Author: MMA Fighting Newswire

LAS VEGAS — MMA Fighting’s E. Casey Leydon was on the scene at the Hollywood Theatre on Wednesday as Georges St-Pierre, Johny Hendricks, Rory MacDonald, Chael Sonnen, and Robbie Lawler worked out. Check out the highlights above.

Music courtesy of APM Music.

The lightweight showdown between Gray Maynard and Nate Diaz is now the TUF 18 Finale main event on Nov. 30 in Las Vegas, according to UFC officials Sunday.

Demetrious Johnson was going to defend his UFC flyweight title against Joseph Benavidez at the event, but this rematch was moved to headline UFC on FOX 9.

The Maynard vs. Diaz fight will be three rounds.

Maynard, who is 2-2-1 over his past five fights, defeated Diaz via split decision in their last meeting on Jan. 11, 2010.

Diaz has won three of his past five fights. He has dropped two straight though, including a knockout loss to Josh Thomson at UFC on FOX 7 this past April.

Anthony Pettis‘ first title defense has been put on hold.

The UFC lightweight champion won’t square off against Josh Thomson at UFC on FOX 9 on Dec. 14 because he has suffered a knee injury, according to a report on FOX Sports Live on Sunday night.

UFC on FOX 9 will now be headlined by the rematch between UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez, according to FoxSports.com.

The Johnson vs. Benavidez 2 fight was supposed to be the main event for the TUF 18 Finale on Nov. 30.

It is unknown what’s next for Thomson or how long Pettis will be out at this time.

GOIANIA, Brazil — UFC president Dana White discusses TUF: Mexico, if Chael Sonnen needs extra security for TUF: Brazil, if he was upset by Mirko Cro Cop’s latest vid about UFC fighters in Russia, what happened with Little Nog vs. Gustafsson, Nick Diaz, Brandon Thatch, and much more.

Sergio Moraes told MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz that he has suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee, knocking him out of the TUF 18 Finale on Nov. 30 in Las Vegas.

MMA Junkie was the first to report Moraes’ withdrawal from the event.

Moraes, who found about the extent of his injury this week, will need surgery for the injury. He was expected to face Sean Spencer in a welterweight fight at the event.

There is no timetable for his return. Spencer doesn’t have a new opponent as of yet.

A welterweight clash between Jake Ellenberger and Tarec Saffiedine will be the main event for UFC Fight Nigth 34 on Jan. 4, 2014 at the Marina Bay Sands in Marina Bay, Singapore, according to UFC officials Tuesday night.

It will be the UFC’s first event in Southeast Asia.

Ellenberger has won three of his past five fights, but lost to Rory MacDonald in his last Octagon appearance at UFC on FOX 8 this past July.

Saffiedine, who will be making his UFC debut, has won his past four fights. Saffiedine was supposed to fight for the UFC for the first time at UFC on FOX 8, but had to withdraw because of an injury.

Four other fights were also announced for the event. Tatsuya Kawajiri makes his UFC debut against Hacran Dias in a featherweight fight, Hyun Gyu Lim squares off against Kiichi Kunimoto in a welterweight clash, Kyung Ho Kant faces Shunichi Shimazu in a bantamweight clash, and Katsunori Kikuno is set to face Quinn Mulhern in a lightweight contest on the card.