Tag: TUF 18 Finale

Anthony Pettis Out of UFC on FOX 9 Main Event With Knee Injury; Johnson vs. Benavidez 2 Named as New Headliner


(Pettis perfectly executes an off-the-cage “Showtime Gloat.” / Photo via Getty)

Over the weekend, UFC president Dana White revealed that lightweight champion Anthony Pettis had suffered a knee injury in training, but was still expected to defend his belt against Josh Thomson in the main event of UFC on FOX 9 (December 14th, Sacramento). “He’s going to fight,” White said. “For sure.”

Well, not really. UFC officials announced last night that Pettis has pulled out of the match. We have no details on the nature or severity of Showtime’s injury at this time, or if it’s related to the knee injury that pushed Pettis out of UFC 163 back in June. We’ll keep you posted.

The UFC plans to re-book Pettis vs. Thomson when the champ is recovered, but you never know with these things. Thomson was already the second choice for Pettis’s UFC on FOX 9 opponent after TJ Grant had to stay sidelined due to concussion. If Grant is healthy by the time Pettis is, the UFC might just do Pettis vs. Grant like they had originally planned. Meanwhile, Josh Thomson’s immediate future is in limbo, and the famously cursed fighter just saw the biggest opportunity of his career go up in smoke. [Ed. note: We’ll start working on his illustrated timeline.]

Pettis’s injury has led to new main events for two upcoming cards…


(Pettis perfectly executes an off-the-cage “Showtime Gloat.” / Photo via Getty)

Over the weekend, UFC president Dana White revealed that lightweight champion Anthony Pettis had suffered a knee injury in training, but was still expected to defend his belt against Josh Thomson in the main event of UFC on FOX 9 (December 14th, Sacramento). “He’s going to fight,” White said. “For sure.”

Well, not really. UFC officials announced last night that Pettis has pulled out of the match. We have no details on the nature or severity of Showtime’s injury at this time, or if it’s related to the knee injury that pushed Pettis out of UFC 163 back in June. We’ll keep you posted.

The UFC plans to re-book Pettis vs. Thomson when the champ is recovered, but you never know with these things. Thomson was already the second choice for Pettis’s UFC on FOX 9 opponent after TJ Grant had to stay sidelined due to concussion. If Grant is healthy by the time Pettis is, the UFC might just do Pettis vs. Grant like they had originally planned. Meanwhile, Josh Thomson’s immediate future is in limbo, and the famously cursed fighter just saw the biggest opportunity of his career go up in smoke. [Ed. note: We’ll start working on his illustrated timeline.]

Pettis’s injury has led to new main events for two upcoming cards…

— UFC on FOX 9 will now be headlined by the flyweight title fight rematch between Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez, which was originally scheduled to headline the TUF 18 Finale on November 30th.

— The TUF 18 Finale rubber-match between Nate Diaz and Gray Maynard will now serve as that event’s headliner. Due to the relative short-notice of the switch, the match will remain scheduled for three rounds.

Johnson vs. Benavidez II Flyweight Title Fight Booked for TUF 18 Finale Main Event


(Pshht, whatever. Let us know when you guys weigh 400 pounds. / Photo via Getty)

Demetrious Johnson‘s first meeting with Joseph Benavidez at UFC 152 was a frantic, closely-pitched five-rounder that earned Mighty Mouse a split-decision victory and the UFC’s first-ever flyweight title. A year later, Johnson and Benavidez are still the two best 125-pounders in the UFC — so why not come back for an encore?

UFC Tonight‘s Ariel Helwani announced yesterday that Johnson vs. Benavidez II has been booked for the main event of the TUF 18 Finale, which is slated for November 30th at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. This will be the third title defense for Demetrious Johnson, who has outpointed John Dodson and submitted John Moraga with a fifth-round armbar since winning the title.

As for the challenger, Benavidez has looked more impressive with each recent outing — which is becoming a trend among Team Alpha Male fighters. Since his loss to Johnson, Benavidez has scored a decision win against Uncle Creepy, TKO’d Darren Uyenoyama, and laid a beating on Jussier Formiga. Joe B has clearly earned another shot at the belt, and he’s a markedly improved fighter compared to a year ago. Will it be enough to make the outcome any different this time?


(Pshht, whatever. Let us know when you guys weigh 400 pounds. / Photo via Getty)

Demetrious Johnson‘s first meeting with Joseph Benavidez at UFC 152 was a frantic, closely-pitched five-rounder that earned Mighty Mouse a split-decision victory and the UFC’s first-ever flyweight title. A year later, Johnson and Benavidez are still the two best 125-pounders in the UFC — so why not come back for an encore?

UFC Tonight‘s Ariel Helwani announced yesterday that Johnson vs. Benavidez II has been booked for the main event of the TUF 18 Finale, which is slated for November 30th at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. This will be the third title defense for Demetrious Johnson, who has outpointed John Dodson and submitted John Moraga with a fifth-round armbar since winning the title.

As for the challenger, Benavidez has looked more impressive with each recent outing — which is becoming a trend among Team Alpha Male fighters. Since his loss to Johnson, Benavidez has scored a decision win against Uncle Creepy, TKO’d Darren Uyenoyama, and laid a beating on Jussier Formiga. Joe B has clearly earned another shot at the belt, and he’s a markedly improved fighter compared to a year ago. Will it be enough to make the outcome any different this time?