UFC 106 is stacked like a Playboy centrefold

A couple of weeks ago I reported that Diego Sanchez would fight BJ Penn for the UFC lightweight strap in December. I got the news straight from Sanchez’s coach and BJJ instructor/competitor extraordinaire Saulo Ribeiro.

Well, UFC president Dana White confirmed yesterday that the bout is in the works for UFC 106. No date’s been given but with UFC 105 expected for November 14 in Manchester, England, then December seems likely (although there’s another rumour it may actually be a week later on November 21 in Las Vegas).

As for the rest of the card, Brock Lesnar will defend his heavyweight belt against Shane Carwin, the returning Tito Ortiz faces Mark Coleman, Karo Parisyan ends his painkiller suspension to meet Dustin Hazelett, Jon Fitch takes on Ricardo Almeida and Kenny Florian will look to bounce back from his loss to Penn by challenging Energizer bunny Clay Guida.

Of course, any of those fights are subject to change, but right now that is one huge card. Add to that the fact that White stated that the card will not be a pay-per-view and not air free on Spike TV. What does that leave? The long-rumoured network TV deal White has been drooling over?