Major update on Noche UFC card, Arman Tsarukyan suspended, Alex Pereira addresses shamanic magic allegations: MMA News Roundup
The Sphere's look for UFC 306 was unveiled on Wednesday, along with its rebranded title. Meanwhile, Alex Pereira tackled questions about his associations with "shamanic" magic.
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UFC 306 has a title partner - Riyadh Season
UFC 306, set to go down on Saturday, Sep. 14 at The Sphere in Las Vegas, will now be known as Riyadh Season Noche UFC. It marks the first time the promotion is providing a title partner status to a sponsor.
Along with the rebranding announcement, the new look of The Sphere for the event was also unveiled. Take a look at it below:
Dana White said in a statement:
"What we’re going to pull off at Sphere will never be done again. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for sports fans. At the same time, this is going to be an incredible tribute to the Mexican people for their extraordinary contributions to combat sports. We’re thrilled that Turki Alalshikh and the Saudi General Entertainment Authority have stepped up to partner with us to make this the greatest event in the history of combat sports."
Alexa Grasso has confirmed that she will compete on the card. If Valentina Shevchenko says no to the date, she wants to face Manon Fiorot instead.
Arman Tsarukyan suspended for six months
Arman Tsarukyan has been suspended and fined for throwing a punch at a fan during his UFC 300 walkout back in April.
The suspension handed out by the Nevada State Athletic Commission was initially nine months, but it will be reduced to six months if Tsarukyan participates in an anti-bullying public service announcement. He was fined $25,000.
Daniel Rubenstein, Tsarukyan's manager, said in a statement:
"Arman appreciates the NSAC's dealings in this matter and looks forward to working with the UFC and NSAC to produce an anti-bullying PSA to reduce his suspension and competing for a UFC lightweight title before the end of the year." [H/t ESPN]
The suspension is not likely to impact his eligibility to fight for a UFC title later this year.
Alex Pereira reacts to being accused of using "magic" for wins
Jiri Prochazka recently alleged that Alex Pereira uses shamanic magic to win fights. He accused 'Poatan' of doing "rituals" before fights and gaining advantage from them.
Responding to the allegations, Pereira kept his response brief and to the point while speaking at the UFC 303 media scrum:
"Everybody has their own spirits. We’re not only made of flesh and bone. I have found mine. If he has not found his, or he does not believe, it’s not my fault."
Pereira also predicted a winner for the upcoming fight between Israel Adesanya and Dricus du Plessis. While 'The Last Stylebender' picked Prochazka to win, Pereira said that he does not see Adesanya losing against du Plessis.