Edgar-Ortega ‘all but done’ — but UFC 222 in jeopardy of losing PPV in favor of ‘Fight Night’ card
(https:)If you still haven't bought a ticket, you might want to see how this plays out.
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) will likely give top featherweight contender Brian Ortega the chance to steal Frankie Edgar’s 145-pound title shot when the promotion airs its live event on Sat., March 3, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
But the jury is still out on whether it will remain the UFC 222 pay-per-view (PPV) event, or be converted into a “Fight Night” card on FOX Sports 1, with Edgar-Ortega as the five-round headliner.
The latest from Helwani,
Seven fights announced for Invicta FC 28, including debut of Pearl Gonzalez
(https:)Invicta FC has announced the complete fight card for its event March 24.
Headlined by the previously announced clash between Janaisa Morandin and Virna Jandiroba for the vacant strawweight belt, Invicta FC 28 will be co-headlined by Mizuki Inoue vs. Milana Dudieva.
The Invicta card will take place at the Union Event Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Carls John de Tomas accepts one-year suspension for failed drug test
(https:)Carls John de Tomas is going to have to wait a while for another shot at his first UFC win.
The 21-year-old has accepted a one-year suspension after testing positive for furosemide in an in-competition drug test tied to his bout at UFC Fresno in December, the USADA announced Monday. Furosemide appears on the banned substances list of “Diuretics and Masking Agents” and is prohibited year-round.
Mario Yamasaki breaks silence about the controversial UFC Belem co-main event
(https:)Mario Yamasaki was heavily criticized after the flyweight bout between Valentina Shevchenko and Priscila Cachoeira for not stopping the fight sooner and allowing “Pedrita” to take unnecessary damage. Cachoeira was submitted in the second round.
In a statement sent to MMA Fighting on Monday night, the Brazilian referee responded to the criticism, admitting that he could have stopped the fight on several occasions - when Shevchenko had the mount and also the second time Cachoeira was trapped in a crucifix. He also discussed the criticism he’s received online, including Dana White’s Instagram post.
Check the full statement below.
Albert Morales welcomes newcomer Manny Bermudez at UFC on FOX 28
(mmajunkie.com)A bantamweight matchup between a fighter in real need of a win and an undefeated promotional newcomer has been added to UFC on FOX 28.
UFC officials today announced that Albert Morales (7-3-1 MMA, 1-3-1 UFC) will face Manny Bermudez (10-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) at the Feb. 24 event, which takes place at Amway Center in Orlando. The night’s main cards and prelims air on FOX following early prelims on UFC Fight Pass.
UFC Fight Night 125 Results: Bonus Winners, Highlights, Fight Score, Attendance And Gate
(https:)Be careful what you wish for, Eryk Anders. After his last win, the American middleweight called out Lyota Machida in his home country of Brazil. In the end, Machida emerged with a split-decision victory over Anders in the main event of UFC Fight Night 125 in Belem, Brazil.
Performance Bonuses - Valentina Shevchenko & Iuri Alcantara
Fight Of The Night - Thiago Santos vs Anthony Smith
Conor McGregor posts mocking message after Max Holloway’s UFC 222 withdrawal
(https:)Conor McGregor’s new nickname may as well be Mr. Rub Salt in the Wound.
Just hours after UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway was forced to pull out of his UFC 222 title defense against Frankie Edgar on Saturday due to a leg injury, McGregor fired an extra shot at his former foe over social media, mocking Holloway with an Instagram photo from the Irishman’s 2013 decision win over “Blessed.”
Aspen Ladd vs. Leslie Smith among additions to UFC Fight Night 128 in Atlantic City
(mmajunkie.com)The UFC’s spring return to New Jersey has started to build with the addition of three fights.
Aspen Ladd (6-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC) will take on Leslie Smith (10-7-1 MMA, 4-3 UFC) in a women’s bantamweight bout at UFC Fight Night 128.
In addition, Merab Dvalishvili (7-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC) will meet Augusto Mendes (6-2 MMA, 1-2 UFC) at bantamweight and Magomed Bibulatov (14-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) will fight Ulka Sasaki (20-5-2 MMA, 3-4 UFC) at flyweight. UFC officials announced the new bookings Saturday during the UFC Fight Night 125 broadcast.
UFC Fight Night 128 will take place April 21 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. The main card will air on FS1 following prelims on FS2 and UFC Fight Pass.
UFC announces UFC 224 in Rio de Janeiro, UFC 225 in Chicago
(https:)The Octagon is visiting some familiar stomping grounds, and also making some history, this spring.
During Saturday’s UFC Belem broadcast, a pair of pay-per-view dates were announced. UFC 224 will take place at the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro on May 12, while UFC 225 is booked for the United Center in Chicago on June 9.
Wilson Reis fights John Moraga at UFC on FOX 29
(https:)Wilson Reis and John Moraga will have to step over one another if they hope to get back into title contention.
The former flyweight championship challengers have been booked to fight at UFC on FOX 29 on April 14 at the Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz., officials announced Saturday.
Both Reis and Moraga are considered to be top contenders at 125 pounds and among the list of fighters who have taken a crack at knocking off divisional king Demetrious Johnson.
Max Holloway Withdraws from Title Defense vs. Frankie Edgar at UFC 222 Due to Injury
(sherdog.com)UFC 222 needs a new headliner.
Reigning featherweight champion Max Holloway has withdrawn from his scheduled title defense against Frankie Edgar at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on March 3 due to an unspecified injury. Multiple outlets have confirmed the news following an initial report from ESPN.com on Saturday.
The promotion has not officially pulled Holloway from the card, but it is reportedly exploring other options for a new UFC 222 headliner.
Holloway and Edgar were originally booked to fight at UFC 218 in December, but Edgar was forced to pull out of that bout due to injury. Instead, Holloway successfully defended his title with a third-round stoppage of Jose Aldo. Holloway claimed undisputed featherweight gold with a technical knockout of Aldo at UFC 212. The Hawaiian has won 12 fights in a row.
