An undisclosed injury suffered in training has forced welterweight contender Jon Fitch out of his upcoming rematch with “The Prodigy” B.J. Penn at UFC 132. MMAWeekly.com was first to report on Fitch’s injury, though the nature and severity remain unknown. Penn is expected to remain on the card.
Fitch and Penn first clashed at UFC 127 last month in Sydney, Australia and fought to a Majority Draw after three rounds. Penn hinted at retirement after the fight, but opted to continue on and a rematch was booked for UFC 132 on July 2nd. A search for a replacement opponent for Penn is underway.
A bout between rising female stars Jessica “Jag” Aguilar and Carla Esparza is currently targeted for a Bellator event this summer. The matchup will most likely take place at the tentatively-titled Bellator 46 on June 25th, which will be held at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida.
Multi-time boxing champion Holly “Hottie” Holm is expected to return to the cage for her second mixed martial arts bout on September 2nd for Fresquez Productions in Albuquerque, New Mexico. MMARising.com confirmed plans for the September fight with promoter Lenny Fresquez earlier today.
One of MMA’s top female prospects, “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey, needed just 25 seconds to win her pro debut Sunday night at King of the Cage: “Turning Point” in Tarzana, California. The Olympic judo bronze medallist submitted highly-touted Brazilian Ediane “India” Gomes with a first-round armbar.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship travelled to the KeyArena in Seattle, Washington tonight for UFC Fight Night 24. The card was headlined by a light heavyweight matchup between former PRIDE star Antonio Rogerio “Minotoro” Nogueira and unbeaten prospect Phil “Mr. Wonderful” Davis.
Titan Fighting Championship made its return to HDNet tonight with TFC 17 from the Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas. The event was headlined by a heavyweight bout between Strikeforce veteran and one-time pro wrestler Bobby “The Dominator” Lashley and late replacement opponent John Ott.
An upcoming eight-man bantamweight tournament, dubbed the Japan Cup, has been delayed by eight days and will now begin on April 26th. A source close to the new promotion confirmed to MMARising.com on Tuesday that fighters competing on the card have been notified of the change in date.
Unbeaten prospect Jessica “Evil” Eye will return to the North American Allied Fight Series on June 4th. The Ohio native will face Irish standout Aisling “Ais The Bash” Daly in a featured 125-pound bout as part of NAAFS: “Fight Night In The Flats 7.” The fighters jointly confirmed the planned bout earlier today.