Martial Arts News

WHAT A START TO THE YEAR

@BlessedMMA vs @CalvinKattar on Fight Island

[ Saturday at 3pmET on @ABCNetwork ] pic.twitter.com/E7a6ovLEtP — UFC (@ufc) January 15, 2021 Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. The Ultimate Fighting Championship kicks off 2021 with a return to network television as it puts on its first show on the American Broadcasting Company. Headlining UFC on ABC 1 is a featherweight bout between former king Max Holloway and surging contender Calvin Kattar. The 11-fight card is now official after the weigh-ins took place, and all fighters managed to make weight.

Many fans don’t believe that Holloway (21-6) should be called a former champion. Many spectators thought “Blessed” did enough to win his rematch against Alexander Volkanovski, but the Hawaiian was on the wrong side of a split decision. Prior to losing back-to-b…

From my conversation with @LFAfighting boss @edblackhouse, as he talks #LFA becoming the #NCAA of #MMA. Sending 62 talents to the #UFC and #Bellator in 2020 alone. Full interview also talking promoting during a #pandemic is up on @sherdogdotcom now. pic.twitter.com/Auo9VVwD34

— Jason Burgos (@CheapSeatsChat) January 14, 2021 The Legacy Fighting Alliance will hold its first mixed martial arts event of 2021 on Friday, and the championship topper is good to go.

LFA 97 is headlined by a lightweight bout between Nick Browne and Arthur Estrazulas for the promotion's vacant title. The nine-fight card is now official after the weigh-ins took place.

Both fighters in the main event had no issue making weight, but three other fighters came in heavy. Jose Martinez and Cam Ansel both failed to make the lightweight limit, while Guilherme Santos missed the featherweight cap by 1.6 pounds. All three matches are still going forward, though, with the ove…

BREAKING: Ryan Hall is back! Multiple sources have told me that Hall is set to return to the Octagon on March 13 against Dan Ige. Contracts have already been issued for the fight. #UFC https://t.co/NyGnkNce0g

— Cole Shelton (@ColeShelton91) January 14, 2021 Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight Ryan Hall is back in action for the first time since 2019. The news first coming from BJPenn.com on Thursday, Hall (8-1) will be setting foot inside the Octagon after a lengthy layoff against Dan Ige (14-3). The two featherweights will collide at the UFC Fight Night card on March 13, which will presumably take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The news has since been confirmed by other outlets. Hall previously called out Ige in November on Instagram, and he will now be getting his wish, as the two h…

UFC news: Marijuana no longer violates anti-doping policy. https://t.co/SE25ebYQyh

— Jeff Novitzky (@JeffNovitzkyUFC) January 14, 2021 Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the UFC live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. The Ultimate Fighting Championship and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency are turning the corner on marijuana in the sport. Per MMA Junkie on Thursday, the promotion and agency announced together that the marijuana policies in effect for the UFC athletes has changed drastically. As a result, fighters that test positive for marijuana, no matter the level or threshold the fighter reaches, will not be found in violation of the anti-doping policy. This new policy also applies to various substances found in CBD products. Instead, fighters will be evaluated for if they used the substance for “performance-enhancing purposes.”

This change will not impact commissions or federations…

Miranda Maverick will square off against Gillian Robertson in a flyweight contest at UFC 258.

Maverick initially announced the bout on her Instagram account and it was later confirmed by MMAFighting.com. UFC 258 is expected to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Feb. 13 and is headlined by a welterweight title tilt between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns.

Maverick has won four consective fights, including a first-round stoppage of Liana Jojua at UFC 254 on Oct. 24. The Invicta FC veteran’s current winning streak includes triumphs over Pearl Gonzalez and DeAnna Bennett.

Robertson, meanwhile, had a two-fight winning streak snapped in a decision loss to Taila Santos at UFC Fight Night 183 on Dec. 19. Prior to that Robertson had posted victories over Poliana Botelho and Cortney Casey in the Octagon.

Carlos Condit will enter his UFC on ABC 1 bout against Matt Brown on the final fight of his current promotional deal.

“The Natural Born Killer” isn’t looking too far ahead, however. Not after ending a five-bout losing streak with a much-needed decision triumph over Court McGee this past October.

“My performance over the last couple years has not been stellar,” Condit said during a virtual media session on Wednesday. “It has not been the best period of my career as far as wins and losses. What’s really important is putting on a good show on Saturday night, and then I think I’ll be in a good position to kind of figure out exactly what I want to do.”

UFC president Dana White said that the promotion would make more than 60 cuts before the conclusion of 2020, and while it’s unclear if that figure has been reached, notably names such as Yoel Romero and Anthony Pettis are no longer with the Las Vegas-based organization.

If Condit doesn’t deliver a victory on Sat…

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is heading back to Sin City next month.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission approved UFC events for Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb. 20 and Feb. 27 during a meeting on Wednesday. None of the cards have been officially announced by the promotion, but it is likely that all four will take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

As it stands, UFC Fight Night on Feb. 6 is expected to be headlined by a heavyweight tilt between Alistair Overeem and Alexander Volkov; UFC 258 on Feb. 13 features a welterweight championship clash between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns; UFC Fight Night on Feb. 20 is topped by a heavyweight bout pitting Curtis Blaydes against Derrick Lewis and UFC Fight Night on Feb. 27 will see a light heavyweight main event between Dominick Reyes and Jiri Prochazka.

That means the Las Vegas-based organization is likely to return to U.S. soil following a trio of events on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 16, Jan. 20 and Jan. 23.

The GLORY family is heartbroken to learn of Melissa Van Roosmalen’s passing and critical injuries sustained to Robin Van Roosmalen in a car accident. We send our deepest condolences to the Van Roosmalen family and their loved ones. pic.twitter.com/A1SMuCLMh4

— GLORY Kickboxing (@GLORY_WS) January 13, 2021

Robin Van Roosmalen has been hospitalized with injuries suffered in a serious car accident on Wednesday, according to a report from RTV Utrecht.

Van Roosmalen and his sister, Melissa Van Roosmalen, were pulled over in their car on the shoulder of the road in Nieuwegein, Netherlands, when they were hit by a truck. Melissa Van Roosmalen died as a result of the crash, while Van Roosmalen remains hospitalized. According to the report, the driver of the truck was arrested.

Further details regarding Van Roosmalen’s condition are currently unavailable. Both Bellator, where Van Roosmalen is currently under contact, and Glory Kickboxing, where Va…

Spencer Fisher will never be the same following a 33-fight MMA career that included 17 bouts in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

In a heart-wrenching feature on MMAFighting.com, Fisher revealed that he suffered severe brain trauma as a result of fighting and has been battling numerous symptoms that hinder him in daily activities. Fisher, who was forced to retire when diagnosed with brain lesions that signaled the onset of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), has dealt with issues such as memory loss, dizziness, vertigo and depression while struggling to hold a regular job since the conclusion of his UFC tenure.

UFC officials did not comment for the feature on Fisher, but Dana White did address the ex-fighter’s condition when speaking with MMAjunkie.com on Wednesday. White said that the promotion is working to study athlete brain health through its collaborative venture with the Cleveland Clinic, and the UFC also recently donated $1 million to the Lou Ruvo Cen…

Credit: UFC Credit: UFC

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has suspended Bevon Lewis six months for a positive marijuana test stemming from his Nov. 7 bout at UFC on ESPN 17.

Lewis, who was also fined $1,200, will be eligible to return to action on May 7 pending payment of his fine and $145.36 in legal fees. Lewis’ sanction was determined at a monthly NSAC meeting on Wednesday.

Lewis suffered a third-round technical knockout loss to Trevin Giles at UFC on ESPN 17. The Dana White’s Contender Series alum went 1-3 within the Las Vegas-based promotion before reportedly being released late last year.

In addition to Lewis, the NSAC has handed down marijuana-related sanctions to the likes of Jamahal Hill, Tim Elliott, Kevin Croom, Niko Price, Luis Pena and Trevin Jones in 2020.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s March 13 event looks like it will have some pivotal bouts at the top of the card.

The highly-anticipated welterweight clash between Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev has been rescheduled for that date after twice falling through due to positive COVID-19 tests. MMAjunkie.com was first to report the booking. Edwards and Chimaev were initially supposed to square off at UFC Fight Night 183 on Dec. 19 before the Englishman tested positive for COVID-19, and they were rebooked for UFC on ESPN 20 on Jan. 20, but on that occasion Chimaev fell victim to coronavirus. Edwards vs. Chimaev will serve as the headliner for the event.

Meanwhile, a heavyweight showdown between Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Ciryl Gane is also in the works for March 13. La Sueur was first to report that verbal agreements were in place for the matchup. The UFC card does not yet have an official venue or location.

Edwards did not compete at all in 2020 due to having p…

A middleweight clash between Omari Akhmedov and Tom Breese has been moved from UFC on ABC 1 on Jan. 16 to UFC on ESPN 20 on Jan. 20.

The promotion announced the rescheduled bout on Tuesday, citing “COVID-related issues.” Further details were not revealed. UFC on ESPN 20 takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and is headlined by a welterweight tilt between Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny.

Akhmedov, 33, had a six-bout unbeaten streak snapped in his last outing, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Chris Weidman at UFC Fight Night 174 on Aug. 8. The Dagestani known as “Wolverine” is 8-4-1 during his promotional tenure and 20-5-1 as a professional overall.

Breese, meanwhile, has alternated wins and losses in his last four Octagon appearances. Most recently, th 29-year-old Birmingham England native scored a first-round TKO of K.B. Bhullar at UFC Fight Night 179 on Oct. 10. Breese began his UFC career at welterweight, going 3-1 before moving up to 185 pounds.