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The gift of MMA is one that keeps giving.
Several interesting revelations in the MMA community were made over the past few days.
On this week’s edition we look at a veteran MMA fighter who’s being charged with attempted murder. Besides, Yoel Romero, Conor McGregor, a top UFC champion and blue-chip prospect all made headlines this week.
Sportskeeda brings you the Top-10 MMA News and Rumours of the week.
#5 Rumor: Jon Jones past his USADA issues
The vast majority of MMA experts believe that Jon Jones' issues with USADA are a nearing resolution.
Accordingly, his team has been teasing a potential 'Bones' comeback to the Octagon later this year, reiterating their belief that Daniel Cormier will beat Stipe Miocic for the UFC Heavyweight Championship at UFC 226, following which Jones will defeat Cormier for the third time and resultantly capture the UFC Heavyweight strap.
The aforementioned speculation and tease reached another crescendo when Jones put forth a message on social media; telling his haters to "su** one". Jones seems to be back to his confrontational self on social media, after laying low in the aftermath of his failed steroid tests last year.
#5 News: Yoel Romero reveals why he used his infamous “I love you” catchphrase on Luke Rockhold
On a recent edition of The MMA Hour, Romero revealed why he got into Luke Rockhold’s face moments after knocking the latter out—kissing & embracing Rockhold while repeatedly asserting—“I love you (Rockhold).”
Romero’s actions against a clearly dazed and confused Rockhold have resulted in several internet memes being put forth to mock Rockhold’s plight while highlighting Romero’s quirky antics. Apparently, Romero explained that he considered Rockhold to be a friend before the former failed a USADA test back in 2016.
“You remember one day when you talked to me, I said I have only one list, a blacklist? He [was] on the blacklist,” Romero revealed to Ariel Helwani (*courtesy—MMA Fighting). “He knows why; he knows why; because he talked a lot of (trash). After USADA, when that happened, when I had this problem with USADA, he talked (trash).”
Romero added that at the UFC athlete retreats and events of the sort, Rockhold would often extend him the offer to party together.
‘The Soldier of God’ insinuated that after hearing Rockhold’s comments whereby the latter trashed Romero for using steroids, Romero planned on teaching his friend-turned-foe a lesson, and remind Rockhold of their friendship.
#4 Rumor: Floyd Mayweather Sr. fuels speculation on his son competing in MMA
In a recent interview on the Mayweather Boxing Channel, Floyd Mayweather Sr. fueled speculation on his son and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. transitioning to MMA.
“The way I see it, I have to believe that this is where it’s going...The way it looks, I think so.”
“I don’t know what the legacy is because as of now, he has enough money and he’s got enough to live until his life runs out,” Floyd Sr. added. “I don’t even know how to say it because there ain’t no way to say it because everything is done right now. I wouldn’t (advise him to compete in MMA)."
Furthermore, Floyd Sr. explained that although he believes his son could win some fights in MMA, at this point of the latter's life, he has all the money he needs and his legacy as at the absolute peak. The only direction Floyd Jr.'s legacy could go now is backwards--something Floyd Sr. doesn't want his son to go through.
However, Floyd Sr. strongly emphasised that Junior is his own man, and all signs point to the latter making his MMA debut very soon.
#4 News: Yair Rodriguez admits that he “couldn’t handle the pressure” of being UFC’s next big superstar
In a recent interview with ESPN, Yair Rodriguez opened up on what went wrong in his fight against Frankie Edgar—a bout in which “El Pantera” was dominated and stopped, following which, Edgar progressed closer to the featherweight title whereas Rodriguez hasn’t competed since. He stated—
“I couldn’t handle the pressure; it exploded; I was being really hard on myself…I was becoming crazy, honestly—it was weird stuff.”
”I wasn’t listening to my coaches. I was getting mad at training (*ahead of his fight with Edgar*)…I thought I was right about certain stuff, (and) I think during the process of growing and becoming a star, you just stop trusting a lot of people—I started putting myself in a bubble and it really affected me.”
Furthermore, Rodriguez asserted that the people who train with him know he’s no joke. He reiterated that he will most definitely be the best and will prove it to the world.
#3 Rumor: Tito Ortiz vs. Chuck Lidell Trilogy?
Speaking to TMZ Sports, Tito Ortiz revealed that he's open to coming out of retirement and face old friend-turned-foe Chuck Lidell.
“I have a lot of interest level...Actually, on New Year’s, I asked the matchmakers for the UFC if they’d ever want to do a Chuck Liddell-Tito Ortiz III and he kind of looked at me and laughed and said, ‘Chuck couldn’t pass to fight again. He’s been knocked out, unconscious, five times.’ I guarantee you the doctor won’t give him a license.”
Lidell teased a return to MMA last year--with a photo showing him and Ortiz--captioned "Why not?"--set the MMA community abuzz. Fast-forward to the here and now--Lidell is strongly positive on returning to MMA this year. Although both fighters are well past their respective primes, this could be an entertaining fight-buildup, trash talk, press conferences et al--if not in the UFC, then in Bellator.
#3 News: Conor McGregor makes history again
As noted by Nick Dwyer (NickDwyerMMA), on February 18th, 2018, Conor McGregor etched his name in the history books once again—albeit for an unenviable spot.
As of February 18th, McGregor surpassed Anthony Pettis as having held a UFC Championship for the longest period of time (463 days; now 466 as of February 21st, 2018) without defending the belt. The list of such champions who’ve gone the longest amount of time without defending their respective belts also includes Pettis, Frank Mir, Cain Velasquez and Matt Serra—all of whom were injured for a significant amount of time, with Pettis also coaching a TUF (The Ultimate Fighter) season during his reign.
The UFC has announced a Lightweight title fight to take place between Interim Champion Tony Ferguson and Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 223, however, UFC President Dana White is yet to clarify whether the bout is for the Undisputed title, in which case McGregor will have to be stripped of his UFC Lightweight belt.
#2 Rumor: Anderson Silva getting cleared next month; ready for Roy Jones Jr. fight
Anderson Silva and Roy Jones Jr. have both teased a showdown with one another in the boxing ring over the past few months.
However, Silva's issues with USADA, after his failed drug test, have resulted in him being relegated to combat sports purgatory, so to speak. Regardless, the Silva vs. RJJ fight banter gained renewed steam after Silva's recent interview with TMZ--
“I’m just waiting for USADA and my lawyers,” Silva said. “And hopefully they came back soon for fight for Roy Jones...That’s my dream...Hopefully, this fight comes.”
While RJJ has retired from the sport of boxing, he recently confirmed that he'll come back only to fight Silva. This is a rumor worth keeping your eye on, as the fight could be a huge spectacle that could take place later this year.
Silva has indeed confirmed that he could be cleared as early as next month.
#2 News: Tyron Woodley “going to take a woosa”
Yes. Tyron Woodley made a “Bad Boys” movie-series reference in a recent appearance on TMZ Sports.
Woodley asserted that he’s squashing his beef with UFC President Dana White, Rafael Dos Anjos (whom Woodley refers to as Frankenstein), and Colby Covington (whom he refers to as Qu***ington). Woodley asserted that he simply wants to focus on being more successful. The UFC Welterweight Champion stated—
“I’m squashing everything,” Woodley said. “I’m focusing on getting the shoulder together. One-by-one, everybody will get these hands; I don’t know the order, I don’t know who’s next, but I never wanted to bounce around and not continue to defend my belt. I’ve been here for a while and I plan on knocking everybody out…I’m going to take a woosa.”
#1 Rumor: Yoel Romero to challenge Robert Whittaker in July?
In a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, Yoel Romero claimed that the UFC brass has indeed given him their word that he's set to challenge Robert Whittaker for the latter's UFC Middleweight Championship this year.
“I don’t have an idea (of when)...Maybe July? I don’t know when. I hear he’s sick, he’s feeling no good, he’s feeling very bad. I pray for him. I’m waiting. I’m waiting for him.”
Romero added that he'd love for the fight to happen in Miami, and if it does so, all of Miami and Cuba would be over the moon for him. UFC 226 is the biggest UFC event this July, and will be headlined by a Champion vs. Champion Super-fight as UFC Heavyweight titlist Stipe Miocic puts his belt on the line against Light-Heavyweight Champ Daniel Cormier.
#1 News: Marlon Sandro could receive a 20-year prison sentence
Marlon Sandro could be facing a 20-year prison sentence in his native of Brazil, as he’s being charged with attempted murder. On December 14th, 2017, Sandro was accused of assaulting his fiancée Tayssa Wuensche, whom he’s said to have choked in the middle of the street and then attacked her again with punches & kicks after she woke up.
MMAFighting reports that Sandro could be facing up to 20 years in jail should he be found guilty in a court of law. Apparently, despite the news gaining considerable coverage in the media, Sandro once again attacked Wuensche; breaking into her house on February 9th, threatening her with a knife and covering her face with a pillow to repress her screams/crying.
Apparently, Sandro is alleged to have threatened Wuensche’s life, as he feels she ruined his career. Wuensche was eventually saved by her mother and brother after she managed to text them about Sandro attacking her again.
Sandro released a statement on social media; accepting that he’s made mistakes, however, he didn’t directly acknowledge his attacks of Wuensche.
Both parties are set to have their day in court very soon.
