Cyborg vs. Holm is set for UFC 219
The fight that was declared “dead” last week is now going to happen. Holly Holm has agreed to challenge Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino for the UFC women’s featherweight title. The fight will be the main event of UFC 219 on December 30 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Cyborg won the vacant featherweight title by defeating Tonya Evinger at UFC 214 via TKO. The thirty-two year old Brazilian hasn’t lost a fight since 2005 and is widely considered the best women’s MMA fighter in the world. In eighteen career wins, sixteen are by KO/TKO to go along with two wins by decision.
Holly Holm will get her second opportunity to become the UFC featherweight champion. She dropped a decision to Germaine de Randamie for the inaugural featherweight title at UFC 208. Holm got back in the win column by finishing Bethe Correia via headkick in the third round at UFC Fight Night 111. In Holly’s eleven career wins eight are by KO/TKO to go along with three by decision.
The co-main event on the card is Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Edson Barboza. UFC 219 will also feature the return of Carlos Condit where he faces Neil Magny.
Werdum charged with common assault
Fabricio Werdum faces common assault charges stemming from an altercation with fellow UFC fighter Colby Covington. Werdum was caught on video throwing a boomerang and hitting Covington in the neck by UFC fighter Dan Hooker. The former UFC heavyweight champion was issued a Field Court Attendance Notice for common assault and will appear in court on December 13.
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Ludwig on Dillashaw fighting DJ
TJ Dillashaw has made no secrets about wanting to fight Demetrious Johnson and he’s also made it clear he wants the fight at 125 lbs. Dillashaw’s coach, Duane Ludwig was on the MMA HOUR and talked about the possible match-up.
“We were en route to fight Demetrious at one point and the direction he was taking with his strength and conditioning coach, T.J. was looking phenomenal on the mitts and the sparring and the training and he looked good, his spirits were good. So obviously we didn’t make 125 and fight and compete, but when were were en route of that, nothing really changed. T.J.’s not a big ‘35er, so he can make ‘25. It’s not going to be easy, but he’s the most dedicated person that I’ve ever seen. He really is.
“I think it needs to happen. Demetrious, he’s fighting the top guys – this works out because (Joseph) Benavidez is out right now, he’s still having to wait a couple of months with his knee surgery, so it works out time-wise, so in my eyes I would like to see T.J. drop down, fight Demetrious, and then go back to ‘35.
“There are some areas that we could capitalize on, that’s for sure. But I’m not going to necessarily say that he’s weak in any one area, because he’s really not,” Ludwig said. “He’s great everywhere. This is a tough challenge, but T.J. could beat him. I just think he’s on another level like T.J’s on another level, they’re both on another level compared to the people in their weight class, he just really is.”
Rich Franklin will host new reality show
Rich Franklin is set to host ONE Championship’s new reality show, Rich Franklin’s ONE Warrior Series. The show will feature Franklin as he searches Asia for new MMA superstars with the winner receiving a contract worth more $100,000 and an opportunity to fight for ONE Championship.
“Asia is the hotbed of the industry’s top martial arts prospects. It comes as no surprise, since martial arts has been home to the region for the past 5,000 years.
“Throughout my time in ONE Championship, I have been witness to some of the best martial arts talent I have ever seen. Stars today such as Angela Lee and Eduard Folayang came from the grassroots level of talent in Asia, and the next martial arts superstar is just waiting to be discovered.
“Follow me on this journey to showcase Asia’s greatest cultural treasure, and join me on the hunt to find ONE Championship’s new wave of superstars.”
MMA News Notebook
Rashad Evan’s next fight will be at light heavyweight.
It is estimated that UFC 217 did 875,000 PPV buys in North America.
Fight Announcements
Irene Aldana vs. Talita Bernardo is set for UFC Fight Night 124
Michael Chandler vs. Goiti Yamauchi is set for Bellator 192
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