Let’s get to the Sunday MMA Quick Hits with no further ado.

Rough Night at the Office For Bellator Fighters

Bellator 274 turned out to be a pretty fun fight card, one that actually managed to hold its own against UFC Vegas 48, which it more or less went head-to-head with (Bellator’s main card kicked off as the UFC main event was wrapping up).

Boy, was it a rough night at the office for a couple of Bellator fighters however. In the co-main event, Chance Rencountre was kicked by a mule Andrey Koreshkov so hard he broke five ribs, bruised a kidney, and wound up with a punctured lung.

And earlier in the night, Aviv Gozali suffered a broken ankle and torn ACL in his prelim bout against Bobby King, which ended in a doctor’s stoppage.

So, you wanna be a f*&^in’ fighter?!?

https://www.instagram.com/p/CaLokiWAl6Z/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=1f421830-f0d6-4645-ba89-8e55f97320fa

Rampage Jackson’s Son Wins Second MMA Bout

One of the more interesting aspects of MMA being such a young sport is seeing a number of generational talents emerge. From various Gracies, to the aforementioned Aviv Gozali (son of “Israeli Batman” Haim Gozali) to Ray Cooper III to Baby Slice, there are now a number of second generation fighters competing in professional mixed martial arts. The latest? Raja Jackson, who improved to 2-0 as an amateur recently.

My son won his 2nd MMA fight.. that’s all just wanted to brag 👏🏾 pic.twitter.com/f16OcRapOC

— Rampage Jackson (@Rampage4real) February 20, 2022

The best part? Rampage Jr. even has his own chain. If Thor Silva (son of Wanderlei) was in the right weight class, there could be some serious money to be made…

Mike Perry Is 2-0 Since Leaving the UFC

It’s not really “MMA News” but UFC veteran Mike Perry is 2-0 outside the UFC (and outside of MMA). After picking up a win in Triller’s Triad Combat late last year, “Platinum” Mike returned to action at BKFC: KnuckleMania 2, and walked away with a decision win against Julian Lane.

Mike Perry is a SAVAGE pic.twitter.com/K2GeqCWKcX

— Charlie Quinn (@CharlieQuinnMMA) February 20, 2022

Perry never developed much of a ground game over his years in the UFC, but striking-only formats like BKFC should allow him to shine. And the craziness of the bare knuckle org seems tailor made for Mike.

Bryce Mitchell Falls Down the Conspiracy Rabbit Hole

Arkansas native Bryce Mitchell is an interesting character, from Twister submissions to his rap demo tape. He’s been outspoken at times, criticizing the masking of children during the coronavirus pandemic.

That’s one thing— there have been plenty of legitimate debates about whether masking small kids is effective, given most can’t sit still or keep their hands away from their face for more than five minutes. But on The MMA Hour this past week, Mitchell showed that he’s gone right down the conspiracy rabbit hole. How badly? He believes the U.S. government has orchestrated school shootings as a pretext for banning AR-15s.

Yikes. It was so bad that MMA Fighting’s Youtube channel listed the following disclaimer: “MMA Fighting doesn’t support or condone the misinformation in the following interview.”

How did Mitchell even get on the subject? He started by asking Ariel Helwani’s opinion of the trucker convoy protests in Canada (Helwani, a Canadian, resides in the U.S.). Somehow, that led to Mitchell jumping on the subject of guns (while flanked by two assault-style rifles and carrying a pistol).

Someone please take away Bryce Mitchell’s internet connection. The dude needs to detox. Yes, false flag operations have happened historically, while others were floated but never used (see Operation Northwoods, which included a plot for the U.S. government to down civilian and military aircraft in order to spark a war with Cuba — an idea rejected outright by JFK). The U.S. government orchestrating school shootings just to ban guns? The obvious fault in that logic is that, if it weren’t for mass shootings, few people would care about banning guns in the first place.

Jon Jones’ Arrest Video Is Simply Depressing

Say what you will about Jon Jones, but recently released video (via the Las Vegas Review-Journal) of his September arrest on domestic violence charges is simply depressing.

Bodycam footage shows Jones head butting a police car (for which he was later charged), and asking officers to “hang me. Hurt me and kill me.” A clearly inebriated Jones accuses officers of arresting him “just because I’m big and black.”

Jones, love him or hate him, is one of the most talented fighters to step into the octagon in UFC history— but he has also squandered some of his prime years thanks to incidents like this. And while ultimately the responsibility for cleaning up his act lies with Jones himself, this is just sad to see.

Triller Buys Majority Stake in BKFC

Triller, who have ventured into celebrity boxing and hybrid sports like Triad Combat have purchased a stake in BKFC.

Bare Knuckle FC President David Feldman announced the news on The MMA Hour.

“We grew this thing to a point where we thought that we got it as far as we could take it by ourselves right now,” Feldman told the show (h/t MMA Fighting). “We’ve overcome so many obstacles and so many people telling us no and, ‘this will never happen, you’ll never make it work.’ And we got to a point where we’re pretty well accepted among the combat sports community right now, and we needed to make a partnership that was going to take us to the next level, create more opportunities, more resources, more funding, more things like that to acquire some more fighters, take care of the fighters that are already there, and just create more opportunities for everybody.”

Triller now owns a majority stake in the bare-knuckle boxing outfit. Let’s be honest, this is a perfect pairing, and may turn out to be the best thing for combat sports since CamSoda decided to put on fights. Then again, maybe not.

Eye Yai Yai!

MMA is not for the faint of heart, but even the most iron stomached fight fan will want to cringe at this. It’s not often you hear the words “the globe is out of its socket,” and we frankly never want to hear them again.

This malady befell welterweight Mark Martin at the PFL Challenger Series 2 card on Friday night in Orlando, FL. Having suffered a potential fractured orbital, Martin reportedly blew his nose — causing his eyeball to dislodge.

The cageside doctor waves off the fight inbetween rounds. Dilano Taylor gets the W!#PFLonFuboTV LIVE NOW
🇺🇸 https://t.co/R67yD8VVFQ
🌍 https://t.co/StPf5kcxnW pic.twitter.com/eKZ6bmEoFS

— PFL (@PFLMMA) February 26, 2022

Luckily, Martin is okay, and despite the loss to Danilo Taylor, can at least find a silver lining in the incident, as he apparently will not require surgery to correct the issue.

The post Sunday MMA Quick Hits: Rampage Jr. Wins, Byrce Mitchell Falls Down Conspiracy Rabbit Hole appeared first on Cageside Press.

Rencountre, a former UFC fighter who returned to the Bellator cage on Saturday, was on the receiving end of a spinning back kick by ex-welterweight champ Andrey Koreshkov. The kick landed with pinpoint precision to the ribs, full force. Rencountre went down almost instantly; the fight was over in all of 38 seconds.

Brian Butler, SuckerPunch Entertainment Founder and CEO, who manages Rencountre, posted an update on the fighter’s status via Instagram on Sunday. Along with a copy of an x-ray, Butler revealed that Rencountre had suffered five broken ribs, and a punctured lung.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CaNoSjep342/

“Not the outcome we wanted but the kick was well placed and would have stopped anyone. Next time we will get a full camp and come back stronger. Chance is in good spirits and prepping for surgery,” Butler wrote. “Thank you to the Bellator MMA team who has been tremendous with all their assistance.”

Rencountre also provided his own update on Instagram, and appeared to be in good spirits while awaiting surgery.

“Feeling pretty chipper for a man with 5 broken ribs, a punctured lung half full of blood and a bruised kidney,” he wrote, adding “Not the way I’d envisioned my Bellator return playing out but congratulations to [Andrey Koreshkov] and a big thank you to all the Bellator MMA staff for all their hard work both pre and post-fight. I’m feeling very well taken care of.

“Sh*t happens. Thanks everyone for their support and well wishes. Imma get me some metal wrapped around my ribs and come back like Wolverine with the adamantium skeleton.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CaNmBSQp6ZR/

Rencountre competed for Bellator MMA three times between March 2016 and October 2017, and later had a four-fight stint in the UFC, posting a 2-2 record. He had won both his fights since leaving that promotion prior to Bellator 274 on Saturday. The loss to Koreshkov dropped Rencountre to 16-5, but records are no doubt the last thing on the welterweight’s mind right now.

The post Koreshkov Kick at Bellator 274 Leaves Chance Rencountre with Broken Ribs, Punctured Lung appeared first on Cageside Press.

Seeking to make it three straight wins (and two in the Bellator cage), Koreshkov was paired up with UFC alum Chance Rencountre. For Rencountre, it was a short-notice assignment, after Mukhamed Berkhamov dropped out of the bout.

In the end, it didn’t last long. Rencountre folded quickly, after Koreshkov drilled him with a spinning back kick to the ribs. Rencountre would try to hit a body lock on Koreshkov immediately after the blow, but his body was already shutting down. Rencountre hit the canvas, and Koreshkov moved in for the kill. A couple of follow-up strikes later, and the ref dove in to make the save.

🌪 Vintage Koreshkov!🦵💥

The spinning back kick once again gets the job done for The Spartan! ⚔️

Watch #Bellator274 LIVE on @SHOSports. pic.twitter.com/Tk24syPPbj

— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) February 20, 2022

Statement made. After the win, Koreshkov called out veteran welterweight Paul Daley for a showdown in May.

“I know a guy, Paul “Semtex” Daley. I want to kick his ass in London,” Koreshkov called out on the mic. He’d go on to add that Daley “don’t like wrestling, like me. And we’ll show a great standup fight.” He also predicted a knockout of the former UFC star.

Daley has said he’ll retire after his next bout, and fighting a former champ would certainly be a big way to wrap up his career.

Official Result: Andrey Koreshkov def. Chance Rencountre by TKO (spinning heel kick and strikes), Round 1, 0:38

The post Bellator 274: Andrey Koreshkov Smokes Chance Rencountre, Calls Out Semtex for London Fight appeared first on Cageside Press.

Former Bellator MMA welterweight champion Lyman Good, who won that promotion’s inaugural 170lb tournament, was in action at UFC 244, taking on the rising Chance Rencountre. Good, who lost the title in his first defense to Ben Askren, entered Saturday night off a loss to Demian Maia, while opponent Rencountre had won two straight.

The fight wound up being a clash of power versus durability. Rencountre fired a leg kick early, but paid when Good fired back over the top, touching Rencountre on the jaw. And like that, they were underway, second fight in on the UFC 244 card. Good then fired off a pair of leg kicks that echoed throughout the arena, adding several more hard punches, connecting each time. The power of Lyman Good was on full display early, and his next kick put Rencountre off-balance. Each kick, each punch from Good looked and sounded explosive.

Rencountre, having eaten too many leg kicks already, opted to shoot for a takedown, which Good was able to fight off. Good then moved in throwing repeated right hands; Rencountre answered with a Thai clinch and some uppercuts. That seemed to motivate Lyman Good more than anything, as he fired off a volley of right hands, walking his opponent down. A knee in the clinch landed for Rencountre, while Good snapped off a nasty kick to finish the frame.

The second frame opened with Rencountre moving in on his own attack. On an exchange, Good ate a couple of hard shots, but Good remained dangerous. He was, however, showing signs of having slowed a step, mouth open, less on his kicks. Rencountre, mind you, had been bloodied, and despite landing from time to time, seemed to have little effect on the offensive department.

Rencountre found himself on his back foot early, Good pressing forward. His right hand continued to be a threat, doing some serious damage when it did land. Chance Rencountre was more and more in need of a finish as the round wore on, but it was Good, once again, connecting with a cracking right hand! Rencountre went down, and before he even hit the canvas, Good was on him, connecting over and over. The blood pooling beneath Rencountre told you all you needed to know about how the fight went for him.

CYBORG gets it done!@LymanGoodMMA finishes Rencountre on home soil! #UFC244 pic.twitter.com/MHRw71VEI5

— UFC (@ufc) November 2, 2019

Official Result: Lyman Good def. Chance Rencountre by TKO, Round 3, 2:03

The post UFC 244 Results: Lyman Good Bludgeons, Bloodies Chance Rencountre appeared first on Cageside Press.

New York, NY — After a stumble out of the gate in his promotional debut last year, welterweight Chance Rencountre is looking to make it three in a row at UFC 244 this weekend.

Paired up against a dangerous opponent in former Bellator standout Lyman Good, Rencountre knows it’s a tough test — but his mindset throughout this Fight Week has been the same as any other.

“All the fights are the same to me. We’ve both got gloves on, we’ve both got equal talent,” Rencountre told Cageside Press at the UFC 244 media day. “We’re all tough at this level of the game. It’s how we can edge each other out. If it’s my wrestling, if it’s my striking, where ever it is, my jiu-jitsu.”

When it comes to that edge, Rencountre feels that in this case, “I’m a little bit more well-rounded than he is. Of course his striking’s going to be great, but I feel like I’m just as good there. I feel like it’s going to be a great fight, great match-up.”

After his debut loss against Belal Muhammad, Rencountre has turned things around nicely. He sits outside the top 15, but it certainly feelings as if the rankings are in striking distance for him. However, Rencountre admitted that it’s more about winning than rankings.

“I really haven’t thought about breaking into the top 15, but as far as going 3-0, that’s what we need. We keep racking up wins, we keep going forward in this career,” he said. “And that’s the main thing. As long as I keep winning, I don’t care how I do it. As long as I keep winning and going forward in the right direction, that’s the main thing and the main goal right now.”

A shorter-term goal might be a post-fight bonus, but Rencountre noted that “This card is so loaded, I’ve took bonuses out of my mind.” That having been said, he allowed that “of course, I’m going to try to go for it and try to get a finish. That’s the main thing, as long as we get a finish, we’ve at least got a hope for a fight bonus.”

“It’ll be a good fight I feel like, and a great match-up, so I don’t see why not,” he added.

Watch our full interview with Chance Rencountre ahead of this Saturday’s UFC 244 above! The card goes down at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with Chance Rencountre vs. Lyman Good airing on UFC Fight Pass.

The post UFC 244’s Chance Rencountre: “We’re All Tough at This Level of the Game, It’s How We Can Edge Each Other Out” appeared first on Cageside Press.

In early preliminary action at UFC 239 on Saturday night in Las Vegas, a couple of welterweight prospects faced off. Ismail Naurdiev vs. Chance Rencountre saw ‘The Austrian Wonderboy’ Naurdiev in just his second UFC fight, but despite that, he entered the contest with an impressive 18-2 record.

Rencountre, meanwhile, was 1-1 in the UFC, 13-3 overall, and coming off his first win in the promotion. Both were looking to make a name for themselves in one of the UFC’s deepest divisions, and UFC 239 would give them the biggest platform possible to do just that.

When the action kicked off Saturday, Naurdiev forced Rencountre to the outside, pushing forward, firing a high kick, and coming over the top with his hands. However, a subsequent kick was caught by Rencountre, and Naurdiev was nearly dumped. A throw attempt by Rencountre followed, but the pair popped back up; a standing elbow followed that. An active fight early, with Naurdiev connecting with repeated kicks and seemingly being in the driver’s seat for the first two minutes. He’d connect with a solid right hand, and a nasty knee to the body in the clinch. In an exchange up against the cage, however, Rencountre would get the fight to the ground, and spend the remainder of the frame there, finishing the round landing elbows. With a couple minutes of top time, it would be interesting to see how the judges scored it.

Rencountre started the second aggressive, throwing hands then taking his opponent down. He took the back as Naurdiev climbed back up, but was a tad high. Still, he was able to flatten Naurdiev out, getting both hooks in. Rencountre then trapped one wrist, working in some ground n’ pound.

Rencontre would transition to the top, continuing to control the fight on the ground, finding room to land a number of elbows. Naurdiev had no answer, and they headed to the third.

Naurdiev battled to stay up early in round three, and managed to scramble free from the first throw takedown attempt by Rencountre. That allowed him to try a flying knee attempt, but Rencountre escaped. The first half of the round would play out on the feet, until a deja vu moment, when Rencountre again took the back to drag down and flatten out his opponent. From there, short punches followed, and Naurdiev looked exhausted. He turned onto his back, only to be mounted, but managed to get Rencountre back to half-guard. A late stand-up didn’t give Naurdiev much to work with, but he finished the round with a takedown of his own.

Chance Rencountre def. Ismail Naurdiev by Unanimous Decision (29-27, 29-28, 30-27)

Check out the rest of the results from UFC 239 here!

The post UFC 239 Results: Chance Rencountre Upsets Ismail Naurdiev in Decision Win appeared first on Cageside Press.

Las Vegas, NV – Chance Rencountre is set to take on talented up-and-comer Ismail Naurdiev on the undercard of UFC 239. Known as “Black Eagle,” Rencountre has one of the more unique origins of a nickname in the sport.

“It’s actually my native name. I’m Osage and Cheyenne River Sioux so it comes from my tribal name. It’s Wah-Zhi-Zha-Pe and that translates to the black part of the eagle so all the elders told me to translate it to Black Eagle. That’s where I got that from. I take that warrior spirit in there with me.”

Coming from a tight-knit Native American background, Rencountre has support wherever his career takes him.

“That’s some of the biggest support I got. Everybody back home, the natives and non-natives love what I do. I’m a small town guy so seeing a small town guy make it to the UFC and do what I do, it’s amazing. I get so much recognition and respect and praise from everybody back home. It’s an amazing experience, it’s so cool.”

Rencountre came into the UFC on a four-fight win streak with three finishes. That came to an end when he faced Belal Muhammad in his Octagon debut. He was able to bounce back in his last fight, and is primed for another win streak.

“It’s not pressure, it’s what I want to do. That’s just part of this game and if I keep winning, I want to get re-signed and continue this career. It’s great money and I’d like to make more. The more wins we get, the more money we get, and that’s a big drive in my eyes. I’d like to give my daughter things I never had that my mom wasn’t able to provide for me. So hopefully with this career, I can take it. And who doesn’t mind not working a 9-5. You can’t beat that.”

Speaking of 9-5s, Rencountre knows what he’d do if he wasn’t fighting.

“I’d be running construction, running my own business, framing houses for a living. Or any type of construction honestly. I wouldn’t mind doing anything. I’d get my hand in a little bit of anything. But definitely framing houses or doing something of that nature.”

In front of Rencountre this weekend is Ismail Naurdiev, who is known as the “Austrian Wonderboy.”

“He seems explosive. He’s an athletic guy. He’s young, he’s definitely hungry. He got a good win in his last fight. I’m excited for it. He’s a great kickboxer. There’s attributes he’s got and attributes I got. Stylistically, I think it favors my way.”

The post UFC 239: Chance Rencountre Discusses Origins of “Black Eagle” Nickname appeared first on Cageside Press.

The UFC launched its 2019 schedule, and a new era on ESPN, with UFC Brooklyn on Saturday night. Alternatively UFC Fight Night 143, UFC on ESPN+ 1, or UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw, whatever you called it, it promised to be a momentous occasion. For once, that wasn’t hyperbole: the fate of a division possibly hung in the balance when T.J. Dillashaw took on Henry Cejudo for the flyweight title, in the evening’s main event.

Much has been said about the possible disbanding of the flyweight division. But if Dillashaw was able to defeat Cejudo and win the title in a weight class he had no intention of remaining in, then the writing would be on the wall. If Cejudo could get the upper hand, meanwhile, he might at the very least delay the elimination of the division.

Before any of that could transpire, however, three fights kicked off the card earlier in the evening. Those included Dennis Bermudez, having fallen a long way from headlining UFC cards. On a four fight slump, Dennis ‘the Menace’ was in desperate need of a win at UFC Brooklyn. There, he was set to face Te Edwards.

Check back come fight time for a full recap and results of the night’s early action! It all gets underway at 6PM EST.

Chance Rencountre vs. Kyle Stewart

Chance Recountre and Kyle Stewart were the first men in the octagon for the UFC’s ESPN era, and it was Rencountre landing first. Stewart, however, did the first real damage. Unfortunately, it was a low blow. After a warning to Stewart and some recovery time, the action got back underway, with Rencountre landing a double leg takedown. Stewart was right back up, but Rencountre was on him, practically glued to his back. One leg hooked in, he finally pulled Stewart back to the mat. Stewart would struggle back to one knee, only to give up his back, then his neck — and in short order, the history-making fight was in the books, with Chance Rencountre securing the rear-naked choke.

Sub in 1️⃣@BlackEagleMMA gets first round submission at #UFCBrooklyn! pic.twitter.com/AVYbKYuiz6

— UFC (@ufc) January 19, 2019

Chance Rencountre def. Kyle Stewart by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 2:25

Belal Muhammad vs. Geoff Neal

After what seemed like an eternity, the second fight of the night at UFC Brooklyn saw Belal Muhammad taking on Geoff Neal. A bit of a feeling out process to start this one, with Neal working in some low kicks. Muhammad was looking reserved early, but finally landed a couple of punches then shot for a takedown. Yet Neal posted up and the fight was back to the feet in a flash. Muhammad spent most of the round backpedaling, with Neal moving forward, initiating the attacks. A left hand caught Muhammad late in the round, snapping his head back, and Neal was in the driver’s seat heading into round two.

Round two saw Muhammad land a body kick early, but Neal’s hands were hitting their mark, and it was showing. Neal’s left hand continued to hit home. Muhammed dropped for a takedown, and seemingly had it, but in a scramble Neal made it back up. Muhammad finally managed to take control as the round progressed, pushing forward, and landing to the body with a punch or two. A firefight erupted at the end of the round, with Neal perhaps getting the better of the exchanges.

The third round changed everything, as Geoff Neal’s left hand worked its magic again. Just before the midway point of the round, that left landed, earning a knockdown as Muhammad hit the canvas. He would survive, but Neal was once again in control. Muhammad had just over two minutes, by the time he made it back up and had regained his senses, to make something happen. Neal then connected with a head kick which floored Muhammad, but he managed to survive again! They’d go to the final bell, but by then, the winner was clear.

Geoff Neal def. Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)

Dennis Bermudez vs. Te Edwards

A quick start to the featured fight at UFC Brooklyn saw Dennis Bermudez initially backing up Te Edwards, only for Edwards to push back. Bermudez would then tie his opponent up along the fence. The back and forth action continued with Bermudez sneaking in an elbow off a break, and Edwards working the body. Edwards, however, was defending each and every takedown attempt, and had power advantage. However, with two minutes remaining, Bermudez landed a knee that seemed to hurt Te Edwards. Bermudez would later get the final to the ground with a minute remaining, moving into half guard. He’d try to pin an arm for a crucifix, but Edwards pulled the limb free. Burmudez finished the frame dropping elbows.

Round two opened with a Bermudez takedown, that Edwards answered to a guillotine attempt. That didn’t work, and Te Edwards was once again on his back. Bermudez passed to side control, and Bermudez worked to isolate an arm in a kimura attempt. Bermudez would spend a decent amount of time working at the kimura, but eventually switched to a front choke attempt. Edwards would make it back to his feet at the point, launching an elbow as he did. It wouldn’t be long before Bermudez had the fight back to the canvas, however, and he’d finish the frame on top.

The third and final round of the fight started with Bermudez’s corner telling him Edwards was already broken. And once again, Edwards quickly found himself on the ground, barely trying to fight it off. Bermudez then locked in a guillotine, and the pair rolled, with ‘The Menace’ holding onto the choke. Eventually he’d have to release his hands, but he was on top again by that point. Bermudez would land a few strikes, then latch on for an arm-bar attempt. Edwards managed to break free of that, making it back to his feet with a minute remaining. He’d be down again seconds later, and it was back to the drawing board for Edwards, but back into the win column for Dennis Bermudez.

After the fight, an emotional Bermudez announced his retirement. “I’ve been through some stuff, and I thought about hanging up the gloves after those four losses in a row,” Bermudez said, before adding that he wanted his kids to look back and see that he overcame adversity. Bermudez also gave a shout out to his uncle, suffering from cancer, prior to the end of the early prelim broadcast.

Dennis Bermudez def. Te Edwards by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

UFC Brooklyn Early Prelim Results:

Dennis Bermudez def. Te Edwards by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
Geoff Neal def. Belal Muhammad by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Chance Rencountre def. Kyle Stewart by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 2:25

The post UFC Brooklyn Early Prelim Results and Recap appeared first on Cageside Press.

With less than a week to go before the event, the UFC has found an opponent for Chance Rencountre. On Monday, noted MMA journalist Damon Martin (formerly of Fox Sports) was among the first to report that Contender Series vet Kyle Stewart will step up to take the fight on short notice. Stewart replaces Randy Brown, who was pulled from the card for undisclosed reasons.

He also technically replaces Dwight Grant, who was briefly linked to the bout. However, a medical issue prevented the New York State Athletic Commission from clearing him to fight. That opened the door for Stewart, who appeared on the first season of the Contender Series. 11-1 as a pro, he defeated Jason Jackson on the show, but did not win a UFC contract. The finish coming due to a leg injury likely had something to do with that.

He’s got his shot now, however. The MMA Lab fighter is 3-1 since his appearance on the Contender Series, competing mainly under the LFA banner.

Meanwhile, Chance Rencountre (12-3) is probably just happy to finally have an opponent in place. A Bellator MMA alum, he fell to Belal Muhammad in his promotional debut at UFC Fight Night 131 last year.

UFC Fight Night 143 (as UFC Brooklyn falls numerically) goes down January 19 at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, NY.

The post Kyle Stewart Replaces Randy Brown, Faces Chance Rencountre at UFC Brooklyn appeared first on Cageside Press.

Yet another fighter has been forced off next weekend’s UFC Brooklyn card. On Sunday, welterweight Randy Brown confirmed earlier reports that he had been removed from the event, which marks the UFC’s debut on ESPN+. Brown had been scheduled to face Chance Recountre at the show. Instead, he’s off the card, though no official reason has been given.

Per a statement from Brown on Sunday, however, it is not a medical matter.

“Thank you to all my friends family and the fans attending the UFC Brooklyn event,” Brown wrote on his official Twitter account. “I am 100% healthy and ready to fight. My team and I tried our best to keep the fight on. Unfortunately the decision wasn’t up to us. I’m excited to be back in action as soon as possible.”

Thank you to all my friends family and the fans attending the UFC Brooklyn event. I am 100% healthy and ready to fight. My team and i tried our best to keep the fight on. Unfortunately the decision wasn’t up to us. Im excited to be back in action as soon as possible #UFCBrooklyn

— Randy Brown (@TouchNgo_) January 13, 2019

The UFC has not released an official statement on the matter, though they are expected to seek out a replacement to face Recountre. Brown, meanwhile, joins Ion Cutelaba and John Lineker, both of whom were also forced off the card. Their removals were due to injuries.

Brown last fought at UFC Boise, losing to Niko Price via knockout. He’s 4-3 overall in the UFC. UFC Brooklyn (UFC Fight Night 143) takes place January 19 at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, NY.

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