MMA India's Weekly Roundup (8-14th Dec): Yoel Romero fails to draw interest, Bellator has new female flyweight champ and more

Welcome to the MMA India show’s weekly MMA round up. We take a look at the biggest stories of the past week, which includes big names like Francis Ngannou, Yoel Romero, Mackenzie Dern etc.

Bellator and PFL not interested in signing Yoel Romero

The new hottest free agent in the MMA world former two-time undisputed UFC title contender Yoel Romero is not getting chances in other promotions like Bellator and PFL.

Yoel Romero is one of the best fighters in MMA history without a major title to his name. He came close to capturing the UFC title on several occasions, but the strap eluded “Soldier of God.” Now, UFC has released the knockout artist onto the world, pointing to Romero’s recent defeats (that mostly came in title fights!) as the reason for his decline and release.

Read the full story here.

Francis Ngannou says Stipe Miocic has been holding up the division

Former UFC heavyweight title challenger Francis Ngannou has said that current UFC heavyweight champion of the world Stipe Miocic is holding up the division for a long time.

The pair previously fought at UFC 220 back in January 2018 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusets. In that fight, Stipe Miocic dominated throughout the five-round and ultimately defeated him via unanimous decision.

Almost three years later, Francis Ngannou and Stipe Miocic have come at a crossroads. Francis is on the verge of a title shot after successfully knocking out Curtis Blaydes, Cain Velasquez, Junior Dos Santos and Jairzinho Rozenstruik in the first round. However, the former title challenger is frustrated as according to him, the current champion Stipe Miocic has been holding up the division.

Read the full story here.

UFC targeting Khamzat Chimaev vs Leon Edwards for Jan 20 in Abu Dhabi

The highly anticipated fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Leon Edwards was supposed to take place next weekend on December 19 at the Apex facility in Las Vegas.

However, the Briton got infected by Covid-19 and had to pull out of the fight and now the world’s biggest MMA promotion is looking for a new date to book the fight.

According to Aaron Bronsteter of TS N, UFC is targeting Jan 20 for their fight. The fight will take place in Fight Island, Abu Dhabi.

Read the full story here.

Juliana Velasquez becomes the new Bellator flyweight champion

The Brazilian fighter is the new Bellator women’s flyweight champion after she dethroned Ilima-Lei Macfarlane in the main event of Thursday’s Bellator 254. Velasquez (11-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) outpointed Macfarlane (11-1 MMA, 10-1 BMMA) in a unanimous decision.

Read the full story here.

UFC valued at $9-$10 Billion

UFC president Dana White has the responsibility to look after the day to day operations of the biggest Mixed Martial Arts organisation in the world.

The Fertitta brother who once owned the UFC sold the company to WME-IMG group for $4.2 Billion and also signed multibillion-dollar deals with ESPN as part of their broadcast rights.

UFC sold for $4.2 Billion in 2016 and now Dana White believes that the company has doubled in valuation since then. Speaking to TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter, Dana White said that the company is probably worth around 9 to 10 Billion dollars.

Read the full story here.