MMA news

• Corey Anderson explains how he ended up training at Shogun Rua’s old gym in Brazil

  12-05-2016 23:00
  
  CURITIBA -- Corey Anderson faces local hero Mauricio Rua at a 45,000-seat soccer stadium in Curitiba. On Thursday, Anderson explained how he literally entered enemy territory on fight week when he trained at Universidade da Luta, the team founded by the Rua brothers. Anderson also discussed how Ben Askren got him into mixed martial arts and whether or not he’s the best welterweight in the world.
  
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• Trainer: ‘The Lion is Awake’ Inside Mauricio Rua Heading Into UFC 198

  12-05-2016 22:32 via sherdog.com
  
  After being awarded “Coach of the Year in 2015,” Rafael Cordeiro will start 2016 in great fashion with three of his fighters competing at UFC 198 in his hometown of Curitiba.
  
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• Bryan Barberena welcomes all the 'haters' after Sage Northcutt win

  12-05-2016 22:00
  
  CURITIBA -- Bryan Barberena tapped UFC sensation Sage Northcutt in his last appearance inside the Octagon, and will try to stop another rising prospect when he meets Warlley Alves at UFC 198. "Bam Bam" talks about what changed in his life after beating Northcutt, why he’s still fighting at 170 pounds, how he plans on beating Alves in Brazil, and more.
  
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• Video: Diego Brandao Claims Bouncer Had Gun, Choked Him in Alleged Strip Club Incident

  12-05-2016 21:29 via sherdog.com
  
  The incident in which Diego Brandao allegedly pistol-whipped a bouncer outside an Albuquerque, N.M., strip club last month led to the fighter’s UFC release, but there could be more to the story.
  
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• Matt Brown wanted Demian Maia fight because it's 'the worst match-up for me'

  12-05-2016 20:58
  
  CURITIBA -- Fighting outside of the United States for the first time since 2009, Matt Brown is excited to face Demian Maia because it’s a bad match-up for him. "The Immortal" explains how he ended up on the UFC 198 card, if he thinks he can submit Maia on the ground, how close is he from finally fighting for the UFC title, and much more.
  
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• Adam Piccolotti Balances Mourning, Preparation Ahead of Bellator 154

  12-05-2016 20:49 via sherdog.com
  
  At some point on Saturday night the Bellator 154 proceedings will hit a somber note, and tribute will be paid to the one whose life was tragically taken before he could make it to San Jose.
  
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• Dana White’s “Lookin’ For A Fight” Heads To Texas

  12-05-2016 20:47
  
  In the fifth installment of "Lookin' for a Fight" with UFC president Dana White, Matt Serra and Nick the Tooth, the crew hits up Texas.They try to become real cowboys and even meet former boxing champion George Foreman.Check out a couple of previews in the videos below for the series, which airs May 17 on YouTube:[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ScbYXTEARVg[/embed][embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3FJW7fhVKk[/embed]
  
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• Leslie Smith explains why MMA needs a fighters association

  12-05-2016 20:45
  
  CURITIBA -- Leslie Smith welcomes Cris Cyborg to the UFC at Saturday’s UFC 198 pay-per-view show in Curitiba, Brazil. On Thursday, Smith discussed the match-up, the advantage of fighting at 140 pounds, how she ended up sparring with the Brazilian three years ago, how a fighters association would help the sport, and much more.
  
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• UFC 198 Media Day Faceoffs, Top Moments (Videos)

  12-05-2016 20:43
  
  [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PeA-4kv-8aU[/embed]Media day for UFC 198 went down Thursday from Brazil.In the video above, you can see the faceoffs between several of the top bouts scheduled for Saturday night.The video below is a Top-5 moments recap from the event.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xf0iQsEJxIk[/embed]
  
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• Scott Coker: 'Rampage' Jackson, Tito Ortiz potential opponents for Wanderlei Silva in Bellator

  12-05-2016 20:30
  
  Wanderlei Silva likely will not compete for Bellator until the middle of next year, but there is already groundwork being laid for his return.
  Bellator MMA president Scott Coker told Ariel Helwani on Monday's episode of The MMA Hour that two such opponents stand out as possible foes for Silva once he returns: Quinton Jackson and Tito Ortiz.
  "With Wanderlei, he's on suspension until May of next year," Coker said. "Then we'll pick it up from there. I'm excited, because we've got some great fights
  
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• Bovada Releases Odds on Rumored UFC Sale

  12-05-2016 20:27 via sherdog.com
  
  The biggest story in the MMA world this week has been whether or not Zuffa will sell the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
  
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• TUF 24 Coaches Joseph Benavidez, Henry Cejudo Discuss Upcoming Season

  12-05-2016 18:05
  
  Joseph Benavidez and Henry Cejudo appeared together on "UFC Tonight" Wednesday to discuss their upcoming fight and coaching assignments on The Ultimate Fighter 24.The two meet in December and will coach 16 flyweights that are after a shot at UFC champion Demetrious Johnson.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsPgGOTd4_g[/embed]
  
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• Frank Mir Admits “B” Sample Also Positive For Banned Substance

  12-05-2016 18:01
  
  Former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir fought his positive drug test to the limits of the law.Now, Mir awaits his punishment.Mir admitted during his "Phone Booth Fighting" podcast that his "B" test sample also came back positive for oral turinabol metabolites. The failed tests came after his March loss to Mark Hunt."I went through the process just to see if maybe something happened with testing procedure," Mir said (thanks to MMAFighting.com for the quotes). "But they re-tested the ‘B'
  
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• Ben Rothwell wonders if gamesmanship from Brazilian fans will hurt Stipe Miocic at UFC 198

  12-05-2016 18:00
  
  Ben Rothwell may be further from the UFC title picture than he would like, but "Big Ben" will be still watching UFC 198 with a keen eye this Saturday.
  Rothwell hopes to fight the loser of the heavyweight title clash between UFC champion Fabricio Werdum and Stipe Miocic, which takes place at the 45,000-seat soccer stadium Arena da Baixada in Curitiba, Brazil. On Monday, Rothwell said that while he is "rooting" for Miocic to pull the upset, he worries how fighting in enemy territory will affect hi
  
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• Video: Work Continuing On UFC 198’s “Stadium Show” Saturday Night

  12-05-2016 17:51
  
  UFC executive Reed Harris provided us with a nice panoramic video of the current progress going into making the Brazilian soccer stadium UFC-ready for Saturday night.UFC 198 is expected to host 45,000 fans, as Fabricio Werdum defends his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic.[embed]https://twitter.com/reedharrisufc/status/730783969340358656[/embed]
  
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• “Inside The Octagon” Previews UFC 198’s Co-Main Event

  12-05-2016 17:47
  
  John Gooden and Dan Hardy are back with another installment of "Inside the Octagon" for UFC 198.This time, it's the co-main event between Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza and Vitor Belfort that is getting the breakdown treatment.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ns0VO1qIM7s[/embed]
  
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• Wanderlei Silva Could Need Shoulder Surgery After Bicycle Accident

  12-05-2016 17:45 via sherdog.com
  
  Bellator MMA signee Wanderlei Silva was recently injured when he was hit by a car while riding his bicycle home from a workout.
  
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• Vitor Belfort Views Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza As “Toughest In The Division”

  12-05-2016 17:45
  
  Despite plenty being on the line this Saturday night at UFC 198 between Vitor Belfort and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, the former UFC champion isn't looking to add any fuel to the fire.Instead, Belfort was only complimentary of Souza during an interview with MMAjunkie following open workouts in Brazil recently.“I’ve always had a good relationship with him," Belfort said. "Our rivalry is healthy, we were never disrespectful towards each other. He’s a great fighter – a compatrio
  
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• Joseph Benavidez Excited For Opportunity To Fight Henry Cejudo

  12-05-2016 17:40
  
  Joseph Benavidez and Henry Cejudo were announced Wednesday night as the next coaches for The Ultimate Fighter, as the two will lead 16 flyweights over several weeks of the program.Benavidez and Cejudo will meet in December to culminate the series in the co-main event of The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale, as Demetrious Johnson defends his title against the tourney winner.For Benavidez (24-4), the chance moves him one step closer to a third shot at the belt. He has won five straight since a 2013 knoc
  
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• Dana White Expects “20,000” At UFC 198 Weigh-Ins In Brazil

  12-05-2016 17:36
  
  The UFC has made it a priority to bring top-notch cards to foreign countries over the past several years.Brazil has always been at the forefront of that movement.It all culminates this Saturday night at UFC 198, as 45,000 fans are expected for the event inside a Brazilian soccer stadium. Fabricio Werdum defends his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in the main event, while Brazilians Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza and Vitor Belfort collide in the co-main event."We always dreamed of stadium shows,"
  
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• Stipe Miocic Fighting Not Only For Himself, But For Cleveland

  12-05-2016 17:32
  
  Sports in Cleveland have been on the wrong side of some of the biggest stories in history.Stipe Miocic hopes this weekend that he can travel to Brazil, claim the UFC heavyweight title at UFC 198 and bring it back to his current home to celebrate.Miocic takes on Fabricio Werdum for the belt on pay-per-view this Saturday night."It'd mean everything," said Miocic, of winning the belt, during an interview on UFC Tonight. "We need it. We've been so close, but we've never gotten it."Miocic was born in
  
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• Fabricio Werdum Has “Big Surprise” In Store For Stipe Miocic At UFC 198

  12-05-2016 17:27
  
  UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum is known for his incredible ground skills, including submissions of some of the top heavyweights in MMA history.Saturday night at UFC 198, though, Werdum wants to give the world something to remember when he meets Stipe Miocic.Werdum was asked about taking Miocic down during a recent interview on "UFC Tonight" to help promote the fight.“Yes, my Muay Thai. He’s waiting," Werdum said. "I’ve got a big surprise. Not just takedown him. Just f
  
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• ‘King Mo’ Thinks He Might Have to Chase Phil Davis in Bellator 154 Headliner

  12-05-2016 17:22 via sherdog.com
  
  On a personal level, Muhammed Lawal doesn’t have any real animosity toward Phil Davis.
  
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• Vitor Belfort calls ‘Jacare’ Souza toughest middleweight in the UFC

  12-05-2016 17:00
  
  CURITIBA, Brazil -- Coming off a devastating knockout over Dan Henderson, Vitor Belfort returns to action Saturday against Ronaldo Souza, and he sees the jiu-jitsu expert as the toughest fighter in the middleweight division.
  Belfort, who holds a knockout win over current middleweight champion Luke Rockhold, believes that "Jacare" is a tougher match-up for him at UFC 198.
  "I have my eyes on ‘Jacare’ only. I’m only thinking about him," Belfort told the media when asked about aski
  
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• Fabricio Werdum open to trilogy fight with Alistair Overeem

  12-05-2016 15:00
  
  CURITIBA, Brazil – Alistair Overeem finished Andrei Arlovski last Sunday in Rotterdam, and could be next in line for a shot at the UFC heavyweight championship.
  Fabricio Werdum, who defends the belt at Saturday’s UFC 198 event in Curitiba, Brazil, against Stipe Miocic, congratulates Overeem for his impressive finish in the Netherlands.
  "I thought it was a good win," Werdum told the media in Curitiba. "Overeem is really smart when he’s fighting, had the patience to wait for the
  
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• Former Champion Jose Aldo Foresees Difficult Challenges for Fellow Brazilians at UFC 198

  12-05-2016 14:05 via sherdog.com
  
  Former Ultimate Fighting Championship featherweight titleholder Jose Aldo does not like to watch events that lack Nova Uniao fighters. However, he admitted he will make an exception for UFC 198 on May 14 in Curitiba, Brazil.
  
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• Morning Report: Phil Davis says Liam McGeary is 'trembling in fear' at the thought of having to fight him

  12-05-2016 14:00
  
  Bellator Light Heavyweight Grand Prix champion Phil Davis says current Bellator champion Liam McGeary is afraid of fighting him. Phil Davis thinks he has Liam McGeary shook.
  Last September at Bellator 142 - Dynamite, Davis won the one night, four-man Bellator light heavyweight Grand Prix, submitting former Bellator light heavyweight champion Emanuel Newton and knocking out former UFC middleweight Francis Carmont. The tournament win set Davis up for a shot at reigning 205-pound champion McGeary.
  
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• The Downes Side: UFC 198 Predictions

  12-05-2016 07:00 via ufc.com
  
  That’s right boys and girls, it’s time for another Brazilian edition of the Downes Side. This weekend the Octagon sets down in Curitiba, Brazil for UFC 198. Live from Arena da Baixada, Fabrico Werdum defends his heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic. In the co-main event of the night, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza and Vitor Belfort fight for positioning in the middleweight title picture. DEMIAN MAIA VS. MATT BROWN We start in the welterweight division with Demian Maia and Matt
  
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• Stipe Miocic is in the fight game to win title

  12-05-2016 07:00 via ufc.com
  
  Stipe Miocic is correcting people. It isn't if he wins the UFC heavyweight championship belt, but when he wins the coveted strap. Miocic, who was an NCAA Division I athlete in two sports - baseball and wrestling - at Cleveland State University, talks with passion about wanting to bring the UFC title to his home city.RELATED CONTENT: Free Fight - Miocic vs Shane Del Rosario | Joe Rogan previews Werdum vs Miocic | UFC 198 Open Workout highlightsAnd when questioning what accomplishin
  
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• Rolling Stone: Toughest woman in world arrives

  12-05-2016 07:00 via ufc.com
  
  Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate and Holly Holm are the most recognizable names in women's MMA. But Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino might be the most dominant, and she plans to prove it yet again on Saturday at UFC 198. Simply put: Justino is an utter destroyer. Unbeaten over her past 16 contests, she hasn't lost since her professional debut in May 2005, and of her 15 career wins, Justino has put away 13 opponents by knockout, eight in the first round and five in less than one minute.Yet the platf
  
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• On FIGHT PASS: "Time bomb" must deliver

  12-05-2016 07:00 via ufc.com
  
  Perhaps the most hyped debut in the four-year history of GLORY kickboxing takes place May 13 as Tiffany van Soest opens up the UFC FIGHT PASS live stream of the GLORY SuperFight Series 30 event from Los Angeles.Much like with Gina Carano in Strikeforce and, later, Ronda Rousey in the UFC, Van Soest has been the final catalyst for GLORY to launch a female division and, later this year, a female 125lbs world title. The Californian striker is a multiple-time world champion in Muay Thai boxing but w
  
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• Maia puts title chase on hold to focus on Brown

  12-05-2016 07:00 via ufc.com
  
  Just because someone has a reputation for being the quiet sort, that doesn’t mean he can’t make some noise sometimes. And when that happens, it usually speaks louder than anything else in the room.At least that was the case in December, when welterweight contender Demian Maia followed up an impressive win over Gunnar Nelson with an even more impressive post-fight interview in which he made his thoughts known about the current 170-pound rankings and his worthiness for a title fight. S
  
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• 'Little Nog' going for KO after tough last loss

  12-05-2016 07:00 via ufc.com
  
  In so many ways, UFC 198 is a celebration of Brazilian MMA. For starters, this will be the largest event the UFC has hosted in the country. There is incredible homegrown talent representing nearly every weight class on this stacked card. The main event features a Brazilian heavyweight champion, with a litany of former champions, challengers and possible title contenders all throughout the matchups. But no Brazilian MMA party would be complete without a Nogueira present. //
  Of course, former
  
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• Font used to playing bad guy in opponent's hometown

  12-05-2016 07:00 via ufc.com
  
  Rob Font may have been fighting in his home state of Massachusetts when he faced Andre Soukhamthath in April of 2011, but you wouldn’t have guessed it by the amount of people that showed up to cheer on his Rhode Island-based opponent in their amateur bout at the Holiday Inn Grand Ballroom in Mansfield.“He had a huge following and the kid would sell a ridiculous amount of tickets,” Font said of Soukhamthath. “I was the underdog and I wasn’t even supposed to be in thi
  
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• EA Sports UFC 2 launches live event competition

  12-05-2016 07:00 via ufc.com
  
  REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) today announced the launch of Live Event Competitions, a brand new competitive experience in EA SPORTS™ UFC® 2 Live Events mode. Starting on Saturday, May 14, fans around the world can play the qualifiers in the Live Event Competition to compete for a chance to earn Ultimate Team rewards and a trip to the live finals coinciding with the UFC Fan Expo®, part of the 5th Annual UFC International Fight Week™, and UFC&r
  
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• Belfort living the dream decades into career

  12-05-2016 07:00 via ufc.com
  
  On the night Vitor Belfort first crossed the threshold into the Octagon, Toni Braxton’s “Un-Break My Heart” was closing out its lengthy run atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart, replaced a couple weeks later by a little bit of bubble gum pop by some newcomers from England going on about Girl Power. //
  Almost 20 years later, Braxton is still making music, but has faded from the spotlight, while the Spice Girls blew up, broke up, got back together and then called it quits for go
  
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• Frank Mir reveals 'B' sample in USADA drug test came back positive

  12-05-2016 04:41
  
  Frank Mir may be running out of options.
  The former UFC heavyweight is presently caught in limbo after testing positive in an in-competition drug test conducted by USADA in March. On Friday, Mir revealed that the results of his ‘B' sample were tested as well, and they too came back positive.
  "I went through the process just to see if maybe something happened with testing procedure," Mir said on his Phone Booth Fighting podcast. "But they re-tested the ‘B' sample and it came
  
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• Joseph Benavidez, Henry Cejudo to Serve as Coaches on ‘The Ultimate Fighter 24’

  12-05-2016 04:33 via sherdog.com
  
  After a brief hiccup, Season 24 of “The Ultimate Fighter” is once again on track to anoint the next No. 1 contender in the flyweight division.
  
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• UFC 198 Embedded, Episode 3: 'I want to get acai and a Brazilian wax'

  12-05-2016 03:10
  
  In the latest episode of UFC 198 Embedded, Cris Cyborg spends Mother's Day with her family, Fabricio Werdum eats at a friend's house, Leslie Smith gets some acai, and more.
  
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• Third Installment Of UFC 198 “Embedded” Shows Softer Side Of Cris Cyborg

  12-05-2016 03:01
  
  In the third episode of UFC 198 "Embedded," we catch up on Mother's Day activities for Cris "Cyborg" Justino ahead of her Octagon debut.Justino meets Leslie Smith this Saturday night from Brazil.Also, Corey Anderson and Vitor Belfort arrive in the country to begin work on their respective fights vs. Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtCIS6hLSwI&feature=youtu.be[/embed]
  
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• Paige VanZant Promises To Return To Fighting “Stronger Then Ever”

  12-05-2016 02:58
  
  Paige VanZant is currently working her way to claiming a title away from MMA.VanZant is in the final five on "Dancing with the Stars."And while many believe she might never compete again inside the Octagon, VanZant posted on Twitter Wednesday that is not true.[embed]https://twitter.com/PaigeVanzantUFC/status/730562310863888384[/embed]
  
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• UFC 198 open workout highlights

  12-05-2016 02:55
  
  CURITIBA, Brazil -- At UFC 198 open workouts, some of the UFC's top stars at UFC 198 put on a show in front of the fans Wednesday afternoon.
  
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• Report: Wanderlei Silva Injured Riding Bike Home

  12-05-2016 02:50
  
  [embed]https://twitter.com/wandfc/status/730532948424826880[/embed]Wanderlei Silva's official Twitter account posted Wednesday that the fighter was injured while riding home on his bike when he was struck by a vehicle.The post, which linked to his Facebook page with more detail, was removed shortly after.Silva signed with Rizin FF and Bellator MMA after being released from his contract with the UFC. He is currently suspended by the Nevada Athletic Commission for refusing to take a drug test.
  
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• Cole Miller Will Face BJ Penn At UFC 199

  12-05-2016 02:45
  
  Just a day after Dennis Siver bowed out of a planned UFC 199 meeting with BJ Penn, the former UFC champion has a new opponent.Cole Miller will replace Siver and meet Penn next month from The Forum in California.
  The fight announcement was made official on "UFC Tonight" Wednesday.Miller (21-9) is coming off a December no-contest with Jim Alers and is winless since a 2014 victory over Sam Sicilia. He is 4-4 with the no-contest over his last nine fights.Penn (16-10-2) announced plans to return earl
  
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• Joseph Benavidez, Henry Cejudo Tabbed As TUF 24 Coaches

  12-05-2016 02:42
  
  Former UFC flyweight title contenders Joseph Benavidez and Henry Cejudo will lead a cast of 125-pound fighters as coaches on The Ultimate Fighter 24.The announcement was made during Wednesday night's episode of "UFC Tonight."Benavidez and Cejudo, who have both fought - and lost - to current champion Demetrious Johnson, will coach 16 flyweights from several organizations around the world. The winner will receive a title fight at The Ultimate Fighter Finale in December vs. Johnson.For their effort
  
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• Cole Miller Steps in to Face B.J. Penn at UFC 199 in Los Angeles

  12-05-2016 02:42 via sherdog.com
  
  Cole Miller will replace the injured Dennis Siver and face B.J. Penn at UFC 199.
  
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• Joseph Benavidez, Henry Cejudo to coach on The Ultimate Fighter 24, fight in December

  12-05-2016 02:40
  
  It's going to be an all-flyweight version of The Ultimate Fighter.
  Joseph Benavidez and Henry Cejudo will coach against one another on the 24th season of the show, which begins filming this summer and will air in the fall on FOX Sports 1, it was announced Wednesday on UFC Tonight. Then, the two flyweight contenders will meet in December in the co-main event of The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale in Las Vegas.
  Benavidez and Cejudo will coach teams of 125-pounders, who will battle it out in a 16-man to
  
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• UFC 198 Open Workout Highlights Featuring Werdum, Cyborg, More

  12-05-2016 02:36
  
  Lost in some of the talk this week is the fact that a great UFC 198 event is set for this Saturday night from Brazil.The fighters set to compete took part in open workouts Wednesday, and you can see highlights from the event in the video below:[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WizRLLuPvRo[/embed]
  
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• BJ Penn vs. Cole Miller in the works for UFC 199

  12-05-2016 01:55
  
  BJ Penn has found his new opponent.
  A day after news broke that Dennis Siver, Penn's original opponent at UFC 199, withdrew from the fight, the UFC is now targeting a featherweight bout between Penn and Cole Miller, MMA Fighting has learned.
  Miller (21-9, 1 NC) is coming off a no contest against Jim Alers in December after Alers accidentally poked Miller in the eye in the second round of their UFC on FOX 17 fight. Miller's last win was a Jan. 2014 submission against Sam Sicilia. Coincidentally,
  
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• Anderson Silva Facing 4-6 Week Recovery Period Following Gall Bladder Surgery

  12-05-2016 01:49 via sherdog.com
  
  Anderson Silva will be out for at least a month following the gall bladder surgery that forced him to withdraw from UFC 198.
  
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