UFC Live weigh-in: Jones, Vera both excited to get back to action

By Brett Okamoto

Saturday, March 20, 2010 | 3:55 p.m.

BROOMFIELD, Colo. — Denver-based fighters Brendan Schaub, Duane Ludwig and Eliot Marshall received the loudest applause from their home crowd during Saturday’s official weigh-in for the UFC Live on VERSUS at 1stBank Center.

The live event will be the first ever UFC card presented on VERSUS, which is the home of the WEC, the UFC’s sister company.

Main event fighters Jon Jones and Brandon Vera smiled at one another but had to be separated by UFC President Dana White when the two shoved up together too much for the boss’s liking.

Jones (9-1) is coming off the first loss of his career in December and is obviously eager to get back into the octagon.

“I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. I’m just excited,” said Jones after the two fighters were forced to separate. “There will be no ‘woulda, coulda or shoulda.’ I’m giving it everything I’ve got.”

Vera (11-4) is also coming off a disappointing loss at UFC 105 in which he dropped a unanimous decision to Randy Couture in a fight many believed he clearly won.

The 32-year-old fighter seemed just as excited as his younger opponent to put his last fight behind him.

“Mr. Jones is going to find out what I’m all about tomorrow night,” Vera said. “He’s ready to go and I’m ready to give it to him.”

Jones weighed in at 206 pounds; Vera at 204.

All 22 fighters made weight for Sunday’s event, although Ludwig appeared visibly drained from the cut.

James Irvin successfully cut to the 185-pound mark for the first time in his career, as he’s never fought before in the middleweight division. He’ll take on Alessio Sakara, who also weighed in at 185.

Full Results:

Jon Jones (206) VS Brandon Vera (204)

Gabriel Gonzaga (255) VS Junior Dos Santos (238)

Paul Buentello (246) VS Cheick Kongo (237)

James Irvin (185) VS Alessio Sakara (185)

Shannon Gugerty (155) VS Clay Guida (155)

Vladimir Matyushenko (205) VS Eliot Marshall (204)

Darren Elkins (155) VS Duane Ludwig (155)

John Howard (170) VS Daniel Roberts (169)

Chase Gormley (265) VS Brendan Schaub (264)

Julio Paulino (170) VS Mike Pierce (170)

Jason Brilz (205) VS Eric Schafer (205)

Brett Okamoto can be reached at 948-7817 or [email protected]. Also follow him on twitter: LVSunFighting.