There may be no UFC card for fight fans to get excited about this weekend, but there were plenty of fight announcements over the past seven days to help build anticipation levels for some of the major events coming our way during the fall.
Let’s take a look at some of the matchups the UFC dropped during the past week.
Reinier de Ridder vs. Brendan Allen (UFC Vancouver, Oct. 18)
One of the most eagerly anticipated bouts on the UFC’s fall schedule fell through this week when it was announced that Anthony “Fluffy” Hernandez (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) is out of the UFC Vancouver main event against his fellow middleweight contender Reinier de Ridder (21-2 MMA, 4-0 UFC).
With both fighters riding impressive winning streaks, the fight had been earmarked as a possible no. 1 contender matchup at 185 pounds. Hernandez’s withdrawal will likely now move Nassourdine Imavov into pole position to challenge for Khamzat Chimaev’s title, while the consolation prize for “RDR” is a bout against Brendan Allen (25-7 MMA, 13-4 UFC) who is coming off a win against Marvin Vettori at UFC 318 in July.
Gerald Meerschaert vs. Kyle Daukaus (UFC 322, Nov. 15)
A trio of middleweight bouts have been added to the UFC 322 fight card, set to take place at New York’s iconic Madison Square Garden in November.
Gerald Meerschaert (37-20 MMA, 12-12 UFC) – the man with the most submission wins in the division’s history (11) – is set ot take on former CFFC champion Kyle Daukaus (16-4 MMA, 3-4 UFC) who returned to the Octagon after a 3-year absence to pick up a 1st-round knockout win over Michel Pereira last month.
Bo Nickal vs. Rodolfo Vieira (UFC 322, Nov. 15)
Bo Nickal’s road to redemption begins at MSG in November. Nickal (7-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) suffered the first defeat of his professional career when he was stopped by Reiner de Ridder in May. The Pennsylvania State wrestling phenom looks to bounce back when he takes on former BJJ world champion Rodolfo Vieira (11-3 MMA, 6-3 UFC).
Roman Kopylov vs. Gregory Rodrigues (UFC 322, Nov. 15)
Two hard-hitting 185ers also set to lock horns in New York as Roman Kopylov (14-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) looks to return to the win column when he takes on Gregory “Robocop” Rodrigues (17-6 MMA, 8-3 UFC).
Kopylov was outpointed by Paulo Costa in his last outing, while Rodrigues is coming off a 1st-round knockout win over Jack Hermansson.
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Antonio Trocoli (UFC 323, Dec. 6)
Pittsburgh powerhouse Mansur Abdul-Malik (8-0-1 MMA, 2-0-1 UFC) is set to face Antonio Trocoli (12-5 MMA, 0-2 UFC) who is in desperate need of a win. The Brazilian has been stopped by both Shara Magomedov and Tresean Gore so far in his UFC career.
Cesar Almeida vs. Cezary Olekisejczuk (UFC Fight Night 112, Dec. 13)
Cezary Olekisejczuk (16-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) makes his UFC debut after an impressive quickfire win over Theo Haig on Dana White’s Contender Series earlier this month. The Polish star – brother of fellow UFC middleweight Michal – draws former Glory kickboxer Cesar Almeida (7-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC),
Tereza Bleda vs. Jamie-Lyn Horth (UFC Fight Night 112, Dec. 13)
Former OKTAGON flyweight champion Tereza Bleda (7-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC) makes her third UFC appearance when she takes on Canada’s Jamie-Lyn Horth (8-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC).
