Last week saw the MMA world still reeling from the events of UFC 283, where Jamahal Hill sent Glover Teixeira into retirement, winning the light heavyweight title in the process. Conor McGregor inched closer to a return (and potentially a TUF coaching gig), while Bellator locked up their light heavyweight champ, Vadim Nemkov, to a long-term deal.
It’s time once again for the Sunday MMA Quick Hits!
Bellator Re-Signs Light Heavyweight Champ Vadim Nemkov
With Jiri Prochazka hurt and the zaniness that ensued with the UFC’s light heavyweight championship, Russia’s Vadim Nemkov has a real claim to being the best 205lb fighter on the planet. He’s the current Bellator light heavyweight champ, and he’ll remain with the promotion for the foreseeable future.
Bellator announced they’d re-signed Nemkov to a multi-year, multi-fight deal on Monday.
Smart. Nemkov brings instant legitimacy to any promotion, and combined with Corey Anderson, Karl Albrektsson, Phil Davis, Yoel Romero and others, makes this one of the more competitive weight classes for Bellator, when compared with the competition.
Bellator Light Heavyweight Champ Vadim Nemkov Signs Multi-Fight/Year Deal To Remain With The Promotion.
Per @BellatorMMA #MMA #Bellator pic.twitter.com/L0R2tMyIgX
— Cageside Press (@Cagesidepress) January 24, 2023
Slap Fighting Pay a Slap in the Face
Former UFC fighter Eric Spicely, who has suffered from concussion symptoms in the past, was offered a 2/2 deal to appear as part of Dana White’s Power Slap.
That’s $2,000 to show, $2,000 to win for the privilege of being subjected to almost guaranteed traumatic brain injury in front of a television audience.
There’s only one way to put this: it’s f*cking embarrassing.
Rockhold Granted UFC Release
Luke Rockhold is no longer a UFC fighter.
In an appearance on The MMA Hour, the former UFC middleweight champion revealed that he had requested, and been granted, his release from the promotion.
Rockhold claimed gold against Chris Weidman in 2015 but lost the belt the following year in his first attempt to defend it, opposite Michael Bisping. The 38-year old is also a former Strikefore champion.
“Free and clear,” is how Rockhold put it, adding “and I’m ready and re-inspired to go out there and do something new.”
The ex-champ is leaving the door open to boxing, MMA, or another combat sport, saying that “I want to go and f*ck some people up.”
“If you want bullsh*t, we can go box, beat up these YouTubers, too.”
Jiri Prochazka Has Message for New Light Heavyweight Champ Jamahal Hill
Intimidation factor: 100%.
No, we don’t expect UFC light heavyweight champion Jamhal Hill to be intimidated by Jiri Prochazka’s message/warning, released after Hill won the title over the weekend. But for those who are not professional fighters, well, this is pretty darn intense.
A message to @JamahalH from @Jiri_BJP after #UFC283 👀 pic.twitter.com/OCEeWilId7
— UFC (@ufc) January 22, 2023
Mike Tyson Sued Over Decades-Old Sexual Assault Allegation
Mike Tyson is once again facing accusations of sexual assault.
A New York Law enacted last May, the Adult Survivors Act, allows adult complainants to sue those they accuse of sexual assault during a one-year “loopback” window, regardless of when the act was alleged to have taken place.
Earlier this month, an unidentified woman filed suit against Tyson, alleging he raped her in a limousine in Albany, NY, in the early 1990s, though she did not report the incident at the time. She is seeking $5 million dollars in damages.
Sports Illustrated was first to report the news. None of the allegations against Tyson have been proven in court.
The woman claims that she suffered a loss of self-respect due to the incident, depression, and became dependent on alcohol and drugs to cope. Additionally, she has “been unable to maintain and/or develop healthy relationships with men or anyone in general.”
Tyson was sentenced to six years in prison for sexual assault during the height of his fame in 1992. He served three years prior to being released on probation.
“Lola Vice” (Valerie Loureda) makes televised WWE debut
Valerie Loureda, performing under the ring name Lola Vice, made her televised debut for WWE this past week, part of an NXT event — and appears to have turned some heads.
Can we get @LolaViceWWE back on TV asap?
She's a natural. #NXTLevelUp #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/Y9oUXfUnH6
— Drago (@Notorious401) January 28, 2023
