Live Chat: UFC Fight Night 35 preview, GSP’s drug testing comments and more

It’s Wednesday, which tonight is UFC Fight Night 35. It’s not a bad card by any means, but does anyone else out there detect a notable lack of any buzz? If I’m wrong, tell me. And my unscientific ability to measure ‘buzz’ has nothin…

It’s Wednesday, which tonight is UFC Fight Night 35. It’s not a bad card by any means, but does anyone else out there detect a notable lack of any buzz? If I’m wrong, tell me. And my unscientific ability to measure ‘buzz’ has nothing to do with whether tonight’s event will pull great ratings on Fox Sports 1. I’m just saying to go from UFC 168 to the last UFC Fight Nights is quite a drop off.

What’s not dropping off but seemingly picking up is the controversy around the departure for former UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. GSP was supposed to go quietly away to resolve personal issues, but instead made public comments essentially claiming part of the reason for his absence from the sport is the inability to get support from the UFC for enhanced drug testing. I had alway suspected there was a riff between he and the UFC, but I imagined it to be relatively small. For him to speak out this way in this manner is, to put it mildly, surprising.

And then there’s Bellator not giving Patricio Freire what he deserves.

There’s a lot going on, so join me today to discuss all of this and more. In terms of today’s chat, anything is up for discussion, but I will lead with this and it all kicks off at 1 p.m. ET.

As is customary, I’ll post the video window here as the event draws near and I’ll answer any questions you may have if you post them in the comments section below. Be sure that you click the ‘rec’ button for those comments/questions you believe most deserve a response.

Be sure to link this page and use the hashtag #chatwrappers on Twitter or even Facebook when you’re watching this to let everyone know you’re taking part is this activity of ours.

Talk with you all at 1 p.m. ET.