A boxing match between Frank Mir and Antonio Tarver has been set as apart of the Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren event on April 17 and much more — Fightful has all the latest fight announcements in one article.
Frank Mir vs. Antonio Tarver boxing match set for Jake Paul-Ben Askren event on April 17
Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir will take on 1996 Olympic bronze medalist and former multi-time light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver in a boxing match as part of the Jake Paul-Ben Askren Triller Fight Club event on April 17. Mir announced the matchup via his Twitter account.
Mir has gone 3-4 in his last seven MMA fights, last defeating Roy Nelson by a unanimous decision at Bellator 231. He spoke with his co-host Richard Hunter on their podcast Phone Booth Fighting about the fight with Tarver.
“Everybody knows I’ve been signed to BKFC, so I’ve been in the gym working a lot of boxing because of bare-knuckle,” Mir said (h/t MMAJunkie). “An opportunity arose where somebody arose where somebody was kind of like, “Hey, would you do a full boxing match against a former world champion?” I was like, ‘Absolutely.’ I’m up for challenges. I think obviously it forces you to push yourself and extend. At the end of the day, it makes me a better warrior all around – and a better coach for (my daughter) Bella. It got presented to me. April 17, would I be willing to take on former light heavyweight champion of the world Antonio Tarver.”
The 52-year old Tarver hasn't fought since August 2015 where he went to a draw with Steve Cunningham but is 31-6-1 overall as a pro fighting the likes of Bernard Hopkins, Roy Jones Jr, Glen Johnson, and Chad Dawson.
Jeremy Stephens vs. Drakkar Klose targeted for UFC Fight Night event in April
UFC veteran Jeremy Stephens will move back to the lightweight division to take on Drakkar Klose at a yet-to-be-announced UFC event on April 17, first reported by MMAJunkie's Nolan King. Stephens who hasn't fought at 155 pounds since December of 2012, will try to earn his first win since February 2018 after going 0-4-1 in his last five Octagon appearances and most recently getting knocked out in the second-round by Calvin Kattar at UFC 249. Klose is 3-1 in his last four fights and will try to rebound from a knockout loss as well, losing in the first-round to Beneil Dariush at UFC 248.
Aaron Pico makes return against Aiden Lee at Bellator 257
One of the brightest prospects in MMA will make his return to the cage on April 16 with Aaron Pico set to take on Aiden Lee at Bellator 257, MMAJunkie's John Morgan reported. The matchup is yet to officially be announced by the promotion but is in the works for the event. Pico is riding a three-fight winning streak, knocking out John de Jesus in the second-round at Bellator 252 in his last outing. Lee is a 25-year old Englishman who has won his last two fights and also is coming off of a knockout win over Jeremy Petley at Bellator Euro Series 8.
Flyweight's Antonina Shevchenko and Andrea Lee face off at UFC 262 in May
UFC women's flyweights Antonina Shevchenko and Andrea Lee are being targeted to face one another at UFC 262 on May 15, first reported by MMAJunkie's Nolan King and Mike Bohn. The promotion has yet to officially announce the event or matchup. Shevchenko the sister of reigning UFC women's flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko, is 2-2 in her last four fights and most recently defeated Ariane Lipski via a second-round TKO at UFC 255. Lee will try to snap a three-fight losing streak against the elder Shevchenko, losing her last Octagon appearance via a unanimous decision to Roxanne Modaferri at UFC Vegas 10.
Gillian Robertson vs. Miranda Maverick rescheduled for UFC 260
UFC women's flyweights Gillian Robertson and Miranda Maverick have had their fight from UFC 258 rescheduled for UFC 260 on March 27, first reported by FighterPath's Sergio Pineiro. Robertson is 2-2 in her last four fights dropping a unanimous decision to Talia Santos at UFC Vegas 17 in her last fight. Maverick on the other hand has won her last four fights and won her Octagon debut at UFC 254 stopping Liana Jojua via a first-round TKO due to doctor stoppage forced by a cut.
Neiman Gracie vs. Jason Jackson targeted for Bellator 255
A fantastic welterweight matchup is being targeted for Bellator 255 on April 2 with Neiman Gracie set to take on Jason Jackson, according to a report from MMAJunkie's John Morgan although the promotion has yet to officially announce the bout. Gracie who is 10-1 overall as a professional, last defeated Jon Fitch via submission due to a heel hook in the second round at Bellator 246. Jackson is on a three-fight winning streak currently, beating Benson Henderson by a unanimous decision at Bellator 253 in his last appearance.
Maurice Greene takes on Marcos Rogerio de Lima at UFC event in May
Heavyweights Maurice Greene and Marcos Rogerio de Lima will collide at a yet-to-announced UFC event on May 8, first reported by MMAJunkie's Farah Hannoun and Nolan King. Greene is 1-3 in his last four fights and most recently lost to Greg Hardy via a second-round TKO at UFC Vegas 12. The Brazilian de Lima on the other hand is 2-2 in his last four Octagon appearances, most recently being defeated by Alexander Romanov via submission in the second round due to a forearm choke at UFC Vegas 13.
Sean Strickland meets Krzysztof Jotko at UFC event in May
UFC middleweight contenders Sean Stickland and Krzysztof Jotko will try to continue their ascension up the 185-pound ladder when they meet at a yet-to-announced UFC event in May, first reported by MMAPudelek.pl and later confirmed by Strickland's management. Strickland will try to make it four in a row against Jotko, defeating Brendan Allen via a second-round TKO at UFC Vegas 14 in his last outing. Jotko will also try to extend his current winning streak to four, last beating Eryk Anders by a unanimous decision at UFC on ESPN 8.
Steve Garcia out, Marcelo Rojo in against Charles Jourdain at UFC Vegas 21
With Steve Garcia being forced out of his bout with Chales Jourdain at UFC Vegas 21 on March 13 due to undisclosed reason, Marcelo Rojo has stepped in to take his place first reported by Entre Rounds. Jourdain will try to shake off a split-draw with Josh Culibao in his last outing at UFC Fight Island 4, while Rojo will make his promotional debut.
Positive COVID-19 test forces Alonzo Menifield out of UFC Vegas 20 fight with William Knight
A positive COVID-19 test has forced UFC light heavyweight Alonzo Menifield out of his matchup with William Knight at this weekend's UFC Vegas 20 event, first reported by MMAJunkie's Nolan King and Mike Bohn. The matchup is being targeted to be rebooked for UFC 260 on March 27, although the promotion hasn't officially announced anything. Menifield is on a two-fight skid last losing to Ovince Saint Preux via a second-round KO at UFC Vegas 9, whereas Knight is riding a three-fight win streak currently last defeating Aleksa Camur via a unanimous decision at UFC 253.
ONE Championship announces Atomweight World Grand Prix beginning on May 28
ONE Championship Founder and CEO Chatri Sityodtong announced via his Twitter the promotion's lineup for their Atomweight World Grand Prix beginning on May 28. The pool of fighters who will compete for a chance at champion Angela Lee's title in November includes Seo Hee Ham, Stamp Fairtex, Alyse Anderson, Meng Bo, Itsuki Hirata, Ritu Phogat, Denice Zamboanga, and Alyona Rassohyna.
Felipe Colares takes on Journey Newson at UFC event in May
UFC Brazilian bantamweight Felipe Colares will take on Journey Newson at a yet-to-be-announced UFC event on May 1st, first reported by Tudo Sobre MMA. Colares will try to rebound from a unanimous decision loss to Montel Jackson at UFC Fight Night 166 in his last appearance, whereas Newson will try to get his first official Octagon win going 0-2-1 in his three UFC fights, losing his last bout in just 41 seconds via a KO to Randy Costa at UFC Vegas 11.
Impa Kasanganay vs. Sasha Palatnikov added to UFC event on April 10
Impa Kasanganay will drop down to the welterweight division to take on Sasha Palatnikov at a yet-to-be-announced UFC event on April 10, according to a report from MMAJunkie's Farah Hannoun and Nolan King. Kasanganay makes the switch from 185 pounds to 170 pounds, after suffering the first defeat of his professional career to Joaquin Buckley via a second-round knockout at UFC Fight Island 5 that went viral. Palatnikov will try to move his Octagon record to 2-0 after beating Louis Cosce by a third-round TKO in his promotional debut at UFC 255.
Christian Aguilera meets Carlston Harris at UFC event in May
Christian Aguilera will welcome Carlston Harris to the Octagon at a yet-to-be-announced UFC event on May 8, first reported by MMAJunkie's Farah Hannoun and Nolan King. Aguilera who is 1-1 in the UFC will look to bounce back from a second-round submission loss due to a guillotine choke at UFC Vegas 8. Harris on the other hand makes his promotional debut and is on a three-fight winning streak currently, finishing Saygid Izagakhmaev in his last fight at EFC 32 via a second-round submission by a D'arce choke.
Usman Nurmagomedov makes Bellator debut against Mike Hamel at Bellator 255
Usman Nurmagomedov the cousin of UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov is set to make his Bellator debut against Mike Hamel at Bellator 255 on April 2nd, Bellator President Scott Coker announced the matchup via his Twitter account. Nurmagomedov is undefeated as a professional at 11-0 with 10 of his victories coming by way of finishes. Hamel is coming off of a loss in his promotional debut, losing a split-decision to Adam Borics at Bellator 243.
John Lineker takes on Stephen Loman at ONE on TNT 4 in April
Former UFC veteran John Lineker will continue his run with ONE Championship when he faces Stephen Loman at the promotion's event on April 28, first reported by MMAFighting's Guilherme Cruz. The card will air in the United States on TNT and takes place from Singapore. Lineker is 2-0 with the promotion since signing with ONE in July 2019, last defeating Kevin Belingon via a second-round TKO at ONE Championship: Inside The Matrix 3. Loman is 14-2 overall as a professional and will make his ONE debut against Lineker, he last beat Louie Sanoudakis at Brave CF 30.
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