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Derrick Lewis Pulled from UFC Edmonton Card Due to Medical Issue, Bout with Jhonata Diniz Cancelled

‘The Black Beast’ Derrick Lewis has been pulled out of his UFC Edmonton bout against Jhonata Diniz. The heavyweights…

‘The Black Beast’ Derrick Lewis has been pulled out of his UFC Edmonton bout against Jhonata Diniz. The heavyweights will not compete due to an undisclosed medical issue.

Derrick Lewis Out

The US-born Derrick Lewis has long been a staple of the UFC heavyweight division having spent a decade in the organization and nearly 30 bouts under their banner. He is best known for his knockouts and post-fight speeches.

At UFC Edmonton, scheduled for November 2, Lewis was meant to face dangerous striker Jhonata Diniz. Both made weight successfully. Lewis missed the ceremonial weigh-in later that day. Then, a few hours later, it was announced, by UFC officials, that Derrick Lewis had been pulled from the event due to a non-weight-related medical issue. What this pertains to specifically has not yet been disclosed in further detail.

This cancellation is a letdown for Lewis, who was aiming to build on his recent win in May, which added to his record-setting 15 knockouts in the UFC. It’s also a setback for Diniz, who, with a perfect 8-0 record was eager for a chance to compete against an experienced fighter like Lewis. Despite this change, the UFC event in Edmonton will still go on with 13 fights. To fill the gap, a flyweight fight between Canadian Jasmine Jasudavicius and Ariane da Silva is expected to be bumped up to the main card.

The main event will see the former champion Brandon Moreno take on in a flyweight showdown. Also, fan favorite and former champion Rose Namajunas will look to continue to climb in the women’s flyweight division against Erin Blanchfield.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 18: Derrick Lewis prepares to fight Chris Daukaus in their heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on December 18, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Chris Curtis Drops Controversial Donald Trump-Jeffrey Epstein Bombshell in Fighter Feud

Action Man’ Chris Curtis recently brought up Donald Trump’s connections to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in a conversation with…

Action Man’ Chris Curtis recently brought up Donald Trump’s connections to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in a conversation with UFC lightweight Michael Chandler.

Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein

Recent developments have brought this connection, between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, back into the spotlight, particularly with the release of audio recordings by journalist Michael Wolff. The recently released audio recordings allegedly capture Epstein discussing the inner workings of Trump’s White House. Wolff also makes some explosive claims about photographs he says Epstein showed him, allegedly depicting Trump with young women at Epstein’s Palm Beach home.

Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein seemed to be friends who eventually had a falling out. Their past association continues to be a point of interest and controversy, especially in light of Epstein’s conviction as a sex offender and the serious crimes he was accused of at the time of his death.

Chris Curtis and Michael Chandler

Michael Chandler felt sensitive and victimized by Joe Biden calling Trump supporters garbage. He ensured the internet knew his feelings were hurt. On X he Tweeted, “Joe called you garbage. Kamala called you a nazi. Walz called you weird. Hillary called you deplorable. They wonder why so many are voting for a “felon.”” While drinking from a mug with Donald Trump’s face on it that read “Not Guilty.” Donald Trump was found guilty by a New York jury on all 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records in a hush-money scheme aimed at influencing the 2016 election.

UFC athlete ‘Action Man’ Chris Curtis countered with: “Are we not gonna talk about the Epstein tapes…”

Are we not gonna talk about the Epstein tapes…

— Chris Curtis The Action Man (@Actionman513) November 1, 2024

Kamala Harris’s policies focus on improving life for working families and the middle class. She aims to lower food and housing costs, expand child tax credits, and provide support for first-time homebuyers. On immigration, she’s adopted a firmer stance while emphasizing her background as a prosecutor. Donald Trump’s policies center on extending his previous tax cuts, which primarily benefited wealthier Americans, and implementing broad tariffs on imports.

Khamzat Chimaev’s Close Relationship with Ramzan Kadyrov Sparks Controversy: UFC Faces Dilemma Says Former Fighter

UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev has a relationship with the Head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov. This is a…

UFC fighter Khamzat Chimaev has a relationship with the Head of the Chechen Republic Ramzan Kadyrov. This is a controversial position for the UFC to continue to support ‘The Wolf.’

Ramzan Kadyrov and MMA

As reported by journalist Karim Zidan at Sports Politika, connections between Kadyrov and MMA fighters have raised ethical concerns and potentially led to career limitations for some athletes. There are reports suggesting that UFC fighters may be facing visa bans due to their ties with Kadyrov.

Kadyrov’s involvement in MMA goes beyond mere support for athletes. He has been accused of using his fight club as a recruitment tool for his private militia, with some fighters allegedly being transformed into hired thugs and soldiers. In December 2020, the United States Department of the Treasury issued sanctions targeting Kadyrov and his fight club, marking the first time a country had taken such action against Kadyrov’s sports investments.

Journalists covering this topic, such as Karim Zidan, have faced challenges and even threats for their reporting on Kadyrov’s involvement in MMA.

Ramzan Kadyrov is widely considered a war criminal due to his long history of human rights abuses and involvement in atrocities. Since taking power in 2007, Kadyrov has ruled Chechnya with an iron fist, using his security forces to brutally suppress any opposition or dissent. Under Kadyrov’s leadership, Chechen authorities have been implicated in widespread torture, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and arbitrary detentions.

Kadyrov’s influence in MMA extends to high-profile fighters, including UFC athletes including Khamzat Chimaev. One of the most notable examples is his relationship with Khamzat Chimaev. The connection between Kadyrov and Chimaev has become a subject of recent concern.

Ramzan Kadyrov and Khamzat Chimaev

Former UFC athlete Brendan Schaub believes that the UFC working with Ramzan Kadyrov and Khamzat Chimaev is cause for concern. On his podcast, Schaub explained:

“There’s a lot going on behind the scenes with Khamzat that people don’t know about… That Chechen dictator, his two sons were his cornermen, did you know that? So then, it’s like, how close is he with this dictator?… Do you want that to be the face of the middleweight division? One of the faces of the UFC, knowing there are these ties to this horrible dictator.

“If you’re DDP [Dricus du Plessis] and Strickland [Sean], whoever wins that fight, which they’re probably going to do next… You’re gonna ask that champ to only fight in the Middle East? Well, that ain’t fair… To make these guys go to the Middle East is insane.”

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Derrick Lewis Calls It: Jon Jones Will Finish Stipe Miocic in First Round at UFC 309

Heavyweight knockout machine “The Black Beast” Derrick Lewis has offered his pick for the UFC heavyweight championship showdown between…

Heavyweight knockout machine “The Black Beast” Derrick Lewis has offered his pick for the UFC heavyweight championship showdown between Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic. The title tilt will place as the headlining fight of UFC 309 in Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 17.

Derrick Lewis on Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic

The US-born Derrick Lewis is a veteran of the UFC’s heavyweight division having a whopping 29 bouts in this organization since making his debut in 2014. This weekend, he faces Jhonata Diniz at UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Albazi.

‘Bones‘ Jon Jones was the long-reigning UFC light heavyweight champion racking up some incredible wins and remaining unbeaten as a titleholder. He defeated several notable fighters such as Rashad Evans, Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, Daniel Cormier, and Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, among many more.

Eventually, Jon Jones would vacate his light heavyweight strap and make a move to heavyweight. He captured the vacant title with a quick submission against Ciryl Gane in early 2023. Now, he is set to face the former champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 309.

Stone Cold” Stipe Miocic set the record for most consecutive title defenses in UFC Heavyweight division history during his reign and has wins over fighters such as Fabricio Werdum, Alistair Overeem, and Daniel Cormier, among others. Miocic has not been active since 2021.

gettyimages 1309512613 612x612 1 — LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 27: Stipe Miocic prepares to fight Francis Ngannou during the UFC 260 event at UFC APEX on March 27, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

On squaring up the UFC 309 main event Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, Derrick Lewis said:

“I think Jones will beat him in the first round. It’s crazy to see a lot of people just disrespect Jones like that, like he ain’t the GOAT, for real. A lot of people keep throwing around these GOAT terms and this and that, Jones has been doing this for so many years at the top of the level against all these opponents, like top-ranked guys.

“Even though he have been having all this trouble outside the UFC, it’s like people outside the UFC don’t know, it’s 80% mental and 20% physical. If you don’t have the mentality going into these fights, you aren’t going to do well. For him to be going through all that stuff he been going through, and still beaten these guys like this, it says a lot.” [Ht BJPenn]

Derrick Lewis Calls It: Jon Jones Will Finish Stipe Miocic in First Round at UFC 309

Heavyweight knockout machine “The Black Beast” Derrick Lewis has offered his pick for the UFC heavyweight championship showdown between…

Derrick Lewis on Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic

On squaring up the UFC 309 main event Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic, Derrick Lewis said:

“I think Jones will beat him in the first round. It’s crazy to see a lot of people just disrespect Jones like that, like he ain’t the GOAT, for real. A lot of people keep throwing around these GOAT terms and this and that, Jones has been doing this for so many years at the top of the level against all these opponents, like top-ranked guys.

“Even though he have been having all this trouble outside the UFC, it’s like people outside the UFC don’t know, it’s 80% mental and 20% physical. If you don’t have the mentality going into these fights, you aren’t going to do well. For him to be going through all that stuff he been going through, and still beaten these guys like this, it says a lot.” [Ht BJPenn]

Dricus du Plessis Laughs Off Sean Strickland’s Title Hopes with Brutal Three-Word Retort ‘Finish Your Fights’

Stillknocks’ Dricus du Plessis is not too impressed with the former champion Sean Strickland attempting to work his way…

Stillknocks’ Dricus du Plessis is not too impressed with the former champion Sean Strickland attempting to work his way into a UFC middleweight title shot. South Africa’s du Plessis has his eyes on a new challenge in the form of Khamzat Chimaev.

Dricus du Plessis Laughs Off Sean Strickland

The South African champion Dricus du Plessis earned a win over Sean Strickland to capture the UFC middleweight crown and then defended this throne against Israel Adesanya. ‘Stillknocks’ is not interested in further rematching the former titleholder Strickland, instead is looking at the fresh matchup of Khamzat Chimaev.

Dricus du Plessis confirms plan to fight Khamzat Chimaev next: 'He should get the next shot'

Since losing the title, the US-born Strickland has picked up an uneventful win against the mid-ranked Paulo Costa and is demanding a shot at the title with this. Strickland is not well known for his exciting fights or finishing ability but is more popular due to his rants aimed at minorities and women.

khamzat rob — ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 26: Khamzat Chimaev of Russia reacts after a submission victory against Robert Whittaker of New Zealand in a middleweight fight during the UFC 308 event at Etihad Arena on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)

‘Borz’ Khamzat Chimaev has an 85% win rate by way of knockout or submission over his undefeated MMA career. Having just won a stunning first-round submission against the former champion Robert Whittaker, ‘Stillknocks’ is looking at Chimaev as the better contender. Strickland is begging for a title shot on social media, he said:

“Understand one thing… I am next in line. Its been said, it’s been written. January/February me and @dricusduplessis are scrapping. Go back to Chechnya and wait a few months. Wait — sorry UAE — you’re not allowed in Chechnya, but hey, crypto scams while you wait.”

In response, speaking to TMZ Sports, the champion Dricus Du Plessis said:

“Finish your fights”

‘Stillknocks’ is mocking Strickland for his unimpressive 51% finish rate in his MMA career. To add, UFC personalities such as Daniel Cormier and Joe Rogan are picking Chimaev for the next shot at the middleweight title, snubbing Strickland.