Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Check out the UFC, PFL, and Bellator fights 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, PFL, and Bellator.
Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie or officially announced by the promotions from Feb. 12-18.
Check out the UFC, PFL, and Bellator fights 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, PFL, and Bellator.
Here are the fight announcements that were broken or confirmed by MMA Junkie or officially announced by the promotions from Jan. 29-Feb. 4.
Three new UFC fights have been booked for March 23 – but a fan-favorite is lost in the shuffle.
Three fights have been added to the UFC Fight Night event March 23 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
The card is currently headlined by former UFC women’s strawweight champion Rose Namajunas (11-6 MMA, 9-5 UFC) as she battles perennial contender Amanda Ribas (12-4 MMA, 7-3 UFC) in a flyweight bout.
In the current co-main event, “TUF 31” lightweight winner Kurt Holobaugh (20-7 MMA, 1-4 UFC) takes on gritty veteran Trey Ogden (16-6 MMA, 1-2 UFC).
Check out the three newest additions that the promotion announced Tuesday, as well as the entire UFC Vegas 89 fight card below.
Edmen Shahbazyan won’t be deterred after suffering another setback at UFC Fight Night 224.
[autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] won’t be deterred after another setback at UFC Fight Night 224.
Shahbazyan (12-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC) was stopped by Anthony Hernandez (11-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) in a third-round TKO loss in Saturday’s co-main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, which aired on ESPN+.
Shahbazyan got off to a good start, winning Round 1 on all three judges’ scorecards. But as the fight went on, Shahbazyan slowed down significantly – an issue he’s had in his recent losses. At the end of Round 2, Shahbazyan was heard telling his corner that he thinks he may have broken his ribs. The 25-year-old took to Instagram to release a statement.
“War yesterday. Didn’t go our way but I just want to say how thankful I am for my team and the love and support I receive from them. It is truly unmeasurable. Also to my family and friends! Got some stitches and bruises but I’m ok. Worked hard for this moment but came up short and it’s all part of my journey. Going to make necessary adjustments and get better. I appreciate everyone for reaching out, it truly means a lot! Love and respect🙏🏻❤️.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cshkqd_vPO4/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MmJiY2I4NDBkZg==
After an undefeated start to his professional MMA career, including a 4-0 record in the UFC, Shahbazyan now has lost four of his past five. His lone win in that stretch came in a second-round Performance of the Night TKO of Dalcha Lungiambula at UFC 282.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.
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Check out all the facts and figures from UFC Fight Night 224, which saw Mackenzie Dern rack up another $50,000 bonus in the main event.
The UFC closed out its May schedule on Saturday with UFC Fight Night 224, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
In the main event, [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] (13-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) defeated [autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag] (15-13 MMA, 10-13 UFC) by unanimous decision in the Fight of the Night, with the grappling specialist landing a career-best 126 significant strikes over the course of five rounds.
For more on the numbers, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts about UFC Fight Night 224.
UFC Fight Night 224 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 224 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $179,500.
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 224 took place at the UFC Apex. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.
The full UFC Fight Night 224 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:
* * * *
[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag]: $11,000
[autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag]: $21,000
[autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Emily Ducote[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Loopy Godinez[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Andre Fialho[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag]: $6,000
[autotag]Hayisaer Maheshate[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Viacheslav Borshchev[/autotag]: $4,500
[autotag]Diego Ferreira[/autotag]: $11,000
[autotag]Michael Johnson[/autotag]: $21,000
[autotag]Karolina Kowalkiewicz[/autotag]: $11,000
[autotag]Vanessa Demopoulos[/autotag]: $4,500
[autotag]Gilbert Urbina[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Orion Cosce[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Rodrigo Nascimento[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Ilir Latifi[/autotag]: $16,000
[autotag]Chase Hooper[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Nick Fiore[/autotag]: $4,000
[autotag]Natalia Silva[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Victoria Leonardo[/autotag]: $4,500
[autotag]Themba Gorimbo[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Takashi Sato[/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 2241 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: $3,214,500
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $17,803,500
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.
Check out live play-by-play and official results from UFC Fight Night 224 in Las Vegas.
LAS VEGAS – UFC Fight Night 224 took place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
In the main event, Mackenzie Dern (13-3 MMA, 8-3 UFC) takes on Angela Hill (15-13 MMA, 10-13 UFC) in a women’s strawweight bout. In the co-feature, Anthony Hernandez (11-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) meets Edmen Shahbazyan (12-4 MMA, 5-4 UFC) at middleweight.
To discuss the show, be sure to check out our UFC Fight Night 224 discussion thread. You can also get behind-the-scenes coverage and other event notes from on-site reporter Ken Hathaway (@kenshathaway ) on Twitter.
Analyzing Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 224 odds and lines between Edmen Shahbazyan and Anthony Hernandez with MMA picks, tips and predictions.
In a middleweight bout on the main card, Edmen Shahbazyan and Anthony Hernandez meet Saturday at UFC Fight Night 224 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the UFC Fight Night 224: Shahbazyan vs. Hernandez odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.
The prelims are on ESPN+ at 4 p.m. ET, with the main card on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET.
Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.
Shahbazyan halted a 3-bout losing streak last time out with a 2nd-round KO/TKO win over Dalcha Lungiambula at UFC 282 in December. He had been knocked out in 2 of those 3 losses while suffering a unanimous-decision defeat against Jack Hermansson in the one fight that went the distance.
“The Golden Boy” has had 4 of his past 5 fights end in KO/TKO, with 2 wins and 2 losses across the stretch. Just that fight against Hermansson has gone the distance in 7 contests since joining the UFC.
Hernandez heads to the octagon with a 3-fight win streak in tow with 2 submission victories. He posted a 3rd-round submission victory over Marc-Andre Barriault in mid-September last time out.
Four of 6 fights have ended up via submission (3-1) for “Fluffy” since he arrived at the UFC level in Feb. 2019, while a 5th fight ended with a KO/TKO loss to Kevin Holland in May 2020. His lone fight to go the distance was a unanimous-decision victory over Josh Fremd at UFC 273 in April 2022.
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:44 a.m. ET.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]
[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]
Records: Shahbazyan (12-3-0) | Hernandez (10-2-0)
Hernandez (-210) will cost you over 2 times your potential return if you want to play the favorite on the 2-way line. That’s not a recommended play, so AVOID.
Instead, HERNANDEZ BY KO/TKO, DQ OR SUBMISSION (+100) at even money is a much better bet on the Method of Victory 5-way line. You’ll be a winner there as long as Hernandez wins by any method other than decision.
No (-210): Fight to go the distance? is way too expensive, costing you more than 2 times your potential return. That’s too risky, and not a good long-term betting strategy playing such heavy favorites.
Check out some Round Betting options instead. I like HERNANDEZ IN ROUND 2 (+450) and HERNANDEZ IN ROUND 3 (+900). If he wins in one of those rounds, you will lose one end, but you’ll still be quite a bit in the black.
Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.
[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]
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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Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC Fight Night 224 main card, featuring Mackenzie Dern vs. Angela Hill.
| Dern vs. Hill |
Hernandez vs. Shahbazyan |
Ducote vs. Godinez |
Buckley vs. Fialho |
Ferreira vs. Johnson |
|
| MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 73-51 |
 Dern (79%) |
 Hernandez (54%) |
 Godinez (74%) |
 Buckley (69%) |
 Johnson (52%) |
| Matt Erickson @MattE 81-43 |
Dern |
Hernandez |
Godinez |
Buckley |
 Ferreira |
| Simon Samano @SJSamano 78-46 |
Dern |
 Shahbazyan |
 Ducote |
Buckley |
Ferreira |
| Matthew Wells @MrMWells 77-47 |
Dern |
Shahbazyan |
Godinez |
Buckley |
Ferreira |
| George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 74-50 |
Dern |
Hernandez |
Godinez |
Buckley |
Johnson |
| Nolan King @mma_kings 74-50 |
Dern |
Hernandez |
Ducote |
Buckley |
Ferreira |
| Mike Bohn @MikeBohn 72-52  2014 Champion |
Dern |
Shahbazyan |
Godinez |
Buckley |
Ferreira |
| Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway -70-54 2018, 2022 Champion |
Dern |
Shahbazyan |
Godinez |
Buckley |
Ferreira |
| Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 68-56 |
Dern |
Shahbazyan |
Godinez |
Buckley |
Ferreira |
| Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 68-56 |
 Hill |
Shahbazyan |
Godinez |
Buckley |
Johnson |
| Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 68-56 |
Dern |
Shahbazyan |
Ducote |
Buckley |
Johnson |
| Brian Garcia @thegoze 65-59 2017 Champion |
Dern |
Shahbazyan |
Ducote |
Buckley |
Ferreira |
The UFC is back in its “Sin City” home base with a slightly delayed women’s strawweight bout at the top of the card.
UFC Fight Night 224 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.
(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)
In the main event, [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) takes on [autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag] (15-12 MMA, 10-12 UFC) in a women’s 115-pound matchup that was supposed to take place this past week at UFC on ABC 4 until it was pulled to headline this card. Jiu-jitsu ace Dern nearly is a 2-1 favorite at most sportsbooks, and she’s got a big lead in the picks from our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers, who have it as a blowout for her at 10-1.
In the co-feature, [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag] (10-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) meets [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) in a middleweight matchup. Hernandez is a big favorite at nearly 3-1, but only three of our staff members are picking him and have Shahbazyan in an upset at 8-3.
Also on the main card, [autotag]Emily Ducote[/autotag] (12-7 MMA, 1-1 UFC) and [autotag]Loopy Godinez[/autotag] (9-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC) fight at a 120-pound contract weight, granted due to the short notice for Godinez, who stepped in for Polyana Viana. Godinez is a mild favorite, and she’s got a 7-4 lead in the picks.
[autotag]Joaquin Buckley[/autotag] (15-6 MMA, 5-4 UFC) is a 2-1 favorite at middleweight against [autotag]Andre Fialho[/autotag] (16-6 MMA, 2-3 UFC), and he’s also our only unanimous pick on the main card at 11-0.
And to open the main card at lightweight, [autotag]Michael Johnson[/autotag] (21-18 MMA, 13-14 UFC) will try to get back to .500 in the UFC when he takes on [autotag]Diego Ferreira[/autotag] (17-5 MMA, 8-5 UFC). Ferreira is a -150 favorite and has a big 8-3 lead from our pickers.
In the MMA Junkie consensus picks, Dern (79 percent), Hernandez (54 percent), Godinez (74 percent), Buckley (69 percent) and Johnson (52 percent) are the choices.
Check out all the picks above.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.
Despite the pressure felt at age 20 in the UFC, Edmen Shahbazyan didn’t crash and burn when the losses came. He grew from them.
LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Edmen Shahbazyan[/autotag] felt the eyeballs as a 20-year-old entering the UFC. He streaked, was spotlighted, lost, and learned.
A three-fight losing skid from 2020-2021 wasn’t his highest point, but Shahbazyan (12-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) has remained present and improved because of the experiences.
At a UFC Fight Night 224 pre-fight news conference Wednesday, a cool, calm, and collected Shahbazyan smiled through each answer – a grinning anticipation of a fistfight Saturday vs. Anthony Hernandez (10-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) at the UFC Apex.
“At the end of the day, when I step in there, I try to clear my mind from the past and focus on the present,” Shahbazyan told reporters including MMA Junkie. “That’s what I did out there and that’s what I plan to do this Saturday as well. … I just want to go fight by fight one fight at a time, and be the best that I can be. I’m trying to go out there and perform and put on a good fight and show my improvements. I don’t really care about the whole, ‘Oh, it’s Edmen. He’s back. He’s back.’ I’m doing my thing, what I’m capable of and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Shahbazyan entered the UFC as a prodigy off Dana White’s Contender Series due to his age, skill-level, fighting style, and connection to former UFC champion Ronda Rousey.
After four straight wins to kick off his promotional tenure, Shahbazyan went 0-3 against top contenders. The defeats came with vocal doubters, but Shahbazyan is unfazed. In December, he got back on track with a knockout win vs. Dalcha Lungiambula.
“I’m in the UFC to be the best,” Shahbazyan said. “I’m not going to be the same fighter as I was for those losses. I’m obviously going to improve. I’m 25 right now and I’ve been in the UFC since I was 20. I’m going to improve. I’m not just here to be the same fighter as I was and not have this, not have that. I’m going to improve on the skills and be a better fighter every time.
“… I think it’s all going to be a part of my story. If it wasn’t for those losses, I wouldn’t be here in Vegas with a new team, great teammates, great coaches. Everything happens for a reason.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC Fight Night 224.
