David Onama | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
David Onama is staying on UFC 309.
Officials announced Wednesday that newcomer Roberto Romero (8-3-1) has signed on to fight Onama (12-2) on the preliminary portion of this Saturday’s event in New York on less than a week’s notice. Romero replaces Lucas Almeida, who was forced off the card due to medical issues, according to UFC.
Romero’s management was first to make the signing public.
We’re very pleased & excited to announce that #TeamIridium beast Roberto Romero is taking his talents to the @ufc’s Octagon & will debut Saturday at #UFC309 ✍ #TheDarkside pic.twitter.com/t4hN0CgaNi
— IridiumSportsAgency (@TeamIridiumISA) November 13, 2024
Onama was originally scheduled to fight Almeida at 145 pounds, but the new matchup will be contested at 155 pounds to accommodate the last-second change.
Romero, 24, was a standout in Combate Global, winning six of his eight fights for the promotion. Most recently, he finished Takahiro Ashida via first-round rear-naked choke this past July.
Onama has emerged as an intriguing name in the featherweight division. He is coming off of back-to-back wins over Jonathan Pearce and Gabriel Santos, and has won four of his past five fights.
UFC 309 is headlined by heavyweight champion Jon Jones defending his title against the returning Stipe Miocic.
Chandler sees UFC 309 as an opportunity to avenge a loss to Oliveira and take one step closer to his dream of becoming UFC champion.
Michael Chandler is coming into UFC 309 on November 16th prepared to fulfill his destiny and earn himself a lightweight title shot with a win over Charles Oliveira.
“Iron Mike” has been out of action for the last two years waiting for a match-up with Conor McGregor to materialize. It never did. Most fighters would say “It is what it is,” which is code for “Yeah, this sucks but what are you gonna do about it?” Not Chandler. He believes it is what it was meant to be.
“This fight against Charles Oliveira, this is the way it was supposed to be,” he told TNT Sports in a new interview. “This is how the story was supposed to be written. We didn’t know it was gonna be written this way. We had other plans, there were other things that were supposed to happen, could’ve happened, should’ve happened. But this is how it’s gonna happen.”
“The guy who shattered my dreams of becoming the number one lightweight in the world, Charles Oliveira — I get to right that wrong,” he continued. “All the pressure’s on him. There’s no pressure on me. I’m gonna go out there and get my hand raised … This is my greatest moment of opportunity. And on Saturday night, I stick my claim as the number one contender in the lightweight division.”
Chandler is still ranked at No. 7 while Oliveira is up at No. 2. Based on the questionable way rankings work, he could steal the two spot from “Do Bronx” with a win in Madison Square Garden and be in a good position to challenge for the lightweight title.
“Dana has already called it the number one contender fight, the title eliminator,” Chandler claimed before laying out how he sees 2025 going.
“I believe Islam beats Arman. I think Islam will be the champion after that fight whenever whenever it is. He’s already fought a couple of the guys in the division. He wants new blood. He wants a new challenge. I believe he would love the opportunity to compete against me. I would love the opportunity to compete against him. So there’s a clear path.”
— Michael Chandler (@MikeChandlerMMA) November 8, 2024
As we learned from Dustin Poirier’s surprising UFC 302 title shot against Makhachev, sometimes you just gotta be the guy that’s ready on the date the UFC needs filling. Add in a win over Oliveira, and Chandler is definitely on the short list of people in consideration.
“I win on Saturday night, I become the highest ranked guy not named Arman or Islam,” Chandler said. “I become the No. 1 contender. I submit myself as the next in line for the title. I will leave the Octagon at MSG on Saturday night the next guy in line for the title. And there’s nothing that can stop that.”
“Who’s gonna complain? I’m gonna be dominant on Saturday night and finally it will come to fruition. I’m gonna win the win the UFC title. And it’s the way it was supposed to be.”
Jim Lampley and Mike Tyson | Photo by Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Jim Lampley believes Mike Tyson is playing a dangerous game this weekend.
On Friday, Tyson faces Jake Paul in an eight-round boxing match in what is likely to be the biggest combat sports event of the year. Though Tyson is a former heavyweight champion, he’s also pushing 58 years of age and facing a man 30 years his junior, which has led to some concern among fans about the wisdom of going forward with the matchup. And longtime boxing commentator Jim Lampley seems to be among those who believe Tyson is taking a big risk.
“I hope that Mike makes a ton of money,” Lampley told Fight Hub TV. “He’s a dear and old friend. My television boxing career began calling his first several exposures on ABC sports back in the 80s. I’ve known him a long time, love him, I want his life to be what he wants it to be and so I hope that Mike does well in the business of the fight and doesn’t get hurt.
“Obviously when a man is 57, almost 58 years old going into the ring, I don’t care who the opponent is. The opponent could be a figure skater, he’s still taking a chance. And so I think Mike is taking a chance with this because Jake Paul will train, Jake Paul will lift weights, Jake Paul will get himself into shape to do the best that he can possibly do and try to land one big shot and separate Mike from his senses long enough to get a win.
“So I think the essence of the drama is ‘is Jake Paul going to knock Mike out or is Mike going to go through the necessary motions and show enough energy and commitment over the course of however many rounds it takes to gradually beat down Jake Paul and get a win. And I hope Mike comes out of it healthy and wealthier.”
Though Tyson had an exhibition bout against Roy Jones Jr. in 2020, this will be his first professional fight in almost 20 years. That a long time on the shelf and given his advanced age, Lampley says that come Friday he will not be watching along.
“The age difference is big enough that the event is dangerous,” Lampley said. “And I kind of wish Mike found some other way to do business rather than to fight somebody who’s Jake’s age and has a chance to get into the kind of shape that Jake might get into. But he’s still a far, far piece removed from understanding boxing and having the kind of refined skills that Mike had at his peak.
“Again, the question is, how much of Mike do you get to see when he’s 57 years old? I love him, I’m rooting for him, I’m not going to make the buy. It’s not an event that I want to see. It’s too much of a distortion. It’s not competition, it’s a freak show.”
Despite many boxing luminaries sharing Lampley’s trepidation about this matchup, Tyson insists there’s nothing to worry about, saying he’s in a much better place than he was 20 years ago. And while Lampley may not share that belief with Tyson, he does ultimately think that come Friday, Tyson will end up OK.
“The vast majority of those people, who pay attention to Mike because of his celebrity and his illustrious image don’t know anything about boxing,” Lampley said. “They don’t really understand the risk that he’s taking by going into the ring. We’re not faking it here. People are going to hit each other. And again … he’s 57, 58 years old.
“I think he’ll be fine. I think he probably still has enough craft that he can protect himself int he right way against somebody who, no matter how long he trains, is still at that level of novice. So I think that Mike is going to be OK. But my biggest hope about the entire event is that nothing bad happens to my friend.”
TOP STORIES
Tyson. Mike Tyson sends a message to fans concerned about his fight with Jake Paul.
Gloves. UFC 309 will feature a return to the old fight gloves.
Heavyweight. Jon Anik reacts to Jon Jones vs. Alex Pereira talk and the heavyweight title picture.
Duck. Matt Brown criticizes Jon Jones for poor handling of Tom Aspinall situation.
London Calling. The UFC announced a return to London in March.
Free Agency. Marcus Buchecha discusses his impending MMA free agency.
Roundtable. Discussing the various angles ahead of UFC 309 this Saturday.
VIDEO STEW
Between the Links.
Jake Paul as a rooster.
Michael Chandler interview.
Jon Anik previews Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic.
Embedded.
Tyson on TMZ Sports.
FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Guys want in.
UFC London Main event !? Moicano vs pimblett!? What do you guys think !? #mma #ufc #ufclondon
— Renato Moicano UFC (@moicanoufc) November 12, 2024
https://t.co/WzLqdB3xVo
— Leon ‘Rocky’ Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) November 12, 2024
UK what are we saying? Should I wait for this card pic.twitter.com/NTFquneVtB
— LERONE MURPHY (@LeroneMurphy) November 12, 2024
Obvi my plan would be to be on this card, if so who should I fight https://t.co/hHMBr1zeI7
— Nathaniel Wood (@TheProspectMMA) November 12, 2024
Alexa Grasso broke a leg. And not in the good way.
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A post shared by Alexa Grasso (@alexa_grasso)
Durinho.
♂️ ♂️ ♂️ Hate this fight! Hope Mike Tyson find his chin early! https://t.co/IaqJTAO12V
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) November 13, 2024
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Edson Barboza (24-12) vs. Steve Garcia (17-5); UFC, Feb 22.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I sincerely hope Jim Lampley is correct.
Just a few more days and we’ll know one way or the other.
EXIT POLL
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Michael Chandler and Charles Oliveira | Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
NEW YORK CITY — UFC lightweight contender and former Bellator champion Michael Chandler discusses his rematch with Charles Oliveira at UFC 309, their first fight at UFC 262, how he’ll approach this matchup differently, his place in the lightweight title picture, and his new tequila line with MMA Fighting’s Jose Youngs.
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