Following Georges St-Pierre’s comments that a lack of support from the UFC regarding pre-fight drug screening played some role in his decision to step away from fighting, UFC CEO and co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta says he is both ‘shocked’ and ‘extremely disappointed’ upon hearing the former welterweight champion’s comments.
“We’ve always had an open line of communication with him and I’d like to know why he feels that way,” Fertitta told Yahoo!’s Kevin Iole Tuesday afternoon.
“It was extremely disappointing to hear Georges make those comments because I don’t think any organization has embraced drug testing as we have. We have not only agreed to pay when the commission has said it wants to do enhanced testing, we’ve encouraged it. We have no problem with testing. When we serve as the commission [in areas out of the country where there is no commission], we test everyone on the card so we are thorough and there can be no claims of bias.”
St-Pierre had previously expressed concern over his perception of the sport’s apathetic status quo, but his statements have never been so bold. “That’s one of the reasons why I stopped fighting,” St-Pierre told Canadian media members Tuesday. “Not really to teach them a lesson, because that would also punish me. I wanted to do something for the sport. I love the sport. I see the direction it’s going, and I don’t think it makes any sense. This is stupid.”
“We’ve actually advocated for harsher penalties for PEDs,” Fertitta told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. “Maybe Georges didn’t understand the level of drug testing Nevada was doing. They are the ultimate authority that handles drug testing, medicals and everything else — and they are very capable.”
St-Pierre renounced his title shortly after his controversial title defense to Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 in November.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
“Maybe if things change one day, I’ll return.” Georges St-Pierre opens up on why exactly he felt the need to step away from the UFC.
RIP Mauricio. Sad news yesterday as we learned of the death of Mauricio Zingano, husband and trainer of wife Cat Zingano. Read Cat’s full statement here.
Day 1. According to his manager, Anderson Silva has begun physical therapy near his home in Los Angeles. “It wasn’t meant for him to stop. He’s eager to come back.”
Pitbull. Even though he ‘won’ a Bellator title shot after surviving last season’s featherweight tournament, Patricio Freire has been trumped in favor of Pat Curran vs. Daniel Straus III. “That whole ‘where the title shots are earned, not given’ is pure bulls–t now. That doesn’t exist anymore.”
Thanks, but no thanks. He may have deleted the tweet, but Khabib Nurmagomedov tells Michael Johnson he’s just not up to snuff.
MEDIA STEW
UFC Fight Night 35 weigh-ins highlight. Watch the entire thing here.
Jason Miller plotting MMA return.
Rich Franklin talks fighter pay. “UFC not in business to give money away.”
Joanne Calderwood (this fine lady) wants Anderson Silva to be her TUF 20 coach.
Straus vs. Curran III. Sounds like Rebney is ‘adjusting’ the Bellator business model.
Free fight: Nate Diaz vs. Josh Thomson at UFC on FOX 7.
Trailer for GLORY 14 featuring the rematch between Mirko Filipovic and Remy Bonjasky. I’d watch CroCop fight a Mini Cooper.
Long watches.
40 minute interview with Ian McCall.
TWEETS
RIP Mauricio Zingano.
My condolences to @catZingano & her family for their loss
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) January 14, 2014
@CatZingano Sending my prayers from my heart to my MMA sister @CatZingano & her family in this time. My deepest condolences.
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) January 14, 2014
Thinking about you and your family @CatZingano …
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) January 14, 2014
@CatZingano my heart breaks for you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) January 14, 2014
Horrible news for @CatZingano and everyone involved here’s how you can help @ufc fam unite.. http://t.co/qwMhbBnuYi
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) January 15, 2014
I don’t know why you did that but RIP. Be strong @CatZingano, you are a worrior!! Ossss http://t.co/G1uGBap3a8
— Claudia Gadelha (@ClaudiaGadelha_) January 15, 2014
Heartfelt condolences to @CatZingano and her family. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
— Shannon Knapp (@shanknapp) January 14, 2014
My thoughts and prayers are with @CatZingano, her son and family during this time of sorrow.
— Germaine de Randamie (@IronLadyMMA) January 14, 2014
so sorry about your loss @CatZingano sending <3
— Kaitlin Young (@kaitlin_young) January 14, 2014
Thoughts and prayers to one of my training partners @catzingano and her family. Let’s show them some support!… http://t.co/CSAUcv3HYu
— Cody Donovan (@donnybrookcody) January 15, 2014
My thoughts and love goes out @CatZingano and family 🙁 ♥♥♥
— Bec Rowdy Hyatt (@RowdyBec) January 14, 2014
My condolences go out to @CatZingano I’m so sorry for your loss! I cannot imagine your pain! My prayers go out out to you and your baby.
— Marina Shafir (@MarinaShafir) January 14, 2014
🙁 I’m sure u are getting tons of messages. I just wanted to send my thoughts & prayers out to u & your family @CatZingano So sorry girlie.
— Zoila Frausto (@ZoilaFrausto) January 14, 2014
My heart goes out to @CatZingano I do know how she feels
— DrAnnMaria (@DrAnnMaria) January 14, 2014
Numbers game.
So I get y @NateDiaz209 won’t fight me get 2 him later but as 4 @TeamKhabib u aint really fought nobody 2 say I need 2 work up to u #joke
— Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) January 14, 2014
@TeamKhabib I understand u but this isnt a numbers game & ur paying attn 2 the wrong things sayin that its the fight game #s don’t mean s**t
— Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) January 14, 2014
We’ve still got one taker.
“@TeamKhabib: @Unclecreepymma I do not offend small😂” no idea what you mean but I like you pal. I’m trying to get to Russia soon n train
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) January 15, 2014
European carryall.
Walkin thru the lobby and literally caught a dude trying to steal my bag and I to choke his ass!! pic.twitter.com/7uEg7gkMnC
— Dana White (@danawhite) January 15, 2014
Ready for tonight.
Healthy refueling pic.twitter.com/CUj1bMXOUn
— isaac vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) January 15, 2014
I no longer have abs 🙁
— Louis Smolka (@LASTSAMURAIMMA) January 15, 2014
Someone asked what my mouth piece said,HULK SMASH! That’s what I’m doing wed night @ufc I wish we fought tonight pic.twitter.com/GbF2tnfuCM
— Mike Easton (@mikeeastonmma) January 13, 2014
Home sweet home. @ufc pic.twitter.com/oqqvVoB7xF
— Charlie Brenneman (@SpaniardMMA) January 14, 2014
Pretty solid.
SOLID practice today! #hardwork #ironsharpensiron #crowtime http://t.co/j806sGNGI0
— David Loiseau (@DavidLoiseau) January 14, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Jan. 14 2014)
CB Dollaway vs. Cezar Ferreira at UFC Fight Night Natal
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Da Headbanger.
Everything You NEED to Know About UFC Fight Night 35
UFC Fight Night 35… not sure what to think of it with my initial thoughts. While the main event of Luke Rockhold and Costa Philippou is a good match up that should produce good results it feels like it would be better suited for a co-main event. Both are coming off of loses and neither had an inspiring performance in those loses. So what is the co-main event? Lorenz Larkin and Brad Tavares whom most casual fans don’t know. This one is not a bad match either… but co-main event? It is what it is.
Now that I’ve got that out of the way, I have rarely walked away from a fight card (not just UFC) without something that satiated my appetite for violence and expect this one to do the same. I’m sure Rockhold and Philippou will be a fun fight as neither can be considered boring and the same can be said for Tavares and Larkin. TJ Dillashaw and Mike Easton will have some impact in the bantamweight rankings and Yoel Romero is thought to be a sleeper in the middleweight division by many. And just because the rest of the card is littered with fighters only hardcore fans are familiar with doesn’t mean they can’t put on a fun fight.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
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