Noche UFC loses another big fight, Greg Hardy books his next fight, and Colby Covington has claimed that Jon Jones won’t let him fight. Or share a card with him anyway. It’s your Sunday MMA Quick Hits!
Daniel Rodriguez out of Noche UFC fight
September 16’s Noche UFC celebrates Mexican Independence Day, but the card has taken a number of hits. The latest is Daniel “D-Rod” Rodriguez, forced out of his fight with Santiago Ponzinibbio.
The culprit in this case is a failed drug test for Ostarine, a common containment in athletic supplements that has been the culprit in numerous drug test failures in recent years. Rodriguez broke the news himself recently, taking to social media to make the announcement.
“Today I was notified that an out-of-competition sample that I provided to USADA was positive for an extremely low level of Ostarine. First and foremost, I want to clarify I did not intentionally use Ostarine, nor have I ever knowingly used any prohibited substance in my career,” Rodriguez wrote on social media. “I rarely take any form of supplements and have always strived to care for my body in the most natural ways. From my first fight until today I have had a negative test every single time not one slip up not one positive test until today.”
“Since I was notified, I became educated on Ostarine, as well as others who have tested positive for the substance. Ostarine, specifically, is commonly found as a low-level contaminant in certain dietary supplements. These levels provide absolutely no performance-enhancing benefit. I strongly believe that a supplement contaminant is the reason for my low-level positive, and am actively working with my Manager, USADA, and The UFC on reviewing and testing the supplements I took prior to my test. While I am extremely disappointed in this development and am now unable to fight on September 16th, I am looking forward to finding a definitive explanation for my low-level positive test and am ready to fully cooperate with the USADA. I look forward to getting back to work in the Octagon soon.”
Greg Hardy books next boxing match
Former UFC heavyweight Greg Hardy, who is 2-0 as a professional boxer, has booked his next boxing match.
Hardy will face former WBO title challenger Michael Hunter II at “Clash of the Titans” on August 20, 2023. Hunter is 20-1-2 as a pro, but has not fought since 2021. As for Hardy, seems he has left MMA behind for now.
Colby Covington says Jon Jones refuses to fight on same card as him
Colby Covington is widely expected to be the next man to face Leon Edwards for the UFC welterweight championship, but it looks like it won’t happen in New York City. UFC 295 goes down there this November, headlined by Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic for the UFC heavyweight crown.
It’s “Bones” being on the card that seems to be the issue, according to Covington.
“A little birdie told me, Michael [Bisping], that he [Jones] went backstage with the suits and the big dogs of the UFC and said, hey, he refuses to share a card with me,” Covington said on Bisping’s YouTube channel (h/t MMA Fighting). “So, they’re gonna give him what he wants. They don’t want to ruin their New York show, and they’re still hoping he shows up. But they need a backup plan. He’s not reliable. I’m the ultimate company man.
“Is Jon Jones going to be willing to share a card with his former college roommate who knows all his dirty secrets, all the dirty skeletons in his closet? I bet that he’s going over to the UFC right now and he’s telling them, ‘Yo, I’m not sharing a card with Colby. I will refuse to fight here.’”
Covington and Jones have a long history, and were roommates at Iowa Central Community College. Both made their way to the UFC, but with “Chaos” taking on a MAGA-loving, Trump-supporting persona, it’s not surprising to see Jones, despite all his own scandals, distancing himself from his former pal.
Chris Weidman, Brad Tavares share moment after UFC 292
Chris Weidman made his return from a nasty broken leg at UFC 292 on Saturday, only for Brad Tavares to chew up both his legs after the fact. While not as terrible an injury as the broken limb, Weidman might be going under the knife again soon.
There were no hard feelings after the fight, however, which led to this cool moment.
MMA is something special 🙌@ChrisWeidman and @BradTavares share a moment backstage after their #UFC292 fight pic.twitter.com/CjtJfpdKSq
— UFC (@ufc) August 20, 2023
