Plus: (#2) JIMI MANUWA vs (#4) VOLKAN OEZDEMIR (#3) RICARDO LAMAS vs JASON KNIGHT (#8) ALJAMAIN STERLING vs (#15) RENAN BARAO
TICKETS FOR UFC® 214: CORMIER vs JONES 2 AT HONDA CENTER IN ANAHEIM ON SALE FRIDAY, JUNE 9
Las Vegas – Two of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world collide in the main event of UFC® 214: CORMIER vs JONES 2 when 205-pound kingpin Daniel Cormier attempts to avenge the only loss of his career against his nemesis and arguably the greatest mixed martial artist of all time, Jon Jones. The event takes place Saturday, July 29 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. live on Pay-Per-View.
In what has become one of the most intense rivalries in sports, Cormier (19-1, fighting out of San Jose, Calif.) hopes to settle the score with Jones (22-1, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.) when the two finally meet for the second time. A two-time Olympian, Cormier parlayed his elite-level wrestling into a dominant MMA career, picking apart nearly every opponent he’s faced. The lone exception is Jones, who has yet to lose a championship bout inside the Octagon®, winning 10 consecutive contests with a title on the line. Jones, utilizing his length, athleticism and flashy striking, has long been one of the most feared and imposing competitors in the UFC® and hopes to regain the title he feels is rightfully his.
Two surging light heavyweights will set the stage for the main event when No. 2 Jimi Manuwa (17-2, fighting out of London, England) clashes with No. 4 Volkan Oezdemir(14-1, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.). Expect the two knockout artists to leave it all on the line in Anaheim, knowing that the winner will take a giant leap forward in the title race. Manuwa is riding a two-fight win streak, with both knockout victories garnering Performance of the Night honors. Manuwa has 15 career knockouts and one submission, including 10 first round finishes. Packing an equally powerful punch and an unbeaten Octagon slate, Oezdemir has 10 knockouts and one submission — all in the first round.
The UFC’s return to Southern California will also feature a battle between promising featherweights, No. 3 Ricardo Lamas (17-5, fighting out of Chicago, Ill.) and “The Kid” Jason Knight (20-2, fighting out of D’Iberville, Miss.). Coming off an impressive second-round submission victory over Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Charles Oliveira, Lamas expects that another dominant win will put him in line for a second title shot in the talent-rich 145-pound division. Looking to derail Lamas’ championship aspirations and to create his own, Knight hopes to raise his game to the next level after earning Performance of the Night honors at UFC 211 with an impressive win against veteran Chas Skelly. With 20 professional wins at just 24-years-old, Knight is a rising star in the division and looking to take advantage of every opportunity that comes his way.
Additional Bouts: · One of the most electrifying young talents in the 135-pound division, No. 8 Aljamain Sterling (13-2, fighting out of Uniondale, N.Y.) welcomes former bantamweight kingpin, No. 15 Renan Barao (35-4, 1 NC, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), back to the division · Fresh off a Fight of the Year performance, No. 13 Dooho Choi (14-2, fighting out of Busan, South Korea) meets knockout artist Andre Fili (16-4, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) in a featherweight duel · Undefeated No. 9-ranked featherweight Brian Ortega (11-0, 1 NC, fighting out of Los Angeles, Calif.) fights in front of his hometown fans when he clashes with fellow unbeaten up-and-comer No. 11 Renato Moicano (10-0-1, fighting out of Brasilia, Brazil) · Versatile strawweight Kailin Curran (4-4, fighting out of Ewa Beach, Hawaii) collides with undefeated Alexandra Albu (6-0, fighting out of Moscow, Russia) · Powerful veteran Joshua Burkman (29-15, 1 NC, fighting out of Draper, Utah) meets Muay Thai specialist Drew Dober (17-8, 1 NC, fighting out of Denver, Colo.) in a 155-pound showdown · The Ultimate Fighter® alum Eric Shelton (10-3 fighting out of Davenport, Iowa) welcomes undefeated flyweight prospect Jarred Brooks (12-0, fighting out of Detroit, Mich.) to the UFC · HeavyweightDmitri Smoliakov (8-2, fighting out of Kaliningrad, Russia), who has finished all of his wins, meets submission ace Adam Wieczorek (8-1, fighting out of Chorzow, Poland)
For the latest information on additional bouts for this event, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.
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UFC® MAKES LONG ISLAND DEBUT WITH LOCAL HERO CHRIS WEIDMAN DEFENDING HOME TURF AGAINST KELVIN GASTELUM
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PLUS: (#10) DENNIS BERMUDEZ vs (#12) DARREN ELKINS (#11) PATRICK CUMMINS vs (#13) GIAN VILLANTE (#5) JIMMIE RIVERA vs (#9) THOMAS ALMEIDA
TICKETS FOR UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: WEIDMAN vs GASTELUM AT NYCB LIVE, HOME OF THE NASSAU VETERANS MEMORIAL COLISEUM TO GO ON SALE FRIDAY, JUNE 2
Las Vegas – This summer, the Octagon® returns to the Empire State for its Long Island debut, and the area’s favorite son, Baldwin native and No. 6-ranked UFC middleweight Chris Weidman, gets the chance to compete in his backyard for the first time when he meets surging phenom Kelvin Gastelum in the main event of UFC® FIGHT NIGHT: WEIDMAN VS. GASTELUM, Saturday, July 22 at NYCB LIVE, home of the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum. The event will be broadcast live on FOX.
The fight card will be stacked with homegrown Long Island UFC® talent who will keep local fans in a New York state of mind.
Long Island’s own Chris Weidman (13-3, fighting out of Baldwin, N.Y.) steps back into the Octagon against dangerous knockout threat Kelvin Gastelum (14-2, fighting out of Yuma, Ariz.). The former champion Weidman hopes to earn his way back into title contention by adding another exciting finish to an already impressive resume that includes six knockouts and three submission victories, six of those coming in the first round. His opponent Gastelum, winner of The Ultimate Fighter® season 17, is undefeated since moving up to middleweight, and is looking for the biggest victory of his career, as the winner of this bout could be knocking on the door of title contention in a loaded 185-pound division.
No. 10-ranked featherweight Dennis Bermudez (17-6, fighting out of Lindenhurst, N.Y.) also looks to impress local fans against No. 12 Darren Elkins (23-5, fighting out of Portage, Ind.) in a battle of 145-pound contenders. Bermudez gets a home game for the first time in his six-year UFC career and will undoubtedly be looking to put on a show. Hoping to play spoiler, Elkins returns to the Octagon for the first time since his potential Comeback of the Year performance against Mirsad Bektic at UFC® 209.
Another fight that will get fans on their feet is a light heavyweight matchup between No. 11 Patrick Cummins (9-4, fighting out of Dana Point, Calif.) and No. 13 Gian Villante (15-7, fighting out of Bellmore, N.Y.). Like Weidman, Cummins starred at the collegiate level, earning NCAA Div. I All-American honors twice. Since transitioning to MMA, he has become a well-rounded and versatile competitor who possesses the ability to win a fight wherever it goes. Villante, known for his power, has 10 knockouts in 15 career wins. Growing up in nearby Levittown, he looks to gain serious momentum with a great showing against his opponent.
Additional Bouts
- A bantamweight showdown between two of the division’s hottest contenders, No. 5 Jimmie Rivera (20-1-0, fighting out of Ramsey, N.J.) and No. 9 rankedThomas Almeida (21-1-0, fighting out of Sao Paulo, Brazil).
- Fast rising and undefeated prospect Shane Burgos (9-0, fighting out of Monroe, N.Y.) will fight in New York for the third time in as many UFC bouts when he faces submission ace Godofredo Pepey (14-4, fighting out of Fortaleza, Brazil) at 145 pounds.
- Chris Wade (11-3, fighting out of Islip, N.Y.) hopes to be inspired by hometown support when he meets Frankie Perez (10-3, fighting out of Howell, N.J.) at 155 pounds.
- No. 12 heavyweight Timothy Johnson (11-3, Fargo, N.D.) looks to continue his climb up the rankings when he squares off against Junior Albini (13-2, fighting out of Paranagua, Brazil).
- Dynamic finisher Damian Grabowski (20-4, fighting out of Opole, Poland) clashes with knockout artist Christian Colombo (8-2-1, fighting out of Copenhagen, Denmark) in a heavyweight duel.
For the latest information on bouts for this event, please visit ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change.
Visit the UFC® Press Portal for information and content to support your UFC coverage.
UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: WEIDMAN vs GASTELUM will air live on FOX at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Saturday, July 22, with the prelims kicking off the evening on FOX at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT and on UFC FIGHT PASS® at 4 p.m. ET/1 p.m. PT.
Tickets for UFC FIGHT NIGHT®: WEIDMAN vs GASTELUM go on sale Friday, June 2 at 10 a.m. ET and are priced at $307, $182, $107, $82 and $57 (prices do not include applicable service charges and handling fees). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at (800) 745-3000.
INTERNATIONAL FIGHT WEEK IS LOADED FEATURING TWO EVENTS, TWO WORLD TITLE FIGHTS AND TONS OF HIGH-LEVEL TALENT
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Featuring: (C) AMANDA NUNES vs (#1) VALENTINA SHEVCHENKO (C) CODY GARBRANDT vs (#2) TJ DILLASHAW (#2) ROBBIE LAWLER vs (#8) COWBOY CERRONE (#6) MICHAEL JOHNSON vs JUSTIN GAETHJE
TICKETS FOR UFC® 213 AND THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER®: REDEMPTION FINALE AT T-MOBILE ARENA ON SALE FRIDAY, MAY 19
Las Vegas – Fans from around the globe will once again converge upon Las Vegas in July for International Fight Week, the biggest week of the year for UFC®. July 5 through 8will see two events including THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER®: REDEMPTION FINALE on Friday, July 7 and the star-studded UFC® 213 on Saturday, July 8. Both events take place at T-Mobile Arena. The week will also play host to autograph signings, meet and greets and the UFC Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
In the main event of THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER®: REDEMPTION FINALE, No. 6 lightweight Michael Johnson (18-11, fighting out of Boca Raton, Fla.) welcomes one of the most exciting fighters in MMA, Justin Gaethje (17-0, fighting out of Arvada, Colo.). Johnson, the last man to defeat No. 2 lightweight Tony Ferguson, has some of the quickest hands, causing matchup problems for any opponent who stands in front of him. The undefeated Gaethje makes his Octagon debut after long being considered the top lightweight outside the UFC. He has 14 knockouts in 17 career wins and looks to vault to the top of the 155-pound division with a victory over a perennial contender in Johnson.
Women’s bantamweight champion Amanda Nunes (14-4, fighting out of Miami, Fla.) looks to continue her path of destruction through the division when she collides with No. 1 Valentina Shevchenko (14-2, fighting out of Houston, Texas) in a rematch of their 2016 bout. Nunes has recorded wins over two of the sport’s pioneers in Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate in her last two bouts – both first-round finishes. With 13 finishes in 14 career victories, Nunes is one of the most powerful women in MMA, but she will need to use her diverse skillset to counter the world-class striking of Shevchenko. Owner of a 67-3 professional kickboxing record, Shevchenko is one of the most polished strikers in the UFC. Her only loss inside the Octagon® came at the hands of Nunes and Shevchenko hopes to avenge that loss and capture UFC gold.
In what may be one of the biggest grudge matches in UFC history, bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt (11-0, fighting out of Sacramento, Calif.) takes on arch nemesis and former champion, No. 2 TJ Dillashaw (15-3, fighting out of Denver, Colo.). The undefeated Garbrandt is coming off a career-best performance against one of the most dominant champions in the sport, Dominick Cruz. The win cemented him atop the 135-pound division and showed that Garbrandt is more than just a power puncher. His matchup with Dillashaw is personal, as the two used to train together at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento, so he looks to not only defend his world title, but keep bragging rights in California. Dillashaw, who has seemingly endless stamina, comes from a wrestling background and has developed into one of the most well-rounded competitors in the division. With wins over the likes of Renan Barao, John Lineker and Raphael Assuncao, he’s proven that he can compete with the best of the best.
THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER®: REDEMPTION FINALE Additional bouts:
- In a battle of top lightweight prospects, knockout artist Marc Diakiese (12-0, fighting out of Manchester, England) collides with powerful Drakkar Klose (6-0-1, fighting out of Glendale, Ariz.)
- No. 15 light heavyweight Jared Cannonier (9-2, fighting out of Anchorage, Alaska) meets heavy-handed Canadian Steve Bosse (12-2, fighting out of St-Jean Sur Richelieu, Quebec)
- Additional bouts for The Ultimate Fighter Finale can be found here
UFC® 213 Additional bouts:
- Former welterweight champion, No. 2 Robbie Lawler (27,11, 1 NC, fighting out of Coconut Creek, Fla.) meets fan-favorite, No. 8 “Cowboy” Cerrone (32-8, 1 NC, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.)
- Top-ranked heavyweight Fabricio Werdum (21-6-1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Calif.) meets MMA legend Alistair Overeem (42-15, 1NC, fighting out of Amsterdam, The Netherlands) in a trilogy bout
- Former lightweight kingpin Anthony Pettis (19-6, fighting out of Milwaukee, Wisc.) returns to the division he once reigned over when he meets crafty veteran Jim Miller (28-9, 1 NC, fighting out of Sparta, N.J.)
- Additional bouts for UFC 213 can be found here
For the latest information on additional bouts for these events, please visit www.ufc.com. All bouts live and subject to change. Visit the UFC® Press Portal for information and content to support your UFC coverage.
UFC® 213 will air live on pay-per-view at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on Saturday, July 8 with the prelims kicking off the evening on FS1 at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT and on UFC FIGHT PASS® at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
Tickets for THE ULTIMATE FIGHTER®: REDEMPTION FINALE go on sale Friday, May 19 at 12 p.m. PT and are priced at $175, $100, $75 and $50 (prices do not include applicable service charges and handling fees). Ticket sales are limited to eight (8) per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000.
UFC® RETURNS TO MEXICO CITY AUGUST 5
ARENA CIUDAD DEL MEXICO WILL HOST FOURTH EVENT IN MEXICO CITY SINCE 2014
MEXICO CITY –UFC® today officially announced its return to Mexico City on August 5, 2017, marking the fifth time UFC has held a card in Mexico. After a succesful debut in the country in 2014 with UFC 180: Werdum vs. Hunt, selling 22,000 tickets in less than eight hours, UFC has continued to bring Mexican fans more incredible action, intriguing matchups and home grown stars.
Live events in Mexico have also showcased champions and former champions including Cain Velasquez, Fabricio Werdum, Rafael Dos Anjos, Eddie Alvarez and top contenders in their divisions like Tony Feguson, Ricardo Lamas, Dennis Bermudez, Henry Cejudo, Kelvin Gastelum and Diego Sánchez. Additionally, fans have been able to cheer on their fellow countrymen like No. 7 featherweight Yair “Pantera” Rodríguez, Erik “Goyito” Pérez, Marco Beltrán, Henry Briones, Polo Reyes, Alejandro Pérez and Alexa Grasso over the last three years of historic Mexico events.
With another exciting Fight Night heading to Aztec territory, UFC renews its commitment to both Mexico and Latin America as a whole.
“We’re thrilled to be bringing another live event to Mexico City and the Arena Ciudad Del Mexico,” UFC Senior Vice President of International and Content Joe Carr, said. “Fans in this country have proven to be some of our most knowledgeable and passionate in the world. We are firmly committed to the Mexican market and our talent development efforts here, which have resulted in rising stars like Yair Rodriguez and Brandon Moreno. UFC will continue to be the MMA leader in Latin America and home to the region’s top talent.”
Ticket and card information will be released at a later date. Please visit UFC.com for updates.
UFC® ANNOUNCES LONG-TERM BROADCAST DEAL WITH FOX NETWORKS GROUP IN LATIN AMERICA
The world’s premier mixed martial arts brand and Latin America’s number one pay TV group partner to deliver UFC content across 17 countries reaching over 44 million households
Las Vegas - UFC® and FOX Networks Group (FNG) Latin America today announced a multi-year deal to bring the world’s fastest growing sport closer to fans throughout the region than ever before. FOX will air over 160 hours of live UFC content annually, including prime time UFC Pay-Per-View (PPV) events, UFC Fight Nights, and The Ultimate Fighter® reality television series and its Finales. The partnership kicks off on Saturday, May 13 with UFC 211: MIOCIC vs. DOS SANTOS 2 in Dallas, Texas. FOX Sports will air both the prelims and the main card live.
“UFC is excited to be partnering with FNG Latin America, the leading multi-platform entertainment Group in Latin America,” UFC Senior Vice President of International and Content Joe Carr, said. “The opportunity to have our premier content available in over 44 million homes will immediately accelerate the growth of the UFC brand and the sport of MMA across the region. The emergence of young Latin American mixed martial artists coupled with FOX’s marketing muscle and distribution, will allow us to expand our event output beyond Brazil and Mexico and into the rest of Latin America in the coming years.”
UFC content will be available on Fox Sports and FOX Premium App & TV, FNG Latin America’s exclusive entertainment experience, starting May 13th, reaching over 44 million households in Spanish-speaking Latin American countries. Mexico will become part of the licensed territory starting Jan 1, 2019.
“We are thrilled to announce this exclusive partnership,” Francisco Pazmiño, Senior VP of Acquisitions and Programming Strategy, FOX Sports Latin America said. “Having UFC back, the most recognized combat sports brand in the world, will allow us to deliver first class MMA content through our channels and digital platforms. We will seek to create synergies with the FOX Sports team in the United States, also UFC right holders, to deliver the most complete UFC experience to our fans. With this new deal, we will position FOX Sports via our ‘FOX Fight Club’ franchise as the number one destination for fighting sports in the region.”
”We are proud to welcome UFC fights into the wide variety of FOX Premium App & TV content,” Edgar Spielmann, EVP & COO FNG Latin America said. “This new agreement allows us to continue adding value to our unique, powerful and flexible entertainment experience, aiming to suit all our fans’ preferences.”
How to watch UFC on FOX:
· PPV Prelims: Live - simulcast on Fox Sports 2 and FOX Premium Action**
· PPV Main Cards: Live exclusively on FOX Premium Action starting July 29**
· UFC Fight Nights: Live exclusively on Fox Sports 2
· The Ultimate Fighter Finales: Live Exclusively on Fox Sports 2
** Note: UFC 211, UFC 212 and UFC 213 will air live on Fox Sports 2
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