Top UFC Executive Leaving, Ex-Bellator Title Contender Receives UFC Fight, TUF Video Preview

- An all-new season of The Ultimate Fighter begins on FOX Sports 1 tonight with a special two-hour episode. The season will also feature a twist, as 16 regional flyweight champions compete for a shot at UFC champion Demetrious Johnson.

Johnson is considered one of the top fighters in the world and has already defended his belt against the likes of Joseph Benavidez, Henry Cejudo and Ali Bagautinov. Benavidez and Cejudo will be the coaches for the season.

- UFC matchmaker Joe Silva is hanging it up, according to a report by MMAjunkie. Silva's run as the lead matchmaker for the company will come to an end before 2017 begins. No official timetable has been discussed or a replacement announced by the promotion.

Silva has worked with the UFC in some form for the last 21 years and has been matchmaker since 2001. He split duties recently with Sean Shelby, who is the likely candidate to take over. Shelby has been working with the featherweight and flyweight divisions, along with the women's weight classes.

The report states Silva wants to spend more time at home with his family after receiving a substantial amount of money from the UFC sell to WME|IMG earlier this year.

- Former Bellator title contender Marcin Held's UFC debut is set, as the youngster will meet Diego Sanchez at UFC Fight Night 98. The bout will likely be part of the main card on November 5 from Mexico City. Along with announcing Held-Sanchez, Kelvin Gastelum squares off with Jorge Masvidal that night.

Held (22-4) signed with the promotion after an extensive run with Bellator that resulted in a tournament title, tournament runner-up finish and championship match with then-titleholder Will Brooks. Sanchez (26-9) is a former winner of The Ultimate Fighter and owns 15 career Octagon victories to his credit.

UFC Fight Night 98 features former lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos vs. Tony Ferguson on FOX Sports 1.