Each day, The MMA Corner will provide a recap of results, event announcements, fight matchups, and injuries/cancellations from throughout the world of MMA.

Overeem granted conditional license for UFC 141; faces additional testing

Dutch heavyweight Alistair Overeem, just weeks away from his UFC debut, has been granted a conditional license by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Earlier this week it was rumored that the former Strikeforce and K-1 champ had missed a required drug test.  Today, that rumor was confirmed as the fighter explained he was travelling to his native Holland to care for his sick mother when the request was made on Nov. 17.  Overeem submitted a blood test on Nov. 23 and a urine sample on Dec. 7, however the NSAC felt neither test was adequate.

Before Overeem can officially lock horns with former UFC champ Brock Lesnar on Dec. 30 in Las Vegas, the fighter must submit to another test in Europe (within 72 hours of today’s hearing), another in Las Vegas prior to the fight, and then two additional tests as dictated by the NSAC within six months of the bout.

Source: The MMA Corner

UFC adds 125-pound flyweight division; announces title tournament

 

During the UFC 140 post-fight press conference on Saturday, UFC President Dana White revealed the news that the promotion would begin holding bouts in the flyweight division on March 3.

Four fighters will compete in a tournament to determine the division’s first champion: Demetrious Johnson, Joseph Benavidez, Ian McCall and Yasuhiro Urushitani.  Johnson will meet current Tachi Palace champ McCall while Benavidez will meet the Japanese fighter Urushitani.

The two winners will meet one another at a later date for the title.  The initial bouts are expected to take place in Sydney, Australia, as part of the UFC on FX 2 card.

Source: The MMA Corner

Fedor Emelianenko meets Satoshi Ishii at ‘DREAM: New Year! 2011′

Former Pride heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko will take on Olympic gold medalist Satoshi Ishii in the headlining bout at the Dream New Year’s Eve event in Japan.  The event also features two Dream title bouts and the completion of the promotion’s bantamweight tournament.

“DREAM: Fight for Japan: Genkidesuka!! Oomisoka!! 2011!” is set for Dec. 31 at Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

The event will air live on HDNet.

Source: MMAJunkie

TUF 14 Finale gate numbers released; all drug tests clean

The Nevada State Athletic Commission has released the official gate and attendance numbers for The Ultimate Fighter Season 14 Finale, which took place on Dec. 3 at The Pearl at The Palms in Las Vegas.

The official attendance, according to the NSAC, was 1,909. The 1,348 paid tickets accounted for gate revenue of $452,700.

Additionally, all of the post-fight drug screenings were negative.

Source: MMAWeekly

Photo: Alistair Overeem (Sherdog)