Jorge Masvidal vs. Colby Covington is finally in the works, Eddie Alvarez is expected to return in April — Fightful has all the latest fight announcements in one article.
Masvidal vs. Covington Is In The Planning Phase
Dana White has stated that he has is trying to put together longtime rivals Jorge Masvidal and Colby Covington.
White told The Schmo that the long-time training partners-turned-rivals is in the works for this year, despite misgivings from Masvidal as to the stylistic matchup.
“I don’t think Masvidal said I don’t like that fight stylistically,” White said (h/t MMA Fighting). “We’re working on that fight. It’s the fight we want, too, and hopefully we’ll get that done this year, too. We got nothing but big fights all this year so hopefully we can get a couple of these key ones buttoned up and done and start looking forward to them.”
Masvidal and Covington were both members of American Top Team, and frequent training partners, prior to Covington leaving ATT and burning many bridges.
ONE Championship plans Eddie Alvarez's Return
Former UFC champion Eddie Alvarez will return to fight a former champion in his next fight for ONE Championship, according to a report from MMA Junkie's Nolan King.
Looking to continue to rebound from his shocking debut loss with the Asian promotion, the "Underground King" seems to be set for a matchup against former ONE lightweight champion Iuri Lapicus.
#Tidbit: As One Championship plans the next fight for former #UFC lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez (30-7), the current frontrunner for an opponent is Iuri Lapicus (14-1) on an April 2021 timeline, per sources. pic.twitter.com/yFx817HfCV
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) December 31, 2020
Alvarez will look to end a nearly two-year-long absence after last competing in August 2019, earning a submission victory over Eduard Folayang. Lapicus will be making his return after losing the ONE lightweight title in October vs. Christian Lee.
Ankalaev vs Krylov Booked For February
Magomed Ankalaev and Nikita Krylov are booked in a light heavyweight tilt for February 27, according to reports from ESPN's Brett Okamoto.
Per sources, light heavyweight bout between Nikita Krylov and Magomed Ankalaev has been added to UFC Fight Night on Feb. 27. Fun fight. Ankalaev a potential dark horse in the division. Looking to add to a five-fight win streak.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) December 30, 2020
The Russian Ankalaev returns to the cage after burying his longstanding beef with Ion Cutelaba via knockout in October, and extend his UFC winning streak to 5. On the flipside, the Ukranian Krylov hasn't fought since March, when he scored a decision victory over Brazilian Johnny Walker.
Cage Warriors Champion Mason Jones to Fight Mike Davis at UFC Fight Island 8
Undefeated two-division Cage Warriors champion Mason Jones will make his UFC debut vs Mike Davis on January 20th in Dubai, according to a report from MMA Junkie.
Jones made waves back in September when he claimed the vacant welterweight title, pairing that with his existing lightweight title to become the British promotion's champ-champ. Post-fight the Welshman made an impassioned plea to Dana White to be signed to the UFC.
That is how you shoot your shot! A challenge for the @UFCEurope from the double champ ----
— Cage Warriors (@CageWarriors) September 26, 2020
"Find the biggest, deadliest lightweight monster you can find, and I will dismantle them!" - Mason 'The Dragon' Jones --------------
CC: @danawhite pic.twitter.com/swSGajIhbu
Davis last fought in October, defeating Thomas Gifford and evening his UFC record at 1-1 after a debut loss to welterweight contender Gilbert Burns.
Montana De La Rosa To Fight Mayra Bueno Silva in late February
A women's flyweight bout between Montana De La Rosa, and Mayra Bueno Silva is set for the UFC Fight Night scheduled for February 27.
Montana De La Rosa will fight Mayra Bueno Silva at UFC event on February 27th. (first rep. @MMAFighting) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #WMMA pic.twitter.com/SpYOdFqHBG
— MaRCeL DoRFF -------- (@BigMarcel24) January 1, 2021
De La Rosa was supposed to fight Talia Santos in December at UFC Vegas 16, but it was canceled after one of her cornermen tested positive for COVID-19. De La Rosa is 4-2 in her UFC career after debuting through the Ultimate Fighter in 2017, and was last seen losing a decision to Viviane Araujo in September.
Bueno Silva is 2-1 since debuting with UFC through the Contender Series in 2018, and last fought in Septemer defeating Mara Borella by submission.
The fight card on the 27 is headlined by a light heavyweight contender bout between Jiri Prochazka, Dominick Reyes. The card is still looking for an official destination, but all indications are it will take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Kay Hansen vs. Cheyanne Buys Set For March
Womens strawweight prospect Kay Hansen will look to rebound from the first loss of her career in a bout vs UFC newcomer Cheyanne Buys.
Reports indicate that the pairing of two young 115 lb fighters will tangle on the card scheduled for March 27 that is still looking for a destination but is set to be headlined by a middleweight clash between Derek Bruson and Kevin Holland.
Hansen, 21, who despite her young age, is already 11 fights into her career, and a longtime staple of the Invicta FC promotion. She will be looking to bounce back from her first UFC loss in November vs Cory McKenna. Buys, 25, will be making her UFC debut after winning on the Contender Series in August.
Mike Jackson's Return To The Cage Delayed
MMA Journalist Mike Jackson's return to the UFC cage has been delayed after his fight with Dean Barry has been pushed off the January 20 card, and moved back to either March or April.
Well guys 20 minutes before 2020 ended I got a phone call to say Jackson wont make the fight on January 20th you just cant write this shit. Do not ask me why because I dont know the full ins and outsnd wish him the best.. We are been rescheduled for march/april in America. pic.twitter.com/amzDJieiQO
— Dean Barry ---- (@Deanbarry123) January 1, 2021
This was to be Jackson's return to the cage since he made his UFC debut in 2018 when he soundly defeated CM Punk in Punk's final UFC fight.
Barry will have to wait till further into the spring to make his UFC debut. The Irish native enters the UFC with a 3-1 regional record and fights out of Conor McGregor's Straight Blast Gym.
Su Mudarji To Replace Jeff Molina vs Zarrukh Adashev at UFC Fight Island 8
In a double dose of news, Jeff Molina is out of his flyweight fight vs Zarrukh Adashev at UFC Fight Island 8 in January, but he has been replaced by Tibetan Su Mudarji.
Mudarji will look to extend his UFC winning streak to three, after dropping his first bout in the organization, while Adashev will be looking for his first win under the UFC banner after being knocked out by Tyson Nam in his UFC debut in June.
Jinh Yu Frey vs Gloria de Paula Booked For March
Former Invicta atomweight champion Jinh Yu Frey will continue looking for her first UFC win, when she faces Gloria de Paula in late March, according to reports.
Jinh Yu Frey will fight Gloria de Paula at UFC event on March 13th. (per @GloriadePaula IG) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN pic.twitter.com/dyGpTKlUpQ
— MaRCeL DoRFF -------- (@BigMarcel24) December 30, 2020
The atomweight champion has struggled in her move up to strawweight, and is trying to rebound from a decision loss to Loma Lookboonmee, and a submission loss to Kay Hansen to begin her UFC campaign. Her Brazilian opponent De Paula will be making her debut for the promotion after fighting her way onto the roster via the Contender Series against Pauline Macias in November.
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