Tag: UFC 213

UFC 213 live results: Yoel Romero vs. Robert Whittaker

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 213: Romero vs. Whittaker, emanating from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The UFC’s biggest weekend of the year caps off with their annual early July pay-per-view event, generally one of the biggest cards of the year. After Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko was confirmed as off of the show earlier today, the Interim UFC Middleweight Championship will be up for grabs in the main event as Yoel Romero faces Robert Whittaker.

The fight is one of the best to be put together this year. Both are on long win streaks, with Romero having won eight straight and Whittaker seven straight, and they are a combined 15-0 at 185 pounds.

The main card also sees former heavyweight king Fabricio Werdum take on former title challenger Alistair Overeem in a trilogy bout that could determine the next top contender, as well as former UFC Lightweight Champion Anthony Pettis returning to 155 pounds to take on Jim Miller.

Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.

We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down, or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and worst fight to Dave at [email protected].

UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 7 PM ET/4 PM PT

> Trevin Giles (9-0, 0-0 UFC) vs. James Bochnovic (8-1, 0-0 UFC)
Light Heavyweights

Both men were making their UFC debuts on short notice. They were trading a little early on. Bochnovic scored with a big body kick. Giles then scored a takedown and was working from the top landing some big elbows in the guard. Bochnovic got to his feet before Giles grabbed his back and suplexed him to the mat. Giles with more punches from the top to end the round. 10-9 Giles.

Giles landed some punches to the body and then got a takedown and was working in side control. Bochnovic was giving up his back and Giles was taking advantage. Bochnovic scrambled up and Giles took him back down and moved to mount. Giles started landing big punches from the back and then the mount and Bochnovic went out cold. Dominant win for Giles as he finishes Giles.

Official Result- Trevin Giles def. James Bochnovic by knockout (punches) at 2:54 of Round 2

> Cody Stamann (14-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Terrion Ware (17-5, 0-0 UFC)
Featherweights

They were trading early inside the pocket with both landing punches and knees. Stamann got a takedown and was inside the guard. Ware was able to push off to the feet. Ware landed a low blow and we have a timeout. Stamann got a takedown as they got back to action. Stamann landed some solid punches from the top. Stamann got into the half-guard and finished the round with some punches from the top. 10-9 Stamann.

They traded leg kicks. Stamann landed a knee to the body, Ware fired back with a right hand as they talked trash, and then Stamann scored a big takedown. Stamann landed from the top before they got to their feet. Stamann landed a head kick. Ware landed some knees. Stamann started firing back with leg kicks and scored a huge takedown. They scrambled up and Stamann landed a hard punch. Ware was able to get Stamann’s back against the fence but Stamann pushed off with a front kick and then got a takedown with about 30 seconds to go. 10-9 Stamann, 20-18 Stamann.

They were trading in the first minute. Stamann landed a body kick and Ware landed a counter right hand. Stamann started to land more solid crisp combinations. Stamann scored a big takedown and Ware was stuck on the bottom for a moment but was able to get up, but he gave up his back and was taken back down in the process. Stamann got full mount against the fence and was landing punches. Ware got to his feet but Stamann got his back. They traded punches at the end. 10-9 Stamann, 30-27 Stamann.

Official Result- Cody Stamann def. Terrion Ware by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT

> Jordan Mein (29-11, 3-3 UFC) vs. Belal Muhammad (11-2, 2-2 UFC)
Welterweights

They were trading punches and leg kicks throughout the first two minutes. Muhammad went for a takedown but Mein defended it. Mein landed a couple of left hands but Muhammad fired back with punches and kicks to the body. Mein with a leg kick. Mein with a front kick to the body. They are pretty even on the feet but Mein is taking advantage of the leg kicks. Muhammad went for a late takedown but Mein defended it. Muhammad with some knees and elbows in the clinch. Close round. 10-9 Mein.

They were trading kicks and Mein went back to work of the lead leg with kicks. Mein has a cut over his left eye. Muhammad clinched Mein against the fence. Muhammand got a split second takedown. Muhammad pressing the action. Mein landing more leg kicks but Muhammad is opening up with his hands. Mein went for a takedown but it was stuffed and Muhammad pushed Mein against the fence and was landing short knees. Muhammad got a takedown in the last minute. 10-9 Muhammad, 19-19.

They traded kicks and Muhammad went for a takedown but Mein stuffed it. Muhammad pushed Mein against the fence. Mein grabbed the arm and dropped down for a kimura but lost it and Muhammad was able to scramble to the top. Muhammad took the back and was working to find the choke. Muhammad was punching from the back and they got to their feet and Muhammad had Mein pinned against the fence and was landing knees. Mein went for a kimura again but had no body control and lost it, though he got Muhammad down briefly. They got back to their feet. 10-9 Muhammad, 29-28 Muhammad.

Official Result- Belal Muhammad def. Jordan Mein by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)

> Thiago Santos (14-5, 6-4 UFC) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (26-8, 2-0 UFC)
Middleweights

Santos with a leg kick. Meerschaert scored a takedown but they got back to their feet. They clinched and Meerschaert got another takedown and was landing punches as they got back to their feet. Santos started throwing big punches and scored a knockdown and Meerschaert was in survival mode. Santos was landing big punches and let Meerschaert get to his feet. Santos poked him right in the eye. They got back to action and Santos was landing more big punches. Santos with a jumping head kick followed by a huge left hand. Santos is bleeding heavily but won the round. 10-9 Santos.

Meerschaert went for a desperation takedown but Santos sprawled and was landing a lot of punches and it was close to being stopped. Santos was laying in more punches and hammerfists. Meerschaert able to get to his feet but was taken down. Santos with more big punches and he finally finishes Meerschaert off. Big stoppage win by Santos, and he looked impressive.

Official Result- Thiago Santos def. Gerald Meerschaert by TKO (punches) at 2:04 of Round 2

> Chad Laprise (11-2, 4-2 UFC) vs. Brian Camozzi (7-3, 0-1 UFC)
Welterweights

Camozzi landed some leg kicks and then Laprise landed a straight right hand to the jaw. Camozzi with a body kick. Camozzi with a leg kick but Laprise counters with a nice combination. They were trading but Laprise was landing crisp punches. Laprise landed another big overhand right. Camozzi is coming forward and finding range but still eating punches from Laprise. Camozzi landed a high kick and then a leg kick but Laprise countered that with a takedown and finished the round in the guard. 10-9 Laprise.

Laprise landed a combo and was doing a good job of circling around the Octagon. Camozzi with a body kick and Laprise countered with a right hand. Laprise with another combo. Camozzi landed a right hand and then another. Camozzi landing more straight right hands. Camozzi with a body kick. Camozzi with a leg kick. Laprise just misses a right hand but lands a leg kick. Close round. 10-9 Camozzi, 19-19.

Laprise hurt Camozzi with a right hand to the body and then dropped Camozzi and was landing lots of punches as Camozzi was cradled up. Herb Dean finally stopped the fight after lots of punches landed by Laprise. Laprise gets the big stoppage win he needed.

Official Result- Chad Laprise def. Brian Camozzi by TKO (punches) at 1:27 of Round 3

> Travis Browne (#9, 18-6-1, 9-6-1 UFC) vs. Aleksei Oleinik (#14, 51-10-1, 3-1 UFC)
Heavyweights

Browne came out firing kicks. Oleinik landed a right hand. Browne was throwing a lot of kicks and landed a knee to the body. Browne landed a knee to the head and Browne rocked Oleinik with a left hand and then dropped him with a left hook. Oleinik survived but is still in trouble. Oleinik then dropped Browne with a right hand. Browne got up but still in trouble. Oleinik landed a right hand and then punches to the body. Browne with front kicks to the body. Oleinik got a takedown and went to side control. Browne gives up his back and Oleinik is landing punches from the back. He has Browne flattened out. Oleinik looking for a choke but time runs out. 10-9 Oleinik.

Oleinik is chasing Browne around the Octagon. Both men are landing punches. Oleinik landing punches to the body. Browne with a series of knees. Browne got a big takedown and Oleinik let out a deep breath afterwards. Browne working inside the guard before moving to side control. He didn’t do much and Oleinik got up and drug him to the mat and had the back of Browne. Oleinik landing punches from the back. Oleinik has the choke and Browne taps! Huge win for Oleinik as it looks like Browne just got tired and gave up.

Official Result- Aleksei Oleinik def. Travis Browne by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:44 of Round 2

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> Rob Font (#15, 13-2, 3-1 UFC) vs. Douglas Silva de Anrade (24-1 1 NC, 2-1 UFC)
Bantamweights

They traded kicks to start. Font got a takedown but Silva popped right back up then he dropped back down. They scrambled to their feet and Font landed a punch on the break. Font landed a good combo ending with a knee to the face. Font poked Silva in the eye and we have a break. Silva with a big body kick. They traded jabs and Silva landed a left hand. Font pressured Silva back with some punches that didn’t quite land. Silva landed a left hook but Font got in a counter knee. Font with a right hand to the face and then one to the body. Font locked in a late guillotine choke but time ran out. 10-9 Font.

They were trading and Font was landing a lot of clean punches. He was really mixing his combos well and controlling the action inside the cage. Silva was throwing body kicks and did land a right hand. Font is landing step-in knees followed by right hands and has Silva in trouble. Font knocks Silva down briefly with a right hand and is going for the finish as he lands knees and elbows in the clinch. Font gets a takedown. Font has the neck and is being careful not to land knees. Silva picks Font up and slams him but Font still has the guillotine locked in and Silva taps! Great performance by Rob Font, he looked really good tonight.

Official Result- Rob Font def. Douglas Silva de Andrade by submission (guillotine choke) at 4:36 of Round 2

> Anthony Pettis (#6 FW, 19-6, 6-5 UFC) vs. Jim Miller (28-9 1 NC, 17-8 1 NC UFC)
Lightweights

Miller landed some left hands early. Pettis scored with a jumping knee. Pettis landed a clean right hand while Miller fired back a left. Miller with some inside leg kicks. Pettis lands a left hand and Miller goes to the body with kicks. Pettis with a body kick and then a flying knee and he unloads a combo against the fence. Pettis with a right hand. Pettis lands a clean combo and Miller circles away. Pettis with a high kick and then a front kick to the body. Pettis with a spinning back fist. Pettis with a switch kick to the body. Miller lands a right hand and then a body kick. Pettis with a right hand followed by a head kick. 10-9 Pettis.

Miller with a body kick. Pettis with a head kick and then went high with a kick but Miller grabbed the leg and got a takedown. Pettis was working for a triangle choke from the bottom but Miller escaped. Miller is bleeding heavily as he’s in the guard of Pettis. Pettis working to get up but Miller remaining on top. Pettis rolls out and Miller grabs the back and is working with the body triangle. Pettis is able to escape and he gets to the top and lands some punches. Pettis stands up and lands a kick to Miller’s legs on the ground and Pettis goes back into the guard. Pettis moves to side control. Pettis working for a kimura and then he takes the back and Miller is trying to escape. They get to their feet and Pettis gets a takedown with ten seconds to go. Fun fight so far. 10-9 Pettis, 20-18 Pettis.

Miller with some leg kicks early in the third. Pettis went up top with some high kicks. Miller looking to land the left hand. They’ve slowed down a little. They were trading and Miller went for a takedown but Pettis was able stay upright and switched and put Miller’s back against the cage. Pettis is controlling but Miller lands a knee and an elbow. Pettis fires back with his own elbow. Pettis landed a cartwheel kick and Miller tried a roll to grab the legof Pettis but was off. Miller with a cartwheel kick and Pettis with a jumping kick to end the fight. 10-9 Pettis, 30-27 Pettis.

Official Result- Anthony Pettis def. Jim Miller by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Daniel Omielanczuk (#15, 19-7-1 1 NC, 4-4 UFC) vs. Curtis Blaydes (6-1 1 NC, 1-1 1 NC UFC)
Heavyweights

Blaydes clinched early and landed some low knees and then landed one to the groin. They are broken up by Marc Goddard. Blaydes clinches back up and lands more knees and an elbow. Blaydes has had Omielanczuk pushed against the fence, and whenever there are breaks, Blaydes goes right back to pressure against the fence. Very boring round. 10-9 Blaydes.

Blaydes landed a knee to the body followed by a right hand and then he went right back to the takedown attempt against the fence. They break and both land punches. Blaydes with a leg kick and Omielanczuk misses as he swings his left hand. They went back to the clinch and the crowd is not happy. They were trading punches and Blaydes landed a kick to the groin. Marc Goddard gives him a talking to. Nothing happened after. 10-9 Blaydes, 20-18 Blaydes.

They traded punches and Blaydes back for the takedown attempt position against the fence. They broke. Omielanczuk landed a left hand. Blaydes with the jab and Omielanczuk is bleeding a little from under the eye. Omielanczuk with a body kick. Blaydes stuffed a takedown attempt and is landing elbows to the body of Omielanczuk. They got to their feet. Blaydes with an uppercut. Boring fight, very boring. 10-9 Blaydes, 30-27 Blaydes.

Official Result- Curtis Blaydes def. Daniel Omielanczuk by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

> Fabricio Werdum (#1, 21-6-1, 9-3 UFC) vs. Alistair Overeem (#3, 42-15 1 NC, 7-4 UFC)
Heavyweights

Werdum tried a running flying knee to start. Overeem rocks Werdum with a head kick. Werdum tried a combo but Overeem ducked under all of the punches. Werdum landed a knee. Overeem clipped Werdum with a right hand and then another. Werdum with a body kick and then misses a takedown attempt. Overeem lands a right hand and is being very patient. Werdum misses a rolling kick. 10-9 Overeem,

Overeem with a body kick. Werdum pulls guard and Overeem goes to the top but nothing happens and they get up. Overeem lands a left hand and a knee that rocked Werdum. Overeem doesn’t capitalize. Overeem with a kick to the body followed by a right hand. Werdum lands a jab. Overeem really controlling this round but not much is being landed as both being patient. Overeem lands a left hand that hurts Werdum. Werdum is cut on his nose. 10-9 Overeem, 20-18 Overeem.

They were trading a little early. Werdum with a knee but eats an uppercut. Werdum with another knee. Werdum rocks Overeem with a knee and Overeem went down. Werdum tried to grab Overeem but slipped and Overeem went on top. They went to their feet. Werdum still has Overeem in trouble and is landing. Werdum with a big takedown. Werdum with some punches from the top. Werdum with short punches and Overeem is being warned to not grab the fence. Overeem hanging on as Werdum is now doing nothing on the mat. Werdum with a late punch. Close fight, depends on the first round. 10-9 Werdum, 29-28 Overeem.

Official Result- Alistair Overeem def. Fabricio Werdum by majority decision (28-28, 29-28, 29-28)

> Yoel Romero (#1, 13-1, 8-0 UFC) vs. Robert Whittaker (#3, 18-4, 9-2 UFC)
Interim UFC Middleweight Championship

Romero with a side kick to the leg to start out. Whittaker lands a right hand. Romero with a side kick. They trade body kicks. Romero missed a hook kick and gets a takedown and takes the back but Whittaker gets right back to his feet. Romero with a flying knee. Whittaker stuffs a takedown attempt from Romero. Whittaker with a front kick to the body. Romero gets a brief takedown but Whittaker right back up. Romero with a leg kick. Whittaker just misses a head kick. Close round. 10-9 Romero.

Whittaker may have injured his left leg in the first round. Romero with a knee to the body. Romero gets a takedown and is in the guard of Whittaker. Romero worked from top but Whittaker used butterfly guard to get to his feet. Romero still has the body locked and gets a brief takedown and isn’t letting go of the body lock. They are separated by John McCarthy with lack of action. Whittaker with a leg kick and a left hand. They start wildly swinging and Romero lands a right hand. Romero with a late takedown. 10-9 Romero, 20-18 Romero.

Whittaker landed a jab. Whittaker with a front kick and they traded punches. Whittaker rocks Romero with a left hand. Romero with a body kick. Whittaker with a push kick that hurt Romero. Romero fakes the jab looking to set something else up. Both threw left hands. Whittaker with a knee to the body followed by a right hand. Romero lands a left hand. Whittaker with a side kick. Not much from Romero in this round and Whittaker clipped him with a left at the end. 10-9 Whittaker, 29-28 Romero.

Whittaker with a high body kick. Romero grabbed the back and they scrambled around on the mat. Romero has the back against the fence. They broke and Whittaker landed a knee. Whittaker stuffed a takedown from Romero. Romero lands a flying knee. Whittaker lands a left hand and a front kick to the body. Whittaker just misses an uppercut. Whittaker with a right hand. Romero is definitely tired. Whittaker stuffs a takedown and lands a right hand and then a left hand. Romero is in trouble. Romero with a failed takedown attempt. Whittaker with a high kick. 10-9 Whittaker, 38-38.

This round likely decides it. They trade punches early. Romero with a left hand. Whittaker lands a left hand. Whittaker lands a knee. Both men land hurting punches and Romero with a big left hand. Romero is definitely gassed out but he lands a high kick. Whittaker slowing as well. Romero lands a left hand. Whittaker with a front kick. Both men are landing. Romero lands a left hand. Romero with a high kick and Whittaker with a combo. Romero lands a left hand. Whittaker circling away. Romero slips to the mat and Whittaker goes into the guard. Romero landing from the bottom. Whittaker now landing elbows from the top. Whittaker goes to the half-guard and lands some big elbows and Romero is cut open. This goes the distance, very good fight. 10-9 Whittaker, 48-47 Whittaker.

Official Result- Robert Whittaker def. Yoel Romero by unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) to become Interim UFC Middleweight Champion

UFC 213 loses its main event due to Amanda Nunes illness

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

UFC 213 has lost its scheduled main event on the day of the show.

Ariel Helwani first reported on his Twitter account this afternoon that Amanda Nunes, the UFC women’s bantamweight champion who was supposed to face Valentina Shevchenko in
the main event tonight, is currently in the hospital.

Helwani noted that Nunes has been feeling ill all week. The fight wasn’t officially off when he first tweeted, but he then confirmed that it wouldn’t be happening in a post on MMA Fighting.

The Yoel Romero vs. Robert Whittaker fight for the interim middleweight title will now be moved to the main event position and one of the prelim fights will be moved up to the main card. The rest of the pay-per-view lineup includes Fabricio Werdum vs. Alistair Overeem, Daniel Omielanczuk vs. Curtis Blaydes, and Anthony Pettis vs. Jim Miller.

Travis Browne vs. Aleksei Oleinik is the top fight scheduled for the FS1 prelims.

UFC 213 Observer Panel Picks: International Fight Week Edition

Posted on by Ryan Frederick

It’s UFC’s International Fight Week in Las Vegas, typcially the biggest fight week of the year, with two events. We’ve already had one which featured what may be the best fight you will see this year with Michael Johnson and Justin Gaethje having an instant classic.

Now comes time for what is traditionally the biggest UFC pay-per-view event of the year with UFC 213. However, it lacks the luster of previous International Fight Week pay-per-view events, and it isn’t even the most stacked event this month with UFC 214 and three title fights looming large three weeks from now.

While this show lacks names like Conor McGregor, Anderson Silva, Brock Lesnar and Ronda Rousey that have made this the can’t miss weekend in the past, UFC 213 is a good card at Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena with two title fights.

Amanda Nunes defends the UFC women’s bantamweight championship against Valentina Shevchenko in the main event, the second time they will have fought inside the Octagon. Nunes is wanting to make it 2-0 against her foe, while Shevchenko is looking to end the Brazilian’s title reign before it hits 365 days.

The co-main event sees an interim title being made at 185 pounds as Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker do battle. It remains to be seen what is next for the winner of this fight. Do they get Michael Bisping? Is Bisping still going after a fight with Georges St. Pierre, and if so and GSP wins, what happens then? Perhaps, in the event Romero wins, Bisping immediately announces his retirement. There have been a lot of crazy things going on in this division.

Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum and Alistair Overeem will fight for the third time, making history as it will be the first time that the same fight has happened in the big three promotions of UFC, PRIDE, and Strikeforce. Former lightweight chapion Anthony Pettis looks to return to lightweight glory as he takes on Jim Miller. Finally, Travis Browne looks to break out of a slump when he takes on Aleksei Olienik on the featured bout of the prelims.

If you’re new here, our panel picks are listed below and listed alongside the fighters’ names are their worldwide FightMatrix rankings, as well as BestFightOdds.com betting odds. The panelists’ 2017 records are in parentheses, and we also have panel consensus picks as well as a line where we show how the betting favorites did:

  • John Pollock (32-15; .681) — Fight Network analyst, Live Audio Wrestling co-host, MMA Report co-host
  • Favorites (31-16; .660)
  • Consensus Picks (30-16; .652)
  • Dave Meltzer (30-17; .638) — Wrestling Observer publisher
  • David Bixenspan (30-17; .638) – Deadspin pro wrestling columnist; Between the Sheets podcast host
  • Steve Juon (29-18; .617) — MMA Mania writer, Angry Marks publisher
  • Tom Lawlor (6-4; .600) – Co-host Filthy Four Daily; pro wrestling undercard fighter; UFC enhancement talent currently suspended due to wellness violation
  • Mike Sawyer (28-19; .596) — Tough Talk MMA publisher
  • Josh Nason (28-19; .596) — Host of Josh Nason’s Punch Out, WrestlingObserver.com assistant editor
  • Mike Sempervive (28-19; .596) — Wrestling Observer Live and Big Audio Nightmare co-host
  • Ryan Frederick (26-21; .553) — WrestlingObserver.com UFC writer
  • Paul Fontaine (24-23; .511) — MMADraws.com publisher, WrestlingObserver.com writer
  • Front Row Brian (23-24; .489) — MMA newsbreaker, beloved internet personality, podcast host

> UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Amanda Nunes (14-4) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (14-2) II

Amanda Nunes won the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship from Miesha Tate at UFC 200 at last year’s International Fight Week event. She earned that title shot on the heels of a win over Valentina Shevchenko, her challenger on that night. Since that night Nunes won the title from Tate, she has defended just once- a first-round mauling of Ronda Rousey that seemingly ended the career of the trailblazer and established Nunes as the dominant female fighter at 135 pounds.

Since that loss to Nunes, Shevchenko has scored an impressive decision win over former champion Holly Holm, and, in January, she dominated and submitted Julianna Pena on FOX. Shevchenko may very well be a future champion at 125 pounds when the UFC adds the flyweight division later this year, but having another championship on her mantle wouldn’t bug her at all.

When Nunes defeated Shevchenko in March 2016, it was interesting in the sense that Nunes started to fade late and Shevchenko won the third round, but Nunes got the decision based on winning the first two rounds. With two more rounds now coming into play in a title fight, it seems to put the advantage in the hands of Shevchenko, who many see enters the fight as the favorite.

  • Nunes #1; -110 betting favorite — Fontaine, Juon, Bix, Nason, Meltzer
  • Shevchenko #2; +100 betting underdog — Pollock, Sawyer, Frederick, FRB, Lawlor, Sempervive

> Yoel Romero (13-1) vs. Robert Whittaker (18-4) – Interim UFC Middleweight Championship

When you look at every single fight that could possibly be made, a match-up between Yoel Romero and Robert Whittaker might be the single-best piece of matchmaking there can be. It is the best 185-pound fight put together in a long time, and perhaps ever, no offense to any other fight made. Romero is a freak of nature at his age, and he looks just unreal. Whittaker fights unreal, as exciting as one can be, with dangerous power.

Romero has yet to lose inside the Octagon, having won eight straight fights, many by vicious finish, making him arguably the single scariest male fighter in the sport. He has never lost at 185 pounds. However, neither has Whittaker, who has won seven straight fights, and is coming off a dominant finish of Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in April. No offense to champion Michael Bisping, but the winner of this fight is the best middleweight in the world.

  • Romero #2; +110 betting underdog: Fontaine, Sawyer, Frederick, FRB, Lawlor, Juon, Nason
  • Whittaker #5; -120 betting favorite: Pollock, Bix, Sempervive, Meltzer

> Fabricio Werdum (21-6-1) vs. Alistair Overeem (42-15 1 NC) III
Heavyweights

Two men hunting for the next title shot in the heavyweight division will meet in a trilogy bout. Fabricio Werdum would love to get a chance for a rematch against UFC Heavyweight Champion Stipe Miocic, who knocked out Werdum in May 2016 to win the championship. Overeem would like another crack at Miocic, who also knocked him out when Overeem challenged for the championship in September.

In order to do so, someone has to win the rubber match. Werdum submitted Overeem in PRIDE in 2006, while Overeem won a boring decision in Strikeforce in 2011. Both mens’ careers have drastically changed since they last fought, and this time they do so inside the Octagon will title shot aspirations hanging in the balance. Werdum last fought in September, scoring a win over Travis Browne, while Overeem last fought in March, knocking out Mark Hunt.

  • Overeem #3; -135 betting favorite: Fontaine, Sawyer, Pollock, Frederick, FRB, Lawlor, Juon, Bix, Sempervive, Nason, Meltzer

> Anthony Pettis (19-6) vs. Jim Miller (28-9 1 NC)
Lightweights

28 months ago, Anthony Pettis was the UFC Lightweight Champion. The king at 155 pounds. He was on a tear, and he won a championship many were expecting him to win the day he set foot in the UFC from the WEC, and many were expecting him to be champion for a long time. He then ran into Rafael Dos Anjos, who demolished him to win the title. Then came more losses. Then came a drop to 145 pounds. A win followed. A title shot at an interim title came. Missing weight for said title fight happened, and then a destruction at the hands of Max Holloway in that fight sent Pettis back to the lightweight division, where he hopes to regain glory. He needs to if he ever wants to get the fans behind him once again, and he knows his back is against the wall.

Jim Miller will be fighting in the Octagon for the 27th time, a company record. He will be in the UFC until the day he decides to hang the gloves up for good. You rarely seen an unentertaining Jim Miller fight. While he may never get that elusive title shot that he once came oh so close to securing, the fans always have had the back of Miller for his penchant for entertainment, and he is a crowd-pleaser to say the least, and one of the most likeable fighters in the sport. He is looking to get back into the win column after suffering a loss to Dustin Poirier in February, which snapped his three-fight win streak.

  • Pettis #8; -220 betting favorite: Fontaine, Sawyer, Pollock, Frederick, FRB, Lawlor, Meltzer
  • Miller #20; +200 betting underdog: Juon, Bix, Sempervive, Nason

> Travis Browne (18-6-1) vs. Aleksei Olienik (51-10-1)
Heavyweights

Travis Browne may have already scored the biggest win outside of his fighting career, having recently becoming engaged to Ronda Rousey. When it comes to what he’s done inside the Octagon, he is in desperate need of a victory on Saturday. Browne has lost three straight fights, and is just 2-5 in his last seven fights. He was knocked out cold by Derrick Lewis in February, which followed defeats at the hands of former champions Fabricio Werdum and Cain Velasquez. Many thought he would challenge for UFC gold one day- now he’s fighting for UFC survival.

Aleksei Olienik is a veteran fighter who made his professional debut in 1997. At 40-years-old and entering the 63rd fight of his career, he gets his highest-profile fight in the UFC to date against Browne. Olienik is not the most exciting fighter, but he is effective as evidenced by his three UFC wins in four UFC appearances. He also holds career wins over the likes of Mirko Cro Cop and Jeff Monson, while also holding a defeat at the hands of Chael Sonnen.

  • Browne #11; -225 betting favorite: Fontaine, Sawyer, Pollock, Frederick, FRB, Lawlor, Juon, Bix, Meltzer
  • Olienik #30; +205 betting underdog: Sempervive, Nason

​​​​​​​**************

The rest of the card:

Daniel Omielanczuk (19-7-1 1 NC) vs. Curtis Blaydes (6-1 1 NC)  (heavyweights)

  • Omielanczuk #35; +570 betting underdog
  • Blaydes #54; -705 betting favorite

Chad Laprise (11-2) vs. Brian Camozzi (7-3)  (welterweights)

  • Laprise #153; -605 betting favorite
  • Camozzi #268; +505 betting underdog

Thiago Santos (14-5) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (26-8)  (middleweights)

  • Santos #25; -150 betting favorite
  • Meerschaert #46; +140 betting underdog

Jordan Mein (29-11) vs. Belal Muhammad (11-2)  (welterweights)

  • Mein #58; +120 betting underdog
  • Muhammad #65; -130 betting favorite

Rob Font (13-2) vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade (24-1 1 NC)  (bantamweights)

  • Font #30; -295 betting favorite
  • Silva de Andrade #72; +265 betting underdog

Cody Stamann (14-1) vs. Terrion Ware (17-5)  (featherweights)

  • Stamann #63BW; -245 betting favorite
  • Ware #66BW; +225 betting underdog

Trevin Giles (9-0) vs. James Bochnovic (8-1)  (light heavyweights)

  • Giles #109MW; -260 betting favorite
  • Bochnovic #139; +240 betting underdog

Action begins with the Fight Pass prelims at 6:30 p.m. ET and moves over to FS1 at 8 p.m. ET. The main card airs on PPV at 10 p.m. ET, covered bymyself, Ryan Frederick.

JNPO: UFC 213 preview show

Posted on by Josh Nason

While it’s true that the F4W Convention isn’t until August, there is still plenty to be excited about when it comes to Saturday’s UFC 213, the second half of International Fight Week in Las Vegas.

Following Paul Fontaine’s preview of Friday’s TUF 25 Finale show, enjoy the dulcet tones of past JNPO guest and UFC.com writer Spencer Kyte going over the major talking points of Saturday’s UFC 213 including:

– What we know and don’t know about the potential star that is UFC women’s featherweight champion Amanda Nunes

– The large ball of awesomeness that is the interim middleweight title fight between Robert Whittaker and Yoel Romero

– The potential last stands of former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and former heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum

Plus, Josh and Spencer do a few good minutes on Friday’s TUF 25 finale, honor their late friend Bryan Levick, and more.

Click below to listen:

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UFC 213 card takes shape with Cody Garbrandt unable to fight

Posted on by Joseph Currier

With Cody Garbrandt unable to compete at UFC 213, Amanda Nunes will headline the UFC’s marquee International Fight Week event for the second straight year.

Dana White revealed to ESPN’s Brett Okamoto last night that Garbrandt was officially off of the card. Garbrandt was scheduled to defend his bantamweight title for the first time against TJ Dillashaw, but he has been battling back problems and was sent to Germany to see a stem cell specialist earlier this month.

Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s bantamweight championship is now the main event of UFC 213 on July 8th in Las Vegas. That matchup had been announced previously but wasn’t scheduled to headline the pay-per-view until Garbrandt vs. Dillashaw fell through.

Nunes was elevated to the top spot on the UFC 200 card last July when Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones was canceled at the last minute due to Jones failing a USADA test. She won the title by defeating Miesha Tate on that show.

An interim middleweight title bout is also set for UFC 213, with Yoel Romero taking on Robert Whittaker.

Controversy over Georges St-Pierre receiving the next shot at Michael Bisping’s title instead of Romero began as soon as that fight was scheduled, but White later announced that plans for Bisping vs. GSP had been scrapped when St-Pierre posted that he wouldn’t be available to compete until after October. Bisping is unavailable to fight right now due to a knee injury as well, so Romero will face Whittaker for the interim belt.

White told Okamoto that Demetrious Johnson vs. Dillashaw for the flyweight title is being planned for August, but Johnson tweeted that he hasn’t agreed to anything and is waiting on a contract to defend against Ray Borg. Johnson wrote that Dillashaw can come down to flyweight and get a win first if he wants a title fight.

As was previously revealed, Robbie Lawler vs. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, Fabricio Werdum vs. Alistair Overeem, and Anthony Pettis vs. Jim Miller will also take place at UFC 213.

Cody Garbrandt looks to be off UFC 213

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt looks to be off UFC 213 officially.

Garbrandt had been suffering from a bad back and it has been acknowledged for the past week that the fight, scheduled for July 8th in Las Vegas, was in jeopardy when neither Garbrandt nor T.J. Dillashaw was at the May 12th press conference promoting the major summer shows.

Garbrandt posted today on Facebook that he’s off the show.

“No, I’m not fighting on the 8th. This has been my dream to get to the top and I want to have longevity.”

Garbrandt also gave a timetable regarding returning to train.

“4 more weeks of recovery! Then I can slowly start to train and test it out.”

Over the past week, Dana White had said that they sent Garbrandt to Germany to see the doctor’s who cured White’s Meniere’s Disease through a technique called blood spinning. White had said that everyone sent to Germany to those doctors have come back recovered so he was hopeful this would be the case and the fight would be able to take place on the show.

Right now it appears that Amanda Nunes vs. Valentina Shevchenko for the women’s bantamweight title will be the main event. UFC had done recent advertising, since tickets went on sale this week, built around Nunes vs. Shevchenko and Robbie Lawler vs. Donald Cerrone.

UFC International Fight Week to see some changes

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Additional notes from Josh Nason

On Saturday, UFC officially announced their 2017 International Fight Week as the company’s answer to WrestleMania week will take place from 7/5 through 7/8 in Las Vegas.

Here’s the current schedule:

– The Hall of Fame ceremony has been moved to Thursday night, which will be the first major event of the week.

– The Ultimate Fighter finale show on FS1 will be held at the T-Mobile Arena on Friday.

– The big show will be Saturday’s UFC 213 as the Fight Week PPV is traditionally one of the company’s major cards of the year. Right now, the desired main event is middleweight champion Michael Bisping vs. Georges St-Pierre, but as noted in the current issue of the Observer, there are issues with finalizing that bout.

– There will also be a fanfest called the UFC Fan Experience, a two-day event at Toshiba Place at The Park, part of the outdoor dining and entertainment district adjacent to the T-Mobile Arena.

Of note is the difference from last year’s International Fight Week is the absence of a Thursday night show on UFC Fight Pass. The lack of Fight Pass only shows this year has been a talking point and with the company trying to establish a new set of stars on top, perhaps the less is more approach was applied to this year’s Fight Week.