Matchup Roundup: New UFC fights announced in the past week (Dec. 11-17)

All the UFC fight announcements that were first reported or confirmed by MMA Junkie in the past week.

MMA fight announcements are hard to follow. With so many outlets and channels available, it’s nearly impossible to organize.

But here at MMA Junkie, we’ve got your back.

Each week, we’ll compile all the newly surfaced fights in one spot. Every Monday, expect a feature listing everything you might have missed from the UFC.

Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie or officially announced by the promotions from Dec. 11-17.

Tatiana Suarez vs. Amanda Lemos added to UFC 298 in February

A pivotal strawweight bout has been added to UFC 298 as top-five contenders Tatiana Suarez and Amanda Lemos are set to do battle.

A pivotal strawweight bout has been added to UFC 298 as top-five contenders [autotag]Tatiana Suarez[/autotag] and [autotag]Amanda Lemos[/autotag] are set to do battle.

The UFC on Tuesday announced the matchup, which takes place Feb. 17 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Undefeated Suarez (10-0 MMA, 7-0 UFC) returned to her winning ways this year after a nearly four-year layoff due to injury. She beat Montana De La Rosa at flyweight in her first fight back, a second-round submission in February. Suarez followed that up with another second-round submission, this time at strawweight against former champ Jessica Andrade in August. Suarez will look to secure a title shot with another win, especially a finish.

Lemos (13-3-1 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is coming off a title-fight loss to champ Zhang Weili this past August at UFC 292. Lemos lost by unanimous decision to snap a two-fight winning streak against Michelle Waterson-Gomez and Marina Rodriguez.

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With the addition, here is the updated UFC 298 lineup:

  • Champ Alexander Volkanovski vs. Ilia Topuria – for featherweight title
  • Henry Cejudo vs. Merab Dvalishvili
  • Amanda Lemos vs. Tatiana Suarez
  • Tai Tuivasa vs. Marcin Tybura
  • Ikram Aliskerov vs. Anthony Hernandez
  • Andrea Lee vs. Miranda Maverick
  • Marcos Rogerio vs. Justin Tafa
  • Zhang Mingyang vs. Brendson Ribeiro
  • Danny Barlow vs. Yusaku Kinoshita

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 298.

UFC 292 fighter pay: Zhang Weili, Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling top disclosed list – in that order

Check out the disclosed UFC 292 pay for Zhang Weili, Sean O’Malley, and Aljamain Sterling, per the Massachusetts athletic commission.

A dozen fighters who competed Aug. 19 at UFC 292 in Boston walked away with six-figure disclosed paydays, according to government documents.

UFC women’s strawweight champion [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] topped all disclosed amounts, pocketing over a half-million dollars ($520,000) for her successful title defense vs. [autotag]Amanda Lemos[/autotag] ($250,000). Headliners [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] and [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] each walked away with slightly less ($500,000) in terms of disclosed amounts.

The Massachusetts Division of Occupational Licensure released a full document of fighter bout agreements to MMA Junkie on Tuesday through a public records request. The amounts regulated by the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission (MSAC) do not include LOA (side letter) bonuses, sponsorships, or other locker room bonuses.

Check out what the 24 athletes who competed on the card earned in terms of disclosed payouts below.

UFC 292 post-event facts: Ian Machado Garry enters record book with 6-0 octagon start

The best facts to come out of UFC 292, which saw Sean O’Malley, Zhang Weili, Ian Machado Garry and others record statistical achievements.

One of the biggest UFC events of the year thus far went down Saturday with UFC 292, which took place at TD Garden in Boston and featured two championship fights with different results.

In the main event, [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) shocked [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] (23-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC) with a second-round TKO to capture the bantamweight belt, while in the co-headliner, [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] (24-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) got her second strawweight title reign off a dominant start with a lopsided unanimous decision over Brazilian challenger [autotag]Amanda Lemos[/autotag] (13-3-1 MMA, 7-3 UFC).

For more on the numbers behind the two championship bouts, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC 292.

UFC 292 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: All-time program total passes $20 million

Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 292 took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $340.500.

BOSTON – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 292 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $340.500.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 292 took place at TD Garden. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

The full UFC 292 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

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[autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag]: $32,000
def. [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag]: $42,000

[autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Amanda Lemos[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Ian Machado Garry[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag]: $21,00

[autotag]Mario Bautista[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Da’Mon Blackshear[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Pedro Munhoz[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Brad Tavares[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Chris Weidman[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Gregory Rodrigues[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Denis Tiuliulin[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Kurt Holobaugh[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Austin Hubbard[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Brad Katona[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Cody Gibson[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Andre Petroski[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Natalia Silva[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Andrea Lee[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Karine Silva[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Maryna Moroz[/autotag]: $11,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2023 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $5,735,500
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $20,324,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 292.

UFC 292 play-by-play and live results

Check out live play-by-play from UFC 292 in Boston with Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O’Malley and Zhang Weili vs. Amanda Lemos title fights.

BOSTON – UFC 292 took place at TD Garden. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

In the main event, bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (23-4 MMA, 15-4 UFC) took on challenger Sean O’Malley (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC). Sterling holds the UFC record for most consecutive title defenses at 135 pounds. In the co-feature, women’s strawweight champ Zhang Weili (24-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) met challenger Amanda Lemos (13-3-1 MMA, 7-3 UFC) in the first test of her second reign as titleholder.

In addition, former middleweight champ Chris Weidman (15-7 MMA, 11-7 UFC) returned from more than two years out after a severe broken leg in 2021. He took on Brad Tavares (20-9 MMA, 15-8 UFC) in a featured bout on the prelims. Plus, two new “Ultimate Fighter” winners will be crowned on the prelims.

UFC 292 results: Zhang Weili shuts out Amanda Lemos in dominant title defense

Zhang Weili recorded the first defense of her second strawweight title reign in a dominant display against Amanda Lemos at UFC 292.

[autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] maintained her place atop the strawweight division with a masterful performance against Amanda Lemos.

Over 25 minutes, Weili (24-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) proved too much for the challenger Lemos (13-3-1 MMA, 7-3 UFC) to handle. The women’s strawweight title bout was the UFC 292 co-main event at TD Garden in Boston. When it was all said and done, the dominant display on the feet and on the mat from Weili resulted in scores of 50-43, 50-44 and 49-45.

There was a big moment early as Weili caught the first kick attempt from Lemos, and put the challenger on her back. Weili focused on maintaining top control initially, but found space for punches and short elbows after Lemos scooted over to the cage. Lemos got to a seated position and ate a few more strikes.

Out of nowhere, Lemos slapped on a tight D’Arce choke. Weili appeared to struggle with the submission for a moment, but worked her way out, and got back to landing ground and pound, this time with more power. The referee asked Lemos to fight back, and she was able to do just enough to survive.

Heavy strikes were offered at the start of Round 2, but Weili brought the fight back to the mat with a clean takedown. The champion racked up more top control time before taking Lemos’ back after a scramble. Lemos escaped and got up to her feet momentarily, but was then dragged back down. Weili ended the round on Lemos’ back against the fence.

After trading a few punches and kicks to start the third, Weili decided it was time to bring the fight back to the canvas again. This time, she took Lemos’ back, but was unable to lock in a submission. With just over a minute to go, the fight returned to the feet in the clinch, where Weili landed some nice short strikes. Lemos appeared fatigued as the closing seconds ticked off the clock.

A majority of the fourth round was spent on the feet with intermittent striking exchanges. Lemos made things interesting by stinging Weili with a clean punch, and threatening another D’Arce after being taken down.

Weili cracked Lemos with a hard right hand early in the final round. Lemos fell to the canvas and had to deal with a swarm of follow-up punches. Lemos attacked a leglock, but Weili stayed heavy to escape. From there, the champion was able to keep the challenger on the defensive for the remainder of the fight.

According to UFC Stats, the striking differential was incredibly wide, with Weili landing 163 significant strikes to Lemos’ 24.

The victory marks the first title defense of Weili’s second strawweight title reign. “Magnum” reclaimed the throne by submitting Carla Esparza at UFC 281 last November.

Lemos entered as a winner of seven of nine UFC bouts, including back-to-back stoppages of Michelle Waterson-Gomez and Marina Rodriguez.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 292 results include:

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 292.

Twitter reacts to Zhang Weili’s record-setting title defense over Amanda Lemos at UFC 292

The MMA community reacted to Zhang Weili’s first title defense of her second championship reign vs. Amanda Lemos at UFC 292.

[autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag]’s second strawweight title reign got off to a successful start on Saturday when she defeated [autotag]Amanda Lemos[/autotag] in the UFC 292 co-headliner.

Weili (24-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC) showed she’s still the cream of the crop at 115 pounds with a lopsided unanimous decision victory over Lemos (13-3-1 MMA, 7-3 UFC) in their co-main event title bout at TD Garden in Boston. In the process, she landed the most significant strikes ever in a women’s UFC fight.

Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Weili’s title defense against Lemos at UFC 292.

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Zhang Weili def. Amanda Lemos at UFC 292: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Zhang Weili’s unanimous decision win over Amanda Lemos to defend her women’s strawweight title at UFC 292.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag]’s unanimous decision win over [autotag]Amanda Lemos[/autotag] to defend her women’s strawweight title at UFC 292 at TD Garden in Boston. (Photos by Bob DeChiara, USA TODAY Sports; MMA Junkie; and UFC)

UFC 292: Sterling vs. O’Malley live-streamed preview show with Farah Hannoun

Before the fights get underway, join MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun for a live-streamed preview of UFC 292.

UFC 292 takes place Saturday headlined by two title fights, but before the fights get underway, join MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun for a preview show right here at 5 p.m. ET.

In the main event, bantamweight champion [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] (23-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) takes on challenger [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC). Sterling holds the UFC record for most consecutive title defenses at 135 pounds. In the co-feature, women’s strawweight champ [autotag]Zhang Weili[/autotag] (23-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) meets challenger [autotag]Amanda Lemos[/autotag] (13-2-1 MMA, 7-2 UFC) in the first test of her second reign as titleholder.

UFC 292 takes place Saturday at TD Garden in Boston. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ABC, ESPN and ESPN+.

Below is the full lineup:

MAIN CARD (Pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET)

  • Champ Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O’Malley – for bantamweight title
  • Champ Zhang Weili vs. Amanda Lemos – for women’s strawweight title
  • Ian Machado Garry vs. Neil Magny
  • Mario Bautista vs. Da’Mon Blackshear
  • Pedro Munhoz vs. Marlon Vera

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN/ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET)

  • Brad Tavares vs. Chris Weidman
  • Gregory Rodrigues vs. Denis Tiuliulin
  • Kurt Holobaugh vs. Austin Hubbard – “TUF” 31 lightweight final
  • Cody Gibson vs. Brad Katona  – “TUF” 31 bantamweight final

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

  • Gerald Meerschaert (185) vs. Andre Petroski (186)
  • Andrea Lee (125) vs. Natalia Silva (125)
  • Maryna Moroz (125) vs. Karine Silva (125)

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 292.