Tag: Talita Bernardo

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.

16 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2023

It’s hard to make it to the UFC once, let alone a second time, but these fighters have a chance in 2023.

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 UFC flyweight champion Brandon Moreno. He was released from the promotion, built his way back, became a contender, and then won a UFC title.

In recent memory, others like Brandon Davis, Jesse Ronson, Nicolas Dalby, Chase Sherman, Sean Soriano, and Dustin Jacoby have reinforced the possibility.

With the new year upon us, here are 16 former UFC fighters who could return to the promotion in 2023.

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

Invicta FC 51 results: Talita Bernardo, Ketlen Souza emerge as new champions

Two new champions were crowned at the first Invicta FC event of the year.

The first Invicta FC event of 2023 is in the books.

Invicta FC 51 took place at ReelWorks Denver, featuring an eight-fight card with two title fights in the flyweight and bantamweight divisions at the top of the bill.

In the main event, [autotag]Taneisha Tennant[/autotag] (5-2) sought to defend her bantamweight title for the second time as she took on UFC veteran [autotag]Talita Bernardo[/autotag] (10-4), who entered on a three-fight win streak.

It was a close back-and-forth bout that was tied 38-38 going into the final round, leaving just five minutes to decide who would emerge as champion. Bernardo leaned on her grappling game and controlled Tennant from top position for most of the last round, earning the judges’ favor. To make things worse for Tennant, she was docked a point for keeping her toes in the cage, resulting in a 10-8 final round.

Bernardo ends Tennant’s reign, becoming the new Invicta bantamweight champion, and extending her current win streak to four.

The vacant flyweight title was up for grabs in the co-main event.

Ketlen Souza (13-3) outpointed, outgrappled, and even opened a nasty cut above the right eye of Kristina Williams (6-4) en route to a unanimous decision win. After just her second appearance in Invicta, Souza begins a flyweight title reign while stretching her current win streak to five.

Watch a replay of the entire card above and check out the full official results below.

Official results of Invicta FC 51 include:

  • Talita Bernardo def. Taneisha Tennant via unanimous decision (48-46, 48-46, 48-46) – for bantamweight title
  • Ketlen Souza def. Kristina Williams via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47) – for flyweight title
  • Olga Rubin def. Serena DeJesus via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Claire Guthrie def. Auttumn Norton via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Elisandra Ferreira def. Marisa Messer-Belenchia via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
  • Rayanne dos Santos def. Katie Saull via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
  • Fatima Kline def. Laura Gallardo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

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UFC veterans in MMA, kickboxing and bareknuckle action Jan. 18-22

Check out which UFC veterans are competing on the regional scene this week.

The UFC is on the verge of its first pay-per-view event of the year in Brazil for UFC 283.

Elsewhere, many other MMA events are taking place that feature familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner as regional promotions are ramping up after the holidays.

These 14 veterans of the global MMA leader are competing in MMA, boxing and bareknuckle this week from Jan. 18-22.

Check out the names and details about their bouts below.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

Photos: Invicta FC 51 official weigh-ins and faceoffs

Check out these photos from the Invicta FC 51 official weigh-ins in Denver.

Check out these photos from the Invicta FC 51 official weigh-ins and fighter faceoffs ahead of the dual title fight event at Reelworks Denver in Denver. (Photos courtesy of Invicta FC)

UFC veterans in MMA, boxing and bareknuckle action Nov. 16-20

Check out which veterans of the UFC are in action this week.

This week, the UFC is heading back to home base at the UFC Apex for a top 15 heavyweight clash following the epic UFC 281 pay-per-view in New York.

In addition to UFC Fight Night 215, there are a number of MMA, boxing, and bareknuckle events taking place that feature familiar names that have competed under the UFC banner.

These 20 veterans of the global MMA leader are competing in MMA and boxing this week from Nov. 16-20.

Check out the names and details about their bouts below.

Upcoming event information from Tapology.

Photos: Invicta FC 50 weigh-ins and faceoffs

Check out these photos from the Invicta FC 50 weigh-ins in Denver.

Check out these photos from the Invicta FC 50 official weigh-ins and faceoffs in Denver. (Photos courtesy of Dave Mandel/Invicta FC)

Invicta FC announces one-night, four-woman tournament for vacant strawweight title on Nov. 16

Invicta FC 50 is set to host a one-night tournament.

A one-night, four-woman tournament is headed to Invicta FC.

The promotion announced on Wednesday in a press release that they’re hosting a tournament to crown a new strawweight champion. The 115-pound tourney will take place at Invicta FC 50, which is set to go down on Nov. 16 in Denver.

The four fighters competing for 115-pound title are [autotag]Valesca Machado[/autotag] (10-3), UFC veteran [autotag]Gloria de Paula[/autotag] (6-5), 20-year-old Brazilian [autotag]Ediana Silva[/autotag] (12-2) and newcomer [autotag]Karolina Wojcik[/autotag] (9-2).

The event will also include two strawweight tournament reserve match-ups –[autotag]Sharon Jacobson[/autotag] (6-5) vs. [autotag]Melissa Oddessa[/autotag] (3-2) and [autotag]Fatima Kline[/autotag] (2-0) vs. Ireland’s [autotag]Danni McCormac[/autotag]k (5-2).

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Both the semifinals and final bout will consist of three, five-minute rounds. Tournament match-ups will be drawn during the event’s weigh-ins on Nov. 15.

Apart from the tournament and tournament reserve matchups, Invicta FC 50 will also feature two women’s bantamweight bouts.

Former Invicta FC title challenger [autotag]Katharina Lehner[/autotag] (7-3) takes on ex-UFC fighter [autotag]Talita Bernardo[/autotag] (8-4), and Denver’s own [autotag]Claire Guthrie[/autotag] (3-1) looks to hand Brazili’s [autotag]Marilia Morais[/autotag] (3-0) her first professional loss.

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Invicta FC 48: Best photos from Denver

Check out these photos from Invicta FC 48 in Denver.

Check out these photos from the six-fight card of Invicta FC 48 in Denver, which featured a bantamweight title fight between Taneisha Tennant and Olga Rubin. (Photos courtesy of Dave Mandel, Invicta FC)

Photos: Invicta FC 48 official weigh-ins and faceoffs

Check out these photos from the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 48 in Denver.

Check out these photos from the Invicta FC 48 weigh-ins ahead of Thursday’s event at ReelWorks Denver which features a bantamweight title fight between champion Taneisha Tennant and challenger Olga Rubin. (Photos courtesy of Dave Mandel, Invicta FC)