Fighters Only

Issue 090

July 2012

All the head-turning information every MMA fan needs to know.

ALISTAIR OVEREEM DENIED NEVADA FIGHT LICENSE FOLLOWING FAILED DRUGS TEST

UFC heavyweight Alistair Overeem cannot fight until after December 27th following a failed drugs test that caused the cancelation of his UFC heavyweight title bout with Junior Dos Santos in May. Due to the result, the former Pride fighter was denied his application for a fighter’s license from the Nevada State Athletic Commission, the state that carried out the test, and he must wait until December 27th to reapply. The test showed a testosterone to epitestosterone ratio of 14:1, well outside Nevada’s permissible limit of 6:1.

During an April hearing, the commission was told Overeem’s high testosterone ratio was due to Dr Hector Molina treating an Overeem rib injury by injecting him with “tetra mix” which contained anti-inflammatories and aqeuous testosterone. Overeem was also given doses to administer himself, which he did due to the rib injury while on the March press tour during which he was tested. Overeem says he was unaware the medication contained testosterone.

The former Strikeforce champion was granted a conditional license by the NSAC in 2011 for his December bout with Brock Lesnar in Las Vegas, provided he pass a number of post-fight drugs tests. A subsequent random test in March discovered Overeem had a testosterone ratio above the State’s permitted allowance. The commission reminded the Dutchman he was not to fight under any other jurisdiction until his Nevada reapplication in December.

‘SHOGUN’ RUA WOULD DO ULTIMATE FIGHTER OPPOSITE MACHIDA, AND COMPLETE TRILOGY

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua has stated his interest in coaching opposite Lyoto Machida on The Ultimate Fighter, and ultimately engaging in a rubber match with his two-time opponent. The TUF format has enjoyed a wildly popular run in Brazil with legends Wanderlei Silva and Vitor Belfort as opposing coaches. Rua revealed it was his “great desire” to coach on a series of TUF, with the Brazilian version most likely being Rua’s preferred edition. Rua told Portal Do Vale Tudo: “Lyoto would make it even more interesting… and consider how good this third fight would be. It will sell a lot.” Rua first faced Machida for the 205lb title at UFC 104 and then again at UFC 113, losing via a highly-debated unanimous decision in the first fight, and then knocking Machida out in his second opportunity. Rua added: “I want that belt back, so I cannot choose my next opponent. But surely it would be great to face Lyoto.”

FORMER BELLATOR MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMP HECTOR LOMBARD SIGNED BY UFC

Now-former Bellator middleweight title holder Hector Lombard, 31-2-1 (1 NC), has signed with the UFC. Bellator, the de facto world number-two MMA organization, opted not to match the UFC’s contract offer to the Cuban-born former Olympic judoka following the expiration of Lombard’s agreement with Bellator. Lombard’s move means he relinquishes the Bellator 185lb belt he has owned since 2009. Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney told MMA Fighting: “I’ve said for a long time he’s the best middleweight in the world, and I think he’ll win the UFC title in short order.”

This isn’t Lombard’s first brush with the UFC. He had been scouted by the organization to fight against Karo Parisyan back in 2008, however, visa issues prevented the then-Australian-based 185lb’er from competing in the US. After taking Australian citizenship, Lombard signed with now-defunct rival promotion EliteXC, though never competed for the company.

ALVES FACES AKIYAMA AT UFC 149 IN CALGARY

Fan favorite Yoshihiro Akiyama will return to the UFC Octagon for at least one more bout, against Thiago Alves at UFC 149 in July. Set for the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Aikiyama will face off with former 170lb number-one contender Alves following a narrow decision loss to Jake Shields at UFC 144 in Japan. Although three of Akiyama’s five UFC fights have been ‘Fight of the Night’ performances, he’ll likely feel the pressure to pick up a ‘W’ after four successive losses in the Octagon. Alves will also seek to rebound after tapping to Martin Kampmann’s guillotine in the closing seconds of their bout in March, and going 2-3 since losing in his challenge of Georges St Pierre’s welterweight title at UFC 100.

BELLATOR’S SHLEMENKO SIDELINED FOLLOWING CAR CRASH

Bellator middleweight Alexander Shlemenko has been unable to train since mid April following a car crash in which he was a passenger. The incident occurred in Russia after the vehicle in which he was traveling was hit by a drunk driver. The injuries caused Shlemenko to wear casts, both of which have recently been removed, on his thumb and shoulder, forcing him to undergo physical therapy before his next fight camp.

400lb

Blackzillians wrestling coach Mike Van Arsdale says UFC light heavyweight Rashad Evans feels nearer to 400lb when defending takedowns.

A random drugs test prior to his bout with Junior Dos Santos found Alistair Overeem had a testosterone to epitestosterone ratio of 14:1. The average male is said to have a 1:1 ratio.

UFC on Fuel 2, held in Stockholm, was the fourth-highest attended European UFC event ever, with 15,428 spectators.

Bellator events will be televised for three hours starting in 2013 when the promotion moves to Spike TV in the US.

SIX DEGREES OF DAN SEVERN

Linking the legendary moustache-wearing UFC Hall of Famer to any fighter in six people or less.

ANDERSON SILVA

1. Dan Severn submitted to the fearsomely powerful leg kicks of PEDRO RIZZO at UFC 27: Ultimate Bad Boyz in 2000.

2. Apart from being an occasional training partner of Anderson Silva, Pedro Rizzo lost to RANDY COUTURE by a controversial unanimous decision in 2001 at UFC 31.

3. Randy Couture’s Xtreme Couture gym in Las Vegas has been home to TUF 1 winner FORREST GRIFFIN.

4. In 2009, Forrest Griffin was thoroughly beaten and ultimately knocked out at UFC 101 by ANDERSON SILVA.