According to John Ourand of the Sports Business Journal, last Saturday’s UFC 262 did more than 300,000 pay-per-view buys on ESPN+, their sole PPV provider in the U.S.
Ourand didn’t provide international numbers as he sometimes has in the past.
The show was headlined by Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler for the vacant lightweight title which Oliveira (seen above) won via second round TKO. It was also supposed to feature fan favorite Nate Diaz vs. Leon Edwards in a five round co-main event, but that fight was postponed nearly two weeks prior due to a Diaz injury.
The show was held in front of a sold out crowd in Houston, Texas — their second sellout since going back on the road with PPVs last month.
Considering a lack of name value that would attract casual sports fans, the number has to be considered a success for ESPN who has had a great run this year with PPV buys. January’s UFC 257 (Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier) did a reported 1.6 million buys worldwide (1.2 million domestic) while UFC 259 (Jan Blachowicz vs. Israel Adesanya) did a reported 800,000 buys worldwide (600,000 domestic). Numbers for UFC 258 or UFC 260 were not released.
That hot streak is likely to continue with the next two PPVs as well.
UFC 263 on June 12th in Phoenix, AZ, will feature the aforementioned Adesanya against Martin Vettori in a rematch, flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno in a rematch, and the rescheduled Diaz vs. Edwards fight.
UFC 264 on July 10th in Las Vegas is headlined by Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier III.
Dave Meltzer covers the state of emergency in Japan, the actual stats, shows canceled, when NJPW is set to return.
Lots more on the life of Brian Pillman, what Dark Side didn’t cover, his football career, contract disputes, booking idea if he stayed with WCW, children and legacy.
Also in this issue:
Match and wrestler of the week
AEW & WWE back on the road and details
A look at the next two major pro wrestling PPV shows
UFC coverage of Saturday’s show, next week’s show, new fights, new financial info
Most detailed look at ratings, what shows do people watch longest, what shows do they watch live or most on DVR, Segment breakdowns and and exclusive info on how the different shows are consumed
U.S. Olympic wrestling preview
The amazing historical story of a fugitive in a foreign country who held the biggest tag team title in the world, and his shocking death
Notes on AEW television schedule for the next six weeks
2016 Gold medalist talks WWE
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SUNDAY NEWS UPDATE
Bryan and I will be back tonight covering WWE WrestleMania Backlash as well as taking email questions to [email protected]
UFC 262 was the No. 1 searched for item on Google yesterday at 1 million. That’s a lower than usual number for a PPV show. It was the only thing in combat sports that made the top 20 all week.
At the press conference last night, Dana White confirmed that Triller’s Ryan Kavanaugh has been calling wanting to work with him and that he’s not answering his calls. Kavanaugh and Oscar de la Hoya were critical of White for not allowing a de la Hoya vs. Georges St-Pierre boxing match.
Ronaldo Jacare Souza suffered a fracture in his right humerus (a bone in his arm) and is scheduled for surgery in the next few days. Souza had his arm broken via an armbar by Andre Muniz on last night’s show. You could actually hear the break it was so loud, sounding like the spot that Pete Dunne does with the fingers. Souza, one of the greatest submission fighters in MMA history, losing via submission, was a pretty major deal last night. Muniz has since asked for a match with Nick Diaz.
Really, the judging was fine last night even though Joe Rogan and Daniel Cormier were going off on it. The only unjustifiable card I saw was Patrick Patlan in the Lando Vannata vs. Mike Grundy fight giving all three rounds to Grundy which is not justifiable. 95 percent of judges gave it to Vannata and the right guy won.
Media scores in Katlyn Chookagian vs. Viviane Araujo were 56 percent for Araujo. Chookagian got the decision and basically the first two rounds were close and the third round was clear for Chookagian so either one winning and any score from 30-27 Chookagian to 29-28 Araujo was justifiable.
Regarding tonight’s WrestleMania Backlash show, things are changing constantly. PWInsider listed Rhea Ripley vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Asuka as the opener but even then noted that could change because that wasn’t the case this morning.No pre show match has been announced but the talk is there will be one.
Only six matches which is good because that probably means a three-hour show and every match will get time.
Roman Reigns vs. Cesaro for the Universal title – Cesaro wasn’t built up with big clean wins in this PPV cycle and Reigns is expected to retain, to the point the odds are -1000 in his favor. This should be a very good match and Cesaro could steal the show.
Bobby Lashley vs. Drew McIntyre vs Braun Stowman – The three-way allows them to do weapons with the no DQ aspect. Lashley is right now at -300 from BetOnline as compared to McIntyre at +250 and Strowman at +500. I expect it to be good with McIntyre involved.
Rhea Ripley is at -250 as compared to +150 for Charlotte Flair and +600 for Asuka.
Rey & Dominik Mysterio have gone to -400 favorites to win the tag titles over Dolph
Ziggler & Robert Roode. Ziggler & Roode are your classic great working heel team, Rey is an all-time great and Dominik can hang with good people. I expect a good match here.
Bianca Belair is listed at -1000 to retain her women’s title over Bayley. It would make no sense to change that title this soon.
Damien Priest is a -400 favorite to beat The Miz in a lumberjack match. Odds are a lot bigger than somebody if not many will interfere.
It looks on paper to be a good show, but not a show with a high interest level.
We’re looking for your thoughts on both this show and UFC 262 last night, so you can leave a thumbs up, down or in the middle along with a best and worst match to [email protected]
A note for Canadian readers that my new book the 2014 Wrestling Observer Yearbook is now available at amazon.ca for Canadian readers and amazon.com for American readers as well as www.Wrestlingobserverbook.com for European readers. It’s currently listed as No. 8 best seller among wrestling books at Amazon and No. 1 best seller in the Kindle section among wrestling books. A direct link and more about the book can be found here.
There will be an A&E Biography tonight on Shawn Michaels at 8 p.m. The Most Wanted Treasures show at 10 p.m. features Sgt. Slaughter looking for memorabilia of the Iron Sheik.
WWE
Based on the fast nationals, Smackdown did 1.77 million viewers and 0.4 in 18-49, its worst numbers since the Thunderdome. The final number would be expected at around 1.9 million.
AEW
Regarding ticket sales to the first Dynamite on the road in Miami, it’s basically sold out (52 tickets left) but they are only running 50% of the Knight Center as the city still has a 50 percent rule.
Tickets for the 5/30 Double or Nothing PPV, which is at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, and is set up for more than 5,000, go on sale tomorrow.
Christopher Daniels’ eye was still a mess a few days ago as far as being all red from a photo released after the Young Bucks match where he bled heavily on Wednesday night.
OTHER NEWS
Wrestlerock Brewery Brawl from last night in Melbourne: Caveman Ugg b Mad Dog, Anth Cave b Cletus, Mitch Waterman b Lochy Hendricks, Aysha b Charli Evans, Adam Brooks b Royce Chambers, Gore b Ritchie Taylor to defend the WrestleRock title for his brother Kraker Jack (thanks to Kevin Chiat)
Stardom results from today in Nagoya: Momo Watanabe b Ruaka, Konami won three-way over Saya Kamitani and Lady C, Mayu Iwatani & Starlight Kid b Natsuoka Tora & Fukigen Death-DQ, Giulia & Syuri b Utami Hayashishita & AZM, Tam Nakano & Mina Shirakawa & Unagi Sayaka drew Maika & Himeka & Natsupoi over 30:00 to retain the Artists of Stardom titles
Rob Van Dam has a show tonight at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. He will be doing an autograph signing and they will show a documentary on him done by WWE. Tickets are $65 which includes a photo with him or an autograph. Masks are required to attend.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 262: Oliveira vs. Chandler, emanating from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
The Octagon returns to a full arena of fans for the second time since pandemic restrictions started being lifted, as a sold-out crowd in Houston welcomes the UFC back, and they’re going to be treated to seeing a brand-new champion being crowned.
The vacant UFC Lightweight Championship is up for grabs in the main event as Charles Oliveira looks for his ninth straight win when he battles Michael Chandler for the honor to be crowned the new champion. The title was finally vacated in March following the retirement of Khabib Nurmagomedov, and Oliveira and Chandler emerged as the top two choices to battle for it. Oliveira is coming off a dominant decision win over Tony Ferguson in December, while Chandler had an impressive UFC debut, knocking out Dan Hooker in January.
In the co-main event, Tony Ferguson will look to end a two-fight losing streak when he takes on Beneil Dariush, winner of six straight fights. Also on the main card is a bantamweight bout between ranked flyweights Matt Schnell and Rogerio Bontorin, a women’s flyweight fight as Katlyn Chookagian takes on Viviane Araujo, and a potential Fight Of The Year candidate between featherweights Shane Burgos and Edson Barboza opens the main card.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 6:30 PM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru 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 a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
ESPN+ PRELIMS | 6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT
> Christos Giagos (18-8, 4-4 UFC) vs. Sean Soriano (14-6, 0-3 UFC) Lightweights
Giagos rocks Soriano early with a right hand and is pressing forward. Soriano lands a left that stuns Giagos a moment. Giagos goes for a takedown against the fence and is working for it. He gets it and takes the back of Soriano as they stand. They break. Giagos lands a right hand. Giagos with a right to the body. They trade in close range. Soriano with a right hand. They trade again. We have a timeout due to an eye poke but they fight on. Soriano lands a right hand and then a leg kick. Giagos shoots but Soriano defends and lands a leg kick. They trade in close. Soriano with some body shots and then lands a left hand. Soriano with a leg kick. Soriano lands another right hand. Soriano with a left hand and then a head kick that he slips on, but he gets right back up. Giagos gets a late takedown. 10-9 Soriano.
Giagos lands a right hand. They trade and Soriano lands a nice combo. Giagos gets a takedown and is in side control. Giagos looks for the D’Arce choke and has it locked in and Soriano goes out cold. Giagos with the nice comeback after losing the first.
Official Result- Christos Giagos def. Sean Soriano by submission (D’Arce choke) at 1:01 of Round 2
> Kevin Aguilar (17-4, 2-3 UFC) vs. Tucker Lutz (11-1, 0-0 UFC) Featherweights
Lutz with a body kick to start. Aguilar with a leg kick. Lutz with another body kick and Aguilar lands a combo. Lutz with a left hook and they tie up. They trade to the body and break. Lutz with a leg kick as Aguilar lands a right to the body. Aguilar lands some. Lutz with a leg kick but Aguilar lands some counter punches. They trade in close range. Lutz with a body kick. Lutz lands a right hand and another body kick. Lutz with a leg kick. They trade and Lutz lands a nice left hook and then they exchange some more. Lutz gets a takedown into the guard of Aguilar but Aguilar being active off his back. Lutz lands some left hands from the top. Lutz finishes the round on top. 10-9 Lutz.
Aguilar lands a nice left hook to start the second. Lutz with a high kick that Aguilar mostly blocks. Aguilar with a left hand. Lutz with some leg kicks. Aguilar lands a leg kick and then Lutz lands one. Lutz with a nice left hook. Lutz lands a combo and then they exchange in close range. Aguilar working for a takedown against the fence but Lutz defending well. They break. Lutz lands a nice combo. Lutz with a body kick. They trade and Lutz with a knee to the body. Lutz with a right hand. Lutz gets a nice takedown and works in the guard of Aguilar. They get to their feet and trade punches. They trade leg kicks. Lutz with a leg kick and Aguilar just misses a big right hand. They tie up at the end. 10-9 Lutz, 20-18 Lutz.
Aguilar lands a left hand that connects and then lands a combo followed by a high kick. Aguilar connects again with the left hand. Lutz lands an uppercut. They exchange in close range. Aguilar swinging for the fences and connects. Aguilar with another right hand. He’s trying to knock Lutz out. Lutz with a leg kick and then gets a takedown into the half-guard. Lutz working from the top but Aguilar works his way up. Lutz tries a takedown but Aguilar defends. Aguilar lands and goes for a takedown and lands a knee but Lutz reverses position. They break. Lutz with a leg kick. He lands another. Lutz with a right hand. He lands a leg kick. Lutz with a big left hand. Aguilar fires back and lands and lands a body kick. Aguilar with a combo. Aguilar with a body kick. 10-9 Aguilar, 29-28 Lutz.
Official Result- Tucker Lutz def. Kevin Aguilar by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Mazany with a leg kick. They trade in close range. Both are landing punches as Mazany presses forward and they clinch. Mazany gets a takedown. They get to their feet and Mazany gets it back down to the ground. Cachoeira lands some body punches from the bottom. Mazany pressuring from the top. Mazany lands a sharp elbow. Mazany still landing from the top. They get to their feet. They break and trade in the pocket. Mazany lands some knees in the clinch and gets another takedown. Mazany working in the half-guard and landing punches as Cachoeira is stuck on the bottom trying to play defense. 10-9 Mazany.
Mazany ducks under a Cachoeira punch and gets a takedown right away in the second. Mazany landing from the top. Not much is happening as Mazany has control from the top and Cachoeira has no answer. Mazany tries to work for the back but ends up back on top and lands some punches before getting back in Cachoeira’s guard. Mazany rolls around and lands from the top. They are stood up by Mike Beltran. Mazany with a body kick and then lands another. Mazany with a body kick and Cachoeira lands a right hand. They trade. Mazany with a left hand. Cachoeira lands a right hand. Mazany looking tired. Mazany with a body kick. Cachoeira lands some right hands. They trade against the fence and Cachoeira lands some punches. They clinch and Cachoeira with some knees before breaking. Cachoeira lands a right hand. Cachoeira teeing off and Mazany is hurt standing. Cachoeira then hurts Mazany with some punches and it is over. Cachoeira with the big comeback win in this one.
Official Result- Priscila Cachoeira def. Gina Mazany by TKO (punches) at 4:51 of Round 2
ESPN PRELIMS | 8 PM ET/5 PM PT
> Andrea Lee (#11, 11-5, 3-3 UFC) vs. Antonina Shevchenko (#12, 9-2, 3-2 UFC) Women’s Flyweights
Lee with a leg kick and Shevchenko lands a counter. They trade in close range. Shevchenko with some punches. Lee lands a right hand. Lee lands in close as Shevchenko slips away. Shevchenko lands some punches and they clinch. They trade knees and Lee lands an elbow as they break. They trade in close range and Shevchenko landed good. They trade and clinch and Lee with some body punches as Shevchenko lands some knees. They trade knees now. They break. They trade and clinch for a second. They trade again and Lee with a body kick. Lee lands a hard body kick and then they connect on each other before clinching. Lee gets Shevchenko down to the mat and is working in the guard. They end the round with Lee on top. 10-9 Lee.
Shevchenko with a leg kick while Lee lands a right hand and they get to the mat after a Lee takedown but scramble right up. Lee gets a head-and-arm throw takedown and is in side control. Lee with some elbows. Lee with a right hand as she gets to the mount and then locks a triangle choke in. Lee landing elbows while she has it locked in. Shevchenko trying to fight it off as Lee lands some punches. Shevchenko is fighting it off as Lee is landing elbows. Lee has the arm and went for the armbar but let go and still has Shevchenko in the triangle. Lee with more elbows as Shevchenko is still trying to escape. Lee still working hard for something but Shevchenko is showing some good defense. Lee has the arm extended and the armbar is locked in and Shevchenko taps! Excellent win for Lee as she stayed patient and finally found the submission she was looking for.
Official Result- Andrea Lee def. Antonina Shevchenko by submission (triangle armbar) at 4:52 of Round 2
> Jordan Wright (11-1 1 NC, 1-1 UFC) vs. Jamie Pickett (11-5, 0-1 UFC) Middleweights
They trade kicks. Pickett lands a body kick asthey trade in close and Pickett goes for a takedown against the fence. Wright landing elbows that hurt Pickett and is trying to finish. They get up and Wright lands some knees and he’s all over Pickett. Wright landing and knocks Pickett down with a knee and a lot of big punches ends it. What a finish by Wright.
Official Result- Jordan Wright def. Jamie Pickett by TKO (strikes) at 1:04 of Round 1
> Lando Vannata (11-5-2, 3-5-2 UFC) vs. Mike Grundy (12-2, 1-1 UFC) Featherweights
Vannata lands early. Vannata with a body kick and then a leg kick. Grundy looks for a takedown against the fence and lands a low blow and we have a timeout. They get back to action. Vannata lands a right hand and then a high kick. Vannata with a body kikc and Grundy gets a brief takedown before they scramble up. Grunday has the back standing and tries a slam but Vannata rolls and they are on the feet with Grundy having the back. They separate. Vannata with a step-in knee and tries a high kick but Grundy gets him down though they scramble up. They break and both land punches. Vannata with a high kick. Grundy gets the back standing and is tryung a takedown but Vannata gets away. Vannata landing and Grundy gets a brief takedown but Vannata gets up and runs away. Vannata with a body kick. 10-9 Vannata.
They trade to start the second. Grundy was trying for the takedown but Vannata defending. They break and Vannata with some leg kicks. Grundy still trying for the takedown but Vannata is getting away from them. Grundy lands a nice right hand. Vannata with a high kick. There was a fight in the crowd. Vannata lands a combo. Vannata with a combo and a leg kick. Grundy still trying for a takedown but Vannata defending. Vannata with a body kick. Grundy lands a hard right hand that Vannata eats perfectly. Vannata with some body kicks. 10-9 Vannata, 20-18 Vannata.
Grundy trying a takedown but Vannata defending. Vannata lands a hard knee and Grundy gets him down but Vannata trying to scramble up. Grundy has the neck and control in the sprawl and is looking for a choke. They get to their feet and Vannata with a big takedown as he’s on the top and they stand. Grundy lands a right hand but Vannata backs him up with a combo. Vannata lands a knee as Grundy misses a takedown attempt. Vannata with a leg kick. Grundy just barely lands a right hand. Grundy lands a left hand but Vannata with a body kick. Grundy with a right hand. Grundy tries a long takedown but Vannata easily defends. Vannata with a body kick and right hand. Grundy with a body kick and Vannata lands a knee. 10-9 Vannata, 30-27 Vannata.
Official Result- Lando Vannata def. Mike Grundy by split decision (29-28, 27-30, 30-27)
> Ronaldo Souza (26-9 1 NC, 9-6 UFC) vs. Andre Muniz (20-4, 2-0 UFC) Middleweights
Souza with a leg kick. Souza with a body kick. Souza with another body kick and a right hand. Souza with a body kick and then a flurry as he goes for a takedown against the fence. He gets Muniz down. Souza with punches from the top as he stands. Muniz is able to force a scramble up. They trade and Muniz gets a takedown and is working from the top with short left hands. They scramble up and Muniz has the back against the fence. They break and Souza lands a right hand. Muniz with a high kick. Muniz gets a brief takedown and has the back standing as they get up. Muniz jumps up for a choke but Souza escapes for a second and Muniz is able to lock in an armbar and SOuza taps! Wow, what a submission out of nowhere as Muniz submits Souza.
Official Result- Andre Muniz def. Ronaldo Souza by submission (armbar) at 3:59 of Round 1
They are swinging right away and Barboza with a leg kick. Barboza with another legkick and some more as Burgos is trying to land punches. Barboza with another leg kick. They trade and Burgos lands a right hand. Barboza with a right hand. Barboza tries a spin kick but Burgos grabs him but they break. Barboza with a leg kick. Both are looking for openings while Barboza continues to land the leg kick. Burgos with a body combo. Barboza with more leg kicks. Burgos lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Barboza lands a spin kick right to the head of Burgos and he eats it. They then trade. Barboza with a right hand and Burgos stumbles. Burgos lands a left hand. Barboza with a right hand and then a leg kick and another. He lands another. Burgos with a left hook late. 10-9 Barboza.
Burgos landing the jab right away. Burgos lands a right hand. Barboza with a leg kick. Barboza with a spin kick to the body. They trade jabs. Burgos lands a right hand. Barboza with a body kick. Barboza with more leg kicks. They trade. Burgos lands a left hand. Burgos with a combo. Burgos with a left hook to the body and Barboza with another leg kick. Burgos with a leg kick and right hand. They trade in close range. Barboza with a spin kick. Barboza with a leg kick. They’re trading in close range. Barboza with a jumping knee. Barboza with a body kick. They trade and Barboza just misses a wheel kick. Burgos lands a left hook. Close round. 10-9 Burgos, 19-19.
Burgos with a leg kick and Barboza fires one back. Barboza lands a left hand and an inside leg kick. Burgos with a left hand. They trade in close range. Barboza lands a big right hand and Burgos stumbles a few moments later and falls to the ground and Barboza gets on top and finishes it off. What a fight as Barboza picks up the win.
Official Result- Edson Barboza def. Shane Burgos by TKO (punches) at 1:16 of Round 3
Araujo lands the jab. They each land in a close exchange. Chookagian lands a right hand. Araujo with a combo and then lands a big right hand. Araujo with a combo and then a leg kick. Chookagian lands a left hand. Araujo with an overhand right. Araujo with a right hand. Araujo lands a left. Araujo with another right hand. Araujo lands a right hand. Chookagian throwing a lot but not landing much of it. Chookagian lands a left hand and Araujo with a left hand to the body. They trade and Araujo goes for a takedown against the fence. Chookagian with a knee. They both land knees in the clinch. 10-9 Araujo.
Chookagian lands a body kick and Araujo stumbles to the mat for a moment but gets right up. They trade kicks. Chookagian with a body kick. They trade punches. They trade and Araujo gets Chookagian down to the mat and is in side control. She’s looking for a guillotine choke and has it in. She lets go to land punches. Araujo gets the mount. Araujo landing body punches from the top. They scramble to their feet and break. Chookagian with a left hand. Chookagian with a combo as Araujo looking tired. They trade in close range. 10-9 Araujo, 20-18 Araujo.
Chookagian with a body kick. Araujo lands a right hand. Chookagian with the jab and Araujo lands a right hand. They trade in close range. Chookagian with a leg kick. They continue to trade but neither landing anything clean or damaging. They trade in close range. Araujo tried a takedown but Chookagian defended and they trade on the break. Chookagian with a leg kick and some follow-up punches. They trade late. Both have a late flurry. Close fight. 10-9 Chookagian, 29-28 Araujo.
Official Result- Katlyn Chookagian def. Viviane Araujo by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
> Matt Schnell (#8, 15-5, 5-3 UFC) vs. Rogerio Bontorin (#9, 16-3 1 NC, 2-2 UFC) Bantamweights* (Bontorin missed weight by 1 pound)
They trade in close range. Bontorin with a leg kick as Schnell is pressing forward. Schnell with a combo as Bontorin lands a leg kick. They trade in close range. They trade in close. Bontorin lands a left hook. Bontorin with a leg kick and Schnell stumbles a little. Schnell with a combo in close. Bontorin with a leg kick. Schnell with a body kick. 10-9 Schnell.
Bontorin with a leg kick. Schnell with a leg kick. Bontorin lands a nice left hook. They trade inside the pocket. Bontorin lands a nice combo as they trade a flurry. Bontorin lands a left hook. Bontorin lands a combo and rocks Schnell. Not a lot going on as they’re just trading periodically. 10-9 Bontorin, 19-19.
Schnell landing more to start the third and Bontorin lands a right hand. Schnell with a combo. Bontorin with a leg kick. Bontorin with a leg kick. Both landing and Schnell lands a little more. Schnell lands a combo. They trade in close range. Bontorin landing a flurry against the fence and lands a flying knee and gets a takedown and is working in the guard of Schnell. Bontorin working from the top and keeping Schnell on the bottom. Bontorin in side control. Bontorin gets the back and lands punches and Schnell rolls but Bontorin still on top. 10-9 Bontorin, 29-28 Bontorin.
Official Result- Rogerio Bontorin def. Matt Schnell by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
> Tony Ferguson (#5, 25-5, 15-3 UFC) vs. Beneil Dariush (#9, 19-4-1, 13-4-1 UFC) Lightweights
Dariush with a short combo and leg kick. Ferguson with a body kick. Dariush swinging wildly. Dariush with a leg kick and lands a left hand. They are both swinging and Dariush lands and gets a takedown. Ferguson looking for something from the bottom. Ferguson with some elbows from the bottom. Dariush gets back into the full guard. Both landing on the ground. Dariush landing from the top as Ferguson is trying to escape. Dariush ends the round on top. 10-9 Dariush.
Ferguson with a body kick. Dariush throws some punches and backs Ferguson against the fence and gets him down. Ferguson looking for a choke from the bottom. Dariush just holding on but not doing anything to improve. Ferguson lets go of the choke. Dariush throwing wildly from the top. Ferguson able to scramble out. They scramble and Ferguson ends up on top and now Dariush looking for a leg lock. He has a heel hook locked in and Ferguson is screaming but Dariush lets go and gets on top. Dariush smothering from the top. Dariush ends the second in side control. 10-9 Dariush, 20-18 Dariush.
Ferguson with a front kick and right hand. Both are swinging and Dariush trying for a takedown and gets a slam and has Ferguson pinned against the fence. Dariush not doing much from the top but Ferguson also not doing much from the bottom. Dariush just smothering from the top but still not doing a whole lot. Dariush almost gets the mount but ends up in the guard. Ferguson just throwing legs around but not doing anything of note. Ferguson throws some elbows from the bottom. 10-9 Dariush, 30-27 Dariush.
Official Result- Beneil Dariush def. Tony Ferguson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
> Charles Oliveira (#3, 30-8 1 NC, 18-8 1 NC UFC) vs. Michael Chandler (#4, 22-5, 1-0 UFC) UFC Lightweight Championship
Oliveira with a quick leg kick. He lands another. Chandler with some rights to the body. Chandler lands a left hook. Oliveira gets a takedown and Chandler has a guillotine locked in but Oliveira pops out. Oliveira gets the back and is working for a choke. They stand and Chandler does a back fall onto Oliveira to try and escape but Oliveria still has the back. Oliveira with an elbow. Oliveira with body punches. Chandler escapes. Chandler with some punches as he stands and Oliveira is on the mat. Oliveira gets to his feet. Chandler lands a left and then a right that drops Oliveira and he’s teeing off. Oliveira survives and tries for an armbar as Chandler gets in his guard. Chandler with punches. Chandler with a big elbow and a hammerfist. Chandler with more elbows and he moves to side control for a second then back into the guard. Chandler ends the round on top. 10-9 Chandler.
Oliveir drops Chandler with a left and is teeing off. Chandler stands and Oliveira drops him again and finishes him off with a huge flurry to win the title. Oliveira runs out into the crowd to celebrate with some friends and the place is going crazy.
Official Result- Charles Oliveira def. Michael Chandler by TKO (punches) at :19 of Round 2 to win the UFC Lightweight Championship
Dave Meltzer covers the state of emergency in Japan, the actual stats, shows canceled, when NJPW is set to return
Lots more on the life of Brian Pillman, what Dark Side didn’t cover, his football career, contract disputes, booking idea if he stayed with WCW, children and legacy.
Also in this issue:
Match and wrestler of the week
AEW & WWE back on the road and details
A look at the next two major pro wrestling PPV shows
UFC coverage of Saturday’s show, next week’s show, new fights, new financial info
Most detailed look at ratings, what shows do people watch longest, what shows do they watch live or most on DVR, Segment breakdowns and and exclusive info on how the different shows are consumed
U.S. Olympic wrestling preview
The amazing historical story of a fugitive in a foreign country who held the biggest tag team title in the world, and his shocking death
Notes on AEW television schedule for the next six weeks
2016 Gold medalist talks WWE
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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
We’ve got a busy weekend of shows, with Garrett Gonzalez and I doing a show today with Bruce Mitchell as guest, plus Saturday Bryan and I will cover UFC, AEW, preview WrestleMania Backlash and more, and Sunday we’ll be covering Backlash. You can send questions to the shows to [email protected]
We’re sorry to report that one of the most infamous and colorful wrestling characters of this generation, Jerome Young aka New Jack, passed away today from a heart attack. He had been living in North Carolina. New Jack started in Georgia where he met Mustafa Saed, and they first gained a reputation feuding with the Rock & Roll Express in Smoky Mountain Wrestling. They became bigger stars going to ECW in 1995 where he became a cult favorite for diving off balconies through tables and weapons-filled attacks while his music was playing. In many ways, he was one of the symbols of the company and it’s out of control violence in the 90s. There were endless stories of him, chronicled in the Dark Side of the Ring episode on him in season two. Some, like slicing open Erich Kulas or nearly killing Vic Grimes by throwing him off a high place, or stabbing someone during a match, or beating up 70 year old Gypsy Joe are not pretty. He was known for his promos and attitude and for the dangerous vibe he brought to wrestling.
My newest book, “The Wrestling Observer Yearbook 2014: The Year of the Yes Movement” has just been released. It’s available on Amazon. The key chapters in the book include the year of Daniel Bryan, C.M. Punk quits WWE, The launch of the WWE Network and UFC Fight Pass, TNA loses Spike TV, death of Ultimate Warrior, Sting arrives in WWE, Undertaker loses to Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, Jeff Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling and Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier. As of today it was No. 2 in the Amazon best seller list in the wrestling category.
Smackdown tonight has Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler vs. Tamina & Natalya for the women’s tag team titles. 205 Live has Asher Hale vs. Ariya Daivari and Ari Serling vs. Tony Nese.
For AEW first day ticket sales, Cedar Park, TX sold about 2,700 tickets, Garland, TX sold about 2,000 and Miami had 200 tickets left at last check but we don’t know how much was open. So no instant sellouts but Miami is close.
UFC, on the other hand, sold out its 6/12 show in Glendale, AZ instantly.
UFC 262 tomorrow:
ESPN+ at 6:30 p.m.
Christos Giagos (156) vs. Sean Soriano (156)
Kevin Agular (145) vs Tucker Lutz (146)
Gina Mazany (126) vs. Priscilla Cachoeira (126)
ESPN at 8 p.m.
Jordan Wright (185) vs. Jamie Pickett (186)
Andrea Lee (126) vs. Antonina Shevchenko (125)
Lando Vannata (146) vs. Mike Grundy (146)
Ronaldo Jacare Souza (186) vs. Andre Muniz (186)
PPV at 10 pm..
Matt Schnell (136) vs. Rogerio Bontorin (137) – For missing weight Bontorin forfeits 20 percent of his purse to Schnell
Shane Burgos (146) vs. Edson Barboza (146)
Katlyn Chookagian (126) vs. Viciane Araujo (126)
Tony Ferguson (156) vs Beneil Dariush (156)
Charles Oliveira (155) vs. Michael Chandler (155) for vacant lightweight title
Congratulations to Garrett Gonzales whose son graduates college this week.
There will be a press conference on Tuesday to announce TripleMania for this summer and the Kenny Omega vs. Andrade el Idolo main event for the mega championship.
The Cubs Fan reported L.A. Park is off all his bookings the next few days due to pneumonia.
Bobby Lashley -200 vs. Drew McIntyre +175 vs. Braun Strowman +500
Roman Reigns -600 vs. Cesaro +350
Rhea Ripley -200 vs. Charlotte Flair +175 vs. Asuka +500
Bianca Belair -950 vs. Bayley +500
Rey & Dominik Mysterio -200 vs. Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode +150
Damien Priest -800 vs. The Miz +400
A correction from last week’s show I did with Garrett Gonzalez as a Q&A on Brian Pillman and Randy Savage. The Pillman radio show clip talking about his accident that aired on last week’s Dark Side of the Ring was from Wrestle Radio USA with Vinnie Carolan and Ed Symkus. I said Vinnie Carolan and Cody Boyns. Boyns did a different Boston area wrestling radio show.
The Mitsuharu Misawa Memorial show that was scheduled for 5/30 at the Ota Ward Gym in Tokyo has been moved to 5/31 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
WWE
A story on John Cena hosting a new Peacock web series on top heels is at(thanks to Barry Werner)
Slam Wrestling has stories on 70s star Chris Colt. In the first one, Jonathan Plombon (who has a Herb Abrams book coming out), speaks with filmmaker Jack Fritscher about the gay porn movies that Chris Colt did at the end of his career. In the other piece, photographer Brad McFarlin recalls how he got a photo of Chris Colt and singer Joe Cocker together … and then how Cocker later threw up on him during the concert!
MLW Fusion on Saturday at Noon on Vice has Erick Stevens vs. Douglas James and Tom Lawlor vs. Ross Von Erich. MLW is expected to announce new wrestlers starting in the company over the next week or so.
There is a show on Sunday at 7 p.m. at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia with Rob Van Dam. The show is called “A Night with Rob Van Dam at the ECW Arena.” There will be a live signing, a documentary on RVD and RVD doing a Q&A comedy show. The price of $65 includes a picture with RVD or an autograph, plus food and beverage. Additional autographs are $20. Masks must be worn at all times in the building.
Going into the last week of the NBA season, viewership is down 13 percent from last year overall. ABC is down nine percent. ESPN and TNT are down 17 percent. Overall TV viewership from last year is down 12 percent.
KSW will be bringing fans back on 6/5 for a show at the Ergo Arena in Gdansk, Poland, allowing 50 percent capacity. The company’s all-time biggest draw, Mariusz Pudzianowksi (14-7) faces Lukasz Jurkowski (17-11) in a heavyweight main event.
Paul Daley (43-17-2) vs. Jason Jackson (14-4) has been announced as the co-main event for Bellator on 6/11 on Showtime. The main event on the show has Douglas Lima (32-8) defending the welterweight title against Yaroslav Amosov (25-0)
The CWE promotion in Winnipeg returns to Shaw TV on 5/21 at 9 p.m. Central time. They will have a weekly Friday night show called CWE Adrenaline on Ch. 9 in Winnipeg and on Shaw Direct throughout Canada. The show will also be uploaded on YouTube the next day.
LFA tonight from Sioux Falls, SD at 9 p.m. Eastern on UFC Fight Pass
Taylor Mauldin (124.8) vs. Ambar De la Harran (125.2)
James Wilson (155) vs. Daniel Jefferson (155.8)
Jordan Heiderman (241.4) vs. Anthony Garrett (244.4)
Allan Begosso (135.6) vs. Samarbek Sabyrzhan Uulu (137.6) – Uulu missed weight and had to pay a penalty to Begosso
George Garcia (136) vs. Ricardo Dias (135.2)
Kamuela Kirk (155.8) vs. Daniel Swain (155.6)
Steve Keirn will be honored as part of The Gathering weekend in Charlotte starting 7/22. They also announced a David Schultz Q&A on 7/22.
Stardom from today at Korakuen Hall
Mina Shirakawa b Ruaka in a Future of Stardom tournament match
Natsupoi won four-way over Tam Nakano, Lady C and Hanan
Natsuko Tora & Konami & Fukigen Death b Momo Watanabe & AZM & Hina
Saya Kamitani b Starlight Kid in a Cinderella tournament match
Maika b Giulia via over the top rope in a Cinderella tournament match
Syuri b Utami Hayashishita via over the top rope in a Cinderella tournament match
Himeka b Mayu Iwatani via over the top rope in a Cinderella tournament match
Unagi Sayaka b Syuri via over the top rope in a Cinderella tournament match
This leaves Sayaka, Kamitani, Maiki and Himeka in the semifinals on 6/12.
The highly-anticipated return of Nate Diaz is being pushed back a month.
Due to an undisclosed minor injury, the Diaz vs. Leon Edwards co-main event for this Saturday’s UFC 262 has been pushed back to June 12th’s UFC 263. The fight was to be a five round affair, but it’s unknown if that will still be the case next month.
UFC 263, set for Glendale, Arizona, is headlined by middleweight Israel Adesanya vs. Marvin Vettori II and flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo vs. Brandon Moreno II.
This was to be Diaz’s first fight since losing to Jorge Masvidal for the ceremonial BMF title at November 2019’s UFC 244. He has two fights remaining on his contract. Edwards returned after nearly 18 months of inactivity and had a short no contest with Belal Muhammad in March after he accidentally eye-poked Muhammad.
This Saturday’s main event is Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler for the vacant lightweight title. It’s assumed Tony Ferguson vs. Beneil Dariush will be the new co-main event.
One of the top draws in MMA is returning at May’s UFC 262 in another first-ever circumstance as Nate Diaz will face Leon Edwards in the organization’s first-ever five round, non-title co-main event.
This will be the 35-year-old’s first fight since losing to Jorge Masvidal for the ceremonial BMF belt at UFC 244 in November 2019. Before that, he had defeated Anthony Pettis at August 2019’s UFC 241 — his first fight in three years.
After nearly 18 months off due to the pandemic and having COVID-19, Edwards returned to action against Belal Muhammad this month as his original opponent (Khamzat Chimaev) fell through for a third time. An Edwards eye poke ended the fight in the second round in a disappointing no contest. Edwards hasn’t tasted defeat in nine straight fights dating back to May 2016.
UFC 262 is headlined by Michael Chandler vs. Charles Oliveira for the vacant lightweight title. It’s scheduled for the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, with no limitations on attendance and tickets going on sale Wednesday afternoon. Next month’s UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Florida, is being held under similar conditions and sold out in minutes last week.
A look at how WrestleMania tickets, the COVID situation, UFC running Jacksonville all tie together is the lead story in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer.
We look at WWE’s attendance goals, foreign attendance, ticket prices, Super Bowl COVID spreading, Spring break, the WrestleMania card updated, Dana White’s decision to run a full house indoor show, his planned big card, why so many people UFC fighters have gotten COVID than wrestlers, as well as a look at the most recent COVID outbreak in NXT.
Also in this issue:
New Japan Cup with coverage of all the shows of this past week, with results, notes and star ratings for all the Cup matches.
WWE’s move to Peacock and the functions, Eric Bischoff Hall of Fame story, Charlotte Flair movie starring role, Tyson Fury vs. Drew McIntyre, WWE Network gift cards, how WWE & AEW did against sports programming this past week, Canadian WWE ratings, Danny Burch injury, new WWE signees, A&E schedule for WWE programming, UFC star talks going to WWE, WWE market value, most-watched shows on WWE Network and Paul Weight talks how WWE nixed his business idea.
Saturday’s UFC show, with the stories from the fight, future direction as well as match-by-match coverage.
A story that isn’t there now, but based on things being worked on that will greatly change all combat sports as well as pro wrestling and look at what changes can and can’t be done.
A major feature on Buddy Colt, one of the biggest pro wrestling stars of the 1970s, who passed away last week. We look at his career, his similarities with an all-time legend and the plane crash that led to the end of his in-ring career. We go into detail on the crash, the injuries he and the others had, his thoughts on the business, his interaction with Muhammad Ali, his breaking in Brian Blair and what he taught him, the first interracial match in Georgia, the death of Eddie Graham and the end of Championship Wrestling from Florida and much more.
More into detail on the ratings than any other source, we have how every segment on NXT and AEW did as well as how it did with different age groups, genders and more, plus a look at all other wrestling shows of the past week.
Results of the major pro wrestling events of the past week.
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FRIDAY NEWS UPDATE
Garrett Gonzalez and I will be talking the latest news tonight on Wrestling Observer Radio and have John Arezzi as a guest.
UFC 262 announced on 4/24 with Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler for the vacant lightweight title (I give my thoughts on that one in the current issue) will be held at the Toyota Center in Houston and they will attempt to sell more than 18,000 tickets in the building. SportsBetting.ag is listing Oliveira as the -155 favorite.
The New Japan Cup semifinals will be at 4 a.m. Eastern tomorrow morning live from Sendai in New Japan World. The finals will be at 1 a.m. Eastern late tomorrow night also from Sendai. We’ll be doing weekend polls on both shows as well as the WWE Fast Lane show, so you can vote thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle for each show and a best and worst match to [email protected]
The lineup for the semifinal show:
Juice Robinson & Yuya Uemura vs. Jeff Cobb & Great O’Khan
Toru Yano & Yoshi-Hashi & Sho vs. Bad Luck Fale & Chase Owens & Jadeo
Tetsuya Naito & Sanada & Bushi vs. Zack Sabre Jr. & Taichi & Douki
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Kota Ibushi & Kazuchika Okada vs. Jay White & KENTA & Yujiro Takahashi
Will Ospreay vs. David Finlay
Shingo Takagi vs. Evil
The New Japan Roku Channel stuff for this week has Hiromu Takahashi vs Ryu Lee and Sho & Yoh vs. Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Desperado from last year in Osaka.
There is a video of Julija Stoliarenko of UFC, who fainted twice at weigh-ins going around. She made weight at 135.5, then collapsed. She was helped up and collapsed a second time. The doctors canceled her scheduled fight tomorrow against Julia Avila. This is a broken record but something needs to be done about weight cutting or there will be a major tragedy.
Tomorrow’s UFC show starts at 7 p.m. Eastern on ESPN +. At 10 p.m. the show will air on both ESPN 2 and ESPN+:
Bruno Silva (126) vs. JP Buys (126)
Montel Jackson (136) vs. Jesse Strader (137.5) – Strader forfeits 20 percent of his purse to Jackson for missing weight
Trevin Giles (185.5) vs. Roman Dolidze (185)
Leonardo Santos (155.5) vs. Grant Dawson (156)
Marion Reneau (136) vs. Macy Chiasson (136)
ESPN2 fights:
Tai Tuivasa (264.5) vs. Harry Hunsucker (249)
Kenan Song (171) vs. Max Griffin (170.5)
Adrian Yanez (1135) vs. Gustavo Lopez (136)
Cheyanne Buys (115) vs. Montserrat Ruiz (115)
Gregor Gillespie (155.5) vs. Brad Riddell (155.5)
Derek Brunson (185) vs. Kevin Holland (183)
Smackdown tonight has Michael Cole doing a face-to-face with Big E and Apollo Crews prior to their IC title match on Sunday. Edge vs. Jey Uso with the winner being the special enforcer for Sunday Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan Universal title match is the main event, plus Sasha Banks vs. Nia Jax for the Smackdown women’s title.
Chelsea Green is backstage at Smackdown tonight. That doesn’t mean she’s on the show, but she is there. She’s been out of action with a broken wrist.
The NCAA wrestling tournament semifinals will be on ESPN tonight at 8 p.m. Eastern. The consolation round finals are tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. Eastern on ESPN 2. The finals are at 7 p.m. tomorrow night on ESPN.
ESPN will have a special tomorrow at 2:30 p.m. as the first part of a four-part documentary on Randy Couture. The other three parts will air on ESPN+.
Triiller promotions is announcing that they will allow 100 fans to attend the Mercedes-Benz Stadium show on 4/17 headlined by Ben Askren vs. Jake Paul in a boxing match. The 100 fans will be the only fans allowed in the arena. Too be entered into the giveaway you have to be a registered and active Triller app user, must comment on at least 30 Triller videos over a three-day video and post a video saying why you deserve to attend the show in person. Triller will provide travel, hotel and access to the show to each of the 100 winners and their guests. Complete rules are at TrillerFightClub.com
WWE
Current odds for Sunday’s Fast Lane show from BetOnline.ag
Roman Reigns -1000 vs. Daniel Bryan +525
Shayna Baszler & Nia Jax -300 vs. Sasha Banks & Bianca Belair +200
Drew McIntyre -550 vs. Sheamus +325
Alexa Bliss -200 vs. Randy Orton +150
Big E -300 vs. Apollo Crews +200
There will be a Beth Phoenix ICONS documentary that airs on 3/28 on Peacock.
UFC
Cody Garbrandt vs. Rob Font will headline a show on 5/22.
Former bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw returns after a two year suspension for doping to face Cory Sandhagen in a fight that is likely to determine a title contender on 5/8.
Sijara Eubanks vs. Karol Rosa has been announced for a 6/12 PPV show.
AEW
The Britt Baker vs. Thunder Rosa match on Wednesday peaked at 450,000 viewers in 18-49 which was the high point of either show.
RIOT Lucha’s Coviodiotas show airs at 9 p.m. Eastern on Sunday from Monterrey on the Luchamania Monterrey YouTube channel. The show is free, but they are asking for donations for talent that has been out of work for a year. There is a big main event with Arez defending his RIOT title against El Hijo del Vikingo. Anyone who donates $25 or more will be put into a raffle for two Humberto Carrillo action figures that he will personally autograph.
SWE Fury TV Show Results from this week’s episode
Justin Credible vs Blood Hunter went to a no contest after Credible came to the match under the influence and unprofessionally left the match 4 minutes in.
Rene Michelle beat Myra Madrid
John Ovari and Mike Anthony beat MOE in Tag Team Competition
Rodney Mac Retained the SWE Television Championship over Chris Liland
Christi Jaynes retained the SWE Women’s Title defeating Sue Yung
Mantell beat Max Castellanos in a street fight
The full show can be seen here. The next SWE Fury TV Taping is this Saturday March 20th at the Canton Civic Center in Canton TX featuring a Battle Royal to crown a Texas Heavyweight Champion, appearances by Mark Henry, Melina, Teddy Long, Selina De La Renta and Charlie Haas. More event information is at SWEFury.com
Cage Fury, which is the promotion that C.M. Punk announces for, has shows on UFC Fight Pass on 4/1 and 4/2 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia. The 4/1 show features welterweight champion Bassil Hafez (6-2-1) defending against Evan Cutts (11-4). The 4/2 show has Zulkarnaiyn Kamchybekov (4-1) vs. Jesse Smith (4-0) battling for the vacant lightweight title. Limited tickets will be on asle for both shows.
Pro Wrestling Australia runs 3/27 on FITE TV featuring Robbie Eagles & Aussie Open vs. The Velocities & Matt Diamond, plus Shazza McKenzie appears.
Bare Knuckle Boxing runs tonight on the Bare Knuckle boxing app at 9 p.m. Eastern with Leonard Garcia vs. Joe Elmore as the main event.
The PFL will be streaming content every Friday night at 9 p.m. on the Fubo Sports Network. The hour-long show will promote upcoming shows, air old footage and talk about the goings on with the promotion.
AXS will be airing the 2012 Bound for Glory show on 3/30 which was headlined by Austin Aries vs. Jeff Hardy.
Innovate Wrestling on 3/27 in Kingsport, TN at the Civic Center featuring Chase Owens vs. Gustavo Aguilar and Jordan Kage vs. Toby Farley.
KSW has their super heavyweight match at www.KSWTV.com tomorrow from Lodz, Poland. The main event has their big draw, former world’s strongest man Mariusz Pudzianowki (265 pounds) vs. Bombardier, billed as the Sengalese wrestling legend, who weighed in at 333 pounds. There is also a bantamweight title match with Artun Tacic (135) defending against Sebastian Przybysz (135).sint
Jordan Oliver vs. Simon Gotch has been added to the MLW Never Say Never show on 3/31.
After months of not accepting that UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov was retired and trying to persuade him to reconsider, Dana White finally relented early Friday morning.
White tweeted that at 29-0, Nurmagomedov was “100% officially retired,” that it was incredible to watch him work and thanked him for everything. After debuting with the UFC in January 2012, he won the title in April 2018, successfully defending the title four times.
Shortly thereafter, ESPN reported that former Bellator lightweight champion Michael Chandler and the streaking Charles Olivera will battle for the vacant title at UFC 262 on May 15th, location TBA.
Chandler is coming off a first round KO of Dan Hooker in his debut at January’s UFC 257 while Oliveira has won eight straight including a dominant win over Tony Ferguson his last time out.
On a somewhat related note, it appears that Conor McGregor vs. Dustin Poirier III is the path forward for both men. ESPN’s Ariel Helwani reported the company wanted to get the fight done for May 15th but that July 10th is now the targeted date. Poirier tweeted, “I am the champion.”
That would leave fan favorite Justin Gaethje as the odd man out for the time being.
**********
After a two-year absence due to a USADA violation for taking EPO, former UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw will return in a UFC Fight Night main event against top contender Cory Sandhagen on May 8th. It’s expected the winner will get a bantamweight title shot.
Dillashaw was last seen in a losing effort to then-flyweight champion Henry Cejudo, the fight in which he failed tests. Since losing to current champion Aljamain Sterling, Sandhagen has knocked out both Marlon Moraes and former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar in impressive fashion.
**********
Former bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt will return to face rising contender Rob Font in a UFC Fight Night main event on May 22nd.
Garbrandt was scheduled to drop to flyweight and challenge reigning champion Deiveson Figueiredo last November but had to pull out due to testing positive for COVID-19. Before that, he was last seen knocking out Raphael Assuncao last June. Font is on a three-fight winning streak, the last a first round KO of the aforementioned Moraes.
