UFC, NAC work out path for Stephanie Egger to be licensed after picogram-level USADA test

Stephanie Egger won’t be permitted to fight in Nevada for at least six months – but she isn’t exactly suspended either.

On Wednesday, the Nevada Athletic Commission held a hearing for Egger to discuss a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency test that Egger took following her UFC debut loss to Tracy Cortez on Oct. 10 in Abu Dhabi.

On Oct. 11, Egger tested positive for 27 picograms of M3 metabolite traces of the anabolic steroid DHCMT. However, the presence of the M3 metabolite is permitted under the UFC’s USADA drug testing protocol up to a level of 100 picograms unless there is evidence of intentional or reckless use by the athlete.

“If you took one milliliter of Ms. Egger’s urine and split it into one trillion parts, approximately 25 of those parts would be the M3 metabolite,” UFC vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff Notivsky said on the conference call hearing.

Since the initial finding, the UFC has tested Egger three more times – on Oct. 27, Nov. 9, and Nov. 12. While the November tests have not returned, the Oct. 27 test showed the presence of seven picograms per milliliter.

“(The decrease in picograms) is a very good sign that Ms. Egger is not continuing to be exposed to DHCMT as her levels decreased from 27 picograms to seven picograms per milliliter in a little over two weeks,” Novitsky said.

Novitsky also shed light on a phone call that took place earlier this week between him, NAC executive director Bob Bennett, and former USADA science director Dr. Daniel Eichner. According to Novitsky, Eichner reviewed Egger’s case and found there was “absolutely no performance-enhancing benefits” of the M3 metabolite’s presence.

Given the information provided by Novitsky, the NAC voted to grant USADA’s request and will allow Egger licensure should she continue to maintain a low level of picograms through bi-weekly testing.

Egger’s case is not the only one of its kind pertaining to the M3 metabolite. Multiple other UFC athletes were referenced by Novitsky, most notably former light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and recent cases with flyweight Ryan Benoit and light heavyweight Roman Dolidze.

“I think I understand this issue well now and am comfortable with what you’re asking for because we’ve established a precedence for a path to licensure for these fighters, which I think is great,” NAC chairman Anthony Marnell said. “I think we’re the only industry, if not commission, in the world that’s actually providing a path to licensing for DM3 metabolite. I would wish that other sports, specifically my favorite sport of baseball, would consider the same because a lot of athletes are getting caught (for this).”

Since the UFC is self-commissioned in Abu Dhabi, it is unclear whether or not the promotion plans on booking Egger sooner than the approved timeline laid out by the NAC and USADA.

Egger is not currently booked for her next UFC appearance. However, Notivsky stated she may compete “in another location” prior to the conclusion of the six-month testing period.

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/12/ufc-stephanie-egger-licensed-to-fight-picogram-drug-test

 

MMA Junkie’s ‘Knockout of the Month’ for November: A 30-second starching

With another action-packed month of MMA in the books, MMA Junkie looks at the best knockouts from November 2020: Here are the five nominees, listed in chronological order, and winner of MMA Junkie’s “Knockout of the Month” award for November.

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

The nominees

1. Ignacio Bahamondes def. Edson Gomez at Dana White’s Contender Series 34

Ignacio Bahamondes (11-3) was handily winning his fight with Edson Gomez (6-2), before he put an exclamation point on thing midway through the second round of their welterweight fight.

The 23-year old out of Chile knocked Gomez out cold with a front kick, sending him crashing back with a leg bent backwards in one of the better knockouts in the history of Dana White’s Contender Series.

3. Khaos Williams def. Abdul Razak Alhassan at UFC Fight Night 182

Khaos Williams (11-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) did exactly what he was designated to do against fellow power striker Abdul Razak Alhassan (10-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC), scoring a brutal one-punch knockout.

Williams needed just 30 seconds into the catchweight bout. He found his target on his first big right hand throw, and Alhassan went down in a heap, giving Williams a second consecutive quick finish to start his UFC tenure.

4. Alex Pereira def. Thomas Powell at LFA 95

Alex Pereira (3-1) is already known in the MMA business as the man who knocked out current UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya in kickboxing.

And now Pereira is crossing his knockout power into MMA. The Brazilian’s perfectly delivered left hook landed flush on the ear of Thomas Powell (4-5). Powell immediately face planted forward, with his head taking the brunt of the impact on the mat.

5. Joaquin Buckley def. Jordan Wright at UFC 255

Just over one month after he scored the probable “Knockout of the Year” with a one-legged spinning back kick, Joaquin Buckley (12-3 MMA, 2-1 UFC) picked up another nominee against Jordan Wright (11-1 MMA, 1-1 UFC).

After connecting with some heavy strikes in the first round of the middleweight fight, Buckley found a home with his heavy hands early in the second round to drop and stop Wright for the finish.

The winner

The winner: Khaos Williams

We knew the UFC Fight Night 182 co-main event was likely to end in a devastating finish. But Williams event surpassed expectations with his savage stoppage of Alhassan.

Check out MMA Junkie’s play-by-play from the night of the fight:

Williams comes out throwing the first strikes, landing some heavy leg kicks off the bat. OHHHHHHH!!! Williams lands a straight right hand down the middle that immediately stiffens Alhassan before he even hits the canvas. Wow, that was fast. It was a 1-2 combination just as Alhassan threw another leg kick. The timing was PERFECT. Fight over inside of a minute.

Williams has now proven himself to be a legit knockout threat through two octagon appearances. His two UFC fights have lasted just 57 seconds combined, and “The Ox Fighter” said he’s proud to represent.

“It’s not personal, it’s just punishment,” Williams said in his post-fight interview. “I’ve been waiting to get on TV and do this. … If the people keep sleeping on me, then the doctor is going to wake them up.”

, , , , , , , , , , Bellator, News, UFC

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/knockout-of-the-month-november-2020-khaos-williams-ufc

 

USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, Dec. 1: Anthony Smith turns things around

Anthony Smith put in exactly the type of performance he needed on Saturday night in the main event of UFC on ESPN 18.

Not only did Smith (34-16 MMA, 9-6 UFC) get a much-needed victory in his bout with Devin Clark, but he did so in a dominant manner. Smith put on a textbook display of groundwork in earning the first-round submission and snapping a two-fight losing streak.

The way the new USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie light heavyweight rankings break down, though, Smith basically held his spot. Smith entered the fight ranked No. 10 at 205 pounds. Clark was unranked. And standing one spot ahead of Smith is Aleksandar Rakic, who earned a unanimous decision over Smith the previous time “Lionheart” stepped into the octagon.

And that’s about how it went for UFC on ESPN 18, which was a night of solid action but without much rankings implications. Miguel Baeza certainly underscored the idea he’s one to watch with a finish of Takashi Sato, but a welterweight ranking is still a bit off.

So with that, if you want to check where your favorite — or least favorite — fighter places in the new edition of the rankings, go to the drop-down menu above and select a division.

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2020/12/usa-today-sports-mma-junkie-rankings-dec-1-anthony-smith-turns-things-around

 

Holiday countdown: The UFC’s 24 best year-end fights of all time

The UFC never has been shy about trying to deliver fireworks.

Traditionally, the promotion has liked to close out the calendar year with a bang. (Although a few years, the way the dates fell, it meant starting the new year with one, instead.) But the point is, a big pay-per-view always was something fans could look forward to around the holidays.

The past couple years, the UFC has shifted away from those, and the final pay-per-view of the year has been in the middle of December. But we still have memories of those big blowout events from the past.

In the spirit of the holiday season, this year we’re giving you our countdown of the best fights from the UFC’s past year-end pay-per-views. Each day, come back here and open the proverbial door to find out which fight is next on the list.

Disclaimer: Like all lists, these things are subjective. Maybe Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit was a truly great and competitive fight, but Amanda Nunes vs. Ronda Rousey was far from competitive and just a mauling. When we say “best fights,” we also mean best moments, so don’t get too hung up on Monday morning quarterbacking. Just enjoy the look-back.

24. Cole Miller def. Dan Lauzon

Cole Miller vs. Dan Lauzon, UFC 108

Event: UFC 108
Date: Jan. 2, 2010
Result: Cole Miller def. Dan Lauzon via submission (reverse triangle choke and kimura) – Round 1, 3:05
Notes: “Submission of the Night” ($50,000) for Miller … Miller’s third UFC fight-night bonus award … Miller’s 11th submission in 16 career wins … Lauzon’s return to the UFC after more than three years away … Lauzon’s brother Joe fought later on the card and lost to Sam Stout

23. Sam Stout def. Joe Lauzon

Sam Stout vs. Joe Lauzon, UFC 108

Event: UFC 108
Date: Jan. 2, 2010
Result: Sam Stout def. Joe Lauzon via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Notes: “Fight of the Night” ($50,000 each for Stout and Lauzon) … Stout’s second straight “Fight of the Night” award in a run that hit three in a row … Stout’s second straight win, which gave him his first winning streak in the UFC … Lauzon’s fifth overall UFC bonus award and second in a run that hit six fights in a row … first decision loss of Lauzon’s career … Lauzon’s brother Dan fought earlier on the card and lost to Cole Miller, who won “Submission of the Night”

Article source: https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/lists/ufc-best-year-end-fights-all-time-ranked

 

Champion boxer Claressa Shields signs with PFL MMA

NEW YORK (December 1, 2020): Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative league in the world, today announced the signing of Claressa Shields, considered the best female boxer in the world. The 25-year-old American is a three-division boxing world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist. Shields, who has won all 10 of her bouts since turning pro after the 2016 Games, chose to make her MMA debut in the PFL, and will look to enter the 2022 PFL Season after a series of special attraction fights in 2021.
 
Shields is the consensus number one female pound-for-pound boxer in the world today, and has long expressed her intentions to compete in the sport of mixed martial arts as well, with aspirations of becoming the greatest two-sport athlete of all time and simultaneously holding world championships in boxing and MMA. In addition to her two Olympic golds, Shields is a two-time amateur world champion and the fastest boxer to earn titles in three different divisions.
 
Apart from her accolades inside the boxing ring, Shields is an advocate for youth development and women’s rights. In 2016, Shields was voted as the SportsWoman of the Year by the Women’s Sports Foundation, founded by Billie Jean King.
 
“I am thrilled to announce that the PFL has signed Claressa Shields, a two-time Olympic Boxing gold medalist and three-division pro boxing world champion,” said Peter Murray, CEO of the Professional Fighters League. “She has transcended sports and has become a global icon, and an inspiration to aspiring young athletes. Claressa is an incredible human being, a bonafide star athlete, and has an amazing story.”
 
“Claressa will continue to box professionally as she embarks on her multi-year PFL MMA career. Fans will get to experience her professional MMA debut in 2021, which can be seen across the United States via ESPN, as well as in 160 countries all over the world,” Murray added.
 
“I want to thank Professional Fighters League and Peter Murray for believing in me and giving me this amazing opportunity. What drew me to the PFL is that it is definitely a fighter-first organization, and I can’t wait to be a part of that. Since turning pro it has been my goal to be the GWOAT and to be a two-sport star like Bo Jackson and Deion Sanders,” said Claressa Shields. “I want to go where no man or woman has gone and hold championships in both boxing and MMA at the same time. The one-two punch of PFL in MMA and Salita Promotions in boxing will allow me to continue to show that there are no limits to what a woman can do. I can’t wait to get to work!”
 
“We are delighted to enter MMA with the PFL — an innovative, progressive organization with the most compelling format in the industry,” said Shields’ manager, Mark Taffet. “Claressa is a once-in-a-lifetime athlete who has already accomplished in boxing what no man or woman has ever done. She now looks to continue to make history by becoming the first man or woman to hold championships in both boxing and MMA simultaneously. Now, with the PFL in MMA and Salita Promotions in boxing, she will be able to do that on a global stage while continuing to grow her worldwide audience of fans.”
 
The PFL’s 2021 season begins on April 23, with the Regular Season continuing on April 29, May 6, June 10, June 17, and June 25. The 2021 season features the return of two-time reigning PFL Women’s Lightweight Champion Kayla Harrison, who is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist in Judo.

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(Video courtesy of Cris Cyborg)

Article source: https://www.mmaweekly.com/champion-boxer-claressa-shields-signs-with-pfl-mma

 

 

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