UFC Vegas 26 has a new main event in Michelle Waterson v. Marina Rodriguez, Donald Cerrone has a new opponent, and more — here is your fight announcement roundup for Wednesday, May 5.
Michelle Waterson, Marina Rodriguez to main event UFC Vegas 26
After a few days of figuring out plans for this weekend's UFC Vegas 26 event, the UFC officially made a decision. Michelle Waterson and Marina Rodriguez will fight in a five-round affair. The UFC recently confirmed the news on social media.
Waterson, ranked ninth in the UFC's strawweight rankings, last fought in September. She beat Angela Hill via split decision to go 2-2 in her last four fights. Rodriguez, ranked sixth, beat Amanda Ribas via TKO at UFC 257 in January. She is 1-1-1 in her last three fights.
-- #UFCVegas26 UPDATE --
— UFC (@ufc) May 4, 2021
Flyweights take center stage this weekend.
[ ---- @Wmmarz vs ---- @KarateHottieMMA ] pic.twitter.com/8wcoCdBIOJ
Donald Cerrone to face Alex Morono at UFC Vegas 26
While the new main event was announced for UFC Vegas 26, other news broke out regarding the co-main event. Donald Cerrone, who was supposed to face Diego Sanchez before he was let go by the UFC, will face Alex Morono. It will be a three-round affair.
Cerrone has gone 0-4 with one no-contest in his last five fights. His last fight against Niko Price was originally a draw, but it was overturned when Price tested positive for marijuana. Morono is 2-2 in his last four fights. His last bout was a loss to Anthony Pettis in December.
Anytime. Any place. Anywhere. --
— UFC (@ufc) May 4, 2021
-- Welterweights take the co-main slot at #UFCVegas26.
[ ---- @CowboyCerrone vs ---- @AlexMoronoMMA ] pic.twitter.com/0DAZsTE1dy
Contenders Irene Aldana, Yana Kutniskaya set for UFC 264
Two of the top five fighters in the UFC's bantamweight division will look to gain an edge over one another. Per ESPN, Irene Aldana and Yana Kutniskaya will fight at UFC 264 on July 10.
Aldana ranked fourth in the bantamweight rankings, is coming off of a loss against Holly Holm in October. She is 2-2 in her last four fights. Ranked fifth, Kunitskaya is on a two-fight win streak. She last fought in February, beating Ketlen Vieira via unanimous decision.
Hector Lombard-Joe Riggs, Joey Beltran set for BKFC 18
Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship is looking to go all out for its next event. Confirmed by MMA Junkie, Joey Beltran will defend the BKFC heavyweight title against Sam Shewmaker at BKFC 18. The co-main event will see Hector Lombard fight Joe Riggs for the vacant BKFC middleweight title.
Beltran, a former Bellator title contender, is on a four-fight unbeaten streak in BKFC. After drawing with Tony Lopez, he has won three in a row. Beltran last fought in October, beating Marcel Stamps via KO to retain the BKFC heavyweight title. Shewmaker last fought in December, beating Bobo O'Bannon via KO.
Lombard, the former Bellator middleweight champion, won both of his bare knuckle fights in 2020. He last fought in September, beating Kendall Grove via TKO. Riggs last fought in June 2019, fighting Walber Barros to a draw.
Multiple WKN Championship events announced for June through September
It will be a busy few months for the World Kickboxing Network. The following events and fights will be taking place, per Scoop World:
June 5: Karla Benitez (c) v. TBD - WKN international flyweight MMA title. This event will take place in Spain.
June 19: Umberto Lucci v. Lorenzo Panaro - WKN Italian super heavyweight kickboxing title. This event will take place in Italy.
July 10: Villejuif Boxing Show 3 will take place in France
July 24: LNK Fight Night 18 will take place in Latvia
September 12: ProKick: Knockdown Lockdown will take place in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
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