Emil Weber Meek Signs With UFC, Will Fight Jessin Ayari In September

Fresh off a finish of Rousimar Palhares, Emil Weber Meek has signed with the UFC and will fight in September when the Octagon heads to Hamburg, Germany.

Meek (8-2-1) will take on Jessin Ayari at the September 3 card.

Last month, the 27-year-old …

Emil Weber Meek

Fresh off a finish of Rousimar Palhares, Emil Weber Meek has signed with the UFC and will fight in September when the Octagon heads to Hamburg, Germany.

Meek (8-2-1) will take on Jessin Ayari at the September 3 card.

Last month, the 27-year-old Meek knocked out Palhares at Venator FC 3 in just 45 seconds. He has finished all eight of his opponents, including seven via knockout.

Ayari (15-3) will also be making his Octagon debut, as the 24-year-old competes in his home country. He recently defeated former UFC veteran Mickael Lebout and has won six straight.

The card features a headline bout between Josh Barnett and Andrei Arlovski, and airs entirely on UFC Fight Pass.

‘Cowboy’ Cerrone Stays At 170 To Fight Patrick Cote In UFC’s Ottawa Debut

Former lightweight title challenger and fan favorite Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone recently moved up in weight, scoring a submission victory over Alex Oliveira in a welterweight scrap last month. It appears as if “Cowboy” may be sticking around 170-pounds for the time being, as MMAFighting.com has reported that Cerrone will take on Patrick Cote at a

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Former lightweight title challenger and fan favorite Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone recently moved up in weight, scoring a submission victory over Alex Oliveira in a welterweight scrap last month.

It appears as if “Cowboy” may be sticking around 170-pounds for the time being, as MMAFighting.com has reported that Cerrone will take on Patrick Cote at a UFC Fight Night card on June 18, 2016 in Ottawa, Canada.

Prior to his bout with Oliveira, Cerrone had dropped a disappointing loss to 155-pound king Rafael dos Anjos last December. However, “Cowboy” usually tends to remain extremely active, and has won nine of his last 10 fights.

Cote, on the other hand, has been riding a hot streak as of late, winning three consecutive showings. A decision victory over Joe Riggs at April 2015’s UFC 186 started his current winning streak, and “The Predator” has followed that up with back to back finishes over Josh Burkman at UFC Fight Fight Night 74 last August, and Ben Saunders at UFC Fight Night 81 in January.

The UFC’s card in Ottawa is expected to be headlined by a crucial welterweight title eliminator between No. 1-ranked Rory MacDonald and No. 2-ranked Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson.

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Renan Barao Moves Up To Featherweight To Face Jeremy Stephens

Former UFC bantamweight champion Renan “The Baron” Barao once was considered to be amongst the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. However, losing two out of his last three bouts to another former champion in TJ Dillashaw has left the Brazilian searching for answers. It was recently rumored that Barao was considering testing the waters

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Former UFC bantamweight champion Renan “The Baron” Barao once was considered to be amongst the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

However, losing two out of his last three bouts to another former champion in TJ Dillashaw has left the Brazilian searching for answers.

It was recently rumored that Barao was considering testing the waters at 145-pounds, and according to a report from Combate, that move has now been confirmed.

Not only has he recently struggled, but he has always endured a difficult weight cut in order to get down to bantamweight, making a move up a logical one.

Apparently “The Baron” also has his next opponent set as well, as he’ll take on heavy handed Jeremy “Lil’ Heathen” Stephens in the co-main event of a UFC Fight Night card on May 29, 2016.

The exact event and venue has yet to be determined.

Like Barao, Stephens has hit rough times recently as well, dropping three of his last four bouts including losses to Cub Swanson, Charles Oliveira, and most recently surging contender Max Holloway. “Lil’ Heathen” will look to get back to his winning ways in what will undoubtedly be a huge fight for him against a former champion.

What do you make of Barao’s move up in weight?

While it’s unclear whether or not this move will be permanent, it should be interesting to see how “The Baron” fairs at 145-pounds.

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Rory MacDonald To Meet Stephen Thompson On June 18 In Canada

No. 2-ranked UFC welterweight Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is coming off of the biggest win of his career, a first round demolition of former champion Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks last month. Now, “Wonderboy” will attempt to continue his rise to glory, as he’s set to face off with No. 1-ranked former title challenger Rory “Red King”

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No. 2-ranked UFC welterweight Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson is coming off of the biggest win of his career, a first round demolition of former champion Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks last month.

Now, “Wonderboy” will attempt to continue his rise to glory, as he’s set to face off with No. 1-ranked former title challenger Rory “Red King” MacDonald.

UFC President Dana White announced the news at today’s (March 4, 2016) UFC: Unstoppable press conference, confirming that the two would be headlining a Fight Night card on June 18, 2016 in Ottawa, Canada.

Prior to his win over Hendricks, Thompson had won five straight including three by way of finish, quickly becoming a fan favorite due to his dazzling striking style.

MacDonald, on the other hand, is coming off a five round war with reigning welterweight champion “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler at last July’s UFC 189, a fight many consider to be amongst the best of all-time.

Prior to his second loss to Lawler, the “Red King” had won three straight over Demian Maia, Tyron Woodley, and Tarec Saffiedine.

A battle between a long-time contender, and a rising phenom, this fight will likely present the next title challenger at 170-pounds.

Who do you see coming out victorious?

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Report: Alistair Overeem Meets Andrei Arlovski In Rotterdam

Former DREAM and Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair “The Reem” Overeem made headlines earlier this week when he announced that he would be remaining with the UFC despite testing free agency. “The Reem” also said that he would be headlining a Fight Night card on May 8, 2016 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, but an opponent was

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Former DREAM and Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair “The Reem” Overeem made headlines earlier this week when he announced that he would be remaining with the UFC despite testing free agency.

“The Reem” also said that he would be headlining a Fight Night card on May 8, 2016 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, but an opponent was unknown at the time.

Well, it now looks as if the No. 3-ranked Overeem has found his opponent, as he will clash with teammate and former UFC champion No. 5-ranked Andrei “Pitbull” Arlovski.

Bleacher Report’s Jeremy Botter broke the news via twitter:

“The Reem” has been on a tear as of late, winning three consecutive bouts including two by way of stoppage. He most recently picked up a spectacular TKO victory over former divisional kingpin Junior Dos Santos at last December’s UFC on FOX 17.

After some time away from the promotion, Arlovski returned to the Octagon in 2014 and quickly rattled off four straight wins over the likes of Brendan Schaub, Antonio Silva, Travis Browne, and Frank Mir.

Looking revived and rejuvenated, the “Pitbull” was on the cusp of a title shot before he ran into Stipe Miocic at last month’s UFC 195. Miocic essentially bulldozed through Arlovski in just 54-seconds.

Coming off a brutal loss, the Belarussian striker has a golden opportunity to remain in title contention in this bout with Overeem. “The Reem”, on the other hand, will look to add another key name to his resume on his trek to a shot at gold.

Who do you see winning this one?

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Demian Maia vs. Matt Brown Set For Upcoming UFC Fight Night Event

UFC senior vice president Giovani Decker announced via Instagram on Monday that Demian Maia and Matt Brown will meet at the upcoming UFC Fight Night Brazil event. “Another great fight confirmed May 14 in Brazil: Demian Maia X Matt Brown . @ufc_brasil@demian_maia #diasdelutadiasdegloria#brasilaterradaluta #vairepresentar#mestredobjj #ufcnocombate” Outro lutão confirmado dia 14 de maio no Brasil: Demian

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UFC senior vice president Giovani Decker announced via Instagram on Monday that Demian Maia and Matt Brown will meet at the upcoming UFC Fight Night Brazil event.

“Another great fight confirmed May 14 in Brazil: Demian Maia X Matt Brown . @ufc_brasil@demian_maia #diasdelutadiasdegloria#brasilaterradaluta #vairepresentar#mestredobjj #ufcnocombate”

Maia (22-6) is currently on a four-fight winning streak. In his last six bouts, he’s 4-2.

Brown (20-13) is 4-2 in his last six bouts and is currently on a one-fight winning streak.

This event will be airing on FOX Sports 1, but does not have a location in Brazil as of this writing. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza will meet Vitor Belfort in the main event of the UFC Fight Night event on May 14th. No other bouts have been announced at this time.

 

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