Bantamweight Queen of Pancrase Rin Nakai is set to take on her toughest opponent to date on September 29th at Pancrase 252: “20th Anniversary” in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. Nakai will face former BodogFight champion Tara LaRosa in a bantamweight bout that was officially announced today.

Nakai is coming off of a first-round submission victory over King of the Cage titleholder Brenda “Boom Boom” Gonzales in May. Long-time contender LaRosa’s three-fight winning streak was snapped in her October Invicta FC debut. Officials did not specify whether Nakai’s belt would be on the line.

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Fresh off of her release from Bellator, Jessica “Evil” Eye has signed on as the latest addition to the UFC women’s bantamweight roster. The popular Ohio native could next face former Strikeforce champion Sarah Kaufman at UFC 166: “Velasquez vs dos Santos 3” on October 19th in Houston, Texas.

Eye’s UFC signing was initially reported by OHMMA and the fight against Kaufman was noted this evening during UFC Tonight on FOX Sports 2. A date and event were not announced for the planned Eye-Kaufman fight, but MMARising.com has learned that UFC 166 will likely play host to the bout.

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Mexico’s Xtreme Kombat promotion will crown its first women’s flyweight champion on August 31st at Xtreme Kombat 20 in the city of Cuautitlán Izcalli. A four-woman grand prix tournament featuring some of the country’s top prospects will determine the promotion’s inaugural female titleholder.

Among those competing in the title tournament is former bantamweight standout Anely “Neka” Jimenez, who has yet to taste defeat in seven fights. Jimenez drops down to 125 following a victory in November. She is joined in the tournament by Alexa Grasso, Karina Rodriguez and Sandra Chimeyo.

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Former Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion Sarah Kaufman’s UFC debut will have to wait a little longer. The Victoria, British Columbia native is without an opponent for her August 28th fight at UFC Fight Night 27: “Condit vs Kampmann 2” and has been officially removed from the card.

MMAjunkie.com first reported on the fight cancellation today. Kaufman was set to face Sara McMann, but McMann withdrew from the event earlier this month due to undisclosed reasons. UFC officials were unable to secure a new opponent for Kaufman, who will now be moved to an upcoming event.

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The Ultimate Fighting Championship travelled to the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts tonight for UFC Fight Night 26: “Shogun vs Sonnen.” The promotion’s debut on FOX Sports 1 was headlined by a light heavyweight bout between former champ Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Chael Sonnen.

Also on the card tonight, former Strikeforce Heavyweight Champion Alistair Overeem faced Travis “Hapa” Browne in the co-feature. “The California Kid” Urijah Faber battled Iuri “Marajo” Alcantara in a featured bantamweight matchup. MMARising.com has live play-by-play for UFC Fight Night 26.

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Amber “The Apex Predator” Stautzenberger will look to extend her winning streak to four when she returns to action at Global Warrior Challenge 2: “USA vs Brazil.” The strawweight rising star has agreed to face Caroline Correia on the GWC 2 card, which is targeted for November 9th in Hawaii.

MMARising.com confirmed plans for the matchup today. Stautzenberger earned her biggest win to date when she defeated Glena “Heartless” Avila in a back-and-forth bout in April. Correia picked up a submission victory in December and now looks to bounce back from her first professional defeat.

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All 32 cast members have now been revealed for The Ultimate Fighter 18: “Team Rousey vs Team Tate,” which premieres September 4th on FOX Sports 1. UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey and Miesha “Cupcake” Tate serve as the coaches on two opposing teams.

For the first time in the show’s lengthy history, TUF 18 features both male and female bantamweights who will compete for one of two six-figure UFC contracts. During the premiere episode, each of the fighters will compete in an elimination fight in hopes of securing a spot inside the TUF house.

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14-year-old “Muay Thai Genius” Saya Ito added another prestigious title to her immense collection on Saturday at the Queen of Thailand’s Birthday Commemoration event in Bangkok. Ito defeated Pizza Sor. Thipjaroen for the undisputed WPMF Women’s Pinweight Championship at 100 pounds.

Ito captured the interim pinweight title in December when she stopped Thai opponent Muangsingjiew Oh. Wanchud. In June, Sor. Thipjaroen travelled to Tokyo and upset Japanese champion Chiharu to claim the true pinweight strap. Ito unified the two title belts with her victory on Saturday night.

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