Report: ESPN + FOX to bid jointly for UFC television rights
(mixedmartialarts.com)The point MMA became mainstream is a matter of debate, but could date to 2011 when the UFC and FOX signed a seven-year television deal, worth approximately $120 million per year by the end. Now it’s 2018, the deal is up, and the UFC reportedly wanted $300-400 million per year.
FOX balked, perhaps because viewership is down. Big FOX shows are down 22% compared to the year before, while Fight Night events are down 17%. However, Andrew Wallenstein and Daniel Holloway report for Variety that rivals ESPN and FOX have teamed up in a joint bid for UFC television rights, that could bring as many as 15 fight events to the ESPN+ subscription streaming service.
PFL reveals rosters, event schedule for 2018 season
(https:)The Professional Fighters League is starting over in a big way.
After holding three small shows in 2017, the former World Series of Fighting promotion announced Monday that it will kick off its inaugural PFL season on June 7 at The Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden in what is scheduled to be the first of 11 events this year culminating in a year-end card on Dec. 31 that will see six fighters walk away with $1,000,000 in prize money.
Sean O’Malley pays homage to Nate Diaz on national television
(https:)Sean O’Malley took Nate Diaz’s gimmick to a much bigger audience.
After Diaz faked lighting up a blunt on a FOX Sports 1 UFC telecast in February, O’Malley showed off a joint of his own on national television Saturday night.
With the camera panning the crowd during the FOX broadcast, O’Malley showed off his joint — and faked lighting it up — much to the amusement of Mackenzie Dern.
Gabi Garcia returns to MMA action at ROAD FC show in May
(https:)Gabi Garcia’s MMA journey continues.
Fighting outside of Japan’s Rizin Fighting Federation promotion for the first time, the 32-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace will look to remain undefeated in her MMA career when she fights Veronika Futina at ROAD FC 047 on May 12 at the Cadillac Arena in Beijing, China, the South Korea-based promotion announced on Sunday.
Ovince Saint Preux vs. Tyson Pedro (and more) announced for UFC Singapore
(https:)Light heavyweights Ovince Saint Preux and Tyson Pedro have been added to the UFC’s upcoming trip to Asia.
The bout was announced for the UFC Singapore show on June 23 and the promotion also confirmed that it will take place at the Singapore Indoor Arena.
Several other bouts were announced on Sunday, including a welterweight bout between Shinsho Anzai and Jake Matthews, and a strawweight bout between undefeated Nadia Kassem and China’s Yan Xiaonan.
CM Punk returns to face Jackson at UFC 225
(m.ufc.com)Former WWE superstar CM Punk will step into the Octagon for the second time on June 9, and this time he will do so in his hometown of Chicago, as he faces Mike Jackson in a UFC 225 bout at United Center.
In the UFC 225 main event, which airs live on Pay-Per-View, Robert Whittaker defends his middleweight title against Yoel Romero. Tickets go on sale on April 13.
Desmond Green-Gleison Tibau, Johnny Eduardo-Nathaniel Wood added to UFC Utica
(mmajunkie.com)Less than two months from fight night, UFC Fight Night 131 continues to take shape with the addition of two new matchups.
A lightweight bout between Gleison Tibau (33-13 MMA, 16-11 UFC) and Desmond Green (20-7 MMA, 1-2 UFC), as well as a bantamweight pairing between Johnny Eduardo (28-11 MMA, 3-3 UFC) and Nathaniel Wood (13-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC), are slated for the June event.
Bellator signs former UFC veteran Timothy Johnson
(https:)Former UFC veteran Timothy Johnson is headed to Bellator.
The heavyweight fighter has signed an exclusive, multi-fight deal with the promotion, MMA Fighting has learned.
Johnson (12-4) leaves the UFC with a 4-3 record inside the Octagon. He’s coming off a unanimous decision win over Marcelo Golm at UFC Belem in February, which was the last fight on his contract.
Volkan Oezdemir out of UFC Chile co-main event vs. Mauricio Rua
(https:)It looks like Mauricio Rua will need a new opponent on May 19th.
A report from Combate says that recent UFC light heavyweight title challenger Volkan Oezdemir will be unable to fight Shogun in the co-main event of the promotion’s debut event in Chile. According to the report, Oezdemir’s recent arrest on felony assault charges will prevent him from leaving the United States.
UFC officials have not announced anything as of Thursday.
Enrique Barzola meets Brandon Davis at UFC Chile
(https:)Enrique Barzola will be getting the chance to fight close to home.
The Peruvian fighter has been scheduled to fight Brandon Davis at UFC Chile, which is set to go down on May 19 at the Movistar Arena in Santiago, Chile. Both fighters announced the match-up on Wednesday through their social media.
Holly Holm vs. Megan Anderson slated for UFC 225
(https:)The downtrodden UFC featherweight division will get a major jolt later this spring.
Former bantamweight champion Holly Holm will take on Megan Anderson at UFC 225 on June 9 in Chicago, MMA Fighting confirmed Wednesday after the news was first reported by the Chicago Tribune. The bout will be contested at 145 pounds and very well could be a title eliminator with the winner facing champion Cris Cyborg.
Humberto Bandenay vs. Gabriel Benitez added to UFC Chile
A featherweight bout involving two Latin American fighters has joined the lineup for the UFC’s first trip to Chile.
Humberto Bandenay vs. Gabriel Benitez has been scheduled for UFC Chile, which is set to go down at the Movistar Arena in Santiago on May 19. The news of the booking was announced by the promotion.
