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Friday news update: MMA site news, Smackdown tonight, UK ratings plus news and notes on Flair, The Rock and much more

Don’t forget that tomorrow night sees the opening of MMAPreview.com, our website dedicated to all things MMA with the latest news and analysis from the UFC and many more UFC promotions. To help kick things off, we’ll be giving away some UFC DVDs next week, so keep an eye out for that.

Don’t forget to also visit OddsPreview.com for the latest sports news and betting offers. Euro 2008 is reaching a climax, plus there’s the French Grand Prix this Sunday and Wimbledon starting on Monday, so for those of you who follow sports away from MMA and professional wrestling, head on over there!

- Smackdown is tonight with Batista vs. Chavo Guerrero. ECW Champion Kane vs. MVP, Matt Hardy vs. Bam Neely, Finlay vs. The Miz, Michelle McCool vs. Layla El, Jamie Noble vs. Vladimir Kozlov and Jesse & Festus vs. Deuce & Domino.

- UK ratings for the week ending June 8, courtesy of Ian Hamilton:

Not wrestling related, but Gladiators (the UK version) dropped down to 588,000 viewers - losing almost one million viewers in its fifth week (week 1 got 1.5m viewers…)

Raw (from June 2) drew 38,000 on Thursday night (-16,000) and drew 45,000 on Friday night.

SmackDown (from June 6) drew 76,000 in its first run on Friday night and drew 37,000 on a Saturday morning replay.

A replay of One Night Stand drew 37,000 on Monday (the live show drew 130,000 counted in the prior week’s ratings).

- ECW on Sci-Fi this past Tuesday night did a 1.0 cable rating.

- WWE will be holding a press conference at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas on Tuesday at 12noon local time to launch the countdown to WrestleMania XXV. Triple H, Edge, CM Punk, Vince McMahon and Batista are all scheduled to appear

- Alex Marvez’s latest syndicated column has an interview with Ron Simmons, talking about where his “Damn!” catchphrase came from, entering rehab and more at this link.

- Ric Flair is scheduled to make an appearance at the NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest in Charlotte, North Carolina on Friday, August 15.

- The Associated Press today reported that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has received the Horizon Award, which recognises people who help expand opportunities and set a good example for young Americans.

- Special WWE night for wounded soldiers, veterans

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