UFC Fight Night 82 rumored for Jessica Eye vs. Bethe Correia, Sam Alvey vs. Daniel Sarafian Globo reports that Jessica Eye finally got her wish in competing on the UFC’s card in Pittsburgh. Eye (11-4) is coming off back to back losses to Miesha Tate and Julianna Pena and will be looking to avoid three straight losses for the first time in her career. The 29-year old is currently 1-3 -1 NC in the UFC, with her lone win coming against Leslie Smith at UFC 180. Correia (9-1) competes for the first time since her 34-second knockout loss to former bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey at UFC 190 in August. Also on the card is a middleweight matchup that surely won’t disappoint. Alvey (26-7) is coming off the first knockout loss of his professional career, as Derek Brunson put him away in the first round of their fight back at UFC Fight Night 73. The loss snapped “Smilin”‘s three fight win streak. Sarafian (9-5) bounced back from a two-fight skid after knocking out Antônio dos Santos Jr. at UFC Fight Night 58 back in December 2014. UFC Fight Night 82 takes place on Feb. 21 at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA. Here’s an updated look at the UFC Pittsburgh card Jessica Eye vs. Bethe Correia (rumor) Cody Garbrandt vs. John Lineker Derek Brunson vs. Roan Carneiro Sam Alvey vs. Daniel Sarafian Joe Riggs vs. Chris Camozzi Trevor Smith vs. Leonardo Augusto Guimaraes Shane Campbell vs. James Krause Brandon Thatch vs. Siyar Bahadurzada Anthony Hamilton vs. Shamil Abdurakhimov Sean Strickland vs. Alex Garcia Sarah Moras vs. Lauren Murphy Ovince Saint-Preux vs. Rafael “Feijão” Cavalcante added to UFC 196 Is the vacant Strikeforce light heavyweight title on the line? Per UFC Tonight, Ovince Saint-Preux will take on Rafael “Feijão” Cavalcante. Saint Preux (18-7) had his two fight win streak snapped in his last fight – with his third-round submission loss to Glover Teixeira in August – but has still amassed an impressive 6-2 UFC record. His only UFC setbacks have been to the aforementioned Teixeira and top contender Ryan Bader. Cavalcante (12-6, 1 NC) has lost two straight and three of his last four fights. The 35-year-old is in dire need of a victory if he wants to keep his spot on the UFC’s light heavyweight roster. UFC 196 takes place Feb. 6th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Fabricio Werdum signs eight-fight contract with the UFC According to Ariel Helwani on UFC Tonight, current UFC heavyweight champion Werdum has reportedly signed a new eight-fight contract the UFC. The contract is reportably worth seven figures. Werdum (20-5-1) will defend his title at UFC 196 in February in a rematch against former champion Cain Velasquez. Al Iaquinta undergoes successful knee surgery, aiming for July return UFC lightweight Al Iaquinta underwent a successful knee surgery Monday. MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani confirmed that UFC lightweight Al Iaquinta underwent successful knee surgery on Monday. The New York native hopes to return to training in three to four months with a possible return in July. Iaquinta (12-3-1) is coming off a controversial split decision victory over Jorge Masvidal at UFC Fight Night 63 back in April. He then was scheduled to fight Bobby Green at UFC Fight Night 71 in San Diego, but an injury to Green forced him off the card. Gilbert Melendez was tabbed as his replacement, however he failed a post fight drug test and Iaquinta was left without an opponent. CABMMA discovers fraud by fighters MMAFighting.com’s Guilherme Cruz reports that the Brazilian MMA Athletic Commission (CABMMA) is set to reveal the names of several MMA fighters who committed fraud by falsifying medical exams. This was discovered during a secret investigation and it should be noted, the series of frauds does not include any fighters currently signed by the UFC. CABMMA charman Rafel Favetti told MMAFighting.com “The commission has been doing a secret investigation against frauds in medical exams provided by athletes in several gyms. We got to a point where we’re possibly dealing with a criminal gang, a gang that has as its motto to fraud medical exams for MMA athletes.” Favetti also mentioned that all of the fighters involved in this investiation will be suspended indefinitely and likely banned from the sport.
MMA Odds and Ends for Thursday: Eye vs. Correia rumored for UFC Pittsburgh, Saint Preux vs. Fejao set for UFC 196
