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I’m fighting Tecia Torres June 20

— BriannaTheBull (@briannathebull) May 22, 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. An important strawweight affair is coming to the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s Fight Night card on June 20. On Friday, strawweight Brianna Van Buren (9-2) announced via Twitter that she will be facing Tecia Torres (10-5) at UFC Fight Night 174. The two will square off on June 20, and the location has yet to be determined although it is expected to go down at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Van Buren first made her name by winning the inaugural one-night Invicta Fighting Championships strawweight tournament. That night, she beat Manjit Kolekar, Juliana Lima and Kailin Curran at Phoenix Series 1 to win it all. From that tournament triumph, Van Buren was signed by the UFC, and she topped fellow former Invicta vet…

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. Fireworks are coming at the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s pay-per-view card this June. Chase Hooper (9-0-1) announced on his Instagram on Thursday night that he will be meeting Alex Caceres (15-12, 1 NC) at UFC 250. The two will be fighting on June 6, and although there is no official location for the event, it is expected to be held in Las Vegas at the UFC Apex -- subject to the Nevada State Athletic Commission’s approval.

Hooper made his triumphant UFC debut when he trounced Daniel Teymur at UFC 245 in December. “The Teenage Dream” announced himself on the major stage on the second season of Dana White's Contender Series, where he took an exciting decision over Canaan Kawaihae and was given a developmental contract. A subsequent draw and two finishes led to Hooper’s UFC signing.

The enigmatic Caceres has alternated w…

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 vacant Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight throne will be up for grabs this summer. According to a report from MMA Junkie on Friday, the UFC is putting together a flyweight rematch for the title that has no owner. Deiveson Figueiredo (18-1) will be squaring off once again with Joseph Benavidez (28-6), and they are expected to face one another on July 18. There is no location or venue for this card, or any specificity on whether it is a Fight Night card or a pay-per-view.

The two first came to blows at UFC Fight Night 169 in February, and Figueiredo emerged victorious via second-round knockout. The bout itself was marred in controversy, as the two clashed heads to open up a massive cut on Benavidez’ forehead, and the stoppage came shortly thereafter. Additionally, Figueiredo missed weight, eliminating his ability to take ho…

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 finally starting to put together events that may take place on the fabled “Fight Island.” Posting on her Instagram on Thursday, Paige VanZant (8-4) hinted at an upcoming matchup by writing “Coming to an island near you…….” Her post was followed by a report on Combate announcing her next fight, which would take place at flyweight against Amanda Ribas (9-1). The two women will tangle at an upcoming card on July 11, and the venue is anticipated to be "Fight Island." The two were first set to meet at UFC Fight Night 170, but a broken arm led to VanZant’s withdrawal.

VanZant has not competed since January 2019, when she tapped Rachael Ostovich with a second-round armbar. The victory snapped a two-fight skid for “12 Gauge,” which saw her get put to sleep by a rear-naked choke from Michelle Waters…

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 flyweight Gillian Robertson is staying on an upcoming event, but she has a new opponent. Robertson (7-4) was initially scheduled to face Taila Santos at the UFC Fight Night event on June 20, but now she will be taking on Cortney Casey (9-7). The reason for Santos’ withdrawal was not given, although the Brazilian could be facing potential visa or travel complications to get to the United States. This matchup was initially reported by ESPN, and Robertson retweeted the announcement to confirm this fight was in the works.

In her four UFC wins, Robertson has recorded four stoppages all in the flyweight division. In doing so, “Savage” currently holds the record for the most finishes at women’s flyweight -- even though her bout with Sarah Frota was a catchweight, Robertson successfully made weight. Rober…

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Former Ultimate Fighting Championship flyweight title contender Tim Elliott will welcome Legacy Fighting Alliance flyweight champion Brandon Royval to the UFC at the promotion's planned event on May 30.

Sherdog has learned from a source close to both fighters that the flyweights will meet at the organization’s next event in Las Vegas.

Elliott, the winner of Season 24 of "The Ultimate Fighter," will make his return to the Octagon on the heels of a two-fight losing streak. The latest defeat came in January at UFC 246, where the 12-year veteran fell to unbeaten Russian talent Askar Askarov by unanimous decision.

Royval last competed in November at LFA 79, when he defended his flyweight crown for the first time. “Raw Dawg” won the title in his second attempt after first falling short against eventual UFC bantamweight…

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Max Holloway is using his talents and resources to help give back to the Hawaiian community during the coronavirus pandemic.

Holloway is offering the chance to win private training lessons and dinner with the former UFC featherweight champion in exchange for donations to the Maui Food Bank and Hawaii Food Bank. A winner — and four friends — will be selected through a raffle as part of the All 4 Hawaii Challenge.

Each donation of at least $10 will receive a raffle entry. The winner will also receive Holloway’s signed UFC gloves and will get to select whether they want self defense or MMA-themed training. The donation period runs through May 31.

For Holloway, it’s about helping out during a time of great hardship and uncertainty.

“Unemployment in Hawaii is near 40%, and because our economy is based on tourism…

Credit: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com Credit: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com Credit: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com Credit: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com

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After their bout fell through at UFC Fight Night 171, Marvin Vettori and Karl Roberson will get a chance to settle their differences at an event on June 13.

MMAFighting.com was first to report the middleweight pairing. The UFC Fight Night event does not yet have an official location or headliner. Broadcast plans are also unknown at this time.

Roberson was hospitalized after missing weight last week and was not medically cleared to compete at UFC Fight Night 171 in Jacksonville, Florida on May 13. Roberson and Vettori later had a brief altercation when they crossed paths in the fighter hotel, as the Italian competitor hurled obscenities toward his would-be foe.

Prior to last week, Vettori…

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The coronavirus pandemic has affected everyone in the mixed martial arts community differently these past couple months.

Lorenz Larkin, who won his fourth straight fight under the Bellator MMA banner on Dec. 29, used the unexpected downtime to focus on other pursuits. Whether that was off roading with his 13-year-old son or working on business ventures outside of the MMA realm, the California native has done his best to remain productive as shelter-in-place orders put limitations on normal activity.

One thing he hasn’t been able to do much, however, is train.

“I almost forgot I was a fighter,” Larkin told Sherdog.com with a laugh.

Larkin took some time off following his unanimous decision triumph against Keita Nakamura at the end of the year, and just as he was ready to get back into the gym, COVID-19 chang…

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The condition of Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov has taken a turn for the worse.

According to RT Sport, the father of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is once again in critical condition and on life support at a military hospital in Moscow. After undergoing a heart bypass surgery, Abdulmanap had to be connected to a life support machine when his condition deteriorated on Tuesday, per “multiple reports” from Russian outlets. Abdulmanap awakened from a coma on Friday but is now once again unconscious and unable to breathe on his own.

Abdulmanap initially fell ill with pneumonia at the end of April and was transported from a medical facility in Dagestan to Moscow as a result of heart problems. Abdulmanap was reportedly diagnosed with coronavirus once he arrived in the Russian capital.

Khabib recently posted a vi…

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Heavyweights always seem to draw solid ratings for the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

The UFC on ESPN 8 main card attracted an average audience of 1.198 million to ESPN this past Saturday, according to ShowBuzz Daily. The card took place at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida and was headlined by a heavyweight showdown pitting Alistair Overeem against Walt Harris. Overeem defeated Harris via second-round technical knockout.

That figure checks in as the second-highest rating for a UFC on ESPN main card since the promotion debuted on the network in February 2019. That aforementioned UFC on ESPN 1 card, topped by a heavyweight tilt between Francis Ngannou and Cain Velasquez, still holds the No. 1 spot with an average audience of 1.463 million viewers.

UFC on ESPN 8 marked conclusion of a stretch…

Listen to this scream by @NateTheTrain, who's rolling in Round 2 #UFCFL pic.twitter.com/SWW6nPYVcv

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 16, 2020

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Nate Landwehr was one of the most colorful fighters in action at UFC on ESPN 8.

The former M-1 Challenge champion taunted opponent Darren Elkins, showboated and yelled at UFC president Dana White, who was seated cageside at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday night.

“Oh, I heard it,” White said at the UFC on ESPN 8 post-fight press conference. “There was like six people in there, I heard him screaming. That guy was a nut. That was a fun fight. It was a fun fight, and that guy was fun.”

These two are madmen @DarrenElkinsMMA @NateTheTrain #UFCFL pic.twitter.com/FWR4HMkxS0

…

@Giga_Chikadze is LAUNCHING but @Beast144_1 is UNPHASED. #UFCFL pic.twitter.com/w9l1TyLxYH

— UFC (@ufc) May 17, 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. Giga Chikadze did as expected at UFC on ESPN 8, as he cruised to a clear-cut unanimous decision over Irwin Rivera on Saturday’s preliminary card at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.

Chikadze was able to have his way with Irwin, a Titan FC bantamweight champion who was fighting up a weight class on one day’s notice. The former Glory Kickboxing competitor improved to 3-0 in the Octagon after taking split decisions over Brandon Davis and Jamall Emmers in his first two UFC appearances.

The Kings MMA product claimed after his latest victory that he has only shown a fraction of his potential thus far in the Las Vegas-based promotion.

“I think most fans have only seen Giga at 25 pe…

HE ONLY NEEDED SECONDS!

Take a bow, @Trailblaze2top!

Tune in now LIVE on @ESPN. #UFCFL pic.twitter.com/Jpw2V3PS1M— UFC (@ufc) May 17, 2020

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Kevin Holland first appeared on the radar of MMA fans at UFC 227, when he accepted a short-notice fight with Thiago Santos for his Octagon debut.

Though he didn’t win, the fighter dubbed “Big Mouth” by UFC president Dana White made a lasting impression by giving a game effort against an opponent who would go on to give Jon Jones a run for his money at light heavyweight.

A little less than two years later, the Forth Worth, Texas, native may have finally had his breakthrough performance in the Las Vegas-based promotion. Holland won four the fourth time in five outings against Anthony Hernandez at UFC on ESPN 8 on Saturday, but it …

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. As he does from time to time, Jon Jones took to Twitter this past week to share a number of thoughts regarding mixed martial arts. Among those musings was more speculation about a future move to heavyweight, a transition Jones has teased often in the past. In this instance, “Bones” seemed to be intrigued by former foe Ovince St. Preux’s performance competing up a division at UFC Fight Night 171 on Wednesday evening, and said seeing OSP’s fight with Ben Rothwell made a heavyweight move “seem more real to me.”

That, in turn, piqued the interest of top heavyweight contender Francis Ngannou, who replied to Jones’ post. Things escalated quickly from there, as the light heavyweight champion insisted that he wouldn’t hesitate to accept a bout with perhaps the most feared knockout artist in the sport today.

“Who would you guys consid…

Dan Ige has been on a roll for the last two years, and he continued his ascent up the featherweight ladder on Saturday with a win over Edson Barboza at UFC on ESPN 8, his sixth in a row within the Las Vegas-based promotion.

Ige (14-2) fought a tough battle with Barboza (20-9), who dropped down to featherweight from 155 pounds, and eked past the Brazilian via split decision. Ige struggled early with the former lightweight contender, as he was rocked by punches in the first and low kicks in the first two frames. However, the Hawaiian remained calm in the duel and eventually stormed back in the latter stages of the second and throughout the third. 

When the dust settled and the smoked cleared after 15 minutes of hell, the outcome of the skirmish was in doubt. While one cageside judge saw it 29-28 for Barboza, that tally was offset by the other two who turned in the same score for Ige. Though “Dynamite” didn’t blow up Barboza like he undoubtedly would have preferred, …

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Saturday's UFC on ESPN 8 coverage will begin at approximately 6:05 p.m. ET.

Check out the MMA Forums to discuss the card or enter your comments and predictions below.

Additionally, the UFC on ESPN 8 post-fight press conference can be viewed here immediately following Saturday's event.

Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:Round 3 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:The Official Result Round 1 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the round:Tristen Critchfield scores the round:Tyler Treese scores the round:Round 2 Sherdog Scores Jay Pettry scores the r…

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 mystery is over, Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight Edson Barboza finally made weight in his new division at 145.5 pounds. Barbzoa spoke to Sherdog.com, where he explained his comfort with making the weight. He also explained that he was expecting to be around 165 pounds by the time he stepped in the cage with Dan Ige.

"Actually I knew all the time I wouldn’t have problems to reach the limit of [this] division,” he said. “I fought a couple of times [at] featherweight in kickboxing and have great memories of that. To tell you the truth, I have a tendency to lose weight while training, actually my diet was to keep myself strong in [the] lightweight division."

Following Barboza since he was 17 years old, his manager Alex Davis was also optimistic by the way he reached the new division, saying, “I'm very proud of …

The California Kid could come to the rescue #UFCFL (via @arielhelwani) pic.twitter.com/hggBLpJtYF

— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 15, 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. There is some uncertainty surrounding Saturday’s fight card, as a late replacement as well as two alternates have offered their services during this convoluted weigh-in period. The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s second event this week will be headlined by a heavyweight scrap between Alistair Overeem and Walt Harris. All fighters to hit the scales for UFC Fight Night 172 have made weight and the event is relatively official.

Unlike his opponent, Overeem (45-18, 1 NC) is coming off a loss. “The Demolition Man” had largely dominated Jairzinho Rozenstruik until being knocked out with just four seconds left in the fifth round. Prior to the defeat, Overeem had p…

When the call comes...WE COMEEE!!!! TIME TO SHOW THE WORLD WHAT WE CAN DO. thank u to @AliAbdelaziz00 for quarterbacking this whole thing. Thank u @seanshelby @ufc Mi familia siempre and my ninjas going to war with me. Big respect to GiGa as well#LFG pic.twitter.com/nYMgdk85eY

— Irwin Rivera (@Beast144_1) May 15, 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. On short notice, a champion from another promotion has stepped up to join the ranks of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. The preliminary bout of Giga Chikadze (9-2) vs. Mike Davis (8-2) at featherweight on UFC Fight Night 172 has been changed. Davis suffered an illness due to his weight cut and has been forced out of his match, where he will be replaced by Irwin Rivera (9-4). This is the second time that the Chikadze-Davis fight has been scuttled, as the two were first paire…

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. Returning from a personal tragedy, Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight contender Walt Harris is ready for anything that will be thrown his way. The last fighter to come out to Virtual Media Day, Harris sat down maskless and looked at the screen to exclaim “Pop-up video” in reference to the popular VH1 music video series from the late 1990s. The same series also provided inspiration for the popular “Fight Facts” series running on Sherdog.

From there, Harris was ready to dive into discussion about his heavyweight headliner tilt against Alistair Overeem, for whom he admitted he has had his sights set on for a long time.

“Excitement,” Harris answered as to how he was feeling about this matchup. “I think it’s been a long time coming. It’s been a fight I’ve been looking forward [to] since I was an amateur. I’ve watched Ove…

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. Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight Eryk Anders had a lot to say about his friend and training partner Walt Harris. When Anders sat down to speak with media at Virtual Media Day, although he wasn’t wearing a mask, he was smiling from ear to ear. Riding his longest win streak since he joined the promotion in 2017, Anders was ready to take on Krzysztof Jotko on Saturday. But first, he had some things to discuss on his training camp, and more importantly, one man that helped him jump-start a pro career that began in 2015.

“Walt was my introduction to MMA,” Anders explained. “Very first day I walked into an MMA gym…I had being doing a little jiu-jitsu elsewhere but…I decided I wanted to fight. [Harris’] coach at the time, a very non-competent corner, he walks up to me and is like ‘hey, can you…

@DrewDober finishes Hernandez standing!

LIVE on ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/75sm0ltWF2

— UFC (@ufc) May 14, 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. Very quietly, Drew Dober has emerged as a person of interest in the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s lightweight division.

The Elevation Fight Team product won for the sixth time in seven appearances at UFC Fight Night 171, dispatching Alexander Hernandez via technical knockout 4:25 into the second round of their featured 155-pound encounter at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida on Wednesday night.

The makes three consecutive KO/TKO triumphs for the 31-year-old Nebraska native, who adds Hernandez to a recent list of victims that includes Nasrat Haqparast and Marco Polo Reyes. Dober, who began his promotional tenure with just one triumph in his first fiv…

"My teeth are falling out." #UFCJAX pic.twitter.com/FPeJ9181j0

— UFC (@ufc) May 14, 2020

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At times it was hard to watch. Yet Anthony Smith continued to battle, perhaps to his detriment.

After absorbing copious amounts of punishment, Glover Teixeira was finally able to put Smith away with punches from mount 1:04 into the fifth round of their UFC Fight Night 171 headlining bout at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, on Wednesday night. Only time will tell what the long-term ramifications are for Smith’s longevity as a fighter, but it was clear he was hurting as he did all he could to survive against his Brazilian opponent.

More than a few observers called for Smith’s corner to call the fight before it ended. While UFC president Dana White didn’t go that far, h…