The Ultimate Fighting Championship presents its 7th UFC Fan Expo event on Friday, July 6 and Saturday, July 7 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. UFC President Dana White made the announcement today during a press conference to promote UFC 143, which takes place Saturday from the Mandalay Bay Events Center. It is an amazing event for fans of MMA.

“We love giving UFC fans ultimate access to our sport and athletes,” UFC President Dana White said. “This July, we’re putting together our best UFC Fan Expo yet. We’re going to have dozens of our fighters in attendance to sign autographs and meet fans, and we’re going to have some of the world’s top vendors and exhibitors. This is an absolute can’t-miss event for UFC fans around the world!”

Looks like the UFC is not a monopoly after all, or the US government decided they have bigger fish to fry.

ESPN recently did a piece that brought to light the FTC’s investigation into the UFC’s purchase of Strikeforce, and whether or not the UFC was a monopoly. The FTC decided there was nothing of substance there. Here is the letter sent to the UFC:

January 25, 2012
Office of the Secretary
Stephen Axinn, Esq.
Axinn Veltrop, and Harkrider LLP
1330 Connecticut Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036

Re: Acquisition of Explosion Entertainment, LLC (Strikeforce) by Zuffa, LLC (UFC) FTC File No. 111 0136

Dear Mr. Axinn:

The UFC heads back to Las Vegas for UFC 143: Diaz vs. Condit, airing this Saturday night on Pay-per-view. The winner of the main event becomes the UFC interim welterweight champion, while Georges St. Pierre heals from a torn ACL.

This card also features Roy Nelson vs. Fabricio Werdum. I’ve seen Nelson anywhere from -110 to +110 and I think either one of them is a steal. Werdum has said he will either knockout Nelson or get KO’d by him. He’s not knocking out Roy Nelson.

Even if Werdum doesn’t opt for that gameplan, I don’t expect a different outcome. Nelson is a high-level ground fighter and it’s doubtful Werdum can submit him. With Nelson being light years ahead of Werdum in striking, the easy choice here is Nelson.

Here’s the extended video preview of UFC 143, and we’ll have more free picks later this week.

Michael Bisping just can’t help himself — he has to antagonize fans and fighters. Maybe it helps him focus. Maybe he just didn’t appreciate all the boos. Maybe he’s just, as the British say, a ‘wanker’.

Bisping bounced out on stage at the Chicago Theatre to weigh-in for his UFC on Fox fight with Chael Sonnen. As the crowd booed, Bisping had a double-barreled response for them.

Both he and Sonnen have talked plenty of trash leading up to this bout, and thankfully it’s time to actually do battle in the Octagon.