Light-heavyweight Krzysztof Soszynski has had a change of opponent — again — for his UFC 131 bout in Vancouver this Saturday. UFC veteran Mike Massenzio has verbally agreed to take the bout against Soszynski just six days out from the June 11 event, Dana White announced today.
Originally slated to fight Anthony Perosh, who suffered an injury, Soszynski was then expected to fight Igor Pokrajac, who also suffered an injury that forced him to cancel.
Tibau-Oliveira Replaces Palaszewski-McKenzie at UFC 130 updated May 19
Bart Palaszewski is out of his UFC 130 bout with Gleison Tibau due to injury, said Dana White today. Coming off a four-fight win streak, Rafaello “Tractor” Oliveira has verbally agreed to make his UFC return and face Tibau in a lightweight battle of Brazilian-born BJJ black belts.
Palaszewski was originally slated to fight TUF standout Cody McKenzie, but an injury sidelined the guilliotine specialist two weeks ago.
Danzig Injured, Cowboy to Welcome Rocha to UFC updated May 17
Mac Danzig has had to pull out of UFC 131 with an injury, Dana White confirmed today. Making his UFC debut on short notice, 6-1 BJJ black belt Vagner Rocha has verbally agreed to replace Danzig in the June 4 bout against Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone.
Heavyweight Changes Continue on UFC 131 Card updated May 13
With yesterday’s announcement that Shane Carwin will replace Brock Lesnar in the UFC 131 main event against Junior dos Santos, there have been some changes to the June 11th card in Vancouver.
Carwin’s original opponent on the card, Jon Olav Einemo, will now face fellow newcomer Dave “Pee Wee” Herman, and Herman’s original foe, Joey Beltran, will take on UFC debutant Aaron Rosa in bouts verbally agreed to today.
Carwin replaces Lesnar against dos Santos update May 12
After fighting his way back from a severe 2009 bout with diverticulitis to successfully defend his UFC heavyweight title against Shane Carwin last July before losing the belt to Cain Velasquez, Brock Lesnar has been forced out of his UFC 131 main event against Junior dos Santos after being stricken once again with the intestinal ailment.
UFC President Dana White revealed the news on a media teleconference Thursday afternoon.
Stepping in for Lesnar to face dos Santos will be Carwin, the former interim UFC heavyweight champion, on the June 11th event in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Carwin was originally scheduled to face Jon Olav Einemo on the UFC 131 card.
Lesnar and dos Santos have been competing against each other as coaches on season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter reality series on Spike TV.
Pokrajac in for Perosh vs. K-Sos updated May 10
A third fight card in two days has changed due to fighter injury – Australia’s Anthony Perosh is unable to compete in his scheduled UFC 131 scrap against Krzysztof Soszynski, Dana White announced today. Igor Pokrajac has verbally agreed to face Soszynski instead at the June 11 Vancouver event.
Edgar-Maynard III Postponed; Rampage-Hamill Headlines 130 updated May 9
The highly-anticipated third bout between UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar and number one contender Gray Maynard will have to wait a little longer, as it was announced today that both fighters have suffered injuries in training camp that will take them out of the UFC 130 main event on May 28th.
Stepping up into the UFC 130 main event slot is the bout between former UFC light heavyweight champ Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and Matt “The Hammer” Hamill, and moving to the Pay-Per-View card will be the Thiago Alves vs. Rick Story welterweight showdown.
McKenzie Out, Tibau in at UFC 130 updated May 5
TUF 12’s Cody McKenzie is out of his UFC 130 fight with Bart Palaszewski due to injury. UFC president Dana White confirmed tonight that Gleison Tibau, fresh off of a win over Kurt Pellegrino, has verbally agreed to replace him in the lightweight bout.
Yahya Out, Poirier Gets Brit for 131 updated May 3
Rani Yahya has withdrawn from his UFC 131 bout against Dustin Poirier due to injury, UFC president Dana White confirmed today. Stepping in for Yahya will be English striking ace Jason Young, making his UFC debut. Poirier has a dangerous stand-up arsenal of his own and is pegged by many to be a top prospect to watch at featherweight.
McDonald in for Kid against Cariaso updated April 27
Bantamweight phenom Michael McDonald is stepping in on short notice to face Chris Cariaso at UFC 130.
“Kid Yamamoto has withdrawn from his May 28th bout vs Chris Cariaso due to injury,” said UFC President Dana White. “In his place will be UFC’s youngest fighter and one of it’s most exciting, Michael McDonald, who is coming off a recent Fight of The Night performance. Chris Cariaso carries a great record of his own with a fast style and he plans on cementing his place in the bantamweight division with a win over the highly touted prospect. Both have verbally agreed to the fight.”
Barao-Escovedo Set for UFC 130 updated April 20
WEC veteran Cole Escovedo, the organization’s first featherweight champ, will make his UFC debut at bantamweight against top Brazilian prospect Renan Barao at UFC 130, as the two have verbally agreed to the matchup.
Barao looks to continue his astounding 28-fight unbeaten streak against Escovedo, who’s known for being an incredible finisher. Barao was originally scheduled to fight Demetrious Johnson – earlier this week, Johnson replaced an injured Brad Pickett on the same card.
Mighty Mouse in for Injured Pickett vs. Torres updated April 20
UFC president Dana white announced that Brit bantamweight Brad Pickett has suffered an injury, forcing him to withdraw from his May 28th bout against Miguel Torres at UFC 130.
“The fastest man in the division has answered the call, and Demetrious Johnson will move into Pickett’s spot to face the former divisional kingpin,” said White. “Both men have verbally agreed to the fight.”
Johnson was originally slated to fight rising prospect Renan Barao on the same date; Barao’s new opponent will be announced shortly.
TUF Alumni Back in the Octagon updated April 11
TUF 11 star Nick “The Promise” Ring will meet James Head in Vancouver on June 11.
“Seven-and-one James Head is coming off an impressive victory over UFC
veteran Gerald Harris and has verbally agreed to make his UFC debut
against the undefeated Canadian middleweight Ring,” he said.
McKenzie to face Palaszewski at UFC 130 updated April 10
The master of the McKenzietine, TUF 12 alum Cody McKenzie, will get a tough test on May 28 in Las Vegas when he squares off against WEC vet Bart Palaszewski in a UFC 130 lightweight bout that was verbally agreed to today.
McGee Out, Weidman in at UFC 131 updated April 5
An injury has forced Court McGee to withdraw from his UFC 131 bout in Vancouver. “Undefeated Chris Weidman, who was impressive defeating Alessio Sakara in his UFC debut, has verbally agreed to step in against tough Canadian Jesse Bongfeldt,” said Dana White.
“Pee Wee” vs. “The Mexicutioner” at UFC 131 updated March 31
UFC President Dana White announced another heavyweight matchup for June’s UFC 131 card. “20-2 Heavyweight Dave “Pee-Wee” Herman has verbally agreed to make his UFC debut against hard hitting Joey Beltran June 11th in Vancouver,” said White.
Carwin Returns to Face Newcomer Einemo at UFC 131 updated March 23
UFC President Dana White announced today that Colorado KO king Shane Carwin is expected to make his long awaited return to the Octagon on June 11th against newcomer Jon Olav Einemo.
“Submission wrestling champion Jon Olav Einemo has verbally agreed to make his UFC debut against former UFC interim heavyweight champion Shane Carwin at UFC 131 in Vancouver,” said White. “Carwin is an incredibly tough UFC debut for anyone but Einemo’s camp loves the style matchup.”
Carwin had a roller coaster 2010, winning the interim heavyweight crown with a first round knockout of Frank Mir in March, yet falling short of winning the undisputed crown as he was submitted in the second round of a back and forth war with Brock Lesnar. After undergoing surgery to heal some nagging injuries, he will be back at UFC 131 to take on Einemo, a 6-foot-6 jiu-jitsu black belt who has won six of his seven pro bouts, with the only loss a 2006 defeat in PRIDE to Fabricio Werdum.
Edwards/Stout, Cerrone/Danzig updated March 14
Two thrilling lightweight bouts have been added to the summer lineup featuring TUF stars pitted against WEC favorites who’ve had success so far in the UFC.
“Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone and TUF 6 winner Mac Danzig have verbally agreed to meet in what should by a non-stop action fight at UFC 131 in Vancouver,” said White. He also confirmed a bout between two UFC veterans on that same card: “Yves Edwards VS Sam Stout, a matchup of top lightweight strikers has been verbally agreed to.”
Bantamweights Take Vegas updated March 12th:
The bantamweights will be out in force in Las Vegas this spring, as intriguing 135-pound matchups have been verbally agreed to for the UFC 130 card.
At UFC 130, which takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, two of the division’s top rising stars will meet when speedster Demetrious Johnson takes on Brazilian phenom Renan Barao. Johnson is coming off a career-best win over Kid Yamamoto at UFC 126, and Barao’s stellar win streak, which includes back-to-back WEC victories, speaks for itself.
“One of the fastest men in the sport, Demetrious Johnson, and Renan Barao, with an incredible 27 fight unbeaten streak, have both verbally agreed to fight at UFC 130 on May 28th in Las Vegas,” said UFC President Dana White.
Also on the UFC 130 card, Japanese star Yamamoto returns in search of his first UFC win when he faces off against Chris Cariaso.
UFC 131 Card Shapes Up updated March 12th
Also, four bouts on the UFC 131 fight card have been verbally agreed to, including a matchup of rising middleweights:
* Mark Munoz vs. Demian Maia
“Heavy handed Mark Munoz will take on Demian Maia, one of the top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts in MMA,” says UFC president Dana White.
* Anthony Perosh vs. Krzysztof Soszynski
* Jesse Bongfeldt vs. Court McGee
* Darren Elkins vs. Michihiro Omigawa (at featherweight)
UFC 131 will take place June 11th in Vancouver. More details about UFC 131 including ticket information will be announced soon.