The welterweight title fight for UFC 258 between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns is reportedly set, and much, much more ? Fightful has all the latest fight announcements in one article.
Kamaru Usman vs. Gilbert Burns For The Welterweight Title Set To Main Event UFC 258
A welterweight title fight between champion Kamaru Usman and challenger Gilbert Burns has been verbally agreed to for UFC 258 in February based on a report from ESPN's Brett Okamoto
This matchup was previously ticketed to headline UFC 256 in December, before Burns tested positive for COVID-19. Usman will be looking to defend his welterweight title for the third time, after previously turning away the challenges of Colby Covington, and Jorge Masvidal. Burns is currently riding a six-fight win streak that features wins over Tyron Woodley, and Damian Maia.
Michael Chandler's UFC Debut Is Set Against Dan Hooker
Former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler is finally set to make his UFC debut at UFC 257 against Kiwi contender Dan Hooker.
Chandler announced he had signed a contract with the UFC in September after a ten-year 23 fight career with Bellator, which saw him win their lightweight title three times and featured wins over Benson Henderson, Eddie Alvarez, and Patricky Friere. Chandler had previously functioned as an injury replacement in case anything happened to either Justin Gaethje or Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 254.
Hooker is coming off losing a fight of the year contender against Dustin Poirier back in June, which put an end to his three-fight winning streak over Al Iaquinta, Paul Felder, and James Vick.
The fight is expected to function as the co-main event for UFC 257 on Fight Island in Dubai, underneath the main event of Dustin Poirier vs. Conor McGregor
Jimmy Crute vs. Johnny Walker Targetted for March 27th
An exciting light heavyweight matchup between Australian Jimmy Crute and Brazilian Johnny Walker has been set for late March according to ESPN's Brett Okamoto.
Crute bounced back strong in 2020 after his first professional loss, by scoring two bonus worthy finishes vs. Michael Oleksiejczuk, and Modestas Bukauskas. Walker also rebounded to win his most recent bout vs. Ryan Spann in September, putting an end to a two-fight losing streak.
The card scheduled for March 27 is still looking for a destination but is largely assumed to be taking place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Li Jingliang To Replace Muslim Salikov vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio
Li Jingliang has replaced Muslim Salikov against Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC Fight Island 7 after Muslim Salikov was forced to pull out after complications with COVID-19.
China's Jingliang will be stepping in on less than 2 weeks notice, to face Argentinia's Ponzinibbio, and will be looking to bounce back after a shutout loss to Neil Magny at UFC 248 in March. Ponzinibbio's
Ponzinibbio will now be facing a last-minute opponent change, as well as all the other various health complications that have led to his more than two-year absence from the octagon.
Brian Kelleher Announcer Positive COVID-19 Test, Fight Vs Ricky Simon Off
The fight between Ricky Simon and Brian Kelleher scheduled for UFC Fight Island 7 has been canceled, in the wake of Kelleher testing positive for COVID-19.
This is the second time that this fight has been canceled due to complications with the coronavirus. The fight was initially scheduled for September but was canceled after one of Simon's cornermen tested positive. At this point, it remains unclear whether Simon will get a last-minute replacement, or if he will be pulled from the card entirely.
Segei Spivak vs. Jared Vanderaa Rebooked for February 20th.
A heavyweight bout previously booked for UFC 256 between Sergei Spivak and Jared Vanderaa has been rebooked for late February.
The Moldovan Spivak is coming off a decision victory over Carlos Felipe in July, while Vanderaa is looking to make his UFC debut after a stoppage victory on the Contender Series in November. The previous booking had been canceled due to a positive COVID-19 test for Vanderaa.
Anthony Hernandez Tests Positive For COVID-19, Fight vs Rodolfo Vieira Delayed
Middleweight Anthony Hernandez has tested positive for COVID-19, and his fight vs, Rodolfo Vieira has been postponed til UFC 258 in February.
Initially booked for UFC Fight Island 7, the fight features the undefeated jiu-jitsu ace Veira vs.Hernandez, trying to rebound from a loss vs. Kevin Holland earlier in the year.
The UFC 258 card they've been delayed til will be headlined by a welterweight title fight between Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns. The card's location is still to be determined, but is largely expected to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Markus Perez To Replace Isi Fitikefu against Dalcha Lungiambula In Late January
New Zealand's Isi Fitikefu will have to wait to make his UFC debut, as he's been forced out of his fight vs Dalcha Lungiambula, and replaced by Markus Perez according to reports from MMA Junkie.
Perez is looking for his first win in his second stint in the UFC, after losing to Dricus Du Plessis in October. Congolese Lungiambula was last seen in the Octagon suffering his first UFC loss by knockout to Magomed Ankalaev in November.
Nick Browne vs. Arthur Estrazulas To Fight For Vacant Lightweight Title At LFA 97
A lightweight title fight between Nick Browne and Arthur Estrazulas will headline LFA 97 on January 15th.
America's Browne is 2-0 under the LFA banner and was last seen beating Ben Egli in July, while Estrazulas is also 2-0 in the organization with wins over Steve Kozola, and Dominic Clark. The LFA lightweight title has been vacant since November when Bryce Logan relinquished the title when he signed with Bellator. LFA 97 is scheduled to take place in Wichita, Kansas on January 15th, and will be broadcast live on UFC Fight Pass.
Bruno Oliveira vs. Josh Fremd to Headline LFA 98
A middleweight fight between Bruno Oliveira and Josh Fremd will headline the Legacy Fighting Alliance card on January 29th.
Brazil's Oliveira will be looking to rebound after being knocked out on the Contender Series in November, while Fremd will be looking to continue his personal 4 fight winning streak. LFA 98 is scheduled to take place in Wichita, Kansas on January 29th, and will be broadcast live on UFC Fight Pass.
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