Bellator & Gilbert Melendez Agree on Structure to Bring Top Lightweight To Bellator
(bellator.com)
UFC Now Holds Right to Match Offer
Newport Beach, Calif. (February 14, 2014) – At 22-3, Gilbert Melendez sits atop the UFC’s lightweight division. With victories over Josh Thomson, Diego Sanchez, Shinya Aoki and Jorge Masvidal, “El Nino” is ready for a new crop of challengers as the Santa Ana native has agreed to a multi-fight, multi-year deal structure with Bellator that can pit Melendez against some of MMA’s best, including Eddie Alvarez, Michael Chandler, Will Brooks, Dave Jansen and a host of top lightweights from around the world.
Patrick Cummins signs with UFC, faces Daniel Cormier at UFC 170
(mmajunkie.com)
Cummins made his professional debut in December 2010, scoring a TKO win under the Strikeforce banner. He’s competed a total of four times, with all four bouts ending via first-round stoppage. His most recent appearance was in May 2013, and Cummins has struggled to find willing opponents since.
Cormier apparently had no such concerns.
Despite Sonnen's offer, Evans vs. Cormier rebooking targeted for UFC 172
(mmajunkie.com)Although UFC officials said the bout has been scrapped entirely after Rashad Evans (21-3-1 MMA, 14-3-1 UFC) suffered a leg injury and was forced out of next week’s UFC 170 co-headliner, at least one notable has offered to step up as a replacement.
With Daniel Cormier (13-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) now left without an opponent for next weekend’s pay-per-view card, Chael Sonnen (29-13-1 MMA, 7-6 UFC) said he’s willing to take the fight, which takes place at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay Events Center.
Sonnen, citing Cormier’s “attitude,” said he’s apparently prepared enough for the fight:
Rashad Evans injured, bout at UFC 170 with Daniel Cormier canceled
(sports.yahoo.com)Former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans injured a knee in training and his bout at UFC 170 against unbeaten Daniel Cormier scheduled for Feb. 22 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas has been canceled.
UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta said he did not have details on the injury, but said doctors told him that Evans needed four weeks of rehabilitation. He said UFC officials are looking at potentially adding the fight to UFC 172 on April 26 in Baltimore.
With Evans-Cormier off the card, the fight between Rory MacDonald and Demian Maia is expected to move into the slot as the co-main event behind the women's bantamweight title fight between Ronda Rousey and challenger Sara McMann.
Cormier was preparing to make the move from heavyweight to light heavyweight, but his debut will have to wait.
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