After a multi-year absence, the UFC is bringing back its seasonal press conference format on Friday, and you can watch it on MMA Junkie.
After a multi-year absence, the UFC is bringing back its seasonal press conference format on Friday spotlighting its championship bouts for the first quarter of 2024, beginning at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
With the promotional closing out its 2023 campaign on Saturday with UFC 296 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, attention is beginning to shift to the turn of the calendar, where several title bouts are on the doctor.
UFC 297, which takes place Jan. 20 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, is headlined by a middleweight title clash between [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] (28-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) and [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag] (20-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC).
UFC 298, which goes down Feb. 17 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif., has a featherweight championship bout between [autotag]Alexander Volkanovski[/autotag] (26-3 MMA, 13-2 UFC) and [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] (13-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) set as the main event.
And, in the final announced headliner of Q1 at UFC 299 on March 9, an anticipated bantamweight rematch between [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] (17-1 MMA, 9-1 UFC) and [autotag]Marlon Vera[/autotag] (21-8-1 MMA, 15-7 UFC).
All four title fights will be in attendance at the press conference and are expected to face off afterward.
For more on UFC’s 2024 schedule, check out the MMA Schedule section of the site.
When it comes to the vacant women’s bantamweight title fight at UFC 297 in Toronto, former champ Julianna Peña is not a fan.
[autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] is not a fan of one of UFC 297’s title fights.
After Amanda Nunes retired and relinquished her belt, [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] (15-8 MMA, 12-5 UFC) and [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag] (10-2-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC) will battle for the vacant women’s bantamweight title in the Jan. 20 co-main event at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
Former champion Peña (11-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) was expected to be one-half of the title fight, but couldn’t compete due to injury.
“I’m sorry that you guys are going to be force-fed this horrible interim title fight,” Peña said on “The MMA Hour.” “It’s going to be interim. They’re just keeping it warm. They’re belt warming until I come back. Mama’s coming back, so apologies for the fact that I cannot compete, but I will be back fighting. My next fight will be for a title, so whoever wins between those two chicks, I’ll be fighting the winner.”
Peña and Pennington were participants on Season 18 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” but never crossed paths. Peña won the show. Since she lost to Nunes in May 2018, Pennington has won six of her past eight and five straight overall to earn another title fight.
Peña praised her growth.
“I’m going to give a little bit of a shine to Raquel because I feel like over time, she has gotten better and better as time goes on,” Peña said. “She’s definitely a durable fighter. She’s capable of being a champion and getting that belt, so I would say that Raquel has the veteran-ness on her side.”
Peña and Silva recently traded barbs. While Peña is not necessarily rooting for Silva to win, she thinks the build-up with her would be a lot more entertaining than with Pennington.
“Here’s the thing: At least Mayra is like a dance partner, you know what I mean?” Peña said. “Because look, at the end of the day – love me, hate me whatever, I want you guys to be invested in my success. I want you to be invested in my failures. It doesn’t matter. I need you guys to watch the fights. I want you guys to watch me fight.
“And the point of the banter (and) back-and-forth is so that I can have a dance partner, so that I can make it more exciting so that people are going to want to watch. With Mayra, I have that in her because she’s got a mouth, I’ve got a mouth, and we can go back and forth. With Raquel, it’s kind of like crickets. For me, it’d be better if Mayra wins so that way we can make it more exciting for all of you guys.”
The UFC’s return to Canada will feature a title doubleheader.
The UFC’s return to Canada will feature a title double-header.
UFC 297, headlined by a middleweight title fight between champion [autotag]Sean Strickland[/autotag] (28-5 MMA, 15-5 UFC) and [autotag]Dricus Du Plessis[/autotag] (20-2 MMA, 6-0 UFC), takes place Jan. 20 at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto.
In the co-main event, a new women’s bantamweight champion will be crowned when former title challenger [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] (15-8 MMA, 12-5 UFC) and [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag] (10-2-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC) square off. Former UFC dual-champion Amanda Nunes vacated her belt when she retired this past June.
A press conference featuring the card’s Canadian fighters will take place Nov. 14 at Sportsnet Studios. In attendance will be rising star Mike Malott, Marc-Andre Barriault, Charles Jourdain, and Serhey Sidey.
The current UFC 297 lineup includes:
Sean Strickland vs. Dricus Du Plessis – for middleweight title
Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva – for vacant women’s bantamweight title
Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev
Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Chris Curtis
Garrett Armfield vs. Brad Katona
Gillian Robertson vs. Polyana Viana
Serhiy Sidey vs. Ramon Taveras
Jimmy Flick vs. Malcolm Gordon
Neil Magny vs. Mike Malott
Yohan Lainesse vs. Sam Patterson
Charles Jourdain vs. Sean Woodson
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 297.
The UFC might have a big problem in the women’s bantamweight division without Amanda Nunes.
It might not have been what most were expecting, but [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] and [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag] have been tapped to fight for the women’s bantamweight title Jan. 20 at UFC 297.
The belt has been vacant since the great Amanda Nunes retired this past June after her win over Irene Aldana. Under the circumstances of Julianna Peña being injured and unavailable, Pennington vs. Bueno Silva apparently is the best the UFC could come up with to fill a void left by Nunes’ departure from a division desperately in need of new stars.
Do you love it or hate it? Our “Spinning Back Clique” of Danny Segura, Dan Tom and Brian “Goze” Garcia answer that question with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia.
You can watch their discussion in the video above and check out this week’s full episode on YouTube or in podcast form below.
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 the promotions from Oct. 30-Nov. 5.
More than seven months after Amanda Nunes announced her retirement from MMA, a new women’s bantamweight champion will be crowned by the UFC.
More than seven months after Amanda Nunes announced her retirement from MMA, a new women’s bantamweight champion will be crowned by the UFC.
Streaking contenders [autotag]Raquel Pennington[/autotag] and [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag] are slated to clash in a vacant 135-pound championship fight at UFC 297, which takes place Jan. 20 and is expected to go down at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, though the location has not been officially announced.
Multiple people with knowledge of the situation verified the booking to MMA Junkie following an initial report from Ag Fight. The people requested anonymity because the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Pennington (15-8 MMA, 12-5 UFC) has been a staple of the weight class since its inception. Her fight at UFC 297 will mark her 17th women’s bantamweight appearance, the most in divisional history. Her current five-fight winning streak is the best run of that tenure, and she will look to make good on her second chance at gold after taking a lopsided beating from Nunes in her initial opportunity at UFC 224 in May 2018.
Looking to deny Pennington will be Brazil’s Bueno Silva (10-2-1 MMA, 5-2-1 UFC), who is unbeaten in her past four fights. She’s proven to be a dangerous finisher inside the octagon, and although her most recent submission win over Holly Holm was overturned due to a drug testing issue that resulted in a short suspension, it was evident in that fight that Bueno Silva was prepared for the top level.
The latest UFC 297 lineup now includes:
Raquel Pennington vs. Mayra Bueno Silva – for vacant women’s bantamweight title
Arnold Allen vs. Movsar Evloev
Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Chris Curtis
Garrett Armfield vs. Brad Katona
Gillian Robertson vs. Polyana Viana
Serhiy Sidey vs. Ramon Taveras
Jimmy Flick vs. Malcolm Gordon
Neil Magny vs. Mike Malott
Yohan Lainesse vs. Sam Patterson
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 297.
Weeks ago, Mayra Bueno Silva revealed she tested positive due to an ADHD med. Tuesday, the UFC contender received official punishment.
Top UFC women’s bantamweight contender [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag] has received official punishment from the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) after she tested positive for a banned substance during a urine test conducted in connection with her July 15 victory over Holly Holm.
While Bueno Silva’s positive test for ritalinic acid was previously revealed by the fighter and the commission, she officially received disciplinary action at a monthly NAC meeting Tuesday: 4.5-month suspension, $11,250 fine that equates to 15 percent of her purse, and legal fees totaling $314.50.
Additionally, Bueno Silva’s UFC on ESPN 49 main event win over Holm was overturned from a win to a no contest. Bueno Silva defeated Holm by second-round submission.
A person with knowledge of the official ruling confirmed the details to MMA Junkie following an initial report by MMA Fighting.
Since she first announced her positive drug test, Bueno Silva has pointed to Concerta, a medication she was taking for ADHD as the culprit. Ritalinic acid is a metabolite of Concerta (methylphenidate).
Tuesday, Bueno Silva expressed thanks to the commission and her supporters for their understanding and care during the process.
“I take this medication because my mind is very hyperactive,” Bueno Silva told MMA Junkie in August. “If I don’t take this medication, I won’t hear. I won’t stop (moving). It’s not good for training or fighting. It’s nothing. It doesn’t improve my performance.”
Bueno Silva noted her issue only resided with the commission. She said neither USADA nor the UFC were seeking punishment – just the NAC. Bueno Silva hopes the policies pertaining to ADHD medications and their metabolites change going forward.
“I think they need (to) change this thing because it’s very important for the people that have ADHD,” Bueno Silva said. “I think this thing needs (to) change. If (I am an) example for this, OK, no problem, but I need this changed.”
Mayra Bueno Silva opens up about her failed drug test that stemmed from her ADHD medication.
UFC women’s bantamweight contender [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag]’s biggest career win is in jeopardy of getting overturned, and you can bet she’s not happy about it.
Bueno Silva revealed on Monday that she was informed of a failed drug test in the week leading up to her July fight against former champion Holly Holm, which she won by second-round submission at UFC on ESPN 49. Bueno Silva (11-2-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC) said she tested positive for Ritalinic acid, which stemmed from Concerta, her medication for ADHD.
“I have ADHD, and I’ve been taking medication for a long time,” Bueno Silva told MMA Junkie. “I drink Concerta (Methylphenidate), the same (as) Ritalin. I always take this medication, and I stop taking it the Monday of fight week, but this time was different. I take the medication until Monday, but I don’t know what happened. My body don’t metabolize this medication this time.
“I proved that I don’t drink in competition. I proved this because in my test it’s .00000007, and I proved that I don’t drink nothing, but I don’t know what’s happened. I know the commission rule is .00000007. I know, but I think it’s a big mistake with me because I don’t drink nothing.”
Bueno Silva said she’s been taking Concerta for about two to three years and has never had an issue with drug testing in any of her previous UFC fights. She began taking Concerta after a battle with depression.
“I take this medication because my mind is very hyperactive,” Bueno Silva said. “If I don’t take this medication, I won’t hear. I won’t stop (moving). It’s not good for training or fighting. It’s nothing. It doesn’t improve my performance.”
The Brazilian fighter also revealed that she has a prescription for the medication in both the U.S. and Brazil, and that she’s disclosed her use with the UFC, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, and the state commissions where she’s fought.
Ahead of the fight against Holm, Bueno Silva said she applied for a therapeutic use exemption with USADA but was requested to provide more documentation after the fight.
Bueno Silva has a hearing with the Nevada Athletic Commission on Thursday. Regardless of the result, Bueno Silva hopes there’s a chance in the rule set, declassifying methylphenidate as a prohibited substance.
“I think they need (to) change this thing because it’s very important for the people that have ADHD,” Bueno Silva said. “I think this thing needs (to) change. If (I am an) example for this, OK, no problem, but I need this changed.
“If you have any problem with mental health, please look for help because this is very, very hard. If this thing needs (to) change and I am (the) model, that’s OK. No problem.”
Julianna Peña doesn’t seem to care about the reasoning behind Mayra Bueno Silva’s failed drug test.
[autotag]Julianna Peña[/autotag] doesn’t seem to care about the reasoning behind [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag]’s failed drug test. She thinks the Brazilian is a “cheat” not matter how it’s explained.
Bueno Silva (11-2-1 MMA, 6-2-1 UFC) revealed Monday that she tested positive for a banned substance ahead of her July submission victory over Holly Holm, but explained it was due to an ADHD medication, and not that she was intending to gain a performance-enhancing advantage.
It’s likely that Bueno Silva’s win over Holm will be overturned and she will receive some form of suspension, but the final decision hasn’t been made. Peña (11-5 MMA, 7-3 UFC) is happy to cast judgement over her fellow women’s bantamweight contender, though, and took to social media to put Bueno Silva on blast (via X):
#CHEATara, living up to your nickname. Back to being a curtain jerker of an Apex card you go. You fought two 41yr olds this year and you had to cheat in order to get it done. Can't pass a #drugtest? Keep my name out of your mouth ya dumb broad! pic.twitter.com/EMyfJu8xbo
#CHEATara, living up to your nickname.
Back to being a curtain jerker of an Apex card you go. You fought two 41yr olds this year and you had to cheat in order to get it done. Can’t pass a #drugtest?
Keep my name out of your mouth ya dumb broad!
Prior to the latest development, Peña and Bueno Silva were both in the running to fight for the vacant 135-pound belt, which was relinquished when Amanda Nunes retired from MMA in June.
It’s clear, however, that Peña thinks Bueno Silva is now unqualified to be granted that opportunity.
UFC women’s bantamweight contender Mayra Bueno Silva is facing a suspension after testing positive for an ADHD medication, she says.
Top UFC women’s bantamweight [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag] is likely to have the biggest win of her UFC career overturned due to the presence of a banned substance in her system that she says stems from the use of ADHD medication.
Bueno Silva, 31, defeated Holly Holm by second-round submission July 15 in the UFC on ESPN 49 main event. On Thursday, Silva has a disciplinary hearing scheduled at the Nevada Athletic Commission’s monthly meeting, which she revealed Monday is due to the failed test.
“It is with deep regret that I have to announce I failed a drug test that I took the week of my fight against Holly Holm,” Bueno Silva wrote. “I want to begin by saying I have never in my life taken a substance to enhance my ability in or outside the cage. I have tested positive for a substance that is consistent with the prescription medication I take for my ADHD. I have been dealing with this disorder my entire life and it affects me in a multitude of ways.”
“I have provided a plethora of documents and explanations to USADA and the Nevada State Commission detailing the disorder, the effects of the disorder on my daily life and my decision making in the ingestion of the prescription medicine. I am fully cooperating with USADA, the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the UFC to make sure that all information is available and I fully acknowledge the presence of the substance in my system. I discontinued this medication at the beginning of fight week, like I always have in the past. So while it appeared in a small amount in my system, I am told by experts that it would not have an effect on my in-competition performance at that level.”
The hearing Thursday is expected to officially instate a temporary suspension until a sanctioning ruling is reached and announced at a future commission meeting. Punishment for the failure likely includes a suspension, fine, and an overturning of the win vs. Holm to a “no contest.”
“Please, before you make any judgements, understand that I have been dealing with this my whole life and I am devastated that this has happened in my career,” Bueno Silva wrote. “I look forward to coming to a resolution and putting this behind me. I look forward to fighting again for the best organization in the world. I am the next champion and I am ready to fight!”
The win vs. Holm was Silva’s fourth in a row, and she had aligned herself nicely in the discussion as to who should compete for the vacant UFC women’s bantamweight title. Other plausible candidates include Julianna Peña and Raquel Pennington, among others.
