Get caught up with everything that happened in the last twenty-four hours with today’s edition of the Daily MMA review with big news on Chael Sonnen’s next fight, results from the latest episode of The Ultimate Fighter 19 and much more.
The News
1. Due to licensing issues, Wanderlei Silva has been withdrawn from his UFC 175 tilt with Chael Sonnen (28-14-1). As a result, Vitor Belfort (24-10) will step in to face Sonnen, but before he does that, Belfort will not to obtain his license at the upcoming June 17th NSAC meeting.
2. The seventh episode of The Ultimate Fighter 19 featured Team Edgar’s Patrick Walsh (4-1) advancing to the semifinals of the light heavyweight tournament by using his wrestling to take home the third frame of a close decision over Team Penn’s Anton Berzin (3-1).
On the next episode of TUF 19, middleweights will collide as Team Edgar’s Eddie Gordon (6-1) will face Team Penn’s Mike King (5-0).
3. Two lightweight bouts were added to upcoming UFC Fight Nights. In Dublin, Norman Parke (19-2-1) will welcome Naoyuki Kotani (33-10-7) back to the UFC on that July 19th card, and Joe Proctor (9-2) is scheduled to face Justin Salas (12-5) on July 16th in Atlantic City.
4. Bellator’s eleventh season now has a date and venue. Season 11 will kick off at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT on September 5th.
5. Per Nielsen sources, the preliminary viewership number for the UFC 173 prelims was 697,000.
6. Details on WSOF’s new deal with NBC Sports can be found here.