UFC veterans in MMA and bareknuckle action Feb. 9-10

Check out which veterans of the UFC are competing in combat sports across the globe this weekend.

This week, the UFC is in Las Vegas for UFC Fight Night 235.

The event at the UFC Apex features a middleweight bout between [autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag] and [autotag]Joe Pyfer[/autotag].

Many other combat sports events are taking place that feature several familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.

Check out which veterans of the global MMA leader are competing Feb. 9-10.

Scroll below to see how the UFC veterans fared last week, and see the names and details of this weekend’s competitors.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

20 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2024

Who of these former UFC fighters could get a second chance with the promotion in 2024?

It’s hard to make it to the UFC.

Thousands of professional fighters try every year – and most fail. For a small percentage, however, they sign their names on the dotted line to fight for the biggest MMA promotion in the world.

Sometimes the opportunity comes a bit too soon. Other times, they’re faced with difficult matchups that time proves were bigger challenges than originally anticipated.

When the pink slip comes and a fighter departs the promotion, there is often a phrase they hear on the way out: “Go get a few more wins, and the UFC will consider bringing you back.”

Easier said than done.

For the vast majority, they won’t be back. However, it’s not impossible. A number of fighters have done it over the years. Just look at former UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. He was released from the promotion, built his way back, became a contender, and then won a UFC title.

Current roster members Nicolas Dalby, Dustin Jacoby, Modestas Bukauskas, Kurt Holobaugh, Roosevelt Roberts, and Rhys McKee are among those who have reinforced the possibility.

With the new year upon us, here are 20 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2024.

Note: Fighters considered for this list had to have competed in at least one UFC bout.

FURY Pro Grappling 8 announced: Aljamain Sterling, 7 other UFC veterans to compete

The grappling series run by CFFC continues its tradition of a year-end event full of UFC notables.

FURY Pro Grappling’s tradition of a year-end card filled with UFC notables past and present continues.

Eight UFC veterans, including former UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag], have been booked for the FURY Pro Grappling 8 lineup, the promotion announced Tuesday.

FURY Pro Grappling 8 takes place Dec. 30 at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia and streams on UFC Fight Pass.

Sterling will compete against [autotag]Kevin Dantzler[/autotag], a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who is 5-0 under the FURY Pro Grappling banner. Dantzer previously defeated Sterling’s friend and training partner Merab Dvalishvili at FURY Pro Grappling 2 in October 2021.

The co-feature is a big one, at least physically, as former UFC heavyweight [autotag]Chris Daukaus[/autotag] grapples current UFC heavyweight [autotag]Alexandr Romanov[/autotag]. Also on the card are [autotag]Eryk Anders[/autotag], [autotag]Kyle Daukaus[/autotag], [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag], [autotag]Pat Sabatini[/autotag], and [autotag]Charlie Campbell[/autotag].

The full FURY Pro Grappling 8 lineup includes:

  • Aljamain Sterling vs. Kevin Dantzler
  • Chris Daukaus vs. Alexandr Romanov
  • Eryk Anders vs. Kyle Daukaus
  • Niko Price vs. Pat Sabatini
  • Amanda Mazza vs. Elyse Shaw
  • Fatima Kline vs. Cindy Ung
  • Charlie Campbell vs. Lee Moringo
  • Aidan Burke vs. Santo Curatolo
  • Paul Capaldo vs. Cameron Scalio

UFC veterans in MMA and kickboxing action Sept. 1-3

Check out which veterans of the UFC are competing in combat sports across the globe this weekend.

This week, the UFC travels to France for UFC FN 226.

The event at Accor Arena in Paris features a heavyweight tilt between former interim champion [autotag]Ciryl Gane[/autotag] and [autotag]Serghei Spivac[/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 and kickboxing this week from Sept. 1-3.

Check out the names and details about their bouts below.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

UFC veterans in MMA and boxing action June 16-17

Check out which veterans of the UFC are in combat sports action across the globe this weekend.

This week, the UFC is back home in Las Vegas for UFC Fight Night 225.

The event at the UFC Apex features a middleweight main event between former title challengers [autotag]Marvin Vettori[/autotag] and [autotag]Jared Cannonier[/autotag].

Elsewhere, many other combat sports events are taking place that feature a number of familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.

This week, there are a total of 22 veterans of the global MMA leader competing in MMA this week from June 16-17.

Check out the names and details about their bouts below.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

UFC on ESPN 42 post-event facts: Rafael dos Anjos first to reach 8-hour fight time milestone

Rafael dos Anjos became the first fighter in history to log eight hours of octagon fight time in his win at UFC on ESPN 42.

The UFC returned to Orlando, Fla., for the first time in nearly four years Saturday with UFC on ESPN 42, which took place at Amway Center and saw nine out of 14 fights end in a stoppage.

Stephen Thompson (17-6-1 MMA, 12-6-1 UFC) earned the most memorable result of all in the main event. The longtime welterweight contender went to war with Kevin Holland (23-9 MMA, 9-6 UFC). He emerged on top by fourth-round TKO due to corner stoppage and netted another Fight of the Night award in the process.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s post-event facts from UFC on ESPN 42.

UFC on ESPN 42 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: A record for non-PPV card

UFC on ESPN 42 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

ORLANDO – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 42 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $297,500.

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 on ESPN 42 took place at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 42 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Stephen Thompson[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Bryan Barberena[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Matheus Nicolau[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Matt Schnell[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Eryk Anders[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Kyle Daukaus[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Phil Rowe[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Angela Hill[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Emily Ducote[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Clay Guida[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Scott Holtzman[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Michael Johnson[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Marc Diakiese[/autotag]: $11,000

[autotag]Jonathan Pearce[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Natan Levy[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Genaro Valdez[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Francis Marshall[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Marcelo Rojo[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Yazmin Jauregui[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Istela Nunes[/autotag]: $4,000

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 $42,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-42 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2022 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $7,932,000
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $14,109,500

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 42.

Eryk Anders def. Kyle Daukaus at UFC on ESPN 42: Best photos

Check out the best photos from Eryk Anders’ second-round TKO win over Kyle Daukaus at UFC on ESPN 42.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Eryk Anders[/autotag]’ second-round TKO win over [autotag]Kyle Daukaus[/autotag] at UFC on ESPN 42 at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla. (Photos by Nathan Ray Seebeck, USA TODAY Sports)

UFC on ESPN 42 predictions: No unanimous picks in Orlando

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN 42 main card in Orlando, which features Stephen Thompson vs. Kevin Holland.

Thompson
vs.
Holland
Barberena
vs.
Dos Anjos
Nicolau
vs.
Schnell
Pavlovich
vs.
Tuivasa
Dolidze
vs.
Hermansson
Anders
vs.
Daukaus
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
190-112
holland2022
Holland
(52%)
dosanjos2022
Dos Anjos
(72%)
nicolau2022
Nicolau
(72%)
tuivasa2022
Tuivasa
(62%)
hermansson2022
Hermansson
(52%)
daukaus2022
Daukaus
(60%)
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
200-107
trophy copy 2018 Champion
holland2022
Holland
dosanjos2022
Dos Anjos
nicolau2022
Nicolau
pavlovich2022
Pavlovich
dolidze2022
Dolidze
daukaus2022
Daukaus
Matthew Wells
@MrMWells
191-116
holland2022
Holland
dosanjos2022
Dos Anjos
nicolau2022
Nicolau
pavlovich2022
Pavlovich
dolidze2022
Dolidze
daukaus2022
Daukaus
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
189-118
thompson2022
Thompson
dosanjos2022
Dos Anjos
nicolau2022
Nicolau
tuivasa2022
Tuivasa
hermansson2022
Hermansson
anders2022
Anders
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
187-120
thompson2022
Thompson
dosanjos2022
Dos Anjos
schnell2022
Schnell
tuivasa2022
Tuivasa
dolidze2022
Dolidze
anders2022
Anders
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohn
187-120
trophy copy 2014 Champion
holland2022
Holland
dosanjos2022
Dos Anjos
nicolau2022
Nicolau
pavlovich2022
Pavlovich
dolidze2022
Dolidze
daukaus2022
Daukaus
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
185-122
thompson2022
Thompson
barberena2022
Barberena
nicolau2022
Nicolau
tuivasa2022
Tuivasa
dolidze2022
Dolidze
anders2022
Anders
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
184-123
thompson2022
Thompson
barberena2022
Barberena
schnell2022
Schnell
pavlovich2022
Pavlovich
dolidze2022
Dolidze
anders2022
Anders
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
177-130
trophy copy 2017 Champion
thompson2022
Thompson
dosanjos2022
Dos Anjos
nicolau2022
Nicolau
tuivasa2022
Tuivasa
hermansson2022
Hermansson
anders2022
Anders
Nolan King
@mma_kings
177-130
holland2022
Holland
dosanjos2022
Dos Anjos
nicolau2022
Nicolau
pavlovich2022
Pavlovich
hermansson2022
Hermansson
daukaus2022
Daukaus
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
168-139
thompson2022
Thompson
dosanjos2022
Dos Anjos
schnell2022
Schnell
tuivasa2022
Tuivasa
dolidze2022
Dolidze
anders2022
Anders
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
150-157
thompson2022
Thompson
dosanjos2022
Dos Anjos
nicolau2022
Nicolau
tuivasa2022
Tuivasa
dolidze2022
Dolidze
daukaus2022
Daukaus

The UFC is back on the road this week in Florida with big-name welterweights atop the lineup.

UFC on ESPN 42 takes place Saturday at Amway Center in Orlando, Fla. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, two-time welterweight title challenger [autotag]Stephen Thompson[/autotag] (16-6-1 MMA, 11-6-1 UFC) takes on [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag] (23-8 MMA, 10-5 UFC). Holland nearly is a 2-1 favorite at Tipico Sportsbook; the comeback on Thompson is +160. Our 11 editors, writers, radio hosts and videographers are taking Thompson, though, at a 7-4 clip.

In the co-feature, former lightweight champion [autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag] (31-14 MMA, 20-12 UFC) meets [autotag]Bryan Barberena[/autotag] (18-8 MMA, 9-6 UFC) at welterweight. Dos Anjos is the biggest favorite on the card at -575, but he’s not unanimous. Two of our staff pickers have Barberena in an upset.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Matheus Nicolau[/autotag] (18-3-1 MMA, 6-1 UFC) meets [autotag]Matt Schnell[/autotag] (16-6 MMA, 6-5 UFC) in a key flyweight fight. Nicolau is a big favorite at -370 and has an 8-3 picks lead.

[autotag]Sergei Pavlovich[/autotag] (16-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) takes on [autotag]Tai Tuivasa[/autotag] (15-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) in a heavyweight bout. Pavlovich is a -230 favorite at the betting window, but Tuivasa has a slim 6-5 lead from our staff members.

[autotag]Roman Dolidze[/autotag] (11-1 MMA, 5-1 UFC) is an underdog in his middleweight fight against -190 favorite [autotag]Jack Hermansson[/autotag] (23-7 MMA, 10-5 UFC). But our staff members are thinking upset with Dolidze picked at a big 8-3 margin.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Eryk Anders[/autotag] (14-7 MMA, 6-7 UFC) takes on [autotag]Kyle Daukaus[/autotag] (11-3 MMA, 2-3 UFC) at middleweight. Daukaus is more than a 2-1 favorite, but Anders is bucking the trend and has a 6-5 picks lead.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Holland (52 percent), Dos Anjos (72 percent), Nicolau (63 percent), Tuivasa (62 percent), Hermansson (52 percent) and Daukaus (60 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC on ESPN 42.

[listicle id=2600303]

UFC on ESPN 42 pre-event facts: Darren Elkins reaches historic milestone

The best facts and figures for Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 42, where several familiar veterans have a shot at history.

The UFC returns to Florida on Saturday for UFC on ESPN 42, which takes place at Amway Center in Orlando with a card that airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

A welterweight headliner will close out the card as longtime contender [autotag]Stephen Thompson[/autotag] (16-6-1 MMA, 11-6-1 UFC) will search for his first win in two years when he takes on [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag] (23-8 MMA, 9-5 UFC).

For more on the numbers behind the main event, as well as the rest of the card, check below for MMA Junkie’s pre-event facts for UFC on ESPN 42.