Thursday Wrap: Gracie Dies, Partying With Dana White, Hatton/Pacquiao Tix, More

Ropes, Ring and Cage will have indepth previews of this Saturday's UFC mega fight between Georges St. Pierre and B.J. Penn on Friday and Saturday, so you're all hooked up with fun facts you can impress your friends and family with...or your dog.

Here's a few quick hit newsbits that hit the wires today in combat sports:

- Fighting legend Helio Gracie died in his sleep this morning at age 95. The father of Royce and Rickson, Helio was instrumental in helping teach thousands the art form known as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu which he helped create. His legacy in MMA is cemented and I would expect some sort of recognition at Saturday's big event.

- Academy Award nominee Mickey Rourke's publicist is saying he will not be participating at March's Wrestlemania like has previously been discussed. However, it's believed this is just to extinguish any backlash from Oscar voters over being involved with pro wrestling and that after the Oscars, he'll be back in a program with Chris Jericho.

- The UFC continues to push into the mainstream with the creation of a line of all-purpose gyms that they hope to eventually operate across the country. UFC Prez Dana White told the AP that they are close to breaking ground on the first of five clubs in California and that plans are to have more across the U.S. and Canada. From the USA Today piece:

"White said each gym would offer classes in several different disciplines of martial arts, as well as unconventional workouts for people looking to change their routines. Each will contain an octagon, the eight-sided caged ring used in UFC fights."

This sounds pretty awesome, by the way.

- Tickets for the much-hyped Manny Pacquaio vs. Ricky Hatton fight on May 2nd go on sale Friday with ticket prices varying from $150-$1000. The MGM Grand in Las Vegas will be the venue, but a PPV provider has yet to be established. Think Floyd Mayweather is interested in the winner? Yeah, me too.

- You...yes, you...can party with UFC President Dana White following GSP vs. Penn if you're in Las Vegas. The UFC sent out a marketing email today featuring White and his appearance at the LAX nightclub in the Luxor hotel/casino. I assume he's not being paid a personal fee as the UFC sent it out as an official marketing piece. Assumptions are just that though—assumptions.

- Something to look forward to next week? A "Leaping" Lanny Poffo interview (seen here) by our own Todd Matthy! Look for this on Monday, true believers.

- I have yet to see the finale of UFC Primetime: Penn vs. St. Pierre, but I think there will be plenty of replays and ways to view online in case you haven't seen it.

- Former ECW Champion and current MMA'er Bobby Lashley is out of his February 6th fight for Palace Fighting Championships due to torn ankle ligaments. (Thanks to Figure 4 Online)

- Speaking of Figure 4 Online, they have a great interview up with Ric Flair right now that is available to their subscribers. If you're a fan of combat sports (especially MMA and pro wrestling), you won't find a better place to spend $10 a month—period. (Alright guys...if you get some new subscribers, hook a fellow writer up, eh?)

- There has been a ton of UFC movement in terms of fighters on upcoming shows having to drop out due to injury. Look for a comprehensive wrap of this next week. Get your scorecards ready

- Former Ring of Honor booker Gabe Sapolsky has been cranking out blogs every week. Here's some of the latest from one of Paul Heymen's former running buddies which you can always find here:

• Sabu, JT Smith, Chris Benoit and ECW Bloodfeast weekend
• On Sabu and his ECW debut and a match vs. Cactus Jack in Hamburg, PA
• Taking questions, critiques, comments on the "Gabe's Book Of Secrets" DVD from Kayfabe Commentaries
• Thoughts on 'The Wrestler' and his interactions with director Darren Aronofsky.

Josh Nason - josh [at] ropesringandcage [dot com] - has published MMA, wrestling and boxing blog Ropes, Ring and Cage.com since 2007. If you are using any content or recapping from this site, please include a link to www.ropesringandcage.com. Thank you for your support!