MMA News Roundup: Ali Abdelaziz deletes incriminating tweet about IV usage, U.S. Congressman slams Power Slap League, ex-UFC fighter hints at GSP return
Welcome to today's edition of Sportskeeda's daily MMA News Roundup, where we present the biggest UFC updates and other stories from the world of mixed martial arts.
In today's issue, we talk about Islam Makhachev's manager tweeting about the IV infusion situation, a U.S. Congressman blasting Dana White's slap league, and more.
#3. Ali Abdelaziz deletes tweet after almost incriminating Islam Makhachev for UFC 284
A lot has happened since Islam Makhachev defended his lightweight belt against Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 284. Team Volkanovski and Dan Hooker's accusations of IV infusions have put a question mark on Makhachev's victory.
Although the Dagestani fighter and his team have denied the allegations, a recent tweet by his manager Ali Abdelaziz almost confirmed the intravenous fluid intake.
Abdelaziz claimed that fighters were allowed to take 2-3 liters of IV as long as a medical professional was administering it. He deleted the tweet within a few minutes. Unfortunately for him, MMA Twitter was quick enough to get screenshots.
MMA journalist Ariel Helwani addressed the tweet and speculated that Abdelaziz deleted the tweet after being told it was incriminating in nature.
Yes. He deleted it because someone, I would think, told him he was incriminating himself with this tweet. You can’t take 2-3 L by a professional or not. It’s 100 ml per 12 hours (among other details). Massive difference. twitter.com/jcontreras1212…
In a series of tweets yesterday, UFC's Senior VP of Athlete Health and Performance, Jeff Novitzky, clarified that IVs of less than 100ml per 12-hour period were permitted without a prescription. Even then, the athletes were supposed to disclose such usage to the commission.
#2. U.S. Congressman tags Power Slap League as "mindless violence"
The latest critic of Dana White's much-controversial Power Slap League is William Pascrell Jr., a Democratic Party member and a U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 9th congressional district.
Pascrell Jr. tweeted recently that he and fellow Congressman Dan Bacon, the U.S. representative for Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, have jointly contacted Warner Bros. and TBS Network over broadcasts over Power Slap League. He called the show "mindless violence" that promotes "traumatic brain injury risks."
Today @RepDonBacon and I are asking TBS and Warner Bros about their crass new TV show “The Power Slap” glorifying terrible violence.
Where are the warnings to this mindless violence? Traumatic brain injury isn’t entertainment. https://t.co/LIWGWtvm2s
Here's the letter Pascrell Jr. and Bacon sent to the broadcasters:
Here’s our letter demanding answers from @warnerbros @TBSNetwork on their violent new TV show glorifying traumatic brain injury risks. https://t.co/MV4rruLv6a
Pascrell Jr. and Bacon are co-chairs of the Congressional Traumatic Brain Injury Task Force.
#1. Tyron Woodley gives cryptic hint at fight with Georges St-Pierre
Georges St-Pierre has made it clear multiple times that he does not wish to return to fighting in the near or distant future. However, he continues to remain a dream fight for MMA fans around the world as well as many fighters.
If former UFC champion Tyron Woodley's words are to be decrypted, there's a possibility we could see St-Pierre in action again.
Speaking with TSN's Aaron Bronsteter, Woodley said that GSP was his dream fight as well. However, his mannerisms also hinted that a possible clash was not entirely off the table. He further piqued the interest of the fans by adding this comment at the end - "Man, I love the Middle East."
I asked Tyron Woodley who his dream fight would be and his response was very, very intriguing 🤨 https://t.co/wo2E4OUnOr
Woodley could be hinting at a GSP return for a one-off exhibition in Abu Dhabi, which has recently turned into the perfect venue for all the fights that would be too much of a hassle to set up anywhere else.