Alexa Grasso pulled from UFC 270 following Viviane Araujo’s injury

A women’s flyweight bout between Alexa Grasso and Viviane Araujo is off UFC 270.

[autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] won’t be competing later this month.

The UFC women’s flyweight contender has been pulled from UFC 270 following the withdrawal of her opponent, [autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag], a person with knowledge of the change told MMA Junkie on Saturday. UFC 270 takes place Jan. 22 at Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Brazil’s Araujo (10-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC) pulled out earlier this week due to injury, which first was reported by ESPN Deportes. It’s unknown if the UFC intends to keep the matchup and reschedule for a future date or if Grasso (13-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) will get a new opponent on an upcoming card.

[lawrence-related id=625194]

Grasso most recently fought in February 2021 and outpointed Maycee Barber in a unanimous decision at UFC 258. She was scheduled to return in November against Joanne Calderwood, but an injury halted her return. Grasso is on a two-fight winning streak since moving up to the flyweight division in 2020.

Below is the updated line up for UFC 270:

  • Francis Ngannou vs. Ciryl Gane
  • Brandon Moreno vs. Deiveson Figueiredo
  • Movsar Evloev vs. Ilia Topuria
  • Greg Hardy vs. Aleksei Oleinik

Preliminary ESPN, ESPN+, 8 p.m. ET Edit Delete

  • Trevin Giles vs. Michael Morales
  • Said Nurmagomedov vs. Cody Stamann
  • Tony Gravely vs. Saimon Oliveira
  • Poliana Botelho vs. Ji Yeon Kim

Preliminary ESPN+, 6:15 p.m. ET Edit Delete

  • Jack Della Maddalena vs. opponent TBA
  • Kay Hansen vs. Jasmine Jasudavicius
  • Matt Frevola vs. Genaro Valdez
  • Wellington Turman vs. Rodolfo Vieira
  • Raoni Barcelos vs. Victor Henry

[vertical-gallery id=320880]

UFC 262 post-event facts: Charles Oliveira sets multiple records in title win

The best facts and figures to come out of UFC 262, which saw Charles Oliveira make history with his title-winning TKO of Michael Chandler.

The UFC’s seventh pay-per-view of the year delivered in a big way on Saturday with UFC 262 at Toyota Center in Houston.

Charles Oliveira (31-8 MMA, 19-8 UFC) became the new lightweight champion in the main event when he scored a thrilling second-round TKO win over Michael Chandler (22-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC), setting all types of UFC records in the process.

For more on the numbers behind the headliner, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 55 post-event facts to come out of UFC 262.

UFC 262 results: Katlyn Chookagian outpoints Viviane Araujo, gets back on winning streak

Since her loss to Valentina Shevchenko, Katlyn Chookagian is 3-1.

[autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] is back on a winning streak.

At UFC 262, Chookagian (16-4 MMA, 9-4 UFC) defeated [autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag] by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27) in a women’s flyweight fight.

The bout was part of the UFC 262 main card at Toyota Center in Houston. It aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+.

Chookagian and Araujo (10-3 MMA, 4-2 UFC) engaged in technical striking throughout the majority of Round 1. Chookagian used her signature method of circling, pumping her jab and utilizing her footwork to avoid danger.

In Round 2, Araujo found some success when she took down and mounted Chookagian. From there, she worked for a guillotine choke, but was never able to lock it in. Chookagian escaped and unleashed some hard strikes before the round ended.

Round 3 featured more technical striking, but both fighters opened up more than they did in Round 1. Chookagian mixed up her attack with punches and push kicks while Araujo hung tough as she looked to land a bomb before the fight eventually ended.

[lawrence-related id=610460,610458]

In victory, Chookagian has now won back-to-back fights. She’s 3-1 since her unsuccessful attempt to dethrone UFC women’s flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko in February 2020. Her recent victories also include Antonina Shevchenko and Cynthia Calvillo.

Araujo’s two-fight winning streak was snapped. UFC 262 marked the first time Aruajo lost a fight in the promotion to an opponent who made weight. It was only her second loss since 2017.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 262 results include:

[vertical-gallery id=610744]

[vertical-gallery id=610739]

UFC 262 predictions: How many are taking Michael Chandler to upset Charles Oliveira?

Check out our staff’s picks for the UFC 262 main card, featuring Charles Oliveira vs. Michael Chandler for the vacant lightweight title.

Oliveira
vs.
Chandler
Dariush
vs.
Ferguson
Bontorin
vs.
Schnell
Araujo
vs.
Chookagian
Barboza
vs.
Burgos
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2021: 62-44
oliveira2021
Oliveira
(54%)
dariush2021
Dariush
(51%)
schnell2021
Schnell
(80%)
chookagian2021
Chookagian
(56%)
barboza2021
Barboza
(68%)
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2021: 67-39
chandler2021
Chandler
dariush2021
Dariush
schnell2021
Schnell
araujo2021
Araujo
burgos2021b
Burgos
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2021: 65-41
chandler2021
Chandler
dariush2021
Dariush
bontorin2021
Bontorin
chookagian2021
Chookagian
burgos2021b
Burgos
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2021: 65-41
trophy copy 2018 Champion
chandler2021
Chandler
ferguson2021
Ferguson
schnell2021
Schnell
chookagian2021
Chookagian
burgos2021b
Burgos
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2021: 63-43
chandler2021
Chandler
ferguson2021
Ferguson
bontorin2021
Bontorin
chookagian2021
Chookagian
barboza2021
Barboza
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2021: 63-43
oliveira2021
Oliveira
dariush2021
Dariush
schnell2021
Schnell
araujo2021
Araujo
burgos2021b
Burgos
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2021: 62-44
chandler2021
Chandler
dariush2021
Dariush
schnell2021
Schnell
chookagian2021
Chookagian
barboza2021
Barboza
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2021: 61-45
trophy copy 2014 Champion
oliveira2021
Oliveira
dariush2021
Dariush
schnell2021
Schnell
chookagian2021
Chookagian
barboza2021
Barboza
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2021: 61-45
trophy copy 2020 Champion
chandler2021
Chandler
dariush2021
Dariush
schnell2021
Schnell
araujo2021
Araujo
barboza2021
Barboza
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2021: 61-45
trophy copy 2017 Champion
chandler2021
Chandler
dariush2021
Dariush
bontorin2021
Bontorin
chookagian2021
Chookagian
barboza2021
Barboza
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2021: 60-46
chandler2021
Chandler
dariush2021
Dariush
schnell2021
Schnell
chookagian2021
Chookagian
burgos2021b
Burgos
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2021: 58-48
chandler2021
Chandler
dariush2021
Dariush
schnell2021
Schnell
araujo2021
Araujo
barboza2021
Barboza
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2021: 57-49
oliveira2021
Oliveira
dariush2021
Dariush
schnell2021
Schnell
chookagian2021
Chookagian
barboza2021
Barboza
BetMGM
Betting Favorites
oliveira2021
Oliveira -140
dariush2021
Dariush -165
schnell2021
Schnell -160
chookagian2021
Chookagian -145
burgos2021b
Burgos -145

The UFC is back on the road this week with the vacant lightweight title on the line atop the card.

UFC 262 takes place Saturday at Toyota Center in Houston. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

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

In the main event, [autotag]Charles Oliveira[/autotag] (30-8 MMA, 18-8 UFC) takes on former Bellator champion [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] (22-5 MMA, 1-0 UFC) for the lightweight belt vacated by Khabib Nurmagomedov. Oliveira is a slight favorite at -140 at BetMGM, but it’s underdog Chandler with a big 9-3 lead in the picks from our 12 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts.

In the co-feature, [autotag]Beneil Dariush[/autotag] (20-4-1 MMA, 14-4-1 UFC) fights former interim lightweight champ [autotag]Tony Ferguson[/autotag] (25-5 MMA, 15-3 UFC). Dariush is -165 at the betting window, and he’s also our biggest favorite, picks-wise, on the main card at 10-2.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Rogerio Bontorin[/autotag] (16-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) meets [autotag]Matt Schnell[/autotag] (15-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC) in a bantamweight bout. Schnell is a -160 favorite and has an 9-3 picks advantage.

[autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag] (10-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) meets former women’s flyweight title challenger [autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] (15-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC), who is a -145 favorite and has an 8-4 picks lead.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Edson Barboza[/autotag] (21-9 MMA, 15-9 UFC) takes on [autotag]Shane Burgos[/autotag] (13-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) in a featherweight fight. Burgos is a slight -145 favorite, but it’s Barboza with the narrowest lead on the main card at 7-5.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Oliveira (54 percent), Dariush (51 percent), Schnell (80 percent), Chookagian (56 percent) and Barboza (68 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

[listicle id=610161]

[listicle id=609885]

UFC adds Katlyn Chookagian vs. Viviane Araujo to May 15 event

The UFC is booking events into mid-May, and a women’s flyweight bout between two contenders is the latest addition.

The UFC is booking fights into mid-May and a women’s flyweight bout between two contenders is the latest addition to the schedule.

[autotag]Katlyn Chookagian[/autotag] and [autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag] will square off May 15 at a yet-to-be-announced UFC event. The card does not currently have a location or venue.

A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking to MMA Junkie after UFC broadcast partner ESPN reported the news Wednesday.

Chookagian (15-4 MMA, 8-4 UFC) has won two of her past three entering the fight, including her most recent victory, a unanimous decision win over Cynthia Calvillo at UFC 255 in November. Since she dropped down to flyweight in 2017, Chookagian has compiled a 6-3 divisional record.

Araujo (10-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) rides a two-fight winning streak into the matchup. Following a December 2019 loss to Jessica Eye, Araujo won back-to-back unanimous decisions over Montana De La Rosa and Roxanne Modafferi.

With the addition, the May 15 lineup includes:

  • Priscila Cachoeira vs. Gina Mazany
  • Viviane Araujo vs. Katlyn Chookagian

[vertical-gallery id=396409]

UFC on ESPN 20 medical suspensions: Mike Davis, Victoria Leonardo face up to 180 days

Mike Davis and Victoria Leonardo are facing potential six-month suspensions for injuries sustained in their fights.

[autotag]Mike Davis[/autotag] and [autotag]Victoria Leonardo[/autotag] are facing potential six-month medical suspensions after UFC on ESPN 20.

Davis (9-2 MMA, 2-1 UFC), who earned the “Fight of the Night” honor in a unanimous decision win over Mason Jones, needs clearance for his left thumb for his hard-fought battle with Jones.

Joining Davis with a potential 180-day term is Leonardo (8-3 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who needs clearance for her right forearm after suffering a second-round stoppage loss to Manon Fiorot.

MMA Junkie on Friday obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.

The full list of UFC on ESPN 20 medical suspensions includes:

  • [autotag]Michael Chiesa[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to right eye laceration.
  • [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Warlley Alves[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Mounir Lazzez[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days due to rib soreness.
  • [autotag]Ike Villanueva[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Vinicius Moreira[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days due to knockout loss.
  • [autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to “hard bout.”
  • [autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Matt Schnell[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Tyson Nam[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to right cheek laceration.
  • [autotag]Douglas Silva de Andrade[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Omari Akhmedov[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Tom Breese[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
  • [autotag]Ricky Simon[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Gaetano Pirello[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Su Mudaerji[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to chin laceration.
  • [autotag]Zarrukh Adashev[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
  • [autotag]Dalcha Lungiambula[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Markus Perez[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to scalp laceration.
  • [autotag]Francisco Figueiredo[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
  • [autotag]Jerome Rivera[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • Mike Davis: Needs X-ray for left thumb, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Mason Jones[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Umar Nurmagomedov[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).
  • [autotag]Sergey Morozov[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to “hard bout.”
  • Victoria Leonardo: Needs X-ray for right forearm, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Manon Fiorot[/autotag]: Suspended seven days (mandatory rest).

[vertical-gallery id=581617]

UFC on ESPN 20 results: Viviane Araujo dominates gritty Roxanne Modafferi

Viviane Araujo showed a well-rounded attack en route to a unanimous decision win over “The Happy Warrior.”

[autotag]Viviane Araujo[/autotag]’s showing at UFC on ESPN 20 was a dominant one.

For the majority of the 15-minute bout, Araujo (10-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) outworked former UFC women’s flyweight title challenger [autotag]Roxanne Modafferi[/autotag] en route to a unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26).

The women’s flyweight bout was part of the UFC on ESPN 20 main card at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. It aired on ESPN.

Throughout the fight, Araujo displayed the skill differential between herself and Modafferi (25-18 MMA, 4-6 UFC) in various areas. The gap in the levels of the two fighters’ striking, in particular, was on full display.

Late in Round 1, Araujo appeared to be close to a submission. However, the sequence never played out in full as the horn sounded.

In Round 2, Modafferi landed her best offense of the night – a right hand that briefly stunned Araujo. A second later, however, Araujo was back to dominating.

Round 3 was more of the same, with Araujo having her way with Modafferi on the feet and on the ground. A late Araujo takedown put a stamp on an already one-sided performance. Swollen and bloody, Modafferi displayed her signature toughness and veteran grit en route to the final horn.

With the victory, Araujo turns a lone unanimous decision win over Montana De La Rosa in September into a winning streak. Araujo has only lost once since 2017 – a unanimous decision defeat to Jessica Eye in December 2019.

As for Modafferi, her streak of alternating losses and wins continues. Since her UFC return, a December 2017 title fight vs. Nicco Montano, Modafferi has never accumulated a winning streak or losing skid.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN 20 results include:

[vertical-gallery id=581617]

[vertical-gallery id=581613]

5 burning questions heading into UFC on ESPN 20

MMA Junkie senior editor Dave Doyle walks you through five key questions UFC on ESPN 20 should answer.

Can’t stop, won’t stop: Just four days after the first UFC event of the year, the company is right back in action. UFC on ESPN 20 is the middle show in a run of three cards in eight days to kick off the 2021 schedule, and it goes down Wednesday.

An intriguing welterweight main event featuring a pair of hard-working competitors who have labored long to earn this spot takes headlines status, as [autotag]Michael Chiesa[/autotag] takes on [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag].

UFC on ESPN 20 takes place Wednesday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The card airs on ESPN.

Without further ado, then, here are five burning questions heading into UFC on ESPN 20.

UFC on ESPN 20: Make your predictions for Michael Chiesa vs. Neil Magny

We want your predictions for Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 20 event in Abu Dhabi.

We want your predictions for Wednesday’s UFC on ESPN 20 event in Las Vegas.

Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we’ll use the official tallies that are registered by Monday at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

Those MMA Junkie reader consensus picks will be part of the UFC on ESPN 20 event staff predictions we release Tuesday ahead of the event. UFC on ESPN 20 takes place Wednesday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The card airs on ESPN.

Make your picks for the six main card fights below.