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Jon Jones’ UFC Return Is Official Again

Jon Jones is officially back in the UFC. Again. Well, at least hopefully. It was announced at today’s UFC Summer Kickoff press conference from UFC 211, that longtime former light heavyweight champion “Bones” will meet his bitter rival, current champion Daniel Cormier, at July 29’s UFC 214 from Anaheim, California. Cormier vs. Jones is one of

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Jon Jones is officially back in the UFC. Again. Well, at least hopefully.

It was announced at today’s UFC Summer Kickoff press conference from UFC 211, that longtime former light heavyweight champion “Bones” will meet his bitter rival, current champion Daniel Cormier, at July 29’s UFC 214 from Anaheim, California.

Cormier vs. Jones is one of the most infamous rivalries in UFC history, but outside of Jones’ victory in their first fight at UFC 182, it’s fallen apart far more times due to a variety of circumstances than it’s actually transpired. Jones first pulled out of their initial meeting with an innocent enough knee injury, beat Cormier, and was thought to be moving on to an awaited title fight against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson until his notorious New Mexico hit-and-run briefly made him a fugitive and ultimately resulted in him being stripped of his long-held title.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea for USA TODAY Sports

Cormier filled in against “Rumble” at UFC 187 and submitted the hulking power puncher in the third round, defending his belt against Alexander Gustafsson in a five-round war at October 2015’s UFC 192 to earn the rematch with Jones at April 2016’s UFC 197. But this time, Cormier pulled out with a groin injury, leaving Jones to fight late replacement Ovince Saint Preux for an interim title.

He won in a somewhat plain unanimous decision, and his rematch with Cormier was re-booked for the main event of July 2016’s massively anticipated UFC 200. But then the fight was called off yet again, when only three days prior to the bout news arrived that Jones had failed a USADA drug test for two banned estrogen blocking substances and was off the card. Cormier fought Anderson Silva, using his wrestling to smother the all-time great, while Jones was suspended for one year after an arbitration hearing where he supposedly claimed the substance was due to a sexual performance enhancement pill.

Cormier was supposed to defend his belt against Johnson at last December’s UFC 210 but pulled out with another injury. The fight was scheduled for a third time and Cormier submitted “Rumble” by rear-naked choke again, sending the fearsome knockout specialist into retirement and once again opening up the path for him to finally settle the score with Jones.

White has repeatedly stated that Jones would not headline an event he returned at because of trust issues he had created over the past two years of scandals. It’s an expected response from the company whom Jones was once arguably the biggest star of, yet they most likely know they need any big name they can get – even one as uncertain as Jones – in the octagon for a high-profile fight before this year begins being labeled a total bust.

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Romero’s Manager: It’s Time To Move On From Bisping vs. St-Pierre

It’s time to move on from Michael Bisping vs. Georges St-Pierre. That’s according to No. 1-ranked middleweight Yoel Romero’s manager, Malki Kawa, who spoke on the matter during an appearance on The Luke Thomas Show yesterday (Thurs. May 11, 2017). Earlier this year it was announced that St-Pierre had inked a fresh multi-fight deal with the

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It’s time to move on from Michael Bisping vs. Georges St-Pierre.

That’s according to No. 1-ranked middleweight Yoel Romero’s manager, Malki Kawa, who spoke on the matter during an appearance on The Luke Thomas Show yesterday (Thurs. May 11, 2017).

Earlier this year it was announced that St-Pierre had inked a fresh multi-fight deal with the UFC and would be challenging Michael Bisping for the middleweight crown. This upset the likes of top contenders such as Romero, Luke Rockhold, and Anderson Silva. This week, however, St-Pierre noted that he wouldn’t be ready to return until October, thus forcing UFC President Dana White to call the bout off and award the title shot to Romero.

Kawa said he expected this to happen as he knows White has a pet peeve for fighters who don’t fight (quotes via MMA Fighting):

“I actually was expecting it. If you know Dana White, one thing he can’t stand is when fighters don’t fight, especially when the champions don’t fight. . . If you know Dana right and you watch him, he’s probably just tired of the whole hoopla with Georges. . .

“The whole division is up in arms. Everybody comes out every day screaming and yelling except for Yoel. It’s unreal how much this one fight has caused so much of a headache. “

In response to White’s comments, St-Pierre said that he believes they’re nothing more than a bargaining tool in attempt to get him back into the Octagon sooner than he’d like. Kawa believes that is a possibility, but isn’t buying that’s actually what’s happening here:

“It could be. It’s a possibility but I doubt it. How do you come out publicly and say, ‘Yoel Romero is the guy that Bisping’s gonna fight’ one time, then you have him step aside and then do the same thing a second time? I just don’t see how. . .

“From what I’ve got from people at the UFC, they’re definitely gonna target the fight between Bisping and Yoel Romero. We’ve already accepted. We told them we’re in and we’re ready to rock and roll so we’re waiting on Bisping to accept.”

Kawa believes that what happens next lies in the hands of Bisping, who still could refuse to fight Romero and opt to instead wait for “Rush”. If that is the case, Kawa is calling for the belt to be stripped from the Englishman:

“I think the kicker in all of this is Bisping. It depends on Bisping because if Bisping refuses to fight, then what’s the next step? That’s gonna be the next thing.

“[If Bisping does refuse] I’m calling for them to strip the belt at this point. It’s time to strip the belt. . . It’s unfortunate. It’s a bad situation for everyone to be in but at the end of the day, it’s time for us to move on with this division.”

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Georges St-Pierre Thinks Dana White Is Just Being Emotional

Late last night the mixed martial arts world was shook by the news that UFC President Dana White was ready to call off the rumored Michael Bisping vs. Georges St-Pierre middleweight title fight, a bout that had drawn the collective (and increasing) disdain of many fans and fighters alike since it was announced with a

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Late last night the mixed martial arts world was shook by the news that UFC President Dana White was ready to call off the rumored Michael Bisping vs. Georges St-Pierre middleweight title fight, a bout that had drawn the collective (and increasing) disdain of many fans and fighters alike since it was announced with a high-profile press conference in March.

Many of the top combatants in the stacked middleweight division, including top contender Yoel Romero and former champions Anderson Silva and Luke Rockhold, correctly called it a fight that did nothing but clog up an already crowded title queue, especially considering the fact St-Pierre recently confirmed he would only be ready to fight after October.

So White apparently called the bout off last night, and St-Pierre provided his thoughts on the matter to MMA Fighting, noting that he still wants to fight “The Count” and adding that White may just be speaking from emotion:

“I want to fight Bisping and I think Bisping wants to fight me. I just learned the news. I don’t know what to say. It might be an emotional response by Dana or maybe it’s to put pressure on me.”

Photo by Joe Camporeale for USA TODAY Sports

The next 185-pound title shot will reportedly now go to Romero, but it’s unclear if St-Pierre, who’s said he’s only looking for the biggest of fights in his return from a nearly four-year absence, would face Romero for the title if he defeats Bisping as the early odds would have us believe.

Most hardcore fight fans acknowledge the brutalizing “Soldier of God” is far and away the most deserving middleweight contender, but St-Pierre focused on the opinion that those fighters left out in the dark on a big fight are simply an unfortunate result of the individual-focused fight game:

“In this sport, among fighters, when one fighter gets an opportunity, it always leaves more fighters unhappy than happy.

“It’s the nature of a one-man sport. I’ve been there.”

That may be true, but it’s also hard to justify holding up arguably one of the most talented divisions in the sport to await the potential return of a legendary former welterweight champion who has never even fought at 185. It also opens up the door for the promotion to finally book the long-rumored Silva vs. St-Pierre fight sometime down the road, a guaranteed pay-per-view (PPV_ hit even if would happen five years too late.

That the UFC can get the fans off their backs by giving Romero the fight he’s obviously earned, and also gain a super fight that would do much better numbers that Bisping vs. St-Pierre in the first place. It kills two birds with one stone, as they say, yet St-Pierre still seems to want his showdown with “The Count,” perhaps because he thinks he’s an easily beatable champion.

Perhaps he should have forced the issue of his return more forcefully after hinting at it for more than three-and-a-half years.

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Kelvin Gastelum Handed Three-Month Suspension For USADA Violation

Kelvin Gastelum has been suspended by the United States Anti-Doping Agency for three months. Gastelum was originally slated to face off against former UFC middleweight king Anderson Silva at UFC 212 on pay-per-view (PPV) from Brazil, however, he was removed from the contest after being flagged by USADA. Gastelum tested positive for Carboxy-THC, the pharmacologically-active metabolite found

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Kelvin Gastelum has been suspended by the United States Anti-Doping Agency for three months.

Gastelum was originally slated to face off against former UFC middleweight king Anderson Silva at UFC 212 on pay-per-view (PPV) from Brazil, however, he was removed from the contest after being flagged by USADA. Gastelum tested positive for Carboxy-THC, the pharmacologically-active metabolite found in marijuana.

Originally, Gastelum was handed a six month suspension for the failed test, which was taken in-competition on March 11th, the same night of his main event bout against Vitor Belfort in Brazil. As a result, the Brazilian MMA Sports Court (STJDMMA) handed the 25-year-old a three month suspension and fined him 20 percent of his fight purse.

His win over Belfort was later overturned to a No Contest.

Mar 11, 2017; Fortazela, Brazil, USA; Kelvin Gastelum (blue gloves) fights Vitor Belfort (red gloves) during UFC Fight Night at Centro de Formacao Olimpica de Fortaleza. Mandatory Credit: Jason Silva-USA TODAY Sports

Gastelum is currently on a two-fight win streak with his recent knockout win over Belfort having been overturned. His last Octagon win saw him finish the now-retired Tim Kennedy in the third round of their UFC 206 PPV matchup back in December.

The Ultimate Fighter Season 17 (TUF 17) winner’s only losses in his mixed martial arts (MMA) career have come via split decision, and they’ve been to the likes of Neil Magny and current 170-pound title holder Tyron Woodley.

After making the jump up to 185 pounds Gastelum seemed to be presenting himself as a legitimate title threat at both the UFC’s welterweight and middleweight divisions. His recent trials with USADA will certainly take a toll on that momentum.

Gastelum will be eligible to return to action as early as June 11th.

His removal from the UFC 212 PPV sparked a fire under Anderson Silva, who called for an interim middleweight title bout against No. 1-ranked Yoel Romero, and threatened to retire if it wasn’t granted. UFC President Dana White responded by saying that if “The Spider” has retirement on his mind then he probably shouldn’t be in the Octagon anymore.

The middleweight division was in a bit of an awkward position after it was announced that former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre would be coming out of retirement to challenge Michael Bisping for the 185-pound throne. Fighters such as Anderson Silva and Luke Rockhold had expressed displeasure with the Canadian’s immediate title opportunity, but that frustration may have turned into joy in light of recent events.

It was announced yesterday (Fri. May 12, 2017) by Dana White that plans for Bisping vs. “Rush” are now off and that No. 1-ranked Yoel Romero would be getting his rightful title shot. The UFC’s current middleweight division is full of great talent such as Chris Weidman, ‘Jacare’ Souza, Robbert Whittaker, Luke Rockhold, Gegard Mousasi (currently a free agent), and Kelvin Gastelum.

If Gastelum is able to make a statement in his next middleweight bout inside the Octagon, he could be right in the title mix as well.

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Jose Aldo Gets Stitches Four Weeks Before UFC 212

Jose Aldo gave mixed martial arts (MMA) fans yet another scare earlier today (Wed. May 10, 2017). The UFC featherweight champion is set to defend his crown against Max Holloway, the interim 145-pound champion of the world. The pair are set to meet in the main event of UFC 212 on pay-per-view (PPV). Aldo was

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Jose Aldo gave mixed martial arts (MMA) fans yet another scare earlier today (Wed. May 10, 2017).

The UFC featherweight champion is set to defend his crown against Max Holloway, the interim 145-pound champion of the world. The pair are set to meet in the main event of UFC 212 on pay-per-view (PPV).

Aldo was the first and only ever UFC featherweight champion and was able to successfully defend that title eight times. It wasn’t until his ninth title defense attempt that he was first defeated under the UFC banner, being knocked out by Conor McGregor in just 13 seconds at UFC 194 back in December of 2015.

The loss marked the Brazilian’s first defeat in over a decade. Aldo was able to capture the interim featherweight strap when he defeated Frankie Edgar at UFC 200 back in July of 2016. Due to inactivity as champion, however, McGregor was stripped of his featherweight title, thus promoting Aldo to undisputed champion once again.

In order to determine “Scarface’s” next challenger, an interim title bout was implemented yet again between Max Holloway and former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.

Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports

Holloway won the bout via third round TKO, setting up his unification bout against Aldo. According to a report from Combate, Aldo suffered a cut above his eyebrow during sparring. It required five stitches to heal but shouldn’t keep the Brazilian champ out of the Octagon next month (quotes via Bloody Elbow):

“This is a normal cut. I’ve fought with my eyebrow stitched up, once. This one is on the top of my head. It’s a sign of victory.” Aldo said. “I was sparring last week, I went for a double leg and there was a clash of heads. I’m training as usual. The placement of the cut doesn’t hinder me in any way. It’s cool. I got five stitches.

“I’m supposed to take them off tomorrow, but we’ll see. It didn’t change my routine. The day I got cut, I got the stitches and then went right back to train jiu-jitsu. It’s right on the top of my head, where there’s no contact or impact. The cut changes nothing.”

As for Holloway, he is on an impressive 10-fight win streak and hasn’t lost since his unanimous decision loss to Conor McGregor back in August of 2013. He has beaten the likes of Anthony Pettis, Ricardo Lamas, Jeremy Stephens, and Cub Swanson.

Now he’ll get the opportunity to test himself against one, if not the, greatest mixed martial artist to have ever competed at 145 pounds. With a win over Aldo, the 25-year-old will have won 11 straight fights in the UFC.

(Photo by Harry How/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

UFC 212 goes down live on pay-per-view (PPV) from the Jeunesse Arena in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on June 3, 2017.

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Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones II Reportedly Confirmed For UFC 214

The long-awaited Daniel Cormier vs. Jones rematch is reportedly finally set once again, and this time it’s scheduled for late in the summer. According to a report from BJ PENN.com’s Chris Taylor, multiple sources have confirmed that Cormier will rematch Jones at July 29’s UFC 214 from Anaheim, California. The rumored return of Cris Cyborg

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The long-awaited Daniel Cormier vs. Jones rematch is reportedly finally set once again, and this time it’s scheduled for late in the summer.

According to a report from BJ PENN.com’s Chris Taylor, multiple sources have confirmed that Cormier will rematch Jones at July 29’s UFC 214 from Anaheim, California. The rumored return of Cris Cyborg is also still slated to take place on the card, with the dominant female star allegedly fighting for an interim or vacate featherweight belt with her opponent “still in the works”:

Cormier and Jones’ highly-publicized beef goes back nearly three full years to their now-historic presser brawl before their original scheduled rematch at 2014’s UFC 178 from Las Vegas. That fight would go on to fall apart due to a Jones injury, but the two would eventually settle their score – or so we thought – when Jones finally outlasted Cormier with a five-round unanimous decision win over Cormier in the main event of 2015’s UFC 182, the only loss of Cormier’s illustrious career.

Photo: Jayne Kamin-Oncea for USA TODAY Sports

“Bones” was set to move on to the next challenge of his own legendary MMA career when he matched up with Anthony “Rumble” Johnson at May 2015’s UFC 187, but when Jones was forced out of the fight after a bizarre and shocking hit-and-run accident where he left a 25-year-old pregnant girl with a broken arm, the all-time great was stripped of his belt and Cormier was granted na opportunity few ever get after losing a title fight in their previous bout.

He capitalized majorly, submitted Johnson in the third round of their main event bout after getting rocked by a missile of a right hand in the first round, opening up the path for his title reign that has been filled with ups and downs. He defended the belt against Alexander Gustafsson in a classic battle at UFC 192, and was set to rematch Jones at April 2016’s UFC 197 before a leg injury forced him out. Jones ultimately fought and beat Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 197 in a one-sided replacement fight for the interim title.

The rematch was scheduled yet again for last July’s massive UFC 200, but once again Jones made a boneheaded mistake that put his fighting future in jeopardy when he failed pre-fight drug tests for banned estrogen blockers. Cormier fought and beat replacement Anderson Silva in an uninspired, safe decision before defending the belt for a second time with another rear-naked choke win over Johnson at April 8’s UFC 210, a bout after which ‘Rumble’ announced his retirement from the fight game.

UFC President Dana White has stated that Jones will not return to a main event because of the trust issues his track record of the past few years have understandably fostered, so it would seem like the company will have to get an absolutely huge match-up to feature over Cormier vs. Jones, one of the most anticipated  – and rescheduled – rematches in UFC history.

Cyborg fighting Megan Anderson may fit that bill, but it’s safe to say that most eyes will be on the potential return of ‘Bones’ and whether or not he can defeat the more by-the-book champion that most fans seem to hate for one reason or another.

Either way, UFC 214 is looking like it will be stacked.

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