This Week In MMA - Gegard Mousasi Defends Bellator Title, Anderson Silva, Tito Ortiz Agree To Boxing Showdown

Mandatory Credit: Bellator MMA

Take a look back on this week in MMA in which the decorated reigning Bellator MMA middleweight champion, Gegard 'The Dreamcatcher' Mousasi successfully defended his championship with a third round ground-strikes stoppage win over grappler, John Salter, while former UFC middleweight best, Anderson 'The Spider' Silva agrees to meet with former light heavyweight best, 'The Huntington Beach Bad Boy' Tito Ortiz in a professional boxing match.

Off the back of past-foe and former featherweight champion, Jose Aldo's impressive unanimous decision win over Pedro Munhoz at UFC 265 last weekend, former two-weight gold holder, Conor McGregor described his former rival as a "legend" off the back of the victory.

For Aldo, who has now won his last two consecutively, the Brazilian called for a December showdown with former two-time bantamweight best, T.J. Dillashaw -- who is currently recovering from a knee injury sustained in his July return against Cory Sandhagen.

Landing in the headlines this week, bantamweight striker, Sean O'Malley claimed that UFC matchmaker, Sean Shelby was "mad" at him for refusing to fight at UFC 268 in November, as well as urging him to go "hang out with 6ix9ine". O'Malley also questioned why the UFC appears to have an issue sufficiently compensating fighters on the roster what they are worth.

Set to return at UFC 268 on November 6. -- middleweight prospect, Edmen Shahbazyan, who draws Factory MMA trainee, Nassourdine Imavov -- hoping to snap a recent two-fight slide.

Following a recent battle with COVID-19, two-weight champion, Amanda Nunes returned to training this week at American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida -- with intentions to score a bantamweight title tilt rebooking against Julianna Pena before December.

Whilst subject of a callout from the aforenoted, Aldo, Angels Camp striker, Dillashaw outlined intentions to return from injury early next year, as well as score a title tilt at bantamweight spoils in his comeback to boot.

Slated for October 30. -- UFC 267 will officially take place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and will feature on the ABC network in North America as a non-pay-per-view event.

Recent lightweight title challenger, Michael Chandler also urged former interim gold holder, Dustin Poirier to pursue a fourth contest with the above-mentioned, McGregor rather than undisputed titleholder, Charles Oliveira next.

Announcing his retirement from professional mixed martial arts in order to return to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition, veteran UFC alum and former Strikeforce champion, Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza officially confirmed his retirement. 

Added to UFC Vegas 36 on September 4. -- a heavyweight bout between the promotional-perfect, Tom Aspinall and the returning former Fight Nights Global kingpin, Sergei Pavlovich. 

Unleashing another tirade aimed at fellow former two-weight champion and UFC colour commentator, Daniel Cormier, McGregor posted a deleted tweet labelling the Louisianan a "drunk fat f*ck". 

Agreeing to clash at a Triller Fight Club hosted event at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California on September 11. -- former undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Anderson Silva makes his fourth professional walk to the boxing ring as he meets with sport debutante, former light heavyweight pack leader, Tito Ortiz in an eight-round bout.

Quite boldly, Dominance MMA leader, Ali Abdelaziz claimed that should former welterweight title chaser, Nick Diaz return successfully from a six-year layoff against former-foe, Robbie Lawler at UFC 267 next month, he would become the #1 contender to his client, Kamaru Usman's throne.

In a reshuffled pairing at UFC Vegas 35 at the end of this month, former interim lightweight title challenger, Kevin Lee battles Californian kickboxer, Daniel Rodriguez on short notice following an injury to Roufusport grappling sensation, Sean Brady.

Cork native, Patrick Lehane is also in line for a hasty return to action as part of a Combate Global event on September 10. as the undefeated prospect draws Isaac Rueles in his third professional bout under the Campbell McClaren-led organization.

Set to headline a Bellator event from San Jose, California on September 18. -- former UFC middleweight title chaser, Yoel Romero makes his promotional debut in an important pairing opposite former light heavyweight champion, Phil Davis. 

In a pivotal bantamweight pairing at Bellator 265 -- Raufeon Stots made his claim for a title chase against teammate, Sergio Pettis as he handed Magomed Magomedov a unanimous decision defeat.

Headlining the Bellator 264 card, the aforenoted, Gegard Mousasi stopped John Salter with strikes in the third round -- setting up his next attempted title knockback against the surging, Austin Vanderford.