Bellator welterweight tourney kicks off at Bellator 14 and Bellator 15, matchups set

The opening round of Bellator’s season-two welterweight tournament takes place April 15 at Bellator 14 and April 22 at Bellator 15, the organization today announced.

As MMAjunkie.com reported on Thursday, Ben Askren (3-0) meets Ryan Thomas (10-3) at Bellator 14.

The other three matchups take place the following week: Dan Hornbuckle (19-2) vs. Sean Pierson (9-4), Jacob McClintock (6-0) vs. Jim Wallhead (18-5), and Steve Carl (12-1) vs. Brett Cooper (12-5).


The opening round of Bellator’s season-two welterweight tournament takes place April 15 at Bellator 14 and April 22 at Bellator 15, the organization today announced.

As MMAjunkie.com reported on Thursday, Ben Askren (3-0) meets Ryan Thomas (10-3) at Bellator 14.

The other three matchups take place the following week: Dan Hornbuckle (19-2) vs. Sean Pierson (9-4), Jacob McClintock (6-0) vs. Jim Wallhead (18-5), and Steve Carl (12-1) vs. Brett Cooper (12-5).


Gerald Harris vs. Mario Miranda set for UFC Fight Night 21 preliminary card

What appears to be the final rumored bout for next month’s UFC Fight
Night 21 event is now official; middleweight Gerald Harris, in fact, will fight Mario Miranda at the
upcoming show.

MMAjunkie.com first reported the bout earlier this month, and the UFC today made it official.

UFC Fight Night 21, which precedes the debut episode of “The
Ultimate Fighter 11,” takes place March 31 at Bojangles Coliseum in
Charlotte, N.C., and airs on Spike TV.


What appears to be the final rumored bout for next month’s UFC Fight
Night 21 event is now official; middleweight Gerald Harris, in fact, will fight Mario Miranda at the
upcoming show.

MMAjunkie.com first reported the bout earlier this month, and the UFC today made it official.

UFC Fight Night 21, which precedes the debut episode of “The
Ultimate Fighter 11,” takes place March 31 at Bojangles Coliseum in
Charlotte, N.C., and airs on Spike TV.


Thales Leites wins, Paulo Filho withdraws from Bitetti Combat MMA 6

Thales Leites, Glover Teixeira and Danillo Villefort were among the winners at Friday’s Bitetti Combat MMA 6 event, but perhaps the biggest story coming out of Friday’s show is the withdrawal of former WEC champion Paulo Filho from the card.

Filho, who no-showed Thursday’s event weigh-ins to prompt the cancellation of a would-be headliner with Yuki Sasaki, again cited personal issues, which also contributed to a recent year-long layoff.

Despite his absence, the event, which took place at Nilson Nelson Gymnasium in Brasilia, Brazil, proved another solid night of fights for the recently resurrected promotion.


Thales Leites, Glover Teixeira and Danillo Villefort were among the winners at Friday’s Bitetti Combat MMA 6 event, but perhaps the biggest story coming out of Friday’s show is the withdrawal of former WEC champion Paulo Filho from the card.

Filho, who no-showed Thursday’s event weigh-ins to prompt the cancellation of a would-be headliner with Yuki Sasaki, again cited personal issues, which also contributed to a recent year-long layoff.

Despite his absence, the event, which took place at Nilson Nelson Gymnasium in Brasilia, Brazil, proved another solid night of fights for the recently resurrected promotion.


“The Sunday Junkie” deadline reminder, win a free Fighters Only subscription!

As a reminder, submissions for the upcoming edition of “The Sunday Junkie” are due Sunday at 10 a.m. ET.

All topics, including this weekend’s UFC 110 event, are open for discussion. The person who sends in the submission we deem the best – based on timeliness of subject, clarity and overall persuasiveness – will be invited onto MMAjunkie.com Radio to discuss the topic.

Each winner will also receive a free year’s subscription to Fighters Only, the world’s leading MMA and lifestyle magazine!


As a reminder, submissions for the upcoming edition of “The Sunday Junkie” are due Sunday at 10 a.m. ET.

All topics, including this weekend’s UFC 110 event, are open for discussion. The person who sends in the submission we deem the best – based on timeliness of subject, clarity and overall persuasiveness – will be invited onto MMAjunkie.com Radio to discuss the topic.

Each winner will also receive a free year’s subscription to Fighters Only, the world’s leading MMA and lifestyle magazine!


Joe Brammer and Aaron Riley agree to UFC 114 meeting in Las Vegas

Joe Brammer (7-1-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) makes a second attempt at his first Ultimate Fighting Championship victory at UFC 114, where he’s likely to meet veteran Aaron Riley (28-12-1 MMA, 2-4 UFC).

Both lightweights have agreed to the fight and are expected to sign shortly, a source close to one of the fighters told MMAjunkie.com.

UFC 114 takes place May 29 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.


Joe Brammer (7-1-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC) makes a second attempt at his first Ultimate Fighting Championship victory at UFC 114, where he’s likely to meet veteran Aaron Riley (28-12-1 MMA, 2-4 UFC).

Both lightweights have agreed to the fight and are expected to sign shortly, a source close to one of the fighters told MMAjunkie.com.

UFC 114 takes place May 29 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.


Ricardo Funch off UFC 111 prelim card, newcomer Greg Soto to meet Matthew Riddle

Ricardo Funch has been forced off next month’s UFC 111 preliminary card, and undefeated UFC newcomer Greg Soto is expected to take his spot on the preliminary card against Matthew Riddle.

Sources close to the event today alerted MMAjunkie.com of the change, though the reason for Funch’s withdrawal was not immediately known.

UFC 111 takes place March 27 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.


Ricardo Funch has been forced off next month’s UFC 111 preliminary card, and undefeated UFC newcomer Greg Soto is expected to take his spot on the preliminary card against Matthew Riddle.

Sources close to the event today alerted MMAjunkie.com of the change, though the reason for Funch’s withdrawal was not immediately known.

UFC 111 takes place March 27 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.