While the betting scandal currently swirling around the UFC has dominated MMA headlines this week, there have been a lot of other stories definitely worth a second look. From Maycee Barber’s scary revelation that she had a stalker dogging her for several years, to Conor McGregor settling a lawsuit just says after another one was launched, here’s a look at some of the news worth catching up on this week — and yes, there’s some more James Krause/betting scandal news as well. Because of course there is.
Maycee Barber’s Stalker Story is Straight Up Scary
Maycee Barber has revealed that she was dealing with a stalker for years, and it appears he’s now set to spend a solid decade in prison.
The UFC flyweight revealed the news to to James Lynch recently, revealing that the situation has changed how she interacts with fans, as the individual in question originally catfished her, posing as a young fan.
“I had a pretty serious stalker situation which went on for about two-three years,” Barber told Lynch (via MiddleEasy). “At the time that I missed weight, that was when he was not in jail and he was somewhere in Denver and I was fighting in Denver so I was super high stressed. They had the SWAT after him, the security at the fight had a picture of him and knew, ‘Hey, this is the guy. Nobody lets this guy in.’ That happened during my weight cut so I was really stressed out. That’s not an excuse, I did what I could and I tried to make the weight and I missed the weight so that’s on me and I still wanted that fight so we made it work.”
Eventually, the situation was dealt with. “The end of that story is he’s in jail now. He’s being sentenced to like 10 years.”
Conor McGregor Settles UFC 223 Lawsuit with Michael Chiesa
Already faced with one too many lawsuits thanks to Artem Lobov, Conor McGregor has settled one pending legal case lodged against him.
That would be the suit launched by fellow UFC star Michael Chiesa, who was injured when McGregor and his teammates stormed a bus housing UFC fighters at the Barclays Center in New York ahead of UFC 223, in an attempt to get to rival Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Per a report by MMA Fighting, the suit was settled four years on from the incident in Kings County, NY Supreme Court. Attorney’s representing both fighters filed a stipulation of discontinuance with prejudice — by stipulating “with prejudice,” the suit cannot be refiled at a later date.
Neither party has publicly commented on the terms of the settlement. Chiesa had been cut by flying glass after McGregor threw a dolly through a window of the bus, forcing him out of a fight with Anthony Pettis. The Pettis fight would end up taking place that July at UFC 226; Chiesa lost the fight by submission.
Charles Rosa Granted Permission to Negotiate with PFL
Despite being under contract to the UFC, Charles Rosa has been granted permission to enter talks with the PFL, to potentially join the league next year.
MMA Island broke the news in an interview with Rosa, after the featherweight got into a back-and-forth with new PFL 145lb champ Brandon Loughnane on social media.
“I have 2 fights on my current contract but had positive insightful conversations with UFC chief Hunter Campbell,” Rosa told the site. “He gave me the green light to have the opportunity to become a world champion in another organization, promising he would sign my UFC release WHEN I have opportunity to do so.”
While Ontario, Alberta Ban UFC Betting, Other Provinces Are Still Taking Bets – For Now
In the wake of a betting scandal surrounding a November 5 featherweight fight between Darrick Minner and Shayilan Nuerdanbieke that has ensnared Glory MMA and Fitness head coach James Krause, several jurisdictions have pressed pause on accepting UFC betting action.
Most notably, the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Alberta have stopped allowing bets on UFC fights, while New Jersey has ceased allowing bets on any fights connected in any way to Krause.
Krause has seen his license in Nevada suspended, leaving him unable to corner his fighters in the state. The UFC has also banned, at least until several investigations are completed, any fighters training under Krause or at his gym.
Minner, who along with his coach failed to notify the Nevada Athletic Commission of an injury sustained ahead of the Nov. 5 fight, has also been released by the organization.
In short, it has been a very bad week for MMA, with Krause seemingly the focus of several investigations. A known betting enthusiast, he hosted both a betting-themed Discord and Youtube channel, both of which were recently deleted.
Despite the constantly evolving, expanding nature of the story, however, unlike Ontario and Alberta, other provinces are not following suit. For now. Per TSN’s Aaron Bronsteter, who has done some excellent work chasing the story, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec, and Canada’s Atlantic provinces will continue to allow betting on UFC events.
BCLC, which operates https://t.co/V7jUePboq0, the only legal, regulated sports betting website in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba will continue to offer UFC betting per a spokesperson. pic.twitter.com/eZiPX6lVbu
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) December 3, 2022
The ALGC, which oversees gaming in Alberta, meanwhile, told Cageside Press on Friday that they were monitoring the situation, and were aware of the most recent developments — mainly blocking fighters competing in UFC bouts from working with Krause.
“Once we are confident that UFC’s regulator body is effectively protecting fighters, fans and bettors, AGLC will give every consideration to reinstating betting markets on PlayAlberta.ca,” the regulator stated. “AGLC is aware of recent changes announced by the UFC, including today’s and will continue to monitor the situation.”
