MMA News

[NewYorkKnight]

Cormier: No matter what happens with Jones, I'm fighting Johnson-Teixeira winner next


Despite the fact Jon Jones may be able to return to the cage earlier than expected, champ Daniel Cormier is adamant that he'll fight the winner of Anthony Johnson vs. Glover Teixeira next.


UFC president Dana White recently stated that it appears interim UFC light heavyweight champion Jones "did not take the drug everybody thought he took," and that if that remains true, "it could look good for" him.

This was only a few days after Jones himself announced he had been given good news and that he is expecting to return to the cage in the foreseeable future.

Jones, who was supposed to rematch Cormier at UFC 200 last month, was pulled from the highly anticipated bout after he was flagged by USADA for a potential violation of its anti-doping policy just days before the fight was supposed to take place. It was later revealed he tested positive for a pair of anti-estrogen agents: Hydroxy-Clomiphene and Letrozole metabolite, which are often used to help with recovery post-steroid use.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

from this afternoons UFC 202 Presser ...



White says McGregor either fights at 145 next or gives up his belt.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Francisco Rivera informed of potential USADA anti-doping violation following out-of-competition test



UFC bantamweight slugger Francisco Rivera has been notified of a potential UFC anti-doping policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collected on July 23.


UFC officials today announced the finding after being informed of the result by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.


“USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case,” the statement read. “It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.”


First violations under the UFC anti-doping policy typically carry a standard sanction of two years, though Rivera (11-7 MMA, 4-6 UFC) can first contest the finding.

Rivera, 34, is an 11-time UFC veteran that’s fallen on hard times of late. He’s currently stuck in a three-fight losing skid and has dropped five of his past six contests overall.


“Cisco” made his most recent octagon appearance in a unanimous-decision loss to Erik Perez at UFC 201 on July 30, just seven days after the sample in question was collected.


According to USADA’s online testing history, Rivera has been tested three times overall in 2016. One of those samples was collected in the first quarter of the year with two others in the third quarter.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Cowboy Cerrone says he's heading back to 155 after Rick Story and that he wants Alvarez at UFC 205 in NYC

 

[MattyMatt]

Cowboy Cerrone says he's heading back to 155 after Rick Story and that he wants Alvarez at UFC 205 in NYC

I hope he plans to put on a show in a victory against Story first. Story can take a beating, and this could be a great fight.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

I'm a big Cowboy fan but not pleased hearing him already looking beyond Saturday night ... Story is a tall task

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Derrick Lewis vs. Marcin Tybura is now official for UFC Fight Night 97

 

[Killer_Demo]

Nick Diaz will not be allowed to corner his brother Nate Diaz at UFC 202

 

[NewYorkKnight]

McGregor, Diaz entourages banned from UFC 202 events



The UFC and MGM are taking measures to prevent another chaotic incident.

The entourages of Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz have been banned from UFC 202 after the bottle-throwing mess from Wednesday's pre-fight press conference, UFC officials confirmed with MMA Fighting on Thursday.

The only people that can be with McGregor and Diaz during UFC media events the rest of the week are their licensed corners, per UFC senior vice president of public relations Dave Sholler. Usually only two or three people are licensed corner people per fighter.

Obviously, Artem Lobov from McGregor's team and Chris Avila from Diaz's team and their respective corner people are still allowed, because they are fighting each other at UFC 202.

Those events include Thursday's open workouts and the early and ceremonial weigh-in Friday. As usual, only one licensed corner will be allowed on stage with the two fighters during the ceremonial weigh-in at MGM Grand.



Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) executive director Bob Bennett told MMA Fighting that the commission is reviewing the incident and could be brought up during the September meeting. If Diaz and McGregor are found to have violated commission rules, there could be sanctions put in place, Bennett said.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

UFC Statement on Li Jingliang



“The UFC organization was notified by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) that it has informed Li Jingliang of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection on May 18, 2016. USADA also informed the UFC that it initiated an investigation into the source of the prohibited substance detected in Jingliang’s sample prior to notifying him of the potential violation. Because of this investigation, USADA has not issued a provisional suspension against Jingliang at this time.

"USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, a full and fair legal review process is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. The Nevada State Athletic Commission has also retained jurisdiction over this matter because Jingliang’s sample was collected prior to his participation on The Ultimate Fighter Finale card on July 8, 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Consistent with all previous potential anti-doping violations, additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward."

 

[Killer_Demo]

Kobe Bryant has invested money in Diaz bros Represent clothing line

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Dana going to screw Rumble out of Title Shot ???




Anthony Johnson thought his 13-second knockout of Glover Teixeira in the UFC 202 co-main event got him another shot at light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier.

But his boss, UFC President Dana White, isn’t quite so sure yet.

White, on the “UFC Unfiltered” podcast with Matt Serra and Jim Norton, said Johnson might not be ticketed for a rematch with Cormier after beating Teixeira. Instead, White said he’s considering Johnson against interim champ Jon Jones.

“I’m in a weird place,” White said on the show. “We saw that fight, and it was a great fight. I’ve still got to talk to (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva and see what he thinks. But I’m thinking maybe we do Anthony Johnson vs. Jon Jones to see who gets to fight Daniel Cormier.”

But that fight would almost certainly be contingent on how soon Jones will be back to work after potential anti-doping violations stemming from his main-event booking against Cormier at UFC 200 in July. Jones was pulled from that fight just days before.

Jones is currently under temporary suspension from USADA and the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Neither USADA nor the NSAC have had any recent updates on Jones’ situation, though other fighters have received shortened suspensions when arguing their failed tests were the result of tainted supplements.

White also reiterated that Jones could be back soon – but wouldn’t divulge details.

Johnson took out Teixeira in bonus-winning fashion this past Saturday. Afterward, “Rumble” said he thought the knockout solidified his shot at champ Cormier, who submitted him to win the 205-pound title at UFC 187 after the UFC stripped Jones of the title.

Cormier is the only man to defeat Johnson since he returned to the UFC for a second stint in April 2014. A rematch has long been on Johnson’s mind, he said, and if his title shot does in fact materialize, he has little worry the result would be the same.

“I’m just looking forward to it again; this is something that I’ve wanted for a long time,” Johnson said after UFC 202. “I only want to compete against the best, and so far since I’ve been back in the UFC, that’s what I’ve been doing. This is my second chance at a title, so I really want to go out and I want to dominate. Daniel, be said that when we’re in the cage it’s Daniel time, which is fine. It can be Daniel time. But at the end of the night, it’s going to be my time.

Johnson said he believes Jones’ issues won’t be cleared up before he would expect to fight Cormier, though, and for that reason he’s not worried about losing out on his chance to avenge his loss and capture UFC gold.

But White at least implied nothing is set in stone for anyone yet.

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Brock Lesnar’s Temporary Suspension Extended; Prohibited Substances Revealed



Brock Lesnar‘s temporary suspension for twice testing positive to a prohibited substance was extended by the Nevada Athletic Commission on Tuesday.

Lesnar tested positive for two prohibited substances in two drug tests related to his UFC 200 bout with Mark Hunt. According to Nevada Deputy Attorney General Caroline Bateman, who presented the case at Tuesday’s commission meeting, Lesnar tested positive in a June 28 out-of-competition drug test and then again, for the same substances, in his July 9 fight-night drug test.

Bateman identified the substances for which Lesnar tested positive as clomiphene and hydroxy-clomiphene, which inhibit the body’s production of estrogen. Estrogen inhibitors are often used by men taking steroids to help reduce the effects of gynecomastia, swollen breast tissue caused by a hormonal imbalance.

Hydroxy-clomaphene is one of the substances that interim UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones tested positive for in his UFC 200-related drug test.

Lesnar was temporarily suspended by NAC executive director Bob Bennett on Aug. 1. At Tuesday’s meeting, Bateman asked that Lesnar’s suspension be extended until such time as Lesnar has a formal disciplinary hearing before the commission. She also noted that she had been in contact with Lesnar’s counsel to try and set a date for his hearing.


The Nevada Commission unanimously approved the extension.

 

[Killer_Demo]

Rory MacDonald has signed with Bellator

 

[NewYorkKnight]

WSOF signs former UFC heavyweight Jared Rosholt, CES MMA champ Ashley Gooch




Jared Rosholt was released by the UFC with a 6-2 record in the promotion and after an ugly loss to Roy Nelson snapped a three-fight winning streak.

In the talent-starved heavyweight division, it’s unusual to see a fighter with the win rate of Rosholt (14-3) sent to the free agent market after only one loss.

The 30-year-old heavyweight has a new home, however, as WSOF today announced they locked Rosholt up with an exclusive, multi-fight deal. The promotion also announced the signing of fellow heavyweight Ashley Gooch (10-4).

“We are excited to welcome one of the sport’s top, free-agent heavyweight stars in Jared Rosholt, as well as veteran Ashley Gooch, who has been on fire of late, to the World Series of Fighting roster and look forward to seeing how each is able to contend in the decagon cage where we have a growing number of exciting and fast-rising stars vying for our coveted championship that is held by Blagoy Ivanov,” WSOF President Ray Sefo stated in a press release announcing the signings.

Rosholt’s February loss to Nelson at UFC Fight Night 82 came after defeating Stefan Struve, Timothy Johnson and Josh Copeland, all in 2015. Of his six UFC wins, Rosholt won five fights by decision.


Gooch, 41, is riding an eight-fight winning streak, all eight victories coming by stoppage. He won the vacant CES MMA heavyweight title with a comeback knockout of Greg Rebello earlier this month at CES MMA 37.
​

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Gunnar Nelson vs. Dong Hyun Kim slated for UFC's return to Northern Ireland



UFC is close to finalizing the main event for its return show in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Gunnar Nelson vs. Dong Hyun Kim is currently slated to headline UFC Fight Night 99 on Nov. 19, MMA Fighting has learned. The promotion has yet to officially announce the fight.




Nelson (15-2-1) is coming off a second-round submission of Albert Tumenov in May, improving his UFC record to 6-2.


Kim (21-3-1, 1 NC) hasn't fought since his Nov. 2015 win over Dominic Waters. He was scheduled to fight Neil Magny at UFC 202, however, he pulled out of the fight due to a minor injury.


This event will mark the promotion's second in Belfast. UFC 72, headlined by Rich Franklin vs. Yushin Okami in June 2007, marked its debut event in Northern Ireland.

 

[Killer_Demo]

Joe silva has been informed by UFC owners WME that he will finish out this year and resign as UFC matchmaker

 

[NewYorkKnight]

Rafael Dos Anjos vs Tony Ferguson scheduled for UFC Fight Night - November 5th.

 

[MattyMatt]

Justin Scoggins (11-2) vs Pedro Munhoz (12-2) set for UFC Fight Night 100 in November. Who ya got?

 

[Killer_Demo]

Donald Cerrone vs Robbie Lawler confirmed for UFC 205 in NYC. Damn that's a hell of a match up