UFC

In a featherweight bout on the main card, Dan Ige and Damon Jackson meet Saturday at UFC Fight Night 217 - also known as UFC Vegas 67 - at the UFC's APEX ...

Please [gamble responsibly](https://sportsbookwire.usatoday.com/bet-and-wager-101-responsible-gaming-and-gambling/). [Tipico Sportsbook](https://media.tipico.com/C.ashx?btag=a_94b_456c_+++SLUG+++&affid=47&siteid=94&adid=456&c=+++SLUG+++-pos5), SportsbookWire's official sportsbook partner in OH, CO and NJ. [Colorado](https://media.tipico.com/C.ashx?btag=a_94b_458c_+++SLUG+++&affid=47&siteid=94&adid=458&c=+++SLUG+++-pos-co) and [New Jersey](https://media.tipico.com/C.ashx?btag=a_94b_457c_+++SLUG+++&affid=47&siteid=94&adid=457&c=+++SLUG+++-pos-nj), claim your 100% Deposit Match up to $250 now. As far as the method of victory, JACKSON BY SUBMISSION (+650) is a great option for a chance to multiply your initial wager by 6 1/2. No (+120) [Tipico Sportsbook's](https://media.tipico.com/C.ashx?btag=a_94b_456c_+++SLUG+++&affid=47&siteid=94&adid=456&c=+++SLUG+++-pos1) lines around the UFC Fight Night 217: Ige vs. Yes (-165) Jackson +110 (bet $100 to win $110) If Jackson can get this fight to the ground, it might not end well for Ige. If Ige wins, it will go the distance. Under +120) He has notched finishes in 4 of his 6 fights so far at the UFC level, winning once and losing once via KO/TKO, while going 2-for-2 with submission victories.

Wins over Joaquin Buckley, Edmen Shahbazyan and Ian Heinisch have proven the potential is there. The light heavyweight contest should not affect the rankings at ...

Strickland is the more technical boxer and lands more frequently. Fighting again so soon was the furthest thing from Strickland's mind, but money talks and a call from UFC vice president of talent relations Mick Maynard was the catalyst for his quick turnaround. Strickland enters UFC Fight Night having lost consecutive fights for the first time in his 30-fight career. Siding with Strickland is the safe choice. Who wins UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. "I think I just have to be careful of what he's saying, the world that he's using. Sean Strickland had no fight scheduled at the week's start and Nassourdine Imavov planned a cut to 185 pounds. The impromptu booking shifted the fight from 185 pounds to 205 pounds, likely to allow Strickland an easier weight cut on such short notice. Strickland (25-5) is officially in need of repairs after losing the momentum he built with six straight wins. Imavov is aware of Strickland's notoriously big mouth when it comes to pre-fight trash talk and in-ring talk as well. Strickland, less than 30 days removed from headlining the final UFC event of 2022, stepped in for Gastelum on four days' notice. Imavov has pieced together a strong 5-1 run in UFC with only a majority loss sullying that record.

See How The Judges Scored Every Round Of UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs Imavov, Live From The UFC APEX In Las Vegas.

[Results, Highlights & More](https://www.ufc.com/news/ufc-fight-night-strickland-vs-imavov-results-highlights-winner-interviews-vegas-67) [UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs Imavov](/event/ufc-fight-night-january-14-2023), live from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 14, 2023. 13 ranked featherweight contender [Dan Ige](/athlete/dan-ige) squares off with streaking [Damon Jackson](/athlete/damon-jackson). 12 ranked [Nassourdine Imavov](/athlete/nassourdine-imavov). The entire card will be available on [ESPN+](https://plus.espn.com/ufc?ex_cid=DSS-OFF-UFC-INARTICLE-EN) in English and Spanish, with the main card starting at 7 pm ET / 4 pm PT and the prelims at 4 pm ET / 1 pm PT. [Dan Ige](https://www.ufc.com/athlete/dan-ige) [Roman Kopylov](http://www.ufc.com/athlete/Roman-Kopylov) [Watch on ESPN+](https://plus.espn.com/ufc?ex_cid=DSS-OFF-UFC-INARTICLE-EN) [Damon Jackson](https://www.ufc.com/athlete/damon-jackson) [Watch on ESPN+](https://plus.espn.com/ufc?ex_cid=DSS-OFF-UFC-INARTICLE-EN) [Ketlen Vieira](https://www.ufc.com/athlete/ketlen-vieira) [UFC FIGHT NIGHT: STRICKLAND vs IMAVOV](/event/ufc-fight-night-january-14-2023) will take place Saturday, January 14 at UFC APEX in Las Vegas. [Raquel Pennington](https://www.ufc.com/athlete/raquel-pennington) [Watch on ESPN+](https://plus.espn.com/ufc?ex_cid=DSS-OFF-UFC-INARTICLE-EN) [Sean Strickland ](/athlete/sean-strickland)take on No.

Enjoy the fights, everyone. Jimmy Flick vs. Charles Johnson. Round 1 – Alright, here we go with the first fight of 2023. Both fighters very cautious here ...

Vieira closes the distance and pins her against the cage. Alhassan closes the distance and pins Ribeiro against the cage. Rebecki closes the distance and punishes Fiore against the cage. Mendonca pushes Basharat against the fence. And Nascimento sinks in the rear-naked choke! And Argueta out-grapples Aguirre until the final bell. Argueta now presses and takes down Aguirre against the cage. And Aguirre loses the back and ends on bottom. Now Argueta presses Aguirre against the cage. Once again, Argueta presses Aguirre against the cage. And he gets the takedown and transitions to the back of Johnson. The card streams on ESPN+.

The ad referred to the Jones-Gane bout as for the "world heavyweight championship," and there is no reference to interim.

A graphic has been displayed in Las Vegas that shows a heavyweight title fight between Jones and Ciryl Gane that is scheduled for UFC 285 on March 4.

The former pound-for-pound No.1, who recently hinted at his return by tweeting: "Champion 2023", hasn't fought since defending the UFC light-heavyweight title for the last time against Dominick Reyes in February 2020. Gane missed out on his chance to win the heavyweight title when he was outpointed by Ngannou at UFC 270. Ngannou, 36, has been caught up in a contract crisis with the UFC since defending his title against former training partner Gane last January.

The long-awaited heavyweight debut of UFC star Jon Jones appears to be on the horizon, and it will be for a title. Jones confirmed to MMA content creator...

The graphic was later taken down, and MMA Fighting's [Steven Marrocco](https://twitter.com/MMAFightingSM/status/1614379795995045893) reported that it was a "behind-the-scenes mistake." [Ariel Helwani](https://twitter.com/arielhelwani/status/1614400996834414597) reported that heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is likely to be stripped of his title. The fight against Gane was the last one remaining on his UFC deal. The 35-year-old had other run-ins with the law throughout his career, as he'd previously been arrested for a hit-and-run, driving under the influence, and negligent use of a firearm, among other charges. He vacated the title a few months later before announcing his intentions to move up to heavyweight, taking some time to #UFC285 pic.twitter.com/3ItpnKY4ni

After opening the year with a split-decision victory over Jack Hermansson in February, Strickland was knocked out by Alex Pereira in July and edged by Jared ...

Kopylov rushed in with some punches until the ref stepped in and brought the action to a halt. Imavov springs back up to his feet but Strickland uses his momentum to press Imavov up against the Octagon. Nurmagomedov missed with a knee to the body but instinctually threw and connected on a slick left hand that put Barcelos flat on his back. As a bloody Jackson was stalking, Ige stepped back and absolutely sat on a vicious left hook that blasted Jackson across the jaw and crumpled him backwards against the canvas. He catches Strickland with a few shots before Strickland presses Imavov up against the Octagon. An overhand right and then a left finds a home for Imavov. A minute left and the two are trading body kicks. Strickland is pressing Imavov up against the Octagon early. ET, for the launch of the UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Just when it looks like Strickland is slowly tagging him, Imavov starts to pick up the action. Stinging one-two combination ends on a right for Strickland before the two fighters trade a bit of fire in the phone booth. Strickland is stepping in for an injured Kelvin Gastelum on short notice.

The UFC is finalizing a lightweight bout between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev to its UFC 286 lineup in London in March, and the 155-pound contest is ...

[Rafael dos Anjos](http://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/2335687/rafael-dos-anjos) in the final round of his first main event appearance in July. Usman and Gaethje are teammates, fighting out of Denver. [Leon Edwards](https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/3152929/leon-edwards) and [Kamaru Usman](http://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/3088812/kamaru-usman). The former interim champ 5-2 in his past seven appearances, and his only losses have come against two of the best lightweights of all time in Oliveira and Khabib Nurmagomedov. He's also picked up wins over the likes of [Brad Riddell](http://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/4575873/brad-riddell), [Bobby Green](http://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/2502364/bobby-green) and [Renato Moicano](http://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/3028863/renato-moicano). Contracts have not been signed, but the 155-pound contest is expected to be shored up shortly, multiple sources told ESPN on Saturday.

UFC superstar Jon Jones has sensationally revealed that he will be fighting Ciryl Gane for the heavyweight title - as leaked photos of stadium sign also ...

The Frenchman would make an interesting opponent for 'Bones'. It's just been great, it's been a really great trip so far,' Jones said. Henry is just so intelligent, and such a great leader and tactician.

The ad referred to the Jones-Gane bout as for the "world heavyweight championship," and there is no reference to interim.

The UFC is finalizing a high-profile lightweight bout between former interim champion Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev for UFC 286 on March 18 in London, ...

Gaethje is coming off a submission defeat to Charles Oliveira in a title fight last May. He's riding a six-fight winning streak, most recently finishing former champ Rafael dos Anjos in a UFC Fight Night main event last July. The UFC is finalizing a high-profile lightweight bout between former interim champion Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev for UFC 286 on March 18 in London, according to

Umar Nurmagomedov maintains the undefeated streak shared by him, former UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov and Bellator lightweight champion Usman ...

Nurmagomedov improved to 16-0 with the first KO of his UFC career and second KO overall. Nurmagomedov stepped in with a failed knee to the head and immediately followed with a sneaky left hand that put Barcelos to sleep. Umar Nurmagomedov kicked off the UFC Fight Night main card with an emphatic knockout in Las Vegas on Saturday night.

The original main event for this card was supposed to be Kelvin Gastelum vs. Nassourdine Imavov, however, Kelvin had to pull out of the match. The ever-ready ...

He worked the way to the back and threatened with a rear-naked choke, but Aguirre hung tough and found a way out. The jab of Nurmagomedov was finding a home, and was the most landed strike of the round. It was then Argueta’s turn to take the back, and although he went for an RNC, he wasn’t able to land it. Ribeiro went right back to the calf kick to start the round, but went to the well too many times. They started to grapple from there, with Mendonça working for the takedown and Basharat refusing to be on his back. A glove to the eye resulted in a timeout, and the referee was brought in to check on Jackson. Nurmagomedov was also throwing a lot of teep kicks to try and keep Barcelos on the outside.Behind that teep, Nurmagomedov connected with a clean left hand that briefly stunned Barcelos. They broke apart and exchanged more punches in the middle of the Octagon, and then it was Rocky’s turn to press Vieira against the cage. Vieira reversed the position, and after eating a knee to the midsection, she landed a big cross of her own. A big punch from Ige opened up a cut on the forehead of Jackson, and to make things worse, it was dripping into the eye that was gloved in the previous round. She was connecting with her hands, and then used the moment to enter into the clinch. The fighters started to trade in the pocket at the start of the third frame.

Heavyweight Gold Will Be On The Line In Las Vegas When Jon Jones Faces Ciryl Gane Inside T-Mobile Arena On March 4. Tickets Go On Sale Friday, January 20.

](https://www.axs.com/events/460337/ufc-285-tickets?skin=tmobile) [Click here to buy tickets! Interviews

White also announced the rematch of Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman.

Edward’s finish will go down as one of the best in UFC history and certainly the best of the last year. That has to live in the head of Usman a bit — he will see it over and over in the lead up to this matchup — but I’ll take Usman in this one. He has the speed and footwork to win against an aging Jones. Jones, 35, is 26-1 and holds the UFC record for most wins in title fight history. White also announced that the title fight rematch between Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman will headline UFC 286 on March 18 in London. Jon Jones will officially move up to heavyweight and take on Ciryl Gane for the vacant heavyweight title at UFC 285 on March 4, UFC president Dana White announced Saturday.

Jon Jones' long-awaited return will come March 4 for the heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane, a bout that comes after the UFC failed to reach terms with ...

[Derrick Lewis](https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/2560713/derrick-lewis) in August 2021. In his most recent appearance, he knocked out [Tai Tuivasa](http://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/3722422/tai-tuivasa) in the main event of a UFC Fight Night in September. White said Jones was "ready, willing and able" to fight any heavyweight, including Ngannou. He went on to hold the light heavyweight championship off and on from 2011 to 2020. He became the youngest UFC champion of all time in 2011 at age 23. White said the highest-paid heavyweight in UFC history remains

Dana White said the UFC offered Ngannou a contract that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in UFC history, but that Ngannou had turned it ...

Jon Jones is back. And Francis Ngannou is gone. The UFC stripped Ngannou of his heavyweight title after he turned down an offer from the promotion, ...

"Bones" initially pushed for a superfight with Ngannou in 2020, but he said the UFC was "unwilling" to pay him more to move up in weight for the Ngannou bout. He held the 205-pound title on two occasions, recording 11 title defenses, and he holds the record for most wins in UFC title fights with 14. Jones, who was at odds with the UFC himself in recent years, hasn't stepped into the Octagon since a successful light heavyweight title defense against Dominick Reyes in February 2020. The conflict between Ngannou and the UFC only worsened after Ngannou defeated Gane. Ngannou parts ways with the UFC in an unprecedented fashion. Jones was ready to compete in late 2022, White added, but the promotion delayed his return in hopes that Ngannou would sign a new deal.

Francis Ngannou is no longer UFC heavyweight champion and now free to sign with any other combat sports promotion. Ngannou's split from the UFC comes after ...

"We offered Francis a deal that would have made him the highest paid heavyweight in the history of the company. [press conference](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66uRauzIx6g) on Saturday in the immediate aftermath of [UFC Fight Night](https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/ufc-fight-night-results-highlights-sean-strickland-pieces-up-nassourdine-imavov-for-decision-win/). Ngannou is currently on a six-fight winning streak defeating the likes of Gane, Stipe Miocic, Cain Velasquez and Curtis Blaydes. Jon Jones](https://www.cbssports.com/mma/news/ufc-285-fight-card-jon-jones-vs-ciryl-gane-set-for-heavyweight-title-clash-in-las-vegas-in-march/) will be contested for the vacant UFC heavyweight championship at UFC 285 in Las Vegas on March 4. And Jon Jones has been willing, and ready, and able to fight anybody. Francis Ngannou is no longer UFC heavyweight champion and now free to sign with any other combat sports promotion.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - FEBRUARY 27: Jon Jones interacts with the media during the. Jon Jones is back. And Francis Ngannou is gone.

"Bones" initially pushed for a superfight with Ngannou in 2020, but he said the UFC was "unwilling" to pay him more to move up in weight for the Ngannou bout. He held the 205-pound title on two occasions, recording 11 title defenses, and he holds the record for most wins in UFC title fights with 14. Jones, who was at odds with the UFC himself in recent years, hasn't stepped into the Octagon since a successful light heavyweight title defense against Dominick Reyes in February 2020. The conflict between Ngannou and the UFC only worsened after Ngannou defeated Gane. Ngannou parts ways with the UFC in an unprecedented fashion. Jones was ready to compete in late 2022, White added, but the promotion delayed his return in hopes that Ngannou would sign a new deal.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - AUGUST 20: (L-R) Kamaru Usman of Nigeria. Welterweight champion Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman will complete their trilogy ...

Edwards was losing on the scorecards but landed a head kick with less than one minute left in the fifth round to put Usman away. since 2016, will also feature a newly announced lightweight co-main event between Justin Gaethje and Rafael Fiziev. Usman is coming off his first loss since his second professional bout in 2013.

Results As They Happen, Winner Interviews And More From UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs Imavov, Live From The UFC APEX In Las Vegas.

[Official Scorecards ](https://www.ufc.com/news/official-judges-scorecards-ufc-fight-night-strickland-vs-imavov-ufc-vegas-67) [Watch on ESPN+](https://plus.espn.com/ufc?ex_cid=DSS-OFF-UFC-INARTICLE-EN) [UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs Imavov](/event/ufc-fight-night-january-14-2023), live from the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 14, 2023. [Sean Strickland](/athlete/sean-strickland)(25-5, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev.) looks to break into the middleweight Top 5 for the first time in his career. by way of Oahu, Hawaii) takes on [Roman Kopylov](http://www.ufc.com/athlete/Roman-Kopylov)(9-2, fighting out of Bachatsky, Kemerovo, Russia) [Watch on ESPN+](https://plus.espn.com/ufc?ex_cid=DSS-OFF-UFC-INARTICLE-EN) [Dan Ige](/athlete/dan-ige)(15-6, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nev. [Damon Jackson](/athlete/damon-jackson)(22-4-1 1NC, fighting out of Dallas, Texas) looks to make the most of his first UFC co-main event opportunity. [Ketlen Vieira](https://www.ufc.com/athlete/ketlen-vieira)(13-2, fighting out of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil) looks to stake her claim for a title shot when she takes on former title challenger and current No. by way of Accra, Ghana) in an intriguing middleweight bout [Watch on ESPN+](https://plus.espn.com/ufc?ex_cid=DSS-OFF-UFC-INARTICLE-EN) 13 ranked featherweight contender [Dan Ige](/athlete/dan-ige) squares off with streaking [Damon Jackson](/athlete/damon-jackson). [Carlos Hernandez](/athlete/carlos-hernandez), the Chute Boxe Diego Lima representative landed a front kick up the middle that caused Hernandez to pause and gave Nascimento the space he needed to get around to a back body lock. 12 ranked [Nassourdine Imavov](/athlete/nassourdine-imavov).

Dana White said the UFC offered Ngannou a contract that would have made him the highest-paid heavyweight in UFC history, but that Ngannou had turned it ...

Sean Strickland stepped up on short notice and won a unanimous decision over Nassourdine Imavov in the main event of UFC Fight Night 217.

"Bones" Jones will finally make his return to the Octagon for the UFC heavyweight title in March against Gane. Our experts break down the matchup.

Even if Gane is significantly quicker, Jones will still have the wrestling advantage in his back pocket. That was always a strength for Jones at light heavyweight when he was in his 20s. That opens the door for Jones, who attacks with front kicks to the knee and with elbows and long left hands. [Dominick Reyes](https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/4233039/dominick-reyes) in February 2020, Jones seemed more focused on the heavyweight king of the time. Gane will be well aware of that and concerned with it, perhaps to the degree that it'll make him less slick and aggressive on the feet. Gane is a tough matchup for most heavyweights, but Ngannou would have likely presented a much harder code for Jones to crack. And yet what a night it will be on March 4 if Jones can step inside the Octagon for the first time in more than three years, do so with a totally remade bulky physique that he hasn't yet test-driven and make his heavyweight debut a smashing success. And while adding a second divisional championship to his résumé would situate Jones among an exclusive club of UFC greats, even that accomplishment would come with an asterisk, because having the UFC belt wrapped around his waist would not make him the No. The one thing Jones has had in this move to heavyweight is time. Let's not forget that the past two light heavyweight title defenses for Jones were a bit lackluster in 2019 and 2020 (before the coronavirus pandemic started, by the way). And it seems like, by all accounts, he has been working hard and putting on the weight the correct way while adapting to it from an MMA training standpoint. The bout will be a title fight, as the UFC announced it had stripped the champ, Ngannou, of his belt and released him from the roster.

UFC president Dana White said Saturday that welterweight champion Leon Edwards and former champion Kamaru Usman will rematch on March 18 at UFC 286 in ...

Jon Jones will make his UFC heavyweight debut when he takes on Ciryl Gane in a championship bout at UFC 285 on Mar. 4, UFC president Dana White announced ...

The fight in early March will be Jones' first appearance in the ring since he defended his light heavyweight title versus Dominick Reyes. This upcoming duel in the octagon will be the first time that Jones has fought in the heavyweight class and it will be for the now-vacant heavyweight title. 4, UFC president Dana White announced Saturday.

The No. 7-ranked middleweight defeated Nassourdine Imavov via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) in a light heavyweight bout at UFC Fight Night on ...

Imavov is now 4-2 in the UFC. Imavov came up short in the biggest test of his career so far. Imavov also landed his fair share of strikes, but Strickland stayed more active and used his pressure to control the fight's pace.