MMA Fight Bookings From This Week
Several contests were announced this week by promotions such as the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Bellator. Take a look at Brett Rogers’ upcoming contest, who Kendall Grove his fighting for the ShoFIGHT middleweight title, and the pair of UFC preliminary card bouts that are currently in the works.
Bellator 71 Official, Brett Rogers Set For Debut
Bellator is prepared to begin its “Summer Series,” as the promotion announced the complete card for Bellator 71.
The card takes place in West Virginia on June 22 with five preliminary card bouts streaming on Spike.com and five main card bouts broadcasting live on MTV2. The main card includes four light heavyweight tournament quarterfinal bouts, including fighters such as Travis Wiuff, Roy Boughton, and Richard Hale.
However, the most notable competitor on the card is former Strikeforce heavyweight contender Brett Rogers, who meets Kevin Asplund in his debut with the promotion. Rogers debuts with the hopes of rebuilding his reputation after struggles inside the cage and, more troubling, outside of it.
Main Card:
Travis Wiuff vs. Chris Davis
Attila Vegh vs. Zelg Galesic
Roy Boughton vs. Emanuel Newton
Beau Tribolet vs. Richard Hale
Brett Rogers vs. Kevin Asplund
With Terry Martin Out, Kendall Grove Meets Derek Brunson at SHOFight 20
Terry Martin is out of his middleweight title fight with Kendall Grove at ShoFIGHT 20 on July 1.
MMAjunkie.com confirmed the news this week, as well as confirming that Derek Brunson will now fight opposite Grove for the vacant title. Martin was forced out of the contest after he was unable to gain medical clearance from the Missouri Office of Athletics.
Now, Brunson and Grove meet in the co-main event of the fight, while former UFC welterweight Karo Parisyan takes on John Gunderson for the 170 lb. title in the evening’s main event. The event takes place on July 1 in Springfield, Missouri.
Hugo Viana vs. John Teixeira Likely For UFC 147
A featherweight bout between John Teixeira and Hugo Viana is in the works for the preliminary card of UFC 147 on June 23 in Belo, Horizonte, Brazil.
MMAjunkie.com confirmed the bout.
At 5-0, Viana has found early success in his mixed martial arts career, though all five of those contests ended in decision. He last fought in September of 2011, earning a unanimous nod from the judges.
Teixeira, who has over twice as many professional bouts as Viana, is also undefeated, sitting at a perfect 13-0 record as a professional. Unlike his upcoming opponent, the Brazilian has earned the majority of his victories via submission, with nine of his wins coming in that manner.
Guimaraes debuts against Stittgen at “UFC on FUEL TV 4“
A welterweight contest between Marcelo Guimaraes and Dan Stittgen is likely for “UFC on FUEL TV 4” on July 11 in San Jose California.
MMAjunkie.com reported news of the bouts addition to the card, which is headlined by a middleweight bout between Chris Weidman and Mark Munoz.
Stittgen debuted in the promotion at UFC 143 against Stephen Thompson this past February, losing via knockout. At 7-2, the 170 lb. fighter has found success in such promotions as King of the Cage and the IFC.
Meanwhile, Guimaraes enters this contest with a perfect 7-0 record, though he has yet to compete under the Zuffa banner. He has spent the majority of his career fighting in the Jungle Fight promotion, including his latest victory, an August submission win.
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Bookings Roundup: Brett Rogers Returns, TUF Brazil Fighters Meet At UFC 147