Former Heavyweight Champ Josh Barnett Returns To UFC

Former UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett (32-6) has signed a multi-fight deal to return to the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

MMAJunkie.com first reported the news late Tuesday and Barnett later confirmed the report via Twitter. 

"The War Master" first made his Octagon debut in 2000 with a perfect record of 10-0, before stopping Gan McGee, Semmy Schilt and Bobby Hoffman. At just 24-years-old, Barnett went on to stop Randy Couture on strikes to capture the UFC heavyweight title, though was stripped of his belt after testing positive for banned substances. 

Over the next five years, the submission expert would compete exclusively in Japan for the PRIDE FC promotion, scoring notable victories over Alexander Emelianenko, Mark Hunt and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Barnett then signed with Strikeforce in 2011, where he earned back-to-back submission victories over Brett Rogers and Sergei Kharitonov. The 36-year-old came up short on points to unbeaten standout Daniel Cormier in the finals of the Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix Tournament.

In his most recent outing, Barnett submitted Nandor Guelmino under the Strikeforce banner, marking his ninth win in ten outings. 

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Roy Nelson vs. Stipe Miocic Added To Next Month's UFC 161

A heavyweight tilt between fellow sluggers Roy Nelson (19-7) and Stipe Miocic (9-1) has been added to next month's UFC 161 card.

UFC officials confirmed the booking to MMAJunkie.com late Tuesday.

UFC 161 was originally scheduled to feature an interim bantamweight title fight between champion Renan Barao and challenger Eddie Wineland. Barao was forced from the bout earlier this week due to a foot injury, so a pivotal light heavyweight clash between Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson will now serve as the main event.

UFC 161 takes place on June 15 at Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada's MTS Centre and airs live on pay-per-view.

Nelson is currently riding a three-fight win streak — all by way of first-round knockout. After quick stoppages of Dave Herman and Matt Mitrione, the former IFL heavyweight champion went on to viciously knock out Cheick Kongo at last month's UFC 159.

Miocic, meanwhile, recently tasted defeat for the first time in his career after being stopped on strikes at the hands of Stefan Struve. Prior to the loss, the 30-year-old striker was on a nine-fight win streak, including victories over Joey Beltran, Phil De Fries and Shane del Rosario. 

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With Renan Barao Injured, Rashad Evans vs. Dan Henderson Will Now Headline UFC 161

As previously reported, UFC interim bantamweight champion Renan Barao has suffered a foot injury that has forced him out of next month's UFC 161.

Barao was slated to defend his title against Eddie Wineland in the evening's main event. With the title bout scratched, a light heavyweight showdown between division standouts Rashad Evans and Dan Henderson will now serve as the UFC 161 headliner.

UFC officials confirmed the news on Tuesday.

UFC 161 takes place on June 15 at Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada's MTS Centre and airs live on pay-per-view. The summer event also features a pivotal 205-pound rematch between Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.

Evans (17-3-1) will look to get back on the winning track after suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time in his career. The 33-year-old had a four-fight win streak snapped after coming up short in a title bid to rival Jon Jones last year, and was later outpointed by Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at February's UFC 156.

Henderson (29-9) too will look to get back to his winning ways after coming up short on points to Lyoto Machida in February. Prior to the defeat, the former PRIDE and Strikeforce champion notched notable victories over the likes of Renato Sobral, Rafael Cavalcante, Fedor Emelianenko and Mauricio Rua. 

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CFA 11's Allanna Jones Talks Fallon Fox Fight: 'I'm Not Afraid To Fight Fox'

When Allanna Jones steps into the cage with Fallon Fox this Friday, she'll be the first to do so since Fox controversially revealed that she was previously a man. 

After racking up a 2-0 record as a professional — both wins by way of first-round stoppage — Fox (2-0) revealed to SportsIllustrated.com in March that she had undergone gender reassignment in 2006. 

The news came only three days after Fox viciously knocked out Ericka Newsome with a knee just 39-seconds into their featherweight affair. With the victory, Fox advanced to the semifinals of the Championship Fighting Alliance women's featherweight tournament, which will ultimately crown the promotion's inaugural 145-pound champion.

Across the cage from Fox will be Michigan native Allanna Jones (2-1), who punched her ticket to the tourney semifinals after outpointing Kelsey De Santis at CFA 10 in March. 

Despite what Jones sees as a physical disadvantage, the 26-year-old is none too concerned. 

"I know for sure she's going to be stronger than any girl," Jones told CageReligion.com leading up to Friday's bout. "Technically she was a man, and I believe she's still going to have the strength. I'm already aware of that.

I'm not afraid to fight Fox. I'm not a person who's going to back out of any fight no matter the situation, even when I don't agree with it."

The pair were originally slated to square off on April 20th, however, due to Fox's licensing issues, the event in its entirety was postponed. 

Jones and Fox will now meet in the co-main event of Friday's CFA 11 card, live from the BankUnited Center in Coral Gables, Florida. The event — which is headlined by a heavyweight clash between Valentijn Overeem and Travis Wiuff — will mark the first of a multi-event deal to broadcast live on AXS TV. 

The other side of the women's tournament bracket will eventually pit Ashlee Evans-Smith against Peggy Morgan.

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New EA Trailer Features First Glimpse At 'EA Sports UFC' XBOX One Game

While details still remain close to the vest, EA Sports unveiled a brief glimpse of its upcoming EA Sports UFC video game.

The game's announcement came on Tuesday afternoon during the official launch of Microsoft's new gaming console, XBOX One. The new system is expected to hit shelves later this year to compete with the holiday launch of Sony's Playstation 4.

In conjunction with Tuesday's news, EA Sports released a video (found below) of its new IGNITE engine, which features early clips of the EA Sports UFC game.

Late last year, EA Sports announced that it had signed an exclusive multi-year-, multi-product partnership with the UFC. The UFC video game license was previously held by THQ, which saw the release of three popular titles in the UFC Undisputed franchise, though the company has since been hit by financial plague.

“We’re thrilled to begin a long-term partnership that will bring fans incredibly authentic, and deeply connected, UFC video games,” said Andrew Wilson, EVP and Head of EA SPORTS. “UFC has become a global powerhouse because they have the world’s best fighters, competing in the world’s best mixed martial arts events. We share UFC’s passion for the sport, and we look forward to capturing all of the intensity and excitement of the action with unique new game experiences across a range of platforms.”

“There’s no one better at creating authentic sports video games than EA SPORTS, and we’re excited to have a partner who shares our vision of deep, connected and multi-platform global game experiences,” said UFC President Dana White.

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July 31 Bellator MMA Event To Feature Askren vs. Koreshekov Title Bout, Lima vs. Saunders

The Summer Series continues for Bellator MMA as the promotion returns to Albuquerque Wednesday, July 31st as the Santa Ana Star Center will play host to reigning Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren defending his title against Andrey Koreshkov live on Spike TV. 

The night will also feature the long awaited conclusion to the Bellator Season 8 Welterweight Tournament Finals as Douglas Lima takes faces Ben Saunders in a rematch, while featherweights collide as Patricio "Pitbull" Freire returns to battle Rob Emerson.

The event has a special early start time and will broadcast live starting at 7:00 p.m. EST on Spike. The preliminary card will be streamed live and free on Spike.com starting at 6:00 p.m. EST. 

Askren comes to Albuquerque sporting a spotless 11-0 record and is regarded as one of the best welterweights in the world. The former US Olympian has continued to impress during his illustrious career with Bellator, and will be looking to add another title defense to his resume with a huge victory on July 31st from the Santa Ana Star Center.

“I’m really looking forward to getting back into that cage and putting on a show,” Askren said. “I feel like I’ve continued to mature and get better in every one of my fights, and July 31st should be no different. I don’t think Andrey has any ability to stop my wrestling and ground attack, so this will be another successful title defense.”

Only 22, Koreshkov had a 2012 to remember as the Russian knockout artist was 5-0 over the year, including a tournament run that featured victories over Jordan Smith, Marius Zaromskis and Lyman Good.

"I'll be 110% ready for this fight,” Koreshkov said. “I'll make sure that Askren's tactics to put everybody in the audience to sleep won't work this time. Instead, I'll keep everybody entertained by putting him to sleep."

After two devastating knockout victories on his way to the Bellator Welterweight Tournament Finals, Douglas Lima is ready to collect his second Tournament Championship with a victory over Ben Saunders July 31st. Originally schedule for March of 2013, Lima suffered a fractured hand that delayed the fight, but is fully healed and ready to capture his $100,000 prize and shot at the Bellator Welterweight Championship.

“It’s an honor to fight a fighter like Ben again,” Lima said. “With the time off I’ve been able to fully heal to 100% and like always, will be looking to finish the fight early.”
For Saunders, the South Florida native is looking to avenge his 2011 Tournament Finals loss to Lima with a signature finish and finally achieve the title shot that has since evaded him.

“Quite simply, it’s about damn time Douglas and I get back into the cage,” Saunders said. “July 31st can’t get here soon enough. Can’t wait.”

The night will also feature the return of featherweight slugger Patrico Freire, as the Brazilian striker will battle California native Rob Emerson. After suffering just the second loss in his career to the hands of reigning Bellator featherweight champion Pat Curran, "Pitbull" is eager to get back to his winning ways.

"I'm very motivated to get back in the cage, and I feel that I still haven't left totally removed myself from my fight with Curran, a lot of me is still in the fight,” Pitbull said. “But it's gone now and I have a tough opponent ahead, I'll be going stronger for this next challenge and doesn't matter how tough my opponents will be I will be stronger than I was! It's great to know I'm back."

“Our first event in Albuquerque was a huge success,” said Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney. “With a Welterweight Title fight, the conclusion of our Welterweight Tournament, and a stacked fight card top to bottom, we’re looking at another huge night of fights July 31st live on Spike.”


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Dana White UFC 160 Video Blog Part 1

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Bellator MMA Officially Announces Matt Riddle Signing, Welterweight Tournament Spot This Fall

With a division already boasting the likes of Ben Askren, Paul Daley, Douglas Lima, Ben Saunders, Andrey Koreshkov and Karl Amoussou, Matt Riddle knows he will be swimming in “Deep Waters” when he enters the Bellator Welterweight Tournament this Fall as Bellator has signed a long-term promotional agreement with the controversial Pennsylvania native.

Riddle joins Bellator coming off four straight victories with the UFC, but was recently released as he failed his post-fight drug test after his victory over Che Mills. Known for his strong wrestling and Jiu-Jitsu background along with a stifling takedown defense, Riddle is ready to challenge himself against the best in the world inside the Bellator cage.

“I had so many options after I left the UFC, but knowing that I was able to compete in a tournament against guys like Paul Daley, Ben Saunders, and Douglas Lima, signing with Bellator was an easy decision,” Riddle said. “This division is just so stacked, and being able to fight in a tournament makes it even better. Bellator is doing a lot of great things right now, and I want to be a part of it.”

Bellator CEO & Chairman Bjorn Rebney understands some of the risks involved with signing Riddle, but after discussions with Riddle, Rebney is confident the 27 year old welterweight is in the right place to impact the welterweight division.

“Matt’s got all the tools to be a force in our welterweight division,” Rebney said. “When I saw Matt get released from the UFC coming off 4 straight wins including his dominant win over Mills in February, we took notice. We both realize that Matt will have a target on his back for his past indiscretions. But having discussed it with him, I’m comfortable that he’s in the right place to enter the Bellator cage this fall in what will be the most loaded Bellator Welterweight Tournament in the promotions history.”

While Riddle isn’t looking too far ahead of himself, it’s clear there are a number of goals he’d like to accomplish on his way to a title shot.

“No questions asked, I want to win the next Bellator Welterweight Tournament, get my shot at the title and take my beautiful wife to the MTV Awards and meet Snoop Dogg,” Riddle remarked. “I’ve seen all the pictures of Bellator guys walking red carpets and it’s something I want to earn and be able to do. What could be better than that?”

Riddle’s journey to a Bellator title shot and future red carpet appearances will begin this fall live on Spike.


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Mark Hunt Receives Visa; Cleared To Face Junior Dos Santos In UFC 160 Co-Headliner

With less than a week until his co-main event clash with Junior dos Santos at UFC 160, heavyweight slugger Mark Hunt dodged a bullet. 

Hunt has been stuck in Australia for the past week unable to travel to the United States due to a visa issue stemming from a prior arrest. With it appearing less and less likely that Hunt would make the event in time, UFC officials began to arrange for Roy Nelson to fill in against dos Santos had the situation not improved at the 11th hour. 

On Sunday, however, Hunt tweeted that he had in fact received his visa.

The resurging Hunt (9-7) is currently riding a four-fight win streak inside the Octagon — three by way of knockout. After besting the likes of Chris Tuchscherer, Ben Rothwell and Cheick Kongo, the 39-year-old went on to viciously stop Stefan Struve on FUEL TV last March.

Dos Santos (15-2), meanwhile, will look to rebound from the second loss of his career after being dominated by Cain Velasquez en route to dropping his UFC heavyweight title. The defeat snapped a ten-fight win streak for "Cigano", which includes victories over Fabricio Werdum, Shane Carwin, Frank Mir and Cain Velasquez.

UFC 160 takes place on May 25 at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena and airs live on pay-per-view, with the preliminary card broadcasting on FX and streaming on Facebook. In the main event, UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez will defend his crown in a rematch against Antonio Silva, while Hunt and dos Santos lock horns in the co-headliner.

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'UFC On FX 8' Post-Fight Press Conference Full Video

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