Tag: Jose Aldo

Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña, ‘Wonderboy’ vs. Joaquin Buckley, & Other Fights Announced For UFC 307

UFC 307 heralds the MMA promotion’s return to Salt Lake City, Utah, with a stacked fight card lined up for October 5 at the Delta Center. On Friday UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the 11th numbered event will be headlined by light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira, who will defend his title for the third […]

Continue Reading Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña, ‘Wonderboy’ vs. Joaquin Buckley, & Other Fights Announced For UFC 307 at MMA News.

UFC 307 heralds the MMA promotion’s return to Salt Lake City, Utah, with a stacked fight card lined up for October 5 at the Delta Center.

On Friday UFC CEO Dana White revealed that the 11th numbered event will be headlined by light heavyweight kingpin Alex Pereira, who will defend his title for the third time in 2024, this time against Khalil Rountree.

In the co-main event of UFC 307, reigning women’s bantamweight champion Raquel Pennington puts her title on the line against former 135-pound queen Julianna Peña.

Pennington is set to make her first title defense since capturing the belt by unanimous decision against Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC 297 in January. The title was vacant at the time, following Amanda Nunes’ retirement.

Meanwhile, Peña is making her long-awaited return to the Octagon after an extended hiatus of over two years. She famously pulled off a major upset with a second-round submission victory over “The Lioness” at UFC 269, only to fall short in their rematch seven months later at UFC 277, losing by unanimous decision.

The undercard of this pay-per-view spectacle will feature an intriguing welterweight showdown between the seasoned Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson and the surging Joaquin Buckley. Thompson last competed at UFC 296, where he suffered a second-round submission loss to Shavkat Rakhmonov. On the other hand, “New Mansa” is riding a wave of momentum with a four-fight win streak since dropping down to 170 pounds. His most recent victory came by decision against Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Fight Night St. Louis this past May.

What Other Fights Are On The UFC 307 Card?

The UFC 307 fight card is packed with exciting matchups, including the return of former featherweight champion José Aldo, who is set to take on the rapidly rising Mario Bautista in a bantamweight showdown. Another highlight of the night will be the clash between two-time Olympic gold medalist judoka Kayla Harrison and Ketlen Vieira in a pivotal 135-pound bout.

Elsewhere on the card, Kevin Holland is slated to face Roman Dolidze in an intense middleweight showdown. Announced earlier this year, meanwhile, was a clash between undefeated featherweight Movsar Evloev and former bantamweight titleholder Aljamain Sterling.

With these additions to the card, the current fights expected to take place at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City on Oct. 5 are as follows:

  • Alex Pereira (C) vs. Khalil Rountree (light heavyweight championship main event)
  • Raquel Pennington (C) vs. Julianna Peña (women’s bantamweight championship co-main event)
  • Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling (bantamweight)
  • Stephen Thompson vs. Joaquin Buckley (welterweight)
  • Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison (women’s bantamweight)
  • José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista (bantamweight)
  • Carla Esparza vs. Tecia Pennington (women’s strawweight)
  • Roman Dolidze vs. Kevin Holland (middleweight)
  • Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo (women’s strawweight)
  • Ihor Potieria vs. Cesar Almeida (middleweight)

Continue Reading Raquel Pennington vs. Julianna Peña, ‘Wonderboy’ vs. Joaquin Buckley, & Other Fights Announced For UFC 307 at MMA News.

Chad Mendes claims 2014 rematch fight with Jose Aldo likely ‘Took 10 years’ off his life

Chad Mendes claims rematch fight with Jose Aldo likely 'Took 10 years' off his lifeVeteran former featherweight title challenger, Chad Mendes has revealed his rematch clash with inaugural divisional champion, Jose Aldo back…

Chad Mendes claims rematch fight with Jose Aldo likely 'Took 10 years' off his life

Veteran former featherweight title challenger, Chad Mendes has revealed his rematch clash with inaugural divisional champion, Jose Aldo back in 2014, likely took “10 years off” his life – claiming it was a tougher matchup than his title clash with Conor McGregor.

Mendes, a former title challenger at the featherweight limit on three separate occasions, called time on his mixed martial arts career back in 2018, turning in a Fight of the Night matchup with former champion, Alexander Volkanovski en route to a second round knockout loss to the Australian. 

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However, twice fighting Manaus favorite, Aldo for undisputed gold during their respective tenures in the UFC, Chad Mendes was first finished with a buzzer-beating knee KO, before then pushing the champion the distance in a 2014 rematch.

Chad Mendes heaps praise on Jose Aldo

And revealing his re-run with Aldo comes as his toughest fight in his storied mixed martial arts career, Team Alpha MMA staple, Mendes revealed he was urinating blood immediately after his showdown in Brazil with the veteran.

chad mendes

“(Jose) Aldo is a beast,” Chad Mendes told MMA Fighting. “I still tell everybody to this day that was my toughest fight. Everyone always thinks it’s Conor McGregor, but it wasn’t. Aldo was next level, I think that [fight] took ten years off my life, I would say. “That night, when I got back to the hotel, I was p*ssing blood. I’d never had that happen in any of my fights. I was pretty beat up after that fight. 

During his tenure in mixed martial arts, Mendes has turned in notable career victories over the likes of Rani Yahya, Darren Elkins, Clay Guida, Ricardo Lamas, and Myles Jury to name a few.

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Competing in the BKFC (Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship) back in April of last year, Mendes suffered a close, split decision loss against former undisputed UFC lightweight champion, Eddie Alvarez. 

Report – Jose Aldo set to fight Mario Bautista in return at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City

Jose Aldo set to fight Mario Bautista in return at UFC 307 in Salt Lake CityFormer undisputed featherweight champion, Jose Aldo is set to make his second outing of the year since his Octagon…

Jose Aldo set to fight Mario Bautista in return at UFC 307 in Salt Lake City

Former undisputed featherweight champion, Jose Aldo is set to make his second outing of the year since his Octagon return, taking on bantamweight contender, Mario Bautista at UFC 307 in October at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Aldo, a fan-favorite veteran and inaugural UFC featherweight champion, made his return to mixed martial arts at UFC 301 back in May in his native Brazil, landing a one-sided unanimous decision win over Jonathan Martinez – in the final fight on his deal.

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As for Bautista, the current number twelve ranked bantamweight contender is currently in the midst of an impressive six-fight winning spree in the Octagon, most recently beating Ricky Simon in a unanimous decision effort at UFC Vegas 84 back in January.

Jose Aldo

News of Jose Aldo’s return to action against Mario Bautista at UFC 307 was first reported by Brazilian outlet, AgFight.

Making his return to action on home soil at UFC 301 earlier this year, Manaus striking veteran, Aldo made good on his comeback to mixed martial arts with a decision win over the above-mentioned, Martinez.

Aldo, an inductee into the promotion’s Hall of Fame, made his return to action following a two-year layoff – following a prior decision defeat against incoming Noche UFC headliner and title challenger, Merab Dvalishvili. 

Jose Aldo UFC 301 1

Prior to that defeat, the streaking Aldo had turned in consecutive victories over Marlon Vera, compatriot, Pedro Munhoz, and Rob Font in impressive displays.

Jose Aldo makes return at UFC 307 with Mario Bautista

While an official headliner for UFC 307 has yet to be determined at the time of publication, an undisputed bantamweight title fight between Raquel Pennington, and former champion, Julianna Pena is expected to feature in the organization’s return to the Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

José Aldo, Kayla Harrison Have Returns In The Works For UFC 307 On October 5

Two major names are reportedly set to be in action at the UFC 307 pay-per-view, targeted for Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 5. Legendary former featherweight champion José Aldo and two-time PFL title winner Kayla Harrison have their returns in the works for the numbered event, with the former being lined up to face […]

Continue Reading José Aldo, Kayla Harrison Have Returns In The Works For UFC 307 On October 5 at MMA News.

Two major names are reportedly set to be in action at the UFC 307 pay-per-view, targeted for Salt Lake City, Utah, on October 5.

Legendary former featherweight champion José Aldo and two-time PFL title winner Kayla Harrison have their returns in the works for the numbered event, with the former being lined up to face Mario Bautista and the latter expected to share the Octagon with Ketlen Vieira.

Aldo returned from a short-lived retirement on home soil this past May, outpointing Jonathan Martinez at UFC 301 in Rio de Janeiro. Having fought out his contract, uncertainty surrounded “Junior’s” status and future plans.

But in spite of boxing talk, Ag. Fight reported this week that the Brazilian has committed to another outing inside the Octagon.

The outlet also corroborated a previous report from Super Lutas’ Léo Guimaraes, who was the first to reveal plans for Harrison and Vieira to collide at UFC 307.

Aldo Targets Second Win Since Return, Harrison Looks For Second UFC Win Since PFL Switch

Should these two matchups be confirmed, both Aldo and Harrison will be looking to build on strong outings in the first half of this year.

Aldo (32-8) originally brought his MMA career to an end after his pursuit of a second bantamweight title shot was stalled by Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 278 in August 2022. Prior to that, he’d reeled off three straight wins over Marlon Vera, Pedro Munhoz, and Rob Font.

The ex-featherweight kingpin, who fell short of two-division glory opposite Petr Yan in the summer of 2020, went on to compete in three boxing matches, winning two and fighting to a majority draw against fellow UFC vet Jeremy Stephens.

He subsequently made his successful comeback to the cage in Rio this year, returning to the rankings at #8 as a result. He’s next tasked with defending his position on the ladder against the #12-ranked Bautista (14-2), a teammate of champion Sean O’Malley’s who has had his hand raised in six consecutive bouts. His most recent triumph came at the expense of Ricky Simón this past January.

Jose Aldo
Image: Alexandre Loureiro/Zuffa LLC

Harrison (17-1) transitioned from judo, a sport in which she collected back-to-back Olympic gold medals in 2012 and 2016, to mixed martial arts and joined the PFL. After winning two lightweight seasons, her bid for a third title came to a halt in the final opposite Larissa Pacheco.

After returning with a victory over Aspen Ladd last November, the Ohio native committed to a UFC switch and a venture down at bantamweight. That foray got underway in strong style this past April, where she thrilled the UFC 300 crowd by submitting a former champion in Holly Holm.

Having entered the title picture at #3, Harrison will need to get through the #2-ranked Vieira (14-3) if she’s to book her first championship opportunity in the UFC. The Brazilian is coming off a decision victory over Pannie Kianzad in July 2023, a result that saw her bounce back from a narrow defeat at the hands of now-champ Raquel Pennington.

With these additions, the fights currently expected to take place at UFC 307 on October 5 are as follows:

  • Movsar Evloev vs. Aljamain Sterling (featherweight)
  • José Aldo vs. Mario Bautista (bantamweight)
  • Chris Curtis vs. Kevin Holland (middleweight)
  • Ketlen Vieira vs. Kayla Harrison (women’s bantamweight)
  • Marina Rodriguez vs. Iasmin Lucindo (women’s strawweight)
  • Ihor Potieria vs. César Almeida (middleweight)
Kayla Harrison & Holly Holm
Image: Cooper Neill/UFC/Zuffa LLC

Continue Reading José Aldo, Kayla Harrison Have Returns In The Works For UFC 307 On October 5 at MMA News.

Dominick Cruz claims he’s a ‘Nightmare’ stylistic fight for UFC star Jose Aldo: ‘He’s going to be a free agent’

Dominick Cruz claims he's a nightmare fight for Jose Aldo He's going to be a free agentDominick Cruz thinks he is a terrible matchup for Jose Aldo. Cruz vs. Aldo has been a fight many…

Dominick Cruz claims he's a nightmare fight for Jose Aldo He's going to be a free agent

Dominick Cruz thinks he is a terrible matchup for Jose Aldo.

Cruz vs. Aldo has been a fight many fans have wanted to see for years, especially as both were UFC champions. However, it never came to fruition, but with the two now fighting at bantamweight it is more realistic it can come together.

Dominick Cruz
Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

It was rumored that Cruz was offered to face Aldo at UFC 301 in Brazil, but it didn’t come to fruition, which the former bantamweight champ claims was because Aldo wanted an easier fight in his return.

“Since you brought up Aldo, I’ll start with I saw his words were that they offered him to fight me but he wanted somebody in the top five, or, ‘He’s not in the top five,’” Dominick Cruz said on the “Anik & Florian Podcast” (via MMAJunkie). “Is Jonathan Martinez in the top five? OK, so there’s that. And then, why would you want to be in the top five unless you’re going to fight for the title? Is he planning on renegotiating his contract for another six fights and going for the title?

“Or do you want to make sure you secure a win to become a free agent off a win instead of a loss when you’ve got to face the likes of me, which is a nightmare? I’m not saying Jonathan Martinez isn’t a nightmare, but the way that I saw it is, he showed up on the first weigh-in and then he showed up the second weigh-in apologizing for showing up to the first weigh-in and that right there showed me that the man was learning who he was against Jose Aldo before he even got in there,” Dominick Cruz continued.

Dominick Cruz
Credit: Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Aldo did fight out his deal at UFC 301 as he beat Martinez by decision. Currently, it’s unclear if he will re-sign.

Dominick Cruz doubts Jose Aldo will be back in the UFC

Although Aldo got a big win at UFC 301 and is in the top-10 at bantamweight, he is right back in the title picture at 135lbs.

However, Dominick Cruz doesn’t think Aldo will re-sign with the UFC and will rather go back to boxing where he was having success.

Jose Aldo UFC 301 1

“He’s not going to renegotiate,” Cruz said. “Why would he sign for another six fights in the UFC? He’s not going to do that. He’s going to go be a free agent.”

As for Cruz, he has not fought since August of 2022 when he got knocked out by Marlon Vera.