasi is a great opponent and competitor. I am looking forward to competing against him and getting one step closer to fighting for the title."

"Mark Munoz is an excellent opponent and sportsman," said Mousasi. "I am looking froward to competing in Berlin. It will be a great fight, and I am happy to test my skill set against Mark."

A lightweight matchup is added to the UFC's return to Germany on May 31


Currently sporting a six fight unbeaten streak, Cologne's Nick Hein will make his UFC debut in his home country of Germany when he battles Nebraska standout Drew Dober at the O2 World Berlin on May 31.

A black belt in judo who has won four bouts by submission, the 29-year-old Hein (10-1, 1 NC) will be in tough against Dober (14-5), a Muay Thai specialist looking to bounce back from a November loss to Sean Spencer this May.

"I'm excited to get back in the cage and I'm going to be looking for the finish," said Dober, who is moving from welterweight to lightweight for the bout. "Nick is extremely tough, but I am hungry and it's my time."


www.ufc.com

After a nearly four year absence, Peter Sobotta will make his return to the Octagon on May 31, and as a bonus he'll get to do it in his home country of Germany, as he meets unbeaten newcomer Pawel Pawlak in a UFC Fight Night bout at the O2 World Berlin.

“Me getting the opportunity to fight in Berlin is history repeating itself," said Sobotta, who is 5-0-1 since a UFC 122 loss to Amir Sadollah in November of 2010. "I signed my first UFC contract five years ago. But this time so much is different. Instead of a journey into the unknown I will be navigating well-known waters this time. Before my debut five years ago there was a lot of uncertainty, but this time I am looking forward to it, I will be ready and I am determined to finally get that first win.”

Poland's Pawlak, who has ended nine of his ten wins by knockout or submission, is equally excited for his bout with Sobotta.

"I can't wait for my UFC debut fight," said the 25-year-old from Lodz. "I'm already training hard to show that I'm the right person to fight amongst the very best fighters in the world. I hope that fighting Peter will be just first step in my long UFC journey. I know a lot about Sobotta; he is very good on the ground, but I'm not afraid at all. I think I am the better fighter and I will prove that on May 31st. I'm happy that the fight will take place in Berlin, so close to Poland. I know a lot of fans will come to support me and I'll do everything to show them great MMA."


http://www.ufc.com/news/Sobotta-Returns ... ten-Pawlak

Fresh off big wins in March, unbeaten middleweight prospects Luke Barnatt and Sean Strickland will meet in an intriguing UFC Fight Night matchup at the O2 World Berlin on Saturday, May 31.

"May 31st, Berlin, Germany, two undefeated middleweights go to war," said England's Barnatt, who stopped Mats Nilsson in London earlier this month. "When I get the knockout and end this young man's dream, at least he can take warmth in the fact he has a stamp on his passport and can enjoy the beautiful city of Berlin. I'm ready."

A week after Barnatt's victory, California's Strickland impressed in his Octagon debut in Dallas, submitting veteran (and Barnatt's TUF 17 castmate) Bubba McDaniel in a single round.

"From what I have seen from Luke, I predict this is going to be a long war between two talented fighters," Said Strickland. "I expect us to both take risks and try to finish the fight. In the end I will come out on top and will remain undefeated."


http://www.ufc.com/news/Unbeatens-Meet- ... -on-May-31


The latest UFC Fight Night 41 card now includes:

Gegard Mousasi vs. Mark Munoz
Luke Barnatt vs. Sean Strickland
Pawel Pawlak vs. Peter Sobotta
Drew Dober vs. Nick Hein

The O2 World Berlin in Germany will be the site for what promises to be a memorable meeting of top European middleweight prospects, as unbeaten Krzysztof Jotko of Poland battles Magnus Cedenblad of Sweden at UFC Fight Night: Munoz vs. Mousasi. Undefeated in 14 pro fights, Jotko was successful in his UFC debut last December, decisioning Bruno Santos over three rounds. Cedenblad is coming off an Octagon win as well, having submitted Jared Hamman in just 57 seconds at UFC 164 last August.

UFC Fight Night in Berlin gets a co-main event

Middleweight standout CB Dollaway will jump right back in the gym following last week's 39 second knockout of Cezar Ferreira to get ready for his next assignment, a May 31 battle with number nine ranked Francis Carmont. The bout will serve as the UFC Fight Night: Munoz vs. Mousasi co-main event at the O2 World Berlin in Germany.

UFC Fight Night 41 Berlin - Fight Card Finalized:


MAIN CARD (UFC Fight Pass, 3 p.m. ET):

Mark Munoz vs. Gegard Mousasi
Francis Carmont vs. C.B. Dollaway
Luke Barnatt vs. Sean Strickland
Tom Niinimaki vs. Thiago Tavares


PRELIMINARY CARD (UFC Fight Pass, 12:30 p.m. ET):

Drew Dober vs. Nick Hein
Magnus Cedenblad vs. Krzysztof Jotko
Iuri Alcantara vs. Vaughan Lee
Pawel Pawlak vs. Peter Sobotta
Maximo Blanco vs. Andy Ogle
Ruslan Magomedov vs. Viktor Pesta