Welcome to the notebook, a quick catchup of all the smaller (but still important) stories from the world of MMA!
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Here are the latest stories we’re following:
UFC
- This weekend’s UFC card has suffered a pair of changes over the past two days:
- Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt (14-6) has withdrawn from his co-main fight fight against Miles Johns (15-2), as first reported by Cole Shelton of BJPenn.com. While Johns reportedly hopes to remain on the card, no details have emerged regarding a potential new opponent with just two days to go before the event.
- Nicolas Dalby (23-5-1) has been pulled from his welterweight fight against Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos (24-8-1). Stepping in on short notice, FAC Welterweight Champion Zach Scroggin (7-0) has taken the fight instead. Scroggin has earned seven wins since his 2021 pro debut, with five coming via stoppage. Zaleski dos Santos will be a tough opponent to enter the promotion against. The 15-fight UFC vet is coming off a loss against Randy Brown in June.
- UFC 309 on November 16th in New York City has lost two fights, but gained a new matchup:
- Undefeated Azamat Murzakanov (14-0) has been taken out of his fight against Nikita Krylov (30-9), as confirmed Wednesday by Nolan King of MMA Junkie. Murzakanov was aiming to earn his fifth UFC victory. It’s unclear whether Krylov will receive a new opponent.
- Featherweight Lucas Almeida (15-3) is out of his bout against David Onama (12-2), per Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting. Almeida snapped a two-fight skid in his last appearance, beating Timmy Cuamba on scorecards. Onama was aiming for his third victory since mid-2023.
- After his fight against Derrick Lewis was cancelled on short notice last weekend, undefeated Brazilian heavyweight Jhonata Diniz (8-0) has been paired against Marcin Tybura (25-9). The step-up fight is emerging for Diniz after previously beating Austen Lane and Karl Williams. Tybura suffered a loss in his last fight, getting submitted in less than two minutes by Serghei Spivac.
- Nate Landwehr (18-5) and Choi Doo-ho (15-4-1) have been paired up for UFC 310 on December 7th, as first reported by Alex Behunin of MMA Mania. Choi, who has suffered numerous career setbacks due to injuries and mandatory service as part of the South Korean military, will try to put together his first two-fight winning streak since 2016. His last fight was a second-round finish win over Bill Algeo. Landwehr is also coming off a win, stopping Jamall Emmers with punches in March.
- Tracy Cortez (11-2) is no longer expected to face Miranda Maverick (14-5) at UFC’s December 14th card in Tampa, Florida. Cortez confirmed on Wednesday that she won’t be on the card: “Unfortunately, there was a miscommunication with me fighting Dec 14th in Tampa, as I informed the UFC weeks ago that I won’t be able to fight in December due to health issues that requires me to have surgery,” she wrote on X. “I look forward to getting back in the cage early next year!”
- Two fights have been added to the December 14th card:
- Appearing in his landmark 30th UFC appearance, Michael Johnson (22-19) will face Ottman Azaitar (13-2). Johnson will have the fourth-most appearances in UFC lightweight history when he steps into the cage later this month. Azaitar will be fighting for his first win since 2020 following defeats against Matt Frevola and Francisco Prado.
- Swedish prospect Josefine Knutsson (8-0) will get her third UFC assignment when she faces Piera Rodriguez (9-2). Knutsson has overcome Marnic Mann and Julia Polastri since joining the promotion last year. Rodriguez will be fighting to avoid a three-fight skid after losses to Gillian Robertson and Ariane Canelossi.
- Two more fights for UFC’s January 18th card, which is rumored to potentially go down at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, California:
- Aiming to keep her current streak alive, Ailin Perez (11-2) is booked to take on Karol Rosa (18-6), per social media posts made by both fighters. Perez, while she missed weight, extended her winning streak to four in a row with an early submission over Darya Zheleznyakova in September. 10-fight UFC vet Rosa is coming off a decision win over Pannie Kianzad.
- Payton Talbott (9-0), one of the more exciting prospects in the UFC currently, will return against Raoni Barcelos (18-5), per Guilherme Cruz of MMA Fighting. Talbott earned his quickest finish as a pro in June, beating Yanis Ghemmouri in just 19 seconds. Barcelos is the most experienced opponent Talbott has faced to date. He is coming back after submitting Cristian Quinonez in February, snapping a two-fight losing streak.
- It looks like UFC will host a card on February 22nd, as the promotion has reportedly set up bantamweight fight between Ketlen Vieira (14-4) and Macy Chaisson (10-3) for that date, per AgFight. Third-ranked Vieira competed just last month, losing a fight to former PFL champ Kayla Harrison. Chiasson is just one spot below Vieira in the rankings, coming off “Performance of the Night” wins over Pannie Kianzad and Mayra Bueno Silva from earlier this year.
- An event has also been booked for March 1st, with a clash between flyweights Montana De La Rosa (13-9-1) and Luana Carolina (11-4) being the first addition to the lineup, also scooped by AgFight. De La Rosa snapped a three-fight losing streak in June, beating Andrea Lee in a split decision. Carolina, on the other hand, will be searching for a fourth consecutive victory.
ONE Championship
- A pair of MMA fights have joined ONE Fight Night 26, which is booked for December 6th in Bangkok, Thailand:
- Returning after suffering his first-ever pro loss, Halil Amir (10-1) will face off against Shamil Gasanov (13-1). Amir had a 13-fight undefeated record, including a trio of ONE bouts, stopped in May when Akbar Abdullaev caught him with strikes. Gasanov will be trying for his third MMA win of the year after beating Oh Ho Taek and Aaron Canarte in recent months.
- LFA vet Gilbert Nakatani (8-1) will make his ONE debut against Yuya Wakamatsu (17-6). Nakatani enters the promotion on a four-fight streak of wins from the U.S. regional scene earlier this year, including two victories in the LFA. He will now take on the incredibly experienced former title challenger Wakamatsu, who will be seeking his third consecutive win.
- MMA fighter Danial Williams will also compete in a Muay Thai bout against Thongpoon P.K.Saenchaimuaythaigym. You can see the full updated card here.
Knockdown News 