UFC roundup: Jalin Turner vs. Ignacio Bahamondes added to UFC 313 lineup

Another fan-friendly lightweight contest was recently added to the anticipated upcoming UFC 313 fight card.

Jalin Turner and Ignacio Bahamondes are two of the tallest and most talented 155-pounders under the age of 30 and the pair are set to meet next month at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, the organization officially announced earlier this week.

It is the third quality lightweight contest that has been added to the March 8 event. Bobby “King” Green is set to face streaking Brazilian striker Mauricio Ruffy, plus the card features a five-round co-main event between high-level brawlers Justin Gaethje and Dan Hooker.

Bahamondes, 27, went 2-0 in 2024 by picking up a pair of first-round knockout wins, both of which earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. He stopped Christos Giagos in April, then Manuel Torres on the UFC 306 main card at the UFC’s special Sphere show in September.

Turner, 29, will be looking to get back in the win column after dropping three of his past four, including two split decisions to Hooker and Mateusz Gamrot and a technical-knockout loss to Renato Moicano last year at UFC 300.

Bahamondes is 5-2 since debuting in the UFC but remains unranked; Turner is currently the No. 13-ranked contender at 155 pounds.

UFC 313 is headlined by a light-heavyweight title fight between champion Alex Pereira and challenger Magomed Ankalaev.

Rodrigues says he wasn't 100 per cent vs. Cannonier

Gregory Rodrigues had his winning streak snapped by Jared Cannonier at the UFC Apex this past weekend in his first main event appearance for the organization.

The Brazilian celebrated his 33rd birthday two days later on Monday and did so by posting a statement to social media that included a note that he had a difficult time recovering from his weight cut and believes it affected his performance. 

“It’s my birthday today, and even though it was a tough day at work, I’m grateful for everything God has done and continues to do in my life!” Rodrigues wrote. “Big thanks to the UFC team for the opportunity – I’m truly honoured to have shared the Octagon with the No. 7 in the division. Cannonier is a highly experienced fighter who taught me a lot in this fight! I saw several details that can be improved – things that will be changed. Winning Fight of the Night was a gift for two warriors who weren’t afraid to go to battle.

“Most people don’t know this, but I had serious issues to recovery after weight cut – my body just wasn’t responding. I keep wondering how things would’ve played out if I had been at 100 per cent…”

Rodrigues knocked Cannonier to the mat twice in the opening round before Cannonier gained back the momentum in Round 2 and eventually earned a fourth-round TKO win. Rodrigues made weight Friday morning, one day before his fight, and was medically cleared to compete by the athletic commission in Nevada. 

March 15 Fight Night Card finalized

The full lineup for an upcoming UFC Fight Night event at the organization’s Apex headlined by a middleweight rematch between Marvin Vettori and Roman Dolidze was announced by the organization Tuesday.

A three-round contest between welterweight strikers Chidi Njokuani and Elizeu Zaleksi dos Santos will serve as the co-main event.

There are 14 fights currently scheduled to take place at the event. The bout order has not yet been finalized but below are all 14 matchups:

-- Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze

-- Chidi Njokuani vs. Elizeu Zaleksi

-- Brendson Ribeiro vs. Diyar Nurgozhay

-- Cody Gibson vs. Da'Mon Blackshear

-- Alexander Hernandez vs. Kurt Holobaugh

-- Carlos Vera vs. Josias Musasa

-- Su-young You vs. AJ Cunningham

-- Seung-woo Choi vs. Kevin Vallejos

-- Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Ryan Spann

-- Sam Hughes vs. Stephanie Luciano

-- Daniel Barez vs. Andre Lima

-- Josiane Nunes vs. Priscila Cachoeira

-- Evan Elder vs. MarQuel Mederos

-- Carli Judice vs. Yuneisy Duben