Tag: UFC News

Mariya Agapova’s Manager Denies Harsh Accusations after ATT Ouster

Mariya AgapovaUFC flyweight Mariya Agapova faced some tough moments that led up to her withdrawal from the infamous American Top Team, but her manager is denying accusations of drug use and hostile behavior that allegedly led to the split. It all started when Agapova’s now-former teammate, Maryna Moroz gave her side of the story behind Agapova […]

Mariya Agapova

UFC flyweight Mariya Agapova faced some tough moments that led up to her withdrawal from the infamous American Top Team, but her manager is denying accusations of drug use and hostile behavior that allegedly led to the split.

It all started when Agapova’s now-former teammate, Maryna Moroz gave her side of the story behind Agapova getting kicked from the gym. She accused Agapova of threatening violence against her fellow ATT colleagues and also arriving at practices under the influence.

In addition, Moroz accused Agapova of intentionally looking to inflict injury on her during multiple occasions in the gym. She also said that Agapova would routinely use money supposed to be used for food to acquire drugs such as mushrooms and other herbs.

“Mariya went through some difficult moments,” Davis said in a statement made to MMA Fighting. “She was all alone [in the United States], but now she’s been through therapy, she’s much better and she’s already training for a fight. It had nothing to do with drugs. Absolutely nothing.”

“This is Mariya’s private life that we’re not going to make an issue to make her private life public. She came to the states from Kazakhstan, she went through some difficult moments, she had some crises, she got therapy, she’s doing very, very well now. She’s already training for a fight. There are no drugs. It has nothing to do with it.”

Despite the accusations, USADA has tested Agapova twice during the calendar year and hasn’t tested positive for any prohibited substances. The former Dana White‘s Contender Series standout has split her first two UFC outings after a brief stint with Invicta FC.

Davis also went on to say that Agapova suffers from anxiety but denied any drug abuse to go along with it. It’s unclear as to whether or not the UFC or ATT will investigate the accusations made by Moroz further.

What are your thoughts on Maryna Moroz’s accusations after ATT kicked out UFC flyweight Mariya Agapova?

Jorge Masvidal Wants Colby Covington or Nick Diaz in Fall UFC Return

Jorge Masvidal is seeking vengeance on the UFC’s welterweight division after back-to-back losses to champion Kamaru Usman and has a couple of big names in mind when it comes to his targeted Fall return to fighting. Masvidal has been a busy man as of late, beginning the opening shows of his Gamebred FC promotion in […]

Jorge Masvidal is seeking vengeance on the UFC’s welterweight division after back-to-back losses to champion Kamaru Usman and has a couple of big names in mind when it comes to his targeted Fall return to fighting.

Masvidal has been a busy man as of late, beginning the opening shows of his Gamebred FC promotion in his first experience as a fight promoter. Just a few months after his devastating knockout loss at UFC 261 in Jacksonville, Masvidal is already starting to reportedly stir the spot and brainstorm on what’s next for his UFC career.

MMA reporter Ariel Helwani was the first to report that Masvidal wants to fight later this year, preferably against either top welterweight contender Colby Covington or the returning legend Nick Diaz.

“Spoke to Jorge Masvidal’s manager, Abraham Kawa, about what’s next for Masvidal,” Helwani tweeted. “He said Masvidal is targeting a return in October/November against either Nick Diaz or Colby Covington.”

UFC president Dana White has already stated on multiple occasions that Covington will be the next title challenger to Usman’s belt. Covington and Usman fought in arguably one of the greatest UFC welterweight title fights back at UFC 245 and fans and UFC officials have been clamoring for a rematch ever since. Covington has been inactive and hasn’t fought since his win over Tyron Woodley at UFC Vegas 11.

Diaz has long been rumored to be making a return to the UFC following long suspensions handed out by USADA and NSAC. Diaz hasn’t fought since his no-contest against Anderson Silva back at UFC 183 after Silva tested positive for PEDs.

Masvidal has exploded to stardom since his incredible run back in 2019, with wins over Darren Till, Ben Askren and Nate Diaz. He has quickly become one of the most popular fighters in MMA today due to his ferocious style in the octagon along with his street-savvy persona outside of the cage.

Who do you think Jorge Masvidal should fight next in his next UFC bout targeted for later this year?

Colby Covington Backs Dustin Poirier To Beat Conor McGregor Again

Colby CovingtonColby Covington is backing his former teammate turned enemy, Dustin Poirier, to once again beat Conor McGregor. Poirier and McGregor are set to complete their trilogy of fights at UFC 264 on July 10. Both men currently hold one win each over the other. The pair first met in 2014, with ‘Notorious’ picking up a […]

Colby Covington

Colby Covington is backing his former teammate turned enemy, Dustin Poirier, to once again beat Conor McGregor.

Poirier and McGregor are set to complete their trilogy of fights at UFC 264 on July 10. Both men currently hold one win each over the other. The pair first met in 2014, with ‘Notorious’ picking up a quick KO win during his sensational run to featherweight gold. Earlier this year, ‘The Diamond’ avenged his most famous defeat and did so in style. Poirier wrestled early before utilizing leg kicks and elite-level boxing to become the first man to KO McGregor in MMA.

Covington has had a well-documented falling out with Poirier since leaving American Top Team. ‘Chaos’ insists that the former interim lightweight champion is not what he appears and tried to prove his point recently by showing media members a video of Poirier taunting an amateur sparring partner he had just knocked out.

Despite his personal feelings towards Poirier, Covington believes it will be the Louisiana native that will get his hand raised in the UFC 264 main event.

“Yeah, he’ll probably beat Conor again,” Covington told MMA Fighting while appearing on What the Heck. “But, I mean, what is that saying?

Covington is admittedly a fan of McGregor but believes the Irishman is no longer motivated to fight and is coming to the end of his career in MMA.

“You’re beating a guy that has no motivation left in the sport,” Covington said. “And I love Conor. He’s had a great career, done great things in the sport, but you’re time’s up, too. It’s obvious that you’re not training every day, it’s obvious you’re not working on your craft, it’s obvious you’re working on other business deals to line your pockets and pad your bank account.

“It’s just not the same hungry Conor from a couple of years ago. It’s a different Conor towards the end of his journey and it’s not saying much to beat him anymore.”

Do you agree with Colby Covington? Will Dustin Poirier beat Conor McGregor at UFC 264?

Conor McGregor Warns Dustin Poirier He’ll ‘Pay’ For Being Vocal In The Media Following Rematch Win

McGregorFormer UFC featherweight and lightweight gold holder, Conor McGregor has claimed that former interim lightweight titleholder, Dustin Poirier will “pay” for being vocal in the media lately, off the back of his rematch success against the Dubliner on ‘Fight Island’ in January. Returning at UFC 264 this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada — Crumlin-born striker, […]

McGregor

Former UFC featherweight and lightweight gold holder, Conor McGregor has claimed that former interim lightweight titleholder, Dustin Poirier will “pay” for being vocal in the media lately, off the back of his rematch success against the Dubliner on ‘Fight Island’ in January.

Returning at UFC 264 this weekend in Las Vegas, Nevada — Crumlin-born striker, McGregor makes his first Octagon walk since his January knockout loss to Poirier, where he suffered his second defeat in his last three Octagon appearances. 

Off the back of the defeat, McGregor immediately voiced his interest in a trilogy bout rubber match against Poirier, who followed suit, before the pair were embroiled in a media frenzy after Poirier explained that McGregor and his team failed to follow through with a pre-fight offer to donate $500,000 to his charity, The Good Fight Foundation.

With the pair expected to be less than cordial this time around as tension rises for the rubber match as the pair bid to score bragging rights over one another, McGregor has claimed that Poirier will “pay” for his words recently, explaining how the Lafayette native has been vocal in the media ever since his January knockout victory. 

“He’s (Dustin Poirier) talked some amount lately,” McGregor replied to a user who asked him to knockout Poirier with a “proper high kick” on an Instagram live session over the weekend. “He’s gonna pay for that, that’s for sure.“

McGregor has predicted a fourth round front kick knockout win over Poirier earlier this year, which led to the fallout regarding McGregor’s philanthropic efforts. 

Poirier also explained recently that while his second round knockout over McGregor last time out was impressive, a high-kick finish of his own over the Dubliner, or a submission win would be an even more impressive method of triumph.

“Kick him (Conor McGregor) in the head instead of the calf,” Poirier replied when asked by Okamoto how he could lodge an even more impressive finish over McGregor. “Submit him, I mean, there’s lot of ways to get him out of there — drag him into deep waters and show him that I’m willing to bleed more than he is. That hurts.”

“Anybody can get caught,” Poirier explained. “We both have been on the wrong side of that — me and him, against each other. That’s what makes this third fight everything it is. We both knocked each other out. Mine (knockout loss) was a long time ago, his was — the karate stance or whatever he says, or he was boxing more, or his calf was kicked. Who gives a sh*t? We have a great story. And somebody’s most likely getting finished again, let’s see who it’s gonna be.“

Rashad Evans Predicts ‘Phenomenal’ Jon Jones Finds Further Success With Heavyweight Move

EvansFormer opponent and one-time UFC light heavyweight champion, Rashad Evans has predicted even more success for former two-time division kingpin, Jon Jones upon his eventual move to the organization’s heavyweight division — labelling the pound-for-pound #1 as a “phenomenal athlete“”. Evans, who himself is set to make a return to combat sports for the first […]

Evans

Former opponent and one-time UFC light heavyweight champion, Rashad Evans has predicted even more success for former two-time division kingpin, Jon Jones upon his eventual move to the organization’s heavyweight division — labelling the pound-for-pound #1 as a “phenomenal athlete“”.

Evans, who himself is set to make a return to combat sports for the first time since his UFC 225 knockout loss to former title challenger, Anthony Smith back in June of 2018, has called for matchups against the likes of YouTuber, Logan Paul, as well as former boxing world champion, Roy Jones Jr. 

A one-time opponent of Albuquerque-based look-see-do fighter, Jones, Evans challenged his former teammate for the undisputed light heavyweight throne back in April 2012 at UFC 145 — where he dropped a unanimous decision loss to the then-titleholder.

With Jones’ move to the heavyweight ranks still yet to come as the promotion recently introduced an interim title to the fray which is to be contested for at UFC 265 in August between Derrick Lewis and Ciryl Gane — a potential title bout between Francis Ngannou and Jones hit the rocks amid negotiation woes between the UFC and the latter.

However, whenever Jones finally makes his long-awaited leap to the heavyweight ranks of the UFC, past-foe, Evans predicts the Rochester native will find continued success a division higher.

“Jon (Jones) moving up (to heavyweight), it’s going to be a continuation of the legacy of Jon Jones,” Evans told TMZ recently. “Jon Jones is a phenomenal athlete. He’s a phenomenal fighter and his IQ inside the Octagon, it can’t be surpassed by anybody. So I expect him to carry that to the heavyweight division.“

“The things that I think may give him some problems is the fact that these guys are big and they do hit harder,” Evans continued. “But for the most part, this is a great Jon Jones. Jon Jones can make an adjustment to anything.“

A former UFC light heavyweight champion himself, Evans lifted the crown back in December 2008 at UFC 92 — where he finished then titleholder, Forest Griffin with third round strikes. 

The Ultimate Fighter 2 tournament winner has also lodged other notable career triumphs against the likes of Stephen Bonnar, Sean Salmon, Michael Bisping, Chuck Liddell, Thiago Silva, Quinton Jackson, Tito Ortiz, Phil Davis, Dan Henderson, and, Chael Sonnen.

Mariya Agapova Kicked Out Of ATT For Drug Use, Threats To Stab

mariya agapovaMaryna Moroz claims that Mariya Agapova was kicked out of American Top Team because she repeatably turned up on drugs and also threatened to stab her teammates on several occasions. Agapova burst onto the scene in 2020 when she quickly stopped Hannah Cifers in her UFC debut. The Kazakh fighter had her hype train quickly derailed when […]

mariya agapova

Maryna Moroz claims that Mariya Agapova was kicked out of American Top Team because she repeatably turned up on drugs and also threatened to stab her teammates on several occasions.

Agapova burst onto the scene in 2020 when she quickly stopped Hannah Cifers in her UFC debut. The Kazakh fighter had her hype train quickly derailed when she suffered one of the biggest upsets in UFC history against Shana Dobson at UFC Vegas 7.

Fans are eagerly anticipating her return to the Octagon but it appears life outside of MMA hasn’t been going to plan as of late. According to her former teammate and fellow UFC fighter, Moroz, Agapova is struggling with a number of personal issues that caused her to switch camps.

“She says, ‘I don’t have money for food, I don’t have this. Oh, help,’” Moroz said in an interview with MMA Vestnik. “She wrecked her car in a drugged state. All in all, a very interesting person… She got kicked out of two gyms, and at American Top Team she threatened the guys, and it was caught on camera. She was under the influence of drugs, she threatened the guys, and she was kicked out of the gym. Because she was threatening to stab and so forth.”

“Also stalked the wife of a fighter, who is pregnant — she also threatened to stab. In general, the police called her four times already here. She broke the doors… And that’s it — Maria Agapova, the UFC junkie.”

“Many tried to help her get out of the hole into which she kept climbing, climbing,” Moroz claims. “She came to training after the club, after all these drugs … Her pupils were dilated all the time. And when the coach said that I needed to stand in a pair with her, I replied that I could not work with her – she was insane. She behaves inappropriately. She can swing her elbow to hit you, then say ‘Oh, I’m sorry. I don’t understand.’ Just an inadequate person … And yes: she was kicked out of the gym because she behaved inappropriately.”

Moroz is a near neighbour of Agapova’s and says she is often in trouble with the police.

“Masha lives very close – through the house in my community – and I see her very often,” Moroz said. “She has already crashed two cars, I don’t even know how it could have happened. And very often the police come to her. In a month, the police came four times, and they stood by Masha all the time. I go to the pool, pass by, and there Masha is in handcuffs in a police car”

“Everyone thinks that Masha is so good because Instagram is a picture,” Moroz added. “Nobody knows real life, and that’s what angers me the most. Here, subscribers see that Masha posted a picture from the workout, and they think that she is so cool. So Masha walks around the clubs at night, and then comes to the hall and there can hardly stand on her feet. She is not even able to practice. Only a photo can do.” (Transcribed by Sport-Express)

Do these revelations about Mariya Agapova surprise you?