The UFC isn’t the only MMA promotion out there booking quality fights for upcoming fight cards. In today’s MMA odds and ends, I’ll give my thoughts on some future fights happening around the world of MMA.
Erick Silva Debuts At LFA 45
Former UFC welterweight Erick Silva has signed with LFA and he will make his promotional debut at LFA 45, which goes down Friday, July 20 at Morongo Casino Outdoor Pavillion in Cabazon, California. The promotion itself confimed that Silva will be fighting Nick Barnes. Silva (19-9 ) really flamed out in the UFC, losing four of his last fights in the Octagon before getting his pink slip. At one point in time Silva was one of the top welterweights in the world and seen by many as a future title contender but he never ended up having the career many hoped he would. Now that he’s been cut by the UFC, he will attempt to work his way back to the big show by fighting in LFA. Barnes (12-3) has quite a bit of experience against good opposition but is coming off of a knockout loss to Curtis Millender. This should be a really fun fight but I’d expect Silva to be a considerable favorite to come through with the victory.
Unretired Brad Pickett Signs With ACB
Former UFC flyweight and bantamweight Brad Pickett has decided to come out of retirement and sign with ACB. He will make his promotional debut at an upcoming card in London later this summer. Petesy Carroll of MMAFighting.com broke the news. Pickett (25-14) was at one point in time a contender at both 125lbs and 135lbs in the UFC but he retired after losing six of his last seven fights, including a brutal knockout loss to Marlon Vera in his last fight. Even his last win over Francisco Rivera, a split decision in his hometown of London, wasn’t a clean win. Clearly he feels like he still has something left in the tank, but I’m not sure I agree based on his record. Pickett called out fellow ex-UFCer Takeya Mizugaki for a fight and there’s a good chance ACB will put the matchup together.
Invicta FC 30 Announced
The all-women’s MMA promotion Invicta announced its upcoming fight card Invicta FC 30, which takes place Saturday, July 21 at Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Missouri. In the main event, Jihn Yu Frey (6-3) fights Minna Grusander (6-1) for the vacant atomweight belt, while elsewhere on the card former UFC fighter Heather Jo Clark (7-6) takes on Kinberly Novaes (9-4). This should be a pretty solid card and Invicta continues to hold its place in the MMA landscape as the best place for up-and-coming female fighters to make their mark.
