In moves first noted by UFC Roster Tracker, an automated service that monitor’s the promotion’s fighter database, names including Ovince Saint Preux, Ricky Glenn, and fan favorite Brian Kelleher appear to have been removed.

While this generally indicates a fighter is no longer with the promotion, it does not necessarily mean they were cut. Saint Preux, for example, was known to be on the last fight of his UFC contract at UFC 307 last weekend, when he was submitted by Ryan Spann. Still, at 41 and 2-2 in his last four (not to mention coming off a loss), OSP is likely to land elsewhere if he continues fighting.

Jarno Errens, also among the names removed, had previously suggested he might retire if the UFC declined to re-sign him. He went 1-3 for the company, most recently losing to Youssef Zalal at UFC Paris.

From October 7 to October 10, the following names were removed from the UFC’s athlete database:

• Herbert Burns
• Brian Kelleher
• Ricky Glenn
• Jarno Errens
• Danyelle Wolf
• Victoria Leonardo
• Brianna Fortino
• Kay Kruschewsky
• Da Woon Jung
• Victor Altamirano
• Karl Williams
• Ovince Saint Preux
• Kleydson Rodrigues
• Blake Bilder
• TJ Brown
• Jarjis Danho
• Yanis Ghemmouri
• Christos Giagos

These join Alexander Munoz (who requested his spot be given to someone else after struggling with injuries) and Luis Pajuelo (cut after failing a drug test), who exited the company earlier this month.

One of the biggest surprises is Karl Williams, a 3-1 heavyweight coming off a lone loss who was presumably not re-signed. Williams, a well-spoken athlete with considerable upside, saw all his fights go the distance, which might be the culprit in this case.

As for boxer Danyelle Wolf, who signed with the company as a featherweight, the UFC no longer even offers her weight class. At 41 and having not fought since September 2022, it’s likely her MMA career has come to an end after just two fights, one on the Contender Series, and one in a losing effort opposite Norma Dumont, now a bantamweight contender.

The post Over 15 Fighters Including Kelleher, Glenn, and OSP Off UFC Roster appeared first on Cageside Press.

In the main event, a pair of former UFC talents face off, as UFL bantamweight champ Hunter Azure puts his title on the line against Vince Morales. The bout is also the final fight of the five-match Team Phoenix vs. Team Vegas, with Azure and Morales the captains of their respective teams, under coaches Henry Cejudo and Frank Mir.

A $50,000 bonus goes to the fighters on the winning team, not to mention bragging rights. The night’s co-headliner, meanwhile, sees another pair of UFC veterans face off as Sheymon Moraes takes on TJ Brown.

Where to Watch UFL 5

The United Fight League set up shop at the Gila River Hotels & Casinos in Chandler, Arizona on Friday, August 30, 2024 for UFL 5; the card streams live on Rumble. Full results from the event can be found below.

UFL 5: Phoenix vs. Vegas Results

Main Card

Phoenix vs. Vegas: Vince Morales def. Hunter Azure (c) by submission (modified D’arce choke), Round 3, 4:06 – for the UFL bantamweight championship
Phoenix vs. Vegas: Sheymon Moraes def. TJ Brown by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
Phoenix vs. Vegas: Trent Miller def. Marcus Nash by KO, Round 1, 1:59
Phoenix vs. Vegas: Ray Waters def. William Gibson by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Phoenix vs. Vegas: Jackson Santa Cruz def. Anvar Boynazarov by submission (short choke), Round 1, 2:17

Preliminary Card

Yevgeni Shinkarevsku def. Richard Mahan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Desmond Manabat def. Angel Atoigue by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Kaleo Meheula def. Cris Mims by TKO (strikes), Round 1, 2:54

Team Vegas wins the $50,000 bonus for winning the team versus team showdown over Team Phoenix.

The post UFL 5: Phoenix vs. Vegas Full Results appeared first on Cageside Press.

Elkins vs. Brown served as the featured prelim at UFC Vegas 81.

Elkins had the fight to the ground early, which is not where TJ Brown wanted to be. That takedown was perfectly executed by Darrne Elkins, and he was heavy on top as Brown tried to buck him off to create room for a scramble. With Brown unable to free himself, Elkins went to work with some ground and pound, but when he worked to isolated an arm, Brown finally scrambled out.

That allowed Brown to turn the tables, landing a big takedown of his own with just over 90 seconds in the round. Like Elkins had been before him, TJ Brown was fluid on top but Elkins scrambled free much quicker, then took Brown’s back and dragged him down, locking up a body triangle and going hunting for a rear-naked choke. Elkins had a minute to pull off the choke, but a gutsy Brown fought it off.

Round two opened with Elkins and Brown going back-and-forth, both throwing single strikes, Brown mixing in a leg kick or two. Elkins shot for a takedown, nearly landed it, but couldn’t keep Brown down — Brown then nearly had the back in a scramble but Elkins wound up on top! Lots lof high-level, exciting grappling changes in this one, and soon it was Brown getting on top himself. And before long, it was Elkins on top and. Back-and-forth, rinse and repeat. Elkins eventually rolled into a guillotine choke attempt, but Brown slipped free, and they went back to the feet. Not for long, as Elkins landed another takedown.

More scrambles followed. Elkins continued to get the better of the grappling exchanges, hunting for an arm-triangle choke at the end of the round.

Brown found himself on his back again early in round three, and when he got to his knees, he found Elkins on his back. He used wrist control to transition to the top, and Elkins was threatening to mount, though he settled into half-guard. An arm-triangle choke looked like it might be there for Elkins. Brown, who had been competitive early, now appeared to be in survival mode, and you had to wonder what sort of effect the fight was having on his gas tank. Near the midway-mark of round three, Elkins locked up a rear-naked choke on a clearly exhausted Elkins, and the tap came moments later!

“This old dog has still got some fight in him!” exclaimed Elkins after the win, which saw him move alongside Max Holloway with 26 fights in the featherweight division. “The Damage” also has the second most wins.

Official Result: Darren Elkins def. TJ Brown by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 2:23

The post UFC Vegas 81: Darren Elkins Subs TJ Brown In Fight Brimming with Fun Grappling Exchanges appeared first on Cageside Press.

“Downtown” TJ Brown (17-9) will face Bill Algeo (16-7) in a featherweight match-up at the UFC’s April 15, 2023 Fight Night event.

MMA Fighting was first to report news of the booking, which Algeo confirmed on social media. Brown had previously announced he had fight news pending.

Brown was one of the fighters left at a serious disadvantage when Glory MMA and Fitness head coach James Krause, and any fighter still associated with him, were banned by UFC officials pending the outcome of an investigation into suspicious betting activity stemming from a Nov. 5, 2022 fight featuring Glory/Krause fighter Darrick Minner. Brown, who was allowed to compete at UFC 282 in December due to his fight falling so close to the ban’s announcement, was also one of the first, and only, fighters to address the situation.

Following his victory at #UFC282, TJ Brown spoke on the good things built by James Krause but admits it is a stressful time at Glory MMA.

⬇️⬇️⬇️
WATCH: https://t.co/nDmxYMZaO3 pic.twitter.com/TwwZ4ChnHm

— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) December 11, 2022

The 32-year old featherweight from Little Rock, Arkansas, snapped a two-fight skid with his submission of Erik Silva at the event.

Algeo will be coming in off a loss to Andre Fili, which came in a very close split decision. Prior to that, he’d won his last two, seeing his hand raised over Herbert Burns and Joanderson Brito.

The UFC’s April 15, 2023 Fight Night card does not have a location, venue, or main event announced, though Billy Quarantillo vs. Edson Barboza is expected to be the co-headliner. The following match-ups have been reported for the card:

• Martin Buday vs. Jake Collier
• Bruna Brasil vs. Denise Gomes
• Dustin Jacoby vs. Azamat Murzakanov
• T.J. Brown vs. Bill Algeo
• Edson Barboza vs. Billy Quarantillo

The post UFC: Bill Algeo Gets “Downtown” TJ Brown on April 15 appeared first on Cageside Press.

After finding success against newcomer Erik Silva, however, the talk was not about the fight. Rather, Brown (17-9) resolutely fielded the questions he knew would come his way after the bout — regarding coach James Krause, and Glory MMA and Fitness.

Brown had put in some work at Glory, prior to Krause and any fighter training under him being banned by the UFC. That ban was instituted in the wake of a betting scandal surrounding a November 5, 2022 fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke.

Minner turned up to the fight injured, and fell early. A whole lot of money shifted to Nuerdanbieke, already the favorite, to win inside of a round — just hours out from the fight.

Multiple entities are now investigating the matter, including U.S. Integrity, UFC betting integrity partner Don Best Sports, the Nevada Athletic Commission, and according to one ESPN report, the FBI.

“Yeah I worked a bit down there. James wasn’t there,” Brown said following his win on Saturday, speaking to media outlets including Cageside Press. “I don’t want to dial too much into it. I’ve got nothing but love for James, I think everybody makes mistakes. But I spent a little bit of time down there.”

“He wasn’t really around,” Brown reiterated.

Following his victory at #UFC282, TJ Brown spoke on the good things built by James Krause but admits it is a stressful time at Glory MMA.

⬇️⬇️⬇️
WATCH: https://t.co/nDmxYMZaO3 pic.twitter.com/TwwZ4ChnHm

— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) December 11, 2022

Asked by Cageside Press about the mood in the gym these days, Brown was forthright. “I knew these questions were coming, and I want to answer them to the best of my ability. I want to first say, from my opinion, James has been nothing but good to me. But I think golly, it’s really a tough environment there right now.”

“I want to be real honest with you. He’s been nothing but good to a lot of those fighters out there. And to a lot of the fighters there, that’s their home. And James has gave them a home and has really taken care of a lot of those fighters, including myself.”

Brown, who hails from Arkansas, added that “I have nothing but good to say about him. I think there were possibly some mistakes made, I’m not really sure what happened. It’s really a weird vibe there right now. I feel bad for the whole community there.”

As far as his win, which was unfortunately overshadowed a little as a result of the Glory situation, Brown said that getting his hand raised “feels great. Just to get back in the win column. It’s not enough for me to just have an even record in the UFC. I’m looking to start 2023 with a few more wins.”

As for a return date, “let’s be honest, I’m no spring chicken. I’d really like to get in there at the beginning of next year.”

Watch the full UFC 282 post-fight press appearance by TJ Brown above.

The post UFC 282’s TJ Brown: “Really Weird Vibe” at Glory MMA Now, “Nothing But Good” To Say About James Krause appeared first on Cageside Press.

Silva had won eight fights in a row, mostly by submission, including his Contender Series win, a first round TKO. Meanwhile Brown came in with a 2-3 record in the UFC after losing his last fight to Shayilan Nuerdenbieke by decision.

The first round began with TJ hurting Silva in the opening seconds of the fight and then shooting a takedown. He spent a good deal of time on top of Silva in the first round but Silva was able to reverse and create scrambles eventually. Both men got into dominant positions, attempted submissions, and got swept almost equally. Finally, at the very end of the round, they got back to their feet and swung to the bell. Silva showed off a wild striking style that emphasized power right hands at the expense of defense.

The second round started with more wild striking from Silva and Brown replied in kind. When Silva had Brown expecting more striking he shot and landed a takedown. After a minute or so on top he got overeager and got swept by Brown. TJ Brown quickly took the back of Silva where he spent the rest of the round, attempting rear-naked chokes ineffectively.

The final round started with Brown hurting Silva once more with a right hand and landing a knee that was only barely legal before getting a takedown. TJ Brown focused on controlling Silva mostly, knowing he was ahead on the scorecards, though he did look to threaten submissions or strikes when possible. Erik Silva just could not get off of his back. Finally with ninety seconds left in the fight TJ Brown was able to mount Silva and set up an arm triangle. After some resistance Brown passed to side control and forced Erik to tap, putting Brown back in the winner’s circle.

TJ Brown caps off a dominant performance via submission in round 3️⃣#UFC282 pic.twitter.com/SCyWQIp1u4

— UFC (@ufc) December 11, 2022

Official Result: TJ Brown def. Erik Silva by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 3, 3:41

The post UFC 282: TJ Brown Submits Erik Silva Late in Final Round appeared first on Cageside Press.

Brown (16-9) dropped a unanimous decision to Shayilan Nuerdanbieke earlier this year, and believes that in part, it’s due to getting too comfy fighting off his back.

“I got complacent on bottom, and just wasn’t in enough hurry. I was attacking from bottom, but sometimes like in the third, I probably spent a little too much time on bottom,” Brown admitted, speaking to The Top Turtle MMA Podcast on Cageside Press a few weeks out from UFC 282. “And that could have swayed the judges.”

“I’m just looking at it as man, there’s things I could have done better in that fight, and I’ve adjusted since then, and I’m ready for the next one,” Brown added, later noting that “I pressed the gas, but I pressed it too late. In fights, you’ve got to be on for every second of the fifteen minutes.”

Next up, TJ Brown is paired with Contender Series vet Erik Silva, who will be making his promotional debut in the featherweight fight.

“There’s levels to this game,” Brown noted, adding that to say Silva is anywhere near the level his last opponent would be far from accurate.

As for the deficiencies he sees in Silva, “the first thing that stands out for me is just experience. You just look at who he’s fought, he hasn’t really fought anybody. I think experience is going to be the biggest difference factor in this fight. You’re going to see a huge change in the tide, if it makes it that long, after the first round.”

“Who he’s fighting now, I’m going to welcome him to the UFC. There’s just levels to this, and I’m excited to show everybody that that’s the case.”

That welcome party will come with an arena full of fans, and that’s a first for Brown since the pandemic started. “This is part of the reason that I do it. I love to be under the lights. I enjoy that atmosphere,” Brown said on having fans back. “It’s electric, when you’ve got the right arena. It’s one of the reasons I do it, man. I’m just excited to be in the T-Mobile, get that energy back again. Get in there and just perform. I love performing, and that’s what I plan on doing in front of a packed T-Mobile Arena.”

At least part of that packed house will be comprised of fans from Brown’s native Arkansas. After all, both he and fellow Arkansas native Bryce Mitchell are on the card.

“Dude, you guys are gonna be blown away by the support coming out to Vegas. I’m hearing left and right, people are coming out of the woodwork coming to this fight,” said Brown.

“Arkansas will definitely be in the house.”

TJ Brown faces Erik Silva in a featherweight match-up as part of the UFC 282 preliminary card on Saturday, December 10, 2022.

The post TJ Brown Says “Arkansas Will Definitely Be in the House” at UFC 282 appeared first on Cageside Press.

Marcelo Rojo Interview (2:10)

Kicking off this edition of TTP is our interview with UFC featherweight, Marcelo Rojo. Rojo has made some big changes ahead of his fight at UFC Orlando. He’s moved to Lee’s Summit, Missouri to work at Glory MMA. He’s also changed weight classes and will be fighting at 145-pounds for the first time in the UFC. He talks about all the thoughts that went behind these changes and how they’ve helped him become a better fighter. Plus, he discusses the upcoming fight with Contender Series graduate Francis Marshall, and Rojo is expecting violence in that fight.

Fights, Dogs, and Parlays: UFC Orlando (16:03)

After a down week, the UFC returns with a live show in Florida. UFC Orlando is loaded with intriguing fights with up and comers and veterans on display. The fight card is headlined by fan-favorites Kevin Holland and Stephen Thompson in a welterweight clash. The guys dig into that fight, as well as some of the top fights, to give you a thoughtful breakdown. Plus, they have an underdog and a parlay that they think will make your wallet fat this upcoming weekend. For this segment, all odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.

TJ Brown Interview (25:00)

Closing out this week’s edition of TTP is an interview with UFC featherweight, TJ Brown. Brown isn’t fighting at UFC Orlando, but will be fighting the following weekend at UFC 282. Brown talks about the chance to fight in front of a big crowd at the T-Mobile Arena and how there is going to be a huge crowd Arkansawyers. He also discusses being given a lot of wrestle-happy opponents and whether that means anything. He’ll be breaking down the latest of those wrestle-happy opponents, Erik Silva, who is fresh off the Contender Series. All of that, plus he gives us the origin of the nickname “Downtown”.

The post TTP Ep. 354 with Marcelo Rojo, TJ Brown and UFC Orlando appeared first on Cageside Press.

Weight-cutting is the ultimate test of discipline and willpower. Many fighters in the sport consider it very unprofessional to miss weight.

In this series, we will shine a light on select fighters who cut a massive amount of weight, who have missed weight multiple times in the past, who have made weight-class changes, along with how the weight-cut and weigh-in could affect possible upcoming match-ups. Basically, every aspect of weight-cutting and how it affects the fight game.

Jennifer Maia (19-7-1 MMA, 4-3 UFC)

Flyweight (125lbs.): 4-3 (UFC), Missed weight 2x in UFC, Former UFC Flyweight Title Challenger, Former Invicta FC Flyweight Champion

Jennifer Maia is a WCC alum that joined the UFC back in mid 2018.

Before joining the promotional giant, Maia won the Invicta FC belt at 125lbs and successfully defended it two times.

In July of 2019 Maia missed weight weighing in at 129lbs for a bout against Roxanne Modafferi. Maia won the bout the following day, via unanimous decision, and was subsequently propelled into a title shot eliminator.

Jennifer missed weight again ahead of her next bout against Katlyn Chookagain coming in a 127.2lbs for the bout. And this time, Maia was the fighter on the wrong side of a unanimous decision.

#UFC244 weigh-in results:

Jennifer Maia 127.2 lbs.

Maia misses weight for the second straight event. pic.twitter.com/kSu5wYn92J

— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) November 1, 2019

Maia has not missed weight since that bout and even was able to weigh in bellow the 125lbs limit for her title shot against Valentina Shevchenko back in November of 2020.

Now 33 years old, Maia will be a fighter to keep an eye on at the scales ahead of her UFC Vegas 46 bout.

The post The Weight Cutting Chronicles: UFC Vegas 46 appeared first on Cageside Press.

After losing its planned co-main event, the Fight Night show now sees Charles Rosa stepping in to replace Gabriel Benitez on just three days’ notice. Rosa will face Benitez’s originally scheduled opponent, TJ Brown.

While the original fight was planned for featherweight, due to the short-notice nature of the match-up, Rosa vs. Brown has been set at lightweight.

MMA Junkie was first to report the news, which Rosa later confirmed on social media. “Boston Strong” also revealed that he had signed a new four-fight contract with the promotion.

“Just signed a new 4Fight (sic) UFC contract. Stay ready so I don’t have to get ready .. take advantage of OPPORTUNITIES and that’s what I believe life is about!!” he posted on social media. “Love you all I’m currently on my way to Vegas to continue chasing my dream of a UFC world title.”

Just signed a new 4Fight @ufc contract 🙌 Stay ready so I don’t have to get ready .. take advantage of OPPORTUNITIES and that’s what I believe life is about!! Love you all I’m currently on my way ✈️to vegas to continue chasing my dream of a @ufc world title @espnmma LFG 🔥 pic.twitter.com/s9OZL8Uihu

— Charles Rosa (@CharlesRosaMMA) January 12, 2022

Rosa (14-6) last competed in October, losing a unanimous decision against Damon Jackson. Prior to that, he’d earned a split decision victory over Justin Jaynes. Rosa has been trading wins and losses for the entirety of his UFC career, which began back in 2014. Overall, he’s posted a 5-6 record with the organization.

TJ Brown (15-8), who won his way into the UFC on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019, is coming off his first victory with the promotion. That came in a split decision win over Kai Kamaka III last May. The win snapped a two-fight losing streak for Brown, who lost his promotional debut against Jordan Griffin, then fell to Danny Chavez in his sophomore outing.

UFC Vegas 46 goes down this Saturday, January 15 at the Apex in Las Vegas. The card currently consists of the following fights:

Calvin Kattar vs. Giga Chikadze
Katlyn Chookagian vs. Jennifer Maia
Brandon Royval vs. Rogério Bontorin
Jake Collier vs. Chase Sherman
Bill Algeo vs. Joanderson Brito
Jamie Pickett vs. Joseph Holmes
Court McGee vs. Ramiz Brahimaj
Charles Rosa vs. T.J. Brown
Dakota Bush vs. Viacheslav Borshchev
Brian Kelleher vs. Saidyokub Kakhramonov
Silvana Gomez Juarez vs. Vanessa Demopoulos

The post UFC Vegas 46: Charles Rosa In On Three Days’ Notice Against TJ Brown appeared first on Cageside Press.