UFC President Dana White took to social media on Monday evening and announced the UFC 299 co-main event.  

UFC 299 takes place on March 9 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Fla., and is headlined by a bantamweight title bout between champion Sean O’Malley and his rival Marlon “Chito” Vera.  

“The co-main event in Miami, March 9, UFC 299 will be number three ranked lightweight Dustin Poirier versus number 12 ranked Benoit Saint Denis.  Saint Denis is on a five-fight win streak with all five coming by finishes before the third round.  He’s been saying that he believes that he’s the new BMF of the UFC and he’ll have the opportunity to prove it against Dustin Poirier, who is an absolute savage and always goes to war,” White said via Instagram video.  

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Poirier is coming off a head kick knockout loss to Justin Gaethje in his last outing.  “The Diamond” has never lost back-to-back fights in his 14-year career.  

White also revealed that the Poirier and Saint Denis bout will be a five-round fight.  Poirier has a wealth of experience preparing for five-round fights and the booking adds some extra meat to the UFC 299 dish.    

“These two guys agreed to fight, but both wanted a five-round fight so they got it.  That’s the co-main event of the Miami show,” said White.  

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Who knows?
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Event: UFC Vegas 84: “Ankalaev vs. Walker 2”
Date: Sat., Jan. 13, 2024
Location: UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada
Broadcast: ESPN+
Start Time: 4 p.m. ET Prelims | 7 p.m. ET Main Card

UFC Vegas 84 Main Event On ESPN+:

205 lbs.: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Johnny Walker

UFC Vegas 84 Main Card on ESPN+ (7 p.m. ET):

125 lbs.: Matheus Nicolau vs. Manel Kape
155 lbs.: Gabriel Benitez vs. Jim Miller
135 lbs.: Ricky Simon vs. Mario Bautista
185 lbs.: Phil Hawes vs. Brunno Ferreira

UFC Vegas 84 ‘Prelims’ Card on ESPN+ (4 p.m. ET):

265 lbs.: Andrei Arlovski vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta
170 lbs.: Preston Parsons vs. Matthew Semelsberger (not Bassil Hafez)
135 lbs.: Marcus McGhee vs. Gaston Bolanos
135 lbs.: Farid Basharat vs. Taylor Lapilus
145 lbs.: Westin Wilson vs. Jean Silva (not Gabriel Santos)
155 lbs.: Tom Nolan vs. Nikolas Motta
125 lbs.: Felipe Bunes vs. Joshua Van (not Denys Bondar)
135 lbs.: Ketlen Vieira vs. Macy Chiasson — CANCELED (details here)
145 lbs.: Norma Dumont vs. Yana Santos — CANCELED (details here)

*Fight card, bout order and number of fights remain subject to change.*

To check out the latest and greatest UFC Vegas 84 news and notes be sure to hit up our comprehensive event archive here. For more upcoming UFC events click here.

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Ilia Topuria is ready to make history at UFC 298.

Dreams of headlining a UFC event in Spain have already been one of Topuria’s most-desired goals as he’s climbed the featherweight ladder. Wrap a UFC title around the 26-year-old’s waist and surely that dream will come true sooner rather than later.

The undefeated 14-0 Topuria has looked as good as any top contender on Earth as 2024 gets off the ground running. “El Matador’s” biggest fight yet comes in his upcoming bout when he’ll challenge for UFC gold against the reigning champion Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 in Los Angeles next month. It’s a matchup that has lit another fire under “The Great” Australian titleholder and one he intends on shining in like his last title defense against Yair Rodriguez in July 2023.

“I’ve got Brad Riddell over who’s obviously a great training partner in general but stylistically he’s a very good boxer himself,” Volkanovski said of his training camp on his YouTube channel (h/t MMA Mania). “I think he can simulate Ilia. I think, to be honest, he can give me a lot more problems than what Ilia will. That’s not knocking Ilia, that’s just showing how good Brad is. Brad’s had hundreds of kickboxing matches, and had a heap of boxing matches, so a strong powerful stocky dude as well.

“I’m taking this fight serious. I’m taking Ilia serious. He thinks he’s the man, let’s see if he is. I’m ready for the best version that turns up Feb. 17. Let’s see what we have in store. I’m going to be ready either way. I see he’s confident. He’s a confident cocky young dude. Let’s see if he’s gonna bring it because I’m gonna. Can’t wait to show him levels.”

If anyone will be able to solve the thus-far unsolvable puzzle that is Topuria, it’s the all-time great Volkanovski. However, verbal exchanges between the top 145 pounders have escalated since the fight was made official and Topuria isn’t taking too kindly to his counterpart’s confidence.

Having shown off his impressive finishing abilities every step of the way to his first UFC title tilt, Topuria sees another coming after Volkanovski’s recent first-round knockout pitfall against the lightweight champion Islam Makhachev in October.

“If you think someone can imitate me, that means that your last fight has left you with lasting effects!” Topuria tweeted in response. “I will knock you out in the first round. You’re old, it’s time to retire. It is time to move on and make way for the new era of Topuria.”

Volkanovski, 35, is starting to get on the older side of an MMA career, especially as a lighter division fighter and a champion, no less. Despite that, he’s shown no signs of slowing down as he’s still a perfect 16-0 as a featherweight (26-3 overall). The Makhachev rematch in his last time out also came on roughly 10 days’ notice, which provided for a debate on whether or not taking it was even a good idea.

In terms of resume, Topuria is still building his legacy with his most recent unanimous decision win over Josh Emmett as arguably his biggest and best of the 14 overall. Volkanovski, on the other hand, has defeated every UFC featherweight champion in promotional history aside from — himself, of course — and Conor McGregor, as well as defeated four out of all eight title challengers to never win gold.

“I’ve seen a lot in my game, I think I’m in my prime,” Volkanovski said. “Gonna show this young man that there are levels and I am king of this division and he ain’t taking nothing from me. I’m coming for that 0.”

TOP STORIES

Secrets. Matt Brown reveals brutal truth on short-notice UFC fights, offers advice to fellow fighters

Controversy. Unsealed UFC docs show Dana White’s reaction to CM Punk salary backlash

Negotiations. Paige VanZant recounts turning down offer to re-sign with UFC, defying advice and joining OnlyFans

Bold. Belal Muhammad predicts he finishes Leon Edwards in their rematch: ‘It’s going to be the worst night of his life’

Odds. Anthony Joshua opens as betting favorite over Francis Ngannou

Positivity. Laura Sanko on Strickland, Garry, Du Plessis drama: ‘How about we all just stop being such a*******’

Matchmaking. Josh Emmett loves the idea of facing Max Holloway next: ‘That’s a sure shot to the title’

Prediction. Sean O’Malley: Conor McGregor won’t be as good in return, but with right mindset ‘he’ll show up’

Versatility. UFC’s Allan Nascimento explains how working as cornermen for Chute Boxe teammates helps own fighting career

VIDEO STEW

On To the Next One.

In the booth.

O’Malley’s rise.

Free fights.

RIZIN 45.

UFC 300 Camp.

Cejudo’s Road to Redemption.

The Misadventures of Usman and Gaethje.

Almighty Cooking Blighty.

MORNING MUSIC

SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Training.

No ragret.

Fasting or starving?

Return.

Steaming.

Double juice.

Relentless.

Oh, boy…

Get it, Maynard.

Working.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Josh Quinlan (6-1) vs. Danny Barlow (7-0); UFC 298, Feb. 17

Manuel Torres (14-2) vs. Chris Duncan (11-1); UFC Mexico, Feb. 24

Raul Rosas Jr. (8-1) vs. Ricky Turcios (12-3); UFC Mexico. Feb. 24

Joel Alvarez (20-3) vs. Ľudovít Klein (20-4-1); UFC Saudi Arabia, March 2

Dustin Poirier (29-8, 1 NC) vs. Benoit Saint Denis (13-1, 1 NC); UFC 299, March 9

Steven Nguyen (9-1) vs. Jarno Errens (13-5-1); UFC Vegas 88, March 23

Davey Grant (13-7) vs. Cody Gibson (19-9); UFC Vegas 88, March 23

Ricardo Ramos (16-5) vs. Julian Erosa (28-11); UFC Vegas 88, March 23

Chris Weidman (15-7) vs. Bruno Silva (23-10); UFC Atlantic City, March 30

Connor Matthews (7-1) vs. Dennis Buzukja (11-4); UFC Atlantic City, March 30

Lukasz Brzeski (8-4-1) vs. Valter Walker (11-0); UFC Vegas 89, April 6

Charles Oliveira (34-9, 1 NC) vs. Arman Tsarukyan (21-3); UFC 300, April 13

FINAL THOUGHTS

Oh, how the first quarter of 2024 has heated up exponentially over night. I cannot wait for this upcoming stretch of events to get the ball rolling. Who would have thought the UFC would do the right thing with matchups like those two at lightweight? Wild times, friends. Wild times.

Thanks for reading!

POLL POSITION

Last Week’s Results:

Friday: 56% of 566 total votes answered “No” when asked, “Do you agree with Henry Cejudo?”

Thursday: 83% of 407 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Was Francis Ngannou the biggest winner of 2023?”

Wednesday: 80% of 627 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Will Khamzat Chimaev fight again before getting a title shot?”

Tuesday: 54% of 557 total votes answered “No” when asked, “Can Paddy Pimblett beat anyone in the UFC’s lightweight top 15?”

Monday: 44% of 326 total votes answered “Yes” when asked, “Will 2024 be a better year for combat sports than 2023?”

Today’s exit poll:

If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him know about it. Also, follow MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Facebook.

MMA Fighting – All Posts

Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier is set fo his return to the Octagon in the opening quarter of the year, booking a five round co-main event clash with surging division contender, Benoit Saint Denis at UFC 299 on March 9. from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida.

Poirier, the current number three ranked lightweight contender, most recently headlined UFC 291 back in July of last year in a symbolic BMF championship clash with fellow former interim lightweight champion, Justin Gaethje.

Suffering just his second knockout loss at the lightweight limit since his 2015 return to the division, in the form of a second round high-kick KO.

Dustin Poirier draws Benoit Saint Denis in UFC 299 comeback

As for Saint Denis, the number twelve ranked lightweight contender turned in a hellacious victory of his own back in November against Matt Frevola, scoring a similarly devastating first round high-kick knockout win. 

UFC CEO, Dana White confirmed the booking of a lightweight clash featuring Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint Denis over the course of five rounds at UFC 299 in March. 

1-2 in his last three Octagon walks, prior to his knockout loss to Gaethje, former interim champion, Poirier landed a third round rear-naked choke win over former title chaser, Michael Chandler at Madison Square Garden in late 2022.

Challenging for undisputed lightweight gold back at the end of 2021, Poirier dropped a third round standing rear-naked choke loss to former undisputed champion, Charles Oliviera.

UFC 299 takes place on March 9. from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, with an undisputed bantamweight championship fight between Sean O’Malley and Marlon Vera slated to take main event honors in the promotion’s return to ‘The Sunshine State’. 

Who wins at UFC 299 in March: Dustin Poirier or Benoit Saint Denis?

LowKickMMA.com

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

The historic UFC 300 fight card is taking shape and the form got better on Monday when UFC President Dana White announced that former lightweight champion Charles Oliveira would be on the fight card.  

Oliveira, the top ranked lightweight, takes on fourth-ranked Arman Tsarukyan likely on the main card.  The bout will be a title elimination bout with the winner taking on champion Islam Makhachev later this year.  

“For UFC 300, number one lightweight Charles Oliveira is taking on number four ranked Arman Tsarukyan in a number one contender fight,” White said via Instagram video.  “Oliveira was supposed to fight the champ Islam Makhachev, but Islam is still recovering from an injury.  Tsarukyan is coming off a vicious knockout of Beneil Dariush.  The winner will face Islam when he returns this summer.”

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UFC 300 takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 13.  Only a handful of matches have been announced for the historic event.  Announced bouts thus far include a light. heavyweight clash between former champion Jiri Prochazka and fifth-ranked Alexandar Rakic.  

Former bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling makes the move up to the featherweight division to take on seventh-ranked Calvin Kattar.  The event also features undefeated middleweight prospect Bo Nickal.  He faces Cody Brundage.  

MMAWeekly.com | UFC and MMA News, Results, Rumors, and Videos

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MMA: Mixed Martial Arts

Different Beast
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