MMA News Today: Chael Sonnen Sticks Up For Jon Jones On Misdemeanor Charges, Aljamain Sterling To Make Karate Combat Debut On July 25, & More

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 16, 2024, we’re taking a look at: Chael Sonnen Questions Whether Jon Jones’ Case Has Been Over Exaggerated Jon Jones is dealing with another controversial police charge following an interaction at his house with a […]

Continue Reading MMA News Today: Chael Sonnen Sticks Up For Jon Jones On Misdemeanor Charges, Aljamain Sterling To Make Karate Combat Debut On July 25, & More at MMA News.

Welcome to MMA News Today, a daily feature running down the most interesting stories in the world of mixed martial arts. For July 16, 2024, we’re taking a look at:

  • Sonnen believes Jones’ misdemeanor charges could be less serious than they appear to be
  • Sterling books grappling match on Karate Combat
  • Romero announces plans for his next fight

Chael Sonnen Questions Whether Jon Jones’ Case Has Been Over Exaggerated

Jon Jones is dealing with another controversial police charge following an interaction at his house with a drug-testing agent.

The UFC heavyweight champion has been charged with two misdemeanors where, if proven guilty, he could face fines or even jail time.

His former rival, Chael Sonnen, has some issues with the way that this process has been carried out following the initial reports from April.

During a recent YouTube video on his channel, Sonnen questioned both why the decision has taken so long based on the evidence they have and whether the case has been exaggerated with the misdemeanor charges.

“The agents came and did what they did but there is a significant difference guys, in being a jerk and being a criminal. There’s a significant difference in being rude and committing a crime and it’s annoying for me to have to read this about Jon and read that he’s got to deal with this. It’s annoying for me even if not the municipality that I live in…

“it’s annoying to me that on a double hit misdemeanor where there are not witnesses because – there’s a witness there but they’re not supporting the claim. There isn’t video cameras of everything but there is video surveillance and it doesn’t support the claim. It seems like a tough one and it still took those guys four, five, six [months], however long this is to make a decision even in this case.”

Aljamain Sterling Set To Compete on Karate Combat’s Pit Submission Series On July 25

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is set to make his Karate Combat debut on the Pit Submission Series.

The striking-focused promotion recently started opening up their events with several grappling bouts to kick off the show.

Sterling is set to compete on July 25 in Nashville at Karate Combat 48, where he faces Jay Jay Wilson.

“Funkmaster” has competed in several grappling matches in recent times with this being his first since he made his successful move up to featherweight with a win over Calvin Kattar at UFC 300.

The event is set to be headlined by the heavyweight title rematch between Sam Alvey and Antônio Arroyo.

Yoel Romero Says He’s Fighting Corey Anderson For The Bellator Light Heavyweight Title On October 19

Despite rumours of him making the jump to BKFC, former UFC title challenger Yoel Romero appears to be gearing up for his Bellator return.

“Soldier of God” has been inactive since his decision win over Thiago Santos in February at PFL vs Bellator and according to him, he’s now set up for a title shot.

Romero recently spoke in an interview on the Overdogs Espanol podcast where he claimed that he will be fighting Corey Anderson for the light heavyweight title on October 19 in Saudi Arabia.

The Bellator Champions Series is currently set to host events in Chicago on October 12 and Paris on November 16. While there is no event announced as of yet for Saudi Arabia, the PFL is expected to stage another pay-per-view in Riyadh this fall, with names like Francis Ngannou and Cris Cyborg expected to take part.

Perhaps Romero has leaked the date for that major show…

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MMA Twitter Reacts To Yoel Romero Retiring Melvin Manhoef

Yoel Romero has put together his first winning streak since 2016 after earning a decision win over Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 285. The last few years have not been easy for Romero, who signed with Bellator after ending his UFC career after losing four …

Yoel Romero has put together his first winning streak since 2016 after earning a decision win over Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 285. The last few years have not been easy for Romero, who signed with Bellator after ending his UFC career after losing four of his last five fights. His time in Bellator has been…

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Yoel Romero lands brutal ground strikes KO win against Melvin Manhoef – Bellator 285 Highlights

Yoel RomeroFormer multipe time UFC middleweight title challenger, Yoel Romero lands his second consecutive victory under the Bellator MMA banner — sending veteran Suriname striker, Melvin Manhoef into retirement with a series of brutal third round ground elbows in the co-main event of Bellator 285. Romero, who was originally slated to feature against Manhoef back in […]

Yoel Romero

Former multipe time UFC middleweight title challenger, Yoel Romero lands his second consecutive victory under the Bellator MMA banner — sending veteran Suriname striker, Melvin Manhoef into retirement with a series of brutal third round ground elbows in the co-main event of Bellator 285.

Romero, who was originally slated to feature against Manhoef back in Paris earlier this year, instead drew Alex Polizzi on short-notice, landing a third round buzzer-beating KO win to boot, fracturing Polizzi’s jaw in the process.

Utilizing his often-underutilized grappling and wrestling in the first round against Manhoef, Romero managed to move to guard after a clever leg kick and the hook combination.

Taking Manhoef down at the cage fence early in the third frame, Romero postured up with just over a minute remaining in the third and final frame, raining down with ground strikes and a trio of brutal elbows, rendering the retiring, Manhoef unconscious.

Below, catch the highlights from Yoel Romero’s stunning KO of Melvin Manhoef

Melvin Manhoef will retire after Yoel Romero fight: “This is a great opponent to say farewell to all the fans”

Melvin Manhoef, Yoel Romero, Bellator 285Veteran MMA fighter Melvin Manhoef is set to retire after Bellator 285 in Dublin, Ireland. The light heavyweight will have his final fight against fellow MMA veteran Yoel Romero in the co-main event on Sept. 23.  The fight was originally scheduled to take place in May but Manhoef pulled out due to a hand injury. […]

Melvin Manhoef, Yoel Romero, Bellator 285

Veteran MMA fighter Melvin Manhoef is set to retire after Bellator 285 in Dublin, Ireland. The light heavyweight will have his final fight against fellow MMA veteran Yoel Romero in the co-main event on Sept. 23. 

The fight was originally scheduled to take place in May but Manhoef pulled out due to a hand injury. Now, the 46-year-old will return to the octagon for the first time in nearly two years. 

Manhoef spoke with the media at the Bellator 285 pre-fight press conference, where he announced his intentions to retire. It will be the last fight in his 26-year career. 

Yeah, I think it’s going to be it. It’s the last fight of my contract with Bellator and I think I’ve done a lot of things,” Manhoef said. ”There’s also time to go and I think this is a great opponent to say farewell to all the fans because this fight is epic. It’s going to be a hard fight…the fans will be the winner.” (Transcribed via MMANews).

Melvin Manhoef Has Enjoyed His Two-Decade Career: “I Think I Have Given People A Lot of Fun to Watch”

The Surinamese-born fighter is 32-15-1 with 2 no contests in his MMA career. 29 of his wins have been knockouts. Along with Bellator, he has competed for One FC, Strikeforce, K-1, DREAM, RINGS, and KSW

Manhoef last fought in Nov. 2020 where he faced Corey Anderson in a losing effort. He is 3-3 in his last six fights. 

The MMA veteran is motivated to put on a show for the fans against a tough opponent in Yoel Romero. Before signing with Bellator in 2020, Romero had fought for Strikeforce and UFC. The 45-year-old is coming off a TKO win over Alex Polizzi at Bellator 280 in May. 

Everything in life has a beginning and an end. Hopefully, in his next and future life as a family man, he contributes to society with everything this sport has put in him [like] discipline, dedication and respect,” Romero said. “When we’re in the ring, It is what it is. I come to do my job and I hope he does his.” (English translation by Marc Ray).

Manhoef admits that it’s hard to say goodbye to MMA but is poised to get one final win to wrap up his career.

I’m going to be there and do the best I can and enjoy what I do all the time [by] hurting people and knocking people out,” Manhoef said. “I really felt alive when I was doing this training camp [but] I’ve been doing this for 28 years now so it’s hard. I have to leave it to the next generation.

Romero Names “Vital” Thing He Receives From Bellator

Bellator MMA light heavyweight contender Yoel Romero is more than pleased with his treatment in the promotion, naming the “vital” thing he receives. Following a failed title challenger against reigning middleweight king Israel Adesanya at U…

Bellator MMA light heavyweight contender Yoel Romero is more than pleased with his treatment in the promotion, naming the “vital” thing he receives. Following a failed title challenger against reigning middleweight king Israel Adesanya at UFC 248 in 2020, which followed losses to Robert Whittaker and Paulo Costa for a three-fight skid, Romero announced his…

Continue Reading Romero Names “Vital” Thing He Receives From Bellator at MMA News.

Bellator 285 Results/Highlights: Henderson & Romero Victorious

Bellator MMA returned to Dublin, Ireland tonight with a special main event between former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson and Peter Queally. Since his debut with Bellator MMA, Henderson has had a difficult time with the company. By unanimous …

Bellator MMA returned to Dublin, Ireland tonight with a special main event between former UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson and Peter Queally. Since his debut with Bellator MMA, Henderson has had a difficult time with the company. By unanimous decision, he lost his first fight against Andrey Koreshkov at Bellator 153 on Apr. 22, 2016….

Continue Reading Bellator 285 Results/Highlights: Henderson & Romero Victorious at MMA News.