Author: UFC News

Due to injury, John Makdessi has been forced to withdraw from his upcoming bout against Brit Paul Taylor. Stepping in for “The Bull” will be Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, who’s coming off a one-sided win over Wagner Rocha at UFC 131. Dana White confirmed today that verbal agreements are in for the new lightweight bout.

Newcomer Markes Steps in for Bonnar against Vemola updated June 17
With Stephan Bonnar sidelined by injury, 11-1 Brazilian newcomer Ronny Markes has verbally agreed to step up to the plate to face Karlos Vemola on August 14th’s UFC on Versus card in Milwaukee.

Kyle Noke vs. Filthy Tom in Milwaukee updated June 1
Two fan favorites from TUF seasons past will face off in a middleweight bout this summer. Dana White confirmed today that Aussie Kyle Noke and “Filthy” Tom Lawlor have agreed to meet at UFC on Versus 5. Both men are coming off solid wins – Lawlor decisioned Patrick Cote last fall at UFC 121, while Noke scored Submission of the Night at UFC 127 in Sydney.

“Bruce Leroy” Gets Garcia in Milwaukee updated May 25
The Ultimate Fighter 12’s Alex “Bruce Leroy” Caceres will look for his first UFC win on August 14th in Milwaukee, when he faces veteran action hero Leonard “Bad Boy” Garcia in a bout verbally agreed to late Tuesday night.

Benavidez vs. Wineland On
Two bantamweight powerhouses will go at it as Joseph Benavidez and Eddie Wineland have verbally agreed to face each other at the UFC on Versus show, confirmed Dana White today. Both WEC vets are coming off three-round battles at UFC 128 and recently sat next to one another at the UFC Fighter Summit.

Hamman Debuts at 185 Against Dollaway this August updated May 23
After back-to-back Fight of the Night awards, Jared Hamman will test the waters at 185 pounds this August 14th against former Ultimate Fighter finalist CB Dollaway.

“Two time Fight of the Night winner Jared ‘The Messenger’ Hamman has verbally agreed to face two time Submission of the Night winner CB ‘The Doberman’ Dollaway in his middleweight debut August 14 in Milwaukee,” said UFC President Dana White.

Reinhardt makes Bantam debut against Figueroa
Veteran Jason Reinhardt will test bantamweight waters this summer when he battles 135-pound prospect Edwin Figueroa on the UFC on Versus card in Milwaukee.

“Jason Reinhardt and Edwin Figueroa have verbally agreed to face each other in a bantamweight bout, August 14th in Milwaukee,” said UFC President Dana White. “With 20 wins, Reinhardt has never gone the distance and Figueroa is coming off a sensational “Fight of The Night” performance against Michael McDonald.”

Bombs Away as Lytle Faces Hardy in Milwaukee
Welterweight sluggers Dan “The Outlaw” Hardy and Chris “Lights Out” Lytle will go to war in the main event of August 14th’s UFC on Versus card in Milwaukee. The bout was verbally agreed to by both parties and is likely to be one of the most exciting of 2011.

Castillo vs. Volkmann on its way to Milwaukee
UFC President Dana White has announced another intriguing matchup for the August 14th event in Milwaukee, as two lightweight up and comers collide.

“In a battle between two top notch wrestlers, Danny “Last Call” Castillo will face Jacob “Christmas” Volkmann August 14 in Milwaukee,” said White.

Miller/Bendo, Bonnar/Vemola Coming in August
Verbal agreements are in for an August matchup between two of the top lightweights in the UFC as former WEC champion Ben Henderson takes on highly ranked Jim Miller, who is currently riding a seven-fight win streak.

Earlier in the day, White confirmed that Stephan Bonnar will try to score his third win in a row against when he battles European standout Karlos Vemola at the same event, taking place August 14 in Milwaukee.

“Verbal agreements are in for an August matchup between Karlos Vemola and Stephan Bonnar,” said UFC President Dana White. “Vemola is an extremely powerful wrestler with heavy hands while Bonnar is very well rounded and known for his incredible ability to take punishment and keep coming forward.”

Two Announced for UFC on VS Event in August
This August’s UFC on Versus event is starting to take shape, with UFC President Dana White announcing two bouts that have been verbally agreed to for the show, which will take place on a date and at a venue to be announced.

“A match that has a shot at being ‘Fight of the Night’ has been verbally agreed to for UFC On Versus this August, as Duane ‘Bang’ Ludwig and Ultimate Fighter winner Amir Sadollah will throw down,” said White. “Verbal agreements are also in for a battle of submission specialists as ‘The Spider’ TJ O’Brien will face Cole ‘Magrinho’ Miller.”

It was a card fraught with changes, including a main event revised three times, but in the end the fighters pulled off one of the best events in recent memory.

Hear from the men of the main (Cheick Kongo and Pat Barry) and co-main (Rick Story and Charlie Brenneman) events, plus Dana White and main card winners Matt Brown and Matt Mitrione at the post-fight press conference.

Dana White announced four well-deserved $50,000 bonuses. Joe Lauzon received Submission of the Night honors for his under-two-minutes win over Curt Warburton. Cheick Kongo scored Knockout of the Night after coming back from what appeared to be two flash knockouts to deliver what Joe Rogan described as “one of the craziest stoppages I have ever seen.”

Nik Lentz and Charles Oliveira took home Fight of the Night for their dynamic seven minutes in the Octagon. Oliveira was awarded the victory, but an inadvertent illegal knee started the chain of events that led to Lentz’ second-round tapout, and many expect the decision to be overturned by the commission.

Video highlights are linked below:
Charlie Brenneman, Rick Story and Dana White
Cheick Kongo, Matt Mitrione and Pat Barry

Due to illness, TJ Grant has been forced to withdraw from his Sunday bout with Charlie Brenneman on the UFC on Versus card in Pittsburgh. There will be no replacement bout, and the card will continue with 11 fights. See Brenneman statement

Brown in for Injured Kampmann updated June 6
Welterweight contender Martin Kampmann has been forced out of his upcoming main card bout due to an injury. John “Doomsday” Howard will now collide with Matt “The Immortal” Brown on June 26, Dana White announced today.

Brown was originally scheduled to face Rich Attonito on the Pittsburgh card; with Brown moving up on the card, Attonito will now fight Skrap Pack product Daniel Roberts at UFC Live.

Pittsburgh Gets New Main Event – Story in for “Rumble”
Fresh off his career-best victory over Thiago Alves at UFC 130, rising welterweight star Rick Story will step up to face former middleweight contender and 170-pound debutant Nate Marquardt on June 26th in Pittsburgh after it was revealed today that Marquardt’s original foe, Anthony Johnson, was forced to withdraw from the bout due to injury.

Downes in for Brookins vs. Stephens June 4 updated May 10
Another injury has sidelined a fighter slated for the TUF 13 Finale card: Dana White announced today that TUF 12 winner Jonathan Brookins has been forced to withdraw from his bout.

Stepping in for Brookins to fight Jeremy “Lil Heathen” Stephens will be Roufusport product Danny Downes, who upset Chinese standout Tiequan Zhang at the final WEC event in December. Stephens and Downes have agreed to the lightweight matchup, which will take place at the TUF 12 Finale in Las Vegas June 4.

Brenneman Gets Homecoming Bout in June updated May 6
With Matt Riddle forced to withdraw from his UFC on Versus bout against TJ Grant, Pennsylvania’s own Charlie Brenneman will get his opportunity to compete in his home state against the tough Canadian in Pittsburgh on June 26th.

“Matt Riddle has had to pull out of his June fight with TJ Grant due to injury,” said UFC President Dana White. “13-2 Charlie ‘The Spaniard’ Brenneman has verbally agreed to take his place.”

Grant Tries to Solve Riddle in Pittsburgh
Another intriguing matchup is on tap for the UFC on Versus card on June 26th, as UFC President Dana White announced that verbal agreements are in for a welterweight scrap between TJ Grant and Matthew Riddle.

Oliveira vs. Lentz on June 26th updated April 27
Dynamic lightweight prospect Charles Oliveira will look to rebound from the first loss of his career (against Jim Miller) when he takes on Nik Lentz (who has not lost in six UFC bouts) in a match that was verbally agreed to today. The two will duke it out on the UFC on Versus card on June 26th.

Grice vs. Lamas at FW June 26
“Ricardo Lamas and Matt Grice, two talented former lightweights, will make their featherweight debuts on June 26 in UFC against each other,” said UFC president Dana White.

Lamas excelled in the WEC, scoring wins over opponents including Bart Palaszewski and Dave Jansen. UFC on Versus: Johnson vs. Marquardt will mark Grice’s first trip into the Octagon since UFC 100.

Johnson vs. Marquardt to Headline on Versus updated April 13
Verbal agreements are in for the main event of UFC on Versus on June 26th, as Anthony Johnson takes on Nate Marquardt.

“Anthony Johnson has always been one of the largest welterweights in the UFC but now former top middleweight contender Nate Marquardt will drop down and attempt a run at the welterweight title,” said UFC President Dana White. “Both of these guys are powerful strikers and grapplers and it should be a great fight.”

Both Johnson and Marquardt are coming off big March wins, “Rumble” over Dan Hardy, and Marquardt over Dan Miller.

The Hitman Meets Doomsday on June 26th updated April 12
UFC President Dana White has announced perhaps the most explosive matchup of the early summer, as two welterweight contenders collide in Pittsburgh on June 26th.

“Verbal agreements are in for a battle between two of the best strikers in the welterweight division as John “Doomsday” Howard takes on Martin “The Hitman” Kampmann,” said White.

TUF Alumni, led by Mitrione, Back in the Octagon updated April 11
Dana White announced that three more bouts have been set for June UFC events.

Heavyweight bangers Matt Mitrione and Christian Morecraft will meet in Pittsburgh on June 26th. “Big men collide as verbal agreements are in for 7-1 Christian Morecraft vs. undefeated Matt Mitrione in a heavyweight matchup,” said White.

In lightweight news, TUF favorite Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon and Curt “The War” Warburton have agreed to throw down. A lightweight bout has also been agreed to between TUF 12 runner-up Michael Johnson and Hawaiian slugger Edward Faaloloto, a WEC alum. Those fights will take place June 26 at UFC on Versus in Pittsburgh.

Griffin to Face Gamburyan at Featherweight updated April 6
Another featherweight battle has been added to the UFC on Versus 4 fight card, Dana White announced today. “Highly-ranked Manvel Gamburyan and the always-exciting Tyson Griffin have verbally agreed to face one another June 26.” The June 26th show will be the first-ever UFC event held in Pittsburgh, PA.

Joe Daddy vs. Javi Vazquez Set for June updated April 5
Fan favorite Joe Stevenson has agreed to take on WEC vet Javier Vazquez at UFC on Versus 4, an event expected to take place in late June. The bout will be Stevenson’s first at featherweight and Vazquez’ UFC debut. “These two submission experts will go at it,” said Dana White.

Maldonado vs. Kingsbury at TUF 13 Finale updated March 15
Two powerful light heavyweights have been added to the TUF 13 Finale fight card. Dana White announced today that Fabio Maldonado and Kyle Kingsbury have verbally agreed to the June 4th bout. “It should be an absolute barnburner,” he said.

White also revealed that the Rich Attonito and Matt Brown fight announced yesterday has been moved to the UFC on Versus 4 event taking place later in June.

Brown/Attonito, Cerrone/Danzig, Roller/Guillard updated March 14
The TUF 13 fight card got a new welterweight addition on Monday: UFC president Dana White announced that Matt Brown and Rich Attonito had verbally agreed to meet. Brown starred on the seventh season of The Ultimate Fighter; Attonito on the 11th.

Bantamweights Take Vegas updated March 12th:
The bantamweights will be out in force in Las Vegas this spring: at The Pearl at The Palms exciting strikers Reuben Duran and Francisco Rivera square off against each other in an all-California turf war on the TUF13 finale card.

UFC heavyweight contender Matt Mitrione will provide the ceremonial coin toss at the Pittsburgh Power Arena Football League game Saturday night at CONSOL Energy Center as they host the Milwaukee Mustangs at 7:30 p.m. 

Mitrione, a former NFL defensive lineman with the New York Giants and Minnesota Vikings, is fighting on the main card of UFC Live on Versus 4 Sunday in Pittsburgh vs. Christian Morecraft.

The Power are encouraging fans to join the players, coaches, staff and dance team as they wear all white in support of White Out Night and the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. For Power tickets:  http://www.pittsburghpowerfootball.com.

 

In just one hour and 14 minutes, tickets to the UFC’s return to Brazil on August 27th have sold out, setting the stage for what will be an incredible night inside Rio’s HSBC Arena when Anderson Silva defends his UFC middleweight crown against Yushin Okami in the UFC 134 main event.

Also in action will be Brazilian heroes Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira, who will face Forrest Griffin and Brendan Schaub, respectively on this historic night, which marks the first UFC event in Brazil since 1998. The card will air on Pay-Per-View.

Las Vegas, NV (USA) – The Ultimate Fighting Championship® returns to the birthplace of mixed martial arts, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on Saturday, Aug. 27, as one of the country’s most recognizable superstars defends his title against the division’s nearly unstoppable number one contender. Live from the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba’s Anderson “The Spider” Silva puts the middleweight title on the line when he meets Japanese star Yushin Okami, the only man to hold a victory over Silva in the last five years.

“Anderson Silva is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world,” said UFC President Dana White. “He has won 14 straight and hasn’t lost since January 2006, when he lost a controversial fight against none other than Yushin Okami. Okami is the number two middleweight in the world and a powerhouse in that division. He is the winningest Japanese fighter in UFC history and also the only guy to have beaten the greatest fighter in the world in the last seven years. He wants to do it again, but this time, in Anderson’s home country and win the UFC middleweight title. If he does, he will be the first ever Japanese champion.”

An explosive co-main event features the rematch between former light heavyweight champions Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Forrest Griffin, while unbeaten Brazilian lightweight Edson Barboza looks for his ninth professional victory when he battles British bomber Ross Pearson. UFC’s first event in Brazil since 1998 will also feature a pivotal heavyweight collision pitting former champion and Brazilian legend Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira against the surging Brendan Schaub. In addition, Sao Paulo’s Luiz Cane collides with unbeaten Bulgarian Stanislav Nedkov in a surefire slugfest.

Tickets for UFC® 134: SILVA vs. OKAMI go on sale on Friday, June 17 at 11:30pm PT and are priced at R$1,600, R$1,000, R$450, and R$275. Tickets are available online at INGRESSO.com.

UFC® 134: SILVA vs. OKAMI will be available live on Pay-Per-View at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT on UFC.TV, iN DEMAND, DirecTV, DISH Network, Avail-TVN, BellTV, Shaw Communications, Sasktel, and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.99 US/$49.99 CAN for Standard Definition and $54.99 US/$59.99 CAN for High Definition.

Ranked as the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and one of the greatest of all time, Anderson Silva (fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) has won 14 straight fights and has defended the middleweight crown a record eight times. On Aug. 27, “The Spider” gets a chance to avenge a controversial disqualification loss he suffered to Yushin Okami in 2006. Owning wins over the likes of Rich Franklin, Nate Marquardt, Dan Henderson and Vitor Belfort, the 36-year-old is looking forward to adding Okami’s name to his legendary resume.

“This is a great opportunity for me to fight in Brazil, close to my home and my family,” Silva, who boasts a 28-4 record,” said. “It’s a great opportunity for Yushin and the fans in Japan after all they have been through this year. To see one of their top fighters fighting for the title makes this a special event.”

A winner of six out of his last seven fights, Japanese middleweight star Yushin Okami (fighting out of Kanagawa, Japan) has emerged as the division’s top contender thanks to his tremendous strength and overwhelming power. With wins over Jason MacDonald, Nate Marquardt and Mark Munoz, the six-foot-two powerhouse has set out to become the first Japanese champion in the history of the UFC.

“I understand Anderson has a lot of emotion (fighting in Brazil),” Okami, who has compiled a record of 27-5, said. “This time it will be in his home country, so I will see him fully focused, at his most dangerous, and in the best shape ever when I step in to the Octagon.”
“But no matter what, I have to try to smash him with all of my speed, strength and skills,” Okami continued. “The last time we fought, I felt the pressure of his striking, so I have been sharpening up my striking skills, and though he is the best opponent I have faced, he is the man I have to beat to become the UFC middleweight champion.”

Silva isn’t the only superstar looking to avenge a loss on Aug. 27. Former light heavyweight champion Mauricio “Shogun” Rua (fighting out of Curitiba, Brazil) returns to the Octagon® in Rio de Janeiro to battle Forrest Griffin (fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.), a former 205-pound champion who defeated him in 2007. Known for his fierce Muay Thai skills and devastating power, the 29-year-old Rua (19-5) holds wins over Hall of Famers Mark Coleman and Chuck Liddell, and was the first man to ever knock out Lyoto Machida. He’ll need to be on point to upend Griffin, who won the first season of The Ultimate Fighter® and is best known for wins over Stephan Bonnar, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Tito Ortiz and Rich Franklin.

The stock of lightweight striker Edson Barboza (fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) is soaring thanks to two impressive wins in the UFC. Unbeaten at 8-0, the 25-year-old returns to his hometown this summer to meet The Ultimate Fighter season nine winner Ross Pearson (fighting out of Sunderland, England). Boasting wins in four out of his last five fights, the 26-year-old Pearson plans to spoil Barboza’s homecoming in August and prove that he truly is “The Real Deal.”

Mixed martial arts legend Antonio “Minotauro” Nogueira (fighting out of Bahia, Brazil) returns to his native Brazil with hopes of displaying the tenacity that helped him win both UFC and PRIDE® titles in his illustrious career. The 35-year-old nicknamed “Big Nog” starts that quest back to the championship when he meets red-hot heavyweight prospect Brendan Schaub (fighting out of Denver, Colo.). A 28-year-old former NFL player, Schaub (9-1) has won four straight fights in the Octagon. The toughest test of his young career awaits the heavy-handed fighter nicknamed “The Hybrid” at HSBC Arena when he meets Nogueira (32-6-1, 1NC) in hostile territory.

Knockout artist Luiz Cane (fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil) finished Eliot Marshall in his last fight in March and expects nothing less when he battles unbeaten Stanislav Nedkov (fighting out of Veliko Turnovo, Bulgaria) in light heavyweight action. Thus, it should come as no surprise that the bout between Cane (12-3-1) and Nedkov (11-0) is an early sleeper for Fight of the Night.

For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit UFC.com. All bouts live and subject to change.