This week, the UFC is taking a break following the recent UFC on ESPN 62 event. However, fans of combat sports still have plenty to look forward to.
Various events featuring several former UFC fighters are scheduled from August 29 to 31. These events will showcase the skills of veterans who have moved on from the UFC but continue to compete in other organizations.
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Veterans Competing in Upcoming Events
Several former UFC fighters are set to compete in different combat sports events this week. Here is a list of some notable veterans and their upcoming matches:
Jack May (11-8 MMA, 0-2 UFC) will face John Shipman in a boxing match at Fight Club OC on August 29. May’s last MMA fight was a TKO loss to Tyrell Fortune at Bellator 255 on April 2, 2021. His last UFC fight was a TKO loss to Shawn Jordan at UFC Fight Night 47 on August 16, 2014. Since leaving the UFC, May has a record of 4-6 in MMA, 9-0 in boxing, and 0-1 in bare-knuckle boxing.
TJ Brown (18-11 MMA, 3-5 UFC) is set to fight Sheymon Moraes at UFL 5 on August 30. Brown’s last MMA fight was a submission win against Rey Trujillo at RDC 10 on January 20, 2024. His last UFC fight was a submission loss to Darren Elkins at UFC Fight Night 230 on October 14, 2023. Since his UFC exit, Brown has a record of 1-0 in MMA, 1-0 in boxing, 1-0 in kickboxing, and 1-0 in bare-knuckle MMA.
Sheymon Moraes (15-6 MMA, 2-3 UFC) will also compete at UFL 5 against TJ Brown. Moraes’ last MMA fight was a TKO win against Marlon Moraes at the 2022 PFL Championships on November 25, 2022. His last UFC fight was a TKO loss to Andre Fili at UFC Fight Night 155 on July 13, 2019. Since leaving the UFC, Moraes has a record of 4-2.
Vince Morales (15-7 MMA, 3-5 UFC) is scheduled to fight Hunter Azure at UFL 5 on August 30. Morales’ last MMA fight was a submission win against Luis Guerrero at Tuff-N-Uff 137 on May 24, 2024. His last UFC fight was a unanimous decision loss to Miles Johns at UFC Fight Night 215 on November 19, 2022. Since his UFC exit, Morales has a record of 4-0.
Hunter Azure (11-3 MMA, 2-2 UFC) will face Vince Morales at UFL 5 on August 30. Azure’s last MMA fight was a knockout win against Amun Cosme at UFL 40 on April 27, 2024. His last UFC fight was a split decision loss to Jack Shore at UFC on ABC 2 on April 10, 2021. Since leaving the UFC, Azure has a record of 2-1.
Alex Da Silva (24-5 MMA, 1-3 UFC) is set to fight Nandin Erdene Munguntsooj at Road FC 69 on August 31. Da Silva’s last MMA fight was a unanimous decision win against Dinislam Kamavov at UAE Warriors 46 on January 20, 2024. His last UFC fight was a majority decision loss to Joe Solecki at UFC Fight Night 207 on June 4, 2022. Since his UFC exit, Da Silva has a record of 3-1.
Norman Parke (32-7-1 MMA, 5-3-1 UFC) will compete against Pawel Tyburski at Fame 22 on August 31 under custom rules. Parke’s last MMA fight was a unanimous decision win against Michal Pasternak at Fame 20 on February 10, 2024. His last UFC fight was a unanimous decision loss to Rustam Khabilov at UFC Fight Night 84 on February 27, 2016. Since leaving the UFC, Parke has a record of 11-2 in MMA, 2-1 in boxing, and 2-0 in custom rules.
Last Week’s Results
Several former UFC fighters competed in various events last week. Here are some of the notable results:
Enrique Barzola secured a unanimous decision win against Tyler Diamond at the 2024 PFL Playoffs 3. Tyler Diamond suffered a unanimous decision loss to Enrique Barzola at the same event.
Kai Kamaka experienced a split decision loss to Brendan Loughnane at the 2024 PFL Playoffs 3. Brendan Loughnane achieved a split decision win against Kai Kamaka at the same event.
Allan Zuniga faced a TKO loss to Polo Reyes at Supreme Fight Night 6. Polo Reyes secured a TKO win against Allan Zuniga at the same event.
Gloria de Paula suffered a unanimous decision loss to Ashley Yoder at LFA 190. Ashley Yoder achieved a unanimous decision win against Gloria de Paula at the same event.
Jared Vanderaa secured a unanimous decision win against Demoreo Dennis at Fight Night 20.
Conor McGregor’s Potential Return
Conor McGregor has been in the spotlight recently after UFC CEO Dana White hinted at upcoming fight announcements. McGregor, who last fought over three years ago against Dustin Poirier, has been absent from the cage due to a broken ankle sustained in that match.
A planned return fight against Michael Chandler as the main event of UFC 303 was canceled due to McGregor’s broken toe.
Following White’s comments during an Instagram live stream, McGregor responded with a winking emoji, sparking excitement among fans for a potential fight announcement. The final two UFC PPV events of the year, UFC 309 and UFC 310, currently lack main events.
Jon Jones is expected to face Stipe Miocic at Madison Square Garden for UFC 309, and fans speculate that UFC 310 on December 7 might be an ideal opportunity for McGregor’s return.
It remains uncertain who McGregor might fight if he returns before the end of the year. Michael Chandler has been waiting for a matchup with McGregor for a long time. If McGregor returns before 2025, it will likely be one of the biggest combat sports spectacles of the year.
Khalil Rountree Cleared to Fight Alex Pereira
Khalil Rountree has been cleared to fight Alex Pereira at UFC 307 after resolving his suspension. The Nevada Athletic Commission ruled that Rountree’s suspension is settled at 4.5 months, retroactive to his failed drug test in June. Rountree had to withdraw from a bout with Jamahal Hill at UFC 303 due to the failed drug test.
The suspension officially ends on September 18, allowing Rountree to participate in the scheduled title fight on October 5. The failed test was for Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a steroid hormone.
Rountree self-reported the failed test, attributing it to a personalized supplement service that accidentally provided him with a banned substance. In addition to the suspension, Rountree must pay prosecution fees of $157.
The commission noted that Rountree’s self-reporting played a significant role in avoiding a harsher penalty. During Thursday’s NAC meeting, Rountree expressed gratitude for how his case was handled. Pereira vs. Rountree will be the main event of UFC 307 at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
Alex Pereira seeks his third defense of the light heavyweight title, while Rountree enters the contest on a career-best five-fight winning streak.
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UFC Fight Night Results: Borralho vs. Cannonier
UFC Fight Night took place in Las Vegas, featuring a main event between Caio Borralho and Jared Cannonier. Borralho defeated Cannonier by unanimous decision, with scores from judges reading 49-45, 49-45, and 48-46 in favor of Borralho.
Borralho had Cannonier in trouble multiple times, including a knockdown and a late submission attempt in Round 5. Despite being hurt multiple times, Cannonier showed toughness by making it to the final bell.
Caio Borralho extended his winning streak to 14 in a row and improved his UFC record to 7-0. This victory likely added his name to the shortlist of middleweight contenders.
Jared Cannonier, who was ranked No.5 in the division going into the fight, managed to hurt Borralho multiple times during the contest, including opening a cut under Borralho’s right eye with a stiff right hand in the fourth round.
Other notable fights and results from the event include Ryan Loder earning a spot on the UFC roster via TKO win over Robert Valentin (TUF middleweight finale), Mairon Santos beating Kaan Ofli by second-round knockout for the TUF featherweight title, and Michael Morales defeating Neil Magny by TKO.
Jon Jones’ NSFW Tirade on Tom Aspinall
Jon Jones recently responded aggressively to Tom Aspinall’s comments. In a since-deleted comment, Jones made explicit and controversial remarks about Aspinall. Aspinall, the interim UFC heavyweight champion, has been pushing for a fight with the undisputed champion, Jon Jones. Aspinall has been vocal about wanting to unify the title with Jones.
The UFC community, including fighters, fans, and pundits, is eager to see a match between Aspinall and Jones. Despite this interest, UFC management and Jon Jones are focused on a different fight.
The UFC brass and Jon Jones are set on having Jones defend his title against Stipe Miocic. Miocic has not fought since his knockout loss to Francis Ngannou in March 2021.
Since defending his interim title at UFC 304, Aspinall has been actively pursuing a fight with Jon Jones. He recently called Jones the “king of fight dodging” in an interview with Sport Bible. Jon Jones did not take kindly to Aspinall’s comments and made derogatory remarks about Aspinall but later deleted them.
Jon Jones faces significant challenges as he nears retirement after over a decade of dominance in the UFC. A victory over Tom Aspinall could solidify his legacy as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time (GOAT).
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Israel Adesanya vs. Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305
Israel Adesanya failed to recapture his middleweight title against Dricus Du Plessis at UFC 305. The fight took place on August 17 at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. It was an all-African grudge match with both fighters trading verbal insults during the build-up.
Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Adesanya couldn’t fend off Du Plessis’ relentless attacks. Du Plessis won via a fourth-round face crank submission after landing a heavy right hand and dragging Adesanya to the floor.
Michael Chiesa, an MMA veteran, expressed excitement for Israel Adesanya’s future fights. Chiesa pitched a potential clash between Israel Adesanya and former UFC world champion Jiri Prochazka. He suggested that this fight would make for a spectacular striking extravaganza and could be a main event in Australia or New Zealand.
Following his victory, there is speculation about what’s next for Du Plessis, with potential opponents at both middleweight and light heavyweight being discussed.
Robert Whittaker warned Alex Pereira not to fight Dricus Du Plessis. After UFC 305, Pereira posted an image on Instagram hinting at coming down to middleweight one more time, captioned “Coming down to 185 one more time.”
