Tag: UFC Fight Night 188

Juancamilo Ronderos suspended nine months after testing positive for marijuana, cocaine

Juancamilo Ronderos was suspended nine months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after testing positive for marijuana and cocaine.

LAS VEGAS – UFC flyweight [autotag]Juancamilo Ronderos[/autotag] has been suspended nine months by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and fined a total of $2,245.36 after testing positive for both marijuana and cocaine.

The commission issued the ruling at Thursday’s monthly meeting, which was held at the Grant Sawyer State Office Building in Las Vegas.

In July, Ronderos was retroactively suspended for one month by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, the UFC’s official anti-doping partner, following an in-competition test collected on May 22 at UFC Fight Night 188 that was positive for “cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine,” according to the organization.

Ronderos (4-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC), who stepped into a bout with David Dvorak on just one day’s notice, was submitted in the first round of the fight.

However, because the contest fell under the jurisdiction of the NSAC, the commission also had to resolve the case. According to an agreement reached prior to the hearing, Ronderos was suspended nine months, leaving him eligible to return to competition on Feb. 22, 2022.

Additionally, he was fined $2,100 and ordered to pay prosecution fees of $145.36. Lastly, upon the completion of his suspension, he must submit clean drug tests to the commission 30, 15 and three days out from his first scheduled contest in Nevada.

In July, the NSAC elected to stop issuing punishments for marijuana, though it will continue to test for it. It has not applied that policy retroactively to any athletes who tested positive prior to the change.

Ben Rothwell down to fight Jared Vanderaa – but says he got told ‘LOL’

More than 50 fights into his MMA career, one might think Ben Rothwell would be running out of interesting fight options.

More than 50 fights into his MMA career, one might think [autotag]Ben Rothwell[/autotag] would be running out of interesting fight options.

But the Wisconsin-based heavyweight, who will turn 40 this fall, thinks he’s got a lot of potential bookings as possibilities. But there’s one in particular he’d gladly sign on for – if only the UFC’s matchmakers would get behind it.

Rothwell (39-13 MMA, 9-7 UFC) submitted Chris Barnett (21-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 188. And later on the same card, [autotag]Jared Vanderaa[/autotag] (12-5 MMA, 1-1 UFC) took a unanimous decision against Justin Tafa (4-3 MMA, 1-3 UFC).

Afterward, Vanderaa said he’d like to fight Rothwell – which is music to Rothwell’s ears.

“Vanderaa did the press conference and had my name come out of his mouth and said he wants to fight me,” Rothwell recently told MMA Junkie Radio. “He said he’d fight me or (Andrei) Arlovski, but he especially would want to fight me. Well all right – I’m especially going to try to make that fight. I don’t think it’s going to happen because I got told ‘LOL.’ But I’m down.”

[lawrence-related id=613408]

The implication from Rothwell is that UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard, if an “LOL” was offered, might not find a Rothwell-Vanderaa fight competitive, given Rothwell has three times the experience.

But Rothwell said Vanderaa, and anyone else who wants a piece of his action, should stay vocal.

“If you’re going to say my name, good,” Rothwell said. “Come try to make your name off me. I don’t give a sh*t about rankings and politics. That sh*t, I can’t control it. What I can control is wrapping my hands around you and rectifying your false sense of reality. That’s what’s going to happen.

“I’m going to push to try to get the fight to happen. I don’t know what’s going to happen though, really. You know how the UFC is. They do what they want. They’ve got a master plan. But if we could get this guy to run his mouth some more and we get the fans (interested) about it and the fans start putting the pressure on the UFC, then that fight could get made. I think that’s what we need to do.”

Beyond the possibility of a Vanderaa fight, Rothwell said the fighters in the UFC’s top 10 are new matchups for him. And though he’s 3-3 in his past six fights, he’s also won three of his past four after a three-fight skid.

Rothwell isn’t in the UFC’s top 15, but there’s no one in the top 10 he’s crossed paths with yet.

“Moving forward, I think I have a whole bunch of fresh matchups that are very exciting,” he said. “Most of the top 10 is all a fresh matchup. A lot of guys that I’ve fought have moved on or retired or (been) cut, so it’s all exciting matchups here on out. And then, as more and more of these newer guys see me as an easy fight, calling me out: awesome.

“Let’s get a little more vocal, because when I ask for you, when I talk to the UFC and ask for you, they f**king laugh at me. That’s what they think of you. … I want these guys to start speaking up now, now that I’ve got this going. Keep speaking up. There are a few of them.”

https://youtu.be/yYeR8ELEEfw

[vertical-gallery id=518887]

Video: Is a title shot next for Carla Esparza – and if so, should it be?

Carla Esparza took another big step toward another title shot at UFC Fight Night 188. But was it enough to be next in line?

[autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag] isn’t that far removed from an up-and-down post-title patch that she’s likely forgotten all about it.

But these days, that 3-4 stretch that started when she lost the UFC women’s strawweight title she was the first owner of is in the rearview mirror thanks to a five-fight winning streak.

After a bonus-winning TKO of Yan Xiaonan this past Friday in the UFC Fight Night 188 co-main event, Esparza made a pretty solid case to be next in line for the title currently held by the woman she beat to win it in 2014, Rose Namajunas.

[lawrence-related id=612659]

UFC president Dana White didn’t commit to Esparza for Namajunas’ first title defense in her second reign, but admitted she’s in the picture. And that’s the question “Spinning Back Clique” host John Morgan asked this week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Danny Segura: Has Esparza done enough in her five-fight run to warrant a shot at getting the belt back?

You can watch their discussion in the video above. Then don’t miss this week’s full episode below.

https://youtu.be/94tFjqjm4KU

[listicle id=612460]

[vertical-gallery id=402137]

Video: Where does ex-UFC champ Cody Garbrandt go from here?

Former UFC bantamweight champion Cody Garbrandt has taken a fairly significant tumble. So what should come next for him?

Former UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]Cody Garbrandt[/autotag] has taken a fairly significant tumble.

After a perfect 11-0 start to his pro career that culminated in a 135-pound title win over Dominick Cruz, Garbrandt has dropped four of his past five. He lost the title to T.J. Dillashaw in his first attempted title defense, then lost to him in a rematch.

After that, he was knocked out by Pedro Munhoz – giving him three straight knockout setbacks, one each in 2017, 2018 and 2019. He rebounded in 2020 with a win over Raphael Assuncao, but this past Saturday lost a decision to Rob Font in the UFC Fight Night 188 main event.

So what now for Garbrandt now that it appears a path to another title shot might be pretty far in the distance? That’s the question “Spinning Back Clique” host John Morgan asked this week’s panel of Brian “Goze” Garcia, Mike Bohn and Danny Segura.

You can watch their discussion in the video above. Then don’t miss this week’s full episode below.

https://youtu.be/94tFjqjm4KU

[listicle id=612562]

[vertical-gallery id=340759]

Ben Rothwell: Health issues, looming roster cuts have put UFC career on the line

Ben Rothwell explains why he feels his career is on the line every time he sets foot in the octagon.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Ben Rothwell[/autotag] is not taking his time as a professional MMA fighter for granted.

The long-time UFC heavyweight feels his career is on the line every time he sets foot in the octagon in this stage of his career. Rothwell (39-13 MMA, 9-7 UFC) got back to his winning ways on Saturday night after submitting Chris Barnett (21-7 MMA, 0-1 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 188.

Rothwell felt he was fighting for his spot on the UFC roster and also his career in the sport. The 39-year-old said he’s at a point where he can’t afford many setbacks both in and out of the cage.

“In the sport, every fight, a bad injury right now, and so many things – my back is against the wall even with winning as far as my career goes,” Rothwell told reporters at the UFC Fight Night 188 post-fight press conference. “I wear my cross now because I bring God with me. There’s a lot of things that I can’t explain that are happening. My body is staying together. I’m finding ways to improve myself and I walk a very tight line. This sport is very dangerous. You have to stay healthy and a bad injury now, you know I’m not 30. You’re 30 and you take a bad injury and you have time to recover. I don’t have time to recover. My back is against the wall regardless of where I go.

“My back is also against the wall in the UFC. This is the biggest and best organization in the world and you have to fight like it. I have to be one of the best heavyweights in the world. I have to win fights. You don’t win fights, they bring new people in. Nothing has changed, I’ve watched it for 26 years.”

[lawrence-related id=612830,612761]

Rothwell entered Saturday’s bout coming off a unanimous decision loss to Marcin Tybura from last October. Prior to the defeat, he was on a two-fight winning streak.

The veteran fighter wants to get some big names now that he’s back on the win column and 3-1 in his past four performances. Even though Rothwell approaches his career with much care at this stage, he knows he can be a nightmare matchup for any heavyweight in the roster.

“I have some medical things I’ve been dealing with for several years. I’m sure it’s not too hard to figure out what that is, so there is a lot against me,” Rothwell said. “But here I am, still got a win, still fighting, still mean as hell. I’m hell for anybody they put in there and they know it.”

[vertical-gallery id=612510]

Norma Dumont: 145 pounds is faster route to UFC title shot, but bantamweight better

Norma Dumont wants to make sure she’s ready when she contends for a UFC title.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Norma Dumont[/autotag] wants to make sure she’s ready when she contends for a UFC title.

Dumont (6-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) picked up a pivotal win over former title challenger Felicia Spencer at UFC Fight Night 188 on Saturday, which could have very likely put her next in line for a featherweight title shot.

All roads lead to dual champion Amanda Nunes, but Dumont isn’t necessarily looking for the easiest path to gold. The Brazilian, who’s past two appearances have come in both divisions, thinks getting fast-tracked to a title shot won’t serve her well.

“I think it’s a disadvantage because for you to be champion, you need to fight and Amanda Nunes didn’t become champion with very little fights,” Dumont Dumont told MMA Junkie following Saturday’s UFC Fight Night 188 at the UFC Apex. “She had to fight a lot to become champion, and since there aren’t a lot of fights in the 145-pound division – I only have seven fights, so I’d like to fight more to be ready to fight for a title.”

[lawrence-related id=612673,612713,612711]

However, if bantamweight is Dumont’s future home, she’ll need time before making the walk for her next fight. While she understands the perks of staying at featherweight, Dumont is willing to put the work in to drop back down to bantamweight the right way.

“I’ll see what opportunities arise,” Dumont said. “If it’s at 135, I’ll need four months to be able to make that weight and at 145, I can fight in less time.”

She continued, “I’d like to fight at 135. I’d like to do this analysis and work at the PI, and I’d like to see how I feel.”

[vertical-gallery id=612510]

Cody Garbrandt felt off in UFC Fight Night 188 loss: ‘I was fighting myself in there, battling myself’

Cody Garbrandt says his internal battle was bigger than the one he faced against Rob Font in the UFC Fight Night 188 main event.

[autotag]Cody Garbrandt[/autotag] says his internal battle was bigger than the one he faced against Rob Font in the UFC Fight Night 188 main event.

Garbrandt (12-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) suffered a unanimous decision loss to Font (19-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) in Saturday’s bantamweight main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, dropping him to 1-4 in his past five fight since he claimed the UFC title in December 2016. It seemed “No Love” couldn’t get out of first gear in the bout, as he was tactically picked apart by his opponent for the majority of 25 minutes.

In the immediate aftermath of the fight, Garbrandt took to social media to give an immediate reaction to the outcome. During an Instagram Live stream, Garbrandt gave Font his props, but also indicated he doesn’t view the result as a product of him being the inferior fighter.

“Rob was the better man,” Garbrandt said. “I felt like I was fighting myself in there, battling myself. I’m not taking anything away from him. Congrats to his camp, congrats to him.”

[lawrence-related id=612765,612610]

Garbrandt failed to detail exactly what he meant by “fighting myself.” It’s not hard to find the potential meaning behind his statement, though. Prior to the fight, Garbrandt had nine months away from the octagon where he encountered a serious case of COVID-19 that made him pull out of a flyweight title fight with Deiveson Figueiredo in November, and had him in a bad way.

He overcame that to the point he was able to step in the octagon, but once in there, the challenges Font presented caused him to struggle. Garbrandt’s biggest moments of success came when he was aggressive and throwing combinations, but Font also had accurate counters. The balance between Garbrandt brawling and staying technical has been a tough middle ground for him in recent years, and he appeared to be figuring out how to make it work inside the cage.

It didn’t happen, though, and Garbrandt came out with the loss. The 29-year-old said he takes it as a valuable learning lesson, and intends to get back in the gym and figuring out how to put the pieces of the puzzle back together.

“A lot of positive come from this,” Garbrandt said. “Brush it off. Get back with my coaches and teammates and we’re still striving to be the best, to be world champion. Sometimes there’s adversity that comes along in your dreams and makes you work harder and makes you realize what needs to be done and it makes it that much sweeter when you climb up the mountain.

“It wasn’t my night, but man I enjoy this. I’ll correct my mistakes and just really thankful. … I fight my heart out for you guys.”

[listicle id=612719]

[listicle id=612562]

Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Cody Garbrandt after UFC Fight Night 188 loss?

See who Cody Garbrandt should fight next after his loss to Rob Font in the UFC Fight Night 188 headliner.

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Rob Font after UFC Fight Night 188 win?)

[autotag]Cody Garbrandt[/autotag] was unable to put himself back in the bantamweight title conversation at UFC Fight Night 188 on Saturday. The former champ lost convincingly to Rob Font in the main event.

Garbrandt (12-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) suffered a unanimous decision loss to Font (19-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) in their headlining bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, and although he wasn’t finished in the fight, the performance raised a lot of questions about “No Love.”

After starting his career 11-0 to become UFC champ at 135 pounds, Garbrandt has now lost four of his past five fights and finds himself in a difficult position. Fortunately for him, though, he’s still only 29 and has options as far as how he wants to proceed.

Watch the video above for thoughts and analysis on Garbrandt’s future after UFC Fight Night 188.

[listicle id=612719]

[listicle id=612562]

Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Rob Font after UFC Fight Night 188 win?

See who Rob Font should fight next after his victory over Cody Garbrandt in the UFC Fight Night 188 headliner.

(ALSO SEE: Sean Shelby’s Shoes: What’s next for Cody Garbrandt after UFC Fight Night 188 loss?)

[autotag]Rob Font[/autotag]’s breakthrough into bantamweight title contention occurred on Saturday when he beat former champ Cody Garbrandt in the UFC Fight Night 188 headliner.

Font’s (19-4 MMA, 9-3 UFC) fourth consecutive victory was his biggest one yet, as he slickly outpointed former champ Garbrandt (12-4 MMA, 7-4 UFC) over the course of five rounds at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas to take a clear-cut unanimous decision and move himself forward in the 135-pound pecking order.

How does Font proceed from here given the tricky landscape of the division? He wants the belt, but his path there is not yet clear, and he might need another win first.

For a breakdown oF what should come next, watch the video about for thoughts and analysis on Font’ next move after UFC Fight Night 188.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbr7ZQuz2tc

[listicle id=612562]

Carla Esparza: UFC Fight Night 188 dominance should secure Rose Namajunas title rematch

Carla Esparza defeated Rose Namajunas in 2014 to win the inaugural UFC strawweight title, and the time could be right to run it back.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Carla Esparza[/autotag] believes she should be up next to fight for the UFC strawweight title.

The way the former title holder sees it, she’s done enough to get the next shot. Esparza (18-6 MMA, 9-4 UFC) thinks the latest performance in her winning streak, a second-round TKO of Yan Xiaonan on Saturday at UFC Fight Night 188, should get her a rematch with champion Rose Namajunas.

“I belive so, (but) nothing is secure until you sign on that dotted line and you hear from Dana,” Esparza said in her post-fight news conference. “But in my mind, yeah (I earned the title shot).”

Esparza’s co-main event win over Xiaonan was her fifth consecutive victory. What’s most impressive was that Esparza picked up her first stoppage win since wining the inaugural UFC strawweight belt in 2014 when she submitted Namajunas.

Esparza said the focus for the fight was beyond getting just her hand raised.

“I definitely saw myself getting the finish in the fight,” said Esparza, who earned a $50,000 performance bonus. “I’ve been working a lot on getting the passes and securing those finishes. I feel like I’ve had the jiu-jitsu for a long time, but I’ve been kind of content staying in the guard and coasting these wins. I knew to secure hopefully a title shot I had to start getting some finishes.”

It’s uncertain if Esparza will get the next shot at Namajunas, but she’s close. UFC president Dana White was impressed by Esparza’s performance and said she could be the next challenger depending if the promotion books an immediate rematch between Namajunas and Zhang Weili.

China’s Weili lost the belt to Namajunas last month at UFC 261.

[vertical-gallery id=612510]