Each day, The MMA Corner will provide a recap of results, event announcements, fight matchups, and injuries/cancellations from throughout the world of MMA

FTC closes investigation into UFC/Strikeforce deal

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has concluded their investigation into Zuffa’s business practices.

“Upon further review of this matter, it now appears that no further action is warranted by the commission at this time,” stated a letter published this past Wednesday by FTC. “Accordingly, the investigation has been closed.”

Zuffa LLC owns the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Explosion Entertainment is the former owner of Strikeforce.

The FTC was investigating whether Zuffa violated “Section 7 of the Clayton Act or Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act” when it purchased Strikeforce this past March. Section 7 of the Clayton Act addresses business monopolies while section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act addresses unfair or deceptive business practices.

Although the investigation has been concluded the letter stated, “The Commission reserves the right to take such further action as the public interest may require.”

Source: MMA Junkie

Hallman, Ferguson to square off at UFC on Fox 2

A lightweight bout between Dennis “Superman” Hallman and Tony “El Cucoy” Ferguson has been added to UFC on Fox 3, which takes place on May 5 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J.

Hallman will be making his first appearance at 155 pounds since he clashed with John Makdessi at UFC 140 in December, when he failed to make weight by 2.5 pounds. Ferguson is the winner of The Ultimate Fighter 13.

Source: Sherdog

Gerald Harris meets D.J. Linderman at Legacy 10 on HDNet

Gerald Harris was scheduled to face Artenas Young. However, for undisclosed reasons, the former UFC and Dream veteran has a new opponent for his upcoming main event on HDNet.

Harris will meet Bellator vet D.J. Linderman at Legacy Fighting Championships 10, which takes place at Houston’s Arena Theater on Feb. 4.

Source: MMA Junkie

Melvin Manhoef to face Renato ‘Babalu’ Sobral at One FC 3

Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Renato “Babalu” Sobral will face off against K-1 veteran Melvin Manhoef in the main event of One FC 3 on March 31 in Singapore

Sobral missed all of 2011 with a shoulder injury, last seeing action in a first-round KO loss to Dan Henderson at Strikeforce in St. Louis in December 2010.

Manhoef has lost his last three MMA fights in the first round, and recently fought over the weekend in a losing effort under kickboxing rules against Tyrone Spong at an It’s Showtime event in Amsterdam.

Source: MMA Fighting

Joey Beltran released from UFC

Joey Beltran has been released from the UFC following his loss to Lavar Johnson at UFC on Fox 2. Confirming the news via his Twitter account on Wednesday, Beltran went 3-4 overall during his time with the UFC, but lost in four of his last five fights in the promotion.

Source: MMA Weekly

UFC on Fox 2 Averaged 4.7 Million Viewers on Fox

UFC on Fox 2 earned an average of 4.7 million viewers for its Saturday night broadcast on Fox. The broadcast also posted respective ratings of 3.21 and 3.20 in the Male 18-49 and 18-34 demographics.

All three figures are a decline from the promotion’s debut effort on Fox in November, which was the most-watched MMA event in U.S. broadcast history. UFC on Fox 1, featuring a heavyweight title main event between Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez, attracted an average of 5.7 million viewers and earned ratings of 4.0 and 4.3 in the aforementioned male demographics.

Source: Sherdog

Final medical suspensions, gate and attendance numbers for UFC on Fox 2

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation has released The final medical suspensions, attendance and gate receipts have from UFC on Fox 2.

Here are the full medical suspensions from UFC on Fox 2:

Phil Davis suspended 45 days, no contact for 30 days
Chris Weidman suspended 30 days, no contact for 21 days
Nik Lentz suspended 45 days, no contact for 30 days
John Olav Einemo suspended 30 days, no contact for 21 days
George Roop suspended 45 days, no contact 30 days
Joey Beltran suspended 60 days, no contact 45 days
Dustin Jacoby suspended 45 days, no contact 30 days
Chris Camozzi suspended 30 days, no contact 21 days

The final gate and attendance numbers for the UFC on Fox 2 show were also released from Illinois as well.

The final paid attendance was 15,872 with 1,091 tickets being comped. The final gate totaled out at $1,270,960.

Source: MMA Weekly

Photo: Dana White (FoxSports)