Woodley vs. St Pierre…at 185?
When Michael Bisping and Georges St. Pierre finally fight at UFC 217, one man will be watching very closely. Tyron Woodley is the welterweight champion, but he has his eyes on the middleweight title fight, and the eventual winner. Woodley has stated that he would like to face the winner of the upcoming fight, but that he doesn’t have any actual plans of staying at 185.
Cole’s Analysis: While it would certainly be interesting to see him fight either man, I can’t imagine that the UFC ever books this fight. Woodley doesn’t seem to get any favors, and all this fight would do is jam up two divisions. Still though, Woodley is just doing what he can to get a big fight and for that he can’t be faulted.
Ben Askren set to return
Top Welterweight fighter Ben Askren is set to return to action for the second time in 2017, a first for the unbeaten fighter in quite some time. Askren, considered the top welterweight outside of the UFC, has fought just once in each of the last two years. Per the usual he will be facing a relatively unknown opponent in Zebaztian Kadestam, who has shown knockout power since debuting in One Championship. The two will lock horns on the upcoming One: Shanghai card which will take place on September 2.
Cole’s Analysis: Kadestam definitely hits hard, but Askren is Askren and until someone can stop his wrestling it’s hard to pick against him. Still though, a fight is a fight and it will be interesting to see if Askren can keep his undefeated record intact.
Andre Berto in the UFC?
Noted boxer Andre Berto wants to fight in the UFC. Berto is notable for his boxing career, and is a former opponent of Floyd Mayweather. Berto has family ties to MMA, and if he is serious he will be the first notable pro boxer to step foot into the UFC without MMA experience since James Toney.
Cole’s Analysis: It’s unclear if this is something that could actually happen but with the recent signing of Gokhan Saki I would say that anything is possible.
Fight Announcements
Marlon Moraes vs. John Dodson announced for UFC: Norfolk
Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Gabriel Oliveria announced for Rizin FF Event
NOW CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS NEWS UPDATE: White claims Mayweather-McGregor did 6.5MM buys, McGregor wants third fight against Diaz at 155, Diaz’s coach wants $20-30 MM for McGregor fight
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