Undefeated M-1 Global lightweight champion Roman Bogatov signs with UFC

The UFC has added another M-1 Global champion to its roster.

The UFC has added another M-1 Global champion to its roster.

This time it’s a lightweight. The promotion has inked undefeated Russian fighter [autotag]Roman Bogatov[/autotag] (10-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC), according to a tweet posted by M-1 Global on Monday.

No date, location or opponent has been announced for Bogatov’s UFC debut.

The 28-year-old lightweight made his M-1 debut in March 2017. After winning his first five fights under the promotion’s banner, Bogatov earned a title shot for the vacant championship against Brazil’s Rubenilton Pereira in September 2018. Bogatov earned a five-round unanimous decision victory.

Bogatov defended his title twice, ending both opponents’ nights inside the distance. After he defeated Michel Silva by second-round submission in January, Bogatov defeated UFC veteran Mickael Lebout by TKO due to injury at M-1 Challenge 104 in March.

Bogatov becomes one of a handful of M-1 Global champions to take advantage of a 2018 partnership deal with the UFC. The deal allows M-1 Global champions the ability to leave the promotion to go to the UFC.

Other fighters who have taken advantage of the partnership include bantamweight Movar Evloev, featherweight Nate Landwehr, middleweight Bruno Silva and light heavyweight Khadis Ibragimov.

Check out Roman Bogatov’s official highlight video (via M-1 Global) below:

LeBron James blasts AAU culture: ‘AAU coaches don’t give a (expletive)’

Lakers star LeBron James had a candid conversation about AAU culture and how it’s contributing to injured NBA players.

The big debate of the early NBA season is load management, as the league debates why so many of its star players are choosing to sit out games during the regular seasons.

Players are banged up and being more careful to protect their bodies. The league is fine with that, in theory, but it’s hard to justify to people paying for expensive tickets, and for national TV audiences, why they can’t see their favorite players play on some nights.

The Lakers’ LeBron James has often spoken out about players having the right to do what’s best for their bodies, and is someone who has taken time off during the regular season to rest and recharge for a playoff push.

In a candid interview with Yahoo Sports this week, James also spoke out about what he sees as an issue for players’ health: The fact that they’re entering the league already banged up.

He points to a toxic culture in AAU youth basketball which puts players through outrageous schedules and is taxing on young bodies. He cites his perspective watching his two sons, LeBron Jr. and Bryce, go through the process now, and has seen what they are being demanded to do.

From Yahoo Sports:

“These kids are going into the league already banged up, and I think parents and coaches need to know [that] … well, AAU coaches don’t give a f—,” James told Yahoo Sports. “AAU coaches couldn’t give a damn about a kid and what his body is going through.”

He went on:

“I think [AAU] has something to do with it, for sure,” James told Yahoo Sports. “It was a few tournaments where my kids — Bronny and Bryce — had five games in one day and that’s just f—ing out of control. That’s just too much.

James went on to speak about how there isn’t being enough done to protect these athletes from fatigue, and how they aren’t being taught how to eat right, either. Read the entire article over at Yahoo Sports.

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There is just no bad blood. Leonard …

There is just no bad blood. Leonard said he has watched some Raptors games and has been impressed with the play of Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby and that he was looking forward to seeing his old teammates when the teams play on Monday. “It’s not like he left (on) bad terms, really,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “It’s one of those leave-good situations, not one of those leave-awful situations. And let’s be honest: In our league, it’s usually the other way. He’s had the benefit, the rare benefit, of being able to leave in a happy state. That’s rare. Has it happened? If it (has), it’s rare.”

Serge Ibaka, centre: Of course he …

Serge Ibaka, centre: Of course he changes (our team). It’s like Freddy says: He’s a superstar. … We already had a good team, and then when you add a guy like him, a superstar, he gives you the next level of being good. That is something we all know. It’s one of the reasons we traded for him. Anunoby: Mad? Nah. He’s a fun guy. He doesn’t get mad. He doesn’t get mad. He’s cool, a cool personality. Always in a good mood.

As someone who came up playing AAU in …

As someone who came up playing AAU in the midst of the organization’s peak and who also has two sons who are active in today’s AAU sphere, there’s no better player to weigh in on the subject than Lakers superstar LeBron James. “These kids are going into the league already banged up, and I think parents and coaches need to know that … well, AAU coaches don’t give a f—,” James told Yahoo Sports. “AAU coaches couldn’t give a damn about a kid and what his body is going through.”

“I think AAU has something to do with …

“I think AAU has something to do with it, for sure,” James told Yahoo Sports. “It was a few tournaments where my kids — Bronny and Bryce — had five games in one day and that’s just f—ing out of control. That’s just too much. And there was a case study where I read a report. I don’t know who wrote it not too long ago, and it was talking about the causes and [kid’s] bodies already being broken down and they contributed it to AAU basketball and how many games that these tournaments are having for the financial benefit. So, I’m very conscious for my own son because that’s all I can control, and if my son says he’s sore or he’s tired, he’s not playing.

On the AAU front, James hopes that his …

On the AAU front, James hopes that his advice from his years of experience as a player and parent provides parents and young athletes with a better grasp of the multiple developmental options out there and the many consequences of trusting the wrong people. “The best programs are the EYBL. There’s no question about it,” James told Yahoo Sports. “They play one or two games a day. It’s the off-brand tournaments [that are the problem]. It’s those tournaments in those small cities. There’s no Whole Foods in those small cities. Those kids are eating McDonald’s, bro. They’re eating bad, and they’re playing five, six games a day. Come on, man. That’s what it is.”

Ezekiel Elliott has no answers after going stagnant in Cowboys loss to the Vikings

What I’m Hearing: Jori Epstein spoke to Ezekiel Elliott following the Cowboys loss to the Vikings on Sunday night and the running back had no explanation for his poor performance.

What I’m Hearing: Jori Epstein spoke to Ezekiel Elliott following the Cowboys loss to the Vikings on Sunday night and the running back had no explanation for his poor performance.

Lonzo Ball ruled out again for Monday’s contest against Rockets

The New Orleans Pelicans will be without starting point guard Lonzo Ball for the second straight game on Monday against Houston.

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For the second-straight contest, Lonzo Ball will be out for the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday as they host the Houston Rockets. Ball continues to be out with an adductor strain, more commonly listed known and listed on the injury report as a groin injury.

Ball suffered the injury last week against the team’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets. After initially playing through the injury in Friday’s loss to the Raptors, Ball sat out Saturday’s game at Charlotte. Ball was held out of practice the week leading up Friday’s game.

Without him, the Pelicans picked up its second win of the season against the Hornets. Ball has been playing well this season, averaging a career-high 11.5 points with 6.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds while shooting a career-best 36.7 percent from three-point range through his first eight games of the season.

After Monday’s contest, the Pelicans will be off until Thursday when they host the Los Angeles Clippers.

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