MMA News Roundup: Romanian authorities reject "pizza" theory behind Andrew Tate arrest, ESPN slammed for silence on UFC President Dana White slapping incident, Leon Edwards backed to beat Kamaru Usman in rematch

Welcome to today's edition of Sportskeeda's daily MMA News Roundup, where we present the biggest updates in the UFC and other stories from the world of mixed martial arts.

In today's issue, we address the rumors surrounding the cause of Andrew Tate's recent arrest in Romania, criticism of the ESPN network for its sparse coverage of the Dana White slapping incident, and Leon Edwards being tipped to retain his title in a rematch with Kamaru Usman.

#3. Romanian authorities deny the "pizza" theory surrounding Andrew Tate's arrest

After Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan Tate were recently arrested in Romania over charges of human trafficking, rumors suggested that Tate gave away his location to authorities by accidentally displaying a pizza box in a video as part of his online to-and-fro with climate change teen activist Greta Thunberg.

Romanian authorities needed proof that Andrew Tate was in the country so they reportedly used his social media posts. His ridiculous video yesterday featured a pizza from a Romanian pizza chain, Jerry's Pizza, confirming he was in the country.

This is absolutely epic. https://t.co/kyz4pqegkJ

While it sparked a lot of hilarity online at the expense of the controversial figure, Ramona Bolla, a spokeswoman for the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism, dismissed these rumors in an interview with the Washington Post. She said:

“It was a hard job gathering all the evidence.”

However, it was too late for Tate as Greta Thunberg took the opportunity to call him out yet again for his comment on not recycling pizza boxes.

Check out her tweet below:

this is what happens when you don’t recycle your pizza boxes

#2. Ex-ESPN reporter slams former media house for its sparse coverage of UFC president Dana White slapping his wife

Ex-ESPN sportswriter and podcast host Dan Le Batard spoke about UFC President Dana White slapping his wife on New Year's Eve. He called out his former employer for the toned-down coverage of the incident.

On a recent episode of LeBatardShow, he said:

"I am curious how ESPN is going to cover the news of Dana White and video of him slapping his wife at New Year's festivities. Apologizing, saying there's no excuse, saying that he had been drinking. If it had been Roger Goodell or an owner of an NFL team, I imagine it would be covered with a great deal of zeal... This doesn't stay in the news stream unless there's media pressure, there needs to be a media pressure, there needs to be a media outrage about this in order for this to have consequences. They are the worldwide leader in sports!"

He speculated that had it been a different sports personality, they would not have faced such leniency from ESPN.

Check out the clip of Le Batard's comments on Twitter:

"If it happened with (Roger) Goodell or an owner do you imagine it would be quiet? Because I don’t.” – Dan reacts to damning video of UFC president Dana White slapping his wife and asks why the coverage from ESPN hasn't been louder.

📺 youtube.com/watch?v=7_tJwt… https://t.co/wDp4CBGvii

#1. Gilbert Burns backs Leon Edwards in a potential title rematch with Kamaru Usman

Leon Edwards shocked the world with his come-from-behind knockout victory over Kamaru Usman at UFC 278. The incredible head kick also spelled the end of Usman's dominance as the UFC welterweight champion.

Usman's stellar record has earned him the right to go up against Edwards in an immediate rematch. Reports have surfaced of UFC's plans to stage the rematch in London in front of a home crowd for 'Rocky.'

Fellow welterweight contender Gilbert Burns spoke in an interview on Michael Bisping's Believe You Me podcast and stated that Leon Edwards holds the edge if the rematch is in his hometown.

"Now Kamaru is going into hostile territory. All the way there in London. Leon's house, friends... He can say whatever but it's hostile. You don't wanna go fight me in Brazil... You don't wanna go to fight Francis Ngannou in Cameroon... I think it's gonna be a super close fight, maybe a little more edge to Leon."

Check out Burns' full interview with Michael Bisping on YouTube: