The rapidly changing world of MMA has been through quite a few noted advancements. There was everything from shocking suspensions to startling revelations which kept the fans hooked to MMA world in the last few hours. Hence, we are back with our MMA news roundup to describe some of the most noted events that occurred in the past 24 hours. Dana White’s ‘Power Slap League’ saw its first major debacle recently. The slap contestant, Jon Kennedy, became the first person in the history of the promotion to receive a suspension. The UFC star, Jon Jones, had probably moved on from his once bitter rivalry with Daniel Cormier. ‘Bones’ made a friendly offer to his past rival ‘DC’. Lastly, the UFC’s executive in charge of Athlete Health and Performance clarified Islam Makhachev‘s IV usage issue that had been creating headlines recently.
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Power Slap League witnessed its first athlete suspension
Dana White‘s new promotion, the ‘Power Slap League’, had to go through a rather shocking incident recently. The PSL athlete, Jon Kennedy, infamously became the first person in the history of the promotion to get suspended by the USADA.
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LAS VEGAS, NV- SEPTEMBER 13: Dana White speaks to the media following week 8 of the Dana White Contender Series on September 13, 2022, at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas, NV. Photo by Amy Kaplan/Icon Sportswire MMA: SEP 13 UFC – Dana White s Contender Series Icon220913575
The Nevada Athletic Commission recently sentenced Kennedy to a 9-month suspension. They also charged him with a $150 fine, along with $326 to be paid as prosecution fees. Kennedy was found to be positive for cocaine, which is a strictly prohibited drug in the books of USADA.
Kennedy tested positive following a slap-fight he had on 30 November 2022. This suspension will sideline him from the competition up till 30 August 2023.
Jon Jones had a friendly invitation for Daniel Cormier
Numerous UFC fans would be awaiting the UFC 285 to witness Jon Jones making his way back into the octagon. ‘Bones’ would be making his Octagon return after a long span of 3 years. But, prior to his octagon revert, the former lightweight champ probably intended to erase the past bitterness between him and the former UFC champ-champ, Daniel Cormier, with an invitation.
In a recent tweet, Jones offered ‘DC’ to commentate his return bout at UFC 285. ‘Bones’ also stated that he saw Cormier as a “really good” commentator.
DC you are more than welcome to commentate at my fight, I think you are really good at what you do. I trust that you would be non-biased. All the best brother
— BONY (@JonnyBones) February 15, 2023
‘Bones’ had also placed his trust in Cormier about being “non-biased”. Notably, ‘DC’ had been bashed several times by many for his biases while commentating.
Jeff Novitzky clarified the issue of Islam Makhachev’s IV usage
A lot of people, including the noted fighter Dan Hooker, had accused Islam Makhachev of using IVs to regain his body weight prior to his UFC 284 bout. Makhachev’s UFC 285 opponent, Alexander Volkanovski, had also indulged in similar accusations against him.
Watch this Story – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ISLAM MAKHACHEV’S WIFE
But, recently the UFC’s executive in charge of Athlete Health and Performance, Jeff Novitzky, provided clarity about this issue with a series of tweets. Novitzky presented USADA-approved details of the conditions under which an athlete might be prescribed an IV through his tweets.
UFC Anti-Doping Program's (UFC ADP) IV rule was modified in 2019. Athletes, managers and support have rec'd multiple advisories on this rule change beginning in 2019. All UFC ADP rules have been publicly posted since 2015. The IV rule advisories included the following:
— Jeff Novitzky (@JeffNovitzkyUFC) February 16, 2023
The following IVs are now permitted without a TUE:
Those rec'd in the course of hospital treatments, surgical procedures, clinical diagnostic investigations;
Those rec'd from a licensed medical prof. after a licensed physician determines that they are medically justified;
— Jeff Novitzky (@JeffNovitzkyUFC) February 16, 2023
IVs of less than a total of 100 mL per 12-hour period;
Separate of the UFC ADP rules, athletic commissions require any athlete who receives an IV during fight week to (1) obtain permission from the commission before receiving an IV and;
— Jeff Novitzky (@JeffNovitzkyUFC) February 16, 2023
(2) disclose use of that IV to the commission after its use.
Despite the fact that IV use is now permitted under UFC ADP if administered by a “licensed medical professional after a licensed physician determines they are medically justified,”
— Jeff Novitzky (@JeffNovitzkyUFC) February 16, 2023
the required disclosure of such use to an athletic commission could possibly jeopardize the commission licensing the fight.
— Jeff Novitzky (@JeffNovitzkyUFC) February 16, 2023
A lot of fans might find these tweets from Novitzky enough to conclude whether Makhachev could be held guilty for the usage of IV or not.
Some more MMA news
- The UFC Flyweight, Jessica Andrade, will lock horns with Erin Blanchfield at UFC Vegas 69. Does she have enough to fetch a victory against her coveted opponent?
- The noted MMA trainer, Eugene Bareman, was unsure about Islam Makhachev’s IV usage prior to UFC 284. But he also suspected something unusual in Makhachev’s camp.
