Bantamweight contenders Miesha “Cupcake” Tate and Jessica “Evil” Eye are officially set to face off on July 25th at UFC on FOX 16: “Dillashaw vs Barao 2” in Chicago, Illinois. The potential 135-pound title eliminator, which was initially targeted for June, was announced by UFC officials today.
Tate has racked up three straight victories since she suffered her second submission loss to current UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey at UFC 168. Eye has tasted defeat just one time inside the Octagon and she looks to earn a title shot by upsetting Tate in Chicago.
An injury in training has forced top Japanese star Shizuka Sugiyama out of her planned contender’s rematch against unbeaten South Korean prospect Ji Yeon Kim at Deep Jewels 8 on May 31st in Tokyo. Deep Jewels officials announced the news today. Kim has also been removed from the card.
Undefeated Ukrainian prospect Maryna “The Iron Woman” Moroz continued her string of upset victories with an impressive first-round finish tonight at UFC Fight Night 64: “Gonzaga vs Cro Cop 2” in Kraków, Poland. Moroz submitted heavy favourite Joanne “JoJo” Calderwood with a slick armbar.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship came to Kraków Arena in Kraków, Poland tonight for UFC Fight Night 64: “Gonzaga vs Cro Cop 2.” The card featured a heavyweight rematch between Gabriel “Napão” Gonzaga and Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipović, who returned following a three-year UFC hiatus.
An undisclosed injury has forced Seo Hee Ham out of her strawweight bout against “Rowdy” Bec Rawlings at UFC Fight Night 65: “Miocic vs Hunt” on May 10th in Adelaide, Australia. In Ham’s place, Lisa Ellis has stepped in to face off against TUF 20 rival Rawlings in a must-win fight for both.
Two women’s bouts have been announced for the upcoming Road Fighting Championship 23 card on May 2nd in Seoul, South Korea. In strawweight action, Japanese standout Emi “Kamikaze Angel” Fujino makes her Road FC debut when she takes on local fan favourite Hyo Kyung Song.
WPMF Japan Women’s Pinweight Champion Saya Ito successfully retained her title with a five-round Unanimous Decision victory tonight at Muaylok: “The Battle of Muay Thai 7” in Tokyo, Japan. The 16-year-old star defeated J-Girls Pinweight Champion Chihiro Kira in a competitive matchup.
TUF 18 winner Julianna “The Venezuelan Vixen” Peña made a triumphant return with a dominant first-round TKO victory today at UFC Fight Night 63: “Mendes vs Lamas” in Fairfax, Virginia. Peña stopped Russian standout Milana Dudieva with ground and pound in her first fight since late 2013.