Rizin 33 on NYE to Allow Full Capacity, Brings ‘Satoshi’ Souza vs. Yachi Title Fight

/Yogibo presents #RIZIN33\

:12.31(金) 14:00開始(予定):さいたまスーパーアリーナ:https://t.co/ulXsBcdRdO

チケット一般発売 12.12(日)10:00~

フジテレビ系列全国放送:12.31(金) 18:00~#大晦日 #フジテレビ pic.twitter.com/cVBWZlFQ4R

— RIZIN FF OFFICIAL (@rizin_PR) December 9, 2021 Editor's note: The article has been updated at 9 p.m. ET on Dec. 10 reflect a correction from the organization about international competitors.

The final Rizin Fighting Federation blockbuster show of the year may end up being composed solely of domestic fighters, with international travel restrictions hampering the card until Dec. 30.

Per a press release from the league on Thursday morning, Rizin has made official a number of matches expected to take place on Rizin 33 on Dec. 31. In an announcement press conference helmed by Rizin head Nobuyuki Sakakibara, he announced that the Saitama Super Arena will be allowed to fill to full capacity, up from the 50…

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PFL Partners with fuboTV to Air Promotion’s New Challenger Series Events

Mark Your Calendar: February 18, 2022 #PFLonFuboTV pic.twitter.com/fQ2Il7FqPR

— PFL (@PFLMMA) December 9, 2021

Editor's note: The article has been updated at 12:30 p.m. ET on Dec. 9 to reflect additional information on the official capacity of the celebrity judges.

Professional Fighters League has announced a multi-year partnership with fuboTV to stream the new PFL Challenger Series next year.

The PFL Challenger Series is designed to allow the winners to earn a spot on the upcoming PFL season, making it somewhat similar to the format utilized by Dana White’s Contender Series. The PFL Challenger Series will debut on Feb. 18 next year and will stream on consecutive Friday nights in February, March and April on fuboTV and its linear network, Fubo Sports Network.

However, the PFL will apparently differ from the Contender Series in the way that fighters are selected to compete in the season.

“PFL Challenger Series is not your f…

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Jon Jones Mentions Two Potential Dates in 2022 for UFC Heavyweight Debut

Jon Jones has been on the sidelines since February 2020, but if all goes as planned, the former UFC light heavyweight champion will be ready to return to action next year.

In an interview with Albuquerque, N.M.-based station KRQE, Jones targeted two potential dates to make his heavyweight debut. In the meantime, “Bones” will be an interested observer when Francis Ngannou squares off against Ciryl Gane in a title unification bout at UFC 270 on Jan. 22.

“I’m looking to fight somewhere in April, possibly Madison Square Garden, or a total opposite date, possibly July at International Fight Week,” Jones said. “Those are the two dates that I’m kind of eyeing. I think it’ll depend on who wins in January between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane, and we’ll just take it from there.”

In the wake of his arrest for an alleged domestic violence incident, Jones was banned from his longtime training home, Jackson-Wink MMA at the behest of owner Mike Winkeljohn. He has kept ties …

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Geoff Neal Says Thanksgiving Arrest ‘Not As Serious as They Make it Out to Be’

After being arrested for driving while intoxicated and carrying an unlicensed weapon on Thanksgiving, it appeared that Geoff Neal might have bigger concerns than his UFC 269 fight against Santiago Ponzinibbio.

As it turns out, there is still much to be resolved regarding Neal’s case, and the welterweight made it to UFC 269 media day to address the situation. Shortly after news of his arrest broke, UFC officials confirmed the bout against Ponzinibbio would move forward as planned. For now, Neal is awaiting the results of his post-arrest blood screening to contest his DWI.

“I haven’t been charged with any crime yet,” Neil told assembled media (video via MMAjunkie.com). “They had probable cause and instead of doing the breathalyzer, I chose to do the blood [test]. I’m waiting on the results to get back and we’ll go from there.”

Even if Neal beats the charges, the timing of the arrest — he was out at 3:47 a.m. local time — is of concern for someone two weeks away f…

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Victor Henry Replaces Trevin Jones, Faces Raoni Barcelos at UFC Fight Night 199

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QBeOJzRjG8&w=560&h=315]

Victor Henry will step in for Trevin Jones and lock horns with Raoni Barcelos at UFC Fight Night 199.

MMAjunkie.com was first to report the new bantamweight booking. UFC Fight Night 199 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Dec. 18 and is headlined by a heavyweight showdown between Derrick Lewis and Chris Daukaus.

Henry will enter the matchup with Barcelos having won nine of his last 10 professional bouts. The 34-year-old Los Angeles native last appeared at LXF 6 on Oct. 30, when he submitted six-time UFC vet Albert Morales in the second round. Henry has competed for organizations such as Rizin, Deep, Pancrase and Russian Cagefighting Championship while compiling a 21-5 professional mark.

Barcelos, meanwhile, had a nine-bout winning streak snapped in his last outing, a majority decision loss to Timur Valiev at UFC Fight Night 190 on June 26. The former Resurrection Fighting Alliance champ b…

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UFC Veterans Ray Borg, Cody Gibson to Meet at Eagle FC 44

A matchup of UFC veterans is slated for Eagle Fighting Championship 44, as Ray Borg will square off against Cody Gibson on Jan. 28 in Miami.

Borg confirmed the booking following an initial report from MMAjunkie.com. Eagle FC is the promotion owned by retired UFC champion Khabib Nurmagomedov. Eagle FC 44 marks the organization’s U.S. debut and will stream on FLX Cast. The card is expected to be headlined by a heavyweight clash between Antonio Silva and Tyrone Spong and will also see Rashad Evans make his return from retirement against an as yet to be announced opponent.

Borg began his UFC tenure as a flyweight, falling to Demetrious Johnson via fifth-round submission in a title bout at UFC 216. He later transitioned to bantamweight but had numerous bouts fall through during the second portion of his Octagon tenure. He was released in 2020 following a split-decision loss to Ricky Simon but returned to the win column when he outpointed Jessie Arnett at UAE Warriors 20 …

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Coach: Kayla Harrison Would Submit Cris Cyborg ‘For Sure’

American Top Team head trainer Marcus “Conan” Silveira has high hopes for two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison and 13-time world jiu-jitsu champion Marcus Almeida.

Silveira is confident that Harrison, a two-time Professional Fighters League champion and perhaps the biggest free agent in MMA, is already a difficult matchup for Bellator featherweight queen Cristiane Justino.

"I have no doubt that Kayla would be a terrible matchup for Cris,” Silveira told Sherdog.com. “Cyborg has been doing the same game since she started in MMA, so it wouldn't be a problem for Kayla to take her down. If that fight happens today, I would say that Kayla would submit Cris for sure.”

Almeida, meanwhile, is 2-0 under the One Championship banner since making the transition to MMA, with a pair of first-round submission victories to his credit. Silveira says Almeida isn’t ready to face top-level competition just yet, but that time is arriving quickly.

“I'm really impressed …

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‘Conan’ Silveira Says Son Will Wait for ‘Best Proposal’ After Capturing Second LFA Title

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgTnLZVGWgo&w=560&h=315]

American Top Team coach Marcus “Conan” Silveira has seen a lot over the course of his MMA career as a fighter and coach, but even he has to admit that seeing the rise of his son has a little extra meaning.

Joshua Silveira became a Legacy Fighting Alliance two-division champion last week when he took a five-round decision over Jared Revel to capture the promotion’s vacant middleweight crown. Previously, the younger Silveira knocked out Tee Cummins to claim the vacant 205-pound strap at LFA 115 on Sept. 24.

“I've had many strong emotions since the Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu times. It's been a long journey as fighter and coach, but I have to confess that seeing Joshua, blood of my blood, conquering two division belts was something special,” Silveira told Sherdog.com.

“Conan” says he only plays the role of father after the fight, but during camp he treats his son as he would anyone else when he is in his…

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American Top Team Coach Predicts Finishes for Dustin Poirier, Amanda Nunes at UFC 269

Marcus "Conan" Silveira will have a busy weekend ahead of him at UFC 269.

The American Top Team head coach is already in Las Vegas to support a number of his fighters including Dustin Poirier, Amanda Nunes, Santiago Ponzinibbio and Pedro Munhoz. Poirier will challenge Charles Oliveira for lightweight gold in the main event, and Silveira is confident “The Diamond” can finish the Brazilian champion inside the distance.

"Charles has won nine fights [in a row] and proved he deserved to get the belt, but Poirier trained really hard for this challenge,” Silveira told Sherdog.com. “I believe he will catch Oliveira in the stand-up.”

If Poirier wins, Silveira believes a fourth bout with Conor McGregor would be a suitable next move. Their third meeting ended when the Irish star suffered a broken leg at the end of the first round this past July.

"The last one did not finish well,” Silveira said. “I think Conor deserves that rematch.”

In regards to the UFC 269 c…

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Ex-UFC Champ Holly Holm Among Class of 2022 Inductees into Boxing Hall of Fame

Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Holly Holm will be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame next year.

The IBHOF announced on Tuesday that Holm will be enshrined as part of a three-day ceremony that also includes 2020 and 2021 Hall of Fame members from June 9-12. In addition to Holm, one-time UFC competitor James Toney was also announced as a member of the IBHOF Hall of Fame class.

​“I feel very humbled and honored to be acknowledged amongst the greatest,” Holm said in a release. “I’m kind of speechless actually. I’m really excited.”

Holm compiled a 33-2-3 record in the Sweet Science, winning 14 championships in three weight classes over the course of an 11-year professional career. “The Preacher’s Daughter” was named “Female Fighter of the Year” by Ring Magazine in 2005 and 2006 and was a popular draw in her hometown of Albuquerque, N.M.

Holm transitioned to MMA in 2011and won her first 10 bouts, culminating in a shocking KO of Ronda …

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Jake Hadley vs. Francisco Figueiredo Booked for UFC Event on March 19

A flyweight clash pitting Jake Hadley against Francisco Figueiredo is on tap for an Ultimate Fighting Championship card on March 19.

Hadley’s management, Paradigm Sports, was first to confirmed the matchup. The UFC event does not yet have a headliner or an official location.

Despite missing weight, England’s Hadley earned a UFC contract following a second-round submission of Mitch Raposo on Dana White’s Contender Series on Oct. 12. The former Cage Warriors champion is 8-0 thus far in his professional tenure.

Figueiredo, the younger brother of former UFC flyweight king Deiveson Figueiredo, is 1-1 thus far in UFC competition. After taking a unanimous verdict over Jerome Rivera at UFC on ESPN 20 in his Octagon debut, “Sniper” dropped a decision against Malcolm Gordon at UFC on ESPN 26 on July 17.

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Macy Chiasson Steps in Against Raquel Pennington at UFC Fight Night 199

“The Ultimate Fighter 28” winner Macy Chiasson will step in on short notice to face Raquel Pennington at UFC Fight Night 199 on Dec. 18.

Chiasson is a replacement for Julia Avila, who withdrew from the contest due to a knee injury. Both athletes confirmed the new bantamweight booking on social media following an initial report from MMAFighting.com. UFC Fight Night 199 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and is headlined by a heavyweight duel between Derrick Lewis and Chris Daukaus.

Chiasson has been victorious in five of her first six Octagon appearances, with her only defeat coming via unanimous decision at the hands of Lina Lansberg at UFC Fight Night 160 on Sept. 28. Most recently, the 30-year-old Fortis MMA product outpointed Marion Reneau at UFC on ESPN 21 on March 20.

A former bantamweight title challenger, Pennington is coming off back-to-back decison wins over Reneau and Pannie Kianzad. “Rocky” also owns notable victories over the likes of Irene A…

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