Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones had his license revoked and received a $205,000 fine from the California State Athletic Commission after he tested positive for a banned substance prior to his victory over Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 …
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones had his license revoked and received a $205,000 fine from the California State Athletic Commission after he tested positive for a banned substance prior to his victory over Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 last July.
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani provided the context for what the CSAC’s ruling means:
As Helwani noted, the process for Jones doesn’t stop with the CSAC. The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency issued a one-year suspension to Jones in November 2016 for a positive drug test, and his punishment this time around could be even lengthier.
Although Helwani said Jones can reapply for his license in March 2019, ESPN.com’sBrett Okamotoreported the revocation was backdated to August 2017. As a result, Jones can apply for reinstatement as early as this August.
A USADA suspension could, however, push that date back even further.
At the very least, CSAC’s ruling puts a dream match between Jones and Brock Lesnar in serious jeopardy.
Jones called out Lesnar during his post-fight interview after beating Cormier. He capped the interview by saying, “Brock Lesnar, if you want to know what it feels like to get your ass kicked by a guy who weighs 40 pounds less than you, meet me in the Octagon.”
Lesnar hasn’t fought in UFC since UFC 200 in July 2016, but he and UFC president Dana White sparked rumors of a return when White shared a photo in which he was standing alongside the former heavyweight champion:
Lesnar turns 41 in July, so the clock is ticking if he’s going to fight Jones. If he has to wait until 2019 or even later, then that likely rules out the possibility altogether.
Jones, meanwhile, will be 31 in July, so even a two or three-year suspension wouldn’t necessarily be career-ending. But having his license revoked represents another big hurdle to climb if he’s going to return to the Octagon.
UFC star Anderson Silva said he didn’t knowingly use the two substances flagged by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency during a drug test last October.
Silva told TMZ Sports his lawyers are evaluating the veracity of the positive test with USADA in the h…
UFC star Anderson Silva said he didn’t knowingly use the two substances flagged by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency during a drug test last October.
Silva told TMZ Sports his lawyers are evaluating the veracity of the positive test with USADA in the hope of invalidating the results. He added that “maybe the supplements I’m using are contaminated.”
USADA administrators originally collected the sample during an out-of-competition test in October, with the results coming back in November.
Although Silva hasn’t been formally suspended, the positive test forced UFC to drop him from his main event fight against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Fight Night 122. Michael Bisping replaced him and lost to Gastelum via first-round knockout.
MMA Fighting’sMarc Raimondireported earlier this month Silva tested positive for methyltestosterone and an unknown diuretic. Methyltestosterone is listed as an anabolic agent in the2018 guideof banned substances for the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The Nevada State Athletic Commission issued aone-year suspensionto Silva in August 2015 after he failed multiple drug tests. Raimondi cited Brazilian media outletCombatein reporting Silva’s representatives are attempting to have USADA ignore his 2015 suspension before making a final decision.
According to Raimondi, Silva could potentially face a four-year ban if USADA’s ruling factors in his previous infractions.
Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the top contenders for Conor McGregor’s UFC lightweight championship, but the 29-year-old is unsure whether he’ll ever have the opportunity to challenge McGregor.
“I don’t think he gonna come back,” Nurmagomedov…
Khabib Nurmagomedov is one of the top contenders for Conor McGregor’s UFC lightweight championship, but the 29-year-old is unsure whether he’ll ever have the opportunity to challenge McGregor.
“I don’t think he gonna come back,” Nurmagomedov said of McGregor, alluding to McGregor’s prolonged absence from the Octagon, per TMZ Sports. “When’s the last time Conor compete in MMA? Long time. He’s boxing guy.”
Nurmagomedov is set to fight Tony Ferguson for the interim lightweight title at UFC 223 on April 7.
This article will be updated to provide more information on this story as it becomes available.
Get the best sports content from the web and social in the new B/R app. Get the app and get the game.
The UFC is reportedly in negotiations with CM Punk regarding a fight against Mike Jackson at UFC 225 on June 9, which will be in Punk’s hometown of Chicago.
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani reported Wednesday that the UFC is still working on negotiat…
The UFC is reportedly in negotiations with CM Punk regarding a fight against Mike Jackson at UFC 225 on June 9, which will be in Punk’s hometown of Chicago.
MMA Fighting’s Ariel Helwani reported Wednesday that the UFC is still working on negotiations and hasn’t made a final decision about whether it will add the fight to the card.
As soon as UFC announced a pay-per-view in the Windy City, speculation about Punk’s involvement began—speculation that Punk himself fueled on Twitter:
Although Punk is 39 and was soundly defeated by Mickey Gall in his UFC debut in September 2016, giving him a second fight at UFC 225 makes sense.
Of the 13 PPVs UFC had in 2016, UFC 203 earned thesecond-highest buyratefor an event without either Conor McGregor or Ronda Rousey. Only UFC 200, which included Brock Lesnar, Anderson Silva, Daniel Cormier and Jose Aldo, drew more fans on PPV.
Punk still has some mainstream appeal, especially in Chicago. WWE fans will remember well the reaction he received at Money in the Bank 2011 in Chicago’s Allstate Arena.
With Rousey, McGregor and Jon Jones all out of the picture for various reasons, UFC can’t afford to pass up would be what would be a sure thing financially.
Jackson might also be a better matchup for Punk than Gall as well. The 32-year-old has fought just once professionally, losing to Gall in one round at UFC Fight Night 82 in February 2016. Fans might be more willing to purchase the PPV if they believe Punk stands a reasonable chance in the Octagon.
CM Punk is eying a return to the Octagon, UFC President Dana White confirmed Friday.
Speaking with the Associated Press’ Dan Gelston, White said Punk wants to fight again in UFC and that the company plans to follow through on that aim.
“I like that guy…
CM Punk is eying a return to the Octagon, UFC President Dana White confirmed Friday.
Speaking with the Associated Press’ Dan Gelston, White said Punk wants to fight again in UFC and that the company plans to follow through on that aim.
“I like that guy. He’s a good dude,” White said. “He wants one more. He wants to get another shot. I’m going to give it to him.”
White added it remains to be seen whom Punk would fight. WWEcruiserweight star Gentleman Jack Gallagher threw his name in the hat while also throwing shade at Punk for his first-round defeat to Mickey Gall at UFC 203 in September 2016:
On merit, there’s little reason to give Punk another fight in UFC. He lasted 2:14 before submitting to a rear-naked choke by Gall. According to UFC.com, Gall landed 26 total strikes and 20 significant strikes, while Punk had six and zero, respectively in those categories.
But Punk’s star power makes him an attractive prospect for the company.
According to theWrestling Observer Newsletter(viaMMAPayout.com), UFC 203 had the second-biggest buyrate (475,000) on a pay-per-view card without either ConorMcGregor or Ronda Rousey in 2016. UFC 200 had a little over one million PPV buys, and that event included Daniel Cormier, Brock Lesnar and Anderson Silva.
Punk brings UFC extra mainstream appeal at a time when the company is somewhat starved for fighters with broad popularity outside MMA.
Speaking with Gelston, White admitted he’s unsure whether McGregor will ever fight in UFC again after he madeat least $30 millionfrom his fight with Floyd Mayweather. Rousey‘s MMA career appears to be over as well. Meanwhile, Jon Jones is facing a multiyear suspension afterfailing a drug test.
Even though Punk’s second fight would likely provide fewer financial returns than his debut, putting him back in the Octagon is one way for UFC to guarantee itself a solid buyrate.
Jeremy Stephens knocked out Doo Ho Choi to prevail in the main event of UFC Fight Night 124 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis. In the second of the two main event fights, Jessica-Rose Clark earned a unanimous decision over Paige VanZant.
Stephens p…
Jeremy Stephens knocked out Doo Ho Choi to prevail in the main event of UFC Fight Night 124 at Scottrade Center in St. Louis. In the second of the two main event fights, Jessica-Rose Clark earned a unanimous decision over Paige VanZant.
Stephens provided the most excitement on the night as he dispatched of Choi in the second round.
The turning point came when Stephens hit Choi with a hard right hand. That sent the 26-year-old to the canvas, where Stephens followed up with a right elbow. Choi tried to keep Stephens back, but Stephens landed another vicious right-handed shot.
The referee stepped in after the 31-year-old Iowa native hit a series of left elbows without reply.
The UFC shared a replay of the final sequence:
Below are the full results from UFC Fight Night 124 and a brief overview of how the rest of the main card shook out.
UFC Fight Night 124 Results
Main Card
Jeremy Stephens def. Doo Ho Choi, TKO (Round 2, 2:36)
Jessica-Rose Clark def. Paige VanZant, unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Kamaru Usman def. Emil Meek, unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Darren Elkins def. Michael Johnson, submission (Round 2, 2:22)
Preliminary Card
James Krause def. Alex White, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Marco Polo Reyes def. Matt Frevola, knockout (Round 1, 1:00)
Mads Burnell def. Mike Santiago, unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
The biggest moment of the night didn’t involve any of the fighters on the card.
Former welterweight champion and UFC Hall of Famer Matt Hughes walked down to the Octagon nearly seven months after a truck he was driving collided with a train. Doctors placed Hughes in a coma shortly thereafter.
The UFC shared the tribute video that played before Hughes’ arrival, as well as Hughes’ arena entrance to overwhelming cheers from the St. Louis crowd:
The scene moved many on social media:
In the co-main event, VanZant suffered her third defeat in her last four fights.
An arm injury played a role in the result. Fox Sports: UFC shared a clip that showed that VanZant informed her corner she suffered a fracture in her right arm in the first round:
The fracture appeared to come when she misfired somewhat on a spinning back fist, with her right wrist and forearm catching Clark in the head.
Since she was essentially fighting with one arm, VanZant was unable to land many significant blows, and she couldn’t get too bold with offense for fear of aggravating the injury.
That opened a door for Clark, who remained careful so as not to receive a left jab or kick from VanZant. The 30-year-old picked her spots well and connected with enough to be the clear winner.
The main card began with a bit of an upset as Darren Elkins submitted St. Louis native Michael Johnson in the second round.
Johnson appeared to be in the driver’s seat after looking like the stronger fighter in the first round. He maintained that advantage until Elkins got Johnson on his back and locked in a rear-naked choke. With nowhere to go, Johnson had little choice but to tap out.
UFC heavyweight Chase Sherman was among those calling for Elkins to get a marquee fight after notching his sixth win in a row:
Whereas Elkins’ turnaround was a big surprise, Kamaru Usman delivered exactly what was expected and largely dominated Emil Meek. Usman was especially adept at getting Meek on the ground, registering eight takedowns in the fight, according to UFC.com. Meek, on the other hand, didn’t even get an official takedown attempt.
Usman’s strategy wasn’t the most aesthetically pleasing, but it’s hard to argue with the results. MMAjunkie’s Chamatkar Sandhu and former MMA fighter Dan Hardy offered differing opinions regarding the action inside the Octagon:
Hardy’s assessment brought to mind UFC president Dana White‘s comments after Tyron Woodley beat Demian Maia at UFC 214 last July. White lamented how he thought Woodley could’ve wrapped things up before the fight went to the judges’ scorecards.
As good as Usman performed, it wasn’t all that unfair to wonder how good he would’ve looked if he had been a little more aggressive with Meek.
After the fight, Usman called out Colby Covington. Covington would be a stern test for The Nigerian Nightmare, and it could prove an opportunity for him to silence his skeptics.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones had his license revoked and received a $205,000 fine from the California State Athletic Commission after he tested positive for a banned substance prior to his victory over Daniel Cormier at UFC 214 last July.