Author: Ariel Helwani

LAS VEGAS — Cathal Pendred talks about why he wanted to get back in the cage so soon after UFC 188, why he was so disappointed after the win, why he broke event after 188, the criticism he receives and more.

LAS VEGAS — Former UFC welterweight champion Johny Hendricks spoke to MMA Fighting at Thursday’s UFC 189 Media Day. The Team Takedown fighter talked about potentially facing the winner of Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald, who he thinks wins the fight, the USADA ban on IV use for weight cutting and much more.

LAS VEGAS — Brandon Thatch talks about fighting Gunnar Nelson at UFC 189, getting over his loss to Benson Henderson, why it still stings and more.

LAS VEGAS — Angela Magana talks about her controversial Twitter persona, fighting Michelle Waterson at the TUF 21 Finale, why she feels like she’s the best in the world and much more.

Tyrone Spong’s injury woes continue.

According to World Series of Fighting executive vice president Ali Abdel-Aziz, a knee injury has forced Spong (2-0) to withdraw from his Aug. 1 fight against Mike Kyle at WSOF 22. Spong’s management team, Authentic Sports Management, wasn’t immediately available to discuss the severity of the injury.

As a result, former UFC fighter Thiago Silva, who lost his WSOF debut in March to little-known Teddy Holder via first-round TKO, will now fight Kyle, according to Abdel-Aziz.

This would have marked Spong’s first MMA or kickboxing fight since he suffered a gruesome leg injury against Gokhan Saki at Glory Kickboxing 15 in April 2014. Since then, he has competed in two boxing matches, which he won via first-round knockout. Spong hasn’t fought for WSOF since Aug. 2013.

WSOF 22, which will air on NBCSN from Las Vegas, still features Rousimar Palhares vs. Jake Shields for the welterweight title and Marlon Moraes vs. Sheymon Moraes for the bantamweight title.

The Mixed Martial Arts Hour is back in your life. Below is a rundown of Monday’s show:

1:00 p.m. ET — Irish journalist Peter Carroll will preview Conor McGregor vs. Chad Mendes.

1:25 p.m. — Jorge Masvidal will talk about his UFC welterweight debut against Cezar Ferreira at TUF 21 Finale this weekend.

1:45 p.m. — American Top Team co-founder and owner Dan Lambert will talk about his involvement on TUF 21 and Robbie Lawler’s title defense at UFC 189.

2:05 p.m. — Chael Sonnen will stop by to catch up on all things “American Gangster.”

2:30 p.m. — We’ll go Inside the Vault and look back at a classic interview.

2:45 p.m. — Cody Garbrandt will preview his UFC 189 fight against Henry Briones.

3:05 p.m. — Paddy Holohan will talk…