(Yancy Medeiros shows Rustam Khabilov his dislocated thumb in suspiciously chill fashion at UFC 159. / Photo via Getty)
Marijuana Day continues on CagePotato with another piece of weed-related bad news: MMAJunkie reported this morning that UFC lightweight Yancy Medeiros tested positive for marijuana metabolites following his first-round knockout win against Yves Edwards at UFC Fight for the Troops 3 on November 6th. As a result, his win has been changed to a no-contest by the very-reputable sounding Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Authority. [Ed. note:Can we throw the word “Intercontinental” in there somewhere?]
According to a statement released by the UFC, “[Medeiros] agreed to and served a 90-day suspension retroactive to the event, and must pass a drug test before receiving clearance to compete again.”
So yeah, his suspension’s over already. It’s one of those Matt Riddle-type suspensions where the UFC only tells us about it after the fact — which they can get away with because the failed drug-test happened in a jurisdiction without any transparency — as opposed to the scorched fucking earth punishment that Pat Healy got for popping positive for marijuana in New Jersey.
It seems worth noting that Medeiros is a known associate of the Diaz brothers, who just yesterday posted a video of himself table-topping a dude with Nate. In an April 2013 interview with Sherdog, Medeiros credited the Diazes for changing his diet and work ethic. In other words, he’s a good kid who just fell in with a bad crowd. We’ll update you if/when Yancy releases a statement about the matter.
[Ed. note:Yancy. Love that name.]
(Yancy Medeiros shows Rustam Khabilov his dislocated thumb in suspiciously chill fashion at UFC 159. / Photo via Getty)
Marijuana Day continues on CagePotato with another piece of weed-related bad news: MMAJunkie reported this morning that UFC lightweight Yancy Medeiros tested positive for marijuana metabolites following his first-round knockout win against Yves Edwards at UFC Fight for the Troops 3 on November 6th. As a result, his win has been changed to a no-contest by the very-reputable sounding Kentucky Boxing and Wrestling Authority. [Ed. note:Can we throw the word “Intercontinental” in there somewhere?]
According to a statement released by the UFC, “[Medeiros] agreed to and served a 90-day suspension retroactive to the event, and must pass a drug test before receiving clearance to compete again.”
So yeah, his suspension’s over already. It’s one of those Matt Riddle-type suspensions where the UFC only tells us about it after the fact — which they can get away with because the failed drug-test happened in a jurisdiction without any transparency — as opposed to the scorched fucking earth punishment that Pat Healy got for popping positive for marijuana in New Jersey.
It seems worth noting that Medeiros is a known associate of the Diaz brothers, who just yesterday posted a video of himself table-topping a dude with Nate. In an April 2013 interview with Sherdog, Medeiros credited the Diazes for changing his diet and work ethic. In other words, he’s a good kid who just fell in with a bad crowd. We’ll update you if/when Yancy releases a statement about the matter.
Anyone who knows anything about UFCs and MMAs knows that the best fights are never found on the hoity-toity main card or even the highfalutin FX undercard on a channel that takes two of your friends a TV guide and Encarta ’97 to find. No, it’s a well known fact amongst us MMA media types that the best fights *always* go down during the Facebook preliminaries. “That’s where the real action is,” Ariel Helwani once told me, Danga, while pointing to the champagne room of a Tijuana strip club called La Mula Triste, but I think his words of wisdom can be applied to FB prelims as well.
Anyways, I just took a popper and feel like drunkblogging my way through the Fight for the Troops 3: Kennedy vs. Natal because there’s fuck all to write about besides. In my apartment I have: A bottle of Beam, a 12-pack of Lagunitas IPA, a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, and a nip of Svedka, so lets do this!
(Just a typical 5 p.m. in the life of Danga.)
Anyone who knows anything about UFCs and MMAs knows that the best fights are never found on the hoity-toity main card or even the highfalutin FX undercard on a channel that takes two of your friends a TV guide and Encarta ’97 to find. No, it’s a well known fact amongst us MMA media types that the best fights *always* go down during the Facebook preliminaries. “That’s where the real action is,” Ariel Helwani once told me, Danga, while pointing to the champagne room of a Tijuana strip club called La Mula Triste, but I think his words of wisdom can be applied to FB prelims as well.
Anyways, I just took a popper and feel like drunkblogging my way through the Fight for the Troops 3: Kennedy vs. Natal because there’s fuck all to write about besides. In my apartment I have: A bottle of Beam, a 12-pack of Lagunitas IPA, a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon, and a nip of Svedka, so lets do this!
Derek Brunson vs. Brian Houston
Round 1: Fight for the Troops cards are notoriously violent so let’s see how this goes-HOLY SHIT! Brunson nails Houston with a picture perfect roundhouse to the dome and follows him to the mat where, after a little struggle, he finishes Houston off with a rear-naked choke.
Brunson def. Houston via rear-naked choke 0:48 of round 1.
And the bottle of Beam is open.
Jesus, that was so fast I wasn’t even able to explain the rules of the drinking game I will be playing for these prelims. They are as follows:
Additionally, I will take a swig for each Goldberganism, each Rogan freak out and each time the name “Yancy” is spoken. Yancy.
Neil Magny vs. Seth Baczynski
Round 1: Baczynski with a pair of leg kicks and a nice right to start. Fuck that name, I’m calling him Bski. Bski pushes Magny into the fence. Big John McCarthy separates the two after a minute and Bski fires off an overhand right that lands. Magny clinches and they battle for position before BJ separates them again. Bski snags a double and slams Magny to the mat but gets hit with a good shot from the bottom. Bski to half guard then full mount, landing a few body shots before the bell ends. 10-9 Bski.
Round 2: Man, this crowd is fired up. They’re treating every landed punch like an ultimate diss in a Yo Momma episode. Remember that show? God it was terrible. Anyways, the first minute and a half of this one is all clinch before Big John separates them. Bski lands another nice right hand and tries for a takedown but is reversed and were back to a clinch battle. Magny with a right. Bski dives for another takedown but appears to be fading. Big John calls for a time as Magny’s glove tap is loose. Bski gets his takedown on the restart. After landing a couple elbows, Bski moves to half guard and lands some elbows as the rounds ends. 10-9 Bski
The soldiers are literally counting down the final five seconds of each round in unison. SHould a fight end via spinning heel kick, I’m quite certain the roof will ‘splode. Anyways, I just ripped another popper because fuck you.
Round 3: Magny lands a right and the two clinch up. Knees to the midsection from Bski. They break briefly and Bski goes for another takedown. He gets Magny down for a second before he is reversed. Magny with some nice knees now. Big John breaks ‘em up and Bski with another nice takedown. Joe Rogan is really impressed with Magny’s hand strength, so I’ll call it a half freak out and take a swig of some wine. The two get back to their feet and Magny lands a big takedown but Bski pops back up. Magny unloading with some nice shots and snags another takedown. Bski gets to his feet and the two swing to the finish. 10-9 Magny
Seth Baczynski def. Neil Magny via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Yves Edwards vs. Yancy Medeiros
Oh boy, they’ve already said Yancy twice. This fight is going to be rough on my liver. Three times. CURSE YOU YANCY!!!!
Yves Edwards’ walkout music sounds like Shaggy is being rectally force fed a steel drum.
Round 1: Yancy comes out aggro for a guy named Yancy, trading low/body kicks with Edwards. Left hook Yancy. Body kick Yves. Edwards with a nice left hook. Yancy is throwing front kicks and Yves is answering with right hooks. Yancy tells Edwards to bring it and Edwards does with a few more rights. Out of nowhere, Yancy clips Yves with an uppercut and pounds him out for the victory. Son of a bitch, Yancy.
Yancy Medeiros def. Yves Edwards via KO at 2:47 of round 1
Well, there goes the nip of Svedka. Ditto for Yves’ UFC career, one would assume, as that’s three straight for the longtime vet. At this time, I’d like to personally thank Yves for a ridiculously entertaining caree-APACHE HELICOPTER SHOT. Drink drink!
Chris Camozzi vs. Lorenz Larkin
Chris Camozzi looks like a guy who knows where that good crystal is at, know what I’m saying? Larkin, on the other hand, is coming out to James Brown’s “Living in America” which makes me think that he is going to get beat to death in this fight. THROW IN THE TOWEL, ROCK!
Round 1: Herb Dean is our ref, which reminds me that I need to re-up with my weed guy. Inside leg kick Camozzi. The two trade front kicks, then oblique kicks like a couple ‘a pussies. Counter left from a retreating Larking, then a straight right that drops him! Camozzi recovers and is back up and lands a leg kick. Front kick to the body by Larkin. Inside leg kick Camozzi, who is getting off first. Flying knee Camozzi and a left hook. I’m not scoring this because I stopped paying attention to pack a binger halfway through this.
Round 2: Camozzi with some more leg kicks. Larkin appears to be aiming for Camozzi’s gloves like he is hitting mits. Nice straight right by Larkin that jacks back the head of Camozzi. Camozzi tries another flying knee and they clinch. Larkin with a weak leg kick on the break. Camozzi’s nose is bloodied up but they trade leg kicks. Nice left by Camozzi. Larkin cuts Camozzi with a left and they clinch again. A couple nice standing elbows from Larkin have really busted up Camozzi, who simply will not stop coming forward. Probably on account of the meth. 10-9 Larkin
Round 3: The two trade body kicks to start the round. Larkin with a nice jab and the two trade leg kicks. Huge right hand by Larkin, who is just the quicker man. Camozzi whifs a head kick. Camozzi is visibly worn down but refuses to quit. Some brutal elbows and rights from Larkin in the clinch. Camozzi has Larkin pinned against the fence and Larkin lands some more elbows. My God this crowd is awesome, and Camozzi cheers them on while getting beat up in the clinch. I’ll have what he’s having, amiright? *crickets* Larkin lands some spinning shit to close things out and that’s all she wrote. 10-9 Larkin
Lorenz Larkin def. Chris Camozzi via unanimous decision (30-27 x2 29-28)
Well, that’s it for me, Nation. I’m going to go take a piss off the balcony and yell at stray cats. Enjoy your fancy FS1 fights you bunch ‘a bitches.
Is it a coincidence that the UFC debuted the Phantom Cam around the same time that they announced the addition of the “pointless” flyweight division? Probably, but we’ll be damned if it isn’t the greatest technological achievement this side of the Blood-Bath Mat. The fact that the PhanCam actually allows us full-sized adults to watch a flyweight fight without having a seizure is just icing on the blood cake.
Slow motion makes everything better, plain and simple. Ask The Discovery Channel. Ask the end of this video. Ask Dave freakin’ Chapelle. And as such, the recently-released Phantom Cam footage from UFC on FOX 8: Johnson vs. Moraga somehow elevates the already FOTN-worthy brawl between Ed Herman and Trevor Smith (among others) to previously unimaginable levels of awesome. So enjoy, then invest in one of those blood towels to scare the shit out of your house guests. Seriously. Do it. I promise you that I won’t see a penny from it.
Is it a coincidence that the UFC debuted the Phantom Cam around the same time that they announced the addition of the “pointless” flyweight division? Probably, but we’ll be damned if it isn’t the greatest technological achievement this side of the Blood-Bath Mat. The fact that the PhanCam actually allows us full-sized adults to watch a flyweight fight without having a seizure is just icing on the blood cake.
Slow motion makes everything better, plain and simple. Ask The Discovery Channel. Ask the end of this video. Ask Dave freakin’ Chapelle. And as such, the recently-released Phantom Cam footage from UFC on FOX 8: Johnson vs. Moraga somehow elevates the already FOTN-worthy brawl between Ed Herman and Trevor Smith (among others) to previously unimaginable levels of awesome. So enjoy, then invest in one of those blood towels to scare the shit out of your house guests. Seriously. Do it. I promise you that I won’t see a penny from it.
(The plaque is nice and all, but Chiesa would have gladly entered the TUF 15 tournament for two dollars.)
Although we can’t exactly accuse Spencer Fisher of violating our ban on MMA fighters retiring only to immediately unretire, he came about as close as humanly possible when he told various media outlets that his trilogy-completing fight with Sam Stout at UFC on FX 4 last June would probably be his last. As we originally remarked, it seemed about as fitting an end to his MMA career as Fisher could have asked for — his pair of previous fights with Stout had not only fueled an intense rivalry between the two (not on the level of Paraguay vs. Uruguay, but still), but had earned the duo Fight of the Night honors on two separate occasions. That he suffered a razor-thin split decision loss should not have cheapened the significance of the moment, at least in our minds.
In either case, it appears that Fisher is not quite ready to call it quits, as he has been booked to face fellow UFC vet Yves Edwards at UFC on FOX 8, which transpires from the KeyArena in Seattle, Washington on July 27th. Fisher has dropped 5 of his last 6 contests, whereas Edwards has gone win-loss in his last 5 fights and is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Strikeforce newcomer Isaac Vallie-Flagg at UFC 156. For Fisher’s sake, we hope he wins this, because ending your career on your own terms sure beats joining the And Now He’s Fired club.
And now let’s address the possible person of interest pictured above, who has also been booked for UFC on FOX 8…
(The plaque is nice and all, but Chiesa would have gladly entered the TUF 15 tournament for two dollars.)
Although we can’t exactly accuse Spencer Fisher of violating our ban on MMA fighters retiring only to immediately unretire, he came about as close as humanly possible when he told various media outlets that his trilogy-completing fight with Sam Stout at UFC on FX 4 last June would probably be his last. As we originally remarked, it seemed about as fitting an end to his MMA career as Fisher could have asked for — his pair of previous fights with Stout had not only fueled an intense rivalry between the two (not on the level of Paraguay vs. Uruguay, but still), but had earned the duo Fight of the Night honors on two separate occasions. That he suffered a razor-thin split decision loss should not have cheapened the significance of the moment, at least in our minds.
In either case, it appears that Fisher is not quite ready to call it quits, as he has been booked to face fellow UFC vet Yves Edwards at UFC on FOX 8, which transpires from the KeyArena in Seattle, Washington on July 27th. Fisher has dropped 5 of his last 6 contests, whereas Edwards has gone win-loss in his last 5 fights and is coming off a unanimous decision loss to Strikeforce newcomer Isaac Vallie-Flagg at UFC 156. For Fisher’s sake, we hope he wins this, because ending your career on your own terms sure beats joining the And Now He’s Fired club.
And now let’s address the possible person of interest pictured above, who has also been booked for UFC on FOX 8…
Since making mincemeat of his three opponents during his run on the fifteenth season of The Ultimate Fighter, Michael Chiesa has collected two straight victories in the octagon via rear-naked choke (sound familiar?). Although he’s heard a fair share of criticism in regards to his standup game (again), Chiesa’s smothering Jiu-Jitsu attack has been the kiss of death for all of his opponents thus far in his MMA career.
Unfortunately for Chiesa, he’ll be facing an equally dangerous submission artist when he takes on Swedish prospect Reza Madadi, also at UFC on FOX 8. Like Chiesa, Madadi has collected both of his octagon victories via submission and is coming off a third round, come-from-behind Brabo choke victory over TUF something-or-other runner-up Michael Johnson at UFC on FUEL 9.
Who do you like for this pair of lightweight battles, Potato Nation?
Anyway, this lack of coherence has infuriated the Baldfather, who had repeatedly tried to get Stephens out of jail in time for his fight and and claimed he was willing spend the amount of money it would take to free Charles Manson to do so. Like many things Dana White says, he may have been embellishing slightly.
While his support for his fighters is heartening and arguably the ethical course to take in these situations, Jeremy Stephens probably doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt in this case.
(Jeremy Stephens, shown here attempting to perform long division without a calculator.)
Anyway, this lack of coherence has infuriated the Baldfather, who had repeatedly tried to get Stephens out of jail in time for his fight and and claimed he was willing spend the amount of money it would take to free Charles Manson to do so. Like many things Dana White says, he may have been embellishing slightly.
While his support for his fighters is heartening and arguably the ethical course to take in these situations, Jeremy Stephens probably doesn’t deserve the benefit of the doubt in this case.
White goes on to say that he supports Jeremy Stephens in the latter’s upcoming legal battles, as he would any UFC fighter when they encounter legal trouble:
“Jeremy Stephens is a young kid, a young, dumb kid who made a mistake and made a bigger mistake by not taking care of it, but, he’s got a side to this story, everybody’s got their side of the story. I look at the problem and see what it is. I’m always going to believe my guy until I’m proven wrong. I’m always going to support the guys or girls who work for us. … There’s two sides to the story. I’m going to support my guy. You don’t have to be Rampage, or Jon Jones, or some of the big stars in the UFC, if you’re in the UFC and you’ve helped us and you’re a fighter here, I’m going to support you and I’m going to have your back, depending on how serious the situation is.”
On one hand, it’s admirable White is so willing to support his fighters no matter what. (Unless they’re accused of beating their wife. Or they make a rape joke on Twitter. Well, unless Dana likes you.) Technically, all of them are innocent until proven guilty to begin with.
Many of them, especially perennial undercard fighters like Stephens, need to fight in order to simply pay their bills. If the UFC didn’t back them and forced them to undergo legal proceedings on their own, they suffer serious financial repercussions, even though they may be innocent. And, like White claims, it appears the UFC does not discriminate in this regard between its superstars and the rest of its roster.
All in all, it’s the ethical approach to this situation from the major company.
That said, let’s be real here. Jeremy Stephens is not a “young, dumb kid.” He’s 26. He has a job.
Jeremy Stephens is not a dumb kid – he’s just dumb. In fact, he’s exceptionally dumb.
His nickname is “Lil’ Heathen” and he has a giant fucking cross on his back. Stephens probably saw an Affliction shirt at his local strip mall in Iowa with “Heathen” in some terrible font clearly intended to overcompensate for something, thought it looked really cool, asked one of his buddies to read it for him, and liked the way it sounded so much he made it his nickname. Come to think of it, his tattoo was probably inspired in a similar manner. (The words around his cross? “Only God Can Judge Me.” I’m sure the Des Moines district attorney is willing to put that to the test.)
Also, in addition to being stupid, Jeremy Stephens is an asshole.
Now, does this mean Jeremy Stephens is guilty? No.
But let’s stop pretending that he’s a victim of a justice system run wild. Jeremy Stephens’ assault case is stemming from last year.
As for the charge itself, Stephens probably didn’t do himself any favors by – essentially – running from them for months. Even White, who has only heard Stephens’ side of the story, admits “there’s no doubt he’s responsible for the situation.” White adds a caveat that “he’s got a completely different story” from his accuser’s – shocking – but frankly, when you concede that a professional fighter is responsible for assaulting someone, it doesn’t look good.
As for the charges themelves, there’s virtually no information available on them. There’s a user on Reddit who claims Stephens beat another man badly and let a relative to take the fall instead, but the only evidence provided is a Facebook conversation. Not exactly a smoking gun.
So for now, Jeremy Stephens will remain in jail, Dana White will remain pissed, and we MMA fans will wonder just what the hell happened here. We’ll update you with more news when it becomes available, Potato Nation.
Well, at least it wasn’t an injury that nearly cost us another fight this time.
Just a few hours ago, MMAJunkie learned that lightweight slugger Jeremy Stephens had been arrested in Minneapolis on an outstanding felony charge and was being held without bail by the Hennepin County Police Department. Although there are no details available as to the specific charges, apparently Stephens was being sought after for an outstanding warrant in another state which was also not named.
But before everyone starts having a panic attack over the fact that two fights from tonight’s card have now suffered last minute cancellations, rest assured that according to both Dana White and Ariel Helwani, Stephens will in fact be fighting against Yves Edwards tonight.
Well, at least it wasn’t an injury that nearly cost us another fight this time.
Just a few hours ago, MMAJunkie learned that lightweight slugger Jeremy Stephens had been arrested in Minneapolis on an outstanding felony charge and was being held without bail by the Hennepin County Police Department. Although there are no details available as to the specific charges, apparently Stephens was being sought after for an outstanding warrant in another state which was also not named.
But before everyone starts having a panic attack over the fact that two fights from tonight’s card have now suffered last minute cancellations, rest assured that according to both Dana White and Ariel Helwani, Stephens will in fact be fighting against Yves Edwards tonight:
Via Ariel’s Twitter: I asked DW if JS has been released yet, his response was: “he is fighting tonight,” After confirming it the 1st time. Sounds pretty official.
Via Dana’s Twitter: Don’t listen to the media! Nobody ever told them Jeremy isn’t fighting. He is fighting!!
Interesting that a fighter who was arrested earlier this morning is still being given the chance to fight, but we’ll leave the (over)analyzing to you guys. Is this some bullshit, or does Stephens deserve the chance to fight tonight?
