Knockdown Daily 11/24/21: Upcoming UFC Events Gains One Bout, Loses Another
UFC's early December event has gained a bout while also losing another
Welcome to the Wednesday edition of the Knockdown Daily. Today’s issue will cover the top MMA stories from the past 48 hours.
News
Chris Curtis To Replace Roman Dolidze In December 4th UFC Booking Against Brendan Allen
Coming off a successful UFC debut earlier this month, Chris Curtis will step in to face Brendan Allen in a middleweight fight at the promotion’s December 4th event. Curtis will be replacing Roman Dolidze, per a report from Marcel Dorff of MMA DNA.
It is not known currently why Dolidze withdrew from his matchup. He was given the December booking after COVID-19 protocols took him out of a November 13th bout against Kyle Daukaus.
Veteran fighter Curtis made his promotional debut at UFC 268, scoring a first-round stoppage victory over Phil Hawes. Curtis was given the UFC call-up after putting together a six-fight winning streak on the regional scene.
Before then, Curtis participated in the 2019 PFL season at welterweight.
With a new opponent in place, Allen will be fighting to end his year with a third straight victory. Previous wins this year from Allen this year came against Karl Roberson and Punahele Soriano.
Positive COVID-19 Test Takes Matt Brown Out of December 4th UFC Bout Against Bryan Barberena
UFC’s December 4th event has lost a bout, as COVID-19 protocols have forced veteran Matt Brown out of his welterweight fight against Bryan Barberena.
Brown announced the positive test on social media Tuesday.
“S***** day today I tested positive for covid[-19] so my fight next weekend is off,” said Brown in a Twitter post.
It has not been reported whether Barberena will get a new opponent for his booking, which is now set to happen in just under two weeks.
Barberena’s last fight was in late July, when he lost a decision against Jason Witt.
Brown was riding the momentum of a second-round stoppage win that he earned over Dhiego Lima in June.
Undefeated Welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov To Face Carlston Harris At February 5th UFC Card
Undefeated welterweight Shavkat Rakhmonov will return at UFC’s February 5th event, facing Carlston Harris on a “Fight Night” card. News of the matchup was first reported last week by freak.mma on Instagram.
The former M-1 Welterweight Champion has scored two wins since joining the UFC roster last year. Most recently he defeated Michel Prazeres, submitting him with a rear naked choke in June.
Rakhmonov currently holds one of the largest undefeated records in the promotion. The 27-year-old is currently just one of seven UFC fighters that has a flawless record with 13-or-more wins on it.
Harris is being paired against Rakhmonov after a strong start to his promotional run. The UFC’s first Guyanese fighter has picked up two quick wins this year, scoring a first-round submission win against Christian Aguilera and a stoppage win over Impa Kasanganay.
Jinh Yu Frey vs. Hannah Goldy Added To Feburary 26th UFC Event
Strawweights Jinh Yu Frey and Hannah Goldy are expected to meet at UFC’s February 26th event. The new pairing was first reported by Nolan King of MMA Junkie.
The fight joins a card that does not have a location attached to it currently. It’s also the first bout to be reported for the date as well.
Frey currently has an even promotional record of two wins and two losses. The former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion has earned a scorecard win in her last two fights, defeating Gloria de Paula and Ashley Yoder over the past year.
Goldy earned her first UFC victory in September, securing a first-round armbar submission over Emily Whitmire. The fight put her into the win column after suffering a loss in her first two appearances for the promotion.
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