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Next month's highly-anticipated Dustin Poirier vs. Tony Ferguson fight isn't in the works anymore, according to Poirier.

"UFC and I didn't come to terms," Poirier told ESPN. "I will not be fighting on Oct. 24."

Poirier will return home to Lafayette next week.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 10, 2020 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 lost a fight that was never officially announced but fans strongly desired.

On Thursday, ESPN reported that the speculated lightweight affair between Dustin Poirier (26-6, 1 NC) and Tony Ferguson (25-4) will not be going down on UFC 254 like some had hoped. Although never on the books, UFC President Dana White hinted at the pairing, while admitting at the time that agreements were not yet in place. The match was considered to be hel…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuRThj1Yd20&w=560&h=315] Two red-hot European prospects are clashing in the last installment of the Brave Combat Federation “Kombat Kingdom” series.

Sherdog has learned from a person with knowledge of the situation that highly touted prospect Muhammad Mokaev (2-0) has found an opponent for Brave CF 43. At bantamweight, he will lock horns with fellow unbeaten Jamie Kelly (3-0), and they will be competing on Oct. 1 in Bahrain. The source asked for anonymity since the news isn’t official yet.

Mokaev turned pro after 23 consecutive amateur victories. “The Punisher” didn’t disappoint in his professional debut by taking home an impressive unanimous decision victory over Glenn McVeigh at Brave CF 37. A few days later, he overcame Hayden Sheriff with ease with a first-round TKO victory in the main event of Celtic Gladiator 27. Kelly will be the first man the young prospect has faced as a pro that has won a match, with his two prior opp…

My UFC career just keeps getting more interesting every fight lol

— Brok Weaver UFC (@BWeaverufc) September 10, 2020 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 upcoming Ultimate Fighting Championship card this weekend has experienced a few sudden changes to its lineup. On Wednesday night, Brok Weaver (15-5) posted on Twitter that his opponent has changed and that he will no longer be meeting Frank Camacho. BJPenn.com reported on Thursday morning that in Camacho’s stead – who is withdrawing due to a positive COVID-19 test, per MMA Fighting – will be Jalin Turner (9-5), who saw a matchup fall through on fight day last week when Thiago Moises tested positive for COVID-19. The two will be squaring off at a 165-pound catchweight at UFC Fight Night 177, which takes place on Sept. 12 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Weaver is looking to bounce b…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IV2tqTc9vM&w=560&h=315] Join DAZN free for 30 days and live-stream fight night anywhere!

Making weight was not just a formality ahead of the first card of Bellator MMA’s final Paramount Network doubleheader.

Bellator 245 goes down on Sept. 11 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. Sitting atop the card is a light heavyweight rematch between Phil Davis (21-5, 1 NC) and Lyoto Machida (26-9), where the two top contenders will run back their 2013 match that saw Davis emerge with a contentious decision win in what was then a contender for Sherdog’s 2013 “Robbery of the Year.”

Since dropping a split verdict to current champ Vadim Nemkov in November 2018, Davis has been on a run that has seen him prevail by back-to-back third-round knockout wins. “Mr. Wonderful” smashed Liam McGeary’s jaw in April 2019, and then followed that performance by battering Karl Albrektsson in October. The career light heavyweight had no issue maki…

RELENTLESS!!

@KChimaev with ANOTHER absolutely dominant performance at #UFCFightIsland3! #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/Pgz10oUYFe

— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) July 26, 2020 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. Khamzat Chimaev is currently one of the hottest young talents in the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but the promotion’s plan of double booking the prospect seems presumptuous to say the least.

That’s how Chimaev’s first opponent, Gerald Meerschaert sees it. Chimaev and Meerschaert are slated to meet at UFC Fight Night 178 on Sept. 19. The Allstars Training Center representative is then expected to square off against jiu-jitsu ace Demian Maia at an event later this year.

“It’s disrespect. He’s got to get through me,” Meerschaert recently told ESPN. “I’m tied for the record for most submissions in the middleweig…

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.

Alistair Overeem’s clinch work and ground-and-pound took their toll on Augusto Sakai over the course of their UFC Fight Night 176 headliner last weekend.

In a recent interview with Ag Fight, the Brazilian heavyweight revealed that he suffered multiple rib injuries during the fight as a result of Overeem’s onslaught. Those injuries ultimately made it difficult for Sakai to remain upright, and he succumbed to the Dutchman via fifth-round TKO at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

“In the second round, I was hit with a knee that dislocated two of my ribs,” Sakai said. "When he took me down, he hit me with an elbow that broke two more. So I was without four ribs, so to speak. That got in the way a lot. I could not defend takedowns.”

Sakai did well on the feet through the opening 10 minutes, but momentum shifted after Overee…

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The rumblings regarding a Nick Diaz comeback don’t mean a whole lot to UFC president Dana White, who’s had a consistent stream of on-and-off discussions with the former welterweight title challenger.

“There’s been talking, but there’s been talking for years,” White said following the Contender Series on Tuesday.

Earlier this week, Diaz’s manager, Kevin Mubenga, informed ESPN that the fighter recently completed a 14-week training regimen and weight cut in preparation for a 2021 return to the Octagon.

This is Nick Diaz earlier today. He weighs in the 175-165 pound range, per his manager Kevin Mubenga.He just completed a 14-week diet and training regimen. This is the first time he cuts weight in approximately four years, Mubenga said. Diaz wanted to do a test cut because ... pic.twitter.com/5A8…

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 on Tuesday invited a few violent men to join its ranks, as Aliaskhab Khizriev, Tafon Nchukwi, Phil Hawes and Drako Rodriguez were awarded contracts on Week 6 of Dana White’s Contender Series at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Khizriev (13-0) dispatched former Heat champion Henrique Shiguemoto with a rear-naked choke in the first round of their brief middleweight pairing. Shiguemoto (13-4-1) conceded defeat 50 seconds into Round 1, the victim in the second-fastest submission in DWCS history.

After a brief exchange on the feet, Khizriev scrambled into the rear waistlock position, executed a takedown and almost immediately transitioned to the back. He set his hooks, flattened out his counterpart and cinched the choke for the sixth sub-minute stoppage of his career.

The loss was Shiguemoto’s firs…

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. Sherdog's live DWCS 2020 Week 6 coverage kicks off Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below. Round 1 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Mike Fridley scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Mike Fridley scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Mike Fridley scores the round:The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Mike Fridley scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Brian Knapp scores the round:Mike Fridley scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Br…

“The Ultimate Fighter 28” winner Juan Francisco Espino Dieppa will return to action for the first time since winning the reality show when he faces Jeff Hughes at UFC 253.

Espino confirmed the heavyweight pairing on social media Tuesday. UFC 253 takes place on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and is headlined by a middleweight championship tilt between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Henrique Costa.

Espino last appeared at the “TUF 28” finale, where he submitted Justin Frazier in the opening stanza. The 39-year-old Spainard is 9-1 as a professional, with his only setback coming against former Bellator champ Vitaly Minakov in April 2011.

After earning a contract on Season 2 of Dana White’s Contender Series, Hughes is still looking for his first UFC triumph. The Strong Style Fight Team has lost decisions to Raphael Pessoa and Maurice Greene while a showdown with Todd Duffee ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke. “Lights Out” is 10-3 as a professional overall.

A women’s flyweight matchup pitting Rachael Ostovich against Gina Mazany is on tap for the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Nov. 28 card.

MMAjunkie.com was first to report the booking. The card is expected to be headlined by a pivotal heavyweight clash between Curtis Blaydes and Derrick Lewis. A location and venue have yet to be announced.

Ostovich will return to action following a USADA suspension for ostarine that was reduced by four months after supplement testing revealed the fighter inadvertently ingested the banned substance. The 29-year-old Hawaiian hasn’t competed since suffering a second-round submission loss to Paige VanZant at UFC Fight Night 143 in January 2019.

A competitor on Season 18 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” is 2-4 in the Octagon since her debut in 2017. Most recently, the 32-year-old Canadian suffered a 22-second technical knockout loss against Julia Avila at UFC on ESPN 10.

UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture will undergo surgery following an ATV accident over the holiday weekend, according to TMZ Sports.

Couture and his girlfriend, Mindy Robinson, were riding on a private road on the ex-fighter’s ranch in Flagstaff, Arizona, when the accident occurred. While Robinson emerged relatively healthy, Couture suffered rib and shoulder injuries and was scheduled for surgery on Tuesday. The 57-year-old is expected to recover without issue.

The incident comes nearly 11 months after Couture suffered a heart attack. Couture recovered in time to return to his role as a Professional Fighters League commentator by the end of 2019.

“The Natural” retired from MMA after suffering a knockout loss against Lyoto Machida at UFC 129 in 2011. Couture is a three-time NCAA Division I All-American wrestler and a former UFC champion at both heavyweight and light heavyweight. In addition to his current role with PFL, Couture has worked as an actor and a coach …

Xtreme Fighting Championships joins forces with NBC Sports; XFC43 set for Nov. 11 on NBCSN. For the full article visit: https://t.co/gRuSYqhUek

#xfc #NBCSports #mma pic.twitter.com/l33uJEGIKV

— XFC MMA (@OfficialXFC) September 8, 2020 Xtreme Fighting Championships is returning with a mixed martial arts event to be broadcast on NBC Sports this November.

The promotion, which was last based in Brazil in 2015, is relaunching under ownership in the United States behind CEO Steve Smith and president Myron Molotky. XFC 43 will be televised via NBC Sports Network on Nov. 11 at 9 p.m. ET and will feature two hours of fights.

“NBC Sports is the gold standard in sports television, with an unmatched history presenting the most prestigious competitions in the world,” Molotky said. “The team at NBC Sports impressed us with their experience, their understanding of our vision, and their commitment to excellence. We are thrilled to join them as partn…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNgf_2yrvwk&w=560&h=315]

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.

Paulo Henrique Costa is having a little bit of fun leading up to his UFC 253 showdown with Israel Adesanya.

The middleweight contender recently released a video that features a playful preview of how Costa feels the championship fight might go — complete with mock walkouts and Eric Albarricin as ring announcer. Adesanya is played by kickboxer Vanderlei Goncalves and spends much of the bout running from “Borrachinha” in and out of the cage.

UFC 253 takes place on Sept. 26 on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and is headlined by the championship clash between Adesanya and Costa. In the co-main event, Dominick Reyes and Jan Blachowicz will square off for the vacant light heavyweight strap.

Leon Edwards has been the odd man out in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s welterweight division thus far in 2020.

After his proposed UFC London headlining clash in March with Tyron Woodley fell through due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Edwards has seen the many of the top contenders at 170 pounds booked in the ensuing months while he stays stuck on the sidelines.

"It's an annoying position to be in," Edwards told ESPN. "I'm the only guy in the top 10 who is not living in the U.S., I believe. But these guys have to fight me soon. I'll 100 percent fight this year. I'm 29 and I need to stay active. These guys in the top 5 are all [in their mid-30s]. I'm the youngest in the top 15, probably. I want to be active.”

Currently, Gilbert Burns is slated to challenge reigning champion Kamaru Usman at UFC 256 at the end of the year; Woodley will lock horns with Colby Covington later this month and there are rumblings that Jorge Masvidal will book a “BMF” rematch with Nate …

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It appears that an intriguing lightweight clash targeted for Oct. 3 will not proceed as planned.

Beneil Dariush announced via Instagram on Monday that Charles Oliveira has withdrawn from their proposed bout at UFC on ESPN 16. A reason for the Brazilian’s exit is currently unclear. UFC officials have not made a formal announcement regarding the fight.

“After my fight with Scott Holtzman, the UFC offered me a fight with Charles Oliveira on Oct 3rd,” Dariush wrote. “I accepted and so did Charles. I did not announce it because I was waiting on the UFC to announce it and I would follow. I been informed Charles is out of the fight. I am not sure on the details but I hope all is well with Charles.

“I am currently working with the UFC to figure out our next step. I will keep you all posted on the details. Finally, even…

Ricardo Lamas was contemplating the end of his career following his victory against Bill Algeo at UFC Fight Night 175, and now that decision is official.

The 38-year-old Chicago native official announced his retirement to MMA Junkie Radio on Monday. Lamas revealed that he finalized his decision as a tribute to his late brother, who died on Aug. 28, 2009 – nearly 11 years to the day of his last bout.

Lamas told MMAFighting.com that he’d been considering calling it a career as far back as 2017 following a first-round TKO of Jason Knight at UFC 214. More recently, “The Bully” suffered a broken jaw in a setback to Calvin Kattar at UFC 238, and that forced Lamas to revisit those thoughts of exiting a sport he’d competed in professionally since 2008.

Barring a change of heart down the road, Lamas was able to end his fighting career on a high note with the win over Algeo.

“[I want to be remembered] that I always left it in the cage,” Lamas told MMAFighting. “J…

It’s full speed ahead for Week 6 of Dana White’s Contender Series, as all 10 fighters slated to compete made weight without issue on Monday.

Dana White’s Contender Series takes place on Tuesday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and streams on ESPN+ beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The evening’s featured bout is a light heavyweight contest pitting Tafon Nchukwi (204 pounds) against Al Matavao (200).

Nchukwi, 25, is 3-0 in his burgeoning MMA tenure. The Team Lloyd Irvin product scored a notable win in his last outing, as he stopped recent UFC signee William Knight in the opening round at Cage Fury Fighting Championships 80 this past November.

Matavao, meanwhile, enters the matchup on a four-bout winning streak. The American Samoa native has compiled an 8-2 career mark while fighting primarily under the Alaska Fighting Championship banner.

Dana White’s Contender Series Weigh-in ResultsTafon Nchukwi (204) vs. Al Matavao (200)Cameron Church (155.5) vs. Sherrard Blackl…

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.

Deiveson Figueiredo has already started the process of promoting his UFC 255 fight against Cody Garbrandt.

Over the weekend the UFC flyweight champion used social media to deliver a message to his opponent in English, both via video and by text.

“[Cody Garbrandt] you think you are going to take my belt?” Figueiredo wrote on Instagram. “I go to sleep dreaming of taking your head off!!!! I wake up thinking of knocking you out. My whole day is dedicated to putting you to sleep!!!!”

Figueiredo claimed the vacant flyweight crown with a first-round submission of Joseph Benavidez at UFC Fight Night 172 on July 18. The 32-year-old Brazilian has won four straight UFC bouts and 19 of his 20 professional appearances overall.

A former bantamweight champion, Garbrandt will make his flyweight debut against Figue…

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.

After falling to Pannie Kianzad for her third defeat in her last four outings at UFC on ESPN 14, Bethe Correia announced via Instagram that she had competed for the final time in the Las Vegas-based promotion.

However, Brazilian outlet Ag.Fight recently reported that Correia would instead have her farewell bout against Yanan Wu on Dec. 5. Shortly thereafter, Correia confirmed the news on social media. Correia was reportedly released from the UFC following her loss to Kianzad, but now it appears she will get a chance to exit the organizatino on her own terms.

“Only a fighter knows the time to stop and follow other paths... Only a fighter and their allies know to tell apart the lies from the truth from what the media puts out. Yes! This will be my last fight and it could not be at any event other than the one and only…

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.

Liana Jojua will fight Miranda Maverick in a women’s flyweight bout on Oct. 24 at UFC 254.

Prime Fight Management, which represents Jojua, first brought word of the matchup. UFC 254 takes place on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and is headlined by a lightweight championship clash between reigning champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and interim king Justin Gaethje.

The 25-year-old Russian known as “She Wolf” had a five-bout professional winning streak snapped in her Octagon debut, as she suffered a third-round TKO loss to Sarah Moras at UFC 242. Jojua rebounded at UFC on ESPN 13, tapping on Diana Belbita with an armbar in the first round of the opening stanza on July 15. The Akhmat Fight Team representative owns an 8-3 pro mark that includes six submission triumphs — including five via armbar.

Maverick has compiled a 7-2 re…

A positive COVID-19 test has forced Austin Vanderford out of a proposed bout against Daniel Madrid at Bellator 246.

Vanderford announced the news on his Instagram account following an initial report from MMAjunkie.com. Pat Casey has been targeted as a replacement opponent for Madrid in the middleweight contest.

Unfortunately, I won’t be able to compete for [Bellator MMA] next weekend,” Vanderford wrote. “I tested positive for COVID (a second time now). To say it’s a bummer is a serious understatement. But I’m going to rest up and recover now. I’ll be ready to go ASAP. Stay healthy and safe.”

Bellator 246 takes place on Saturday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut and is headlined by a showdown between Juan Archuleta and Patrick Mix for the vacant bantamweight championship. The main card airs on Paramount Network and Dazn following prelims on Bellator’s YouTube channel.

The 30-year-old Vanderford is 9-0 as a professional and has kicked off his…

OUT COLD.

@003_OSP walkin' off in style tonight!

[ We're live NOW on #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/A7tqzYHSB9 — UFC (@ufc) September 6, 2020

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.

Ovince St. Preux’s second-round knockout of Alonzo Menifield in the UFC Fight Night 176 co-headliner was a thing of beauty.

The veteran light heavyweight waited patiently for his opportunity, and when Menifield recklessly rushed forward, “OSP” knocked him unconscious with a perfectly-time counter left hook.

“If you pressure me,” St. Preux said on the ESPN+ post-fight show, “I do really good going backwards and I connected really good.”

The former University of Tennessee football player set the stage for the highlight-reel finish by frustrating Menifield in the bout’s early stages, as he utilized his height and reach advantage well. Read more about Ovince St. Preux Breaks Down Highlight-Reel KO: ‘His Chin Was Staring At Me’

VICIOUS ground and pound!

William Knight with the absolute POWER to end it.

We're LIVE on #ESPNPlus pic.twitter.com/LF30vGwXqn — UFC (@ufc) September 2, 2020

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.

Two-time Dana White’s Contender Series alum William Knight will get to make a quick turnaround at UFC 253, as he will square off against Aleksa Camur on the preliminary portion of the card.

The promotion announced the matchup during the UFC Fight Night 176 broadcast on Saturday night. UFC 253 takes place on Sept. 26 on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi and is headlined by a middleweight title bout between Israel Adesanya and Paulo Henrique Costa.

Knight earned a UFC deal with a first-round TKO of Cody Brundage on the Contender Series on Sept. 1. The 32-year-old is 8-1 as a professional, with all of his victories coming via knockou…