Author: MMA Fighting Newswire

Firas Zahabi will discuss Rory MacDonald’s tough loss to Robbie Lawler on Saturday night.

Todd Duffee talks about his upcoming fight against Frank Mir.

As Titan FC makes its debut on UFC Fight Pass on Saturday night, it’ll do so without former UFC fighter Mike Ricci.

Titan FC COO Lex McMahon informed MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani that Ricci injured ligaments in his right hand and won’t be able to compete against fellow UFC veteran Pat Healy at Titan FC 34. McMahon said that they are looking for a last-minute replacement to stand in against Healy in the main event, which takes place July 18 at the Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, MO.

It was announced in June that UFC Fight Pass would begin airing Titan FC’s live events. This Saturday’s card will be the first to broadcast on the site, joining other promotions such as Invicta FC and Shooto.

Since dropping a split decisions against Myles Jury at UFC 165 in 2013, Ricci has bounced back with a pair of victories under the Titan FC banner. Most recently he defeated George Sotiropoulos via unanimous decision at Titan FC 29 in August.

Healy has also won a pair of fights upon being released from the UFC, including a split-decision victory over Kurt Kinser at Titan FC 33.

UPDATE: Now standing in to face Healy at Titan FC 34 on Saturday night will be Marcus Edwards, MMA Fighting has been informed by McMahon. The 26-year old Edwards (9-3) last fought at RFA 26 in early June, scoring a unanimous decision over Thiago Alves.

As Titan FC makes its debut on UFC Fight Pass on Saturday night, it’ll do so without former UFC fighter Mike Ricci.

Titan FC COO Lex McMahon informed MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani that Ricci injured ligaments in his right hand and won’t be able to compete against fellow UFC veteran Pat Healy at Titan FC 34. McMahon said that they are looking for a last-minute replacement to stand in against Healy in the main event, which takes place July 18 at the Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, MO.

It was announced in June that UFC Fight Pass would begin airing Titan FC’s live events. This Saturday’s card will be the first to broadcast on the site, joining other promotions such as Invicta FC and Shooto.

Since dropping a split decisions against Myles Jury at UFC 165 in 2013, Ricci has bounced back with a pair of victories under the Titan FC banner. Most recently he defeated George Sotiropoulos via unanimous decision at Titan FC 29 in August.

Healy has also won a pair of fights upon being released from the UFC, including a split-decision victory over Kurt Kinser at Titan FC 33.

UPDATE: Now standing in to face Healy at Titan FC 34 on Saturday night will be Marcus Edwards, MMA Fighting has been informed by McMahon. The 26-year old Edwards (9-3) last fought at RFA 26 in early June, scoring a unanimous decision over Thiago Alves.

Jorge Masvidal’s impressive victory at the TUF 21 Finale paid off big.

Masvidal earned $102,000, as well as an extra $50,000 for a Performance of the Night bonus, for his first-round knockout win of Cezar Ferreira on Sunday night in Las Vegas.

Stephen Thompson earned a PON bonus as well as $42,000 for his win in the main event of Jake Ellenberger.

Josh Samman and Kamaru Usman also earned $50,000 bonuses. As always, the entire TUF 21 Finale payroll can be seen below, although these figures do not represent a fighter’s total earnings, as sponsorship money and discretionary post-fight bonuses are not publicly disclosed.

Main card (FOX Sports 1)
Stephen Thompson ($21,000 + $21,000 = $42,000) def. Jake Ellenberger ($73,000)
Kamaru Usman ($10,000 + $10,000 = $20,000) def. Hayder Hassan ($10,000)
Michael Graves ($10,000 + $10,000 = $20,000) def. Vicente Luque ($10,000)
Jorge Masvidal ($51,000 + $51,000 = $102,000) def. Cezar Ferreira ($20,000)
Michelle Waterson ($15,000 + $15,000 = $30,000) def. Angela Magana ($10,000)
Maximo Blanco ($18,400 + 23,000 = $41,400) def. Mike De La Torre ($17,600)

Undercard (FOX Sports 1)
Josh Samman ($10,000 + $10,000 = $20,000) def. Caio Magalhaes ($10,000)
Jerrod Sanders ($10,000 + $10,000 = $20,000) def. Russell Doane ($10,000)
Trevor Smith ($17,000 + $17,000 = $34,000) def. Dan Miller ($25,000)
George Sullivan ($15,000 + $15,000 = $30,000) def. Dominic Waters ($10,000)

Undercard (UFC Fight Pass)
Willie Gates ($10,000 + $10,000 = $20,000)  def. Darrell Montague ($10,000)

LAS VEGAS — MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Marc Raimondi break down the top storylines coming out of TUF 21 Finale on Sunday night.