Junior Dos Santos and Fabricio Werdum came face-to-face ahead of Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA – two of eight UFC alumni on the card.
Former UFC heavyweight champions [autotag]Junior Dos Santos[/autotag] and [autotag]Fabricio Werdum[/autotag] squared off for the final time ahead of their main event fight at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA – and they both appeared to be in great physical shape.
Other UFC alumni present at the faceoffs, set to compete Saturday at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla., included [autotag]Brandon Jenkins[/autotag], [autotag]Anthony Njokuani[/autotag], [autotag]Brandon Davis[/autotag], [autotag]Joshua Weems[/autotag], [autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag], and [autotag]Maki Pitolo[/autotag].
Of course, promoter Jorge Masvidal was on hand, too, as he squared off each pairing of fighters. The event will stream live and free on MMA Junkie.
Dos Santos and Werdum rematch – without gloves – nearly 15 years after they fought one another at UFC 90 in October 2008. As a heavy underdog, Dos Santos knocked out Werdum in 81 seconds and kicked off a run in the promotion that would lead directly to the heavyweight title.
The winner of Saturday’s fight will face the winner of the promotion’s inaugural heavyweight title bout between Roy Nelson and Alan Belcher, which takes place Oct. 28 at a date and location to be announced.
The full Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA lineup includes:
Check out which veterans of the UFC are competing in combat sports across the globe this weekend.
This week, the UFC travels to Australia for UFC 293.
The pay-per-view event at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney features a middleweight title fight between champion [autotag]Israel Adesanya[/autotag] and [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag].
Elsewhere, many other combat sports events are taking place that feature a number of familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.
Check out which veterans of the global MMA leader are competing in MMA, bareknuckle MMA and kickboxing this week from Sept. 7-9.
Check out the names and details about their bouts below.
Check out the live stream and results for Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA.
SUNRISE, Fla. – Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA took place Friday at FLA Live Arena.
In the main event of the card, former UFC and Bellator heavyweight [autotag]Roy Nelson[/autotag] took on BKFC veteran [autotag]Dillon Cleckler[/autotag].
In the co-main event, 2019 PFL champion [autotag]Emiliano Sordi[/autotag] battled former UFC fighter Markus Perez in a light heavyweight matchup. The card also featured several other MMA notables including [autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag], [autotag]Sean Soriano[/autotag], [autotag]Charles Bennett[/autotag], and [autotag]Anthony Njokuani[/autotag].
You can watch the full event replay in the video above and the results below:
Irwin Rivera returned to action for the first time since his arrest and picked up an impressive second-round finish at Eagle FC 46.
MIAMI – UFC veteran [autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag] had a lot to fight for on Friday evening.
At Eagle FC 46, Rivera (11-6) returned to action for the first time since September 2020, and after being released from police custody on attempted murder charges for allegedly stabbing his sisters. After a year and a half of frustration, Rivera was able to get back to action in an attempt to erase the bad taste of his legal troubles and a loss that led to his exit from the UFC.
On Friday against Firdavs Khasanov (8-4), Rivera made a statement by picking up a vicious second-round TKO finish from a crushing body kick that folded his opponent.
Check out video of the finish below (via Twitter):
After the win, an emotional Rivera poured out his heart during the post-fight interview with Henry Cejudo, as he explained the trials and tribulations he went through in dealing with his legal problems and those who wanted to see him remain locked up. With the support of his family who were in attendance, Rivera rebounded from it all with his first stoppage victory since December 2019.
Up-to-the-minute results of Eagle FC 46 include:
Irwin Rivera def. Firdavs Khasanov via TKO (body kick) – Round 2, 4:48
Irwin Rivera returns on March 11 at Eagle FC 46 in his first fight since his arrest in early 2021.
[autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag] is resuming his fighting career.
The former UFC bantamweight is set for a return competition on March 11 at Eagle FC 46 in Miami, Fla. He takes on Firdavs Khasanov. This bout marks Rivera’s first fight since his arrest in January 2021 on attempted murder charges.
Rivera was arrested by Boynton Beach police for allegedly stabbing his sisters. He received conditional release in October.
The court’s release came with the conditions Rivera must continue bipolar medication, therapy, permanent supervision by family and friends, and progress toward a return to a working life.
[lawrence-related id=1382098,579154,579081]
Rivera’s family had come out to defend him shortly after his arrest, saying “something evil took over him” and that he was suffering from mental health issues prior to the incident.
Following the announcement of the matchup by Eagle FC, Rivera took to Instagram to make a statement on the news.
“Exited to announce my return back in the cage with (Eagle FC) March 11th,” Rivera wrote. “It’s been a rollercoaster ride but I’m beyond thankful for another opportunity to get my life back on track do what I love and leave all the bs behind me. Looking to make a huge statement and making all this right!!”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CaU_HI_p5xA/
Rivera (10-6) competed in the UFC three times. He suffered a loss in his short-notice debut to Giga Chikadze at featherweight. Rivera then followed his debut with a drop to bantamweight where he defeated Ali Alqaisi and then a lost to Andre Ewell. The 33-year-old hasn’t fought since September 2020. Rivera trains out of Sanford MMA.
The 32-year-old fighter was arrested in January on two attempted murder charges after allegedly stabbing his sisters.
UFC fighter [autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag] has been released from police custody.
Following a conditional release ruling by Palm Beach County (Florida) courts Monday, the bantamweight fighter was officially released Tuesday at 2:18 p.m. local time, MMA Junkie confirmed shortly thereafter with the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office. ESPN Deportes was first to report Rivera’s release and the conditions surrounding it.
Court documents show examples of advocacy for Rivera during his attempted rehabilitation, including endorsements from doctors and family members which stated he is functional and drug and alcohol free. Rivera’s manager and Dominance CEO Ali Abdelaziz provided a written statement that pledged to assist Rivera in future work endeavors. Teammates Gilbert Burns and Sean Soriano offered to supervise Rivera during his release and Rivera will be allowed to stay in contact with his family, according to ESPN Deportes.
Rivera previously pled not guilty – citing insanity – to two felony charges of attempted first degree murder with a deadly weapon, according to Palm Beach County records obtained by MMA Junkie. The court’s release comes with the conditions Rivera must continue bipolar medication, therapy, permanent supervision by family and friends, and progress toward a return to a working life.
[lawrence-related id=1376976,1376233]
Rivera, 32, had been in custody since a Jan. 6 arrest for allegedly stabbing his sisters in Boynton Beach, Fla. He faces two felony charges of attempted first degree murder with a deadly weapon.
According to police, when they found Rivera after a four-hour search, he stated that a higher power had instructed him to kill his family members. Both sisters were taken to Delray Beach Medical Center to treat several stab wounds on their heads, backs, arms, faces and hands. Police said the younger sister had two collapsed lungs.
In the days following his arrest, Rivera’s family defended him, and cited that it was not normal behavior or actions they faulted him for.
Prior to his arrest, Rivera competed in the UFC three times. He suffered losses to Giga Chikadze and Andre Ewell and defeated against Ali Alqaisi in August 2020. Rivera has not competed since September 2020. The promotion said in a January statement it would investigate Rivera’s situation and not offer him any fights in the meantime.
One day after Irwin Rivera was arrested on attempted murder charges, his family has come to his defense – even his sisters who were victims.
One day after UFC bantamweight [autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag] was arrested on attempted murder charges for allegedly stabbing his sisters, his family has come to his defense – even the sisters themselves.
On Friday, Rivera’s sister Lezlye and mother Susana Campos indicated Rivera’s mental state wasn’t right in the days leading up to his attack on Lezlye and another sister, Kelly, who were visiting Rivera from out of town because they were worried about him. In a lengthy Facebook post, Lezlye said she and her sister are “fine (and) well” after Rivera allegedly stabbed them multiple times.
“All we wish is for him to get the professional mental help he so desperately needs,” Lezlye wrote, adding that Rivera’s mental state had been “completely corrupted into something unrecognizable.”
Campos told Mexican newspaper Milenio that Rivera “lost his memory, and something evil took over him a few days ago. His mind was blocked. He wasn’t himself.”
Irwin Rivera’s mugshot.
According to a police report, Rivera’s alleged attack took place in the middle of the night Thursday. A 22-year-old woman was found on the street covered in blood. She told police that her brother, Rivera, had stabbed her and her sister inside his home. Officers also found a 33-year-old woman covered in blood. She told police that she and her sister woke up to being stabbed by Rivera.
Both sisters were taken to Delray Beach Medical Center to treat several stab wounds on their heads, backs, arms, faces and hands. Police said the younger sister had two collapsed lungs.
Rivera fled the scene. About four hours later, Delray Beach police found Rivera, and he told them he had killed his sisters. Once taken to Boynton Beach for police to interview him, officers say he told them he stabbed his sisters with a brass-knuckles, believing he had killed them.
Rivera “said that he did so because it was his purpose, which he was told to by a higher power,” the report said.
Rivera was later booked and charged with two counts of attempted murder. He is being held without bond until Friday at his first appearance in court.
In a statement, the UFC said it had been informed by Rivera’s management, Dominance MMA, that he had been “exhibiting behavior consistent with mental health issues.” The UFC said that Rivera would not be offered a bout until it gathered more details.
You can read Lezlye’s full message on Facebook below:
me and kelz are fine n well so we just wanna clear the air n let it be known that this is not about us! We love our brother to the fullest and anyone that knows us n our family knows exactly how much we all LOVE and mean to eachother and knows jst how close we as a family are , all we wish is for him to get the professional mental help he so desperately needs.
This past weekend my brother hasn’t been acting like himself . Not sleeping or talking like himself and completely just losing interest in his training, which we all know is what he lives to do. This concerned me and had me jump on the next airplane ASAP n go check up on him. Unfortunately his mental stage was worse then we could of imagined and before we could help him he completely broke. This is not easy for me or my family but I ask to pleeeeesse keep MY BROTHER in your prayers , pray he can stabilize and come back to us bc sometime withing the past 24hours his mentality has been completely corrupted into something unrecognizable. Again we LOVE OUR BROTHER and are 100% here to support him n try n get him this help he so desperately needs!
Rivera, who made his UFC debut in 2020 and went 1-2 with the promotion, most recently dropped a split decision to Andre Ewell this past September at UFC Fight Night 178.
UFC bantamweight Irwin Rivera is facing charges on two counts of first-degree murder after he was arrested and jailed in West Palm Beach.
UFC bantamweight [autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag] is facing charges on two counts of first-degree premeditated murder after he was arrested and jailed Thursday in West Palm Beach, Fla.
According to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office online arrest records, Rivera was taken into custody Thursday afternoon at 12:08 p.m. ET and was being held at the Main Detention Center. Circumstances leading to Rivera’s arrest are unclear, but according to MMA reporter Eric Kowal, the 31-year-old allegedly stabbed his sisters.
MMA Junkie could not confirm those details with the sheriff’s office after multiple phone calls and emails went unanswered. First-degree murder charges in Florida can carry a maximum sentence of the death penalty.
In a statement provided to MMA Fighting, the UFC said it was aware of the situation after Rivera’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz of Dominance MMA, made promotion officials aware of potential “mental health issues.”
“UFC is aware of the recent incident involving Irwin Rivera and subsequently received information from his management that he has been exhibiting behavior consistent with mental health issues,” the statement read. “The allegations are extremely troubling, and the organization is currently gathering additional information. The investigation is ongoing and any potential next steps, including disciplinary action or medical attention, will be determined upon the conclusion. Furthermore, UFC has informed Rivera’s management that he will not be offered a bout at this time.”
Rivera, who made his UFC debut last year and went 1-2 with the promotion, most recently dropped a split decision to Andre Ewell last September at UFC Fight Night 178.
Bantamweights Irwin Rivera and Ray Rodriguez will look to rebound when they square off on March 13.
A pair of bantamweights will look to rebound on March 13.
[autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag] will face [autotag]Ray Rodriguez[/autotag] in an event that does not currently have a confirmed location or venue.
Two people with knowledge of the matchup informed MMA Junkie of the booking Tuesday but asked to remain anonymous since the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
After picking up his first octagon win over Ali AlQaisi, former Titan FC bantamweight champion Rivera (10-6 MMA, 1-2 UFC) was edged out by Andre Ewell at UFC on ESPN+ 36 in September.
Contender Series veteran Rodriguez (16-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC) fell short in his promotional debut, when he was quickly submitted by Brian Kelleher at UFC on ESPN+ 34 in September. Rodriguez stepped in on a little over 48 hours’ notice after weighing in as a backup.
The fight between Rivera and Rodriguez marks the first booking for a March 13 event.
Three main card fighters and one prelim fighter are facing lengthy suspensions.
Former UFC welterweight champion [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] is among four fighters facing potential 180-day medical suspensions as a result of damage sustained at UFC on ESPN+ 36 on Saturday.
Woodley suffered a rib injury in the fifth round of his main event fight against [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag], which resulted in a TKO. Monday, Woodley revealed his ribs were broken earlier in the fight and shifted on a fifth-round guillotine choke submission attempt, which led to the finish.
On Tuesday, MMA Junkie obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.
Joining Woodley on the list of UFC on ESPN+ 36 fighters facing potential six-month suspensions is co-headliner [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag], who fought to a draw with [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag]. Price may have suffered a serious injury to his right hand, according to the medical records.
[autotag]Randa Markos[/autotag], who was submitted by [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] via armbar in the first round of their main card fight, injured her elbow and will need clearance to compete before her 180-day term is up.
[lawrence-related id=553983,553970,553938]
Preliminary card fighter and UFC debutant [autotag]Sarah Alpar[/autotag] suffered a nasal fracture as a result of damage sustained against [autotag]Jessica-Rose Clark[/autotag]. The finish garnered attention from many reporters and viewers alike, including UFC president Dana White. Midway through Round 3, referee Chris Tognoni stopped the fight for a legal knee. The action resumed, but Alpar was finished with strikes shortly thereafter.
Alpar has also been suspended 180 days – or until a doctor grants her clearance.
Below is the full list of UFC on ESPN+ 36 medical suspensions:
Colby Covington: No suspension.
Tyron Woodley: Suspended 180 days or until left costochondral tear is cleared by an orthopedic doctor; also suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
Donald Cerrone: No suspension.
Niko Price: Suspended 180 days or until right hand X-ray is cleared by an orthopedic doctor; also suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
[autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
[autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
Mackenzie Dern: No suspension.
Randa Markos: Suspended 180 days or until left elbow is cleared by doctor; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
[autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to left eyebrow laceration.
[autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]David Dvorak[/autotag]: Suspended for 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to right foot pain.
[autotag]Jordan Espinosa[/autotag]: Suspended for 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to left tibia contusion.
[autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]Mirsad Bektic[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]Mara Borella[/autotag]: No suspension.
Jessica-Rose Clark: No suspension.
Sarah Alpar: Suspended 180 days or until nasal fracture is cleared by ENT doctor; also suspended 60 days with no contact for 15 days.
[autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]T.J. Laramie[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]Randy Costa[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]Journey Newson[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days due to left eye laceration.
[autotag]Andre Ewell[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to facial lacerations.
[autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to facial abrasions.
[autotag]Tyson Nam[/autotag]: No suspension.
[autotag]Jerome Rivera[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
