-
Friday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Friday
10:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald vs. Renan Barao; Dustin Poirier vs. Cub Swanson; Cyrille Diabate vs. Jimi Manuwa; Jorge Santiago Gunnar Nelson; Ryan Jimmo vs. James Te Huna; Matt Riddle vs. Che Mills. From London.
4:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: Best of PRIDE Fighting Championship
Countdown of the fastest fights.
5:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
EPISODE: 83 UFC News for the week of March 19.
5:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Johny Hendricks' single-minded focus on GSP; Rory MacDonald Full Blast; Daniel Cormier's ambitions for both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions; and Frank Mir on the warrior code.
6:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC 158: Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz - Prelims
Patrick Cote vs. Bobby Voelker; Darren Elkins vs. Antonio Carvalho; Jordan Mein vs. Dan Miller; Daron Cruickshank vs. John Makdessi. From Montreal.
8:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson
Demetrious Johnson takes on John Dodson for the flyweight title; Quinton Jackson vs. Glover Teixeira; Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone; Ricardo Lamas vs. Erik Koch. From Chicago.
9:00 p.m. ET AXS: Inside MMA
EPISODE: 284 The latest news and analysis from Kenny Rice and Bas Rutten; Ron Kruck talks with Ed Soares.
10:00 p.m. ET AXS: AXS TV Fights RFA 7
Resurrection Fighting Alliance 7 Brandon Thatch vs. Mike Rhodes; Chidi Njokuani vs. Sergio Pettis.
10:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Roundtable
Welterweights II Jay Glazer sits down and gets personal with the UFC's top welterweight fighters.
10:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC 101: Gracie Jiu Jitsu
Rener and Ryron Gracie cover the core positions, principles and techniques of Gracie Jiu Jitsu that were made famous in the UFC.
10:30 p.m. ET The Score: The Score Fighting Series
The Score Fighting Series (SFS) features fighters from North America and beyond with a focus on exciting match-ups and developing the next generation of great fighters. Tune in for non-stop action from events across the country.
11:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
EPISODE: 83 UFC News for the week of March 19.
11:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Johny Hendricks' single-minded focus on GSP; Rory MacDonald Full Blast; Daniel Cormier's ambitions for both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions; and Frank Mir on the warrior code.
12:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 17 Episode 9: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: The Wild Card A fighter calls out a competitor to fight in the next round; the teams unite for a Thanksgiving feast; two preliminary losers battle for a chance to get back in the competition; Dana reveals the quarterfinal match-ups. Read more -
Wednesday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Wednesday
3:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Reloaded
UFC 145: Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans
6:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson
Demetrious Johnson takes on John Dodson for the flyweight title; Quinton Jackson vs. Glover Teixeira; Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone; Ricardo Lamas vs. Erik Koch. From Chicago.
10:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Best of Jon Jones, Jon Jones & Rashad Evans face-off looking ahead to UFC 145; All access with Jones and Evans.
10:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Liz Carmouche prepares for her UFC debut; All-access for the UFC 157 promo shoot; Dustin Poirier's pursuit of the featherweight championship; and Michael Bisping on the UK's rich combat sports history.
11:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Primetime
Inside the day-to-day lives of first-ever UFC female champion Ronda Rousey, and her challenger Liz Carmouche.
11:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Primetime
Inside the day-to-day lives of first-ever UFC female champion Ronda Rousey, and her challenger Liz Carmouche.
12:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: Best of PRIDE Fighting Championship
The most shocking moments in Pride history.
1:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Countdown
Lead up to UFC 157: Ronda Rousey vs Liz Carmouche from Honda Center in Anaheim.
2:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
preview of the action for UFC 157: Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche before their battle in Las Vegas.
2:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Primetime
Inside the day-to-day lives of first-ever UFC female champion Ronda Rousey, and her challenger Liz Carmouche.
3:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald vs. Renan Barao; Dustin Poirier vs. Cub Swanson; Cyrille Diabate vs. Jimi Manuwa; Jorge Santiago Gunnar Nelson; Ryan Jimmo vs. James Te Huna; Matt Riddle vs. Che Mills. From London.
6:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Rich Franklin vs. Cung Le
Rich Franklin vs. Cung Le; Stanislav Nedkov vs. Thiago Silva & more. From Macau, China.
6:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Classics Vol. 13
A historic collection of matchups.
7:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage
8:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Classics Vol. 13
A historic collection of matchups.
9:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Greatest KO's 12
The best collection of knock outs ever caught on camera and featuring some of today's biggest stars in MMA.
9:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Reloaded
UFC 134: Anderson Silva vs Yushin Okami and Mauricio Rua vs Forrest Griffin.
9:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet ONE: The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen
One of the longest running reality series in television history, The Ultimate Fighter brings together promising MMA prospects from across the world, who must live together in a house and battle each other for a coveted UFC contract. The contestants are divided into two teams, each coached by a star UFC fighter, and they battle it out in pursuit of one goal, one dream: to become The Ultimate Fighter.
10:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage
11:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet West: The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen
One of the longest running reality series in television history, The Ultimate Fighter brings together promising MMA prospects from across the world, who must live together in a house and battle each other for a coveted UFC contract. The contestants are divided into two teams, each coached by a star UFC fighter, and they battle it out in pursuit of one goal, one dream: to become The Ultimate Fighter.
11:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet Ontario: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
11:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet East: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
12:00 a.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Greatest KO's 12
The best collection of knock outs ever caught on camera and featuring some of today's biggest stars in MMA.
12:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Reloaded
UFC 147: Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin II Highlights of UFC 147 in Brazil. Read more -
Sunday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Sunday
3:00 a.m. ET Sportsnet Pacific: The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen
Season 17 Episode 3: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Embrace the Suffering A fighter responds after being called out; coach Sonnen gives advice to a fighter lacking confidence; coach Jones bonds with his team during a house visit; two fighters deliver explosive action.
4:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Post-Fight Show
Postfight show for Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald, featuring Jay Glazer and top MMA analysts.
5:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Post-Fight Show
Postfight show for Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald, featuring Jay Glazer and top MMA analysts.
6:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Post-Fight Show
Postfight show for Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald, featuring Jay Glazer and top MMA analysts.
7:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Post-Fight Show
Postfight show for Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald, featuring Jay Glazer and top MMA analysts.
8:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Post-Fight Show
Postfight show for Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald, featuring Jay Glazer and top MMA analysts.
8:00 a.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Greatest KO's 11
The best collection of knock outs ever caught on camera and featuring some of today's biggest stars in MMA.
9:00 a.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage
11:00 a.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Classics Vol. 12
A historic collection of matchups.
12:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage
2:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson
Demetrious Johnson takes on John Dodson for the flyweight title; Quinton Jackson vs. Glover Teixeira; Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone; Ricardo Lamas vs. Erik Koch. From Chicago.
4:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
Highlights from bantamweight battle Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald in London.
4:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Primetime
Inside the day-to-day lives of first-ever UFC female champion Ronda Rousey, and her challenger Liz Carmouche.
7:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet Ontario: The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen
Season 17 Episode 3: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Embrace the Suffering A fighter responds after being called out; coach Sonnen gives advice to a fighter lacking confidence; coach Jones bonds with his team during a house visit; two fighters deliver explosive action.
7:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet East: The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen
Season 17 Episode 3: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Embrace the Suffering A fighter responds after being called out; coach Sonnen gives advice to a fighter lacking confidence; coach Jones bonds with his team during a house visit; two fighters deliver explosive action.
9:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet West:The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen
Season 17 Episode 3: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Embrace the Suffering A fighter responds after being called out; coach Sonnen gives advice to a fighter lacking confidence; coach Jones bonds with his team during a house visit; two fighters deliver explosive action.
9:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 17 Episode 3: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Embrace the Suffering A fighter responds after being called out; coach Sonnen gives advice to a fighter lacking confidence; coach Jones bonds with his team during a house visit; two fighters deliver explosive action.
10:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 17 Episode 4: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Sign of Disrespect Both teams face off in a spontaneous rap battle at the house; a prank ignites smack talk that carries over to the weigh-in; two fighters face off in the third preliminary fight.
11:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald
Michael McDonald vs. Renan Barao; Dustin Poirier vs. Cub Swanson; Cyrille Diabate vs. Jimi Manuwa; Jorge Santiago Gunnar Nelson; Ryan Jimmo vs. James Te Huna; Matt Riddle vs. Che Mills. From London. Read more -
Friday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Friday
3:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC From All Angles
Former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans.
4:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson
Demetrious Johnson takes on John Dodson for the flyweight title; Quinton Jackson vs. Glover Teixeira; Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone; Ricardo Lamas vs. Erik Koch. From Chicago.
6:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Submissions 2
8:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Chan Sung Jung vs. Dustin Poirier
From Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va.
11:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald Weigh-in
From London.
12:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Rich Franklin vs. Cung Le
Rich Franklin vs. Cung Le; Stanislav Nedkov vs. Thiago Silva & more. From Macau, China.
3:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Stefan Struve vs. Stipe Miocic
Stefan Struve vs. Stipe Miocic; Dan Hardy vs. Amir Sadollah; Brad Pickett vs. Yves Jabouin; Paul Sass vs. Matt Wiman; John Hathaway vs. John Maguire; Che Mills vs. Duane Ludwig. From Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, England. (Card subject to change)
6:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Mark Munoz vs. Chris Weidman
Mark Munoz vs. Chris Weidman; Brandon Vera vs. James Te Huna; Jon Fitch vs. Aaron Simpson. From San Jose, Calif.
9:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Chan Sung Jung vs. Dustin Poirier
From Patriot Center in Fairfax, Va.
9:00 p.m. ET AXS: Inside MMA
EPISODE: 279 UFC Light Heavyweight Dan Henderson joins Kenny and Bas; Ron Kruck talks with UFC Bantamweight Michael McDonald.
10:00 p.m. ET AXS: AXS Maximum Fighting Championships 36
Reality Check Mukai Maromo vs. Graham Spencer; Elvis Mutapcic vs. Sam Alvey.
10:30 p.m. ET The Score: The Score Fighting Series
The Score Fighting Series (SFS) features fighters from North America and beyond with a focus on exciting match-ups and developing the next generation of great fighters. Tune in for non-stop action from events across the country.
11:30 p.m. ET Sportsnet Ontario: UFC Primetime
UFC 157 Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche
11:30 p.m. ET Sportsnet East: UFC Primetime
UFC 157 Ronda Rousey vs. Liz Carmouche
12:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Fight Night
Thiago Silva vs. Alexander Gustafsson from Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden. Read more -
Wednesday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Wednesday
3:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Liz Carmouche prepares for her UFC debut; All-access for the UFC 157 promo shoot; Dustin Poirier's pursuit of the featherweight championship; and Michael Bisping on the UK's rich combat sports history.
3:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Primetime
Inside the day-to-day lives of first-ever UFC female champion Ronda Rousey, and her challenger Liz Carmouche.
5:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Champion's Roundtable With Jay Glazer
Jay Glazer chats all things UFC.
6:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 17 Episode 2: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Ambush Fourteen middleweights move into the house and training begins; a fighter gets emotional after his team shows serious doubts about his readiness; two fighters face off in the first preliminary fight.
7:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 17 Episode 3: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Embrace the Suffering A fighter responds after being called out; coach Sonnen gives advice to a fighter lacking confidence; coach Jones bonds with his team during a house visit; two fighters deliver explosive action.
9:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Behind the scenes at Alistair Overeem's photo shoot; 24 year old Erik Koch; Rashad Evans defines the warrior code; Anthony Pettis shows off his signatures moves.
10:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Michael McDonald celebrates his birthday; Sacramento's Team Alpha Male; Dan Henderson recounts his career; UFC's finest describe the feeling of a knockout
10:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Best of Jon Jones, Jon Jones & Rashad Evans face-off looking ahead to UFC 145; All access with Jones and Evans.
11:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Liz Carmouche prepares for her UFC debut; All-access for the UFC 157 promo shoot; Dustin Poirier's pursuit of the featherweight championship; and Michael Bisping on the UK's rich combat sports history.
11:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Primetime
Inside the day-to-day lives of first-ever UFC female champion Ronda Rousey, and her challenger Liz Carmouche.
2:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
Preview for FUEL TV 7: Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald in London.
2:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Liz Carmouche prepares for her UFC debut; All-access for the UFC 157 promo shoot; Dustin Poirier's pursuit of the featherweight championship; and Michael Bisping on the UK's rich combat sports history.
3:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Primetime
Inside the day-to-day lives of first-ever UFC female champion Ronda Rousey, and her challenger Liz Carmouche.
3:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Gray Maynard vs. Clay Guida Prelims
Longtime lightweight rivals Spencer Fisher and Sam Stout, and featherweights Ross Pearson and Cub Swanson.
6:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Classics Vol. 12
A historic collection of matchups.
6:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
Preview for FUEL TV 7: Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald in London.
7:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage
7:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Liz Carmouche prepares for her UFC debut; All-access for the UFC 157 promo shoot; Dustin Poirier's pursuit of the featherweight championship; and Michael Bisping on the UK's rich combat sports history.
7:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Primetime
Inside the day-to-day lives of first-ever UFC female champion Ronda Rousey, and her challenger Liz Carmouche.
8:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Reloaded
Frankie Edgar vs Gray Maynard and Jose Aldo vs Kenny Florian.
8:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Classics Vol. 12
A historic collection of matchups.
8:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet ONE: The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen
Season 17 Episode 2: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Ambush Fourteen middleweights move into the house and training begins; a fighter gets emotional after his team shows serious doubts about his readiness; two fighters face off in the first preliminary fight.
8:00 p.m. ET The Score: The Score Fighting Series
The Score Fighting Series (SFS) features fighters from North America and beyond with a focus on exciting match-ups and developing the next generation of great fighters. Tune in for non-stop action from events across the country.
9:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Greatest KO's 11
The best collection of knock outs ever caught on camera and featuring some of today's biggest stars in MMA.
10:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage
11:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet West: The Ultimate Fighter: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen
Season 17 Episode 2: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Ambush Fourteen middleweights move into the house and training begins; a fighter gets emotional after his team shows serious doubts about his readiness; two fighters face off in the first preliminary fight.
11:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: Best of PRIDE Fighting Championship
Fighters that successfully transition from UFC to Pride.
11:30 p.m. ET Sportsnet Ontario: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
11:30 p.m. ET Sportsnet East: UFC Central
Hosted by "Showdown" Joe Ferraro. UFC highlights and news.
12:00 a.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Greatest KO's 11
The best collection of knock outs ever caught on camera and featuring some of today's biggest stars in MMA.
12:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson
Demetrious Johnson takes on John Dodson for the flyweight title; Quinton Jackson vs. Glover Teixeira; Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone; Ricardo Lamas vs. Erik Koch. From Chicago. Read more -
Sunday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Sunday
3:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: Best of PRIDE Fighting Championship
Fighters that successfully transition from UFC to Pride.
8:00 a.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Greatest KO's 10
The best collection of knock outs ever caught on camera and featuring some of today's biggest stars in MMA.
9:00 a.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage
11:00 a.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage: Classics Vol. 11
A historic collection of matchups.
12:00 p.m. ET MavTV: King of the Cage
1:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: Ultimate Answers
UFC fighters' takes on topics from the hard-hitting to the totally random.
2:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Stefan Struve vs. Stipe Miocic
Stefan Struve vs. Stipe Miocic; Dan Hardy vs. Amir Sadollah; Brad Pickett vs. Yves Jabouin; Paul Sass vs. Matt Wiman; John Hathaway vs. John Maguire; Che Mills vs. Duane Ludwig. From Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, England. (Card subject to change)
5:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Best of Jon Jones, Jon Jones & Rashad Evans face-off looking ahead to UFC 145; All access with Jones and Evans.
5:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Primetime
Inside the day-to-day lives of first-ever UFC female champion Ronda Rousey, and her challenger Liz Carmouche.
8:00 p.m. ET The Score: Bellator Fight Night
Bellator Fighting Championships is the world’s fastest growing MMA organization. “Bellator” is Latin for warrior and was created by sports marketing visionary Bjorn Rebney. The core belief of the organization is that title shots must be earned, not given. Fighters compete in single-elimination tournaments for a shot at the Bellator title and a $100,000 prize.
9:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 17 Episode 2: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Ambush Fourteen middleweights move into the house and training begins; a fighter gets emotional after his team shows serious doubts about his readiness; two fighters face off in the first preliminary fight.
10:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 17 Episode 3: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Embrace the Suffering A fighter responds after being called out; coach Sonnen gives advice to a fighter lacking confidence; coach Jones bonds with his team during a house visit; two fighters deliver explosive action.
11:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC: Johnson vs. Dodson
Demetrious Johnson takes on John Dodson for the flyweight title; Quinton Jackson vs. Glover Teixeira; Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone; Ricardo Lamas vs. Erik Koch. From Chicago.
11:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet East: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 17 Episode 3: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Embrace the Suffering A fighter responds after being called out; coach Sonnen gives advice to a fighter lacking confidence; coach Jones bonds with his team during a house visit; two fighters deliver explosive action.
11:00 p.m. ET Sportsnet Ontario: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 17 Episode 3: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Embrace the Suffering A fighter responds after being called out; coach Sonnen gives advice to a fighter lacking confidence; coach Jones bonds with his team during a house visit; two fighters deliver explosive action. Read more -
Top 5 Stories of the Week
By: Brian Knapp
Jose Aldo will defend his title against Anthony “Showtime” Pettis in August. | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
Jose Aldo has drawn the gaze of another world-class lightweight.
Top Ultimate Fighting Championship lightweight contender Anthony Pettis will cut to 145 pounds to challenge Aldo for his featherweight crown at a still-unnamed event on Aug. 3. No venue has been selected and no other bouts have been announced for the event, which will likely be headlined by the Aldo-Pettis blockbuster.
Pettis was expected to challenge the winner of the April 20 showdown between lightweight champion Benson Henderson and Gilbert Melendez, but it appears as though “Showtime” has grown weary of waiting for his opportunity. Instead, the 26-year-old Roufusport product will make his 145-pound debut on the heels of three consecutive victories. Pettis last appeared at UFC on Fox 6 in January, when he struck down Donald Cerrone with a first-round liver kick. The Milwaukee native has won seven of his past eight bouts and has delivered 13 of his 16 career victories by knockout, technical knockout or submission.
Aldo has rattled off 15 consecutive wins, most of them in one-sided fashion. The Brazilian juggernaut last fought in the UFC 156 main event on Feb. 2, when he took a unanimous decision from former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar. Aldo owns other notable victories over Urijah Faber, Kenny Florian, Chad Mendes and Cub Swanson.
The stories of interest on Sherdog.com this week:
It’s ‘Showtime’ for Aldo
Brutal Reality
Bellator’s Big Guns
Caught Cheating
‘Storm’ Snatches Gold
Follow the jump for reader comments. Read more -
Saturday MMA: A TV Viewer’s Guide
By: Jeff Sherwood
Saturday
3:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
UFC News for the week of February 5.
3:00 a.m. ET AXS: Inside MMA
EPISODE: 278 A look ahead to a busy month of fights; Ron Kruck talks with the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association.
3:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Best of Jon Jones, Jon Jones & Rashad Evans face-off looking ahead to UFC 145; All access with Jones and Evans.
6:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC 156: Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar - Prelims
From Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.
8:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Behind the scenes at Alistair Overeem's photo shoot; 24 year old Erik Koch; Rashad Evans defines the warrior code; Anthony Pettis shows off his signatures moves.
8:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Michael McDonald celebrates his birthday; Sacramento's Team Alpha Male; Dan Henderson recounts his career; UFC's finest describe the feeling of a knockout
9:00 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Ultimate Insider
Best of Jon Jones, Jon Jones & Rashad Evans face-off looking ahead to UFC 145; All access with Jones and Evans.
9:30 a.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Primetime
UFC 157 Inside the day-to-day lives of first-ever UFC female champion Ronda Rousey, and her challenger Liz Carmouche.
11:00 a.m. ET FX: UFC Primetime
UFC 157 Inside the day-to-day lives of first-ever UFC female champion Ronda Rousey, and her challenger Liz Carmouche.
12:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Reloaded
UFC 135: Jon Jones vs Quinton Jackson and Matt Hughes vs Josh Koscheck.
3:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: World MMA Awards
In the fifth annual Fighters Only World Mixed Martial Arts Awards, the silver statuette is bestowed on some the planet's best fighters.
4:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Primetime
UFC 157 Inside the day-to-day lives of first-ever UFC female champion Ronda Rousey, and her challenger Liz Carmouche.
4:30 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Tonight
UFC News for the week of February 5.
7:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: The Ultimate Fighter
Season 17 Episode 3: Team Jones vs. Team Sonnen: Embrace the Suffering A fighter responds after being called out; coach Sonnen gives advice to a fighter lacking confidence; coach Jones bonds with his team during a house visit; two fighters deliver explosive action.
8:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: Best of PRIDE Fighting Championship
Fighters that successfully transition from UFC to Pride.
8:00 p.m. ET The Score: Bellator Fight Night
Bellator Fighting Championships is the world’s fastest growing MMA organization. “Bellator” is Latin for warrior and was created by sports marketing visionary Bjorn Rebney. The core belief of the organization is that title shots must be earned, not given. Fighters compete in single-elimination tournaments for a shot at the Bellator title and a $100,000 prize.
9:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Unleashed
Featuring Georges St. Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck; Chris Leben vs. Brian Stann.
10:00 p.m. ET FuelTV: UFC Reloaded
UFC 135: Jon Jones vs Quinton Jackson and Matt Hughes vs Josh Koscheck.
11:30 p.m. ET Sportsnet Pacific: UFC Primetime
UFC 157 Inside the day-to-day lives of first-ever UFC female champion Ronda Rousey, and her challenger Liz Carmouche.
11:30 p.m. ET Sportsnet West: UFC Primetime
UFC 157 Inside the day-to-day lives of first-ever UFC female champion Ronda Rousey, and her challenger Liz Carmouche. Read more -
Anthony Pettis: Cage Helps Create Angles, Set Up Moves
By: Sherdog.com Staff
Anthony Pettis, on “Beatdown,” discussing the off-the-cage knee he landed on Donald Cerrone:
Read more
“This is totally my fighting style. I’m not going out there and trying to be somebody I’m not or trying to one-up myself. Everything you see in the cage is what I do in the gym. I think that was probably a five out of my 10. If I had a 10 performance, that was about a five. I’ve got so much stuff that I throw in the gym, and it’s not me being cocky. … I’m not trying to embarrass people or trying to do things I normally don’t do. It’s just my fighting style. If I would have thrown a traditional knee in that situation right there, I could have got punched or the knee wouldn’t have landed flush. The cage helped me get the angle I was looking for. It sets everything else up. I’m not doing it just to do it. It sets up the next moves.”
Follow the jump for reader comments. -
Brent Brookhouse Joins Press Row
By: Jordan Breen
Every Wednesday, Administrative Editor Jordan Breen welcomes a member of the mixed martial arts media into “Press Row” on the Sherdog.com blog. This week, Breen is joined by BloodyElbow.com managing editor Brent Brookhouse.
Read more
After Jose Aldo's successful UFC featherweight title defense against Frankie Edgar and the sudden announcement that he will next defend against lightweight No. 1 contender Anthony Pettis on Aug. 3, Breen and Brookhouse discuss how exactly this strange and sensational matchup came together. The two analyze the potential personal and professional motivations that could've let Pettis to seek the Aldo challenge, whether or not the shot should've gone to a more tenured featherweight contender and what the matchup tells us about the current state of UFC matchmaking.
The duo also dissect the August bout, delving into why Pettis is the best challenger for Aldo stylistically speaking, what a victory could mean for Aldo's 2013 campaign, the Brazilian's potential as a longterm lightweight and much more.
Grab your credential and get a seat in “Press Row.”
