MMA Legend Receives 2-Year Prison Sentence For Importing Drug-Infused Chocolate

Former UFC and PRIDE fighter Enson Inoue has received a 2-year prison sentence for importing drug-infused chocolate. The sentence is currently on a 4-year suspension meaning that if Inoue does not commit an offense in this time, he will not be imprisoned. Inoue was responsible for obtaining chocolate bars that contained psilocybin and was initially […]

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Former UFC and PRIDE fighter Enson Inoue has received a 2-year prison sentence for importing drug-infused chocolate.

The sentence is currently on a 4-year suspension meaning that if Inoue does not commit an offense in this time, he will not be imprisoned.

Inoue was responsible for obtaining chocolate bars that contained psilocybin and was initially facing jail time as a result.

He has previously spent time in jail 16 years ago where he was arrested for being in possession of marijuana in Tokyo, Japan.

After spending just under a month in prison, he was given a suspended sentence of two years with four on probation, where he couldn’t leave Japan.

Enson Inoue Learned A Lot From This Short Experience In Prison

In a piece by John Morgan for MMA Junkie back in 2008, Inoue reflected on how this experience of spending 28 days in prison had changed his outlook on life.

“It was a bad experience, but it turned very good,” Inoue said. “If I had to rewind this life, I think this is what I needed.

“My life was like a leaf that falls into the river and flows down the river. That’s what my life was. I was flowing with the river. No guidance. I was headed for bad things. So it was good. It set me right. It got me thinking on a whole different perspective.”

The MMA pioneer is one of the true originals of the sport, having faced off with fellow legends like Frank Shamrock, Mark Kerr and Igor Vovchanchyn.

Not to mention arguably his most impressive win when he submitted Randy Couture at Vale Tudo Japan back in 1998.

Providing that he is able to stay out of trouble in the next several years, there may not be any further updates on this story.

Read also: PFL Founder Continues To Bash Kayla Harrison For UFC Signing: ‘She Ran’

Continue Reading MMA Legend Receives 2-Year Prison Sentence For Importing Drug-Infused Chocolate at MMA News.

BKFC President ‘100 Percent’ Confident Of Bare-Knuckle Future For Conor McGregor: ‘Why Wouldn’t You?’ 

After speaking to Conor McGregor, BKFC president David Feldman has no doubt that the former two-division UFC champion will compete in his promotion down the line. McGregor’s combat sports future currently sits under a sizable cloud of uncertainty, one that’s hovered over him ever since a broken leg condemned him to the sidelines back in […]

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After speaking to Conor McGregor, BKFC president David Feldman has no doubt that the former two-division UFC champion will compete in his promotion down the line.

McGregor’s combat sports future currently sits under a sizable cloud of uncertainty, one that’s hovered over him ever since a broken leg condemned him to the sidelines back in 2021.

After a lengthy recovery, the Irishman’s UFC comeback was announced at the start of 2023, with the ex-featherweight and lightweight titleholder penciled in to coach opposite Michael Chandler on The Ultimate Fighter ahead of an Octagon showdown.

Over a year-and-a-half later, the pair’s matchup has still not reached the cage, and that’s despite an official booking this past summer. Now, Chandler is moving on to run it back with Charles Oliveira at UFC 309 in November.

McGregor, meanwhile, continues to have fingers in every pie, and that includes the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship. The Dubliner became a part-owner of the bare-knuckle promotion earlier this year and has continued to be a prominent presence at events.

With just two fights left on his UFC deal, which he hopes to get in next year, many have pondered whether “The Notorious” star could make a high-profile switch from the Octagon to the BKFC ring.

And according to the BKFC president, it’s not a matter of if, but when…

Feldman Reveals McGregor Talks Over BKFC Fight

During a recent interview with MMA Fighting, Feldman discussed McGregor’s growing involvement in and promotion of the BKFC brand ever since he invested in the organization this past April.

One of the leading topics has centered around a possible bare-knuckle venture for the Irishman himself, and Feldman appears extremely confident of that coming to fruition following a recent conversation with him.

“Unless he’s the best salesman in the world, the talks that we’ve had it’s like, ‘I’m fighting here,’” Feldman said. “I’m like, ‘Yeah, OK.’ He (said), ‘I’m fighting here.’

“I go, ‘Why wouldn’t you fight here?’ Because you have equity in the company and if you fight here, you’ll probably make more money than anywhere else in the world because of what it’s going to do for the company. So I truly believe what you said. I think 100 percent he fights here.”

Before talk of McGregor putting his fists to work in BKFC’s squared circle can pick up, McGregor will first need to fulfil his obligations on mixed martial arts’ biggest stage.

It remains to be seen when the first of the two remaining bouts on his UFC contract will come and against whom. But during his appearance at the Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois event in London this past weekend, McGregor told DAZN’s Ariel Helwani that he’s still hoping to finish his business with Chandler in 2025.

Continue Reading BKFC President ‘100 Percent’ Confident Of Bare-Knuckle Future For Conor McGregor: ‘Why Wouldn’t You?’  at MMA News.

Two Russian MMA Fighters Killed In Moscow Shootout Controversy Involving Ramzan Kadyrov

A shoot out involving several figures connected to MMA at a Russian retailer has led to at least two dead and seven injured. Several MMA fighters were involved in the incident and have connections with Ramzan Kadyrov’s Akhmat Fight Club. The controversial Chechen leader has become a significant figure in the MMA landscape due to […]

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A shoot out involving several figures connected to MMA at a Russian retailer has led to at least two dead and seven injured.

Several MMA fighters were involved in the incident and have connections with Ramzan Kadyrov’s Akhmat Fight Club.

The controversial Chechen leader has become a significant figure in the MMA landscape due to his relationship with several high profile fighters including Khamzat Chimaev.

This particular case is said to have taken place due to a personal and business conflict regarding Russian retailer Wildberries, which Kadyrov was then brought into.

The two victims of the shooting were reported to be MMA fighters Islam Elmurziev and Abubakar Mestoev.

Shocking Details Emerge On Moscow Raid & Shooting At Business Headquarters

The shoot-out happened at the companie’s headquarters in Moscow following an attempted merger of the company with Russ Group from Wildberries founder Tatyana Bakalchuk, who is Russia’s richest woman.

Her ex-husband, Vladislav Bakalchuk, reportedly led these raids as a response to the merger which has also been publicly criticized by Kadyrov – who Bakalchuk called for support.

Vladislav has since been detained and will be charged for his actions that took place during his ongoing divorce process.

In a response to the charges, Bakalchuk’s attorneys labelled them as “absurd” and claimed that the group of “colleagues” that he was with were attending a “pre-arranged meeting to resolve a corporate conflict.”

Intellinews.com reports that Russian media ignored the entire situation for the most part.

On her Telegram channel, Tatyana Bakalchuk wrote this message to address the situation and her former husband.

“Yesterday’s lawlessness resulted in the lives of our office security staff being cut short. We are confident that the perpetrators will be punished in accordance with the law.

“Armed men stormed into our office, they started shooting, it was mayhem. Vladislav, what are you doing? How will you look your parents and children in the eye?”

There are endless details about this shocking case, including a second raid at another office that took place on the same day.

To find out more on the ongoing case via the following thread on X, posted by journalist Al Zullino.

Read also: ‘Pereira Shoots On Khalil’ – Rountree’s Coach Makes Bold Prediction Ahead Of UFC 307 Title Fight

Continue Reading Two Russian MMA Fighters Killed In Moscow Shootout Controversy Involving Ramzan Kadyrov at MMA News.

Noche UFC 306 Results & Highlights: Merab Dvalishvili Decisions Sean O’Malley

Noche UFC (UFC 306) took place tonight from the Sphere in Las Vegas, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights!  In the main event, Sean O’Malley put his bantamweight title on the line against Merab Dvalishvili. While in the co-main event, Alexa Grasso looked to defend her flyweight title in a trilogy […]

Continue Reading Noche UFC 306 Results & Highlights: Merab Dvalishvili Decisions Sean O’Malley at MMA News.

Noche UFC (UFC 306) took place tonight from the Sphere in Las Vegas, and MMA News has you covered with all the results and highlights! 

In the main event, Sean O’Malley put his bantamweight title on the line against Merab Dvalishvili. While in the co-main event, Alexa Grasso looked to defend her flyweight title in a trilogy bout with former champ Valentina Shevchenko. 

Noche UFC 306 Results: Main Card

  • Bantamweight Championship Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O’Malley via unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47×2) 
  • Flyweight Championship Co-Main Event: Valentina Shevchenko def. Alexa Grasso via unanimous decision (50-45×3) 
  • Featherweight: Diego Lopes def. Brian Ortega via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27×2)
  • Lightweight: Esteban Ribovics def. Daniel Zellhuber via split decision (29-28×2, 28-29)
  • Flyweight: Ronaldo Rodriguez def. Ode’ Osbourne via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27×2)

Preliminary Card

  • Bantamweight: Norma Dumont def. Irena Aldana via unanimous decision (30-27×3) 
  • Lightweight: Ignacio Bahamondes def. Manuel Torres via TKO: R1, 4.02
  • Strawweight: Ketlen Souza def. Yazmin Jauregui via submission: R1, 3.02
  • Flyweight: Joshua Van def. Edgar Cháirez via unanimous decision (29-28×3) 
  • Bantamweight: Raul Rosas Jr. def. Aoriqileng via unanimous decision (29-28×3) 

Preliminary Card Highlights

Ketlen Souza def. Yazmin Jauregui

Ketlen Souza earned the first finish of UFC Noche with a submission of Yazmin Jauregui in the first round of their strawweight bout.

Ignacio Bahamondes def. Manuel Torres

In this lightweight matchup, Ignacio Bahamondes earned a first-round TKO of Manuel Torres.

Main Card Highlights

Ronaldo Rodriguez def. Ode’ Osbourne

In this flyweight bout, Ronaldo Rodriguez earned a unanimous decision against def. Ode’ Osbourne.

Esteban Ribovics def. Daniel Zellhuber

Esteban Ribovics earned a split decision against Daniel Zellhuber in what was a potential fight of the year.

Diego Lopes def. Brian Ortega

Diego Lopes got it done on the scorecards against Brian Ortega in their featherweight bout.

Valentina Shevchenko def. Alexa Grasso

In the co-main event, Valentina Shevchenko regained her women’s flyweight title with a unanimous decision against Alexa Grasso.

Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O’Malley

In the main event, Merab Dvalishvili defeated Sean O’Malley on the scorecards to claim the UFC bantamweight crown.

Continue Reading Noche UFC 306 Results & Highlights: Merab Dvalishvili Decisions Sean O’Malley at MMA News.

Belal Muhammad Claims Kamaru Usman Is A Harder Fight Than Shavkat Rakhmonov: ‘One Of The Best IQs In The Game’

Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards via unanimous decision at UFC 304 to win the UFC welterweight championship. Many expected Edwards to defend the title comfortably, but Muhammad out-struck the champ and secured over 12 minutes of control time with nine takedowns. There’s no shortage of contenders for the new champion at welterweight. While Gilbert Burns, […]

Continue Reading Belal Muhammad Claims Kamaru Usman Is A Harder Fight Than Shavkat Rakhmonov: ‘One Of The Best IQs In The Game’ at MMA News.

Belal Muhammad defeated Leon Edwards via unanimous decision at UFC 304 to win the UFC welterweight championship. Many expected Edwards to defend the title comfortably, but Muhammad out-struck the champ and secured over 12 minutes of control time with nine takedowns.

There’s no shortage of contenders for the new champion at welterweight. While Gilbert Burns, Ian Garry, and Jack Della Maddalena are potentially one good win away from a title shot, Shavkat Rakhmonov is seen as the clear contender since his submission of Stephen Thompson.

Rakhmonov, with his 100% finish rate, is one of the most intimidating prospects in the UFC, but Muhammad thinks that Kamaru Usman will be a tougher fight for him…

Belal Muhammad Calls Kamaru Usman The Toughest Fight In UFC Welterweight Division Over Shavkat Rakhmonov, Jack Della Maddalena, And Others

Muhammad recently discussed his first title defense on the Submission Radio YouTube channel. Despite constantly trolling Usman since winning the title, he admitted that Rakhmonov deserves a title shot most. The former UFC welterweight kingpin, in his opinion, needs to get back into the win column after losing three fights in a row.

Muhammad doesn’t underestimate Usman as an opponent, though. He acknowledges that the “Nigerian Nightmare” has a ton of experience fighting top-level competition and is one of the smartest fighters inside the Octagon.

Here’s how the champ responded when asked about the tougher opponent between Rakhmonov and Usman:

“Honestly, I would say Kamaru. Just because he’s fought the highest level for so long. And, stylistically, he has one of the best IQs in the game. So, I think, for me, fighting somebody with the close to an IQ of myself would be a harder fight.”

“Remember the Name” also looked back at Usman’s short-notice bout against Khamzat Chimaev. Like many, he was impressed by the former UFC welterweight kingpin’s performance against “Borz” and believes the fight could’ve gone the other way if there were two more rounds.

Like Usman, Muhammad claimed that MMA fans usually forget how good fighters are as soon as they lose a fight.

“He still has tread on his tires. People will sit there and say, like, you said, people must have forgot, right? And its, people are quick to forget about you but he fought that fight with Khamzat on eight days’ notice and it was a game of inches in that fight, right? It could, if it was two more rounds in there, I would’ve been very interested to see how it would have went.”

Continue Reading Belal Muhammad Claims Kamaru Usman Is A Harder Fight Than Shavkat Rakhmonov: ‘One Of The Best IQs In The Game’ at MMA News.

Classy Kamaru Usman Reacts To Du Plessis’ UFC 305 Win: ‘We’ve Moved On From Three Kings To Four Horsemen’

Kamaru Usman recently expressed his views on Dricus Du Plessis’ impressive win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305. “Stillknocks” retained his UFC middleweight championship in commanding style last weekend, submitting Adesanya with a fourth-round rear-naked choke in a thrilling contest at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia. In a fiercely contested bout where neither fighter […]

Continue Reading Classy Kamaru Usman Reacts To Du Plessis’ UFC 305 Win: ‘We’ve Moved On From Three Kings To Four Horsemen’ at MMA News.

Kamaru Usman recently expressed his views on Dricus Du Plessis’ impressive win over Israel Adesanya at UFC 305.

“Stillknocks” retained his UFC middleweight championship in commanding style last weekend, submitting Adesanya with a fourth-round rear-naked choke in a thrilling contest at the RAC Arena in Perth, Australia.

In a fiercely contested bout where neither fighter held back, Du Plessis displayed remarkable grit and determination. As the fight entered the championship rounds, the South African unleashed a relentless flurry of punches that left “The Last Stylebender” reeling. Seizing the momentum, the defending champion secured a takedown and swiftly transitioned to lock in a decisive submission.

Despite a rivalry that had flared up and taken an ugly turn on multiple occasions, Du Plessis and Adesanya finally put their animosity to rest after their historic clash. The bout, steeped in a fierce cultural clash narrative, marked the UFC’s first-ever all-African title fight.

Adesanya, originally born in Lagos, Nigeria, and later relocating to New Zealand at a young age, had previously accused Du Plessis of undermining the legacy of the “African Kings”. This tension began when “Stillknocks” had boldly claimed he wanted to be the ‘real’ African UFC champion.

The title of “African Kings” was a prestigious moniker bestowed upon Adesanya, alongside Usman and Francis Ngannou, during a time when the trio simultaneously held UFC belts, representing the continent on the global stage.

“The Nigerian Nightmare” provided a nuanced perspective about the heated feud heading into UFC 305 and also his thoughts on where Du Plessis fits into UFC’s African elite.

Usman Includes Du Plessis In UFC’s African Elite

During a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast with Henry Cejudo, Usman delved into Du Plessis’ victory over Adesanya at UFC 305. However, the conversation quickly escalated into a lively debate when the former UFC welterweight champion voiced his displeasure over Cejudo’s lighthearted remark – where he dubbed Du Plessis the “Real African King.”

“I understand it was a whole marketing thing for Dricus Du Plessis, which he might not have necessarily meant in the way that Israel might have taken it,” Usman said. “But you have to be careful because it’s dangerous—it’s very, very dangerous. You have to be careful with what you say because now we’re in a position to influence the masses in the world. So, with power—I say it all the time—with great power comes great responsibility. When you have that platform and you have that mic in your hand, you have to be careful with what you say.”

“The Nigerian Nightmare” went on to emphasize that Du Plessis is actually the fourth African champion.

“So to say, ‘Oh, I’m the real African,’ that’s completely crazy. And for you [Cejudo] to say that perpetually, ‘Oh, he’s the real African king,’ I know you’re just joking, but it’s not—this is how division continues to be perpetuated. Dricus Du Plessis is the fourth African champion right now, so there are four horsemen. We’ve moved on from the three kings to where now it’s four horsemen. So to continue to perpetuate this whole ‘Oh, African king’ or this or that, that’s ridiculous.”

Continue Reading Classy Kamaru Usman Reacts To Du Plessis’ UFC 305 Win: ‘We’ve Moved On From Three Kings To Four Horsemen’ at MMA News.