Tag: ufc 220

Twitter Reacts To Jon Jones’ USADA Suspension & Return

Jon Jones’ USADA suspension make it seem like he got off easy. Today Jones was given a 15-month suspension for his second USADA violation. Jones was suspended when he tested positive for anabolic steroid Turinabol. He knocked ‘DC’ out to regain his long-held light heavyweight belt in a thought-to-be historic scene. The knockout then became a […]

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Jon Jones’ USADA suspension make it seem like he got off easy.

Today Jones was given a 15-month suspension for his second USADA violation. Jones was suspended when he tested positive for anabolic steroid Turinabol. He knocked ‘DC’ out to regain his long-held light heavyweight belt in a thought-to-be historic scene. The knockout then became a no contest.

The troubled-but-historic great had been on the sidelines awaiting his punishment ever since. Jones has teased a return to action on social media. That seemed like a longshot considering he was facing a potential four-year suspension. Today, we just found out the opposite is true.

Jones will be eligible to return on October 28, putting his return at November 3’s UFC 230 as a distinct possibility. The MMA world was understandably abuzz with the news. Find out how MMA Twitter reacted to the news here:

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Daniel Cormier Goes Off On Jon Jones’ Latest Callout

Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones is heating back up – again.

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It’s hardly a surprise that Daniel Cormier goes off on Jon Jones’ latest callout.

The currently suspended former champion recently revealed he wanted to fight Cormier two more times in an interview with RT Sport. The longtime rivals have fought twice. Jones won both bouts, outlasting Cormier by decision at UFC 182 and knocking him out at UFC 214 in summer 2017.

But the legendary and troubled champion was then suspended for failing a pre-fight drug screen. Jones has been on the sidelines awaiting his punishment from USADA ever since. He seems to believe it won’t be much of one, conducting several interviews and teasing potential returns online in recent months.

One of his obvious goals would be to beat Cormier, who now owns the heavyweight and light heavyweight titles, a third time. Cormier isn’t so keen about those plans. The aging champ-champ is planning on fighting Brock Lesnar early next year, and may or may not face “Bones” again. “DC” fired back at Jones’ goals by stating the facts that “Bones” had failed three drug tests:

Jones soon fired back himself. He teased Cormier by asking him if his lofty goals had ‘offended’ him:

A Better Strategy

Jones then denied that any PED had helped him knock out “DC” when they fought last. He attributed the then-historic win to a better gameplan:

******** may not have been the cause of Jones’ scintillating win over Cormier last year. They definitely weren’t the sole cause.

However, the fact remains that Jones has failed three drug tests like Cormier stated – two for PEDs and one for cocaine metabolites. It’s hard to argue that Jones wouldn’t be the most decorated fighter in MMA history without them. But the uber-talented would-be great still seems to be content pointing the finger at anyone but himself.

It’s worked for him before. He could definitely be headed for an umpteenth comeback soon. But how long will that last?

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Jon Jones Reveals Why Daniel Cormier Will Destroy Brock Lesnar

Jon Jones says he knows exactly why Daniel Cormier will beat Brock Lesnar.

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UFC heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier is set to face former champion Brock Lesnar in the coming months. It’s time Jon Jones reveals his prediction due to the upcoming match-up.

Jones is currently awaiting punishment for his latest failed USADA drug test. He tested positive for anabolic steroid Turinabol prior to his UFC 214 win over Cormier last year. The troubled all-time legend has two victories over the current UFC double champ. “Bones” is the only man to defeat “DC” in the octagon.

But drug-related troubles both inside and out of the cage have sidelined Jones far too often. He’s been forced to speak from the sidelines due to his repeated infractions. It’s a role he feels just fine playing, however. “Bones” recently told a Russian news outlet (via MMAjunkie) that he’s looking forward to Cormier vs. Lesnar.

Jones believes Cormier will demolish Lesnar because he’s just too fast for the hulking beast:

“I’m definitely very excited to see Cormier fight Brock Lesnar. I think Daniel Cormier wins the fight. He’s just too fast. I feel like when I fought him he was quicker than me with certain combinations. I can only imagine he’s going to be a lot quicker than Brock Lesnar.”

Long-Rumored Move To Heavyweight

The most decorated (and troubled) UFC light heavyweight champion in history’s return is highly unknown at this point. Jones has been linked to a possible return fight with his other rival Alexander Gustafsson at November’s UFC 230. He’ll have to be cleared first. ‘Bones’ will also be aiming to be the next man to take on Cormier if and when he can return.

The controversial fighter is willing to face “DC” at heavyweight. He believes Cormier is an even tougher challenge up a class because he won’t have to cut weight:

“I think fighting Daniel Cormier at heavyweight would be a bigger challenge,” Jones said. “He’s more comfortable there. His body type, that’s where he wants to be. He wants to be big. I think he would be a tougher fight at heavyweight, but I still believe I would win. I believe I have his number, I know how to beat him.”

Jones’ potential move up to heavyweight has been rumored for years. His outside-the-cage troubles have been the main thing preventing it from happening.

There’s no better time than now to move up with Cormier the champion. A third fight between the two bitter rivals would be an obvious megafight. It’s going to rest on Jones’ ability to get cleared and stay clean as always.

Cormier will get his payday against Lesnar, meanwhile. The double champ has repeatedly said he only has two fights left in his storied career. Will Jones really be one of them?

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Jon Jones Teases Comeback Unlike ‘Anything You’ve Ever Seen’

Jon Jones is hinting at an absolutely massive UFC return.

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It’s that time of year when Jon Jones teases his latest MMA comeback.

The troubled MMA legend has been on the sidelines since last August. Jones tested positive for anabolic steroid Turinabol prior to his UFC 214 win over Daniel Cormier. The failure was his second such infraction under the UFC’s current anti-doping program.

Precious little information about his case with USADA has been revealed since. Rumors have been swirling he will return soon, however, due to him getting off with a one-year suspension. Jones is fueling those rumors with a passion.

“Bones” recently tweeted about his journey. He promised fans they have never seen what is coming next:

Every part of the journey matters. Triumphs and setbacks all combine to make the climb what it is supposed to be. My feet are dug in and I have clear motivation as to what I’m going after and why. I promise you’ve never seen anything like what’s coming

Jones has been rumored to be returning to face longtime rival Alexander Gustafsson at November’s UFC 230. None of that has been confirmed due to his ongoing issues with USADA.

Jones is still considered to be MMA’s greatest fighter by many. He remains the only man to defeat current UFC double champion Daniel Cormier.

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Report: Curtis Blaydes vs. Francis Ngannou Set For UFC Beijing

A truly massive heavyweight showdown is reportedly set for UFC Beijing.

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Curtis Blaydes vs. Francis Ngannou is reportedly set for the UFC’s first foray into Beijing.

Sources told ESPN that the fight will headline the event on November 24, 2018. Both camps have agreed to the fight.

The bout is also a rematch of their 2016 fight which Ngannou won by TKO via doctor’s stoppage.

The surging “Razor” comes into the bout off of by far his biggest win. He finished former title challenger Alistair Overeem via brutal TKO at UFC 225 earlier this year. Blaydes has won five of his six UFC bouts since. The lone blemish was a no contest in his original TKO win over Milstead. That result was overturned when Blaydes tested positive for cannabis.

Ngannou, meanwhile, will come into the fight off a concerning two-fight skid. The once-touted challenger was on top of the MMA world as recently as this January. He knocked out Overeem with one of the more brutal uppercuts MMA has ever seen to earn a shot at then-champion Stipe Miocic at UFC 220. Miocic proceeded to throttle Ngannou over the course of five rounds.

He then went on to face Derrick Lewis in one of the summer’s most anticipated fights at UFC 226 in July. The bout was one of the most jaw-droppingly boring fights in UFC heavyweight history. Ngannou lost by unanimous decision to put his future in question.

“The Predator” had knocked out or submitted six straight foes prior to the losing streak.

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Brock Lesnar Tested Three Times In First Month Back Under USADA

USADA is keeping a close eye on Brock Lesnar – as they should.

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As expected, USADA is keeping a close eye on USADA.

Ahead of the hulking “Beast’s” expected UFC return against heavyweight champ Daniel Cormier, Lesnar has already been tested three times in his first month back under the UFC’s anti-doping protocol.

That’s according to the USADA website which chronicles athlete testing history and was updated on August 1 (via Bloody Elbow):

Lesnar is infamously still suspended for positive tests for a banned estrogen blocker in conjunction with his decision win over Mark Hunt at July 2016’s UFC 200, a bout that was eventually overturned to a no contest when Lesnar was fined $250,000 and suspended for one year by the NSAC.

The former UFC heavyweight champion retired shortly thereafter, freezing his suspension that would have otherwise long been expired. Lesnar will be eligible to return to the Octagon on January 8, 2019, at the earliest.

The controversial pay-per-view megastar recently returned to mixed martial arts at July 7’s UFC 226, storming the cage following Cormier’s historic knockout win over Stipe Miocic to shove “DC” and create a carnival-like scene in the wake of one of the most accomplished victories in the sport’s history.

While it was derided as far too much like pro-wrestling by many onlookers, that’s clearly what the current regime running the UFC wants – for better or for worse. Now, it’s just a matter of Lesnar being able to get past all of USADA’s tests until his fight with Cormier actually happens.

Hold on to your seats, because that’s no given.

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