UFC News Roundup: Dustin Poirier confident ahead of Khabib fight, Michael Johnson and Darren Till set for Octagon returns (27th August 2019)

Welcome to another edition of UFC News Roundup. Ahead of this weekend's UFC Fight Night 157 in China, let's take a look at all the major news from the world of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

On today's report of UFC News Roundup, we'll focus on the reports surrounding UFC 242, CB Dolloway, the Octagon returns of Michael Johnson and Darren Till, among other major topics.

All that and more in the 27th August 2019 edition of the UFC Rumor Roundup.

#3 CB Dollaway suspended for two years

UFC Light Heavyweight veteran CB Dollaway has been suspended by USADA for two years after the 36-year-old fighter was tested positive for multiple banned substances. On Monday, UFC officials announced that Dollaway had violated the UFC's anti-doping policy. The following statement was released by USADA:

“Dollaway, 35, tested positive for anastrozole, growth hormone releasing peptide 2 (GHRP-2 or pralmorelin), a metabolite of GHRP-2, and GHRP-6 as the result of an out-of-competition urine sample he provided on December 19, 2018. Anastrozole is a Specified Substance in the class of Hormone and Metabolic Modulators, while GHRP-2 and GHRP-6 are Specified Substances in the class of Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, Related Substances and Mimetics. Dollaway also tested positive for clomiphene in an out-of-competition urine sample collected on February 9, 2019.”

Dollaway made his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night: Silva vs Irvin against Jesse Taylor. On the back off a loss in the finale of The Ultimate Finale, Dollaway put on a clinical performance upon his UFC debut, defeating Taylor via the Peruvian necktie submission. Dollaway last competed in the UFC back at UFC Fight Night 136 when he lost to Khalid Murtazaliev via second round TKO.

With Dollaway's suspension in place, the Light Heavyweight veteran won't be eligible to fight in the Octagon till December 13, 2020.

#2 Dustin Poirier confident ahead of Khabib fight at UFC 242

Interim UFC Lightweight Champion, Dustin Poirier will finally collide with reigning Lightweight Champion, Khabib Nurmagomedov on the 7th of September in a highly awaited title unification bout between the two.

Nurmagomedov will be returning to the Octagon after serving a long-term suspension following his brawl against Conor McGregor and his team at UFC 229, whereas, Poirier is on the back of a huge win over Max Holloway from UFC 236.

Speaking to MMA Junkie, Poirier claimed that come UFC 242, he is going to stop Nurmagomedov and end his undefeated streak in mixed martial arts.

“I keep going back and forth. I feel like I can submit Khabib, but feel like I’m going to stop him. I don’t know how it’s going to happen, but I’m either going to knock him out or I’m going to submit him. I’m going to finish Khabib Nurmagomedov.”

#1 Darren Till and Michael Johnson return fights announced

At UFC 244, Darren Till will be making his return to the Octagon but this time at a different weight class, as The Gorilla is set to make his highly awaited debut at Middleweight against former interim Middleweight Title contender Kelvin Gastelum.

Till, who is on the back of two losses in the UFC, will look to end his losing streak, as he gets set for a clash against Gastelum. As far as the latter is concerned, Gastelum last competed at UFC 236 when he lost to Israel Adesanya in a back-and-forth fight that ended via split decision.

As for Michael Johnson, the veteran fighter will be returning to the Octagon in Singapore and for his next fight, Johnson will be returning to the Lightweight division. Johnson will face Stevie Ray for his next bout in the Octagon which takes place at UFC on ESPN+ 20.