Video: Matt Hughes makes emotional return at UFC St. Louis
(https:)As Matt Hughes’ signature entrance music says, “A country boy can survive.”
The UFC welterweight legend was involved in a horrific truck accident last June that left him hospitalized with a severe head injury. Thankfully, Hughes survived the ordeal and he has been showing positive signs of recovery ever since.
On Sunday, the 44-year-old Hall of Famer was welcomed back to the Octagon at UFC St. Louis.
Al Iaquinta vs. Paul Felder rebooked for UFC 223
(https:)Paul Felder got his wish of a showdown with Al Iaquinta.
FloCombat.com initially reported that the fight was in the works for UFC 223 on Sunday night. Sources confirmed to MMA Fighting that the contest has been booked for the April 7 event at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
Vitor Belfort vs. Uriah Hall scratched from UFC St. Louis
(https:)Vitor Belfort’s retirement fight will have to wait.
Belfort’s expected co-main event bout against Uriah Hall has been scratched from the UFC St. Louis card. UFC officials announced the news immediately following Saturday’s weigh-ins. Hall did not weigh-in. Belfort tipped the scales at 186 pounds.
UFC officials did not elaborate on the reason for Hall’s withdrawal.
A featherweight bout between St. Louis-native Michael Johnson and Darren Elkins has been promoted from the televised preliminaries to the main card, while a women’s flyweight bout between Paige VanZant and Jessica-Rose Clark will now serve as the show’s co-main event.
What UFC's Russia event means for Khabib Nurmagomedov, lightweight title picture
(mmajunkie.com)RT Sport recently reported, citing venue officials, that the UFC has booked Moscow’s Olympic Stadium for Sept. 14 and 15 to bring an event to Russia for the first time. If that happens, there’s no doubt the plan would be to have Khabib Nurmagomedov, a bona fide star in his home country, included on the card.
There’s also talk of UFC 223 coming to Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., on April 7. Although nothing is official, a person with knowledge of the situation has told MMAjunkie that is the plan. This matters to Nurmagomedov’s more immediate future, because Brooklyn’s large Russian population and the promotion’s desire to bring a major headliner to the Big Apple make UFC 223 perfect for his next booking.
Chael Sonnen vs. ‘Rampage’ Jackson will headline Bellator 192
(https:)Bellator will be going with big names over a highly anticipated title fight as the final bout of its big show in Los Angeles next week.
Chael Sonnen vs. Quinton Jackson will act as the headliner of Bellator 192 on Jan. 20 in Inglewood, Calif., MMA Fighting confirmed with the promotion Friday. Bellator president Scott Coker told The Sporting News earlier Friday that Sonnen vs. “Rampage” will be the main event. Previously, it was expected that a welterweight title fight between champion Douglas Lima and Rory MacDonald would be at the top of the bill.
Veteran color commentator Jimmy Smith signs with UFC
(https:)Veteran announcer Jimmy Smith didn’t stay out of the mixed martial arts game long.
The former longtime color commentator has joined the UFC broadcast team, the company announced on Friday. The move comes just two weeks after it was announced that Smith and Bellator had mutually parted ways.
