MMA Nation - UFC 141 Fight Card: Danny Castillo Replaces Ramsey Nijem Against Anthony Njokuani

UFC 141 Fight Card: Danny Castillo Replaces Ramsey Nijem Against Anthony Njokuani

2011-12-07T19:23:30Z

The injury bug in mixed martial arts continues to roll on. The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) announced today season 13 finalist of Spike TV's 'The Ultimate Fighter' Ramsey Nijem is out of his fight with fellow lightweight Anthony Njokuani at UFC 141. The nature of the injury remains undisclosed.

Per the UFC's website:

UFC president Dana White announced today that TUF 13 finalist Ramsey Nijem has been injured, forcing him to withdraw from his planned bout against Anthony Njokuani. Njokuani and Castillo have verbally agreed to the lightweight bout.

UFC 141 takes place on December 30th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar collides with former Strikeforce, Dream, and K-1 heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem in the night's main event.

UFC 141 fight card:

Main card (Pay-per-view):
Heavyweight: Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem
Lightweight: Nate Diaz vs. Donald Cerrone
Welterweight: Jon Fitch vs. Johny Hendricks
Light Heavyweight: Vladimir Matyushenko vs. Alexander Gustafsson
Featherweight: Nam Phan vs. Jim Hettes

Preliminary card (Spike TV):
Featherweight: Ross Pearson vs. Junior Assuncao
Lightweight: Danny Castillo vs. Anthony Njokuani

Preliminary card:
Welterweight: Dong Hyun Kim vs. Sean Pierson
Lightweight: Jacob Volkmann vs. Efrain Escudero
Welterweight: Matt Riddle vs. Luis Ramos
Featherweight: Manvel Gamburyan vs. Diego Nunes

UFC 141 Fight Card: Efrain Escudero Re-Signs With UFC, Replaces Injured T.J. Grant

2011-12-06T22:18:44Z

A former "The Ultimate Fighter" king is ready to reclaim his throne.

TUF 8 winner Efrain Escudero has re-signed with the UFC and will fill the vacant spot opposite Jacob Volkmann on the Facebook undercard of UFC 141, according to reports from 5thRound.com. Lightweight veteran T.J. Grant was originally tapped for the contest but had to withdraw due to injuries. The UFC has yet to confirm the switch.

Escudero was slated to duel Jeff Rexroad next week at Houston's Legacy Fighting Championship 9, however he has since removed himself from the event.

Escudero (18-3) first drew the ire of promotion officials by tipping the scales at 159-pounds -- far above the lightweight limit -- at UFC Fight Night 22. The 25-year-old went on to lose to Charles Oliveira via third-round submission the following night, his second loss in three fights, and was promptly released from the roster.

Since then the MMA Lab-product has stayed remarkably active, tallying up a 5-1 record within various promotions including Bellator, Rage in the Cage, and Tachi Palace Fights. He last fought at Bellator 55, submitting Cesar Avila in just two minutes on the night's undercard.

UFC 141 fight card:

Preliminary card (Spike TV):
Featherweight: Ross Pearson vs. Junior Assuncao
Lightweight: Ramsey Nijem vs. Anthony Njokuani

Preliminary card:
Welterweight: Dong Hyun Kim vs. Sean Pierson
Lightweight: Jacob Volkmann vs. Efrain Escudero
Welterweight: Matt Riddle vs. Luis Ramos
Featherweight: Manvel Gamburyan vs. Diego Nunes

UFC 141: Nijem Vs. Njokuani, Pearson Vs. Assuncao Tapped For Spike TV 'UFC Prelims'

2011-12-01T22:22:18Z

Two fights from the UFC 141 undercard have been selected for Spike TV's final "UFC Prelims" special. According to promotion officials, a lightweight duel between Ramsey Nijem (5-2) and Anthony Njokuani (14-5, 1 NC), and a featherweight match-up between Ross Pearson (12-5) and Junior Assuncao (13-4) are on-tap for the one-hour December broadcast.

Nijem, a finalist of "The Ultimate Fighter 13", looks to push his UFC win streak to two-straight after capturing a decision victory over Jim Hettes at UFC 137. However, "The Assassin" will prove to be a tough mark, as Njokuani is the proud owner of four Zuffa "Fight Night" bonuses and earned a unanimous decision win over Andre Winner in his previous appearance.

Meanwhile, Pearson makes his Octagon return after losing a narrow split decision to Edson Barboza at UFC 134. The popular "The Ultimate Fighter" veteran owns wins over Spencer Fisher and Dennis Siver, and now looks to halt an Assuncao seven-fight win streak stretching back to 2008.

UFC 141 takes place on December 30th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Former UFC champion Brock Lesnar battles former K-1, Strikeforce, and DREAM champion and Alistair Overeem in the night's main event.

UFC 141 fight card:

Preliminary card (Spike TV):
Featherweight: Ross Pearson vs. Junior Assuncao
Lightweight: Ramsey Nijem vs. Anthony Njokuani

Preliminary card:
Welterweight: Dong Hyun Kim vs. Sean Pierson
Lightweight: Jacob Volkmann vs. T.J. Grant
Welterweight: Matt Riddle vs. Luis Ramos
Featherweight: Manvel Gamburyan vs. Diego Nunes

UFC 141 Fight Card: Nam Phan Vs. Jim Hettes Booked For December

2011-11-16T16:08:26Z

For the third time in five months, Nam Phan (17-9) readies for an appearance inside the Octagon. His thrilling two-part series with Leonard Garcia behind him, the TUF 12 veteran has been slated to face undefeated featherweight prospect Jim Hettes (9-0) at December's UFC 141 card.

Phan, a karate and Brazilian Jiu-Jistu blackbelt, returns to the cage after avenging a controversial decision to Garcia at UFC 136. Despite possessing a 1-2 UFC record, the 28-year-old has shown promise in losses Garcia and former WEC champion Mike Brown, as well as a penchant for firefights with two "Fight of the Night" bonuses to his credit.

Meanwhile, Hettes, a 24-year-old prospect from Pennsylvania, hopes to build off the momentum earned from stunning second-round stoppage against Alex Caceres in his UFC debut. Regarded as a proficient finisher, all nine of "The Kid's" victories have come by way of submission.

UFC 141 fight card:

Heavyweight: Alistair Overeem vs. Brock Lesnar
Lightweight: Donald Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz
Light Heavyweight: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
Welterweight: Johny Hendricks vs. Jon Fitch
Welterweight: Dong Hyun Kim vs. Sean Pierson
Featherweight: Manny Gamburyan vs. Diego Nunes
Featherweight: Nam Phan vs. Jim Hettes
Lightweight: Junior Assuncao vs. Ross Pearson
Lightweight: T.J. Grant vs. Jacob Volkmann
Welterweight: Luis Ramos vs. Matt Riddle

UFC 141 Fight Card: Luis Ramos Vs. Matt Riddle Targeted For Las Vegas

2011-11-04T19:50:46Z

Two welterweights will look to get back into good graces at UFC 141, as Nova Uniao product Luis Ramos (19-7) takes on "The Ultimate Fighter 7" veteran Matt Riddle (5-3) on December 30th. According to reports from Brazilian outlet Tatame, verbal agreements are in place for the bout. UFC officials have yet to confirm the match-up.

Both men head into the bout with their uncertain UFC status perilously relying on the result. Riddle enters in the midst of a two-fight losing streak after dropping decisions to Sean Pierson and Lance Benoist. Likewise, Ramos receives a surprising second chance after falling to Erick Silva in just 40 seconds at UFC 134.

"I'm training hard since I lost, now I just have to focus on him. I'll sign the contract on the next few days," Ramos said. "He's under pressure, so I am. Whoever loses will leave the UFC".

UFC 141 will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Former champions collide in the main event as former UFC heavyweight kingpin Brock Lesnar takes on former Strikeforce, Dream, and K-1 heavyweight titleholder Alistair Overeem.

UFC 141 fight card:

Heavyweight: Alistair Overeem vs. Brock Lesnar
Lightweight: Donald Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz
Light Heavyweight: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
Welterweight: Johny Hendricks vs. Jon Fitch
Welterweight: Dong Hyun Kim vs. Sean Pierson
Featherweight: Manny Gamburyan vs. Diego Nunes
Lightweight: Junior Assuncao vs. Ross Pearson
Lightweight: T.J. Grant vs. Jacob Volkmann
Welterweight: Luis Ramos vs. Matt Riddle

UFC 141 Fight Card: Manny Gamburyan Vs. Diego Nunes Booked For December

2011-11-01T15:48:02Z

A pair of featherweight contenders look to get back on track at UFC 141. "The Ultimate Fighter 5" runner-up Manny Gamburyan (11-6) will take on Nova Uniao product Diego Nunes (16-2) on the December 30th card. Both fighters were originally slated to meet at UFC 135, but injuries delayed the matchup. UFC officials confirmed the announcement on Tuesday.

Gamburyan returns to the cage fresh from a narrow majority decision loss to Tyson Griffin in his UFC reentry after a prolonged stint in the WEC. The setback was the 30-year-old's second-in-a-row, following a second-round knockout loss to UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo last year. He now hopes to return to his winning ways and collect his first UFC win since mid-2008.

Meanwhile, Nunes hopes to bounce back from his own poor performance after dropping a unanimous decision to Kenny Florian at UFC 131. The loss snapped a three-fight win streak for "The Gun", who previously collected decision wins over Tyler Toner, Raphael Assuncao, and former WEC featherweight champion Mike Brown.

UFC 141 will be held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. A heavyweight tilt between former champions, Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem, highlights the action.

UFC 141 fight card:

Heavyweight: Alistair Overeem vs. Brock Lesnar
Lightweight: Donald Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz
Light Heavyweight: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
Welterweight: Johny Hendricks vs. Jon Fitch
Welterweight: Dong Hyun Kim vs. Sean Pierson
Featherweight: Manny Gamburyan vs. Diego Nunes
Lightweight: Junior Assuncao vs. Ross Pearson
Lightweight: T.J. Grant vs. Jacob Volkmann

UFC 141 Fight Card: Junior Assuncao Vs. Ross Pearson In Place, According To Report

2011-11-01T15:07:47Z

The UFC's year-end megashow continues to fill out. According to Tatame magazine, UFC lightweights Junior Assuncao and Ross Pearson will meet at the December 30th show:

Junior Assunção asked for it, and UFC agreed. The Brazilian fighter, who returned to the cage with a win over Eddie Yagin, called out the ‘Ultimate Fighter' winner Ross Pearson, and the fight is set to UFC 141, on December 30, Las Vegas.

"I don't like this fight for a long time", Junior told TATAME, delivering the news in first hand. Assunção is riding a 7-win streak, and Pearson comes from a close decision loss to Edson Barboza Junior, at UFC Rio.

UFC 141 takes place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on December 30th. This will be the first UFC event to take place on a Friday rather than a Saturday.

UFC 141 fight card:

Heavyweight: Alistair Overeem vs. Brock Lesnar
Lightweight: Junior Assuncao vs. Ross Pearson
Light Heavyweight: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
Welterweight: Dong Hyun Kim vs. Sean Pierson
Welterweight: Johny Hendricks vs. Jon Fitch
Lightweight: Donald Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz
Lightweight: T.J. Grant vs. Jacob Volkmann

UFC 141 Fight Card: Donald Cerrone Vs. Nate Diaz Targeted For Las Vegas

2011-10-31T15:51:09Z

"Cowboy" got his wish. Following a stunning two-minute victory over Dennis Siver at UFC 137, Donald Cerrone (17-3, 1 NC) called for an immediate return to the cage, stating, "I'm just here to keep fighting. Hell, I'm trying to get another fight in December, so if I can do that, that'd be great." Well the UFC brass listened. According to reports from MMA Junkie, the former WEC-standout has verbally agreed to meet Nate Diaz (14-7) at UFC 141.

Cerrone's spectacular victory over Siver marked yet another notch in his explosive crusade to the top of the 155-pound UFC ranks. In total, "Cowboy" has rolled off six straight wins since losing to Ben Henderson in mid-2010, four of which came in 2011 after transitioning into the UFC. Even more remarkably, the 28-year-old has earned each of the UFC's three "Fight Night" bonuses during the streak, en route to steamrolling Paul Kelly, Vagner Rocha, Charles Oliveira, and Siver.

Meanwhile, Diaz returns to action on the heels of a first-round submission victory over former Pride champion Takanori Gomi in September. The win snapped a two-fight losing streak and marked the 26-year-old's reentry into the UFC's lightweight division after a forgettable 2-2 run at 170 pounds.

UFC 141 is slated for December 30th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Headlining the card is a titantic heavyweight clash between former UFC champion Brock Lesnar and former Strikeforce and K-1 champion Alistair Overeem.

UFC 141 fight card:

Heavyweight: Alistair Overeem vs. Brock Lesnar
Light Heavyweight: Alexander Gustafsson vs. Vladimir Matyushenko
Welterweight: Dong Hyun Kim vs. Sean Pierson
Welterweight: Johny Hendricks vs. Jon Fitch
Lightweight: Donald Cerrone vs. Nate Diaz
Lightweight: T.J. Grant vs. Jacob Volkmann