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UFC Matchmaking Bulletin (9/11-9/17): Nathaniel Wood & Veronica Hardy Have Returns Set, Three Cancellations
Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

UFC Matchmaking Bulletin (9/11-9/17): Nathaniel Wood & Veronica Hardy Have Returns Set, Three Cancellations

Originally posted on MMA News  |  By Harvey Leonard  |  Last updated 9/17/23

MMA News has you covered with this week's UFC matchmaking bulletin, featuring fights for Nathaniel Wood, Veronica Hardy, and Ismael Bonfim.

With UFC cards being held most weekends, Mick Maynard and Sean Shelby have their matchmaking work cut out if they’re to fill them, meaning new bouts are confirmed each and every week.

In recent days, a couple of big-name fights were reported, confirmed, or made official by the UFC and reputable sources. For more information on those matchups, check out the links below:

It was a busy week overall for fight announcements, with a number of lower-profile matchups coming together. For some of those, check out this week’s quick hits:

But it wasn’t all positive, with some fights falling through or being adjusted in recent days. For those failed pairings and any confirmed replacements, see the list below:

And for more detailed information on some notable fights that may have flown under your radar between September 11 and September 17, scroll down and check out this week’s UFC matchmaking bulletin.

Nathaniel Wood vs. Muhammad Naimov - UFC 294 (October 21)

Nathaniel Wood will look to keep his momentum at featherweight going when he heads to Abu Dhabi for next month's pay-per-view.

Wood (20-5) has gone unbeaten through three fights since transitioning to 145 pounds from bantamweight in 2022. After standout victorious over Charles Rosa and Charles Jourdain in London and Paris, respectively, last year, "The Prospect" returned to England's capital this past July to face divisional veteran Andre Fili, whom he outpointed in a memorable three-round contest.

Next, the Brit will face a fighter at a different point in their UFC career, recent newcomer Muhammad Naimov (9-2). After wins under the Titan FC and Tuff-N-Uff banners following a failed Dana White's Contender Series outing, "Hillman" debuted in the Octagon with a decision victory over established Australian striker Jamie Mullarkey this past June at UFC Vegas 74.

This featherweight fight was first reported by MMA Junkie's Nolan King.

Ismael Bonfim vs. Vinc Pichel - UFC São Paulo (November 4)

The highly touted Ismael Bonfim will meet a veteran on home soil in Brazil this November.

Four months on from a triumph on DWCS, Bonfim (19-4) made a memorable UFC debut this past January in Rio de Janeiro, where he brutally slept Terrance McKinney with a flying knee. But after falling short in a tough sophomore assignment opposite the in-form Benoît Saint-Denis at UFC Vegas 76 in July, "Marreta" will look to bounce back before his maiden year on MMA's biggest stage is over.

Meeting Bonfim in São Paulo will be veteran Vinc Pichel (14-3). Following a 2018 defeat to Gregor Gillespie, "From Hell" enjoyed a strong run of form that saw him record victories over Roosevelt Roberts, Jim Miller, and Austin Hubbard. Last time out at UFC 273, however, the 40-year-old had his winning streak snapped by "The Olympian" Mark O. Madsen. 

This lightweight matchup was first reported by MMA Junkie's Nolan King.

Jamey-Lyn Horth vs. Veronica Hardy - UFC Event TBA (December 2)

The second step in Veronica Hardy's mixed martial arts comeback will come at the first UFC event scheduled for the month of December.

Hardy (7-4-1) initially retired from competition following a defeat to Bea Malecki in 2020, citing health concerns owing to numerous concessions. But with husband and former UFC title challenger Dan Hardy in her corner, Hardy (née Macedo) made the walk again this past March at UFC 286, where she outpointed TUF winner Juliana Miller.

As the 27-year-old Venezuelan continues her resurgence, she'll next run into the undefeated Jamey-Lyn Horth (6-0). After a title win under the LFA banner in 2021, the 33-year-old Canadian returned from an almost two-year period on the sidelines straight into a successful Octagon debut against Hailey Cowan at UFC Vegas 72 this past April.

This flyweight bout was first reported by Horth's management team, Iridium Sports Agency.

This article first appeared on MMA News and was syndicated with permission.

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