Kevin Holland Withdraws from Kyle Daukaus Rematch at UFC Fight Night 197 on Nov. 13

Kevin Holland has suffered an undisclosed injury, putting his rematch against Kyle Daukaus on hold.

Multiple outlets confirmed Holland’s withdrawal after Daukaus revealed the news on Twitter. The middleweights were slated to meet at UFC Fight Night 197 on Nov. 13. Daukaus is expected to remain on the card against a replacement opponent.

“Hey Kevin Holland, sorry to hear about the injury,” Daukaus wrote. “Heal up. I’ll see you in February, but first I’m gonna handle some business.”

Hey @Trailblaze2top Sorry to hear about the injury. Heal up. I’ll see you in February, but first I’m gonna handle some business. #Relentless #UFC

— Kyle Daukaus (@KyleDaukaus) October 27, 2021

Holland and Daukaus initially squared off at UFC Fight Night 193, when an accidental headbutt altered the course of their bout. Holland was dazed after the collision, which allowed Daukaus to secure a rear-naked choke for the tapout. However, the sequence was review…

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Thiago Santos: Teixeira Must Repeat Game Plan He Used Against Me to Dethrone Blachowicz

Thiago Santos is the only man to knock out Jan Blachowicz in his 16-bout UFC career, so he knows a little something about what it takes to beat the reigning light heavyweight champion.

Santos, who suffered a submission loss to Glover Teixeira last November, spoke to Sherdog.com about the light heavyweight title bout between Blachowicz and Teixeira at UFC 267.

“I´ve already faced both,” Santos said. “Blachowicz evolved a lot after our fight in 2019, and the champion is always the favorite. If I had to bet, I would say it´s 60/40 in favor of Jan. But if Glover repeats the game plan he used against myself, mixing striking and takedowns, he will confound Blachowicz and take his belt.

Santos believes Teixeira’s wrestling and grappling could be the difference in the title fight for the Brazilian veteran.

“The fight starts standing, and Blachowicz is a superior striker, but Glover is way superior on takedowns and also in the ground game,” Santos said. “If he takes Jan d…

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Valerie Loureda, Cody Law Among Additions to Bellator 271 Preliminary Lineup

Valerie Loureda and Cody Law are among those who will be in action on the Bellator 271 preliminary card.

The California-based promotion on Wednesday announced the following five bouts for the prelims: Loureda vs. Taylor Turner at flyweight; Law vs. Colton Hamm at featherweight; Bruna Ellen vs. Desiree Yanez at flyweight; Roman Faraldo vs. Robert Turnquest at welterweight and Jordan Newman vs. Shane O'Shea at middleweight.

Bellator 271 takes place at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Fla., on Nov. 12 and is headlined by a women’s featherweight title tilt between Cristiane Justino and Sinead Kavanagh. The main card airs on Showtime at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, while prelims stream at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on the Bellator MMA YouTube channel, the Showtime Sports YouTube channel and Pluto TV.

A taekwondo black belt who trains at American Top Team, Loureda began her professional MMA career with three straight triumphs under the Bellator banner. In her la…

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UFC Fight Night 196 Medical Suspensions: Vettori, Costa Facing Potential 6-Month Terms

There's no love lost between @MarvinVettori and @BorrachinhaMMA, but there was a post-fight fist bump #UFCVegas41 pic.twitter.com/5sKXFdjaXF

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 23, 2021

Marvin Vettori and Paulo Costa could both be out for a while following their five-round headliner at UFC Fight Night 196 this past Saturday.

Vettori defeated Costa via unanimous decision in a light heavyweight bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The fight, which was originally slated to be contested at middleweight, was moved to 205 pounds when Costa revealed that he would be unable to make weight.

Vettori must have X-rays on both forearms and an MRI on his right knee. If positive he must receive doctor clearance or he will be sidelined until April 22. At a minimum, “The Italian Dream” is suspended until Dec. 8 with no contact until Nov. 23. Costa, meanwhile, needs an X-ray and clearance on his right foot or he will also be out until April 22. “Borrachinha” is a…

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One Championship Postpones December Card Featuring Demetrious Johnson, Two Title Bouts

BREAKING Chatri announces ONE X will be rescheduled to early 2022. Read his full statement here: https://t.co/WUf8T6ThTb @yodchatri #WeAreONE #ONEChampionship pic.twitter.com/3uskOwMWDi

— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) October 27, 2021

One Championship has postponed its Dec. 5 event due to a high number of COVID-19 cases in Singapore, promotion CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced Wednesday.

The card, entitled One “X,” was scheduled to be headlined by a mixed-rules bout between former UFC flyweight ruler Demetrious Johnson and One muay Thai title holder Rodtang Jitmuangnon. Additionally, two title fights were also slated to take place at the event: Bibiano Fernandes vs. John Lineker at bantamweight (145 pounds) and Thanh Le vs. Garry Tonon at featherweight (155 pounds). A new date for the One X card is currently unknown, though MMAFighting.com is reporting that the promotion is tentatively targeting March.

“Due to the record high viral …

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Gadzhi Omargadzhiev among Five Contract Winners at DWCS Week 9

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream Dana White’s Contender Series live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. Gadzhi Omargadzhiev was bent on netting a UFC contract, and woe betide any man — or any ligaments — that got in his way. The 28-year-old Russian prospect finished Jansey Silva with an excruciating-looking kneebar in the first round of their middleweight feature at DWCS Week 9. Omargadzhiev struck for an early takedown and the fight never made it back to the feet, as he stayed busy with chipping ground-and-pound while relentlessly working towards dominant positions. With just over a minute left in the round, Omargadzhiev leaned back for a leg attack. The Brazilian elected to try and defend by punching, but to no avail, as Omargadzhiev isolated and hyperextended Silva’s knee. Silva tapped quickly, and referee Herb Dean jumped in for the stoppage at 4 minutes, 19 seconds. With the win, the first kneebar in Contend…
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Dana White’s Contender Series 2021 Week 9 Play-by-Play & Results

Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream UFC 267 live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app.

Sherdog's live DWCS 2021 Week 9 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:Ben Duffy scores the round:Mike Fridley scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Ben Duffy scores the round:Mike Fridley scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Ben Duffy scores the round:Mike Fridley scores the round:The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Ben Duffy scores the round:Mike Fridley scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Ben Duffy scores the round:Mike Fridley scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Tristen Critchfield scores the round…
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PFL Championships Weigh-in Results: All Finalists Hit Marks for Title Bouts

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQOS9on-UOM&w=560&h=315]

The Professional Fighters League Championships will proceed as planned, as all 12 athletes set to compete in title bouts made weight without issue.

The card will be headlined by a women’s lightweight championship bout between Kayla Harrison and Taylor Guardado. Harrison tipped the scales at 153.8 pounds, while Guardado checked in at 154.4 pounds. In the co-main event, Ray Cooper III (169.8) will attempt to repeat as welterweight champion against Magomed Magomedkerimov (170). All of the undercard competitors made weight without issue, as well.

The PFL Championships take place at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fla., on Wednesday night. The main card airs on ESPN2 and ESPN+ beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, while the preliminary card streams on ESPN+ beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. PT. The winners of the championship bouts will receive $1 million payouts.

Harrison will attempt t…

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UFC Veteran Mike Perry Signs Multi-Fight Contract with BKFC

BOOM. Welcome to the BKFC @PlatinumPerry - Watch out 175ers pic.twitter.com/qUKrQpj6q0

— Bare Knuckle FC (@bareknucklefc) October 26, 2021

Mike Perry is headed to Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship.

The UFC veteran has signed a multi-fight deal with BKFC, with a debut date yet to be determined. The organization confirmed the signing following an initial report from MMAFighting.com. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

“Let’s skip all the formalities!” Perry said a release. “This sport is evolving, and I am here to strike fear into the hearts of my competitors! I plan to intimidate the world when I show what a truly skilled combat specialist is capable of with his bare hands. I will dismantle the opposition and reach the glory I have longed for my entire life. I will be crowned King of the streets and King of combat sports! They will make me a Platinum Crown and carry me on the bloody backs of my defeated rivals! I am here to go strai…

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Fabian Edwards Replaces Norbert Novenyi Jr., Meets Charlie Ward at Bellator 270 in Dublin

Fabian Edwards will step in for the injured Norbert Novenyi Jr. and face Charlie Ward at Bellator 270.

Promotion officials confirmed the new middleweight booking following an initial report from MMAjunkie.com. Novenyi Jr. announced that a torn ACL forced him to withdraw from the event. Bellator 270 takes place at 3Arena in Dublin, Ireland, on Nov. 5 and is headlined by a clash between Peter Queally and Patricky Freire for the vacant lightweight championship.

Edwards, the younger brother of UFC welterweight contender Leon Edwards, began his professional tenure with nine consecutive victories, including four under the Bellator MMA banner. The 28-year-old Team Renegade product is coming off back-to-back losses against Costello van Steenis and Austin Vanderford in his last two outings.

Anchored at SBG Ireland, the 40-year-old Ward has been victorious in six of seven appearances within the California-based promotion. Ward went 2-0 in 2020, posting victories against…

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Bellator 268 Salaries: Vadim Nemkov ($250K), Corey Anderson ($200K) Top Payroll

Light heavyweight grand prix semifinal winners Vadim Nemkov and Corey Anderson topped the payroll for Bellator 268.

The Arizona Department of Gaming recently released salaries from the event, which took place at the Footprint Center in Phoeniz, Ariz., on Oct. 16.

Nemkov, the promotion’s reigning 205-pound champion, earned $250,000 for his fourth-round submission of Julius Anglickas ($150,000) in the evening’s main event. Anderson, meanwhile, pocketed $200,000 for a first-round TKO of ex-champ Ryan Bader ($150,000) in the co-headliner. Nemkov and Anderson will square off with light heavyweight gold on the line at an as yet to be determined event next year.

The only other six-figure earner on the card was former UFC lightweight king Benson Henderson, who garnered $150,000 for a decision loss to Brent Primus ($50,000) in a featured 155-pound contest.

Note: The disclosed purses reported by state athletic commissions do not include any performance-based or discretion…

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Bryan Battle vs. Tresean Gore Targeted for UFC Event on Feb. 5

Credit: Getty/UFC Credit: Getty/UFC

The original pairing for the middleweight finals of “The Ultimate Fighter 29” is slated to go down early next year, as Bryan Battle will lock horns with Tresean Gore on Feb. 5.

MMAjunkie.com was first to report the booking. Gore was forced to withdraw from their bout at UFC on ESPN 30 on Aug. 28 after suffering a knee injury. The UFC Fight Night event does not yet have an official location or headliner.

With Gore out, Battle captured the “TUF 29” crown with a second-round submission of Gilbert Urbina at the event. The man known as “Pooh Bear” has won five straight outings as he heads into his sophomore Octagon appearance.

Gore was 3-0 as a professional before his stint on “TUF 29,” where he bested Ryder Newman and Urbina to reach the middleweight finals before being derailed by the aforementioned injury. Gore is anchored at American Top Team Atlanta.

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Dana White Wants UFC to Resume Traveling for Fight Night Events Soon

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1htnOtjiPw&w=560&h=315]

While the Ultimate Fighting Championship is hitting the road for its pay-per-view events, it has remained at its home base for the majority of its schedule since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Normally, a UFC Fight Night card is a chance for the Las Vegas-based promotion to travel throughout the United States — as well as overseas — build its fanbase and allow fighters with local ties to get a little extra shine. It’s something UFC president Dana White hopes to resume sometime in the near future.

“We’ve got to get back on the road,” White said Saturday folllowing UFC Fight Night 196. “We’ve got to start going to places like Oklahoma and all these other small towns that we do Fight Nights in. We eventually have to get back to work. I’m looking forward to it. Sooner than later.”

On the other hand, White admits that it can be nice to having everything close to home at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. However, w…

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Contender Series Week 9 Weigh-in Face-Off Marred by ‘Terrorist’ Taunt

Oron Kahlon (left) missed weight (3lbs too heavy) for his scheduled fight tomorrow at #DWCS. He will be fined 20% of his purse.

Javid Basharat wasn't happy about it and didn't shake hands with Kahlon. Kahlon called him a terrorist soon after.... pic.twitter.com/N5pflxW2wU

— Marcel Dorff (@BigMarcel24) October 25, 2021 There will be some added animosity heading into the bantamweight showdown between Oron Kahlon and Javid Basharat on Week 9 of Dana White’s Contender Series.

Following weigh-ins on Monday morning, Kahlon, who hails from Israel, can be heard calling his opponent a “terrorist” during a face-off. Basharat is based in England with the London Shootfighters but is originally from Afghanistan.

Perhaps some of the tension during the face-off stems from Kahlon’s struggles on the scales, as he missed weight by three pounds for the bout, which led to Basharat refusing a handshake from his opponent. The two exchanged words prior to …

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Scott Coker Reflects on Fedor Emelianenko’s Win at Bellator 269: ‘That Was Really Special’

It was almost like Fedor Emelianenko turned back the clock.

The Russian’s legendary hand speed was front and center in the Bellator 269 headliner, as he knocked out former interim heavyweight title challenger Timothy Johnson 1:40 into the opening round at VTB Arena in Moscow. It was Emelianenko’s fourth victory in his last five outings in Bellator, but there was something different about his most recent performance.

“That was really special,” Coker told assembled media after the event. “I’ve been in the fight game a long time and for him to really deliver in his hometown in front of all of his fans, it was really fun to watch. It was a real special night and like I said, being a promoter for so long there’s a few times that just capture that moment in time and really this was that night.

“I was like, wow, at 45 he can still bring it. He threw combinations at Tim that I haven’t seen for a little while, honestly. I think the pressure of him being at home really h…

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Contender Series Weigh-in Results: Oron Kahlon Misses Mark for Bantamweight Bout

All but one of the 12 athletes slated to compete on Week 9 of Dana White’s Contender Series made weight on Monday.

The lone exception was Oron Kahlon, who tipped the scales at 139 pounds for a bantamweight clash against Javid Basharat (136). The fight will proceed as planned, but Kahlon will be fined 20% of his purse.

The Contender Series takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Tuesday night and airs on ESPN+ beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The featured bout on this week’s card is a middleweight tilt pitting Jansey Silva (185.5) against Gadzhi Omargadzhiev (186).

Silva has compiled a 7-1 record while competing exclusively for the Brazilian organization Watch Out Combat Show. The 26-year-old Tata Fight Team member has finished five of his wins by knockout or technical knockout.

Russia’s Omargadzhiev is 12-0 since beginning his professional tenure in 2013. The CSKA Moscow representative has earned eight of his triumphs by KO/TKO and two via submission.

Co…
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Undefeated Featherweights Movsar Evloev, Ilia Topuria Targeted to Meet at UFC 270

Credit: M-1

A matchup between up-and-coming featherweights Movsar Evloev and Ilia Topuria is in the works for UFC 270.

The pairing was first reported by the Red Fury MMA Instagram page and has since been confirmed by multiple outlets. UFC 270 takes place on Jan. 22 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., and is headlined by a heavyweight title unification bout between Francis Ngannou and Ciryl Gane.

Evloev is unbeaten in 15 professional appearances — including five triumphs in UFC competition. The 27-year-old Russian last appeared at UFC 263, where he outpointed Hakeem Dawodu on June 12. Evloev has gone the distance in each of his Octagon triumphs, also earning wins over the likes of Nik Lentz, Mike Grundy, Enrique Barzola and Seung Woo Choi.

Spain’s Topuria is 11-0 as a pro, a run that includes a 3-0 mark within the Las Vegas-based promotion. The Brave Combat Federation veteran is coming off back-to-back first-round knockout victories against Damon Jackson and …

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Jason ‘Mayhem’ Miller Facing Felony Charges After Alleged Bar Fight in September

Troubled former fighter Jason Miller is facing a pair of felony charges for a bar fight that occurred in September, according to a report from TMZ Sports.

The UFC and Strikeforce veteran is facing charges of assault and battery after allegedly breaking a man’s ribs outside a San Fernando, Calif., bar last month. The man Miller injured initially elected not to file charges but later changed his mind after a hospital visit. That resulted in police charging Miller with felony battery and felony assault.

The news comes on the heels of “Mayhem” being arrested for felony domestic violence in Los Angeles on September 10. The 40-year-old was held on bail of $1.385 million after a women called 911 screaming for help and police arrived at the scene to find her with marks on her face and neck. Miller initially resisted being taken into custody and was tased and cuffed as a result.

The former “Bully Beatdown” host has a lengthy history of running afoul of the law. Less th…

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Juntaro Ushiku Stops Yutaka Saito, Claims Featherweight Crown in Rizin 31 Main Event

The knee that opened the cut!

VODs available herehttps://t.co/Md8kjceRGe#RIZIN #MMA #RIZINFF #RIZIN31 pic.twitter.com/0BhoaQ3ASs

— RIZIN FF English (@rizin_English) October 24, 2021 Deep champion Juntaro Ushiku now has another piece of championship hardware to add to his trophy case.

Ushiku defeated Yutaka Saito via technical knockout in the Rizin Fighting Federation 31 headliner to capture the promotion’s featherweight crown on Sunday in Yokohama, Japan. A flying knee from Ushiku opened a gash on Saito’s head and forced doctors to call the contest at the 4:26 mark of Round 2.

Ushiku has won eight of his last nine professional appearances dating back to November 2018, while Saito sees a four-bout winning streak snapped in defeat.

Huge upkicks by Saori Oshima (@cb_saori)

VODs available herehttps://t.co/Md8kjceRGe#RIZIN #MMA #RIZINFF #RIZIN31 pic.twitter.com/N6HO4ciZ4N

— RIZIN FF English (@rizin…
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Fedor Emelianenko Calls Bellator 269 Triumph ‘One of the Most Important Wins in My Career’

What a historic night for Fedor Emelianenko and #Bellator in #Moscow!

This was the 's th pro win.#MMA #Bellator269 pic.twitter.com/llxTdLvpm0

— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) October 23, 2021 Fedor Emelianenko was in top form in his victory over Timothy Johnson at Bellator 269.

After a few tense exchanges in the early going, “The Last Emperor” dropped Johnson with a three-punch combination as his opponent rushed forward. Once Emelianenko landed, Johnson crashed to the canvas and the fight was immediately stopped at the 1:40 mark of Round 1. Considering that Johnson was coming off a loss to Valentin Moldavsky in an interim heavyweight title bout, it might be the most impressive victory of Emelianenko’s Bellator tenure.

“I think maybe this is one of the most important wins in my career, taking into consideration the location, the country, the age,” Emelianenko said during Saturday’s post-fight press conference. “Taking into consideratio…

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Rico Verhoeven Ends Trilogy with Jamal Ben Saddik, Defends Heavyweight Title at Glory ‘Collision 3’

UNDISPUTED @ricoverhoeven #COLLISION3 pic.twitter.com/Kuh4Y4J0r3

— GLORY Kickboxing (@GLORY_WS) October 23, 2021

Rico Verhoeven reminded everyone why he is nicknamed the "King of Kickboxing.”

The headliner featured a heavyweight clash between defending champion Rico Verhoeven (59-10) and former two-time rival Jamal Ben Saddik (35-8). The challenger was supposed to be combat sports legend Alistair Overeem, but an injury forced "The Demolition Man" out of the fight. Verhoeven moved around his opponent for most of the time in the opening round, studying his reactions, before Ben Saddik almost knocked him down right before the end of the stanza. Ben Saddik pushed on the accelerator early in Round 2, dropping Verheoven and opening a cut under his right eye.

Verhoeven fought through adversity and made some adjustments after the second stanza as his eye kept swelling. In Round 3, the Dutchman retaliated with several knees, showcased better foo…

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Rico Verhoeven Ends Trilogy with Jamal Ben Saddik, Defends Title at Glory ‘Collision 3’

UNDISPUTED @ricoverhoeven #COLLISION3 pic.twitter.com/Kuh4Y4J0r3

— GLORY Kickboxing (@GLORY_WS) October 23, 2021

Rico Verhoeven reminded everyone why he is nicknamed the "King of Kickboxing.”

The headliner featured a heavyweight clash between defending champion Rico Verhoeven (59-10) and former two-time rival Jamal Ben Saddik (35-8). The challenger was supposed to be combat sports legend Alistair Overeem, but an injury forced "The Demolition Man" out of the fight. Verhoeven moved around his opponent for most of the time in the opening round, studying his reactions, before Ben Saddik almost knocked him down right before the end of the stanza. Ben Saddik pushed on the accelerator early in Round 2, dropping Verheoven and opening a cut under his right eye.

Verhoeven fought through adversity and made some adjustments after the second stanza as his eye kept swelling. In Round 3, the Dutchman retaliated with several knees, showcased better foo…

Read more about Rico Verhoeven Ends Trilogy with Jamal Ben Saddik, Defends Title at Glory ‘Collision 3’
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Dana White: Paulo Costa Must Remain at 205 Pounds After Weight Miss

Credit: Joao Baptista Credit: Joao Baptista Credit: Joao Baptista

Once it became clear that he wasn’t going to make the middleweight limit, Paulo Costa did everything he could to tilt the odds in his favor heading into the UFC Fight Night 196 main event.

Even though he convinced opponent Marvin Vettori to agree to fight at 205 pounds and he was clearly the larger athlete in the Octagon on Saturday, Costa still dropped a unanimous decision to “The Italian Dream.” As result, UFC president Dana White was singing Vettori’s praises at Saturday’s post-fight press conference.

“We were trying to keep this fight alive and make sure that it happened, and we couldn’t have done it without a guy like Vettori,” White said. “Vettori acted like an absolute professional, stud, a guy that’s incredible to work with. That’s why this fight happened.”

According to White, Costa entered the cage at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday night at 220 pounds, while Vettori weighed 208. De…

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UFC Fight Night 196 Bonuses: Vettori, Caceres, Rodrigues, Park Capture $50K

Both men battled through adversity on their ways to victory!

POTN bonuses handed out to @BruceLeeroyGlow & @MarvinVettori. #UFCVegas41 pic.twitter.com/OrH0Eq6QWm

— UFC (@ufc) October 24, 2021 Marvin Vettori accepted the challenge of moving up a weight class to fight Paulo Costa at UFC Fight Night 196, and it paid off handsomely for “The Italian Dream.”

Vettori received a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” check for a unanimous decision victory over Costa in Saturday’s headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The bout was originally scheduled to be contested at 185 pounds until Costa revealed that he wouldn’t be able to make weight, so it was then changed to a 205-pound bout. Vettori took the change in stride, as he set a light heayweight record with 190 significant strikes landed in the five-round affair.

Elsewhere, Alex Caceres pocketed a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” award for a first-round submission of Seung Woo Choi in …

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