Shavkat Rakhmonov's pre-UFC 310 injury, USADA accused of falsifying test results, Tyson Fury to fight retired boxer: MMA Rumor Roundup
Shavkat Rakhmonov fought at UFC 301 injured? USADA covered up positive drug test results? Long-retired boxer to come out of hiatus to fight Tyson Fury?
Some reasonable and others far-fetched, catch up with all the rumors floating around the combat sports world this week.
Shavkat Rakhmonov had an injury heading into UFC 310
While Shavkat Rakhmonov did secure a win against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310, he did not look as good as people expected him to. Daniel Cormier says the reason could be an injury.
In a YouTube video on his channel, Cormier said:
"I learned after, that [Shavkat Rakhmonov] fought with an injury. I think he tore his MCL going into that fight. With a torn ligament in your knee, you’re not going to look like the killer that you looked like in fights prior."
It was his first fight that went to a decision and broke Rakhmonov's 100% finish rate.
Merab Dvalishvili blames Nurmagomedov clan for fan altercation
Merab Dvalishvili got into a violent altercation with a fan at UFC 310 and he believes it was set up by the associates of his next opponent, Umar Nurmagomedov.
The voiceover in the video above alleges that the fan in question has numerous photos on social media alongside Nurmagomedov and his teammates such as Islam Makhachev.
USADA accused of falsifying test results
During a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, the UFC commentator spoke with Derek Munro of More Plates More Dates about USADA and their involvement with the promotion. Rogan blasted the drug-testing company for making false public comments about the UFC, including a post-split allegation that the promotion was now going to allow athletes to freely use steroids.
Munro, meanwhile, revealed that the official WADA website has listed information on USADA allegedly covering up positive test results for some Olympic-level athletes. The revelation left Rogan shocked:
"Oh my god! So, they are like a drug dealer that works for the government."
Watch the conversation below:
Leon Edwards wouldn't look Ian Machado Garry in the eye
Ian Machado Garry told Daniel Cormier ahead of UFC 310 that Leon Edwards is "mentally weak" and envious of his skills. Speaking on his controversial exile from Edwards' gym Renegade MMA, Garry said:
"Do you know what the truth is with Leon Edwards? He's mentally weak and he didn't like someone as talented as me on the mats with him... He wouldn't even look me in the eye the day I walked out the gym, I'm like, 'What the f**k lads?'"
According to Edwards' account, Garry was asked to leave because he would not follow rules and regulations and there was a clash of cultures.
UFC did not treat Sean O'Malley right
Chael Sonnen seems to believe UFC deliberately did not allow Sean O'Malley any breathing room when he was the bantamweight champion. He said in a YouTube video on his channel:
"They never even gave Sean [O'Malley] a chance... He gets in the ring with [Marlon Vera], and there's Merab [Dvalishvili]... And they put Umar in the front row and tell [O'Malley] that he's got to fight him [after Dvalishvili]... They did it to him twice!"
He added that he believes 'Sugar' should have got the opportunity to fight Dvalishvili in a rematch for the title instead of Nurmagomedov.
Tyson Fury to fight retired boxer
Saudi Arabia's Turki Alalshikh wants long-retired Wladimir Klitschko to return and face Tyson Fury in a rematch.
In an interview with Ariel Helwani, Alalshikh shared:
"I am dreaming of seeing this fight to give chance if he accepts to give [Wladimir] Klitschko to give back to be the oldest heavyweight champion ever. To give him the chance. This is perfect."
The two faced in 2015 in what was Fury's first shot at a world title. The Brit secured a unanimous decision win in a huge upset and the pair was set for a rematch. However, Klitschko was deemed medically unfit to compete, and after a devastating loss to Anthony Joshua, the Ukrainian retired.