MMA Odds and Ends for Friday: Chris Weidman vs. Yoel Romero set for UFC 205, Chael Sonnen signs with Bellator

480 Chris Weidman vs. Yoel Romero, Liz Carmouche vs. Katlyn Chookagian set for UFC 205 in New York City MMAJunkie reported on Thursday that former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman will take on Yoel Romeo at UFC 205. Weidman (13-1) lost his title against Luke Rockhold at UFC 194 in December which snapped a 13-fight unbeaten streak. He was slated to face Rockhold in a rematch at UFC 199 but had to pull out due to injury. Romero (12-1) recently completed a six-month suspension due to failed drug test. The ATT product is 7-0 in the UFC. In addition MMAFighting reports that bantamweights Liz Carmouche and Katlyn Chookagian will clash at UFC 205. Carmouche (10-5) hasn’t fought since a April 2015 victory over Lauren Murphy which subsequently snapped her two-fight losing streak. Chookagian (8-0) came through in her UFC debut this past July, defeating Murphy at UFC Fight Night 91. UFC 205 takes place Nov. 12 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Here’s an updated look at the card. Yoel Romero Chris Weidman Rashad Evans vs. Tim Kennedy Thiago Alves vs. Al Iaquinta Marcos Rogerio de Lima vs. Gian Villante Donald Cerrone vs. Kelvin Gastelum Liz Carmouche vs. Katlyn Chookagian   Chael Sonnen signs an exclusive multi-fight contract with Bellator Bellator officials announced Thursday evening that former UFC title challenger Chael Sonnen has signed an exclusive multi year, multi-fight contract with Bellator. Sonnen (29-14-1) recently finished serving a PED suspension and plans to compete in Bellator’s light heavyweight division. The 39-year old hasn’t competed since a 2013 loss to Rashad Evans at UFC 167. “The American Gangster” is 3-3 in his last six fights. Here’s what Bellator had to say about the announcement. “Chael is an incredible athlete that has competed at the very highest levels of the sport,” Bellator President Scott Coker said. “I know that he is going to continue to do just that here at Bellator. When we were in the process of signing him, Chael was adamant that he wants to compete in three divisions here. He already has unfinished business with Wanderlei Silva, but he also wants to fight guys like Tito Ortiz, Fedor Emelianenko and even Rory MacDonald at middleweight. These are all fights that I’d be very inclined to watch, so hopefully we can put some, if not all of these matchups together starting before the end of the year.” “I’m consistently blown away by the product and presentation that Bellator is bringing to the fans,” said Sonnen. “I’m not nearly done competing and I’m coming after everyone, everywhere. I’m not sticking to one weight class either, I fight at ‘Gangster Weight’ and nobody is safe.”   Cain Velasquez vs. Fabricio Werdum rematch in the works for UFC 207  Heavyweights Cain Velasquez and Fabricio Werdum are potentially set to clash this December according to a report from MMAJunkie. Velasquez (14-2) lost his title to Werdum last year at UFC 188, but rebounded this past July with a TKO victory over Travis Browne at UFC 200. Werdum (14-2) ended up dropping the UFC heavyweight title against Stipe Miocic in his first title defence at UFC 198. Like Velasquez, the 39-year old Brazilian rebounded with a win against Browne at UFC 203 last weekend. UFC 207 takes place Dec. 30 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.   Gray Maynard vs. Ryan Hall slated for TUF 24 Finale UFC officials confirmed Wednesday that Gray Maynard will battle TUF 22 winner Ryan Hall at The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale on December 3rd. Maynard (12-5-1) is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Fernando Bruno back in July, which was his first bout at featherweight. Prior to the move, the TUF veteran was 1-5 in his last six bouts with losses against T.J. Grant, Nate Diaz, Ross Pearson, and Alexander Yakovlev. Hall (5-1) won Season 22 of The Ultimate Fighter by defeating Artem Lobov. The 31-year old will compete for the first time this year to to injuries. The Ultimate Fighter 24 Finale takes place at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Written by James Lynch

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