MMA News Thread
- Thread starter Shogun Locc
- Start date
Anthony Pettis vs. Gilbert Melendez confirmed for UFC's end-of-year event
UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis (17-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) will be back in action by year’s end, attempting his first title defense against onetime title challenger Gilbert Melendez (22-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC).
UFC President Dana White made the announcement today during a news conference held in Puerto Rico, where he also touted Pettis’ return to the country for a fight in 2015.
Pettis appeared earlier this month at a UFC Q&A and said he was still on the mend from a surgery to repair a torn PCL he suffered in his title-winning performance against Benson Henderson at this past August’s UFC 164.
The UFC originally expected the new champ to return in July and contemplated pairing him against Jose Aldo, but then settled on Melendez, who will coach “The Ultimate Fighter 19″ opposite Pettis in advance of their fight.
The year-end event has yet to receive a confirmed date or venue, but is expected for Las Vegas and is likely to be UFC 182. The promotion already has booked UFC 181 for Montreal earlier in the month. The most likely date for the card is Dec. 27.
When they square off, Pettis and Melendez will have had year-plus layoffs since their most recent fight. Melendez defeated Diego Sanchez at this past October’s UFC 166, but then was delayed by a contentious contract negotiation.
Pettis and his younger brother, Sergio, were present for the UFC’s press conference and toured the island in addition to holding a seminar for aspiring MMA fighters, according to a press release issued today.
White also appointed former boxing promoter Peter Rivera as a regional representative for the UFC.
“The UFC is committed to growing the sport on the island of Puerto Rico,” White stated in the release. “I’m excited to partner with somebody as accomplished and respected as Peter Rivera, who we will work alongside in building the UFC in Puerto Rico.”
White tweeted a picture of the 18,000-seat Coliseo de Puerto Rico as configured for a UFC event and posed for a photo op with former boxer Felix Trindad, who attended the news conference.
The UFC promoted an event in Puerto Rico, UFC 8, under its previous owners, Semaphore Entertainment Group. Local officials attempted to block the no-holds-barred event with a court order, but were outmaneuvered in court.
UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis (17-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) will be back in action by year’s end, attempting his first title defense against onetime title challenger Gilbert Melendez (22-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC).
UFC President Dana White made the announcement today during a news conference held in Puerto Rico, where he also touted Pettis’ return to the country for a fight in 2015.
Pettis appeared earlier this month at a UFC Q&A and said he was still on the mend from a surgery to repair a torn PCL he suffered in his title-winning performance against Benson Henderson at this past August’s UFC 164.
The UFC originally expected the new champ to return in July and contemplated pairing him against Jose Aldo, but then settled on Melendez, who will coach “The Ultimate Fighter 19″ opposite Pettis in advance of their fight.
The year-end event has yet to receive a confirmed date or venue, but is expected for Las Vegas and is likely to be UFC 182. The promotion already has booked UFC 181 for Montreal earlier in the month. The most likely date for the card is Dec. 27.
When they square off, Pettis and Melendez will have had year-plus layoffs since their most recent fight. Melendez defeated Diego Sanchez at this past October’s UFC 166, but then was delayed by a contentious contract negotiation.
Pettis and his younger brother, Sergio, were present for the UFC’s press conference and toured the island in addition to holding a seminar for aspiring MMA fighters, according to a press release issued today.
White also appointed former boxing promoter Peter Rivera as a regional representative for the UFC.
“The UFC is committed to growing the sport on the island of Puerto Rico,” White stated in the release. “I’m excited to partner with somebody as accomplished and respected as Peter Rivera, who we will work alongside in building the UFC in Puerto Rico.”
White tweeted a picture of the 18,000-seat Coliseo de Puerto Rico as configured for a UFC event and posed for a photo op with former boxer Felix Trindad, who attended the news conference.
The UFC promoted an event in Puerto Rico, UFC 8, under its previous owners, Semaphore Entertainment Group. Local officials attempted to block the no-holds-barred event with a court order, but were outmaneuvered in court.
UFC bantamweight champ Renan Barao faces T.J. Dillashaw in new UFC 173 headliner
LAS VEGAS – Renan Barao, the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s bantamweight champion, will be the new headliner for the May 24 UFC 173 card, replacing injured Chris Weidman, USA TODAY Sports and MMAjunkie have learned.
UFC President Dana White confirmed Thursday that Barao (32-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) will face Team Alpha Male contender T.J. Dillashaw (9-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in the main event at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The Barao-Dillashaw bout replaces the original main event between Weidman, the middleweight titleholder, and former light heavyweight champ Lyoto Machida. That bout has been pushed back to UFC 175 on July 5 due to Weidman’s injury.
The Barao-Dillashaw title fight headlines the evening’s five-bout pay-per-view main card, which follows preliminary bouts on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.
Barao looks to defend the undisputed bantamweight title for a second time. The Brazilian, 27, who boasts a 32-fight unbeaten streak, claimed the promotion’s interim title in 2012 when then-champ Dominick Cruz was forced to the sidelines.
He defended the temporary title twice before Cruz’s extended layoff forced the promotion to grant Barao full championship status. Barao answered in style, downing Dillashaw’s teammate, Urijah Faber, in the first round at February’s UFC 169, giving the champ his first defense of the undisputed title.
Meanwhile, Dillashaw fought most recently in January, earning a convincing decision win against Mike Easton. A finalist on “The Ultimate Fighter 14,” Dillashaw, 28, fell short in his bid for the season’s tournament win in a TKO loss to John Dodson. Since that defeat, however, Dillashaw has gone 5-1 in six UFC contests. The loss came in a contentious split decision to Raphael Assuncao in a hard-fought October 2013 matchup.
This past week, Barao told MMAjunkie he expected Assuncao to be named as his next challenger. USA TODAY Sports confirmed Assuncao was under consideration for the UFC 173 spot, but lingering injuries will keep him sidelined for now.
Dillashaw had been expected to face Takeya Mizugaki at UFC 173. The longtime Japanese contender now awaits a new opponent.
LAS VEGAS – Renan Barao, the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s bantamweight champion, will be the new headliner for the May 24 UFC 173 card, replacing injured Chris Weidman, USA TODAY Sports and MMAjunkie have learned.
UFC President Dana White confirmed Thursday that Barao (32-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) will face Team Alpha Male contender T.J. Dillashaw (9-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in the main event at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena.
The Barao-Dillashaw bout replaces the original main event between Weidman, the middleweight titleholder, and former light heavyweight champ Lyoto Machida. That bout has been pushed back to UFC 175 on July 5 due to Weidman’s injury.
The Barao-Dillashaw title fight headlines the evening’s five-bout pay-per-view main card, which follows preliminary bouts on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.
Barao looks to defend the undisputed bantamweight title for a second time. The Brazilian, 27, who boasts a 32-fight unbeaten streak, claimed the promotion’s interim title in 2012 when then-champ Dominick Cruz was forced to the sidelines.
He defended the temporary title twice before Cruz’s extended layoff forced the promotion to grant Barao full championship status. Barao answered in style, downing Dillashaw’s teammate, Urijah Faber, in the first round at February’s UFC 169, giving the champ his first defense of the undisputed title.
Meanwhile, Dillashaw fought most recently in January, earning a convincing decision win against Mike Easton. A finalist on “The Ultimate Fighter 14,” Dillashaw, 28, fell short in his bid for the season’s tournament win in a TKO loss to John Dodson. Since that defeat, however, Dillashaw has gone 5-1 in six UFC contests. The loss came in a contentious split decision to Raphael Assuncao in a hard-fought October 2013 matchup.
This past week, Barao told MMAjunkie he expected Assuncao to be named as his next challenger. USA TODAY Sports confirmed Assuncao was under consideration for the UFC 173 spot, but lingering injuries will keep him sidelined for now.
Dillashaw had been expected to face Takeya Mizugaki at UFC 173. The longtime Japanese contender now awaits a new opponent.
Georges St-Pierre announces ACL tear, potential UFC return date delayed
GSP-SILVA LOOKS GOOD NOW FOR BOTH GUYS NOW...
St-Pierre also posted a slightly longer version of the same message on Facebook, where he revealed the injury happened just this past week, but that he’s determined ro return to full health.
Just got confirmation that I tore my left knee ACL during training this week… Surgery in a few days and rehab starts right away. We all face challenges in our lives and I know only one way to take this one: Pain, hard work, no shortcuts and I will soon be back at 100%. Stay tuned and thanks for your amazing support, as always.
St-Pierre hasn’t fought since November, when he scored a narrow split-decision win over Johny Hendricks. However, after the win, “Rush” announced he wanted to relinquish the belt in favor of some time way from the sport.
Hendricks then defeated Robbie Lawler earlier this month at UFC 171 to become the UFC’s undisputed welterweight champion.
Despite St-Pierre willingly handing over the belt, UFC President Dana White has remained confident the future UFC Hall of Famer will indeed fight again. When (or if) that will now take place remains to be seen.
St-Pierre is no stranger to ACL tears, as he blew out his left knee in 2011 and was forced to go under the knife. Recovery from that setback took approximately one full year.
Georges St-Pierre ✔ G @George sStPierre
Follow
Tore my left ACL in training. Surgery in a few days. Rehab, pain, hard work, no shortcuts- I'll soon be back at 100%. Thanks for the support
3:50 PM - 27 Mar 2014
GSP-SILVA LOOKS GOOD NOW FOR BOTH GUYS NOW...
St-Pierre also posted a slightly longer version of the same message on Facebook, where he revealed the injury happened just this past week, but that he’s determined ro return to full health.
Just got confirmation that I tore my left knee ACL during training this week… Surgery in a few days and rehab starts right away. We all face challenges in our lives and I know only one way to take this one: Pain, hard work, no shortcuts and I will soon be back at 100%. Stay tuned and thanks for your amazing support, as always.
St-Pierre hasn’t fought since November, when he scored a narrow split-decision win over Johny Hendricks. However, after the win, “Rush” announced he wanted to relinquish the belt in favor of some time way from the sport.
Hendricks then defeated Robbie Lawler earlier this month at UFC 171 to become the UFC’s undisputed welterweight champion.
Despite St-Pierre willingly handing over the belt, UFC President Dana White has remained confident the future UFC Hall of Famer will indeed fight again. When (or if) that will now take place remains to be seen.
St-Pierre is no stranger to ACL tears, as he blew out his left knee in 2011 and was forced to go under the knife. Recovery from that setback took approximately one full year.
Georges St-Pierre ✔ G @George sStPierre
Follow
Tore my left ACL in training. Surgery in a few days. Rehab, pain, hard work, no shortcuts- I'll soon be back at 100%. Thanks for the support
3:50 PM - 27 Mar 2014
Demian Maia vs. Mike Pierce in works for UFC Fight Night 42
Two standout welterweights will attempt to restart a push toward the belt at UFC Fight Night 42.
Demian Maia (18-6 MMA, 12-6 UFC) and Mike Pierce (17-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) are expected to meet at the event, which serves as the finale to “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3″ and takes place May 31 at Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sao Paulo.
MMAjunkie confirmed with sources close to the event that bout agreements are in the process of being finalized after an initial report on FOX Sports 1′s “UFC Tonight.” The bout is expected for the summer event’s main-card.
Maia, 36, returns to the cage after a disappointing loss to Rory MacDonald at this past month’s UFC 170, which brought his record at 170 pounds to 3-2 after dropping from the middleweight class in 2012.
The onetime middleweight title challenger will pit his world-class submission skills against the wrestling-centered attack of Pierce, whose four-fight win streak was snapped this past October in a quick submission loss to Rousimar Palhares.
Pierce, 33, has beaten every non-ranked opponent he’s faced inside the octagon but has fallen short to top-10 opposition. A win over Maia would put a quality win on his UFC resume.
In the headliner of UFC Fight Night 42, “TUF: Brazil 3″ coaches Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva square off in a grudge match.
Two standout welterweights will attempt to restart a push toward the belt at UFC Fight Night 42.
Demian Maia (18-6 MMA, 12-6 UFC) and Mike Pierce (17-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) are expected to meet at the event, which serves as the finale to “The Ultimate Fighter: Brazil 3″ and takes place May 31 at Ibirapuera Gymnasium in Sao Paulo.
MMAjunkie confirmed with sources close to the event that bout agreements are in the process of being finalized after an initial report on FOX Sports 1′s “UFC Tonight.” The bout is expected for the summer event’s main-card.
Maia, 36, returns to the cage after a disappointing loss to Rory MacDonald at this past month’s UFC 170, which brought his record at 170 pounds to 3-2 after dropping from the middleweight class in 2012.
The onetime middleweight title challenger will pit his world-class submission skills against the wrestling-centered attack of Pierce, whose four-fight win streak was snapped this past October in a quick submission loss to Rousimar Palhares.
Pierce, 33, has beaten every non-ranked opponent he’s faced inside the octagon but has fallen short to top-10 opposition. A win over Maia would put a quality win on his UFC resume.
In the headliner of UFC Fight Night 42, “TUF: Brazil 3″ coaches Chael Sonnen and Wanderlei Silva square off in a grudge match.
Raphael Assuncao explains why he isn't fighting Renan Barao at UFC 173
raphael-assuncao-ufc-fight-night-29So why did T.J. Dillashaw (9-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) get a title shot against UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao (32-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and not Raphael Assuncao (22-4 MMA, 6-1 UFC)?
Simple, Assuncao said: He wasn’t physically ready to go.
The Brazilian today shared the reason:
After UFC 173 lost a planned headliner between Chris Weidman and Lyoto Machida, Dillashaw was booked to fight bantamweight champion Renan Barao (32-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) in the event’s new championship main event. MMAjunkie first reported the fight on Thursday.
UFC 173 takes place May 24 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.
Dillashaw is ranked No. 8 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA bantamweight rankings, but Assuncao is three spots ahead at No. 5. In fact, Assuncao earned a split-decision victory over Dillashaw (though most major media outlets scored it for Dillashaw, according to MMADecision.com) back in October.
As MMAjunkie reported Thursday, the UFC first contacted Assuncao about the title shot, but the 31-year-old wouldn’t be ready with two months’ notice. The fighter injured his rib in his UFC 170 decision victory over Pedro Munhoz. It moved the WEC vet’s current winning streak to six fights, and after the event, UFC President Dana White suggested the Brazilian could be next for a title shot. Even Barao, himself, recently endorsed the plan.
For now, though, Assuncao will recover from his injury and plan to fight the Barao vs. Dillashaw winner
Raphael Assuncao ✔ @RaphaAssuncao
Follow
Because of my injury sustained at UFC 170 (fractured rib) I could NOT take the fight for the title against Barão May 24 UFC 173
I am Sorry!
raphael-assuncao-ufc-fight-night-29So why did T.J. Dillashaw (9-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) get a title shot against UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao (32-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) and not Raphael Assuncao (22-4 MMA, 6-1 UFC)?
Simple, Assuncao said: He wasn’t physically ready to go.
The Brazilian today shared the reason:
After UFC 173 lost a planned headliner between Chris Weidman and Lyoto Machida, Dillashaw was booked to fight bantamweight champion Renan Barao (32-1 MMA, 7-0 UFC) in the event’s new championship main event. MMAjunkie first reported the fight on Thursday.
UFC 173 takes place May 24 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.
Dillashaw is ranked No. 8 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA bantamweight rankings, but Assuncao is three spots ahead at No. 5. In fact, Assuncao earned a split-decision victory over Dillashaw (though most major media outlets scored it for Dillashaw, according to MMADecision.com) back in October.
As MMAjunkie reported Thursday, the UFC first contacted Assuncao about the title shot, but the 31-year-old wouldn’t be ready with two months’ notice. The fighter injured his rib in his UFC 170 decision victory over Pedro Munhoz. It moved the WEC vet’s current winning streak to six fights, and after the event, UFC President Dana White suggested the Brazilian could be next for a title shot. Even Barao, himself, recently endorsed the plan.
For now, though, Assuncao will recover from his injury and plan to fight the Barao vs. Dillashaw winner
Raphael Assuncao ✔ @RaphaAssuncao
Follow
Because of my injury sustained at UFC 170 (fractured rib) I could NOT take the fight for the title against Barão May 24 UFC 173
I am Sorry!
Ross Pearson vs. Diego Sanchez added to UFC Fight Night 43 in Albuquerque
A lightweight matchup that looks entertaining on paper has been added to June’s UFC Fight Night 43 event.
The Albuquerque Journal first reported the booking, which takes place at Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, N.M. UFC officials subsequently confirmed the matchup.
A lightweight matchup that looks entertaining on paper has been added to June’s UFC Fight Night 43 event.
The Albuquerque Journal first reported the booking, which takes place at Tingley Coliseum, Albuquerque, N.M. UFC officials subsequently confirmed the matchup.
Francis Carmont vs. C.B. Dollaway co-headlines UFC Fight Night 41 in Berlin
Middleweight contenders Francis Carmont (22-8 MMA, 6-0 UFC) and C.B. Dollaway (14-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) will co-headline UFC Fight Night 41 in May.
UFC officials today announced the bout.
UFC Fight Night 41 takes place May 31 at the O2 World Berlin in Germany. The card, which streams in its entirety on UFC Fight Pass in the U.S., marks the company’s first event in Germany since November 2010.
Carmont, who’s ranked No. 9 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA middleweight rankings, won his first six UFC fights and pushed his overall winning streak to 11. However, at UFC Fight Night 36 in February, the 32-year-old Tristar fighter suffered a decision loss to rising 185-pound contender Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza.
He looks to get back on track against Dollaway, who recently upset Cezar Ferreira at UFC Fight Night 38 for his third win in four fights. The 30-year-old, a former Arizona State wrestler who had a runner-up finish on “The Ultimate Fighter 7,” has struggled with consistency since his time on the reality show. But a victory over the highly ranked Carmont would be a big boost to his title aspirations.
The latest UFC Fight Night 41 lineup now includes:
•Gegard Mousasi vs. Mark Munoz
•Francis Carmont vs. C.B. Dollaway
•Drew Dober vs. Nick Hein
•Luke Barnatt vs. Sean Strickland
•Pawel Pawlak vs. Peter Sobotta
•Magnus Cedenblad vs. Krzysztof Jotko
Middleweight contenders Francis Carmont (22-8 MMA, 6-0 UFC) and C.B. Dollaway (14-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC) will co-headline UFC Fight Night 41 in May.
UFC officials today announced the bout.
UFC Fight Night 41 takes place May 31 at the O2 World Berlin in Germany. The card, which streams in its entirety on UFC Fight Pass in the U.S., marks the company’s first event in Germany since November 2010.
Carmont, who’s ranked No. 9 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA middleweight rankings, won his first six UFC fights and pushed his overall winning streak to 11. However, at UFC Fight Night 36 in February, the 32-year-old Tristar fighter suffered a decision loss to rising 185-pound contender Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza.
He looks to get back on track against Dollaway, who recently upset Cezar Ferreira at UFC Fight Night 38 for his third win in four fights. The 30-year-old, a former Arizona State wrestler who had a runner-up finish on “The Ultimate Fighter 7,” has struggled with consistency since his time on the reality show. But a victory over the highly ranked Carmont would be a big boost to his title aspirations.
The latest UFC Fight Night 41 lineup now includes:
•Gegard Mousasi vs. Mark Munoz
•Francis Carmont vs. C.B. Dollaway
•Drew Dober vs. Nick Hein
•Luke Barnatt vs. Sean Strickland
•Pawel Pawlak vs. Peter Sobotta
•Magnus Cedenblad vs. Krzysztof Jotko
UFC on FOX 12 slated for July 26 in San Jose
The UFC will host a network-televised event on July 26 with UFC on FOX 12.
The event takes place at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, officials announced Thursday.
A fight card and ticket on-sale date will be announced in the coming weeks.
Although UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez helped make the show’s announcement at Thursday’s San Jose Sharks vs. Winnipeg Jet NHL game, the titleholder, who trains at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, won’t be part of the lineup as he recovers from a shoulder injury.
As with other UFC on FOX shows, a four-bout main card is expected to air on FOX following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.
The UFC’s next network event, UFC on FOX 11, takes place April 19 in Orlando. The San Jose show will be the third of four FOX events planned for 2014.
San Jose, the longtime home of the now-defunct Strikeforce promotion, most recently hosted a UFC show in April 2013, when UFC on FOX 7 took place at HP Pavilion. Then-UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson narrowly edged Gilbert Melendez in the headliner.
The UFC will host a network-televised event on July 26 with UFC on FOX 12.
The event takes place at San Jose’s HP Pavilion, officials announced Thursday.
A fight card and ticket on-sale date will be announced in the coming weeks.
Although UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez helped make the show’s announcement at Thursday’s San Jose Sharks vs. Winnipeg Jet NHL game, the titleholder, who trains at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, won’t be part of the lineup as he recovers from a shoulder injury.
As with other UFC on FOX shows, a four-bout main card is expected to air on FOX following prelims on FOX Sports 1 and UFC Fight Pass.
The UFC’s next network event, UFC on FOX 11, takes place April 19 in Orlando. The San Jose show will be the third of four FOX events planned for 2014.
San Jose, the longtime home of the now-defunct Strikeforce promotion, most recently hosted a UFC show in April 2013, when UFC on FOX 7 took place at HP Pavilion. Then-UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson narrowly edged Gilbert Melendez in the headliner.