Roy Jones Jr. Trying to Get Some of That UFC 101 Magic

(Sure, the last few decades saw boxing's world titles become diluted to the point of being almost meaningless, but it was a boom time for the gold and leather-working industries.)

Since talk has died down recently about Roy Jones Jr. fighting Anderson Silva once his obligations to the UFC are fulfilled, seems like a good time for a cheap publicity-grabbing trip to Philly, doesn’t it?  That’s why RJJ announced via press release late Friday afternoon that he’d be attending UFC 101 tonight to see this Silva guy in action for himself.  But lest you be tempted to think it’s just a formerly great fighter wanting to enjoy the work of a currently great one, you should note that a) he sent out a goddamn press release about it, and b) of that press release, one sentence mentions Jones’ desire to see Silva fight in person, while the other two and a half paragraphs are devoted to telling you when, where, and for how much you can see his next fight with Jeff Lacy.

In other words, Jones is trying to see if he can’t get a little bit of the media spotlight devoted to UFC 101 in general, and Anderson Silva in particular, to spill on him.  We could look at that as a sign that Jones is desperate for attention in the last few years of his flagging career.  I prefer to look at it as a sign that MMA and the UFC have gotten so big time that the boxing world definitely wants some of what we got.  Can you blame them?

Don’t forget that we’ll be liveblogging tonight’s event, bringing you UFC 101 results and commentary all night long.  Meanwhile, Cage Potato reader Lebowski1976 will be enjoying the action live and in person.  How ‘bout pouring some out for the homies who couldn’t be there tonight, Lebowski.  Then go get your picture taken with the new Octagon girl.