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Santiago Ponzinibbio Seeks Ranked Foe, Willing to Face Khamzat Chimaev

Santiago Ponzinibbio isn’t one to back down from a challenge.

Shortly after Khamzat Chimaev declared on his video blog that four different opponents have turned down a fight against him, Ponzinibbio called out the Chechen star for a clash in the Octagon.

"I thought he was going to fight Colby [Covington], and I was planning to ask UFC to put me as reserve fighter in case either one of them got hurt,” he told Sherdog.com. “Now that I know the fight hasn’t been finalized, it’s even better. Hey UFC, I’m here.”

Ponzinibbio dealt with some adversity recently, as he lost back-to-back fights for the first time in his career, falling to Geoff Neal and Michel Pereira via split decision.

"I never lost two fights in a row” he said. “Personally I don’t think I lost to Neal or Pereira, but what counts is the red mark on your Sherdog [profile],” he said. Ponzinibbio returned to the win colum at UFC 282, defeating Alex Morono via third-round technical knock…

Welterweights Sean Brady, Michel Pereira to Clash at UFC on ESPN 43

Sean Brady will lock horns with Michel Pereira in a welterweight bout at UFC on ESPN 43.

Multiple outlets confirmed the booking after Pereira announced the pairing on PVT. UFC on ESPN 43 takes place on March 25 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, and is also expected to include a women’s bantamweight showdown pitting Holly Holm against Yana Kunitskaya.

Brady suffered his first loss in 16 professional outings at UFC 280, when he fell to Belal Muhammad via second-round TKO at UFC 280. The ex-Cage Fury Fighting Championships title holder began his UFC tenure with five straight triumphs, a run that included victories over the likes of Michael Chiesa, Jake Matthews and Court McGee.

Pereira, meanwhile, has won his last five Octagon appearances. Most recently, “Demolidor” took a split verdict over Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC Fight Night 206 on May 21. The 29-year-old Brazilian is 28-11 with two no contests over the course of his profession…

Khamzat Chimaev Details Struggles Finding Fight: ‘Every Week I Have New Opponent’

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Khamzat Chimaev is the man nobody in the UFC wants to face.

The 28-year-old Allstars Training Center representative is ready to return to the Octagon, but finding a willing opponent has been something of a challenge.

“They gave me four different countries, four different opponents,” Chimaev recently said on his video blog. “Nobody wants to fight.

“I’m gonna fight somebody, I don’t know who. They change opponents all the time. Every week I have new opponent, but nobody wants to fight … I’m always ready.”

Though he doesn’t have a dance partner at this point in time, Chimaev seems hopeful that his next Octagon appearance will come at UFC 285.

“We’ll see what’s gonna happen now. I think we’ll be, hope so, March [in Las Vegas] but I don’t know who,” he said.

Chimaev last appeared at UFC 279 this past September, where he dispatched Kevin Holland via first-round submission in a 180-pound catchweight bout. “Borz” is 12-0…

Report: Jeff Molina Suspended by NSAC, Linked to UFC Betting Investigation

Jeff Molina is the latest member of Glory MMA & Fitness to experience the fallout from the ongoing UFC betting probe.

According to ESPN, the UFC flyweight has been handed what has been currently labeled as an “uncategorized” suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission pending its next meeting in January. Molina’s suspension was initially listed on his profile page at mixedmartialarts.com.

While NSAC officials couldn’t comment on the nature of the suspension, ESPN confirmed that Molina is linked to the investigation that began as a result of suspicious betting activity ahead of the Nov. 5 UFC fight between Darrick Minner and Neurdanbieke Shayilan. Odds shifted significantly in Shayilan’s favor a few hours before the bout — including significant wagering on the Chinese fighter to win inside the distance. Shayilan defeated a hobbled Minner by technical knockout in 67 seconds, and speculation ensued that Minner was injured heading into th…

UFC Hall of Famer Stephan Bonnar Dead at 45

Stephan Bonnar, whose fight with Forrest Griffin at “The Ultimate Fighter 1” finale propelled the UFC to a new level of popularity, has died at 45 years old.

The UFC announced Bonnar’s passing in a statement on Saturday. The cause of death was revealed to be “presumed heart complications while at work.”

"Stephan Bonnar was one of the most important fighters to ever compete in the Octagon," said UFC President Dana White. "His fight with Forrest Griffin changed the sport forever, and he will never be forgotten. The fans loved him, related to him and he always gave them his best. He will be missed."

Bonnar is perhaps best known was his time on “TUF 1,” where he reached the finals of the reality show and received a UFC contract after losing a unanimous decision to Griffin in a memorable clash on April 9, 2005. That bout was later enshrined in the UFC Hall of Fame’s “Fight Wing.”

That led to a seven-year career with the Las Vegas-based promo…

Jailton Almeida Hopes to Be Top 5 UFC Heavyweight By End of 2023

After three first-round finishes in as many Octagon appearances, Jailton Almeida figures to be a fan favorite for the Brazilian audience at UFC 283.

Thanks to his admiration for the Khabib Nurmagomedov’s style and his penchant for taking down and dominanting opponents, “Malhadinho” is now being called “Malhadomedov” in his home country. Almedia got his “Malhadinho” moniker because his father was a boxer known as “Malhado” during his fighting career.

"Brazilian fans are really funny they gave a nickname to my nickname,” Almeida told Sherdog.com. “But I’m really honored by that. As I said before, I admire [Khamzat] Chimaev and Khabib´s game, but I added jiu-jitsu to that. Instead of just punishing my opponent, I always go for the submission.”

Almeida, who owns a 17-2 professional mark, isn’t resting on his laurels. He is expecting a tough fight against UFC 283 opponent Shamil Abdurakhimov, who enters the bout on a three-fight losin…

‘Shogun’ Rua Discusses Farewell Bout at UFC 283, Nearly Fighting Fedor in Pride

Considered to be on the the biggest MMA stars to ever come from Brazil, Mauricio Rua will write the final chapter of his storied career at UFC 283.

“Shogun’s” swan song will come against Ihor Potieira, a man 15 years his junior who is coming off a second-round technical knockout loss to Nicolae Negumereanu in his Octagon debut at UFC 277.

“I’m studying a lot his fights,” Rua told Sherdog.com. “He is a southpaw and very aggressive. Of course I have to be cautious, but my nature will always push me to try to win via knockout.”

According to Rua, he will be 100% retired after UFC 283, no matter what the result of his 42nd professional fight may be.

“That’s guaranteed. I’m not going to look for boxing matches or superfights. I´m totally satisfied with my 20-year career. My goal now is dedicate time to my family and also give more attention to my Shogun Team academies.”

Rua claims that there will be 80 franchises with the Shogun Academy name …

Manel Kape vs. Alex Perez Targeted for UFC on ESPN 43 in San Antonio

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A flyweight showdown between Manel Kape and Alex Perez is in the works for UFC on ESPN 43.

MMAFighting.com was first to report the booking. Perez was supposed to face Kai Kara France at UFC 284 before Kara France recently announced his withdrawal from the event due to injury. UFC on ESPN 43 takes place at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, and also includes a women’s bantamweight clash pitting Holly Holm against Yana Kunit…

Marcin Tybura to Face Blagoy Ivanov at UFC Fight Night 218 on Feb. 4

Marcin Tybura will square off against Blagoy Ivanov in a heavyweight clash at UFC Fight Night 218.

Multiple outlets confirmed the booking following an initial report from MMA Underground. UFC Fight Night 218 takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and is headlined by a heavyweight scrap between Derrick Lewis and Sergey Spivak.

Tybura has been victorious in six of his last seven UFC bouts. In his last outing, the former M-1 Global champion ended Alexander Romanov’s undefeated run with a majority decision triumph at UFC 278.

A former World Series of Fighting title holder, Ivanov ended a two-bout skid in his lone appearance of 2022, as he outpointed Marcos Rogerio de Lima at UFC 274 this past May. The Bellator veteran is 3-2 in the Octagon, with other wins against Tai Tuivasa and Ben Rothwell.

Neiman Gracie vs. Michael Lombardo Added to Bellator 290

Neiman Gracie vs. Michael Lombardo in the works as the latest addition to the upcoming #Bellator290 card taking place at the Kia Forum in Los Angeles on Feb. 4.

The main card will air on CBS.

— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) December 22, 2022

The upcoming Bellator 290 card gained an intriguing welterweight matchup as Neiman Gracie will take on Michael Lombardo. A person with knowledge of the matchup confirmed the bout to Sherdog following an initial report from MMAFighting.com.

Former Bellator MMA welterweight title contender Gracie (11-4, 9-4 Bellator) is looking to rebound following back-to-back defeats at the hands of Logan Storley and Goiti Yamauchi. Gracie’s latest victory dates back to September 2021, when he crushed Mark Lemminger with punches and elbows.

Professional Fighters League and Dana White’s Contender Series alum Lombardo (13-3, 1 NC; 1-1 Bellator) is coming off a first-round knockout over Mark …

Marlon Vera, Cory Sandhagen Clash to Headline UFC Fight Night 219 on Feb. 18

🚨 BANGER ALERT 🚨@ChitoVeraUFC and @CorySandhagen will be taking center stage Saturday, Feb. 18th! pic.twitter.com/aFiJ56FUrq

— UFC (@ufc) December 23, 2022

An exciting bantamweight clash is going down at the UFC Apex early next year.

On Friday, the Ultimate Fighting Championship announced Marlon Vera would take on Cory Sandhagen in the upcoming UFC Fight Night 219 event that will go down on Feb. 18.

Vera (20-7-1, 14-6 UFC) is currently riding a four-bout winning streak that features four bonuses, including Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night. In his latest outing, “Chito” knocked out former divisional kingpin Dominick Cruz with a head kick that halted the contest in Round 4. Prior, the Team Oyama representative scored victories over Rob Font, former UFC titleholder Frankie Edgar and Davey Grant.

Former interim title contender Sandhagen (15-4, 8-3 UFC) is coming off a technical-knockout victory ove…

New Video Shows Jorge Masvidal’s Arrest, Interrogation in March

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A new video surfaced showing what went down during the arrest of former Ultimate Fighting Championship welterweight title contender Jorge Masvidal in March.

The “Real World Police” YouTube channel uploaded video of the night Masvidal (35-16, 12-9 UFC) spent at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center. Miami police arrested and interrogated “Gamebred” a day after his alleged altercation with former teammate-turned-bitter-rival Colby Covington on March 22. Allegedly, Masvidal assaulted the former UFC interim champion outside of the Papi Steak Restaurant in Miami, provoking a fractured tooth and an abrasion on Covington’s wrist. Masvidal and Covington collided in the UFC 272 headliner on March 6, resulting in a unanimous decision victory for “Chaos.”

Masvidal was charged with aggravated battery and criminal mischief; he pleaded not guilty and will stand trial in 2023. His felonies are punishable by up to 15 years in prison as well as a $10,000…

Deron Winn Released Following Alleged UFC Performance Institute Accident

Being released after a freak accident on their property the week before Christmas. Man “it’s business not personal” has never been more real 🤦🏾‍♂️ https://t.co/386BPSsgVj

— Deron Winn (@DeronWinn) December 22, 2022

Deron Winn is no longer an Ultimate Fighting Championship fighter.

On Thursday, it was revealed the UFC cut the contract of Winn (7-3, 2-3 UFC) a week after his freak accident at the UFC Performance Institute. Winn was at the venue to prepare for his then-scheduled fight with Julian Marquez on the UFC Fight Night 216 prelims when he claims he fell down stairs and suffered neck trauma and concussion. Following the fighter’s medical review at the hospital, the fight was called off.

Winn, unhappy with his release, took to his social media accounts to comment on the situation and the timing of his release.

“Being released after a freak accident on their property the week before Christmas. Man ‘it’s busin…

Report: UFC Pay-Per-View Price to Increase to $79.99 in 2023

.@UFC PPVs on @ESPNPlus will increase in price from $74.99 this year to $79.99 next year, starting with #UFC283 in January, per @Disney.

🔲 Disney says the move reflects "the value of ESPN+ and the popularity and quality of UFC events," and that it doesnt impact ESPN+ sub price. pic.twitter.com/PBf0cMTIUE

— Adam Stern (@A_S12) December 22, 2022

In what has become something of an annual tradition, the cost of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s premium events will increase heading into beginning of the new year.

According to a report from the Sports Business Journal, UFC pay-per-views will increase in price from $74.99 to $74.99 beginning with UFC 283 on Jan. 21. The decision “reflects the value of ESPN+ and the popularity and quality of UFC events,” per a statement from Disney. The update is not expected to affect the cost of the ESPN+ subscription, which is currently $9.99 per month following a 43 percent increase i…

Coker, Sakakibara Explain How Relationship Makes Bellator-Rizin Event Possible

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There are multiple moving parts behind a successful co-promoted event involving two large MMA promotions.

Perhaps the most important aspect of such a venture is a solid relationship between the people at the top of said promotions. Such is the case for the upcoming Rizin 40 card, which features five bouts pitting athletes from the Japanese organization against five fighters from Bellator MMA on the main draw. It wouldn’t have happened without the bond that Rizin CEO Nobuyuki Sakakibara forged with Bellator president Scott Coker many years ago.

“We’ve both been in the business for a long time and seen the ups and downs. The healthy competition we have is why. We’re doing this because of Scott Coker, and more because of Scott than because of Bellator. That’s one reason,” Sakakibara said during a recent media call.

The feeling was mutual, according to Coker.

“This is a relationship that started in 2004, 2005. It’s been many yea…

UFC, BKFC Veteran Johnny Bedford Retires from Combat Sports

Johnny Bedford is calling it a career at 39 years old.

The former UFC competitor and BKFC bantamweight champion announced his decision on the BKFC Weekly Show, citing a lack of motivation to continue the type of training necessary to compete at a high level. He also says he’s made enough fighting with BKFC to be financially stable.

“I don’t have to fight just buy diapers and pay rent and do whatever it took,” Bedford said (transcription via MMAjunkie.com). “I used to fight, sh—t, twice a month just to pay bills. Because of bareknuckle and because of smart decisions I’ve made with my money from bareknuckle, I’m finally in a position where, wow. I don’t have to do this anymore. It was probably the hardest decision I’ve made.”

Bedford hasn’t competed in MMA since September 2017, when he lost a five-round majority decision to Jesse Arnett at Z Promotions “Fight Night 5: Medicine Hat.” He was a cast member on Season 14 of “The Ultimate Fighter” b…

Judge Douglas Crosby Responds to Criticism Regarding Controversial Scorecards

MMA judge Douglas Crosby has come under fire recently due to a pair of scorecards he submitted at Bellator 289 and UFC 282 on back-to-back nights.

In the bantamweight grand prix semifinal between Danny Sabatello and Raufeon Stots, Crosby submitted a 50-45 tally in favor of Sabatello, which was the lone dissenting scorecard in Stots’ split-decision victory. One night later, Crosby was one of three judges who rewarded Paddy Pimblett with a 29-28 verdict in the Englishman’s controversial unanimous decision win against Jared Gordon in the UFC 282 co-main event.

Crosby recently appeared on Chael Sonnen’s ”You're Welcome” podcast, and while he didn’t address specific scorecards, he offer some explanation at what he values when scoring a fight.

“Over the last 15 years, when you talk to the fighters, the overarching comment – and I’m not going to call it a complaint, I’ll call it a comment or a concern, is that effective grappling is not given enoug…

PFL Announces Women’s Featherweight Lineup for Challenger Series

The Women's 145 Division makes its @fuboTV Challenger Series debut in Week ✌️. All matchups are set 🔐

[ #PFLonFuboTV | Women's Featherweights | Fri, Feb 3rd | 9pm ET] pic.twitter.com/TYqaQgh3jV

— PFL (@PFLMMA) December 21, 2022

The Professional Fighters League is going forward with introducing a women’s featherweight division in 2023, and that will begin with a full lineup of 145-pound talent on the Challenger Series.

The organization on Wednesday announced the four featherweight bouts set for the PFL Challenger Series, which airs Feb. 3 on Fubo TV at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. The 145-pound edition of the Challenger Series will be headlined by a clash between IBJJF world champion Amanda Leve and Olympic judoka Naranjargal Tsendayush, the first Mongolian fighter to compete under the PFL banner.

The other three featherweight matchups for the Challenger Series are as follows: two-time PFL competitor Jeslen Mishelle vs. A…

Second Bellator vs. Rizin Event Already Discussed, Could Potentially Be Held in U.S.

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Both Scott Coker and Nobuyuki Sakakibara are in agreement: The Bellator vs. Rizin card slated for New Year’s Eve is not a one-off event.

While the organizations have shared fighters before, the upcoming event will mark the first time that a promotion vs. promotion format has been utilized, with five Bellator athletes squaring off against five Rizin athletes on the evening’s main card at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The first version will take place in the Rizin ring under the Japanese organization’s rule set, but the next iteration is expected to take place in a cage under Bellator rules.

“Sakakibara and I talked about a two-fight event,” Coker said during a media call. “The next one has to be in a cage and under the Bellator rules. Things can be different when the rules are different and the apparatus is different.”

The location and venue for the second cross-promotional event hasn’t been decided, but Coker has at l…

Charles Oliveira Favors Islam Makhachev Against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284

After his loss to Islam Makhachev in a lightweight title bout at UFC 280 this past October, Charles Oliveira turned down an opportunity to fight in Rio de Janeiro on Jan. 21.

During his time off since that defeat, “Do Bronx” has also avoided doing media. However, Oliveira recently broke his silence in an interview with Brazilian podcast Super Lutas, where he discussed the loss to Makhachev. The former lightweight champion, who doesn’t yet have a date for his UFC return, revealed that he hasn’t yet watched the bout but wouldn’t change anything if he faced the Dagestani again.

“Islam was better. I have no excuses but I wouldn't do anything different from what I did,” he said. “I saw some people talking s—t, saying I was walking with lions in the week of the fight. They know nothing. I know how much I trained for this fight.”

Makhachev is scheduled to make his first 155-pound title defense against reigning featherweight champ Alexander Volkanovs…

Video: Anderson Silva’s Son Gets Knockout Win in Pro Boxing Debut

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Kalyl Silva, the 23-year-old son of former UFC champion Anderson Silva, had a professional boxing debut to remember over the weekend in Bahia, Brazil.

The younger Silva was cornered by his father and boxing coach Luiz Carlos Dorea and faced a fellow newcomer, Paulo dos Santos, in a four-round fight at 155 pounds. Kalyl was victorious via knockout after hurting his opponent with a left to the body and a follow-up right to the head in the final stanza.

After the victory, father and son kneeled together in the center of the ring, a move reminiscient of “The Spider’s” respectful post-fight gesture to opponents during his UFC career. Kalyl Silva is also 2-1 in professional kickboxing bouts, with his most recent appearance coming this past September.

Ex-Title Challenger Taila Santos to Face Erin Blanchfield at UFC Fight Night 219

Recent flyweight title challenger Taila Santos will square off against surging prospect Erin Blanchfield at UFC Fight Night 219 on Feb. 18.

Multiple outlets confirmed the booking after Blanchfield announced the matchup on the "Morning Kombat” show. Blanchfield also revealed that she has signed a new four-fight contract with the Las Vegas-based promotion. UFC Fight Night 219 takes place at the UFC Apex and does not yet a main event.

Santos is coming off a five-round, split-decision loss to Valentina Shevchenko in the UFC 275 co-main event this past June, when she gave the reigning flyweight queen arguably the toughest test of her championship reign. Prior to that defeat, the 29-year-old Astra Fight Team representative had won four straight bouts in the Octagon, with notable victories over the likes of Joanne Wood, Roxanne Modafferi and Molly McCann.

Blanchfield, 23, has emerged as one of the most intriguing talents in the division since makin…

Ovince St. Preux vs. Philipe Lins Rebooked for UFC Fight Night 219

After a couple previous cancellations, a light heavyweight clash between Ovince St. Preux and Philipe Lins has been rescheduled for UFC Fight Night 219.

MMAFighting.com was first to report the rebooked contest. UFC Fight Night 219 takes place on Feb. 18 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The event does not yet have a headliner.

St. Preux was slated to face three different opponents at UFC 282 — Lins, Alexander Gustafsson and Antonio Trocoli — before eventually being removed from the Dec. 10 card entirely. “OSP” was also supposed to meet Lins in November, but that fight fell through as well. St. Preux last competed at UFC 274, where he defeated Maurico Rua via split decision in a rematch of a 2014 clash.

The 37-year-old Lins halted a two-bout skid in his last outing, when he outpointed Marcin Prachnio at UFC Fight Night 205 on April 23. “Monstro” is a 2018 PFL champion at heavyweight and also compiled a 3-3 mark during a short stint in Bellator MMA.

Previously Announced Robert Whittaker-Paulo Costa Bout Not Happening at UFC 284

A previously announced middleweight bout between Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa is now not likely to happen at UFC 284, according to a report from ESPN.

Though the contest is still listed on the UFC’s official website, the promotion has been unable to finalize the bout. The matchup was initially announced in October, and the only hurdle at the time was getting the fight cleared by the Western Australia Combat Sports Commission.

Since then, however, Costa revealed that he was still in negotiations with the UFC for a new contract with one fight remaining on his current deal. As a result, “Borrachinha” had not agreed to face Whittaker at UFC 284 because the promotion had not yet met his financial terms, and he claimed that his contract could potentially expire before he fulfilled the last bout.

More recently, Whittaker’s coach, Alex Prates, acknowledged that there was a "great possibility” that the former middleweight champion would not fa…

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