A long-anticipated battle between two former UFC champions is likely to
take place this fall.
MMAjunkie.com has learned from sources close to the
organization that Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has
verbally agreed to face Lyoto Machida.
Jackson teased the contest on his official Twitter account, and
MMAjunkie.com has learned that the bout is targeted for the main event
of a yet-to-be-announced Nov. 20 date.
Highly touted lightweight prospect Willamy “Chiquerim” Freire will have to wait just a bit longer to make his octagon debut.
An injury suffered in training forced Freire to withdraw from a planned
contest with Thiago Tavares at UFC on Versus 2.
MMAjunkie.com confirmed with sources close to the
fight that a knee injury is the culprit. Tatame.com first reported
Freire’s withdrawal.
A heavily rumored rematch between Jamie Varner and Donald Cerrone is in the works for WEC 51,
according to Varner.
The former WEC lightweight champion today confirmed the news on his
personal website. MMAWeekly.com reported earlier that the bout was
signed, and sources close to the event also confirmed to MMAjunkie.com that the bout is a go.
WEC 51 takes place Sept. 30 at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, Colo.,
and airs live on Versus.
“The Ultimate Fighter 11″ cast member Rich Attonito returns to the octagon on Sept. 15 to welcome UFC newcomer Rafael Natal to the organization.
UFC officials announced the matchup today.
The pair meets on the preliminary card of UFC Fight 22 in Austin, Texas.
Featuring a matchup between middleweight contenders Alan Belcher and
Demian Maia, the main card of UFC Fight Night 22 airs live on Spike TV.
An intriguing lightweight matchup between fast-rising prospect Evan
Dunham and former champion Sean Sherk is now official for the main card of UFC 119.
MMAjunkie.com first reported the matchup earlier
this month, and UFC officials today announced the main-card contest.
Featuring a heavyweight rematch between Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo
Nogueira, UFC 119 takes place Sept. 25 at Conseco Fieldhouse in
Indianapolis and airs live on pay-per-view and Spike TV.
While UFC middleweight Mario Miranda picked up his
first win in the octagon at June’s UFC 115 event, he’s had little time
to relax and savor the moment.
After all, you don’t say no when UFC middleweight champion Anderson
Silva is asking for help.
Miranda recently returned home to Washington after spending time at the
famed Black House camp in Los Angeles where he did his best Chael Sonnen
impersonation in order to help Silva prep for their UFC 117 title
fight.
A middleweight matchup between “The Ultimate Fighter 11″ cast member
Chris Camozzi and undefeated UFC newcomer Dongi Yang is in the works for UFC 121.
MMAjunkie.com confirmed with sources close to the matchup that both fighters have
agreed to the contest, and bout agreements are expected to be finalized
shortly. The contest was first reported earlier today.
Headlined by a heavyweight title matchup between current champion Brock
Lesnar and challenger Cain Velasquez, UFC 121 takes place Oct. 23 in
Anaheim, Calif.
When UFC welterweight contender Dustin Hazelett steps into the cage on Aug. 7 for his bout with Rick Story, “McLovin”
will be doing so against his doctor’s advice.
But armed with an intense passion for fighting and a lack of a “Plan B,”
Hazelett says he can’t wait to set foot in the octagon.
“There’s always concerns,” Hazelett recently told MMAjunkie.com Radio. “Even before I started fighting there were
concerns because clearly it’s a dangerous sport. It’s not tap dancing,
but this is what I love to do.”
Two-time NCAA wrestling champion Kole Conrad is the
seventh official addition to Bellator Fighting Championship’s upcoming
heavyweight tournament.
Bellator officials today announced Konrad’s participation in the
eight-man field.
Konrad has already fought twice under the Bellator banner in
non-tournament bouts. “King” earned a pair of unanimous decisions wins
in his previous two outings.
As has long been rumored, the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to
England on Oct. 16 when the O2 Arena hosts UFC 120.
MMAjunkie.com first reported the potential date and
venue for the Spike TV-broadcast event in May.
As previously reported, a middleweight bout between Michael Bisping and Yoshihiro Akiyama headlines
the event.