Author: McKinley Noble

UFC 156: Alistair Overeem Should Be More Open to Voluntary Drug Testing

Whenever people look at the ridiculous build of UFC heavyweight star Alistair Overeem, there’s usually a few things that cross most fans’ minds.”I need to go back to the gym.””What does he bench press?””Good lord, that doesn’t look real.”In the world o…

Whenever people look at the ridiculous build of UFC heavyweight star Alistair Overeem, there’s usually a few things that cross most fans’ minds.

“I need to go back to the gym.”

“What does he bench press?”

“Good lord, that doesn’t look real.”

In the world of MMA, that last one can typically be the biggest problem.

Boxing, professional wrestling and MMA athletes can get away with a lot by using performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) and banned substances, but it’s substantially harder when you look like Overeem.

His recent positive test for high testosterone levels doesn’t really help, either.

That’s why “The Reem” isn’t helping himself when he tells the press (via Bloody Elbow) that he’s “probably not” going to do any more voluntary drug testing than is absolutely necessary.

From a cynical point of view, that’s expected for someone who’s under suspicion of using testosterone-related drugs and/or steroids. Or to be fair, maybe Overeem simply doesn’t want the distractions during his fight camps.

Either way, not doing the voluntary drug tests is a bad PR move.

Like it or not, the Blackzilians camp in Florida already has a bad reputation of recruiting past, present and suspected drug users.

Matt Mitrione infamously denied VADA blood testing (via MMA Junkie) prior to his loss against Roy Nelson at the Ultimate Fighter 16 finale. Thiago Silva has been popped for marijuana and a false urine sample. Melvin Guillard has a past history of cocaine use on his record.

And most recently, Vitor Belfort was put under public scrutiny for fumbling his way through a question from ESPN about whether or not he uses testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), a controversial, but legal, method of turning back your physical clock.

If there’s smoke, there’s usually fire.

And judging by the smell in the air whenever Overeem enters a room, something’s definitely burning.

Maybe he doesn’t care if the MMA media and fanbase suspect him of being on PEDs, but as long as Overeem and the Blackzilians fail to spearhead rumors and doubts, that smoke’s going to linger for a long, long time.

 

McKinley Noble is an MMA conspiracy theorist and FightFans Radio writer. His work has appeared in GamePro, Macworld and PC World. Talk with him on Twitter.

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‘Star Wars’ Creator George Lucas Talks MMA Career of Daughter Amanda Lucas

Although she could simply live an easy life as the daughter of a famous film legend, Amanda Lucas instead chose to take up the career of a professional MMA fighter.That journey will be chronicled in the upcoming film LUCAS, directed by T…

Although she could simply live an easy life as the daughter of a famous film legend, Amanda Lucas instead chose to take up the career of a professional MMA fighter.

That journey will be chronicled in the upcoming film LUCAS, directed by TapouT Films founder and noted combat sports videographer Bobby Razak.

A new trailer for the project was released on Sunday, as highlighted on Twitter by Razak himself.

Featuring interviews from Amanda and her father George Lucas, the legendary creator of the billion-dollar Star Wars franchise, the documentary will cover several years of Amanda’s life with a major focus on her entry into the women’s MMA circuit.

She’s only been active in the sport for a little over a few years, but 31-year-old Amanda has quickly compiled a 5-1 record as an openweight competitor since May 2008.

Still, none of her victories have come against any notable fighters.

Despite the fact that Amanda is currently ranked by FightMatrix as one of the top 15 women in the featherweight division, all six of her opponents have a combined record of 22 wins and 43 losses.

Moreover, her only “ranked” victory has come against 33-year-old Japanese veteran Yuiga Yuiga.

That’s not to say that Amanda hasn’t faced any real challenges, though.

During the 2011 Mundials BJJ Worlds in Long Beach, California (via MMA Prime), the young Lucas earned a grappling medal after battling former Strikeforce champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino in the purple belt heavyweight finals.

It took several slams, trips and suplex maneuvers, but the overmatched rookie still fought to the end in a gritty, exhaustive effort (and eventual loss).

Amanda’s charisma and name value have also drawn a following in the news, leading to several features in outlets such as Sports Illustrated, ESPN and U.K. publication The Daily Mail.

Currently, the biggest feat of Amanda’s career has been winning the DEEP Openweight Women’s Championship, which she pulled off with a keylock submission victory over 46-year-old Japanese pro wrestling star and fighter Yumiko Hotta.

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UFC 156: Ian McCall Says ‘Standoffish’ Rashad Evans Is a ‘D**k’

Flyweight title contender Ian McCall doesn’t have very high praise to give to UFC star and former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans.Seemingly, “Suga” is somewhat of a downer in person.That’s the story taken from a couple of passing altercations w…

Flyweight title contender Ian McCall doesn’t have very high praise to give to UFC star and former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans.

Seemingly, “Suga” is somewhat of a downer in person.

That’s the story taken from a couple of passing altercations with “Suga” over the years, as McCall tells MMA Mania that Evans is a “dick” who doesn’t like to interact with fans or his fellow fighters.

During a recent episode of MMA Mania’s Verbal Submission podcast, McCall detailed the following story as he heavily criticized the UFC 156 co-main eventer:

I’ve even had run-ins or altercations with Rashad where he was just a dick. He just doesn’t connect with fans. Even my nephew was like, “Wow, that guy’s an asshole,” and my nephew’s like a kid at the time.

That reputation seems to have followed Evans for at least a few years, even stretching back to his early days on Season 2 of The Ultimate Fighter.

According to McCall, the Blackzilians camp leader was even visibly reluctant to interact with fans back at WEC 38 in January 2009, citing some “rude” antics during a photo request:

I was fighting in the WEC when I fought Dominick Cruz in San Diego. We were walking to the lobby and my brother and nephew were there with like Jens Pulver and a few other guys. Jens puts his arm around everybody wanting to take a picture. My nephew asked Rashad specifically and he literally stood like 2-3 feet apart from everybody, not engaging with anyone. I don’t know where the picture is now but it was a really awkward picture. I’ve heard from a lot of people that he’s just standoffish and kinda rude. You never know, he could be a great person in real life, but I’m just saying what I saw. That’s what I saw.

Of course, just about any celebrity like Rashad Evans will have his fair share of detractors.

During his career, “Suga” has been a willing part of various fan events, meet-and-greets, autograph signings and various other fan-related activities.

However, random spats will always stick out, like an infamous moment where he refused to sign a picture of himself getting knocked out by Lyoto Machida, even crushing the fan’s photograph (H/T MiddleEasy) before shooing him away.

Regardless of his persona, Evans still manages to be one of the top draws in the UFC, and will supplement a heavily stacked main card at UFC 156 on Feb. 2 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas. Evans will face the dangerous Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, looking to rebound off a one-sided loss to champion Jon Jones.

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UFC on Fox 6 Results: 12 Memorable Moments from Saturday’s MMA Card

Chicago’s United Center set the stage for plenty of great fights at UFC on Fox 6, with six jam-packed hours of solid action greeting TV viewers across the country on Saturday night.Although the promotion’s flyweight championship isn’t viewed by many ca…

Chicago’s United Center set the stage for plenty of great fights at UFC on Fox 6, with six jam-packed hours of solid action greeting TV viewers across the country on Saturday night.

Although the promotion’s flyweight championship isn’t viewed by many casual fans as the most prestigious title in the company, Demetrious Johnson and John Dodson nonetheless put on a show for the crowd in a solid scrap.

But the spotlight was arguably stolen by Anthony Pettis, who stamped his ticket to the UFC lightweight title in amazing fashion.

Several other fighters made their presence known as well, with blood, grit and sheer will bringing fans some incredible highlight reel material. Read on to see who was most impressive in victory as we recap a dozen of the night’s most memorable moments.

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WWE Champ CM Punk Talks UFC 158, Says Rampage Jackson Will Lose at UFC on Fox 6

More than most professional wrestlers, WWE Champion CM Punk definitely knows a thing or two about mixed martial arts.That’s why when UFC on Fox 6 goes down in the Chicago, the hometown of the “Straight Edge Superstar,” Punk be watching the MMA news cir…

More than most professional wrestlers, WWE Champion CM Punk definitely knows a thing or two about mixed martial arts.

That’s why when UFC on Fox 6 goes down in the Chicago, the hometown of the “Straight Edge Superstar,” Punk be watching the MMA news circuit with keen interest as he makes his own preparations for the 2013 Royal Rumble.

MMA Fighting caught up with Punk to pick the champion’s brain about a few hot issues in the MMA world, including his predictions for Saturday’s card, the main event at UFC 158 and a few other fighters that he’s been watching.

Never one to shy away from talking about superfights, CM Punk cited Georges St-Pierre vs. Nick Diaz as the one thing that’s interested him most in MMA recently. However, he doesn’t think the Stockton bad boy will pull off an upset:

I’m looking forward to GSP [and] Nick Diaz. Can Diaz hang with [St-Pierre]? Sure. Can he beat him? I don’t know. I definitely think he can hang. I always think GSP’s problem is—when’s the last time he finished a guy? That was a long time ago.

I’m a Carlos Condit fan. That’s why I’m looking forward to that PPV, too. I think Rory MacDonald’s nuts. He’s got this personal beef with Condit for no reason. ‘Just because he beat him.

For UFC on Fox 6, Punk noted that Quinton Jackson would most likely lose his co-main event fight due to his developing, habitual weakness to wrestling:

Both [Demetrious Johnson and John Dodson] are ridiculously fast. I know they’re trying to promote that Dodson has the knockout power that a lot of flyweights don’t have, so it’s going to be interesting to see. I like Demetrious [to win].

Rampage has always been kind of wacky. I think Rampage is going to want to stand, so Glover’s going to try to win. So, that means Glover’s going take him down. I’ll pick Glover.

Punk additionally singled out Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone as the match he’s most excited about, breaking down their strengths and recent bouts.

Although Cerrone lost in dramatic fashion to Nate Diaz not long ago, Punk believes that “Cowboy” is simply too strong a fighter to pick against going into this title eliminator:

That’s an interesting fight. I don’t think there’s a harder one to take a bet on. This is one that I wish was five rounds, because I don’t think three’s enough. I don’t see either guy finishing any other guys. When Cerrone fought Nate Diaz, it was a completely different Donald Cerrone. It was like he kinda got tooled.

But then [Cerrone] KOs Melvin Guillard… and Pettis, he’s a Milwaukee boy, so that’s close to Chicago. I almost don’t want to bet against him. [It’s] strictly a gut feeling, but [I pick] Cerrone.

CM Punk also showed hometown solidarity by predicting Chicago-born Ricardo Lamas to beat Eric Koch, although he admitted not knowing too much about either featherweight.

For his part, CM Punk will be a longshot to win his own bout on Sunday, as he meets Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in a singles match for the WWE Championship.

This will be the first time that The Rock has competed for a championship belt in World Wrestling Entertainment since 2002, when lost the title to Brock Lesnar, the former UFC Heavyweight Champion and Undisputed WWE Champion.

For CM Punk, this match will also put one of his most prized career records at stake, as his WWE Championship reign stands as the sixth-longest in the company’s history. In the last 25 years alone, Punk has retained the title for 433 days, an accomplishment that he’ll seek to continue building by defeating The Rock.

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Five Reasons Why Pettis vs. Cerrone Is the Fight to See at UFC on Fox 6

Even though the UFC card this Saturday is headlined with a title fight and an MMA legend’s last hurrah, the real fireworks may happen earlier in the night.Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone have a lot of work to do to steal the show at UFC on Fox 6, but…

Even though the UFC card this Saturday is headlined with a title fight and an MMA legend’s last hurrah, the real fireworks may happen earlier in the night.

Anthony Pettis and Donald Cerrone have a lot of work to do to steal the show at UFC on Fox 6, but fans who’ve followed both of their careers know that this match-up is a highlight reel in the making.

What? You need more convincing that this is the fight you can’t miss?

‘Then read along. We’ll give you five good reasons to make sure that above all else you don’t take a food or bathroom break during Pettis vs. Cerrone.

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