In the world of combat sports more often then not we see our favorite fighters on the sidelines due to injury. As fight fans we know that every time a man or woman steps foot in the cage they are risking life and limbs for our entertainment and for the love of the game.
What some people may forget though is that these tremendous athletes are humans too. Yeah sure some of them may look super human, but they are human no less.
Many people know LeslieSmith as the girl who’s ear exploded in a fight against Jessica Eye back in November 2014. Despite the shape her ear was in “the peacemaker” wanted to continue against doctors orders but that wasn’t the case.
Aside from that though smith is a decoratedfighter in her own right. She’s traded blows with the likes of Raquel Prnnington, Jessamyn Duke, Rin Naki, Jennifer Maia and she was even Chris Cyborg’s first opponent in the UFC.
Today the UFC vet who’s been fighting since 2008 (8-7-1) gave us some disheartening news via MMA LIVE on AXS TV
“I have a tumor on my stomach. But, I don’t have a way to get that fixed. I don’t have a way to get that taken off because it’s not a fight related issue.
As we know by now, fighters are covered under a medical insurance policy upon signing with the organization. However, it should be noted that the UFC’s current insurance plan for fighters works more as a form of liability insurance that covers the combatants for injuries suffered during fights or training. This is not the kind of medical insurance that an employer would typically provide in the United States, that covers the general health of an individual and in most cases, their families as well
We here at WNB would like to extended our well wishes to Leslie smith. She will be in our prayers. To see Leslie’s announcement skip to the 2:21 mark of the video
Some pretty exciting news for MMA fans this afternoon. It was announced jut moments ago via the official Facebook of Alexa Grasso that she will be making her UFC debut on November 5th, 2016 against Heather Jo Clark
Grasso is currently signed with Invicta Fighting champions and is without a doubt one of their top athletes. Just this past month Grasso returned to the cage after a 16 month layoff due to a hand injury to take on Jodie Escabal at InvivtaFC18
It was an all out 3 round war and Grasso showed no signs of ring rust. Many people believed with her dominating win she would be next in line to challenge strawweight champion Angela Hill at the next invicta. Whether that’ll happen remains to be seen.
It’ll be interesting to see if she’ll be signed under both banners much like battemweight fighter Jessamyn Duke or Perhaps Grasso’s invicta days are behind her?
All of these questions should be answered over time but one things for sure, Alexa Grasso will fit right in with the ever growing strawweight division of the UFC
UFC has released a trailer for the upcoming special “The Evolution of Punk” that focuses on the MMA debut of former WWE star Phil “CM Punk” Brooks at UFC 203 in September.
The special will premiere this Monday night (August 15) starting at 9:30 p.m. Eastern (8:30 CT), going head-to-head with WWE RAW on the USA Network.
The official preview for the special reads as follows.
“Pro wrestling star CM Punk brings his unique skills to the UFC. From day one of his training camp to his home life with wife [April Brooks/AJ Lee] to unexpected setbacks, The Evolution of Punk follows the fighter on his journey to the Octagon.”
You can check out the official trailer below courtesy of the UFC.
According to a report by Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting, Ronda Rousey’s return to action is growing more and more possible. The former UFC female bantamweight champion has not fought since November when she lost to Holly Holm for the title.
“Nothing is for certain or set in stone yet, but there continues to be increased optimism regarding Ronda Rousey’s return,” Helwani posted on Twitter Wednesday. “The goal has always been to return in (New York) but it’s important to remember Rousey had minor knee surgery two months ago. Still few (months) ago the talk was more if not when. That has shifted November to early 2017 is the talk now, but it’s still very early.”
The UFC has promised Rousey, a former bronze medalist in judo at the Summer Olympics, an immediate title shot vs. the current champion when she does return. That is Amanda Nunes, as the Brazilian submitted Miesha Tate at UFC 200.
During a conference call to promote UFC 202, Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor voiced some negative commenatry for the WWE and Brock Lesnar. You can listen to the interview by clicking here.
McGregor was asked with the cross promotion of the UFC and the WWE if he would ever consider going to the squared circle. McGregor responded that he hasn’t really put much thought into it.
McGregor explained, “For the most part, those WWE guys are pussies. They’re messed up pussies if you ask me.”
When asked about Lesnar, McGregor stated, “at the end of the day he’s juiced up to the eyeballs…so how can I respect that?”
In reference to CM Punk, McGregor said, “The other guy, he hasn’t fought yet so I don’t know about him.”
McGregor says he does not have a problem regarding the McMahons, Triple H and The Rock.
WWE superstars, both current and former, have been responding to McGregor’s negative comments. You can check out responses from Rusev, Ric Flair, Big E, Sasha Banks, Baron Corbin and many others below:
So much talk for a guy who fights 15 min matches twice a year…… Good for you Conor McGaiver.
UFC announced that Brock Lesnar failed a second drug test related to his UFC 200 fight win over Mark Hunt, an in-competition drug test. In-competition is considered in the 12-hour window before and after the fight. Lesnar previously failed an out-of-competition drug test from a June 28th sample taken by the US Anti-Doping Agency.
Lesnar failed both tests for the same banned substance and according to LA Timeswriter Lance Pugmire, Lesnar tested positive for estrogen blocker Clomiphene. This is the same substance Jon Jones previously tested positive for and is common among bodybuilders looking to increase testosterone while cycling off of steroids.
I'm told by an official with knowledge of Brock Lesnar's positive test that the substance is clomiphene, the same one found in @JonnyBones.
Cris “Cyborg” Justino is no longer married to Bellator fighter Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos, but she still cares very deeply for him. Over the weekend, Santos was injured in a loss at Bellator 158 to Michael Page, suffering a fractured skull. While Bellator has agreed to pay medical expenses for the Brazilian, the Invicta FC featherweight champion has taken matters into her own hands.
A GoFundMe account was created to help assist Santos with his recovery. Several fighters have already donated to the cause, including Nate Diaz and Chael Sonnen. Santos is set to see another doctor on Monday to determine surgery in either the U.S. or the United Kingdom.
Via WWE The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Brock Lesnar of a potential policy violation, stemming from an out-of-competition sample collected on June 28, 2016, according to a statement released by UFC on Friday afternoon and reported on by ESPN and other news sources
The UFC released the following statement
“The UFC organization was notified today that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Brock Lesnar of a potential Anti-Doping Policy violation stemming from an out-of-competition sample collection on June 28, 2016. USADA received the testing results from the June 28, 2016 sample collection from the WADA-accredited UCLA Olympic Analytical Laboratory on the evening of July 14, 2016.
“USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case. It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full fair legal review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. The Nevada State Athletic Commission also retains jurisdiction over this matter as the sample collection was performed in close proximity to Lesnar’s bout at UFC 200 in Las Vegas.
“Consistent with all previous potential anti-doping violations, additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward
Brock Lesnar has not performed for WWE since WrestleMania and is not scheduled to return until Sunday, Aug. 21.
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