Blog

Eldar Eldarov mixed up wrestling with strikes to close the round. A fantastic showing from the 29-year-old. #BRAVECF46 pic.twitter.com/itTHDhVynv

— BRAVE Combat Federation (@bravemmaf) January 16, 2021

Eldar Eldarov scored his first title defense in Brave Combat Federation’s opening event of 2021.

Eldarov (13-1) put his 165-pound championship on the line against Leonardo Mafra Texeira (15-6) in the main event of Brave CF 46 at Wow Arena in Sochi, Russia, on Saturday. After a few seconds of studying, Eldarov teased Mafra with a boxing combination, setting the tone for the rest of the round. The defending champion looked pretty confident with his punches, many of which found their way to Mafra’s face with ease. The Brazilian challenger retaliated with a few punches and some knees of his own.

In the last minute, Eldarov pushed the pace to take Mafra to the canvas. Even though “Macarrao" managed to defend the takedown attempt, he ate a few p…

UFC on ABC 1 is down to 10 bouts after a last-minute injury forced Phil Hawes out of a proposed middleweight clash against Nassourdine Imavov.

The promotion announced the news on Saturday morning. It was revealed on the broadcast that Hawes suffered some type of leg injury. UFC on ABC 1 takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and is headlined by a featherweight clash between Max Holloway and Calvin Kattar. Hawes vs. Imavov was set for the prelims which air on ESPN+ beginning at 12 p.m. ET/9 p.m. PT. The main card airs on ABC and ESPN+ at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.

Hawes earned a UFC contract with a 78-second TKO of Khadzhimurat Bestaev on Dana White’s Contender Series this past August before scoring an 18-second KO of Jacob Malkoun in his promotional debut at UFC 254.

Imavov was also successful in his first promotional foray, as he outpointed Jordan Williams at UFC on ESPN 16. The 25-year-old MMA Factory product has been victorious in his last six professional outi…

.@NyquilNick vs. @AEstrazulasMMA is now up in the main event of #LFA97!

Who will talk away the #andNEW LFA #lightweight champion?@ShellsDotCom@USENDmoney@Krushmatized@PsoRite@GLCDirect2000@AthleticCBD@IncaKolaUSA@HartmanArena@UFCFightPass pic.twitter.com/klYd0wKXzH

— LFA (@LFAfighting) January 16, 2021 The Legacy Fighting Alliance lightweight championship is vacant no more. The main event of LFA 97 saw Nick Browne and Arthur Estrazulas compete in the biggest fight of their professional mixed martial arts careers. Even on the judges' scorecards after two rounds, Estrazulas (12-5) would rock Browne (11-1) with a huge counter left hook to start Round 3. However, the wrestling of Browne would let him recover as he managed to control his Brazilian opponent. The two fighters continued to go back-and-forth in the championship rounds, with each man landing damaging blows and trading positions. After five grueling rounds, Browne was awarded the …

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 bantamweight Cody Stamann is moving on from Merab Dvalishvili as an opponent. According to a report from BJPenn.com on Friday, Stamann (19-3-1) has received a new opponent at UFC Fight Night 184. The Feb. 6 fight card, which previously had Stamann booked against Dvalishvili, will instead bring Andre Ewell (17-6) as his foe. Stamann and Dvalishvili were originally slated to meet in December, but both men contracted COVID-19 to push the bout back to February. Stamann confirmed news of his new opponent on Instagram.

Since starting his career off at an impressive 17-1 including three wins inside the Octagon, Stamann has gone through tumultuous times. A Suloev stretch kneebar defeat to Aljamain Sterling in 2018 snapped a 10-fight win streak, although he did go on to win his next bout against Alejan…

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. Former Ultimate Fighting Championship champ-champ Henry Cejudo does not plan on coming back any time soon, but he will be ready if needed. Eight months after knocking out Dominick Cruz and hanging up his gloves, Cejudo is enjoying his vacation on the paradisiac Natal, in northeast Brazil. This area is the homeland of teammate and Bellator MMA double champion Patricio Freire.

Last Tuesday, Cejudo interrupted his vacation to participate in the Combate podcast “Mundo da Luta.” Speaking in impressive Portuguese, the Olympic champion confirmed that he has no immediate plans to return, but did not close the door entirely to competition.

“Dana White knows my number,” Cejudo said. “I’m here in Natal enjoying my vacation, but trained yesterday with Pitbull brothers. If Uncle Dana needs me for next week, I’ll be ready.”

Cejudo…

WBC lightweight interim champ @KingRyanG has said he wants to retire by 26 but told us if he does keep fighting it'll be in the octagon... really.

LISTEN:#UFC @danawhite @oscardelahoya @canelo @ufc #boxing pic.twitter.com/tqIOqAexp6

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) January 14, 2021 A star undefeated boxer plans on only sticking around the ring for another few years before possibly moving on to MMA. Speaking on the Rich Eisen Show on Thursday, WBC interim lightweight champ Ryan Garcia (21-0, 18 KOs) does not intend on keeping to the boxing ring for much longer. The 22-year-old went professional in 2016, and competed 13 times in the first 18 months of his career. Ranked among the top lightweights in the world already, Garcia does not see the need to stay too long.

“Yeah, I plan to,” Garcia said flatly when asked about his boxing retirement at the age of 26. “If I say it, I plan to do it.”

Garcia continued, “I plan to, at 26, to ret…

Credit: Mike Fridley/Sherdog.com 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 is further bolstering its March 13 show with what should be fireworks in the middleweight division. First reporting this news on Friday was MMA Junkie, which stated that Eryk Anders (13-5) will be taking on Darren Stewart (12-6, 1 NC) on March 13. The UFC Fight Night card on that date does not yet have a venue finalized, although it will likely come down to either the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, or Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This news has since been confirmed by other outlets.

A two-fight win streak for Anders came to an end in May 2020, when Kryzsztof Jotko captured a unanimous verdict over the former University of Alabama linebacker. The two prior wins coming over Vinicius Moreira Castro and Gerald Meerschaert, “Ya Boi” was on the winning track after a trio …

WHAT A START TO THE YEAR

@BlessedMMA vs @CalvinKattar on Fight Island

[ Saturday at 3pmET on @ABCNetwork ] pic.twitter.com/E7a6ovLEtP — UFC (@ufc) January 15, 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. The Ultimate Fighting Championship kicks off 2021 with a return to network television as it puts on its first show on the American Broadcasting Company. Headlining UFC on ABC 1 is a featherweight bout between former king Max Holloway and surging contender Calvin Kattar. The 11-fight card is now official after the weigh-ins took place, and all fighters managed to make weight.

Many fans don’t believe that Holloway (21-6) should be called a former champion. Many spectators thought “Blessed” did enough to win his rematch against Alexander Volkanovski, but the Hawaiian was on the wrong side of a split decision. Prior to losing back-to-b…

From my conversation with @LFAfighting boss @edblackhouse, as he talks #LFA becoming the #NCAA of #MMA. Sending 62 talents to the #UFC and #Bellator in 2020 alone. Full interview also talking promoting during a #pandemic is up on @sherdogdotcom now. pic.twitter.com/Auo9VVwD34

— Jason Burgos (@CheapSeatsChat) January 14, 2021 The Legacy Fighting Alliance will hold its first mixed martial arts event of 2021 on Friday, and the championship topper is good to go.

LFA 97 is headlined by a lightweight bout between Nick Browne and Arthur Estrazulas for the promotion's vacant title. The nine-fight card is now official after the weigh-ins took place.

Both fighters in the main event had no issue making weight, but three other fighters came in heavy. Jose Martinez and Cam Ansel both failed to make the lightweight limit, while Guilherme Santos missed the featherweight cap by 1.6 pounds. All three matches are still going forward, though, with the ove…

BREAKING: Ryan Hall is back! Multiple sources have told me that Hall is set to return to the Octagon on March 13 against Dan Ige. Contracts have already been issued for the fight. #UFC https://t.co/NyGnkNce0g

— Cole Shelton (@ColeShelton91) January 14, 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. Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight Ryan Hall is back in action for the first time since 2019. The news first coming from BJPenn.com on Thursday, Hall (8-1) will be setting foot inside the Octagon after a lengthy layoff against Dan Ige (14-3). The two featherweights will collide at the UFC Fight Night card on March 13, which will presumably take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The news has since been confirmed by other outlets. Hall previously called out Ige in November on Instagram, and he will now be getting his wish, as the two h…

UFC news: Marijuana no longer violates anti-doping policy. https://t.co/SE25ebYQyh

— Jeff Novitzky (@JeffNovitzkyUFC) January 14, 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. The Ultimate Fighting Championship and the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency are turning the corner on marijuana in the sport. Per MMA Junkie on Thursday, the promotion and agency announced together that the marijuana policies in effect for the UFC athletes has changed drastically. As a result, fighters that test positive for marijuana, no matter the level or threshold the fighter reaches, will not be found in violation of the anti-doping policy. This new policy also applies to various substances found in CBD products. Instead, fighters will be evaluated for if they used the substance for “performance-enhancing purposes.”

This change will not impact commissions or federations…

Miranda Maverick will square off against Gillian Robertson in a flyweight contest at UFC 258.

Maverick initially announced the bout on her Instagram account and it was later confirmed by MMAFighting.com. UFC 258 is expected to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Feb. 13 and is headlined by a welterweight title tilt between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns.

Maverick has won four consective fights, including a first-round stoppage of Liana Jojua at UFC 254 on Oct. 24. The Invicta FC veteran’s current winning streak includes triumphs over Pearl Gonzalez and DeAnna Bennett.

Robertson, meanwhile, had a two-fight winning streak snapped in a decision loss to Taila Santos at UFC Fight Night 183 on Dec. 19. Prior to that Robertson had posted victories over Poliana Botelho and Cortney Casey in the Octagon.

Carlos Condit will enter his UFC on ABC 1 bout against Matt Brown on the final fight of his current promotional deal.

“The Natural Born Killer” isn’t looking too far ahead, however. Not after ending a five-bout losing streak with a much-needed decision triumph over Court McGee this past October.

“My performance over the last couple years has not been stellar,” Condit said during a virtual media session on Wednesday. “It has not been the best period of my career as far as wins and losses. What’s really important is putting on a good show on Saturday night, and then I think I’ll be in a good position to kind of figure out exactly what I want to do.”

UFC president Dana White said that the promotion would make more than 60 cuts before the conclusion of 2020, and while it’s unclear if that figure has been reached, notably names such as Yoel Romero and Anthony Pettis are no longer with the Las Vegas-based organization.

If Condit doesn’t deliver a victory on Sat…

The Ultimate Fighting Championship is heading back to Sin City next month.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission approved UFC events for Feb. 6, Feb. 13, Feb. 20 and Feb. 27 during a meeting on Wednesday. None of the cards have been officially announced by the promotion, but it is likely that all four will take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

As it stands, UFC Fight Night on Feb. 6 is expected to be headlined by a heavyweight tilt between Alistair Overeem and Alexander Volkov; UFC 258 on Feb. 13 features a welterweight championship clash between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns; UFC Fight Night on Feb. 20 is topped by a heavyweight bout pitting Curtis Blaydes against Derrick Lewis and UFC Fight Night on Feb. 27 will see a light heavyweight main event between Dominick Reyes and Jiri Prochazka.

That means the Las Vegas-based organization is likely to return to U.S. soil following a trio of events on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi on Jan. 16, Jan. 20 and Jan. 23.

The GLORY family is heartbroken to learn of Melissa Van Roosmalen’s passing and critical injuries sustained to Robin Van Roosmalen in a car accident. We send our deepest condolences to the Van Roosmalen family and their loved ones. pic.twitter.com/A1SMuCLMh4

— GLORY Kickboxing (@GLORY_WS) January 13, 2021

Robin Van Roosmalen has been hospitalized with injuries suffered in a serious car accident on Wednesday, according to a report from RTV Utrecht.

Van Roosmalen and his sister, Melissa Van Roosmalen, were pulled over in their car on the shoulder of the road in Nieuwegein, Netherlands, when they were hit by a truck. Melissa Van Roosmalen died as a result of the crash, while Van Roosmalen remains hospitalized. According to the report, the driver of the truck was arrested.

Further details regarding Van Roosmalen’s condition are currently unavailable. Both Bellator, where Van Roosmalen is currently under contact, and Glory Kickboxing, where Va…

Spencer Fisher will never be the same following a 33-fight MMA career that included 17 bouts in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

In a heart-wrenching feature on MMAFighting.com, Fisher revealed that he suffered severe brain trauma as a result of fighting and has been battling numerous symptoms that hinder him in daily activities. Fisher, who was forced to retire when diagnosed with brain lesions that signaled the onset of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), has dealt with issues such as memory loss, dizziness, vertigo and depression while struggling to hold a regular job since the conclusion of his UFC tenure.

UFC officials did not comment for the feature on Fisher, but Dana White did address the ex-fighter’s condition when speaking with MMAjunkie.com on Wednesday. White said that the promotion is working to study athlete brain health through its collaborative venture with the Cleveland Clinic, and the UFC also recently donated $1 million to the Lou Ruvo Cen…

Credit: UFC Credit: UFC

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has suspended Bevon Lewis six months for a positive marijuana test stemming from his Nov. 7 bout at UFC on ESPN 17.

Lewis, who was also fined $1,200, will be eligible to return to action on May 7 pending payment of his fine and $145.36 in legal fees. Lewis’ sanction was determined at a monthly NSAC meeting on Wednesday.

Lewis suffered a third-round technical knockout loss to Trevin Giles at UFC on ESPN 17. The Dana White’s Contender Series alum went 1-3 within the Las Vegas-based promotion before reportedly being released late last year.

In addition to Lewis, the NSAC has handed down marijuana-related sanctions to the likes of Jamahal Hill, Tim Elliott, Kevin Croom, Niko Price, Luis Pena and Trevin Jones in 2020.

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s March 13 event looks like it will have some pivotal bouts at the top of the card.

The highly-anticipated welterweight clash between Leon Edwards and Khamzat Chimaev has been rescheduled for that date after twice falling through due to positive COVID-19 tests. MMAjunkie.com was first to report the booking. Edwards and Chimaev were initially supposed to square off at UFC Fight Night 183 on Dec. 19 before the Englishman tested positive for COVID-19, and they were rebooked for UFC on ESPN 20 on Jan. 20, but on that occasion Chimaev fell victim to coronavirus. Edwards vs. Chimaev will serve as the headliner for the event.

Meanwhile, a heavyweight showdown between Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Ciryl Gane is also in the works for March 13. La Sueur was first to report that verbal agreements were in place for the matchup. The UFC card does not yet have an official venue or location.

Edwards did not compete at all in 2020 due to having p…

A middleweight clash between Omari Akhmedov and Tom Breese has been moved from UFC on ABC 1 on Jan. 16 to UFC on ESPN 20 on Jan. 20.

The promotion announced the rescheduled bout on Tuesday, citing “COVID-related issues.” Further details were not revealed. UFC on ESPN 20 takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and is headlined by a welterweight tilt between Michael Chiesa and Neil Magny.

Akhmedov, 33, had a six-bout unbeaten streak snapped in his last outing, when he dropped a unanimous decision to Chris Weidman at UFC Fight Night 174 on Aug. 8. The Dagestani known as “Wolverine” is 8-4-1 during his promotional tenure and 20-5-1 as a professional overall.

Breese, meanwhile, has alternated wins and losses in his last four Octagon appearances. Most recently, th 29-year-old Birmingham England native scored a first-round TKO of K.B. Bhullar at UFC Fight Night 179 on Oct. 10. Breese began his UFC career at welterweight, going 3-1 before moving up to 185 pounds.

Pat Miletich’s participation in the protests that turned into a violent coup at the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6 might have cost him his job with Legacy Fighting Alliance.

Multiple social media posts showed Miletich with a group of protestors supporting President Donald Trump, who marched from the White House to the Capitol, where hundreds entered the building to interrupt a ceremonial event affirming Joe Biden’s victory in the November election. In the riot that ensued, five people were killed — including a Capitol police officer — and the Senate was forced to evacuate.

Of course Pat Miletich was in DC on Jan 6th. pic.twitter.com/nVp1yayVAp

— John S. Nash (@heynottheface) January 11, 2021

While it doesn’t appear that the UFC Hall of Famer entered the builiding, he announced that he was let go from his commentating position with LFA.

“I just want to let you guys know that I just got a call from the folks at the LFA and they basi…

After finishing 2020 with a five-round war against Brandon Moreno that turned out to be one of the year’s best bouts, flyweight champ Deiveson Figueiredo is completely focused on his brother Francisco Figueiredo’s debut at UFC on ESPN 20 next week.

“My brother is entering in the biggest promotion in the world to make history,” Deiveson said. “He is really tough. He is the one who pushes me to train more every day [even after a bad session at the gym]. I´m sure he will neutralize Jerome Rivera wherever this fight goes, on the feet or on the ground.”

Deiveson eventually envisions a scenario in which his brother’s success at flyweight will force him to move to the bantamweight division.

“After two or three fights I have no doubt he will be on the top,” Deiveson said. “So I don’t have to fight my brother, I’ll go up to the bantamweight division as I planned.”

Figueiredo is so confident that he will beat Moreno in their rematch, which is tentatively planned …

A bantamweight clash pitting Umar Nurmagomedov against Sergey Morozov will take place three days earlier than expected, as it has been moved from UFC 257 on Jan. 23 to UFC on ESPN 20 on Jan. 20.

MMA journalist Igor Lazorin was first to report the change. UFC on ESPN 20 takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and is headlined by a welterweight scrap between Neil Magny and Michael Chiesa.

Nurmagomedov was scheduled to make his Octagon debut on three separate occasions — including against Morozov at UFC 254 — in 2020, but each time the bout was scrapped for various reasons. The Eagles MMA representative is 12-0 as a professional, with stints in the Professional Fighters League and Fight Nights Global promotions on his resume.

Morozov will enter his first promotional foray on a five-bout winning streak. The 31-year-old M-1 Global champion is coming off a title defense against Josh Rettinghouse at M-1 Challenge 105 in October 2019. A native of Kazakhstan, Morozov…

Former One Championship lightweight title holder Shinya Aoki will return to action to face James Nakashima in the co-main event of One “Unbreakable” on Jan. 22.

The Singapore-based promotion announced the booking on Tuesday. One “Unbreakable” takes place at Singapore Indoor Stadium and is topped by a showdown for the organization’s bantamweight kickboxing crown between Alaverdi Ramazanov and Capitan Petchyindee Academy. Three other MMA bouts were announced for the event: Zebaztian Kadestam vs. Gadzhimurad Abdulaev at welterweight; Meng Bo vs. Samara Santos Cunha at atomweight and Getu Hexi vs. Lito Adiwang at strawweight.

Aoki, 37, has won six of seven bouts since 2018 and is coming off a decision win against Kimihiro Eto under the Shooto banner in September.

A former Legacy Fighting Alliance champion, Nakashima is unbeeaten in 12 professional appearances — including a three-round verdict over Yushin Okami at One “Dawn of Heroes” in his most recent outing in Aug…

Credit: Mike Sloan/Sherdog.com Credit: Mike Sloan/Sherdog.com

The Ultimate Fighting Championship may have plans to move its events beyond Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi in 2020.

UFC president Dana White indicated as much when talking about the promotion’s plans for reigning strawweight queen Weili Zhang in an interview with ESPN.

“We’re working on her, too,” White said. “Obviously, the fight everybody wants to see is her and Rose [Namajunas]. Hopefully we can get that done. If not, the next one in line would probably be Carla Esparza. We’re looking to do that fight this year – and in Asia.”

Zhang last appeared at UFC 248, where retained her belt with a split-decision over Joanna Jedrzejczyk in a bout that was selected as Sherdog.com's "Fight of the Year” for 2020. She first claimed the 115-pound title with a first-round stoppage of Jessica Andrade in Shenzhen, China, in August 2019.

The UFC will have fans in a venue for the first time since Zhang vs. Jedrzejczyk…