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🚨Got told the UFC is working on a bantamweight fight between Cory Sandhagen and Song Yadong. The fight is targeted to headline the FN event on September 17th.🚨 pic.twitter.com/hAxDjUFwNI

— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) June 16, 2022 The Ultimate Fighting Championship can seemingly do no wrong when it comes to matchmaking the top echelon of its bantamweight division.

On Thursday night, Eurosport first broke the news that the promotion was considering Cory Sandhagen (14-4) vs. Yadong Song (19-6-1, 1 NC) to headline its upcoming Sept. 17 UFC Fight Night event. The UFC’s broadcast partner of ESPN confirmed the pairing on Friday, while stating that the contracts have not yet been signed but both sides have agreed to it.

Sandhagen will come into this 135-pound headliner on a two-fight skid. In July 2021, he fell short to T.J. Dillashaw by contentious split decision, with the sizable majority of media members scoring it for Sandhagen. Look…

One Championship 145-pound kingpin John Lineker would like to get back to action sooner than the organization has planned for him.

Lineker claimed the title by knocking Bibiano Fernandes out cold with one punch in March at the appropriately titled “Lights Out” event. The likely next challenger for Lineker’s first defense is expected to be a fellow countryman: Fabricio Andrade, who challenged the division’s top fighter after his own victory in June. Lineker spoke to Sherdog on Thursday about the possible matchup, as well as one more he is watching out for should the opportunity arise.

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“I’m an employee, whoever ONE FC decides, I’ll be ready,” Lineker explained. “Unfortunately, these guys started to promote the fight in a disrespectful way. I really don’t like that, and my opponents should learn that they just get [me] more motivated to knock them out.”

The man known as “Hands of Stone” did like the potential pairing with Andrade, as he feels it would …

BREAKING: Luis Tavares and Sergej Maslobojev will fight for the undisputed Light Heavyweight Title on August 20 at #GLORY81.

Full statement on the status of the light heavyweight division ➡️ https://t.co/XCYGfAbKK4 pic.twitter.com/XecJ7WRJDF

— GLORY Kickboxing (@GLORY_WS) June 17, 2022 Months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine started, Glory Kickboxing is taking a stand on Russian fighters.

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The organization announced via press release on Friday that it was ending the contracts of all Russian fighters under its banner. It explained its reasoning in a lengthy statement, which included “travel bans, safety concerns and payment blockages.” It is unclear the specific number of kickboxers that have been let go by the promotion, but this does include reigning light heavyweight champ Artem Vakhitov. While Glory did allow Russians to fight and represent no nation or any flag – much like how the Professional Fighters League i…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxIgtJgZYSE&w=640&h=360] Sign up for ESPN+ and watch UFC on ESPN 37: Kattar vs. Emmett The Konfrontacja Sztuk Walki lightweight title will be on the line at KSW 71.

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All fighters made weight for the card, which will be headlined by a lightweight title fight between champion Marian Ziolkowski and challenger Sebastian Rajewski. Ziolkowski (24-8-1, 1 NC) is looking to make his third defense of the belt, while Rajewski (12-6) is riding a three-fight win streak. Living up to his "Golden Boy" nickname, the champion has won five of his last six fights.

The card also features a special mixed-rules heavyweight bout between Marcin Rozalski and Errol Zimmerman in the co-main event, which will be a kickboxing match contested in mixed martial arts gloves over three five-minute rounds.

KSW 71 will stream live on the promotion's website at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on Saturday.

KSW 71 Weigh-in Results: Marian Ziolkowski (155…

Your main event is on site & on weight 😤@CalvinKattar - 146 pounds ⚖️@JoshEmmettUFC - 145.5 pounds ⚖️

[ #UFCAustin | TOMORROW | @MoodyCenterATX | LIVE on @ESPN ] pic.twitter.com/Aw0lyqlh8N

— UFC (@ufc) June 17, 2022 After a brief excursion in Singapore, the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to U.S. soil for UFC on ESPN 37.

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There wasn't much drama on the scales for the 14-fight card, although one fighter did miss weight. Bantamweight Tony Kelley weighed 1.5 pounds over the limit, although his fight against Adrian Yanez is still on and Kelley has been fined 20% of his purse. Meanwhile, headliners Calvin Kattar and Josh Emmett both made weight for their featherweight clash.

Sign up for ESPN+ and watch UFC on ESPN 37: Kattar vs. Emmett

"The Boston Finisher" cemented himself as a top featherweight contender by defeating Giga Chikadze in his last outing. Prior to that bounce-back win, Kattar (23-5) had dro…

Per source, I can confirm that Nathaniel Wood will face Charles Rosa at the upcoming UFC London card on July 23. "The Prospect" is moving up to featherweight for the occasion.

First reported by @phre pic.twitter.com/RGfOC3G3mq

— Tudor Leonte (@MrTudorLeonte) June 16, 2022 Sign up for ESPN+ and watch UFC on ESPN 37: Kattar vs. Emmett

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A talented Ultimate Fighting Championship prospect is doing anything he can to get on the upcoming card in his home city.

For the past few weeks, UFC bantamweight Nathaniel Wood (17-5) had been rumored to be competing at UFC Fight Night 208 on July 23. Wood’s appearance at the O2 Arena in London was dependent on him getting an opponent, as fighters like Kamuela Kirk or Vince Morales had been lauded as possible foes. Instead, Wood will be moving up to 145 pounds, where he will take on grappling specialist Charles Rosa (14-7). The news was first broken by reporter Al Zullino, and Sherdog ha…

OFFICIAL: Jake Childress replaces Bruno Miranda tomorrow night and will face @nastynatemma in a lightweight showcase bout #2022PFL4 pic.twitter.com/nlMh3amc7k

— PFL (@PFLMMA) June 16, 2022 The Professional Fighters League's 2022 season continues with a card filled with lightweights and light heavyweights, although not every scheduled fighter managed to make weight.

While Bruno Miranda was unable to make weight due to "complications." As a result, alternate Jake Childers will replace Miranda and battle Nate Jennerman at lightweight instead. Beyond that, the remaining competitors officially made weight, although there was some drama on the scales as Jeremy Stephens had to shave his head and face, and reportedly wasn't standing fully on the scale when he weighed 156 pounds.

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The main event of the evening will see boxing and mixed martial arts fan-favorite Clay Collard take on fellow lightweight tournament participant Alex…

Aljamain Sterling is expected to defend his bantamweight crown against T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 279 on Sept. 10.

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MMAjunkie.com was first to report the booking. The bout is expected to be finalized soon, as contracts have not yet been signed. UFC 279 doesn’t yet have an official location or venue.

After winning the 135-pound belt with a controversial disqualification victory over Petr Yan at UFC 259, Sterling defeated Yan via split decision in their rematch at UFC 273 on April 9. The “Funk Master” has won seven consecutive fights in UFC competition, with other notable victories over the likes of Cory Sandhagen, Pedro Munhoz and Jimmie Rivera.

A former two-time bantamweight champion, Dillashaw returned following a two-year USADA suspension at UFC on ESPN 27 last July, when he took a split verdict over Sandhagen. It was Dillashaw’s first appearance since a failed bid to capture flyweight gold at UFC Fight Night 143, when he was stopped by Henry Ce…

SIGNED Welcome to BKFC @GregHardyJr pic.twitter.com/JrVNxJqTSA

— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc) June 15, 2022

Greg Hardy is taking his talents to Bare Knuckle FC.

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The promotion announced Wednesday that it has signed the ex-UFC heavyweight and former NFL Pro Bowler. Terms of the deal were not disclosed and a date for Hardy’s debut is currently unknown.

“I’m back and ready to knock everyone out in the baddest promotion there is,” Hardy said in a release. “Everyone knows I can knock people out and that’s what I’m planning on doing. I can’t wait to take the gloves off and rumble for BKFC.”

The signing comes on the heels of the news that Hardy is expected to make his pro boxing debut for Black Sheep Boxing on Oct. 8. Hardy went 4-5 with one no contest during his UFC tenure before parting ways with the promotion earlier this year. He owns a 7-5 career mark in MMA with six wins via KO or TKO.

Former UFC strawweight champion Jessica Andrade will step in for the injured Katlyn Chookagian and face Manon Fiorot in a flyweight contest at UFC Paris.

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The promotion recently revealed the new booking on its event page. According to MMAjunkie.com, the bout has not been finalized, but verbal agreements are in place. UFC Paris takes place at Accor Arena and is headlined by a heavyweight duel pitting Ciryl Gane against Tai Tuivasa.

Andrade is 3-1 in the UFC since moving to 125 pounds. Most recently, the “Bate Estaca” dispatched Amanda Lemos with a standing arm-triangle choke in the UFC Fight Night 205 main event on April 23. She’s also secured first-round stoppages of Cynthia Calvillo and Chookagian at 125 pounds.

France’s Fiorot has won nine consecutive professional bouts since dropping her MMA debut. That run is highlighted by four triumphs in the Octagon, including a decision triumph over former title challenger Jennifer Maia in her last o…

Professional Fighters League has put its best foot forward when it comes to adding available big-name free agents to its roster.

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Those signings don’t always work out, but it’s no secret that it benefits the promotion to have stars succeed in the regular season and advance to the postseason. During a PFL media event on Wednesday, both Clay Collard and Olivier Aubin-Mercier reacted to what has been perceived as special treatment given to ex-UFC champ Anthony Pettis during the current season.

Collard claimed that Pettis was given “the easy man” in terms of first opponent, unheralded journeyman Myles Price, who was competing for the first time since 2019. Aubin-Mercier, meanwhile, understands why the promotion would want to see high-profile fighters do well.

“If I was the biggest name of PFL, I would probably have an easier path,” Aubin-Mercier said. I think it’s unfair, but to be honest I would have done the same thing if I was the PFL. I really d…

Clay Collard is coming off an entertaining slugfest with Jeremy Stephens at PFL 1, but the Pit Elevated Fight Team representative isn’t feeling too many negative effects from that bout.

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“I didn’t take too many lumps or bruises in the Jeremy Stephens fight. I got hit a couple times, but I wear them well,” Collard said at PFL media event on Wednesday.

Collard will attempt to punch his ticket to the postseason when he locks horns with Alex Martinez in the featured bout of PFL 4 on Friday night at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta. The evening’s main card airs on ESPN and ESPN+ beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT. Collard earned three points for his win over Stephens, but he’s planning on making a more significant statement against Martinez.

“We’re hoping to put him away,” Collard said. “We needs some points for the tournament and a spot in the playoffs. I’m gonna be putting some shots on him and hopefully he doesn’t stand up to them.”

It will mark t…

Credit: Bellator MMA/Lucas Noonan Credit: Elena Katretskaya/Sherdog.com Credit: Mike Sloan/Sherdog.com Credit: Mike Sloan/Sherdog.com

It has been more than two-and-a-half years since rising featherweight star Zabit Magomedsharipov last set foot in the UFC’s Octagon. Now he may never be back.

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According to a source close to the situation, Magomedsharipov has informed the UFC of his decision to retire from mixed martial arts. That decision has since been confirmed by MMAFighting.com. Magomedsharipov exits the sport at age 31 with a career mark of 18-1.

The Ricardo Almeida Jiu-Jitsu product hasn’t competed since November 2019, when he earned a unanimous decision triumph against Calvin Kattar at UFC Fight Night 163 in Moscow. The Dagestani was in the midst of a 14-bout professional winning streak that also included wins over the likes of Jeremy Stephens, Kyle Bochniak and Sheymon Moraes in the Las Vegas-based promotion. Prior to that, Magomedsharipov e…

Neiman Gracie and Goiti Yamauchi will square off in a five-round welterweight clash in the main event on Bellator 284 on Aug. 12.

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The California-based promotion announced the booking on Wednesday. Bellator 284 takes place at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D., and will also see former interim heavyweight champion Valentin Moldavsky lock horns with Steve Mowry in another main card bout, while ex-flyweight queen Ilima Lei Macfarlane faces Bruna Ellen. The evening’s main draw airs on Showtime beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.

One preliminary bout was also confirmed, as Weber Almeida will meet Ilias Bulaid at featherweight. Prelims will air on the Showtime Sports YouTube channel, the Bellator MMA YouTube channel and Pluto TV beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.

Gracie appeared in the first non-title, five-round main even in promotion history this past February, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Logan Storley at Bellator 274. After begin…

While Thiago Santos’ prediction of a Glover Teixeira victory at UFC 275 didn’t come true, he gained even more respect for his fellow Brazilian in defeat.

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Teixeira was ahead on the scorecards against Jiri Prochazka before succumbing to a rear-naked choke submission at the 4:32 mark of Round 5 this past Saturday at Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singpaore.

"It was such a war,” Santos told Sherdog.com. “Glover was close to winning in a Rocky Balboa style as I predicted, but the last 30 seconds changed the result,” Santos told Sherdog.com “But I respect Glover more than ever. This guy is a monster, 42 years old fighting a 25-minute war against a strong guy like Prochazka. All my respect to Glover.”

It’s currently unclear who will get the first shot against Prochazka, but Santos believes Teixeira should get the nod over the likes of Jan Blachowicz, Anthony Smith or Magomed Ankalaev.

"The most correct [decision] would be an immediate rematch…

A matchup of bantamweight contenders is in the works for UFC 278, as Jose Aldo vs. Merab Dvalishvili has been targeted for the Aug. 20 event.

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Sherdog.com confirmed with Nova Uniao coach Andre Pederneiras that the bout is in the process of being finalized. Ariel Helwani was first to report the proposed booking.

"We didn’t sign the contract yet, but once both parties agree to the fight, it will happen,” Pederneiras said.

According to Nova União leader, Aldo also was willing to face Dominick Cruz or Henry Cejudo.

"Of course our first option was Aljamain [Sterling] for the title, but since the UFC had already decided T.J. [Dillashaw] will be his opponent, Dominick chose to fight [Marlon] Vera and [Henry] Cejudo is still involved with the whole USADA process, Merab was the third possibility, so let´s go,” Pederneiras said.

Pederneiras considers the Georgian’s style a good matchup for his pupil.

"Aldo has fought all his life agai…

Charles Oliveira has Conor McGregor on the brain.

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The former UFC lightweight champion has called for a fight with the Irish star repeatedly in recent months, and it seems to be something he won’t put behind him. Oliveira relinquished the 155-pound belt when he missed weight prior to UFC 274, but a finish of Justin Gaethje in the main event means “Do Bronx” will almost certainly get to compete for the vacant title in his next promotional appearance.

In a recent interview with ESPN Brazil, Oliveira reiterated that McGregor would be his first choice of opponent in that title bout.

"It would be a very good fight for me," Oliveira said. "It would put a lot of money in my pocket, and [at this moment] that's the most important thing. And it would also be really good for my legacy, for me to have in my story. Regardless, if he's coming from defeat or not, he's a guy who's made history, so I think it would be great, but it's not just up to me. If it we…

A featherweight showdown pitting Lando Vannata against Andre Fili is on tap for an Ultimate Fighting Championship card on Sept. 17.

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Fili confirmed the booking on social media following an initial report from MMAjunkie.com. The UFC Fight Night card does not yet have a location or headliner.

Vannata’s first bout of 2022 did not go as planned, as “Groovy” suffered a first-round submission loss to Charles Jourdain at UFC Fight Night 205 on April 23. The Jackson’s MMA Acoma member is 4-6-2 in the Las Vegas-based promotion and will be making his third appearance at 145 pounds after previously competing at lightweight.

Fili also tasted defeat in his first outing this year, falling to Joanderson Brito via TKO in 41 seconds at UFC on ESPN 35 on April 30. The Team Alpha Male product has won just once in his last five UFC bouts — a split verdict against the aforementioned Jourdain in June 2020.

Patricky Freire will defend his lightweight crown against Sidney Outlaw at Bellator 283 on July 22.

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Promotion officials announced the headlining bout on Tuesday. Bellator 283 takes place at the Emerald Queen Casino in Tacoma, Wash., and will also see Douglas Lima square off against Jason Jackson in the evening’s co-main event, while Usman Nurmagomedov meets Chris Gonzalez at lightweight in another featured contest. The main card airs on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

Three preliminary bouts were also confirmed for Bellator 283: Adam Piccolotti vs. Tofiq Musayev at lightweight; Romero Cotton vs. Dalton Rosta at middleweight and Gadzhi Rabadanov vs. Bobby King at lightweight.

Freire claimed 155-pound gold at Bellator 270, when he defeated Peter Queally via second-round TKO in their rematch on Nov. 5. The 36-year-old “Pitbull” brother has competed under the Bellator banner since 2011, compiling a 15-8 mark and earning wins over the likes of B…

Herb Dean will be the third man in the cage when Israel Adesanya defends his middleweight crown against Jared Cannonier in the UFC 276 main event.

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The Nevada State Athletic Commission revealed during a meeting on Tuesday that the veteran official will oversee the 185-pound title affair. Dean was also the referee for Adesanya’s last Octagon appearance, a split-decision triumph over Robert Whittaker at UFC 271 on Feb. 12.

Derek Cleary, Sal D’Amato and Junichiro Kamijo will serve as cageside judges for the Adesanya vs. Cannonier.

Meanwhile, Marc Goddard will officiate the featherweight championship trilogy clash between Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway in the evening’s co-headliner. Goddard did not referee either of the first two meetings between Volkanovski and Holloway, both of which were won by the Australian champion.

D’Amato, Mike Bell and Ron McCarthy will score the 145-pound title tilt from cageside.

UFC 276 takes place…

The back-and-forth battle between Glover Teixeira and Jiri Prochazka in the main event of UFC 275 was considered by many fans as one of the best fights in UFC light heavyweight history.

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Shortly after relinquishing the light heavyweight belt to Prochazka, Teixeira reflected on the bout’s impact on the ”Papo de Luta” podcast.

"I just saw the fight and it reminds me Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustafsson, which was one of the most exciting fights I saw live,” Teixeira said. “Of course, when you know the result the emotion is different, but I was able to understand why people are saying it was so exciting.”

In hindsight, Teixeira doesn’t regret going for a guillotine choke while having his opponent rocked in the fifth round.

"Of course, when I look at that guillotine, I want to cry. From an outside [perspective], it was pretty clear to see how dazed Jiri was, but people need to understand that since Day 1 of the camp my strategy was to take him…

Shortly after she vanquished Joanna Jedrzejczyk with a spinning backfist knockout at UFC 275 to cement her status as the strawweight division’s No. 1 contender, Weili Zhang proposed a date and location for a title clash with reigning champion Carla Esparza.

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“I want [to] fight with Carla in Abu Dhabi because I know there’s a fight there in October,” Zhang said at Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “I think Carla is a special fighter, too, and I know that can be a really good fight. Also, for me and for her – not China or the U.S. So we can fight in another country, so it’s fair for both of us.”

Not so fast, Esparza says. While there’s no debate that Zhang is next in line, “Cookie Monster” recently told the New York Post that an end of the year timeline works best for her as she recovers from some “nagging injuries.” However, she refuses to let the challenger dictate the terms of that engagement.

“I definitely don’t feel like I’m in a po…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLu3jNEmVl4&w=560&h=315]

The Floyd Mayweather exhibition tour will continue under the Rizin Fighting Federation banner in September.

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The Japanese promotion announced during a press conference that Mayweather will face Mikuru Asakura under boxing rules in an event that will air on the new Rizin Fight Pass service. An exact date for the event was not revealed.

Mayweather, who was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame over the weekend, retired from professional boxing with a 50-0 record following a victory over former two-division UFC champion Conor McGregor in 2017. Since then he has appeared in three exhibition contests, including a three-knockdown performance against Tenshin Nasukawa at Rizin 14 that prompted the kickboxing standout’s corner to throw in the towel. “Money” also went the distance for eight rounds against YouTube personality Logan Paul and squared off against former training partne…

Credit: Getty/UFC Credit: Getty/UFC Credit: Getty/UFC Credit: Getty/UFC

“The Ultimate Fighter 29” winner Bryan Battle will drop to 170 pounds for a matchup with Takashi Sato at UFC on ESPN 40.

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Both fighters confirmed the booking on social media following an initial report from MMAFighting.com. UFC on ESPN 40 takes place on Aug. 6 at an an as yet to be announced location and is headlined by a light heavyweight showdown between Jamahal Hill and Thiago Santos.

Both of Battle’s first two promotional triumphs have come at middleweight. The 27-year-old Hayastan MMA Charlotte representative submitted Gilbert Urbina at UFC on ESPN 30 to complete his run through “TUF 28” and then outpointed Tresean Gore in his second Octagon appearance at UFC Fight Night 200. Battle has currently won six straight professional outings overall.

Sato, meanwhile, has lost three of his last four UFC appearances. Most recently, the Sanford MMA member dropped a unanimou…