Tag: Niko Price

Kevin Croom, Jose Flores issued NAC suspensions for marijuana use; Niko Price also cited

UFC lightweight Kevin Croom and DWCS competitor Jose Flores each were issued four-and-a-half month suspensions for marijuana use.

LAS VEGAS – UFC lightweight [autotag]Kevin Croom[/autotag] and Dana White’s Contender Series competitor [autotag]Jose Flores[/autotag] each were issued four-and-a-half month suspensions in relation to marijuana use.

The Nevada Athletic Commission handed out the orders during Wednesday’s monthly meeting, which was held via teleconference due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Croom (22-12 MMA, 1-0 UFC) made his promotional debut at UFC on ESPN+ 35 on Sept. 12, stepping in on just one day’s notice before needing just 31 seconds to score a submission win over Roosevelt Roberts. “The Hard-Hitting Hillbilly” also earned a $50,000 “Performance of the Night” bonus.

However, a pre-fight drug screen identified the presence of marijuana, and Croom subsequently agreed to a proposed adjudication agreement approved Wednesday that includes the suspension, which expires on Jan. 26, 2021, as well as a reduced fine of $1,800 fine and prosecution fees totaling $145.36.

Flores (9-2) kicked off the current fourth season of Dana White’s Contender Series at DWCS 27 on Aug. 4. He was submitted in the opening round by Jordan Leavitt, who was awarded a UFC deal.

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After also testing positive for marijuana, Flores agreed to a suspension that expires on Dec. 4, as well as a reduced fine of $750 and prosecution fees totaling $145.36.

In a non-marijuana related decision, heavyweight [autotag]Chad Johnson[/autotag] was issued a nine-month suspension for testing positive for a banned amphetamine.

Johnson (6-2) appeared at Dana White’s Contender Series 29 on Aug. 18, suffering a first-round knockout loss to Josh Parisian, who was awarded a UFC contract with the result.

Johnson’s suspension expires May 18, 2021. He was also fined $750 and must pay prosecution fees totaling $145.36 per Wednesday’s adjudication agreement.

All suspended athletes must also pass drug screens 30 days, 15 days and three days before their next contest in order to regain licensure in Nevada.

Additionally, UFC welterweight [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag] saw his temporary suspension extended after testing positive for carboxy THC, a prohibited cannabinoid, in relation to his Sept. 19 bout at UFC on ESPN+ 36. The commission expects to resolve the issue in December.

Price (14-4-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC) fought Donald Cerrone at the event. “The Hybrid” was deducted a point for multiple eye pokes in the opening round of the contest, which ended up being declared a majority draw.

Lastly, [autotag]Joe Pyfer[/autotag], who tested positive for a modulator metabolites in August, was granted a continuance to a later date.

Pyfer (7-2) competed in the featured contest of DWCS 28 on Aug. 11. He was forced to settle for a TKO loss after suffering an arm injury from being slammed to the canvas by Dustin Stoltzfus, who took home a UFC contract with the win.

UFC on ESPN+ 36 medical suspensions: Tyron Woodley, Sarah Alpar, two others face 180-day terms

Three main card fighters and one prelim fighter are facing lengthy suspensions.

Former UFC welterweight champion [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] is among four fighters facing potential 180-day medical suspensions as a result of damage sustained at UFC on ESPN+ 36 on Saturday.

Woodley suffered a rib injury in the fifth round of his main event fight against [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag], which resulted in a TKO. Monday, Woodley revealed his ribs were broken earlier in the fight and shifted on a fifth-round guillotine choke submission attempt, which led to the finish.

On Tuesday, MMA Junkie obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.

Joining Woodley on the list of UFC on ESPN+ 36 fighters facing potential six-month suspensions is co-headliner [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag], who fought to a draw with [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag]. Price may have suffered a serious injury to his right hand, according to the medical records.

[autotag]Randa Markos[/autotag], who was submitted by [autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] via armbar in the first round of their main card fight, injured her elbow and will need clearance to compete before her 180-day term is up.

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Preliminary card fighter and UFC debutant [autotag]Sarah Alpar[/autotag] suffered a nasal fracture as a result of damage sustained against [autotag]Jessica-Rose Clark[/autotag]. The finish garnered attention from many reporters and viewers alike, including UFC president Dana White. Midway through Round 3, referee Chris Tognoni stopped the fight for a legal knee. The action resumed, but Alpar was finished with strikes shortly thereafter.

Alpar has also been suspended 180 days – or until a doctor grants her clearance.

Below is the full list of UFC on ESPN+ 36 medical suspensions:

  • Colby Covington: No suspension.
  • Tyron Woodley: Suspended 180 days or until left costochondral tear is cleared by an orthopedic doctor; also suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • Donald Cerrone: No suspension.
  • Niko Price: Suspended 180 days or until right hand X-ray is cleared by an orthopedic doctor; also suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • Mackenzie Dern: No suspension.
  • Randa Markos: Suspended 180 days or until left elbow is cleared by doctor; also suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to left eyebrow laceration.
  • [autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]David Dvorak[/autotag]: Suspended for 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to right foot pain.
  • [autotag]Jordan Espinosa[/autotag]: Suspended for 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to left tibia contusion.
  • [autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Mirsad Bektic[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Mara Borella[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • Jessica-Rose Clark: No suspension.
  • Sarah Alpar: Suspended 180 days or until nasal fracture is cleared by ENT doctor; also suspended 60 days with no contact for 15 days.
  • [autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]T.J. Laramie[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Randy Costa[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Journey Newson[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with no contact for 45 days due to left eye laceration.
  • [autotag]Andre Ewell[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to facial lacerations.
  • [autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days due to facial abrasions.
  • [autotag]Tyson Nam[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Jerome Rivera[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.

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UFC on ESPN+ 36 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone gets highest payout

UFC on ESPN+ 36 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that launched after the UFC’s deal with Reebok.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 36 event took home event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $169,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN+ 36 took place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The entire card streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN+ 36 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag]: $10,000
def. [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag]: $15,000

[autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag]: $20,000
vs. [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Randa Markos[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag]: $10,000

[autotag]David Dvorak[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Jordan Espinosa[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Damon Jackson[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Mirsad Bektic[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Mayra Bueno Silva[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Mara Borella[/autotag]: $5,000

[autotag]Jessica-Rose Clark[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Sarah Alpar[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]TJ Laramie[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Randy Costa[/autotag]: $3,500
def. [autotag]Journey Newson[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Andre Ewell[/autotag]: $5,000
def. [autotag]Irwin Rivera[/autotag]: $3,500

[autotag]Tyson Nam[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Jerome Rivera[/autotag]: $3,500

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Reebok’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $3,500 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,000; 6-10 bouts get $5,000; 11-15 bouts earn $10,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $15,000; and 21 bouts and more get $20,000. Additionally, champions earn $40,000 while title challengers get $30,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2020 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $4,598,500
2019 total: $7,370,500
2018 total: $6,901,000
2017 total: $6,295,000
2016 total: $7,138,000
2015 total: $3,185,000
Program-to-date total: $35,603,000

UFC on ESPN+ 36 results: Point deduction costs Niko Price in draw with Donald Cerrone

An eye poke infraction turned what would have been a split decision win for Niko Price into a majority draw with Donald Cerrone.

[autotag]Niko Price[/autotag] had a killer opening round against [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] in their UFC on ESPN+ 36 co-feature.

But Price got a bit too exuberant along the way and was docked a point for an eye poke in their welterweight matchup, and that spelled the difference between what would have been a split decision win and a majority draw. The judges’ scores in Las Vegas were 29-27 Cerrone and a pair of 28-28s.

Price (14-4-1 MMA, 6-4-1 UFC) got off to a furious start in the opening round, landing 40 strikes in a little more than two minutes into the bout. Price was sharp in delivering in a wide array of strikes, with combos and body kicks from distance and elbows and knees in the clinch.

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Several times during the round, Cerrone (36-15-1 MMA, 23-12-1 UFC) appeared not far off from being finished. But Price poked Cerrone in both eyes along the way, with the second infraction late in the round earning a point deduction from referee Jason Herzog.

By the second round, it was clear Cerrone was back in the fight. He nearly matched Price, who couldn’t maintain his early pace, in significant strikes, with both men giving at taking over the course of the bout.

Both competitors once again had their moments in an eventful final round that included a rare double timeout, as both delivered eye pokes at the same time. Cerrone at one point got Price’s back while standing and nearly sunk in a rear-naked choke. After price threw him off, the final moments of the bout saw both go for broke all the way to the final horn.

While he doesn’t get back into the win column, the draw ended a four-fight losing streak for Cerrone. Price is 1-2-1 in his past four.

The welterweight bout was the UFC on ESPN+ 36 co-main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It streamed on ESPN+.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN+ 36 results include:

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UFC on ESPN+ 36 predictions: Can Tyron Woodley be great again and upset Colby Covington?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the UFC on ESPN+ 36 main card in Las Vegas, featuring Colby Covington vs. Tyron Woodley.

Covington
vs.
Woodley		 Cerrone
vs.
Price		 Chimaev
vs.
Meerschaert		 Spann
vs.
Walker		 Dern
vs.
Markos		 Holland
vs.
Stewart
MMA Junkie readers’
consensus picks
2020: 99-62		 covington2020
Covington
(69%)		 price2020
Price
(52%)		 chimaev2020
Chimaev
(78%)		 walker2020
Walker
(62%)		 dern2020
Dern
(79%)		 holland2020
Holland
(79%)
Nolan King
@mma_kings
2020: 108-53		 covington2020
Covington		 price2020
Price		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 walker2020
Walker		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Farah Hannoun
@Farah_Hannoun
2020: 107-54		 covington2020
Covington		 price2020
Price		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 spann2020
Spann		 markos2020
Markos		 holland2020
Holland
Dan Tom
@DanTomMMA
2020: 107-54		 covington2020
Covington		 price2020
Price		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 spann2020
Spann		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Brian Garcia
@thegoze
2020: 105-56
trophy copy 2017 Champion		 covington2020
Covington		 price2020
Price		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 walker2020
Walker		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Simon Head
@simonhead
2020: 105-56
trophy copy 2019 Champion*		 covington2020
Covington		 price2020
Price		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 walker2020
Walker		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Dave Doyle
@davedoylemma
2020: 104-57		 covington2020
Covington		 price2020
Price		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 walker2020
Walker		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Danny Segura
@dannyseguratv
2020: 104-57		 covington2020
Covington		 cerrone2020
Cerrone		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 spann2020
Spann		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Mike Bohn
@MikeBohnMMA
2020: 102-59
trophy copy 2014 Champion		 covington2020
Covington		 cerrone2020
Cerrone		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 spann2020
Spann		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Simon Samano
@SJSamano
2020: 100-61		 covington2020
Covington		 price2020
Price		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 spann2020
Spann		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
George Garcia
@MMAjunkieGeorge
2020: 98-63		 covington2020
Covington		 price2020
Price		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 walker2020
Walker		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Ken Hathaway
@kenshathaway
2020: 98-63
trophy copy 2018 Champion		 woodley2020
Woodley		 cerrone2020
Cerrone		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 spann2020
Spann		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
John Morgan
@MMAjunkieJohn
2020: 97-64		 covington2020
Covington		 cerrone2020
Cerrone		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 spann2020
Spann		 dern2020
Dern		 holland2020
Holland
Abbey Subhan
@kammakaze
2020: 95-66		 covington2020
Covington		 cerrone2020
Cerrone		 chimaev2020
Chimaev		 walker2020
Walker		 dern2020
Dern		 stewart2020
Stewart
Matt Erickson
@MMAjunkieMatt
2020: 69-92		 woodley2020
Woodley		 cerrone2020
Cerrone		 meerschaert2020
Meerschaert		 spann2020
Spann		 markos2020
Markos		 stewart2020
Stewart

The UFC wraps up its lengthy Las Vegas run this week with a heated grudge match atop the bill.

UFC on ESPN+ 36 takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card streams on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, former interim welterweight champion [autotag]Colby Covington[/autotag] (15-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) takes on former welterweight champ [autotag]Tyron Woodley[/autotag] (19-5-1 MMA, 9-4-1 UFC). Covington is more than a 3-1 favorite, and 12 of our 14 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts are picking him to win.

In the co-main event, [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] (36-15 MMA, 23-12 UFC) meets [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag] (14-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) at welterweight. Price is a slight favorite in the fight, but he has just an 8-6 lead in the picks.

Also on the main card, [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag] (8-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) takes on [autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag] (31-13 MMA, 6-5 UFC) at middleweight looking for his third UFC win in a little more than two months. Chimaev is the biggest favorite on the main card at -450, and only one of our pickers is taking Meerschaert in an upset.

[autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag] (18-5 MMA, 4-0 UFC) takes on [autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag] (17-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) at light heavyweight. And though Walker is a slight favorite, it’s Spann with an 8-6 picks lead.

[autotag]Mackenzie Dern[/autotag] (8-1 MMA, 3-1 UFC) is favored over [autotag]Randa Markos[/autotag] (10-8-1 MMA, 6-7 UFC) in their women’s strawweight bout at around -175, but she’s got a big 12-2 blowout in the picks.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Kevin Holland[/autotag] (18-5 MMA, 5-2 UFC) does battle at middleweight against [autotag]Darren Stewart[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 5-4 UFC). Holland is more than a 2-1 favorite and has an 11-3 lead in the picks.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, Covington (69 percent), Price (52 percent), Chimaev (78 percent), Walker (62 percent), Dern (79 percent) and Hollandd (79 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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UFC on ESPN+ 36 press conference faceoffs video

Check out the faceoffs with undercard fighters from Thursday’s UFC on ESPN+ 36 news conference in Las Vegas.

LAS VEGAS – Ahead of UFC on ESPN+ 36, a news conference was held with undercard fighters Thursday, and MMA Junkie was on the scene for the festivities.

UFC on ESPN+ 36, which takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex, is headlined by a highly anticipated grudge match between Colby Covington and Tyron Woodley, but those two men were kept away from each other.

Instead, [autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag], [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag], [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag], [autotag]Gerald Meerschaert[/autotag], [autotag]Ryan Spann[/autotag], and [autotag]Johnny Walker[/autotag] all were on hand. Afterward, the opponents squared off from each other for the first time.

You can watch the faceoffs in the video above.

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Donald Cerrone looks to snap skid vs. Niko Price on UFC’s Sept. 19 event

Donald Cerrone will attempt to break out of his four-fight slump when he meets fellow action fighter Niko Price in September.

[autotag]Donald Cerrone[/autotag] will attempt to break out of his four-fight slump when he meets fellow action fighter [autotag]Niko Price[/autotag] in September.

Cerrone (36-15 MMA, 23-12 UFC) and Price (14-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) have verbally agreed to a welterweight matchup on the UFC’s upcoming Sept. 19 event, MMA Junkie verified with multiple people close to the situation following an initial report from ESPN. The people requested anonymity because UFC has yet to make an official announcement.

The card is expected to take place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas and air on ESPN, but has yet to be officially announced by the promotion.

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After putting together a nice run that put him back in title contention, Cerrone, 37, has struggled to find winning results of late. He’s dropped his past four, albeit to strong competition in former UFC champs Conor McGregor and Anthony Pettis as well as current interim titleholder Justin Gaethje and former interim titleholder Tony Ferguson. Now the UFC’s all-time wins leader will attempt to score his 24th octagon triumph.

Price, 30, will look to get in his way as he looks to rebound from a recently loss to Vicente Luque. “Hybrid” has alternated wins and losses over his past seven contests, but tends to bring excitement win or lose with just one decision result in his career.

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