Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/ufc-vegas-19-weigh-in-video-curtis-blaydes-vs-derrick-lewis
UFC Vegas 19 LIVE weigh-in video: Curtis Blaydes vs. Derrick Lewis
Ex-UFC fighter Alexey Kunchenko inks deal with PFL, joins 2021 welterweight season
Alexey Kunchenko has joined the PFL roster.
On Thursday morning, the former UFC welterweight and M-1 Global champion announced that he will be taking part in the 2021 PFL welterweight season, which kicks off April 23 at a venue and location to be announced.
Kunchenko (20-2), who joined the UFC roster as an unbeaten prospect in September 2018, picked up back-to-back unanimous decision wins over Thiago Alves and Yushin Okami to take his career record to 20-0.
However, he went on to suffer his first pro loss at the hands of Gilbert Burns in August 2019, followed by a loss to Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in his most recent outing in March.
The Russian will join the likes of former Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald, reigning PFL champion Ray Cooper and 2018 PFL champion Magomed Magomedkerimov in the PFL’s 2021 welterweight lineup.
Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/ex-ufc-fighter-alexey-kunchenko-inks-deal-with-pfl-joins-2021-welterweight-season
UFC books Tony Gravely vs. Nate Maness for April 17 event
Bantamweights will collide this April.
Tony Gravely and Nate Maness will square off at a UFC Fight Night event on April 17. The location and venue for the card have not been announced at this time.
Two people with knowledge of the matchup recently informed MMA Junkie of the booking but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Gravely (20-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC) has split his first two UFC appearances after a contract-earning performance on Season 3 of Dana White’s Contender Series. In his promotional debut, Gravely was submitted by Brett Johns in January 2020. In November, Gravely picked up his first UFC victory when he won a split-decision victory over Geraldo de Freitas.
Maness (13-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) signed with the UFC in mid-2020. Less than four months into his UFC tenure, Maness had two wins in the promotion. Following a unanimous decision win over Johnny Munoz in August, Maness defeated Luke Sanders by submission in November.
With the addition, the UFC’s April 17 lineup includes:
- Paulo Costa vs. Robert Whittaker
- Bartosz Fabinski vs. Gerald Meerschaert
- Parker Porter vs. Chase Sherman
- Tracy Cortez vs. Justine Kish
- Tony Gravely vs. Nate Maness
Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/ufc-news-tony-gravely-vs-nate-maness-april-17-event
The MMA Road Show with John Morgan, No. 308: Curtis Blaydes, Derrick Lewis, Tom Aspinall
43-year-old Aleksei Oleinik says winning at UFC Fight Night 185 his only goal
LAS VEGAS – Aleksei Oleinik answered media questions Thursday ahead of his bout at UFC Fight Night 185.
Oleinik (59-14-1 MMA, 8-5 UFC), who meets Chris Daukaus (10-3 MMA, 2-0 UFC) in a heavyweight matchup, discussed continuing to compete at 43, fighting a newer face to the promotion, and much more.
UFC Fight Night 185 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.
Watch the video above to see Oleinik’s full pre-fight availability.
Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2021/02/ufc-fight-night-185-aleksei-oleinik-interview-goal-age-chris-daukaus