Author: Tyler Conway

Mark Hunt Comments on Brock Lesnar’s Drug Testing Exemption

It didn’t take long for the war of words between Brock Lesnar and Mark Hunt to go from professionally combative to personal.
Hunt, speaking to UFC Fight Week on Fox Sports, accused Lesnar of being on steroids and bemoaned the drug-testing exemption giv…

It didn’t take long for the war of words between Brock Lesnar and Mark Hunt to go from professionally combative to personal.

Hunt, speaking to UFC Fight Week on Fox Sports, accused Lesnar of being on steroids and bemoaned the drug-testing exemption given to his UFC 200 opponent.

“I don’t think it’s a great move,” Hunt said. “I think he’s juiced to the gills—and I still think I’m going to knock him out. So I don’t think that’s correct. I don’t think he should be allowed to get a four-month exemption otherwise everyone else should. Otherwise I should start juicing.”

Lesnar, 38, was announced for the UFC 200 card last Saturday. He has not fought for the promotion since losing to Alistair Overeem at UFC 141, nearly five years ago. Under typical circumstances, UFC requires a fourth-month notification of a fighter’s planned return to the ring.

Lesnar only officially signed his contract last week and was thus not subject to UFC’s testing requirements. He entered protocol Monday, but that left only a little more than a month for Lesnar to be in UFC’s testing program. UFC granted Lesnar a waiver because his previous run with the company came before the policy came into effect. 

“As part of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, UFC may grant a former athlete an exemption to the four-month written notice rules in exceptional circumstances or where the strict application of that rule would be manifestly unfair to an athlete,” UFC said in a statement to Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports.

Hunt was dissatisfied with the explanation. 

“I don’t think that’s fair. I think it’s load of bulls–t, I think it’s rubbish,” Hunt said. “I don’t think anyone should be exempt from testing. If they’re trying to clean the sport up—mixed martial arts—this is a bad way to do it. I don’t care who you are. It’s ridiculous.”

Lesnar, who remains under contract with WWE, has been under the sports-entertainment giant’s testing policy since his 2012 return. Substance abuse and performance-enhancing drugs are encompassed in that policy. WWE’s full testing policies are not public, so it is unclear what exactly the company tests for.

“I’ve already voiced my opinion to (UFC boss) Dana (White) about it but apparently he (Lesnar) has been getting tested, but he’s probably been off a couple of cycles anyway,” Hunt said.

Lesnar was 5-3 in his MMA career, though he dealt with severe diverticulitis during his UFC run. He underwent surgery that required 12 inches of his colon be removed after losing to Overeem.

Hunt, 42, is coming off a first-round knockout of Frank Mir. He’s won his last two fights, bringing his career record to 12-10-1 overall. UFC ranks him as its No. 8 heavyweight, and he’s one of the strongest punchers in the sport.

While it’s clear Lesnar’s the big money draw here, Hunt’s clearly using this as an opportunity to make a name for himself. Whether he believes Lesnar’s clean, dirty or what—he’s creating headlines ahead of the biggest fight of his life.   

 

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Robbie Lawler Talks Conor McGregor Before UFC 201 Title Fight vs. Tyron Woodley

UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler said he “wasn’t too worried” about his previously rumored Conor McGregor fight and would have taken the featherweight’s soul if they went head-to-head.
“His soul,” Lawler said when asked what he would have t…

UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler said he “wasn’t too worried” about his previously rumored Conor McGregor fight and would have taken the featherweight’s soul if they went head-to-head.

“His soul,” Lawler said when asked what he would have taken in an exchange with Zach Klein of WSB-TV. “I’m a lot different than most people. He found a way out. And Diaz took his neck and was nice to him. I’m just telling it like it is and how I saw it.”

Lawler made his comments as part of the promotional push for his fight with Tyron Woodley at UFC 201.

More to follow.  

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Dana White Comments on Lifetime Ban of Ariel Helwani for Brock Lesnar Report

UFC President Dana White confirmed that longtime MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has been banned from receiving press credentials after breaking the news on two huge fights without contacting the promotion beforehand. 
“As long as I’m here,” Whi…

UFC President Dana White confirmed that longtime MMA journalist Ariel Helwani has been banned from receiving press credentials after breaking the news on two huge fights without contacting the promotion beforehand. 

“As long as I’m here,” White told TMZ Sports of how long Helwani’s ban will last.

Helwani, one of the most connected MMA insiders, covers the sport for SB Nation’s MMAFighting.com. He initially broke Brock Lesnar‘s return at UFC 200 and Conor McGregor’s rematch against Nate Diaz at UFC 202. Angered over the news leaking, UFC officials kicked Helwani and colleagues Esther Lin and Casey Leydon out of the arena at Saturday’s UFC 199 pay-per-view.

“I was brought to the back by UFC [public relations] and told by [White] that I had to leave the arena,” Helwani told Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports (h/t Awful Announcing). “Dana mentioned that from what I recalled that Brock Lesnar was upset the news was released early and that this could have ruined their deal. 

“He repeatedly said, ‘Go cover Bellator. We don’t want you here.’ … I said, ‘What did I do wrong?’ He said, ‘You’re too negative.’”

UFC spokesperson Dave Sholler told The Associated Press that the promotion believes journalists should seek comment from the UFC before reporting a story.

Appearing on SportsCenter on Monday, Lesnar said he did not have anything to do with Helwani’s ban.

“I don’t even know who that is…I don’t do Twitter. I’m in the dark. I have no idea,” Lesnar told Hannah Storm.

Earlier this year, Fox suddenly fired Helwani from its UFC coverage. While there was never any confirmation, there were rumors floating that the UFC was unhappy with how Helwani covered the sport—in particular an interview with Rory McDonald.

“There’s a lot of smart people on the internet,” Helwani said on the MMA Hour (via Joe Lucia of Awful Announcing). “There’s a lot of smart people out there. You can probably guess what happened. I don’t need to go into that. I want to have a career, I want to cover this sport. There’s no need. You can guess it. Read the stuff that’s out there. I don’t know how people are so smart, but you’re spot on.”

While Helwani is banned from receiving credentials, White said Helwani could cover future events if he purchased a ticket.

“He can cover all the events he wants, he just can’t have a credential,” White told TMZ.

Journalists are typically provided free access to sporting events, a long-standing tradition in exchange for the coverage they provide. A ringside seat at a UFC pay-per-view would set back Helwani (or MMAFighting.com) back thousands of dollars, and he would not have access to press conferences or other events.

White did not say whether MMAFighting.com has been banned outright.

“MMA Fighting and SB Nation fully support Ariel, Casey, Esther and the entire MMA Fighting staff. And we appreciate the support we have received from the MMA Fighting audience and community,” the website said in a statement.

The decision from the UFC borders on unprecedented and has been widely derided by media members. Lucia categorized it as being as if the “National Football League escorted Adam Schefter out of a game because they weren’t happy with his coverage.”

 

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Brock Lesnar vs. Mark Hunt Announced for UFC 200: Latest Comments and Reaction

Late last year, Brock Lesnar said he felt he got “robbed” by diverticulitis that cost him the prime of his UFC career. Now, as he prepares for a one-off return at UFC 200, Lesnar’s ready to prove to the world he’s still got it. 
Appearin…

Late last year, Brock Lesnar said he felt he got “robbed” by diverticulitis that cost him the prime of his UFC career. Now, as he prepares for a one-off return at UFC 200, Lesnar’s ready to prove to the world he’s still got it. 

Appearing Monday morning on SportsCenter, Lesnar revealed he will face Mark Hunt at the July 9 pay-per-view.

“It could be anybody,” Lesnar told Hannah Storm. “I didn’t care…I think I match up very well.”

The promotion announced Lesnar, 38, would return as a co-main event at next month’s UFC 200 at Saturday’s UFC 199 pay-per-view. Lesnar has not competed inside the octagon since being knocked out by Alistair Overeem at UFC 141, nearly five full years ago. He finished his initial MMA run with a 5-3 record, though the Overeem loss came amid Lesnar still dealing with diverticulitis.

The digestive disorder, which counts abdominal pain and nausea among its symptoms, caused Lesnar to 12 inches of his colon. It also prematurely ended his UFC career and sparked a return to WWE, where he’s been one of sports entertainment’s biggest draws.

The flirtation between UFC and Lesnar, however is nothing new. He seriously contemplated another UFC run last year when his contract with WWE expired. While he ultimately chose to return to WWE on a three-year contract, it’s clear he was never over the octagon itch. 

“It wasn’t a bluff,” Lesnar said on the Stone Cold Steve Austin podcast last year (via Ryan McKinnell of Yahoo Sports) . “I felt robbed by diverticulitis. I felt robbed by being sick. I was feeling good and it took me a couple years to start feeling good. I’m at home, I’m working out, my life is great, everything’s in tune, my contract’s coming to an end with WWE, hey it’s been a great time but something’s missing.

“I started a training camp. I wanted to test myself and see where I was, not more physical, but mentally. I wanted to see the mental challenges that it was going to take. If your head’s not in the game, the last place you want to get into is in the Octagon.”

WWE categorized Lesnar’s appearance at UFC 200 as a “one-off opportunity.” It’s clear the company would have no interest in allowing Lesnar out of his new deal with two years remaining, so they’ll use this as a cross-promotional tool for August’s SummerSlam. There have been rumors UFC 202 will help promote SummerSlam in some capacity, but that has not been confirmed.

“I’m a crossover athlete. I’m a modern-day Bo Jackson,” Lesnar said. “I couldn’t be more excited and honored that both companies have faith in Brock Lesnar to step back in the Octagon.”

Still, it’s clear WWE will get something out of this deal. UFC and WWE have often been publicly at odds in the past, so their willingness to work together for Lesnar speaks volumes of his star power and indicates something big might happen in the future. Perhaps it’s merely SummerSlam promotion, or this could lead to the long-rumored Ronda Rousey wrestling debut.

Either way, Lesnar will walk into next month’s pay-per-view with eyeballs across the sports world fixated on him.

 

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Stipe Miocic vs. Alistair Overeem to Headline UFC 203: Date, Location and More

Stipe Miocic didn’t have to wait long to find his first challenge for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. The promotion announced Wednesday that the champ will return to the ring Sept. 10 for a bout against Alistair Overeem at UFC 203. &nb…

Stipe Miocic didn’t have to wait long to find his first challenge for the UFC Heavyweight Championship. The promotion announced Wednesday that the champ will return to the ring Sept. 10 for a bout against Alistair Overeem at UFC 203.  

The event will take place in Cleveland, marking the first UFC pay-per-view at Quicken Loans Arena. Miocic, 33, is an Ohio native who is coming off a first-round knockout of Fabricio Werdum at UFC 198.

A bout between Miocic and Overeem had been expected. Overeem is red-hot, winning four straight fights and five of his last six. The 36-year-old veteran has been on the precipice of the championship a number of times before, most notably after knocking out Brock Lesnar in 2011. However, two straight losses sent him to the back of the line and forced him to work his way back up.

UFC.com ranks Overeem as the No. 3 contender in the heavyweight division. Werdum defeated No. 2 Cain Velasquez at UFC 188, so Overeem is the obvious next contender. 

Fourth-ranked heavyweight Junior dos Santos has already gone on record as picking Miocic in a romp, telling The MMA Hour, per Shaun Al-Shatti of MMA Fighting:

If it happens, I’m going to give the advantage to Miocic again over Overeem. I don’t think Overeem has what it takes to beat Miocic. Miocic is really hard. Do you remember my fight against him, against Miocic? It was one of the toughest fights I’ve ever had. He hits very hard. He’s got really heavy hands, so I think when I watch Miocic fight and Overeem fight, I think Miocic is way better than him.

Miocic lost to Dos Santos via decision in December 2014 on a Fox network special. It’s the only time Miocic has lost in his last seven fights, and he earned his last four victories by knockout. Each of Overeem’s last five losses dating back to his Pride Fighting Championship days has come via knockout.

If Dos Santos’ assessment of things turns out to be correct, Miocic might have a short day at the office in his first title defense.

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Cris Cyborg vs. Germaine de Randamie Reportedly Targeted for UFC 201

Cris Cyborg’s second UFC fight is reportedly already on its way. The dominant Brazilian, who splashed onto the scene at UFC 198 last Saturday, is slated to make her Octagon return in July for a bout against Germaine de Randamie.
UFC Tonight r…

Cris Cyborg’s second UFC fight is reportedly already on its way. The dominant Brazilian, who splashed onto the scene at UFC 198 last Saturday, is slated to make her Octagon return in July for a bout against Germaine de Randamie.

UFC Tonight reported the news Wednesday. The UFC has not confirmed Cyborg’s involvement yet, and the report indicated the fight is only “targeted” for UFC 201 on July 30 at this time. 

Cyborg, 30, signed with the UFC in March after years of being considered perhaps the best women’s MMA fighter in the world. She backed that up with a first-round knockout of Leslie Smith last weekend in Brazil, needing only one minute and 21 seconds. 

“There is nothing better; I am very happy, and I got in there very calm,” she said, per Brett Okamoto of ESPN.com. “I didn’t push hard, and I studied more. Many people who have followed me since the beginning were waiting for me to come to UFC. I admire Leslie for coming here, because she made my dream come true.”

The fight was at a 140-pound catchweight, five pounds above the UFC’s heaviest female division. For years, MMA fans have dreamed about a potential bout between Cyborg and Ronda Rousey. They never fought while both were in the Strikeforce promotion, though having both under the UFC umbrella makes that a possibility again.

Cyborg did not ask for a Rousey fight after her match, indicating in the post-fight press conference she wanted the night to be about her, per Chuck Mindenhall of MMA Fighting:

I believe that it was my moment, tonight was my moment and it was historic. I never thought I’d be sitting here tonight. So take a lot of pictures. I never thought I’d be here after everything that I went through. It was a historic moment for me. Talking about [Rousey] is not something…it’s something people are going to talk about, but I let my fans decide who my opponent will be and I just be ready.

Beating de Randamie would likely bring us closer to a Rousey-Cyborg headliner. The 32-year-old Dutch fighter is 3-1 since joining the UFC and has won her last two bouts via TKO. She is currently the promotion’s 12th-ranked bantamweight.

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