Ronaldo Souza might be in the talk of who should be the number one contender for Luke Rockhold’s middleweight title thanks to Yoel Romero. Romero (11-1) was informed on Tuesday, January 12th, 2016 that he potentially tested positive for a failed drug test that was out-of-competition so he could be out of action for a
Ronaldo Souza might be in the talk of who should be the number one contender for Luke Rockhold’s middleweight title thanks to Yoel Romero.
Romero (11-1) was informed on Tuesday, January 12th, 2016 that he potentially tested positive for a failed drug test that was out-of-competition so he could be out of action for a while and Rockhold is going to need a challenger. Following his fight with Souza at UFC 194, Romero was considered as the #1 contender for the title. However, with Romero’s positive drug test hanging over his head, Souza is looking to throw his name into the hat for a title shot even though he lost to Romero at UFC 194.
“He’s back on the title run,” Gilberto Faria today told MMAjunkie in the wake of Romero’s USADA notification of a potential doping violation. “If Luke Rockhold is looking for an opponent, ‘Jacare’ is on the list now. ”
“Any way it goes, ‘Jacare’ is going to be back on the list for a title contender,” Faria said.
Souza (22-4) is currently on a one-fight losing streak.
Faria explained that the camp is going to sit back and wait to see what the UFC does. It’s possible that the promotion books a rematch between former UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman and Rockhold.
“We’re going to wait to see what else comes out,” Faria said. “We want Luke Rockhold as a possibility for an upcoming fight for ‘Jacare.’”
When asked when Souza could be ready to fight again, Faria said that Souza is willing to fight in April.
“We’ll be ready to fight April. The two names we’re looking at right now are Luke Rockhold or Weidman.”
Do you think Souza deserves a title shot? Let us know.
Last night, the United States Anti-Doping Agency informed Romero of a “potential violation,” claiming that Romero had flunked one of their out-of-competition tests. While the exact substance Romero tested positive for has yet to be revealed, MMAJunkie’s Steven Marrocco took to Twitter to get the rumor mill turning.
“Hearing that Romero popped for a designer steroid – a peptide that increases testosterone production,” wrote Marrocco.
As expected, the UFC released an obligatory statement on Romero’s violation via their website last night.
The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed Yoel Romero of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection.
USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Romero. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.
*Yawn*
If you’re interested in hearing some actually interesting thoughts on Romero’s potential violation, look no further than Tim Kennedy, who might still be a little bitter over his controversial loss to Romero at UFC 178.
“So Yoel tests positive, not surprised at all #roider of God is a cheating scumbag, Tweeted Bisping, “@TimKennedyMMA I feel ur pain having been there before.”
Newly-crowned middleweight champion Luke Rockhold wasn’t far behind, writing “I’m sick of all these cheaters. It’s pathetic, man up or get the fuck out.”
As of now, Romero has yet to comment on the issue, but as a former Olympian and one of the names on the short list of middleweight contenders, it’s safe to say that his violation, if proven, will have dire consequences.
Related: In light of the Romero news, we’ve gone ahead and updated our MMA Steroid Busts Timeline to include all of 2015′s violators. We’ll hold off on adding Romero to the list until more information is supplied, but check it out and let us know if there’s anyone we missed.
Newly minted UFC middleweight champ Luke Rockhold may have emerged from last December’s UFC 194 as the promotion’s new 185-pound king thanks to a vicious mid-round onslaught on former champion Chris Weidman, but apparently he didn’t escape without some health issues of his own. After the former Strikeforce champ took advantage of an ill-advised spinning
Newly minted UFC middleweight champ Luke Rockhold may have emerged from last December’s UFC 194 as the promotion’s new 185-pound king thanks to a vicious mid-round onslaught on former champion Chris Weidman, but apparently he didn’t escape without some health issues of his own.
After the former Strikeforce champ took advantage of an ill-advised spinning wheel kick attempt by Weidman in the third, he swayed the fight in his favor with a takedown and a brutal onslaught of ground and pound that involved some seriously devastating punches and elbows from the mount.
Repeatedly banging his ‘bows against Weidman’s dome must have taken their toll, as Rockhold posted a video to his Facebook page of a trip to the doctor to get his elbow drained. Watch the video on the following page, and be forewarned: it’s most certainly not for the faint of heart.
As if there wasn’t enough controversy surrounding Yoel Romero in recent months, between “stool gate,” his “post-fight Jesus comments” and the fashion in which he won a close decision over top contender Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in his last fight at UFC 19…
As if there wasn’t enough controversy surrounding Yoel Romero in recent months, between “stool gate,” his “post-fight Jesus comments” and the fashion in which he won a close decision over top contender Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza in his last fight at UFC 194 in December, UFC Middleweight star Yoel Romero is now facing the most serious controversial situation thus far in his UFC career.
It was announced this week that Romero is facing a possible violation of the new, strict Anti-Doping Policy, one that could result in a lengthy suspension, taking Romero from being potentially next in line for a UFC Middleweight title shot to sitting out long enough that he might not even be in the top ten discussion by the time he fights again.
UFC officials issued the following statement regarding Romero’s potential Anti-Doping Policy violation:
The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) informed Yoel Romero of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection.
USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case involving Romero. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.
Romero’s manager, Malki Kawa, issued the following statement to MMAFighting.com:
“We are gathering information and will have no further comment at this time.”
(Dominick “The Dominator” Cruz returns from a lengthy injury layoff once again next weekend, so let’s celebrate by watching him beat the tar out of Takeya Mizugaki.)
(Dominick “The Dominator” Cruz returns from a lengthy injury layoff once again next weekend, so let’s celebrate by watching him beat the tar out of Takeya Mizugaki.)
The MMA gods have, for the most part, safely guided one of the most stacked cards in UFC history to fruition. Amidst those ever-prevalent claims of oversaturation, the UFC have mustered up an ubercard for the ages. Featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo will finally defend his title against interim champion Conor McGregor. Middleweight champion Chris Weidman takes on No.1 contender Luke Rockhold in the co-main event. Then you’ve got Romero vs. Souza, Maia vs. Nelson…the list goes on and on.
Nation, it’s been an emotional journey. An unprecedented world media tour. Fractured ribs. Interim titles. More heated staredowns. These have all led to this mammoth main-event. I don’t know about you, but I’m giddy with excitement as months of trash-talking all culminate this weekend. To honour this epic event, I’ve compiled an A-to-Z list previewing each and every aspect of UFC 194. Join me?
The MMA gods have, for the most part, safely guided one of the most stacked cards in UFC history to fruition. Amidst those ever-prevalent claims of oversaturation, the UFC have mustered up an ubercard for the ages. Featherweight kingpin Jose Aldo will finally defend his title against interim champion Conor McGregor. Middleweight champion Chris Weidman takes on No.1 contender Luke Rockhold in the co-main event. Then you’ve got Romero vs. Souza, Maia vs. Nelson…the list goes on and on.
Nation, it’s been an emotional journey. An unprecedented world media tour. Fractured ribs. Interim titles. More heated staredowns. These have all led to this mammoth main-event. I don’t know about you, but I’m giddy with excitement as months of trash-talking all culminate this weekend. To honour this epic event, I’ve compiled an A-to-Z list previewing each and every aspect of UFC 194. Join me?
Rockhold’s stand-up skills pave the way for his buttery smooth ground game. Weidman will have to be wary of the former Strikeforce champions efficiency on the mat.
C is for Coaches
As well as the primed fighters, the two title-bouts also pit masterful coaches against one another in Pederneiras vs. Kavanagh and Longo/Serra vs. Cook/Mendez.
D is for Division I
The middleweight challenger does indeed own a fierce, aggressive jiu-jitsu game, but Weidman brings his Division I wrestling credentials to the table pitting the two noble disciplines.
The main-card will open in style with Max Holloway vs. Jeremy Stephens, a fight that is largely flying under the radar when compared to the simply epic fights that come after it. Come to think of it, the whole card other than Aldo-McGregor is flying under the radar.
Don’t be surprised to see ‘The Notorious’ in movie theatres near you in the future. McGregor claims Hollywood is screaming for him, so let’s hope it doesn’t get to his head like certain other fighters.
I is for Interim
Interim champion McGregor doesn’t want to be labelled as interim champion, which, okayyyyy.
J is for Jiu-Jitsu
Ice-cool Gunnar Nelson will take on the equally stoic Demian Maia. Two of the finest jiu-jitsu practitioners on the planet going head-to-head, which can only mean that a sloppy stand-up war is what will ensue.
K is for Kicks
Rockhold’s kicks > Aldo’s kicks. Yeah, I said it.
L is for Lightweight
Win or lose, is McGregor planning his exit from the featherweight division? He’s stated on numerous occasions about his intentions of challenging for the 155lbs title, and has already talked his way into a fight with the Donald Cerrone-Rafael Dos Anjos lightweight title winner.
M is for Movement
Being a so-called “student of movement” with an obsession over the mechanics of the human anatomy, McGregor linked up with martial art guru Ido Portal recently, as seen in the UFC 194 embedded vlog series, where he polished and further enhanced his range of movements.
N is for Newcomer
Newcomer Jocelyn Jones-Lybarger would make a huge statement in the women’s strawweight division if she could take out the No.5 ranked Tecia Torres.
O is for “Overaggressive”
According to Rockhold, the undefeated champion is “overaggressive” and “clumsy.” Does anyone agree with the challenger’s statement?
P is for Pay
In case you were worried that MMA referees are overpaid, they’re not. ‘Big’ John McCarthy will make a measly $1,900 for reffing Aldo-McGregor. Stay classy, NSAC.
Q is for Quality
The quality of the top three fights goes without saying, but the combined record of those 6 fighters, in case you were wondering? 102-9. Ridiculous.
Aldo’s sneaky-good wrestling, as displayed against Mark Hominick and Chan Sung Jung, coupled with his jiu-jitsu black belt could be his way to victory against McGregor, whose only losses have come on the ground.
Urijah Faber is the pound-for-pound king of headlining prelims. At UFC 194, he’ll be taking on huge underdog Frankie Saenz in the coveted “featured prelim” slot once again.
V is for Vocal
Come fight night, The MGM Grand Garden Arena is going to be a melting pot of vocal Irish and Brazilian fans. Event security is going to have their hands full.
W is for Weapons
It seems fans and critics alike are heavily obsessing over the possible inefficacy of Aldo’s leg-kicks due to McGregor’s southpaw stance. Newsflash: the Brazilian has many other potent weapons in his arsenal like the power in his hands as well as his stellar ground game.
X is for X-Rated
Middleweight champion Chris Weidman recently recalled his worst injury on Huffington Post Live. FYI: It’s penis-related.
