Tag: Dalcha Lungiambula

UFC Fight Night 203 pre-event facts: Can Marlon Moraes buck his brutal skid?

The best facts and figures about UFC Fight Night 203, which features Thiago Santos vs. Magomed Ankalaev in the main event.

The UFC schedule rolls on Saturday with UFC Fight Night 203 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire card streams on ESPN+.

A clash of light heavyweight contenders gets the spotlight in the main event. Former title challenger [autotag]Thiago Santos[/autotag] (22-9 MMA, 14-8 UFC) get back on a winning streak when he takes on [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 7-1 UFC), who is riding the longest active run of octagon victories of any fighter in his weight class.

For more on the numbers behind the headliners, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 45 pre-event facts about UFC Fight Night 203.

MMA Junkie’s 2021 Gym of the Year: Xtreme Couture

Xtreme Couture took home two UFC titles and a host of other major promotion wins.

Xtreme Couture is MMA Junkie’s 2021 Gym of the Year.

In a year filled with ups and downs for the majority of high-profile MMA gyms, Xtreme Couture quietly built up a strong 2021 resume with two UFC titles and assisting numerous other fighters to go undefeated over the 12-month stretch.

Heavyweight [autotag]Francis Ngannou[/autotag] and bantamweight [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] both captured UFC titles in 2021 with lead-up preparation at Xtreme Couture.

[autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] emerged as a top middleweight contender with back-to-back wins over Krzysztof Jotko and Uriah Hall, and [autotag]Casey O’Neill[/autotag] skyrocketed up the women’s flyweight rankings with three straight victories. In addition, [autotag]Chris Curtis[/autotag] won MMA Junkie’s 2021 Comeback Fighter of the Year for his improbable 6-0 run including two wins in the UFC.

In Bellator, top contenders [autotag]Patchy Mix[/autotag] and [autotag]Mads Burnell[/autotag] called Xtreme Couture their training home and each went 2-0 in the calendar year with wins against some of the promotion’s finest.

Other notable fighters include [autotag]Miesha Tate[/autotag], [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag], [autotag]Brad Tavares[/autotag], [autotag]Manel Kape[/autotag], [autotag]Kevin Lee[/autotag], [autotag]Walt Harris[/autotag], [autotag]Cheyanne Buys[/autotag], [autotag]Kai Kamaka III[/autotag], [autotag]Julian Erosa[/autotag], [autotag]Jeremy Kennedy[/autotag], [autotag]Tim Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Ion Cutelaba[/autotag], [autotag]Roman Dolize[/autotag], [autotag]Gustavo Lopez[/autotag], [autotag]Dalcha Lungiambula[/autotag], [autotag]Puna Soriano[/autotag], [autotag]Cynthia Calvillo[/autotag], and more.

Headed by coach Eric Nicksick, the staff also includes Eddie Barraco, Jimmy Gifford, Jake Shields, Dennis Davis, Roman Isabell, Rich Castro, Chad Lyman, Bryce Harley, Montel Williams, Jamie Huey, Nate Pettit, Tim Lane, Danny Davis, Gil Guardado, Ryan Couture, Clinton Treadway and more, as well as team captains Randy Couture and Ray Sefo (according to the gym’s official website).

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Matchup Roundup: New UFC and Bellator fights announced in the past week (Dec. 20-26)

All the UFC and Bellator fight announcements that were broken 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 from Dec. 20-26.

Two bouts added to UFC Fight Night event on March 12

Damon “The Leech” Jackson is among the latest additions to the UFC Fight Night event March 12.

Two fights have been added to the UFC Fight Night lineup for March 12.

A featherweight bout between [autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag] and [autotag]Josh Culibao[/autotag], as well as a middleweight fight between [autotag]Cody Brundage[/autotag] and [autotag]Dalcha Lungiambula[/autotag] have been added to the event, which is expected to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Broadcast plan for the card have not yet been revealed.

The fighters involved confirmed the bookings on social media after Iridium Sports Agency, who manages Jackson and Brundage, announced the news Wednesday on Instagram.

Jackson (19-3-1 MMA, 2-2-1 UFC) looks to build off the momentum of a unanimous decision victory over Charles Rosa in October. The victory was Jackson’s third in four fights and the second of his second UFC stint.

Culibao (9-1-1 MMA, 1-1-1 UFC) is also on the heels of a unanimous decision win. In May, he defeated Shayilan Nuerdanbieke to pick up his first promotional victory.

Looking to rebound from a short-notice promotional debut loss to Nick Maximov via unanimous, Brundage (6-2 MMA, 0-1 UFC) seeks his first victory under the UFC banner.

Lungiambula (11-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) will look to bounce back, as well. In September, he lost a back-and-forth battle against Marc-Andre Barriault via unanimous decision.

With the additions, the UFC Fight Night lineup for March 12 includes:

  • Magomed Ankalaev vs. Thiago Santos
  • Marlon Moraes vs. Yadong Song
  • Alex Pereira vs. Bruno Silva
  • Guido Cannetti vs. Kris Moutinho
  • Javid Basharat vs. Trevin Jones
  • Cody Brundage vs. Dalcha Lungiambula
  • Josh Culibao vs. Damon Jackson

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UFC on ESPN 20 medical suspensions: Mike Davis, Victoria Leonardo face up to 180 days

Mike Davis and Victoria Leonardo are facing potential six-month suspensions for injuries sustained in their fights.

[autotag]Mike Davis[/autotag] and [autotag]Victoria Leonardo[/autotag] are facing potential six-month medical suspensions after UFC on ESPN 20.

Davis (9-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who earned the “Fight of the Night” honor in a unanimous decision win over Mason Jones, needs clearance for his left thumb for his hard-fought battle with Jones.

Joining Davis with a potential 180-day term is Leonardo (8-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who needs clearance for her right forearm after suffering a second-round stoppage loss to Manon Fiorot.

MMA Junkie on Friday obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.

The full list of UFC on ESPN 20 medical suspensions includes:

  • [autotag]Michael Chiesa[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to right eye laceration.
  • [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Warlley Alves[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Mounir Lazzez[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days due to rib soreness.
  • [autotag]Ike Villanueva[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Vinicius Moreira[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days due to knockout loss.
  • [autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to “hard bout.”
  • [autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Matt Schnell[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Tyson Nam[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to right cheek laceration.
  • [autotag]Douglas Silva de Andrade[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Omari Akhmedov[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Tom Breese[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
  • [autotag]Ricky Simon[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Gaetano Pirello[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Su Mudaerji[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to chin laceration.
  • [autotag]Zarrukh Adashev[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
  • [autotag]Dalcha Lungiambula[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Markus Perez[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to scalp laceration.
  • [autotag]Francisco Figueiredo[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
  • [autotag]Jerome Rivera[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • Mike Davis: Needs X-ray for left thumb, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Mason Jones[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Sergey Morozov[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
  • Victoria Leonardo: Needs X-ray for right forearm, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Manon Fiorot[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).

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Isi Fitikefu out, Markus Perez meets Dalcha Lungiambula at UFC Fight Night on Jan. 20

Isi Fitikefu has been forced out of UFC Fight Night on Jan. 20 and Markus Perez will step in to face Dalcha Lungiambula.

[autotag]Isi Fitikefu[/autotag]’s UFC debut will have to wait.

Fitikefu has been forced out of UFC Fight Night on Jan. 20 and [autotag]Markus Perez[/autotag] (12-4 MMA, 2-4 UFC) will step in on short notice to face [autotag]Dalcha Lungiambula[/autotag] (10-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC).

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie, but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. Ag Fight was first to report the news.

Brazil’s Perez has dropped two straight, most recently a first-round knockout loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC on ESPN+ 37 in October. Prior to his losing skid, he submitted Anthony Hernandez in the second round at UFC on ESPN+ 2.

Former EFC two-weight champion Lungiambula has split his first two UFC appearances. After scoring a stoppage of Dequan Townsend in his UFC debut in June 2019, he suffered a knockout loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC on ESPN+ 21. He was scheduled to face Karl Roberson next but saw multiple bookings scrapped after Roberson tested positive for COVID-19.

With the change, the UFC Fight Night lineup for Jan. 20 includes:

  • Michael Chiesa vs. Neil Magny
  • Viviane Araujo vs. Roxanne Modafferi
  • Tyson Nam vs. Matt Schnell
  • Francisco Figueredo vs. Jerome Rivera
  • Pedro Munhoz vs. Jimmie Rivera
  • Matt Brown vs. Carlos Condit
  • Zarrukh Adashev vs. Su Mudaerji
  • Lerone Murphy vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade
  • Vinicius Moreira vs. Ike Villanueva
  • Manon Fiorot vs. Victoria Leonardo
  • Dalcha Lungiambula vs. Markus Perez

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Dalcha Lungiambula vs. Isi Fitikefu joins UFC ‘Fight Island’ lineup for Jan. 20

Dalcha Lungiambula returns to the octagon to fight a training partner of former UFC middleweight champ Robert Whittaker.

A middleweight matchup is the latest addition to UFC Fight Night on Jan. 20.

[autotag]Dalcha Lungiambula[/autotag] (10-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) will face [autotag]Isi Fitikefu[/autotag] (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) on “Fight Island” in Abu Dhabi.

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie on Tuesday but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement. MMA Island was the first to report the news.

Lungiambula, a former EFC two-weight champion, has split his first two UFC appearances. After stopping Dequan Townsend in his promotional debut in June 2019, he suffered a knockout loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC on ESPN+ 21. He was scheduled to face Karl Roberson next but saw multiple bookings scrapped after Roberson tested positive for COVID-19.

Fitikefu, a training partner of former UFC middleweight champion Robert Whittaker, is undefeated in his pro MMA career. He weighed in as a reserve for the Ankalaev vs. Ion Cutelaba fight at UFC 254 in October but didn’t end up competing as both fighters made weight.

With the addition, the UFC Fight Night lineup for Jan. 20 includes:

  • Leon Edwards vs. TBD
  • Michael Chiesa vs. Neil Magny
  • Viviane Araujo vs. Roxanne Modafferi
  • Tyson Nam vs. Matt Schnell
  • Francisco Figueredo vs. Jerome Rivera
  • Dean Barry vs. Mike Jackson
  • Pedro Munhoz vs. Jimmie Rivera
  • Matt Brown vs. Carlos Condit
  • Zarrukh Adashev vs. Jeffrey Molina
  • Lerone Murphy vs. Douglas Silva de Andrade
  • Vinicius Moreira vs. Ike Villanueva
  • Manon Fiorot v. Victoria Leonardo
  • Mike Davis vs. Mason Jones
  • Isi Fitikefu vs. Dalcha Lungiambula

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COVID-19 claims another at UFC Fight Night 183: Lungiambula-Roberson scrapped again

COVID-19 is yet again the reason for another UFC fight cancellation – a second time for the same booking.

COVID-19 is yet again the reason for another UFC fight cancellation – a second time for the same booking.

The middleweight fight between [autotag]Dalcha Lungiambula[/autotag] (10-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and [autotag]Karl Roberson[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) is off Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 183 card. The UFC updated a Thursday release to announce the fight has been scrapped. In addition, Roberson posted on his Instagram stories that COVID-19 was the culprit.

The fight originally was booked for UFC 256 six days ago, but was moved to Saturday after Roberson tested positive for COVID-19. It appears he is not yet clear from his infection. It is not yet known if the promotion will keep the fight intact and move it to 2021, or move on from it altogether.

UFC Fight Night 183 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

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With the latest cancellation, just hours before Friday’s official weigh-ins, UFC Fight Night 183 now includes:

MAIN CARD (ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET)

  • Stephen Thompson vs. Geoff Neal
  • Jose Aldo vs. Marlon Vera
  • Michel Pereira vs. Khaos Williams
  • Rob Font vs. Marlon Moraes
  • Gillian Robertson vs. Taila Santos
  • Greg Hardy vs. Marcin Tybura

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 4 p.m. ET)

  • Alex Morono vs. Anthony Pettis
  • Sijara Eubanks vs. Pannie Kianzad
  • Antonio Arroyo vs. Deron Winn
  • Tafon Nchukwi vs. Jamie Pickett
  • Cody Durden vs. Jimmy Flick
  • Christos Giagos vs. Carlton Minus

Greg Hardy, four others face lengthy medical suspensions after UFC on ESPN+ 21

Greg Hardy is potentially out up to 180 days after injuring his hand at UFC Moscow.

[autotag]Greg Hardy[/autotag] is one of five fighters facing lengthy medical suspensions after UFC on ESPN+ 21.

The event took place Nov. 9 at CSKA Arena in Moscow and streamed on ESPN+.

One half of the co-main event, Hardy (5-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) dropped a three-round, unanimous decision to heavyweight contender [autotag]Alexander Volkov[/autotag]. As speculated on the broadcast, Hardy injured his right hand/wrist and faces a 180-day medical suspension as a result.

Additionally, four other fighters have been handed out six-month suspensions. [autotag]Dalcha Lungiambula[/autotag], [autotag]Abubakar Nurmagomedov[/autotag], [autotag]Jessica-Rose Clark[/autotag], and [autotag]Grigorii Popov[/autotag] were also handed 180-day suspensions for injuries sustained in their respective losses.

Check out the entire UFC on ESPN+ 21 medical suspension list below (acquired via MixedMartialArts.com):

  • [autotag]Grigorii Popov[/autotag]: Suspended 180 days or until nasal x-ray is cleared by physician; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days
  • [autotag]Davey Grant[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest
  • [autotag]Jessica-Rose Clark[/autotag]: Suspended 180 days or until cleared by ENT physician; also suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days
  • [autotag]Pannie Kianzad[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest
  • [autotag]Alexander Yakovlev[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest
  • [autotag]Roosevelt Roberts[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest
  • [autotag]Abubakar Nurmagomedov[/autotag]: Suspended 180 days or until left elbow x-ray is cleared by physician; also suspended 14 days for mandatory rest
  • [autotag]Roman Kopylov[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest
  • [autotag]Karl Roberson[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for right eyelid laceration with 21 days no contact
  • [autotag]Rustam Khabilov[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest
  • [autotag]Sergey Khandozhko[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest
  • [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest
  • [autotag]Dalcha Lungiambula[/autotag]: Suspended 180 days or until cleared by OMF physician; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days
  • [autotag]Shamil Gamzatov[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest
  • [autotag]Klidson Abreu[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest
  • [autotag]Ramazan Emeev[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest
  • [autotag]Anthony Rocco Martin[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for nasal laceration with no contact for 21 days
  • [autotag]Khadis Ibragimov[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest
  • [autotag]Ed Herman[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for hard bout with 21 days no contact
  • [autotag]Zelim Imadaev[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest
  • [autotag]Danny Roberts[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for right temple laceration with 21 days no contact
  • Alexander Volkov: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest
  • Greg Hardy: Suspended 180 days or until right hand/wrist x-ray is cleared by physician; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days
  • [autotag]Zabit Magomedsharipov[/autotag]: Suspended seven days for mandatory rest
  • [autotag]Calvin Kattar[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days for hard bout with 21 days no contact

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