Chad Mendes’ Octagon Return Targeted For December

It looks like Chad “Money” Mendes could be making his return to the Octagon at UFC 231.

The post Chad Mendes’ Octagon Return Targeted For December appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Chad Mendes could possibly make his UFC return before the end of the year.

Following a two-year suspension handed down by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), “Money” returned to fighting action this past summer. The Team Alpha Male product defeated Myles Jury via first-round thrashing. The former 145-pound title challenger looked as if he never left. With the big win, Mendes will likely be taking on a bigger name next.

Per a report from MMA Brasil, that’s exactly what will happen. Mendes is reportedly in talks for a return at UFC 231 against No. 4-ranked Renato Moicano. Mendes, himself, is currently ranked at the No. 5 spot. This would not only be a big test for Mendes but a career milestone for Moicano.

The 29-year-old has thrived in the UFC’s featherweight division as of late. He’s currently on a two-fight win streak that last saw him submit respected veteran Cub Swanson. His last defeat came against Brian Ortega, who submitted the Brazilian in the third round of their contest back at UFC 214 last year.

To pick up a win over Mendes would be a major selling point in a push for a featherweight title opportunity. UFC 231 goes down live on pay-per-view (PPV) from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on December 8, 2018.

It makes sense to have a potential Moicano vs. Mendes fight on the card, as the main event features Max Holloway defending his 145-pound title against Brian Ortega.

The post Chad Mendes’ Octagon Return Targeted For December appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Report: Renato Moicano vs. Chad Mendes In The Works For UFC 231

Renato Moicano vs. Chad Mendes is reportedly in the works for UFC 231. The featherweight title picture is heating up again now that Max Holloway vs. Brian Ortega has been booked for UFC 231. Holloway will defend his UFC featherweight title and accordin…

The post Report: Renato Moicano vs. Chad Mendes In The Works For UFC 231 appeared first on MMA News.

Brian Ortega Claims Backup Opponent In Place For UFC 231

It looks like the UFC isn’t willing to let another UFC featherweight title fight slip through the cracks.

The post Brian Ortega Claims Backup Opponent In Place For UFC 231 appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

The UFC doesn’t want to lose out on another featherweight title fight. Brian Ortega claims there’s a backup plan in place.

Current 145-pound champion Max Holloway will defend his strap against Ortega in December. The bout will go down at UFC 231 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on December 8th on pay-per-view (PPV). Speaking to MMA Junkie recently, “T-City” revealed he has been told a backup fighter has been put on standby for the bout:

“They say they have a replacement,” Ortega said. “They haven’t said the name. I don’t know who it is. I don’t care. If it’s for the real featherweight title, count on me being there.”

Ortega and Holloway were initially set to fight at UFC 226 this past summer. Unfortunately, Holloway was unable to fight as he was pulled for “concussion-like symptoms.” Ortega was offered a replacement opponent. But he wanted to wait for the title shot against Holloway.

Now, he will finally get his chance to test himself against “The Blessed One.” Holloway won the UFC featherweight title in June of last year. He finished 145-pound great Jose Aldo in Brazil for the feat. Six months later, Holloway doubled down by retaining his title against “Scarface” with another knockout win.

Ortega comes into his title opportunity on a hot streak. He is undefeated in his fighting career and has earned all of his victories in the UFC via finish.

The post Brian Ortega Claims Backup Opponent In Place For UFC 231 appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

Max Holloway Faces Off With Brian Ortega (Photo)

Max Holloway is back, and he’s ready to defend his featherweight title. “The Blessed One” will step back into the Octagon this December at UFC 231. He’ll defend his strap against Brian “T-City” Ortega in the pay-per-view’s (PPV) main event. Initially, the pair were scheduled to fight at UFC 226 this past summer. Unfortunately, the […]

The post Max Holloway Faces Off With Brian Ortega (Photo) appeared first on MMA News.

Max Holloway Chronicles Harrowing Journey Back to the Octagon

Max Holloway is finally ready to make his long-awaited return to the Octagon in the UFC 231 headliner when he finally takes on undefeated featherweight rising star Brian Ortega in a highly anticipated encounter for the featherweight championship. But i…

The post Max Holloway Chronicles Harrowing Journey Back to the Octagon appeared first on MMA News.

Valentina Shevchenko vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk Is Back On

An awaited fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Joanna Jedrzejczyk is back on. Earlier this afternoon, news arrived that the MMA world got a new UFC 230 main event. UFC President Dana White confirmed that heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier will meet top-ranked competitor Derrick Lewis on November 3 in NYC. The news confirmed a report from […]

The post Valentina Shevchenko vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk Is Back On appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.

An awaited fight between Valentina Shevchenko and Joanna Jedrzejczyk is back on.

Earlier this afternoon, news arrived that the MMA world got a new UFC 230 main event. UFC President Dana White confirmed that heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier will meet top-ranked competitor Derrick Lewis on November 3 in NYC.

The news confirmed a report from last night on the unlikely match-up. The pay-per-view (PPV) event from Madison Square Garden does feature an awaited scrap between Dustin Poirier and Nate Diaz. But the event was lacking a true high-profile main event. Fight fans were perplexed when the promotion announced Valentina Shevchenko vs. Sijara Eubanks as the previous headliner.

The women’s flyweight title fight was a fine enough match in its own right. MAy argued, however, that it was far from the caliber expected to headline a PPV from MSG. The bout also put a temporary halt to the expected Shevchenko vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk women’s flyweight title bout at December 8’s UFC 231 from Toronto from the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

That fight is back on according to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto, who discussed the scheduling with White:

I asked Dana White via text if this means he'll move Valentina Shevchenko back to Toronto, against Joanna Jedrzejczyk. He responded "yes."

— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) October 9, 2018

Flyweight Mix-Up

The women’s flyweight main event at UFC 230 received widespread criticism from the collective MMA world. UFC Octagon commentator Joe Rogan made headlines by claiming he didn’t know who Eubanks was.

Shevchenko already missed out on one opportunity to fight for the women’s flyweight title at September’s UFC 228. Former champion Nicco Montano missed weight and was stripped of the title she won on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF).

UFC 231 already features an anticipated featherweight title fight between Max Holloway and Brian Ortega. That fight was supposed has already fallen apart once. It was set for UFC 226 but was canceled when Holloway experienced bizarre medical symptoms.

Shevchenko and Jedrzejczyk have already fought in Muay Thai three times before with Shevchenko winning all three match-ups.

The post Valentina Shevchenko vs. Joanna Jedrzejczyk Is Back On appeared first on LowKickMMA.com.