The UFC has signed a new deal with a rival promotion, plus a couple of newly-announced bouts and a legend returns from a USADA suspension in today’s MMA odds and ends.
M-1 Signs Deal With UFC
Russian MMA promotion has signed a partnership deal with the UFC, the organization itself revealed in a press release. According to M-1, champions in M-1 Challenge will get an opportunity to sign with the UFC. This is obviously a huge deal for both M-1 and the UFC, who should immediately begin to see an influx of young Russian talent into the Octagon. The UFC previously wanted nothing to do with M-1 in the past back when Fedor Emelianenko wanted the promotions to co-promote with each other, but clearly the UFC felt like this unique partnership was an opportunity too good to pass up, and it will be exciting to see how this deal goes.
Anderson Silva Vindicated By USADA
Former UFC middleweight champion and legend of MMA Anderson Silva has been vindicated by USADA, who proved his positive drug test last year was due to a contaminated substance. ESPN.com’s Ariel Helwani reported the news. Silva will now be eligible to return in October 2018. When he comes back, the UFC should have plenty of options for Silva, who is still a huge name in the sport. Silva (34-8, 1 NC) is coming off of a decision win over Derek Brunson and should get the opportunity to fight a top-10 opponent next.
Bryan Barberena vs. Jake Ellenberger, UFC Fight Night 135
A welterweight matchup between Bryan Barberena and Jake Ellenberger is set for UFC Fight Night 135, which takes place Saturday, August 25 at Pinnacle Bank Arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. Barberena himself announced the bout on his social media Barberena (13-5) is coming off of a decision loss to top contender Leon Edwards but he’s proven in the past he’s a tough out for anyone at 170lbs. Ellenberger (31-14) has lost five of his last six fights and has been knocked out in three straight bouts, including a TKO defeat to Ben Saunders his last time out. You can’t pick Ellenberger to beat anyone at ths point and I fully expect Barberena to be favored here.
Sam Alvey vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, UFC Fight Night Sao Paulo
A light heavywight bout between Sam Alvey and Antonio Rogerio Nogueria will take place at UFC Fight Night Sao Paulo, taking place in the Brazilian city on Saturday, September 22. Combate revealed the matchup. Alvey (33-10, 1 NC) has looked great since moving up to 205lbs as he’s taken out Gian Villante and Marcin Prachnio in his last two bouts. Alvey is always in exciting fights and the UFC made a smart choie by matching him up against a fellow striker in “Little Nog.” Nogueira (22-8) is a long-time veteran of the sport but he hasn’t fought since a 2016 KO loss to Ryan Bader and overall his only win in the last five years was an upset over Pat Cummins. He’s also 42 now and clearly on the downside of his career. As the younger, more active fighter in the matchup, I love Alvey in this spot and fully expect him to beat Nogueira after opening as a sizeable favorite.
