Tag: Bellator 300

MMA Junkie’s 2023 Event of the Year: UFC 295, New York

In a year filled with memorable MMA events for the UFC, Bellator, PFL, ONE Championship and more, one stood out from all the rest.

A disclaimer: We’re sorry, UFC Austin. We’re sorry, Bellator 300 and Bellator 301. We’re sorry UFC 285. You all were good. Great, really.

But you fell just short of the top.

UFC 295 at the mecca of combat sports, Madison Square Garden in New York, is MMA Junkie’s 2023 Event of the Year.

The UFC’s 30th anniversary event was supposed to feature one of its biggest all-time stars, Jon Jones, in a heavyweight title defense against former champion Stipe Miocic, regarded by many as the best heavyweight in MMA history because he had three consecutive UFC title defenses – a low number for a record, but the record nonetheless.

But Jones injured his shoulder training, and rather than keep Miocic on the card, they saved the two of them for (hopefully) this year, and put an interim title on the line between Tom Aspinall and Sergei Pavlovich.

The previous co-feature vacant light heavyweight title fight between former middleweight champ Alex Pereira and Jiri Prochazka was elevated to the headliner on the pay-per-view main card, which kept the show with a pair of title fights at the top of the bill.

When it comes to star power at the end of the night, UFC 295 may not have been the promotion’s sexiest offering ever at the Garden. It has to compete with previous MSG headliners with names like McGregor and St-Pierre and Cormier and Diaz and Adesanya and Covington and Masvidal, so there’s no shame in that.

But what UFC 295 lacked in mega-names, it made up for when it mattered. All five fights on the main card were finishes for the 19,000-plus in the building, and eight of the 13 bouts overall were stoppages. And let’s face it: Finishes go a long way.

That’s why it was hard to pass up UFC on ESPN 52, which took place less than a month later in Austin, Texas. That show didn’t have the promotional punch a pay-per-view provides – it merely was a Fight Night card streamed on ESPN+. Hell, UFC Austin wasn’t even officially announced by the company until several weeks before the show.

But from a highlights standpoint, UFC on ESPN 52 came through with a ridiculous nine submissions in 12 fights. Add in a Fight of the Night bonus and $50,000 for every stoppage on the card, and the UFC gave out $500,000 in extra checks in just that one night.

But UFC 295 inches above UFC Austin for its main card finishes under a much brighter spotlight in Midtown Manhattan, and with the pressure to deliver absent the previously planned heavyweight headliner. That one of those finishes was Pereira in the co-feature to win a title in a second division just seven bouts into his UFC tenure is the icing on the proverbial cake.

We’d be remiss to not shout out Bellator 300 and Bellator 301 again, as well as UFC 285 and UFC 290. Bellator 300 was a historic event number for the promotion and came at a time of uncertainty in the promotion. Four title fights were scheduled, though the show wound up with just three. Still, the ambition behind setting out to do four to begin with is admirable. Bellator 301 in November will go down as the promotion’s final show before its sale to the PFL, and it doesn’t get much more historic than the last of anything.

At UFC 285 in March, Jones won the heavyweight title with a quick submission of Ciryl Gane to become a two-division titleholder. That show in Las Vegas had four submissions on the main card.

Bellator champ Usman Nurmagomedov says he didn’t cheat, substance ‘entered my body through medications’

Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov says he didn’t intentionally cheat and made a simple mistake before he fought Brent Primus.

Bellator lightweight champion [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] says he didn’t intentionally cheat and made a simple mistake before his fight with Brent Primus.

On Saturday, Nurmagomedov’s unanimous decision win was overturned to a no contest by the California State Athletic Commission, which suspended Nurmagomedov for six months and fined him $50,000 after he tested positive for an undisclosed banned substance stemming from an Oct. 6 drug test days before Bellator 300.

According to a settlement agreement signed by CSAC executive officer Andy Foster and Nurmagomedov, the champ “provided evidence that the prohibited substance was prescribed to him by a physician and maintains that the prohibited substance was prescribed for therapeutic use.”

In his first public comment on the situation, Nurmagomedov reiterated that claim Saturday night on Instagram.

“The results of my test revealed a prohibited substance that entered my body through medications, prescribed to me by a doctor,” Nurmagomedov wrote. “A few months before my fight, I was undergoing treatment, but unfortunately I did not notify the athletic commission in advance.”

Nurmagomedov requested a TUE after the fact but was denied by the commission.

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It’s unclear how the no contest will affect Nurmagomedov’s status as Bellator lightweight champion or the promotion’s grand prix, given the fight with Primus was a semifinal. The fact that Bellator’s future beyond next week’s Bellator 301 event in Chicago is unclear complicates matters even further as it’s possible the promotion is acquired by or merges with PFL, which has long been talked about.

You can read Nurmagomoedov’s full statement below:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzhvkL2KsMQ/

I would like to give a comment regarding latest news on my suspension. The results of my test revealed a prohibited substance that entered my body through medications, prescribed to me by a doctor. A few months before my fight, I was undergoing treatment, but unfortunately I did not notify the athletic commission in advance. I would like to note that the California state athletic commission conducted its own full investigation, where I provided all the necessary documents, doctor notes and medical certificates, thanks to which the period of my disqualification was reduced to 6 months, instead of longer suspensions accepted in such cases.

CSAC suspends Bellator champ Usman Nurmagomedov for failed drug test; win over Brent Primus overturned

Usman Nurmagomedov no longer has a win over Brent Primus, and is facing fines and a suspension for a failed pre-fight drug test.

Bellator lightweight champion [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] is facing multiple repercussions for a failed drug test prior to his Bellator 300 fight against Brent Primus.

The California State Athletic Commission has suspended Nurmagomedov (17-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) for a failed drug test administered on Oct. 6, which indicated the presence of an undisclosed prohibited substance, according to an official document obtained by MMA Junkie. The agreement was signed by CSAC executive officer Andy Foster and Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov said the substance was from a medication prescribed by a physician. However, he failed to request a therapeutic use exemption (TUE) prior to the positive drug test. Nurmagomedov requested a TUE after the fact but was denied by the commission.

“Respondent provided evidence that the prohibited substance was prescribed to him by a physician and maintains that the prohibited substance was prescribed for therapeutic use,” the commission document states.

Usman’s manager, Ali Abdelaziz of Dominance MMA, did not respond to MMA Junkie’s request for comment, although he did provide one to ESPN and said the substance was “nothing enhancing” and “not an anabolic steroid.”

The substance was not revealed due to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPPA) and California’s Confidentiality of Medica Information Act.

As a result of the failed test, Nurmagomedov faces a number of repercussions from the CSAC. His unanimous decision win over Brent Primus in the Bellator 300 main event, a semifinal in the promotion’s grand prix, has been overturned to a no contest. In addition, Nurmagomedov has been suspended for six months as of Nov. 6. He also has been fined $50,000.

Nurmagomedov has also agreed to enroll in the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) testing program at his own expense for 12 months. He is required to submit no fewer than three full World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) drug screenings.

If Nurmagomedov tests positive for a prohibited substance in California or any other jurisdiction recognized by the Association of Boxing Commissions, he will face a four-year suspension.

Bellator did not immediately respond to MMA Junkie’s request for comment. However, promotion executive Mike Kogan came to Nurmagomedov’s defense on Instagram.

“It was not doping,” Kogan wrote. “No one is stripping him of any titles. Rematch with (Brent Primus) is the only thing that makes sense.”

Setting up a rematch between Nurmagomedov and Primus could be tricky considering they met in a tournament bout and the fact that Bellator’s future remains uncertain beyond next week’s Bellator 301 event in Chicago. It’s possible the promotion is acquired by or merges with PFL, which has long been talked about.

UPDATE: Hours after the news broke, Nurmagomedov issued a statement on his Instagram account.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzhvkL2KsMQ/

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MMA Junkie’s Submission of the Month for October: Muhammad Mokaev’s continues chase for history

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best submission from October 2023.

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best submissions from October 2023: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s Submission of the Month award for October.

At the bottom of the post, let us know if we got it right by voting for your choice.

Nominees

Video: What does the future hold for Bellator MMA?

Could one of the biggest MMA promotions on the globe be in its final days? Our “Spinning Back Clique” discusses.

Immediately after celebrating a big milestone event, questions about Bellator MMA’s future were posed to its president [autotag]Scott Coker[/autotag].

Bellator 300 was a big show for the California-based promotion that featured three title fights. The promotion aimed for four at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, but one apart in the days before the event. Regardless, champions [autotag]Liz Carmouche[/autotag], [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag], and [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] entered and exited with their respective titles, but what comes next for them and everyone else on the Bellator roster is uncertain.

At the post-event news conference, Coker was asked to speak about the rumors of an upcoming sale or merger of the promotion. There have even been talks that all operations may cease. Coker wouldn’t comment much about the situation, considering everything that will happen going forward with the promotion lies in the hands of its parent company Viacom.

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Based on what answers Coker did or did not provide about Bellator’s future at the news conference, what can we expect going forward? Will there be other events after Bellator 301? Is that event guaranteed to take place? Is Viacom going to shut it all down?

Our “Spinning Back Clique” of Farah Hannoun, Mike Bohn, and Brian “Goze” Garcia discuss along with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s full “Spinning Back Clique” episode below on YouTube or in podcast form.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 300.

Video: Is Cris Cyborg the women’s MMA GOAT?

Has Cris Cyborg distanced herself from Amanda Nunes and Ronda Rousey in the women’s GOAT conversation?

When you’re talking about the best woman fighter of all time, [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] doesn’t have much competition.

Sure, there are a few names that belong in the conversation, but as the years pass, Cyborg is still active and thriving as the others are enjoying life away from combat sports.

At Bellator 300, Cyborg defended her featherweight title in dominant fashion against Cat Zingano, stretching her professional MMA winning streak to seven.

Cyborg’s last loss, and just the second of her career after her pro debut, came at the hands of another fighter who deserves to be right at the top of the women’s GOAT debate, Amanda Nunes.

At 38, Cyborg is still going strong while Nunes and Ronda Rousey have retired. Considering their head-to-head result, many believe Nunes is the top lioness, but will Cyborg’s longevity allow her to capture the GOAT status? Our “Spinning Back Clique” of Farah Hannoun, Mike Bohn,  and Brian “Goze” Garcia debate along with host “Gorgeous” George Garcia.

Watch their discussion in the video above, and don’t miss this week’s full “Spinning Back Clique” episode below on YouTube or in podcast form.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 300.

Linton Vassell reveals COVID caused Bellator 300 withdrawal, residual breathing issues

Bellator standout Linton Vassell may have missed his crack at a major promotional title all thanks to COVID.

Linton Vassell may have missed his crack at a major promotional title all thanks to COVID.

On Thursday, Vassell (24-8 MMA, 12-5 BMMA) revealed he withdrew from his Oct. 7 bout vs. heavyweight champion [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag] at Bellator 300 due to a case of COVID-19.

As it turns out, Vassell said he’s still struggling with residual effects, like breathing problems during training.

“I know I been quite [sic], but I wanted to let everyone know that I ended up catching Covid on Thursday, the week before the fight, I was bed bound for 4 straight days,” Vassell wrote on Instagram. “I was still sick the day I actually pulled out, and still not fully recovered. It was a hard choice to make knowing I’ve trained so hard and waited so long for this moment to come, but I had to be smart and think of my health, I wouldn’t have be 100% come fight night, and even today I’m still finding it hard to do light training without getting out of breath. First things first I will get better, then we can make a new plan. I will be back real soon people I promise that, this is just a minor bump in the road. The journey still continues.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CyTJXGZOZSZ/

Vassell, 40, may not get another crack at Bader (31-7 MMA, 9-2 BMMA), who was removed from the card all together. Bellator 300 may have been the final event in the promotion’s history with uncertainty looming about it’s scheduled Bellator 301 card.

Regardless, Vassell is on one of the best streaks of his career. Midway through 2019, he was on a three-fight skid but Vassell scratched and clawed his way to a five-fight winning streak. He most recently competed in March when he finished former title challenger Valentin Moldavsky in Round 1.

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 300.

MMA Junkie Radio #3403: PFL signee Derek Brunson, UFC preview, more

Check out the latest episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” right here.


Thursday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here.

On Episode 3,403, the fellas welcomed in guest [autotag]Derek Brunson[/autotag], who just signed with the PFL after years in the UFC. They also looked ahead to UFC Fight Night 230 in Las Vegas, as well as the Logan Paul vs. Dillon Danis boxing match, discussed the latest MMA news and more. Tune in!

USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, Oct. 10: Usman Nurmagomedov climbing

Check out the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, which saw key moves at lightweight and women’s pound-for-pound.

In the main event of Bellator 300, [autotag]Usman Nurmagomedov[/autotag] proved he’s among the best lightweights on the planet.

After five rounds of a shut out showing against Brent Primus, Nurmagomedov retained the Bellator lightweight crown in a one-sided affair. Entering the event at No. 11 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, Nurmagomedov’s performance sees him rise to the No. 7 spot.

Women’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter [autotag]Cris Cyborg[/autotag] was in action in the co-main event, where she soundly defeated Cat Zingano. While Cyborg can get no higher than first place, the rest of the women’s P4P rankings saw a shuffle in placement.

In the main event of UFC Fight Night 229, [autotag]Bobby Green[/autotag] knocked out No. 6 Grant Dawson in quick fashion, causing him to tumble a few spots down to No. 8.

Check out all the latest pound-for-pound and divisional USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings above.

Josh Hokit happy for debut win at Bellator 300, but won’t be satisfied until he has heavyweight title

Josh Hokit is one fight into his MMA career, and he already knows what he wants after Bellator 300 in San Diego.

SAN DIEGO – [autotag]Josh Hokit[/autotag] is one fight into his MMA career, and he already knows what he wants.

Hokit (1-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) put away Spencer Smith (0-1 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) this past Saturday in his pro debut and did his first post-fight news conference – where he said he already has his sights set on Bellator’s heavyweight title.

Hokit spoke to the media following his win over Smith at Bellator 300, which took place at Pechanga Arena in San Diego.

Watch Hokit’s full post-fight interview in the video above.

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For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator 300.