A potential UFC women's strawweight title eliminator bout is official. Former champion Carla Esparza will meet contender Xionan Yan at UFC Vegas 26 — Fightful has you covered on every recent fight announcement from around the world of MMA.
Carla Esparza vs. Xionan Yan Set For UFC Vegas 26
Former UFC women's strawweight champion Carla Esparza may be just one win away from getting back into the the title picture when she meets Xionan Yan at UFC Vegas 26.
Esparza (17-6) is currently riding a four-fight win streak with wins over Marina Rodriguez, Michelle Waterson, Alexa Grasso and Virna Jandiroba.
Xionan (13-1) hasn't lost a bout since September 2010 and is in the midst of a 12-fight unbeaten streak, including holding an unblemished 6-0 record under the UFC banner, most notably beating Claudia Gadelha and Karolina Kowalkiewicz.
MMA DNA was first to report the pairing.
Dustin Poirier Open To Nate Diaz Welterweight Bout
Dustin Poirier seemingly has the world in his hands following his knockout of Conor McGregor at UFC 257.
The Louisiana-native is interested in a fight that he was scheduled to have, but never did. Poirier was set to face Nate Diaz at UFC 230 but the fight fell out for undisclosed reasons but the "Diamond" is interested in a future bout with the fan-favorite Diaz, even at 170-pounds.
“I think before I’m done fighting I’m going to fight 170,” Poirier said when appearing on "The Joe Rogan Experience".
“I’ll go up to 170 and fight Nate. For sure. I do (think that fight is interesting)," Poirier told Rogan.
“(I want to fight him) because of the way it fell apart,” Poirier said. “Me and him were supposed to fight in Madison Square Garden, and I kind of was the fall guy. He gets to point and say I pulled out of the fight, and I did. I went to get stem cells done on my hip, but I was going to go through with the fight. I was going to go through a camp and fight him and then they started offering me other replacement opponents. Nate was playing games with the UFC, the UFC started offering me opponents, and I said, ‘Look, guys, if this is happening, I’m just going to go get my hip taken care of.”
James Gallagher vs. Patchy Mix Targeted For Bellator 258
A huge showdown in Bellator's bantamweight division is being targeted for Bellator 258 when top prospect James Gallagher meets fellow top prospect Patchy Mix.
Gallagher (11-1) comes into the most important fight of his career riding a four-fight win streak following his first professional loss of his career in Aug. 2018.
Mix (13-1) enters the fight hoping to bounce back following the first loss of his career, when he was on the wrong side of a unanimous decision against Juan Archuleta in vacant Bellator bantamweight title fight, last September.
MMA DNA was first to break the news.
Karl Roberson vs. Brendan Allen Added To UFC 261
According to MMA Junkie, a middleweight showdown between Karl Roberson and Brendan Allen is set for UFC 261.
Roberson (9-3) is looking to bounce back following his two-fight win streak being snapped when he was submitted by Marvin Vettori at UFC Vegas 2.
Allen (15-4) is also looking to avoid a back-to-back losing skid. The 25-year old saw his 12-fight win streak come to an end when he was TKO'd by Sean Strickland at UFC Vegas 14.
Agy Sardari vs. Mehdi Ben Lakhdhar Lightweight Title Bout Set For Cage Warriors 121
Cage Warriors lightweight champion Agy Sardari is set to defend his title against the undefeated Mehdi Ben Lakhdhar at Cage Warriors 121.
The promotion officially announced the bout, which will headline their event on March 19.
Sardari (13-2) won promotional debut which was for the vacant title this past December, where he took lightweight gold after winning a split-decision over Jack Grant.
Lakhdhar (5-0-1) holds a 3-0-1 promotional record and TKO'd Stevie McIntosh this past December to earn a title shot. Lakhdhar is teammates with UFC heavyweight contender's Francis Ngannou and Cyril Gane.
Tyrell Fortune vs. Matt Mitrione Set For Bellator 258
A heavyweight clash is set for Bellator 258 when Tyrell Fortune meets former UFC contender Matt Mitrione, the promotion announced.
Fortune (9-1) successfully bounced back from back-to-back losses (his loss to Jack May was turned to a no-contest) following an 8-0 start to his professional career, when took a unanimous decision from Said Sowma, this past November.
Mitrione (13-8) looks to get back into winning form after losing his last four bouts, last winning in February 2018 when he beat Roy Nelson via unanimous decision.
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