MMA Information has you coated with this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin, that includes fights for prime 15 bantamweight Ricky Simón and TUF 31 winner Brad Katona.
With UFC playing cards being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work lower out in the event that they’re to fill them, which means new bouts are confirmed each week.
In current days, only one big-name battle was reported, with featherweight contender Arnold Allen slated to return for the primary time since his loss to Max Holloway earlier this 12 months. At UFC 297 in January, which is predicted to happen in Toronto, Canada, “Almighty” will look to bounce again by handing Movsar Evloev his first skilled defeat.
It was a busy week general for battle bulletins, although, with quite a lot of lower-profile matchups coming collectively. For a few of these, try this week’s fast hits:
Kauê Fernandes vs. Marc Diakiese – UFC São Paulo (November 4)Kyung Ho Kang vs. John Castañeda – UFC 295 (November 11)Jesse Butler vs. Jeka Saragih – UFC Vegas 82 (November 18)Wellington Turman vs. Jared Gooden – UFC Austin (December 2)Steve Garcia Jr. vs. Melquizael Costa – UFC Austin (December 2)Yana Santos vs. Norma Dumont – UFC Vegas 83 (January 13)Preston Parsons vs. Bassil Hafez – UFC Vegas 83 (January 13)Marcus McGhee vs. Gastón Bolaños – UFC Vegas 83 (January 13)
But it surely wasn’t all optimistic, with some fights falling via or being adjusted in current days. For these failed pairings and any confirmed replacements, see the listing beneath:
Marc-André Barriault (OUT, Andre Petroski IN) vs. Michel Pereira – UFC Vegas 81 (October 14)Montel Jackson (OUT, Alatengheili IN) vs. Chris Gutiérrez – UFC Vegas 81 (October 14)Nassourdine Imavov (OUT, Warlley Alves IN) vs. Ikram Aliskerov – UFC 294 (October 21)Daniel Santos (OUT) vs. Daniel Marcos – UFC São Paulo (November 4)
And for extra detailed info on two notable fights that will have flown below your radar between October 2 and October 8, scroll down and take a look at this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin.
Ricky Simón vs. Mario Bautista – UFC Vegas 83 (January 13)
Ranked bantamweight Ricky Simón will look to kick off subsequent 12 months in type when he returns at 2024’s very first UFC occasion on January 13.
Simón (20-4) entered this 12 months using a powerful five-fight win streak. The ultimate two wins on that run over Raphael Assunção and Jack Shore noticed the 31-year-old Oregon native climb inside the highest 10 at 135 kilos. However in his fundamental occasion debut this previous April, he fell in need of title rivalry by the hands of Track Yadong.
Having slipped to #12 on the ladder, Simón will subsequent battle down the pecking order towards the damaging Mario Bautista (13-2). The previous LFA fighter has risen to prominence since going 2-2 in his first 4 UFC outings. At UFC 292 in August, he prolonged a powerful streak of victories to 5 by outpointing Da’Mon Blackshear. Having missed out on a booked battle towards Cody Garbrandt, Bautista will hope to profit from the chance on January 13.
This bantamweight battle was introduced by Bautista’s administration group, Iridium Sports activities Company.
🚨 #TeamIridium Information 🚨Our man @Bautista_mma goes for his sixth straight @ufc victory vs. Ricky Simon on Jan. 13 ✍🏽 #TheDarkside pic.twitter.com/3ZydhNnPUN
— IridiumSportsAgency (@TeamIridiumISA) October 8, 2023
Brad Katona vs. Garrett Armfield – UFC 297 (January 20)
The Final Fighter 31 bantamweight match winner Brad Katona will make the stroll for the primary time since his triumph on the present at UFC 297 early subsequent 12 months.
Katona (13-2) grew to become the primary two-time TUF winner in historical past at UFC 292 this previous August, the place he outpointed Cory Gibson in a memorable Battle of the Evening struggle. Having beforehand gone unbeaten en path to title success below the Courageous CF banner, Katona’s victory in Boston marked his fifth straight since departing the UFC on the again of a two-fight skid in 2020.
Trying to spoil the Canadian’s return to the Octagon might be Garrett Armfield (9-3). The 26-year-old American had a tough begin to life on MMA’s largest stage, struggling a submission loss to David Onama on debut final July. However at UFC Singapore a number of weeks again, Armfield bounced again in type by knocking out Toshiomo Kazama inside one spherical.
This bantamweight bout was first reported by Eurosport Nederland’s Marcel Dorff.
🚨🚨🇨🇦TORONTO🇨🇦🚨🚨TUF 27 & TUF 31 winner Brad Katona takes on Garrett Armfield at #UFC297 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (January twentieth) pic.twitter.com/KGRAfsxmIv
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) October 6, 2023
