Rafael Natal scheduled to take on Robert Whittaker at UFC 197 MMAJunkie reports that Rafael Natal vs. Robert Whittaker has been added to April’s UFC 197 event. According to the report both fighters have verbally agreed to the matchup and bout agreements have been distributed. UFC officials have yet to make an announcement however are expected to one very soon. Natal (21-6-1) is on a four-fight win streak including victories over Kevin Casey, Uriah Hall, Tom Watson and Chris Camozzi. Whittaker (15-4) similarly is a winner of four-straight, defeating Hall, Brad Tavares, Clint Hester and Mike Rhodes. UFC 197 takes place April 23 at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena. Here’s an updated look at the card Daniel Cormier (c) vs. Jon Jones – Light-Heavyweight Title Demetrious Johnson (c) vs. Henry Cejudo – Flyweight Title Rafael Natal vs. Robert Whittaker B.J. Penn announces his octagon return will come at UFC 197 B.J Penn announced via his website, BJPenn.com, that he will be competing at UFC 197 against an unnamed opponent. “I thought the fight guaranteed was going to happen because the UFC, they set up medicals for me to do,” Penn said. “I did the medicals and they were sending a film crew down and we were getting all that together and I assumed we were setting up the fight, and that might have been what was happening. But, at the end of the day, [UFC matchmaker] Sean Shelby called me and said it would be more convenient for all of us to move the fight to April 23. You have heard ‘what you feed the most, grows the biggest,’ and I’m going to stay here and immerse myself in the martial arts and see how good I can get,” The UFC hasn’t made an official announcement about Penn’s return fight. UFC Fight Night 82 medical suspensions
- Stephen Thompson: Requires x-ray on right ankle, if positive then needs clearance from orthopedic doctor or no contest until 08/07; minimum suspension no contest until 03/08, no contact until 02/28
- Jared Rosholt: Requires x-ray on left ankle, if positive then needs clearance from orthopedic doctor or no contest until 08/07; minimum suspension no contest until 03/08, no contact until 02/28
- Rafael Cavalcante: Requires right eye cleared by ophthalmologist or no contest until 08/07; minimum suspension no contest until 03/23, no contact until 03/08
- Ovince St. Preux: Requires x-ray on right ankle, if positive then needs clearance from orthopedic doctor or no contest until 08/07; minimum suspension no contest until 03/08, no contact until 02/28
- Josh Burkman: Requires MRI on right shoulder and clearance by orthopedic doctor or no contest until 08/07; minimum suspension no contest until 02/28, no contact until 02/21
- Diego Rivas: Requires both knees to be cleared by an orthopedic doctor or no contest until 08/07
- Alex Nicholson: Requires bilateral jaw fractures and broken nose cleared by an oral/maxillofacial doctor or no contest until 05/08; minimum suspension no contest until 03/23, no contact until 03/08 due to left eyelid laceration
- Noah Lahat: Suspended until 04/07, no contact until 03/23
- Joseph Benavidez: Suspended until 03/23, no contact until 03/08 due to left eyebrow laceration
- Sean Spencer: Suspended until 03/23, no contact until 03/08
- KJ Noons: Suspended until 03/23, no contact until 03/08 due to finger laceration
- Damian Grabowski: Suspended until 03/23, no contact until 03/08 due to scalp laceration
- Johny Hendricks: Suspended until 03/08, no contact until 02/28
- Ray Borg: Suspended until 03/08, no contact until 02/28 due to tough fight
- Artem Lobov: Suspended until 03/08, no contact until 02/28 due to left upper eyelid laceration