UFC Cuts 7 Fighters, Cris Lencioni Needs Your Prayers & More: MMA News & Notes For 6/17/23

– The UFC has reportedly cut 7 more fighters from their roster, with those fighters being Nick Fiore (according to MMA Junkie), Erick Gonzalez (according to the fighter’s Twitter account), Bae Malecki (according to the fighter’s Instagram account), Maria Oliveira (according to MMA Fighting), Aaron Phillips (according to MMA Junkie), Takashi Sato (according to MMA Junkie) and Don Shainis (according to the fighter’s Instagram account).

– Armen Petrsoyan says no top 15 middleweight can challenge him:

“I would love to fight in Abu Dhabi in October,” Petrosyan said after UFC Vegas 76 (transcript via Farah Hannoun & Ken Hathaway of MMA Junkie). “I’m going to be in great shape by then. It’s just that this camp ended up being quite long because the opponent switched, so it was hard by the end to keep getting prepared and keep on staying in shape. But other than that, Abu Dhabi in October, I would love to fight with anybody in the top 15.”

“Anybody in the top 15. I don’t see any kind of obstacles for me, I think I can pick any of those guys apart. Even everybody who is in the top 15 right now I don’t think possesses too much of a challenge for me.”

– Johnny Walker’s brother, Valter Walker, will make his UFC debut against Jake Collier on the September 23 UFC Fight Night card according to Johnny Walker’s Instagram account.

– Erin Blanchfield wants to fight for the vacant UFC Women’s Bantamweight Title:

“I think that is something that’s super interesting,” Blanchfield told MMA Fighting. “Julianna Peña is, I believe, the No. 1 contender right now, she’s the former champ. I think someone coming up from the flyweight division to fight her, I think would be super interesting.

“I think a lot of people are curious when I’m going to be fighting next. I don’t have anything lined up right now. I know she wants to fight and get her title back, but I feel like I’m one of the most interesting fights right now for that division and for that title. I think it would get a lot of eyes on it, and that’s something I’d definitely be interested in.”

– Former UFC fighter Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva has announced his plans for a comeback on Instagram, eight days after announcing his retirement from professional MMA competition.

– 2023 PFL 5 fighter salaries (via MMA Fighting):

Ante Delija: $100,000 — $50,000 to show, $50,000 to win

Maurice Greene: $21,000

Larissa Pacheco: $100,000 — $50,000 to show, $50,000 to win

Amber Leibrock: $11,000

Renan Ferreira: $50,000 — $25,000 to show, $25,000 to win

Matheus Scheffel: $25,000

Olena Kolesnyk: $40,000 — $20,000 to show, $20,000 to win

Yoko Higashi: $10,000

Denis Goltsov: $100,000 — $50,000 to show, $50,000 to win

Yorgan De Castro: $50,000

Aspen Ladd: $100,000 — $50,000 to show, $50,000 to win

Karolina Sobek: $8,000

Marcelo Nunes: $30,000 — $15,000 to show, $15,000 to win

Danilo Marques: $11,000

Julia Budd: $100,000 — $50,000 to show, $50,000 to win

Martina Jindrova: $24,000

Marina Mokhnatkina: $44,000 — $22,000 to show, $22,000 to win

Evelyn Martins: $13,000

Jordan Heiderman: $20,000 — $10,000 to show, $10,000 to win

Patrick Brady: $10,000

Isaiah Pinson: $13,000 — $6,500 to show, $6,500 to win

Denzel Freeman: $6,500

– Cris Lencioni’s family reveals the Bellator fighter is in the ICU after suffering from cardiac arrest, with the following statement made on a Go Fund Me page set up to assist the fighter and his family:

“On June 8th Cris suffered a cardiac arrest. As you can imagine this was completely unexpected considering he is only 28 and in peak physical condition. Cris is currently in the ICU in his biggest fight yet. We believe in the goodness of God, and we don’t know anyone with more will, strength, and determination than Cris. Cris has already overcome so much in his life, and we have faith in his ability to overcome any obstacle.

Cris has made a significant impact on those in his life and community. He is quite a character, quick to tease and make jokes, has the most infectious laugh, and is always so full of light and life. Cris is a natural entertainer, his MMA persona makes him so fun to watch. He loves working with children and has often made sure kids were able to participate in tournaments and train BJJ in his gym regardless of their ability to pay. He has always talked about the importance of mentoring kids and being there to support kids who are struggling with hard things. His gym and kids’ program is his passion project.

Cris is a loving husband to Marca and father to an almost 2-year-old little boy (little Cris). Cris and Marca met in college and quickly realized they are the love of each other’s lives. They have been inseparable since and have been married since October 20, 2018. June of 2021, they welcomed little Cristopher into their lives and Cris is the proudest father ever. He often takes little Cris to work outs with him and to the gym. Little Cris has already started to work on some BJJ moves and striking. If you follow Cris’ Instagram then you have seen the daily stories he posts of them walking to the local market with little Cris stopping at his regular spot to terrorize the shrubs. All while daddy encourages him to “get it.”

Cris is first in line to help others when in need. Cris has dedicated his life and time helping others grow and helping his family grow. Now Cris could really use your help. Please consider supporting him financially and continue to lift Cris, Marca, and little Cris up in your prayers.”

– 2023 PFL 5 medical suspensions (via MMA Fighting):

Ante Delja: 7 days

Maurice Greene: 7 days

Larissa Pacheco: 7 days

Amber Leibrock: 14 days

Renan Ferreira: 14 days

Matheus Scheffel: 45 days

Biaggio Ali Walsh: 7 days

Travell Miller: 45 days

Aspen Ladd: 7 days

Karolina Sobek: 14 days

Denis Goltsov: 7 days

Yorgan De Castro: 45 days

Marina Mokhnatkina: 7 days

Evelyn Martins: 7 days

Marcelo Nunes: 7 days

Danilo Marques: 45 days

Julia Budd: 7 days

Martina Jindrova: 7 days

Olena Kolesnyk: 7 days

Yoko Higashi: 7 days

Patrick Brady: Indefinite suspension; Orthopedic clearance on knee

Isaiah Pinson: 14 days

Denzel Freeman: 14 days

– Scott Coker says Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion Vadim Nemkov is the best light heavyweight on the planet:

“Nemkov to me is the best 205-pounder on the planet in any MMA league, including better than the UFC 205-ers,” Coker said at the Bellator 297 post-fight press conference (transcript via Tristen Critchfield of Sherdog). “I think what you saw [at Bellator 297] was his speed, agility, his combinations. He can kick, he can punch, he can take you down, he can defend. He can do it all. I think that’s what you saw tonight.”