Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
All the UFC and Bellator 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 or Bellator.
Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie or officially announced by a promotion from May 29-June 4.
A “big” main event is being targeted as Curtis Blaydes vs. Jailton Almeida is expected to headline a UFC event in Brazil.
A UFC heavyweight bout between contenders is in the works.
[autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jailton Almeida[/autotag] is the promotion’s targeted main event for a UFC Fight Night event expected to take place Nov. 4 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie that verbal agreements are in place with contracts expected to be issued in the coming days. The people asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Blaydes (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) looks to rebound from a TKO loss to Sergei Pavlovich in April. The defeat snapped a three-fight winning streak that included wins over Jairzinho Rozenstruik, Chris Daukaus, and Tom Aspinall.
Almeida (19-2 MMA, 5-0 UFC) solidified himself as a breakthrough star May 13 when he made quick work of Rozenstruik with a sub-four-minute submission victory. All five of Almeida’s UFC appearances have come inside the distance.
The UFC has not been to Sao Paulo since November 2019 when Jan Blachowicz defeated Ronaldo Souza in the UFC Fight Night 164 main event. The event marks the second time the UFC has returned to Brazil since show with no in-attendance fans in March 2020, toward the start of the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
No other fights have been revealed for the event at this time.
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Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique” live stream covering the biggest topics in MMA, including some big UFC announcements.
Check out this week’s “Spinning Back Clique,” MMA Junkie’s weekly live show that takes a spin through the biggest topics in mixed martial arts. This week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Danny Segura and “Gorgeous” George Garcia will join host Mike Bohn live at noon ET (9 a.m. PT) to discuss and debate:
“Spinning Back Clique” is released each Monday LIVE on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel. You can watch this week’s episode in the video above.
How should Curtis Blaydes try to rebound after falling short of securing a title shot opportunity once again at UFC Fight Night 222?
(ALSO SEE: Mick Maynard’s Shoes: What’s next for Sergei Pavlovich after UFC Fight Night 222 win?)
[autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] faced a familiar type of disappointment on Saturday at UFC Fight Night 222 when he fell short in another title eliminator, this time against Sergei Pavlovich.
Blaydes (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) Sergei saw his three-fight winning streak come to an end when he was put away by Pavlovich (17-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) in a first-round TKO at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, derailing any short-term hopes he has of fighting for the belt.
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It’s back to the drawing board for “Razor,” but what should come next? Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on Blaydes’ future after UFC Fight Night 222.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 222.
Sergei Pavlovich is firmly in the UFC record books after extending his first-round KO streak against Curtis Blaydes at UFC Fight Night 222.
The octagon was back in the UFC Apex in Las Vegas on Saturday for UFC Fight Night 222, and a new heavyweight contender emerged from the main event.
[autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] (17-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) made history when he recorded a modern company record sixth consecutive first-round knockout, this time against his most decorated opponent to date in fellow contender [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC).
Pavlovich has put his mark on the record books of the promotion, and for more on the numbers, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC Fight Night 222.
UFC Fight Night 222 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.
LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 222 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $181,500.
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 Fight Night 222 took place at the UFC Apex. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.
The full UFC Fight Night 222 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:
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[autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag]: $16,000
[autotag]Bruno Silva[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Brad Tavares[/autotag]: $21,000
[autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag]: $21,000
vs. [autotag]Jared Gordon[/autotag]: $11,000
[autotag]Iasmin Lucindo[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Brogan Walker[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Jeremiah Wells[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Matthew Semelsberger[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Christos Giagos[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Ricky Glenn[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Montel Jackson[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Rani Yahya[/autotag]: $21,000
[autotag]Norma Dumont[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Karol Rosa[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Mohammed Usman[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Junior Tafa[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]William Gomis[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Francis Marshall[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Brady Hiestand[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Danaa Batgerel[/autotag]: $6,000
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 2221 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: $2,411,500
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $17,000,500
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 222.
Sergei Pavlovich made an emphatic statement for a shot at the heavyweight title by running through Curtis Blaydes at UFC Fight Night 222.
After UFC Fight Night 222, there is no doubt who should be next in line for a UFC heavyweight title shot.
[autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] made a statement in the main event at UFC Apex in Las Vegas by making quick work of Curtis Blaydes. The bout aired on ESPN+, and fans didn’t have to wait long for a definitive result. At 3:08 of the first round, Pavlovich (18-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) was stopped by the referee from landing more punches on Blaydes (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC), and the celebration was on for the Russian heavyweight contender.
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Hard punches were exchanged early. Both fighters landed well as they moved around the octagon. Pavlovich stalked forward while Blaydes circled on the outside. It seemed as if either man could have been dropped to the canvas at any moment, and just under two minutes in, Blaydes was knocked off his feet momentarily.
Blaydes gathered himself well, but Pavlovich kept pouring on the pressure. A moment later, another combination landed to rock Blaydes again. Having not yet gone to his wrestling base which has carried him to victory many times throughout his career, Blaydes decided it was time to get the fight to the ground. However, Pavlovich wasn’t having it, and easily sprawled the takedown attempt.
Before Blaydes could figure out a solution to the major problem in front of him, he was rocked and dropped by more punches. This time, Pavlovich put the finishing touches on the fight as the referee rushed in to prevent further damage.
ANOTHER first round KO for Sergei Pavlovich 💪 #UFCVegas71 pic.twitter.com/VH6e9SJl5a
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 23, 2023
With the win, Pavlovich extends his current winning streak to five. After stumbling in his UFC debut, Pavlovich has been an absolute wrecking machine in the octagon.
Marcelo Golm, Maurice Greene, Shamil Abdurakhimov, Derrick Lewis, Tai Tuivasa, and now Curtis Blaydes, all failed to make it out of the first round against Pavlovich – a new UFC record with six-straight opening-round knockout finishes.
After the fight, Pavlovich made his case for a shot at Jon Jones’ heavyweight title.
“Hopefully this time I’ll get a bonus again, and hey, where’s my belt?” Pavlovich said during his post-fight interview in the octagon with Paul Felder.
On the other side, Blaydes sees his three-fight winning streak come to an end, and along with that, his hopes for a shot at the title.
Full results of UFC Fight Night 222 include:
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 222.
The MMA community raved over Sergei Pavlovich after his UFC Fight Night 222 win over Curtis Blaydes – including predicts he’ll beat Jon Jones.
See the top Twitter reactions to Curtis Blaydes’s win over Sergei Pavlovich in the UFC Fight Night 222 main event.
[autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] continued his assent as a heavyweight contender on Saturday when he defeated [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] in the UFC Fight Night 222 headliner.
Pavlovich (17-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) extended his streak to six fights with another first-round knockout victory over Blaydes (17-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) in the main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Pavlovich’s win over Blaydes at UFC Fight Night 222.
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Analyzing Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 222 odds and lines between Sergei Pavlovich and Curtis Blaydes, with MMA picks, tips and predictions.
In a heavyweight bout in the main event, Sergei Pavlovich and Curtis Blaydes meet at UFC Fight Night 222 — also known as UFC Vegas 71 — at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the UFC Fight Night 222: Pavlovich vs. Blaydes odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.
The prelims are on ESPN+ at 4:30 p.m. ET, while the main card can be viewed on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET.
Pavlovich takes the walk to the octagon with 5 consecutive KO/TKO wins under his belt after getting dropped by Alistair Overeem in his UFC debut in Nov. 2018. Not only has the Russian fighter won his past 5 bouts via KO/TKO, but each has been finished in Round 1.
Blaydes made quick work of Tom Aspinall in his most recent showing in July 2022 in the main event, needing just 15 seconds before dispatching the Briton via knockout. That came on the heels of a 2nd-Round KO/TKO against Chris Daukaus in March 2022.
“Razor” has won 7 of his past 8 bouts, with stoppages in 7 of the previous 10 fights dating back to Feb. 2018. The 32-year-old gives up 4 inches in reach to Pavlovich. Blaydes has posted a 61.55% significant strike accuracy percentage, and he has a spectacular 6.05 takedown average. He’ll likely be trying to get this fight to the mat quickly.
Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:37 a.m. ET.
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Records: Pavlovich (17-1-0) | Blaydes (17-3-0)
BLAYDES (-165) is a strong play on the 2-way line, as Pavlovich faces a serious step up in competition.
Blaydes is the more polished fighter and can win it in a number of ways. He is not just known for his punching power, but also for his wrestling ability. If he gets Pavlovich down, and begins the ground and pound, it isn’t going to end well for the Russian underdog.
Blaydes is fighting for a title shot, and he just might get one with a resounding victory here.
Playing OVER 1.5 ROUNDS (+110) is worth a look. Yes, Pavlovich hasn’t been extended past the 1st Round in any of his 6 fights at the UFC level, but Blaydes represents his biggest challenge yet.
I think this one takes a little longer than the middle of the 2nd Round. These 2 fighters will use the 1st Round to feel each other out. They’re not going to wear themselves out by emptying the tank with a ton of punches. We might see Blaydes go to the mat in Round 1, trying to gain top position and wow the judges with his wrestling ability. However, I think we see Round 2 — and perhaps even Round 3 — before Blaydes comes away with a win either by submission or via KO/TKO.
Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.
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For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and us on Facebook.
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UFC Fight Night 222 headliners Sergei Pavlovich and Curtis Blaydes had their lone pre-fight faceoff after making weight.
LAS VEGAS – UFC Fight Night 222 headliners [autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] and [autotag]Curtis Blaydes[/autotag] had their lone pre-fight faceoff after making weight.
Pavlovich (16-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) and Blaydes (17-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) engaged in the first and only staredown ahead of Saturday’s main event, which takes place at the UFC Apex and streams on ESPN+.
Both men kept things professional going into the crucial matchup, which sees Pavlovich enter with a five-fight streak of first-round knockouts, and Blaydes on a three-fight winning streak.
Check out the video above to see Pavlovich and Blaydes face off ahead of UFC Fight Night 222.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 222.
