Insider's Scoop: Tony Ferguson's timetable for return, UFC flyweight tournament, more
MMA Junkie's Nolan King dishes on a number of rumblings, such as Tony Ferguson's timetable to return, a potential UFC tournament, and more.
Things are picking up for the UFC as 2019 comes to a close. The final months of the year’s schedule are being figured out and pieced together.
There are just eight events remaining in 2019. While some fighters are being booked, others are struggling to find opponents. Some fighters have been cut, while others signed.
Without further ado, here are some rumblings I’ve heard as of late:
Tony Ferguson’s timetable
At Dominance MMA media day last Tuesday, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz, revealed that his client is looking to defend his title against Tony Ferguson in either March or April.
From what I’m being told, that’s pretty much in line with Ferguson’s timeline. Prior to Abdelaziz’s statement, a person with knowledge of the situation told me “El Cucuy” was zoning in on a preferred timetable of a February or March title shot against the Russian champion.
Will the fifth time be the charm for this fight to actually happen? We can only hope.
Rob Font can’t find a dance partner
Rob Font at UFC on FOX 31. (USA TODAY Sports)
Poor Rob Font.
One of the faces of New England MMA, the ranked bantamweight seemed like a shoe-in for this weekend’s UFC on ESPN 6 card in Boston.
There was just one problem – well, a few of them. After initial talk of a potential rebooking with Cody Stamann, Font was placed in a matchup against Jimmie Rivera. However, that contest fell through, too.
So a completely healthy hometown contender will have to watch the action in “Beantown” from outside the cage Friday night. This scenario comes on the heels of multiple opponent pullouts at UFC Greenville in June, which resulted in a healthy Font being scrapped from the card just hours before weigh-ins.
He’s hoping to get back in action by the end of the year – if he can find an opponent, that is.
A UFC flyweight tournament?
Remember how the UFC flyweight division went away for a little bit and then miraculously came back? Around that time, the promotion began considering a tournament style format to determine the next champion, according to a source.
In an interview with TSN last week, UFC flyweight Tim Elliott mentioned he, too, had heard the promotion was interested in a potential tournament. I’m not sure if this is something still being considered, but if not then maybe it’ll be reconsidered in the future.
Ian Heinisch off of UFC Singapore
Ian Heinisch applies a hold against Derek Brunson during UFC 241 at Honda Center.
Earlier this month, MMA Junkie’s own Mike Bohn and Farah Hannoun reported that a fight between Brad Tavares and Edmen Shahbazyan was set for UFC 244 on Nov. 2 in New York. Prior to the booking, both men had different opponents.
Shahbazyan’s opponent, Krzysztof Jotko, announced through social media he had to undergo surgery, so that’s why he’s out.
But what happened to Brad Tavares’ UFC Singapore opponent, Ian Heinisch? Nothing, I’m told.
He’s healthy, but Tavares’ withdrawal means Heinisch will no longer be fighting Oct. 26.
From Holland to Giles to Di Chirico
When Kevin Holland stepped in to replace an injured Eric Spicely at UFC on ESPN 6, it left a void for adjacent Antonio Arroyo on the Nov. 16 UFC Sao Paulo card.
According to a report days later, Arroyo would face off with Trevin Giles. The bout was indeed in the works, but according to a source, the contest was never finalized. With Giles out, Italy’s Alessio Di Chirico has stepped in.
UFC releases
MMA Junkie has confirmed with the following fighters or their teams that they have parted ways with the UFC:
- Julian Erosa (22-8 MMA, 0-4 UFC)
- Ryan MacDonald (10-2 MMA, 0-2 UFC)
- Dan Moret (13-6 MMA, 0-3 UFC)
Team Alpha Male’s wrestling coach
Last Saturday night, UFC president Dana White scouted a local show in Hawaii for a taping of his “Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight” series. In the main event, Team Alpha Male wrestling coach Alex Munoz (6-0) defeated fellow top-tier lightweight prospect Troy Lamson (12-3) by unanimous decision.
Per social media posts and stories from Munoz’s teammates and friends (some of which have been deleted), it sounds like Munoz’s performance did enough to earn himself a UFC deal.
@alexandermunoz55 #DanaWhiteLookingforaFight #CSATAMConnectionFrom one backyard to another
The UFC on ESPN 6 card in Boston took a major hit a few weeks back, when the then co-main event between Zabit Magomedsharipov and Calvin Kattar fell off the card.
The bout was quickly scheduled for UFC on ESPN+ 21, which takes place just three weeks later. Magomedsharipov’s given reason was largely unknown. According to multiple sources, the Russian fighter suffered an infection, which left him unable to compete in Boston.
UFC on ESPN+ 21 takes place Saturday, Nov. 9 in Moscow, Russia. The event streams on ESP N+.