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A bantamweight showdown pitting Sean O'Malley against Louis Smolka is in the works for UFC 264.

Multiple outlets confirmed that verbal agreements are in place for the pairing following an initial report from journalist Ryan Frederick on Twitter. UFC 264 takes place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on July 10 and is headlined by a trilogy bout between Dustin Poirier and Conor McGregor.

After suffering his first career defeat against Marlon Vera at UFC 252, O’Malley returned to the win column at UFC 260, where he defeated Thomas Almeida via third-round knockout on March 27. The Dana White’s Contender Series alum is 13-1 as a professional, with 10 victories coming inside the distance.

Smolka has been victorious in three of five Octagon appearances during his second UFC stint. Most recently, “Da Last Samurai” stopped Jose Alberto Quinonez in the second round of their bout at UFC on ESPN 19 on Dec. 5. The 29-year-old Hawaiian went 5-5 during his first go-round wit…

Raphael Pessoa Nunes Accepts Sanction for Second Violation of UFC Anti-Doping Policy https://t.co/AGyVkrDZXN

— USADA (@usantidoping) May 3, 2021

UFC heavyweight competitor Raphael Pessoa has been suspended for two years by USADA for testing positive for a banned substance and evading sample collection.

The anti-doping organization announced the sanctions on Monday. Pessoa tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) and its metabolites chlorothiazide and 4-amino-6-chloro-1,3-benzenedisulfonamide (ACB) in out-of-competition samples collected on Feb. 9, Feb. 15, Feb. 16 and March 4. HCTZ is listing in the category of diuretics and masking agents and is banned at all times under the UFC’s anti-doping policy.

Because Pessoa was not notified of the positive test until all four samples were collected, it is treated as a single violation. However, the 32-year-old Rio de Janeiro native previously tested positive for the same substance and comple…

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— Jed I. Goodman (@jedigoodman) May 2, 2021

Randa Markos is accusing Luana Pinheiro of taking a dive in their strawweight bout at UFC on ESPN 23.

Markos was disqualified after landing an illegal upkick while her foe was on her knees 4:16 into the opening round at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday night. Once the blow connected, Pinheiro fell back to the canvas and remained there for several minutes with a dazed expression on her face. Once it was determined the Brazilian would not be able to continue, the bout was waved off by referee Mark Smith.

During the broadcast, UFC analyst and fighter Paul Felder questioned the legitimacy of Pinheiro’s reaction, and Markos did the same on her Instagram account. Earlier in the bout, Markos had been on the receiving end of multiple eye pokes, the last of which prompted a pause in the action and opened a cut on the Canadian fighter’s eyelid.

That foul never hind…

Merab Dvalishvili showcased a versatile skillset against Cody Stamann at UFC on ESPN 23, and that should be concerning for the rest of the division.

The Serra-Longo Fight Team product’s grappling was on display to the tune of five takedowns, but he also kept his opponent off balance with a standup attack that included jabs, straight rights and uppercuts. All told, the Georgian bantamweight outlanded Stamann by a 71-to-48 count in significant strikes – including 49 to the head, 16 to the body and six to the legs.

During his rise to prominence in the UFC, Dvalishvili gained recognition for his wrestling acumen, landing double-digit takedowns on three occasions and overwhelming foes with his pressure and control. However, he wants to point out the he is a well-rounded competitor.

“I train with good guys and my style’s not only wrestling or striking. I can mix it up,” he said. “This is mixed martial arts. They never know what’s coming. That’s why my style is difficu…

The “Giga Kick” delivered in a big way on Saturday night.

Giga Chikadze earned his sixth consecutive Octagon triumph at UFC on ESPN 23, as he dispatched veteran featherweight Cub Swanson with a liver kick and follow-up punches 63 seconds into the opening round of their co-main event encounter at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Once Chikadze delivered his patented maneuver, Swanson doubled over in agony, and it was academic from there.

“I’m happy to get a beautiful win and a beautiful KO, but I like this guy a lot. I don’t think it was necessary for me to have to deliver the last few punches,” Chikadze said. “If they would have stopped it just after the kick, I would be happier. But I had to do it because the referee didn’t stop it. He’s [Swanson] a legend. It feels great to beat a legend.”

Chikadze didn’t get much time to test himself against Swanson. The Palm Springs, Calif., native attempted to close the distance right away, but Chikadze created an avenue for the …

[email protected] steps in on short notice to face @DA_Monsoon at #Bellator258.

Catch their bout via our YouTube channel on Friday, May 7th. pic.twitter.com/hS7z8qcyia

— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) May 1, 2021 After parting ways with the promotion late last year, former middleweight champion Rafael Carvalho will return on short notice to face Lorenz Larkin at Bellator 258.

Carvalho is a last-minute replacement for Costello van Steenis, who withdrew from the bout last week. Bellator announced the new pairing Saturday on social media. Carvalho had previously been scheduled to face Sharaf Davlatmurodov at LFA 107 on May 14.

Bellator 258 takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., on Friday and is headlined by a bantamweight title tilt between Juan Archuleta and Sergio Pettis. The card will air on Showtime.

Carvalho exited Bellator after losing four of his last five appearances within the California-based promotion,…

Jiri Prochazka’s spinning back elbow finish of Dominick Reyes in the UFC on ESPN 23 main event may have put him in the running for “Knockout of the Year,” but it doesn’t even top the Czech fighter’s own personal highlight reel.

While Prochazka didn’t name a specific knockout on his resume that would surpass what he did on Saturday night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, he did explain that his latest effort didn’t top the list because there were a few too many precarious moments against Reyes for his liking.

“No, [it wasn’t my best finish],” Prochazka said at the post-fight press conference. “There was a much better ending in my career in the fights because I [didn’t have] this fight under control all the time. Because Dominick surprised me many times. That’s for a man like me, that’s not good. I like to be the best in these things. To be the best and when you mean something or somebody is the best, that was not the best really.

“There was so many chances to end th…

BREAKING: The @ufc Octagon heads to Glendale with 2 title fights June 12, 2021 #UFC263 On-Sale May 14

Info: https://t.co/T6cSqZiGt6 pic.twitter.com/QaUZFRnA99

— Gila River Arena (@GilaRiverArena) May 2, 2021 The Ultimate Fighting Championship is gradually filling out its schedule with events in front of capacity crowds.

The Las Vegas-based promotion on Saturday announced that UFC 263 will take place at Gila River Arena in Glendale, Ariz., on June 12. Built in 2003, the 18,000-seat venue is the home of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes and is a featured attraction of the area’s 223-acre Westgate Entertainment District. Tickets go on sale May 14.

UFC 263 is headlined by a rematch between Israel Adesanya and Marvin Vettori for the middleweight crown, while Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno square off for a second time with flyweight gold on the line in the co-main event. The main card airs on pay-per-view and is available via ESPN+.

T…

Jiri Prochazka is $100,000 richer after authoring a memorable knockout of Dominick Reyes at UFC on ESPN 23.

Prochazka received a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus for his spinning back elbow finish of Reyes at the 4:29 mark of Round 2 in Saturday’s headliner at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Additionally, Prochazka and Reyes each received $50,000, as the light heavyweight contest also earned “Fight of the Night” honors. Prior to the finish, both men landed plenty of heavy offense in a bout that was a slugfest from the outset.

Elsewhere, Giga Chikadze garnered the card’s other $50,000 “Performance of the Night” check by virtue of his quick stoppage of Cub Swanson in the evening’s co-main event. A liver kick from Chikadze sent Swanson crumbling to the canvas, and the Georgian fighter sealed his victory with a few follow-up punches 63 seconds into the opening stanza.

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. There’s a new contender in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s light heavyweight division. Jiri Prochazka staked his claim to a title shot in the UFC on ESPN 23 headliner, as he knocked out Dominick Reyes with a spinning back elbow 4:29 into Round 2 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday night. After just the third KO/TKO stemming from a spinning back elbow in promotion history, Prochazka (28-3-1, 2-0 UFC) has finished 25 of his 28 career triumphs by knockout or technical knockout.

“I just want to show the beauty of the art, but sometimes I go very quickly for the win,” Prochazka said. “(As a result of) that, I catch some punches. Mistakes still, but I’m learning from fight to fight.”

A still-improving Prochazka is a scary prospect for the rest of the division, because the whirling dervish of offense he is now is alread…

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 UFC on ESPN 23 coverage will begin Saturday at 7 p.m. ET. Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below. Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Lev Pisarsky scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Lev Pisarsky scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Lev Pisarsky scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Lev Pisarsky scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Lev Pisarsky scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Lev Pisarsky sco…

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— Jed I. Goodman (@jedigoodman) May 2, 2021

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.

An illegal upkick from Randa Markos brought an abrupt end to her strawweight encounter with Luana Pinheiro in the UFC on ESPN 23 featured preliminary bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday night. With Pinheiro unable to continue, Markos was disqualified at the 4:16 mark of Round 1.

Pinheiro did well early, kicking her foe’s leg out with a low kick while landing some stiff punching combinations to the head. The action was paused after an eye poke from the Brazilian cut Markos (10-11-1, 6-10-1 UFC) on her eyelid. When the fight resumed, the combatants engaged in a slugfest in the center of the Octagon, both swinging wildly with heavy punches until Pinheiro executed a head-and-arm throw to get her opponent to the canv…

Considered one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time, Anderson Silva has decided to test himself in boxing for the first time since 2005.

After announcing his departure from the UFC last year,  “The Spider” will face former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on  June 19 in a soccer stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico. The “Tribute to the Kings” card will feature Julio’s father, the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez, in the main event against an as yet to be announced opponent.

In a video interview with AgFight’s Carlos Antunes, the former middleweight champion discussed his upcoming bout as well as what he perceives to be a lack of respect from “YouTubers.”

“I´m really happy to be able to test my skills in another area. It´s such an amazing experience, but I'm totally aware that my opponent has done this since his childhood,” Silva said. “I cannot be arrogant enough to believe that I’ll have a highlight [victory] like those disrespectful Youtubers out the…

Silveira inside a minute! #LFA106 pic.twitter.com/IpZvZrGEEJ

— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) May 1, 2021 Joshua Silveira made short work of Rafael Viana atop the latest Legacy Fighting Alliance event.

Silveira needed just 41 seconds to win the LFA 106 main event. After taking down Viana (6-2), Silveira was able to sink in a rear-naked choke. After the submission win, the light heavyweight prospect is now 5-0. The 28-year-old is looking toward the vacant LFA light heavyweight title bout next and has his eyes on the winner.

The co-main event saw Luiz Antonio Lobo Gavinho and Terrance McKinney battle at lightweight. McKinney (9-3) made short work of his 37-year-old opponent after landing a beautiful head kick. A few punches later on the ground and the fight was waved off after just 17 seconds as Gavinho (10-5) was unable to continue.

Kyle Estrada picked up a unanimous decision win over Tyler Wilson. Estrada (11-6) was able to land damagi…

Rumble Johnson’s opponent next week will now be Team Pitbull’s Jose Augusto Azevedos Barros (7-2), sources say. Unbeaten in his last 6. 1-0 in Bellator.

Barros replaces Yoel Romero, who didn’t get medically cleared due to an eye issue.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 30, 2021 Bellator MMA did not need long to find a replacement for its light heavyweight tournament. Late Thursday night, Yoel Romero was forced to withdraw from the Bellator light heavyweight grand prix after failing to clear his medicals from an eye issue. The promotion sought to replace him and keep Anthony Johnson (22-6) on Bellator 258 with the tournament still on track. After primary alternate Julius Anglickas was unable to take the match on a week’s notice, the organization called on Jose Augusto Azevedo Barros (7-2, 1 NC). This new development was reported by ESPN on Friday.

Barros made his Bellator debut at the beginning of April, when he faced Jonathan Wilson…

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. Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight Jonathan Pearce is a firm believer that discretion is the better part of valor. At the UFC on ESPN 23 weigh-ins on Friday, Gabriel Benitez (22-8) came in at 150.5 pounds for his featherweight bout against Pearce (10-4). For a weight miss this substantial – Benitez came in 4.5 pounds over the limit – the on-weight fighter can elect to take the fight or decline it. Per Pearce’s Instagram account shortly after the weigh-ins were complete, he has decided not to compete on Saturday, so he does not give his foe a competitive advantage. It is uncertain at this time if the UFC will rebook the pairing for a later date, or go in a different direction entirely.

“Unfortunately, my opponent came in almost 5lbs overweight and our fight is off,” Pearce wrote. “I did my part by showing up and mak…

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EME_Xra0cQ&w=560&h=315] Sign up for ESPN+ right here, and you can then stream the PFL live on your smart TV, computer, phone, tablet or streaming device via the ESPN app. In both frame and potential, a big Professional Fighters League heavyweight prospect plans on shocking the world next week. With a record of 6-2, with all six of his wins coming by stoppage, Team Nogueira’s Renan Ferreira has no problem with what should be large underdog odds against Fabricio Werdum (24-9-1). One week before his debut in PFL heavyweight tournament against fellow countryman Werdum, “Problema” spoke with Sherdog about his expectations for the most important fight of his career.

“I’ve always prepared myself for great opportunities,” Ferreira explained. “I’m very honored to make my PFL debut against an idol like Werdum, one of the greatest heavyweights of the history who brought so many titles to Brazil. But I trained hard to prove that I came to make h…

A dream to be a world champ. To create a legacy that will echo in eternity. Something my fam n loved ones can be proud of. This is it. #ONEDangal We will make history and give a distraction from the terrible reality of Covid on the ground. There can only be one of the #Dangal pic.twitter.com/yUxOJQOwkV

— Arjan Singh Bhullar (@TheOneASB) April 29, 2021 The latest One Championship event has just been formally announced after all the fights have already happened, with a title that means “wrestling” in English.

On Friday, One sent out a press release officially confirming its next event titled One: Dangal. The event had been discussed previously, with headliner Arjan Singh Bhullar (10-1) writing about his opportunity to fight for Brandon Vera’s (16-8) heavyweight belt on Thursday. Although it will air on May 15, it has already taken place, with some bouts recorded at the same card as One on TNT 4 on April 28. These fights took place inside the S…

Main event official!

No. @DomReyes locks in at 205.5 lbs. #UFCVegas25

[ Tomorrow LIVE on ESPN2 & #ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/G1Kx5KwKxq — UFC (@ufc) April 30, 2021 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. Not one but two Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters came in well above their respective limits at the weigh-ins.

The UFC returns to the UFC Apex in Las Vegas with a clash between light heavyweight contenders.UFC on ESPN 23 sees Dominick Reyes look to rebound from the first two losses of his career against the streaking Jiri Prochazka. Both fighters atop the card had no issue making weight, but the same couldn’t be said for a few others on the card. The most notable miss was Gabriel Benitez missing the featherweight limit by 4.5 pounds. Also heavy was Luana Carolina, who failed to hit the flyweight mark by 2.5 pounds.

Read more about UFC on ESPN 23 Weigh-in Results: Main Event Set; 2 Fighters Heavy

It is the end of an era for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as no more members of the inaugural season of “The Ultimate Fighter” are on the roster.

Perennial contender and longtime fan-favorite Diego Sanchez (30-13) was booked against Donald Cerrone (36-15, 2 NC) in the co-main event of UFC on ESPN 24, where “The Nightmare” was slated to have his retirement bout against a former training partner at welterweight. Sanchez unexpectedly withdrew from the bout on Wednesday with no explanation given, and he took to Instagram to air his grievances with the promotion. After a now-deleted Instagram Stories post where he claimed he was a free agent, the UFC confirmed to Yahoo Sports on Thursday night that Sanchez was indeed released, via a letter Sanchez was sent on April 27.

Sanchez posted a few videos on his Instagram account on Thursday showing disagreements that his coach Joshua Fabia had with the commentary team, where Fabia believed that the organization was attempti…

BREAKING: Yoel Romero ruled out of @BellatorMMA Light Heavyweight World Grand Prix after failing pre-fight medical screeninghttps://t.co/HhMZGYtlkp pic.twitter.com/DdZSgoBLvA

— Brian Campbell (@BCampbell) April 30, 2021 Sometimes these things happen in MMA.

CBS Sports, the broadcast partner of Bellator MMA, announced late Thursday night that the Bellator 258 grand prix pairing of Yoel Romero (13-5) vs. Anthony Johnson (22-6) has been canceled. Romero failed his pre-fight medical tests, and he has been forced out of the light heavyweight tournament altogether. It is unclear if Johnson will remain on the event at this time.

Although Julius Anglickas was tapped as an alternate to the tournament after his win over Gregory Milliard at Bellator 257, the organization has not stated if Anglickas will be able to compete in a week. Bellator plans on announcing an additional alternate for this pairing as well. Both Romero and Johnson were once booke…

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Rory MacDonald could not have been more efficient.

The former Bellator MMA champion dazzled in his Professional Fighters League debut, as he submitted Curtis Millender with a rear-naked choke in the first round of their 2021 PFL 2 welterweight headliner on Thursday at the Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Millender (18-7, 0-1 PFL) bowed out 3:38 into Round 1.

MacDonald (22-6-1, 1-0 PFL) executed a takedown midway through the first round, advanced to the back and secured his position with a body triangle. He then distracted Millender with a series of heel strikes to the abdomen and calmly cinched the fight-ending choke when the Californian lowered his guard. The squeeze was too much for the CSW product to overcome.

In the welterweight co-main event, Ray Cooper III submitted Cage Warriors Fighting Championship alum Jason Ponet with a first-round arm-triangle choke. Ponet (20-14-1, …

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5j13ySzV6o&w=560&h=315] The Legacy Fighting Alliance's busy April comes to an end with LFA 106.

Top light heavyweight prospect Joshua Silveira will look to keep his undefeated record intact against Rafael Viana, with the latter competing in mixed martial arts for the first time since 2016. The main eventers had no issue making weight, and all but one fighter hit the scales at their contracted weights. Edwin Chavez missed weight by two pounds for his featherweight bout against Cheyden Leialoha, and the bout will continue with Chavez being fined a percentage of his purse.

Silveira, the son of American Top Team co-founder Marcus "Conan" Silveira, has learned from some of the best athletes in the sport. So far, the grappler holds a 4-0 record having submitted three opponents. He also scored a head kick KO against Cody Rolling, proving he's more than just a ground specialist. Silveira hit the scales well under the light heavyweight …

Bellator MMA has decided to keep a former title challenger on its upcoming card instead of rescheduling his grudge match for later.

MMA Junkie first reported the news on Thursday that Patrick Mix (13-1) has elected to remain on Bellator 258 and receive a new opponent. Mix was originally slated to face James Gallagher, but the Brit was forced out of their bantamweight battle. In Gallagher’s stead will be Albert Morales (10-6-1). Although the promotion has yet to comment on the matchup, the new pairing has since been confirmed by other outlets and Mix via his Twitter.

Mix suffered his first career defeat when he vied for the 135-pound throne in his last time out. Against Juan Archuleta, Mix dropped a hard-fought but one-sided decision to “The Spaniard,” which also put an end to a streak where “Patchy” had finished his foe in eight consecutive bouts. The Angola, N.Y., native earned a crack at the belt after a pair of wins with Bellator and a Rizin Fighting Federation cro…