Benoit (10-8) tested positive for modafinil and its metabolite, modafinil acid, after a urine sample was collected from the athlete by USADA on July 31, 2021 at UFC Vegas 33. Modafinil is commonly used to treat narcolepsy and other sleep disorders. It has also been marketed as a cognitive enhacer that improves wakefulness, though its efficacy on that front remains in question.

Under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, run by USADA, modafinil is prohibited in-competition. In regards to Benoit’s use of the drug, it appears he provided evidence that his use came out of competition. While up for a suspension of up to two years, “USADA determined that Benoit was eligible for a reduction to the otherwise applicable two-year period of ineligibility based on the circumstances of the case, including the fact that he established that his use of the prohibited substance occurred out of competition. He also received a reduction for his Full and Complete Cooperation.”

In short, the compound was still in his system when he provided his test sample, but his use actually came out of competition.

USADA announced Benoit’s sanction in a press release Monday. His suspension will be backdated to the date of his positive test.

Benoit joined the UFC in 2013, and has posted a 3-6 record in the promotion. He’s lost three straight, most recently dropping a unanimous decision Zarrukh Adashev on July 31.

The post USADA Hands UFC Flyweight Ryan Benoit 10 Month Suspension for Sleep Disorder Drug appeared first on Cageside Press.

Like Uzbekistan’s Adashev, Benoit entered the night on a two-fight skid, making a win a downright necessity.

Adashev opened up the affair with heavy low kicks, then went up high. Before long, Benoit was showing some swelling to the leg, and his movement was clearly hampered. The damage from Adashev’s low kicks had Benoit switching stances, which in turn allowed him to get his hands going. As the round wore on, Adashev continued to chop at the leg any time Benoit moved back to the orthodox stance. But in the final minute, a right hand by Benoit flipped the script. That put Adashev on the canvas, but he was able to regain his feet, and finished the round with a guillotine attempt as Benoit pursued a takedown.

After some vicious leg kicks from Adashev, Benoit showcases his power! #UFCVegas33 pic.twitter.com/6DBdpyNCQX

— UFC (@ufc) July 31, 2021

In round two, Benoit slowly marched forward, wary of the leg kicks. He was taking some big swings, but Adashev continued to chop at the lead leg. He then connected with a knee, which may have been a kick originally, connecting to Benoit’s chest. Benoit himself confirmed as much, telling the commentary desk that it was chest, not head, where the knee had landed. As chewed up as his leg was, Benoit still showed some power, landing his right hand on several occasions. For his part, Adashev showed he was more than just a kickboxer, initiating a clinch towards the end of the frame.

To open round three, Ryan Benoit put the pressure on, walking down Adashev. Benoit then drove his opponent into the fence, but with his leg compromised, opponent Adashev was able to escape rather easily. Adashev, up on the scorecards, had to be careful to avoid the power of Benoit in the final minutes of the fight. Benoit did land a left hand, but his movement was simply too compromised to find a finish.

Official Result: Zarrukh Adasev def. Ryan Benoit by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

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A visibly shaky Benoit (10-7) had a number of staff and team members around him as he headed to the scale. The 31-year old flyweight, scheduled for a bout with Zarrukh Adashev, appeared to stumble as he backed off. He was immediately taken for a follow-up medical examination.

Incredulously, the call was made to allow Benoit another chance to weigh in. Again, with a number of officials surrounding him, he appeared shaky getting on the scale — but did come in at 129lbs. UFC officials later confirmed the bout had been cancelled.

Benoit vs. Adashev was expected to be part of the ESPN event’s preliminary card. The fight saw Benoit looking to bounce back from two consecutive losses, to Alateng Heili and Tim Elliott.

A member of the UFC since 2013, Benoit has fought just eight times over his span with the promotion. He has had weight struggles before: against Ashkan Mokhtarian in 2017, Benoit weighed in at 129lbs. He won the fight via head kick KO, but was ineligible to win any post-fight bonus due to the weight miss.

UFC Vegas 26 (UFC on ESPN 24) takes place this Saturday, May 8 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, NV. The card is headlined by Michelle Waterson and Marina Rodriguez, a short-notice main event that has the strawweight pair competing at flyweight.

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Despite coming out on top this past Wednesday, a pair of fighters find themselves shelved for the next six months. Modestas Bukauskas and Taila Santos both received 180 day suspensions for injuries related to their fights at UFC Fight Island 1. For Bukauskas, the culprit is his left knee, while Santos experienced an injury to her right foot. Each can be cleared earlier by either an MRI or x-ray, respectively.

Below is a complete list of medical suspensions for UFC Fight Island 1 (UFC on ESPN 13):

Calvin Kattar – 30 days
Dan Ige – 45 days
Tim Elliott – 30 days
Ryan Benoit – 180 days or cleared by right thumb x ray
Jimmie Rivera – 30 days
Cody Stamann – 30 days
Taila Santos – 180 days or cleared by right foot x ray
Molly McCann – 30 days
Mounir Lazzez – 30 days
Abdul Razak Alhassan – 45 days
Khamzat Chimaev – 7 days
John Phillips – 30 days
Lerone Murphy – 7 days
Ricardo Ramos – 45 days
Modestas Bukauskas – 180 days or cleared by left knee MRI
Andreas Michailitis – 45 days
Jared Gordon – 7 days
Chris Fishgold – 30 days
Liana Jojua – 7 days
Diana Belbita – 180 days or cleared by right elbow MRI
Jack Shore – 7 days
Aaron Phillips – 7 days

Because of the absence of a governing body on Fight Island, suspensions from Abu Dhabi are reported internally.

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Flyweights Tim Elliott and Ryan Benoit received an unexpected boost in profile ahead of UFC Fight Island 1. The American duo had expected to feature on the preliminary card. But thanks to Frankie Edgar vs. Pedro Munhoz being moved to UFC 252 next month, Elliott vs. Benoit was bumped into the co-main event slot.

Elliott went for a stepping kick that just barely kept Benoit out of range, who went for an overhand right at the same time. Elliott stayed busy with his kicks and landed a left hand. Elliott was staying busy as Benoit was staying patient. Then, Benoit landed a jab followed by a big head kick that Elliott ate. The small strikes kept coming from Elliott. Another head kick landed for Benoit followed by a straight punch. Elliott then went for a takedown, but it was avoided flawlessly by Benoit. A huge hook landed for Benoit, then Elliott went for a single leg takedown, but it was reversed. Elliott got back to his feet and was able to get a takedown before the end of the round.

Early in the round a big body kick landed for Benoit, who then threw him to the canvas without following him to the ground. An overhand left connected for Elliott and Benoit came back with a two punch combination. Elliott ate a big uppercut on his way in, then was taken down by Benoit. Elliott countered with a guillotine and was able to move into a mounted guillotine as Benoit tried to escape. Benoit wiggled out and established a butterfly guard. He then rolled for a kneebar and had it deep, with Elliott yelling out in pain, but not tapping. He was able to somehow escape and stand up.

TOUGHNESS CHECK 😳 #UFCFightIsland1 pic.twitter.com/YoXorpdTdf

— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2020

In the third round, Elliott tried to make up for the deficit he was facing. He wasn’t just active for the sake of being active, but was effective as well. However, Elliott injured his finger midway through the third round. It didn’t matter to Elliott, as he put his fingers back in and started throwing straight punches and jabs again. Benoit started swinging for the fences late in the fight, but Elliott was able to avoid serious damage.

NON-STOP IN ROUND THREE. #UFCFightIsland1 pic.twitter.com/bgjVRzSuRJ

— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2020

Tim Elliott def. Ryan Benoit by Unanimous Decision (29-28 x3)

The post UFC Fight Island 1 Results: Tim Elliott Wins High-Paced Fight Over Ryan Benoit appeared first on Cageside Press.

The pair have been moved to the co-main event. A first for the career of Benoit (10-6), who has been with the promotion since 2013.

“It feels great. It’s definitely a pretty big upgrade,” he told Cageside Press of the promotion. “I was thinking, it was the second fight on the card originally and now I’m the second of last fight on the card, so pretty honored man. Definitely not something I expected at all, but I’m ready.”

Being ready means getting ready weeks in advance, and with a pandemic raging that is no easy feet. Benoit, like many, got his training in where he could. Including in some “secret” training sessions.

“At first I was training at home and doing a secret training sessions with the gym being closed. And trying to sneak in there without getting caught. And then I was able to actually do my camp in New York City,” he revealed. “Again, secret training sessions. I’m probably not supposed to be saying that.”

While the cat’s out of the bag now, Benoit is far from the first fighter to admit to such measures. Something he also acknowledged. “I think everybody’s been doing the same thing also.”

At first, Benoit admitted, camp “was a little bit rough, because that’s [New York] where the Coronavirus had kind of hit the hardest. And then it kind of spiked in Dallas [where Benoit fights out of] at the same time, but I was able to get some training partners together and we were able to pull together a pretty good camp.”

After missing weight two fights back and trying his hand at bantamweight, Benoit is back to flyweight for the Elliott fight. Having made weight successfully Tuesday morning, the next stop is Fight Night. Which will unfold in an empty arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, which has been dubbed “Fight Island” for four UFC events running throughout July.

Benoit expects the semi-deserted venue (UFC staff, judges, and the like will still be present) to feel “a bit like a sparring session,” in that “I could hear, you know, my sparring opponents, coaches yelling out, you know, advice against me or vice versa. And hearing my coach is pretty clear. I’m kind of like a video game sometimes to where my coach will tell me to do something and I’ll pull the trigger like right away. Yeah, I’m excited, man. I’ve never had that experience before. I’ve never dealt with that, and we’ll see how it goes. I feel like it’s gonna go well, though.”

Watch the full UFC Fight Island 1 virtual media day interview with Ryan Benoit above.

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Weight-cutting is the ultimate test of discipline and willpower. Many fighters in the sport consider it very unprofessional to miss weight. In this series, we will shine a light on fighters who cut a massive amount of weight, who have missed weight multiple times in the past, who have made weight-class changes, along with how the weight-cut and weigh-in could affect possible upcoming match-ups. Basically, every aspect of weight-cutting and how it affects the fight game.

Ryan “Baby Face” Benoit (10-6 MMA, 3-4 UFC)

Flyweight (125lbs): 3-3 (UFC), Missed weight one time

Bantamweight (135lbs): 0-1 (UFC)

Benoit missed weight for his fight against Ashkan Mokhatarian in 2017. Benoit might have been able to finish his opponent in the third round with a spectacular head kick, but weighing in at 129lbs really put a damper on things. And missing weight probably kept him out of the fight performance bonus conversation for that night. Ryan is 5’5, has a 68.5″ reach and is now 30 years old.

After that fight, fans didn’t see Benoit in the octagon for over two years, before he returned last December, but this time at 135lbs. Unfortunately for Ryan, he lost a split decision to Heili Alateng in his debut at bantamweight. But Benoit will look to will look to get back in the win column at flyweight, and now in the co-main event slot, on July 15th.

The post The Weight Cutting Chronicles: UFC Fight Island 1 appeared first on Cageside Press.

]]> https://cagesidepress.com/2020/07/14/the-weight-cutting-chronicles-ufc-fight-island-1/feed/ 0 https://cagesidepress.com/2020/06/11/weight-cutting-chronicles-ufc-on-espn-10/ https://cagesidepress.com/2020/06/11/weight-cutting-chronicles-ufc-on-espn-10/#comments Fri, 12 Jun 2020 00:48:20 +0000 https://cagesidepress.com/?p=71933 Plenty of fighters are moving up a weight class at UFC on ESPN 10, another by-product of hosting fights in the pandemic era. Like it or not, weight-cutting is deeply rooted in mixed martial arts. MMA adopted its weight-cutting from the sport of wrestling, where it is presumed to be very advantageous to be the […]

The post The Weight Cutting Chronicles: UFC on ESPN 10 appeared first on Cageside Press.

]]> Plenty of fighters are moving up a weight class at UFC on ESPN 10, another by-product of hosting fights in the pandemic era.

Like it or not, weight-cutting is deeply rooted in mixed martial arts. MMA adopted its weight-cutting from the sport of wrestling, where it is presumed to be very advantageous to be the biggest and strongest in your weight class. Known as the ‘fight before the fight,’ most UFC fighters cut anywhere from 5-25 pounds, with some fighters even in excess of 30 pounds.

Weight-cutting is the ultimate test of discipline and willpower. Many fighters in the sport consider it very unprofessional to miss weight. In this series, we will shine a light on fighters who cut a massive amount of weight, who have missed weight multiple times in the past, who have made weight-class changes, along with how the weight-cut and weigh-in could affect possible upcoming match-ups. Basically, every aspect of weight-cutting and how it affects the fight game.

During this difficult and uncertain time, the UFC has been constructing and announcing many short notice cards, venues and bouts. With so many fast-moving pieces this difficult time seems to have slowed down the number of extreme weight cuts and increased the number of fighters and bouts that are moving up from their ‘normal’ weight classes. 

Cynthia Calvillo (8-1-1 MMA, 5-1-1 UFC)

Strawweight (115lbs): 5-1-1 (UFC), Missed weight two times

Flyweight (125lbs): 0-0 (UFC), Making her UFC debut at the weight

Cynthia Calvillo missed weight before her first-round submission win over Poliana Botelho in November of 2018. Cynthia weighed in at 118lbs, for her fifth fight under the UFC’s promotional banner. Now 32, the weight doesn’t come off as nearly easily for Calvillo during her weight cut and that could threaten her ability to make a run at the UFC strawweight belt.

In Calvillo’s most recent UFC bout she missed weight coming in at a whopping 120.5lbs for her bout against Marina Rodriguez in December of 2019. The fight, in which Calvillo had to dig deep and come from behind, ended in a majority decision draw. After the bout, at the post-fight media scrum, Calvillo was very honest when speaking with reporters including Cageside Press saying:

“I walk around about 130. When I go to fight week for 25, I don’t even have to go in the sauna. But 115, and if I get that time of the month, I’m older now — I’m in my 30s, I don’t look like it but — it’s just harder on my body.”

Now, fight fans will see Calvillo make her UFC debut in the flyweight division as the main event of UFC on ESPN 10 opposite Jessica Eye.

VIDEO: Cynthia Calvillo misses weight at #ufcargentina weigh-ins. pic.twitter.com/UamGpVFSzv

— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) November 16, 2018

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]]> https://cagesidepress.com/2020/06/11/weight-cutting-chronicles-ufc-on-espn-10/feed/ 1 https://cagesidepress.com/2019/12/21/ufc-busan-results-alatengheili-takes-split-decision-ryan-benoit/ https://cagesidepress.com/2019/12/21/ufc-busan-results-alatengheili-takes-split-decision-ryan-benoit/#respond Sat, 21 Dec 2019 07:45:43 +0000 https://cagesidepress.com/?p=61637 Opening up the card at UFC Busan, Alateng Heili made it four in a row, earning a split decision over American Ryan Benoit. A slow feeling out process began in in UFC Busan’s card-opening bantanmweight fight. China’s Heili Alateng, billed as Alatengheili, was riding a three-fight win streak entering the night, and was looking to […]

The post UFC Busan Results: Alateng Heili Takes Split Decision Over Ryan Benoit appeared first on Cageside Press.

]]> Opening up the card at UFC Busan, Alateng Heili made it four in a row, earning a split decision over American Ryan Benoit.

A slow feeling out process began in in UFC Busan’s card-opening bantanmweight fight. China’s Heili Alateng, billed as Alatengheili, was riding a three-fight win streak entering the night, and was looking to get the better of Ryan Benoit, who was returning to action for the first time since 2017, when he competed as a flyweight, knocking out Ashkan Mokhtarian. Benoit, however, had missed weight last time out, hence the move up to 135lbs.

The first round was peppered with action from both men, Alateng’s leg had being lightning-quick. Benoit’s body kick was hitting home, opening his oppnet up to further attacks. In the final minute, however, with seconds ticking away, Alateng landed a straight right hand that momentarily dropped Benoit, in what was the biggest moment in the fight to that point.

The second found Benoit on the attack, firing an overhand right. Alateng then pressed forward, with Benoit on the outside, firing that body kick again. Alateng was showing some redness on his ribs, and Benoit flashed the kick again, only to go upstairs this time. It connected, but not clean. Not much in the way of a takedown attempt or even much grappling at all during the first half of the fight, as the pair were content to stand and trade. Later in the round, Benoit saw his nose bloodied, as Alateng landed a number of times with his right hand. He then mixed it up, targeting the body. Benoit would punch his way in, in way of retaliation, only to get caught closing the distance. A big right hand for Alateng closed out the round.

The third saw the fight finally go to the ground, Alateng dropping levels and securing a double leg. The ground game slowed things down a little, as Alateng spent plenty of time on top. The Chinese fighter would spend some time in side control, and while Benoit would eventually make his way up, he wasn’t able to find much success in the final frame.

Official Result: Alateng Heili def. Ryan Benoit by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) 

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]]> https://cagesidepress.com/2019/12/21/ufc-busan-results-alatengheili-takes-split-decision-ryan-benoit/feed/ 0 https://cagesidepress.com/2019/12/20/the-weight-cutting-chronicles-ufc-busan/ https://cagesidepress.com/2019/12/20/the-weight-cutting-chronicles-ufc-busan/#respond Fri, 20 Dec 2019 11:27:58 +0000 https://cagesidepress.com/?p=61484 The final UFC event of the year goes down Saturday, with UFC Busan closing out the calendar in South Korea. Like it or not, weight-cutting is deeply rooted in mixed martial arts. MMA adopted its weight-cutting from the sport of wrestling, where it is presumed to be very advantageous to be the biggest and strongest […]

The post The Weight Cutting Chronicles – UFC Busan appeared first on Cageside Press.

]]> The final UFC event of the year goes down Saturday, with UFC Busan closing out the calendar in South Korea.

Like it or not, weight-cutting is deeply rooted in mixed martial arts. MMA adopted its weight-cutting from the sport of wrestling, where it is presumed to be very advantageous to be the biggest and strongest in your weight class. Known as the ‘fight before the fight,’ most UFC fighters cut anywhere from 5-25 pounds, with some fighters even in excess of 30 pounds.

Weight-cutting is the ultimate test of discipline and willpower. Many fighters in the sport consider it very unprofessional to miss weight. In this series, we will shine a light on fighters who cut a massive amount of weight, who have missed weight multiple times in the past, who have made weight-class changes, along with how the weight-cut and weigh-in could affect possible upcoming match-ups. Basically, every aspect of weight-cutting and how it affects the fight game.

Frankie “The Answer” Edgar ( 23-7-1 MMA, 17-7-1 UFC)

Bantamweight (135lbs.): 0-0 (UFC)

Featherweight (145lbs.):  8-4 (UFC), UFC Featherweight Title Challenger

Lightweight (155lbs.): 9-3-1 (UFC), Former UFC Lightweight Champion

Frankie Edgar has been a UFC staple and favorite for a very long time. Edgar won the UFC belt at 155lbs against the legend BJ Penn way back in 2010. And somehow after all these years, Frankie’s name is still in the mix as one of the best fighters in the UFC.

At just 5’6″ and a 72″ reach it is arguable that Frankie should have begun his career at a much lighter weight in the first place. Many fans and even Frankie’s coaches seem to have had this idea of a lighter Edgar for quite some time now.

Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) explains that the sport is not about size but heart and balls and that is why he didn't drop down weight classes earlier in his career #UFCBusan pic.twitter.com/Fn5lcAlC6i

— Korean John (@KoreanJohn_) December 19, 2019

Frankie challenged for the featherweight belt multiple times during his stint in the 145lbs weight class. Though he was not successful in his pursuit of the featherweight strap, Edgar was able to cement himself as one of the guys to beat to get a title shot in the division.

Edgar is looking to move down to bantamweight after this fight as he was actually pulled off the January 25th UFC Raleigh card to fill in for an injured Brian Ortega. Apparently Edgar still hasn’t ruled out competing in that bout but, unsurprisingly, must evaluate how he emerges from his bout with Chan Sung Jung at UFC Busan.

It should be very interesting to see how Frankie handles this weight cut and fight at featherweight because it could very well be his last.

Amanda “Amandinha” Lemos (6-1-1 MMA, UFC 0-1)

Strawweight (115lbs.): 0-0 (UFC)

Bantamweight (135lbs.): 0-1 (UFC)

Amanda has had just one fight in the UFC thus far where she was finished by standing elbows back in 2017 by Leslie Smith. Before that, Amanda was a veteran of the Brazillian Jungle Fights promotion where she also fought at 135lbs. At just 5’4″ tall and only possessing a 65″ reach Lemos is a lot smaller than the majority of the women in the UFC’s women’s bantamweight division. So the fact that she is moving down to 115lbs for her next fight is not a huge surprise. Evening the playing field in terms of physical attributes might be a good idea, but only if Amanda can make the weight without compromising her body for the fight the next day. This will be Amanda’s professional MMA debut at 115lbs, even though she has not even had a fight at 125lbs, let alone at strawweight.  It will also be  Lemos’  first fight in two years so she will definitely be a fighter to watch on the scale and in the cage.

Ryan “Baby Face” Benoit (10-5 MMA, 3-4 UFC)

Flyweight (125lbs.): 3-4 (UFC), Missed weight one time

Ryan Benoit had his first fight in the UFC way back in 2013. Though his record may look like one of a journeyman, Ryan has been in a lot of ultra-competitive and exciting fights. Benoit stands at 5’5″ and possesses at 68.5″ reach.

The last time Ryan stepped on the scale to weigh in for a mixed martial arts fight was back in late 2017, where he missed weight and came in at 129lbs. Benoit went on to win that bout against Ashkan Mokhtarian via head kick finish in the third round. But, Ryan competed in a grappling bout back in February of this year at the weight class of 155lbs.  Benoit will definitely be a fighter to watch come weigh-in time due to a long lay off from the sport and past issue making 125lbs. However, he’s moving up a division here.

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