Radio: Brad Blackburn Is Ready For His UFC Shot

by Ariel Helwani, MMARated.com

Brad Blackburn has been competing in MMA for close to seven years. Along the way, the Washington-native has battled the likes of Roger Huerta and Jay Hieron although he never received that coveted call from the UFC to fight on one of their shows. That is until now.

Next weekend at UFN 14, Blackburn (12-9-1) will make his Octagon debut against another UFC newcomer, James Giboo (11-2). One of the most overlooked aspects of the entire Affliction vs. UFC programming war is that ten new fighters, including Blackburn and Giboo, will be making their UFC debut on 7/19 - an opportunity that might not have presented itself without the emergence of Affliction as a new fight promotion.

MMARated spoke to Blackburn a week before UFN 14 to talk about:
* His thoughts on making his UFC debut
* His contract situation with the UFC
* His current status with the IFL
* His thoughts on the demise of the IFL
* Jay Larkin's comments on MMA
* The story behind him almost fighting at UFC 85 against Roan Carneiro
* His thoughts on his 7/19 opponent, James Giboo

Check the full interview by copying and pasting this link.

http://mmarated.com/articles/article/news/20080711/radio__brad_blackburn_is_ready_for_his_ufc_shot-15074.html