MMAjunkie.com readers are invited to watch Thursday morning’s pre-event press conference for “UFC 105: Couture vs. Vera,” which we’ll carry live at 8 a.m. ET (5 a.m. PT). Today’s media event takes place at the MEN Arena in Manchester, England, and features UFC UK President Marshal Zelaznik, headliners Randy Couture and Brandon Vera, and main-card fighters Mike Swick, Dan Hardy, Michael Bisping and Denis Kang

A welterweight battle between Marcus Davis and Ben Saunders, along with a middleweight bout between Kendall Grove and Jake Rosholt, have both been tabbed to air live on Spike TV just prior to the pay-per-view broadcast of UFC 106. The telecast is set to kick off on Spike at 9 pm ET just one hour before

MANCHESTER, England – The record stands at 16,235, which was set in September 2007 for the highly anticipated UFC 75 event at The O2 in London, England. But a late push for this weekend’s UFC 105 show could allow Manchester and the MEN Arena to set the UFC attendance record for a European show. UFC officials expect a sellout, and the late addition of a new seating section could help Saturday’s event top London’s mark.

On the heels of his latest verbal tirade to the LA Times, always outspoken and often controversial UFC President Dana White has launched his latest verbal assault on Fedor Emelianenko and Strikeforce in a conversation with Dave Meltzer from Yahoo! Sports. “CBS made its biggest mistake partnering with a tiny, small show with a roster

(Antoni Hardonk vs. Sherman Pendergarst @ UFC 65, 11/18/06) Leg kicks may not seem impressive to everybody, particularly certain MMA judges whose names rhyme with Schmecil Feeples , but as anyone who has ever been hit with a good one knows, they really, really hurt.

( If he can handle that, he can handle anything. ) According to a new report by MMA Weekly , former WEC featherweight champion Urijah Faber will return to action for the first time since his decision loss to Mike Brown in June , when he takes on top contender Raphael Assuncao at WEC 46 (January 11th, Sacramento). Faber has spent the last few months rehabbing the hand injuries he suffered against Brown , but described the January event as “perfect timing for me.” Though Assuncao may not be a household name yet, the 14-1 submission specialist has won both of his appearances in the WEC (decisions over Jameel Massouh and Yves Jabouin) and we consider him to be one of the ten best featherweights in the world right now.

The Pension for Punishment The ultimate fighter at 25 has a body with a good temperament for training. He can take repeated abuse and repair himself. He can fight four times a year — or five, or seven — if he wishes. If he suffers a significant dent (broken bones, damaged eyes, muscles torn