After title loss, Diego Sanchez returning to UFC’s welterweight division

After winning the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter” as a
middleweight, emerging as a top contender at welterweight, dropping to
lightweight and losing a title shot to champion B.J. Penn in December,
Diego Sanchez is apparently ready for a change.

On Monday the fighter said he plans to return to the welterweight division.

In a series of Twitter messages, “Nightmare” welcomed fights with everyone from Josh Koscheck to Jon Fitch to fellow weight-class jumper Nate Diaz.


After winning the first season of “The Ultimate Fighter” as a
middleweight, emerging as a top contender at welterweight, dropping to
lightweight and losing a title shot to champion B.J. Penn in December,
Diego Sanchez is apparently ready for a change.

On Monday the fighter said he plans to return to the welterweight division.

In a series of Twitter messages, “Nightmare” welcomed fights with everyone from Josh Koscheck to Jon Fitch to fellow weight-class jumper Nate Diaz.


Yushin Okami vs. Lucio Linhares targeted for UFC Fight Night 21 on March 31

A middleweight bout between Yushin Okami (23-5 MMA, 7-2 UFC) and recent UFC newcomer Lucio Linhares (13-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) is likely to take place on March 31 at UFC Fight Night 21.

Sources close to the bout said the fight is “a definite possibility,” though it is unclear if bout agreements have been signed.

UFC Fight Night 21, which serves as a lead-in for the debut of “The Ultimate Fighter 11” on Spike TV, takes place in North Carolina, though UFC officials said as of Monday a host city and venue have not been made determined.


A middleweight bout between Yushin Okami (23-5 MMA, 7-2 UFC) and recent UFC newcomer Lucio Linhares (13-5 MMA, 0-1 UFC) is likely to take place on March 31 at UFC Fight Night 21.

Sources close to the bout said the fight is “a definite possibility,” though it is unclear if bout agreements have been signed.

UFC Fight Night 21, which serves as a lead-in for the debut of “The Ultimate Fighter 11” on Spike TV, takes place in North Carolina, though UFC officials said as of Monday a host city and venue have not been made determined.


Mike Pierce vs. Rob Kimmons slated for UFC on Versus 1 on March 21

The quickly filling UFC on Versus 1 fight card has another addition now that Mike Pierce (10-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and Rob Kimmons (22-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC) have agreed to a welterweight fight at the March 21 event.

Sources close to both of the competitors told MMAjunkie.com the fight is close to finalized.

UFC on Versus 1 takes place at the Odeum Colorado in Broomfield (near Denver), and the main card, including a headliner of Jon Jones vs. Brandon Vera, airs on Versus.


The quickly filling UFC on Versus 1 fight card has another addition now that Mike Pierce (10-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and Rob Kimmons (22-5 MMA, 2-2 UFC) have agreed to a welterweight fight at the March 21 event.

Sources close to both of the competitors told MMAjunkie.com the fight is close to finalized.

UFC on Versus 1 takes place at the Odeum Colorado in Broomfield (near Denver), and the main card, including a headliner of Jon Jones vs. Brandon Vera, airs on Versus.


Nate Diaz headed to welterweight, could meet Rory Markham at UFC 111

It didn’t take long for Nate Diaz to get the phone call.

The Stockton, Calif.-based Diaz (11-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) is expected to make
his welterweight debut at UFC 111, where he could meet Rory Markham
(16-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at the March 27 show, a source close to the event
told MMAjunkie.com.

Although a few options are being discussed, Diaz vs. Markham is considered a frontrunner of the possible matchups.


It didn’t take long for Nate Diaz to get the phone call.

The Stockton, Calif.-based Diaz (11-5 MMA, 6-3 UFC) is expected to make
his welterweight debut at UFC 111, where he could meet Rory Markham
(16-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) at the March 27 show, a source close to the event
told MMAjunkie.com.

Although a few options are being discussed, Diaz vs. Markham is considered a frontrunner of the possible matchups.


Toughill fights Jan. 30 in non-Strikeforce event, picks Coenen over champ “Cyborg”

Erin Toughill is hard at work preparing for a return to action with an eye on Strikeforce gold.

Toughill, a former professional boxer and competitor on NBC’s “American
Gladiators” reincarnation, was forced to withdraw from a rematch with
Marloes Coenen at “Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers” in November and wants
to stay active before returning to Strikeforce in the spring.

Toughill is expected to face Remy Ruyssen at Freestyle Cage Fighting on Jan. 30, the same night Coenen vies for the Strikeforce women’s 145-pound title against champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos.


Erin Toughill is hard at work preparing for a return to action with an eye on Strikeforce gold.

Toughill, a former professional boxer and competitor on NBC’s “American
Gladiators” reincarnation, was forced to withdraw from a rematch with
Marloes Coenen at “Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers” in November and wants
to stay active before returning to Strikeforce in the spring.

Toughill is expected to face Remy Ruyssen at Freestyle Cage Fighting on Jan. 30, the same night Coenen vies for the Strikeforce women’s 145-pound title against champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos.


Kampmann vs. Saunders set for UFC 111 main card, two bouts official for prelims

Ultimate Fighting Championship executives today made official three additional bouts for the March 27 UFC 111 event in New Jersey, and one of them is set to air on the pay-per-view main card.

A welterweight bout of Martin Kampmann vs. Ben Saunders has earned guaranteed TV time.

Additionally, a welterweight bout between Ricardo Funch and Matthew Riddle, as well as a 205-pound contest between Rodney Wallace and Jared Hamman, are official for the night’s preliminary card.


Ultimate Fighting Championship executives today made official three additional bouts for the March 27 UFC 111 event in New Jersey, and one of them is set to air on the pay-per-view main card.

A welterweight bout of Martin Kampmann vs. Ben Saunders has earned guaranteed TV time.

Additionally, a welterweight bout between Ricardo Funch and Matthew Riddle, as well as a 205-pound contest between Rodney Wallace and Jared Hamman, are official for the night’s preliminary card.