What with PED busts, title fights being announced, titles changing hands and TV deals getting signed and sealed, this has been a crazy busy week for MMA fans. So, FO has picked out six alternative tales that may have flown under your radar.
Ronda Rousey Marvel-less
According to her Instagram account, which has over 8 million followers, Ronda Rousey campaigned hard last year for the role of Carol Danvers, AKA ‘Captain Marvel’, a comic book character owned by Marvel Studios and Disney being brought to life on the silver screen. Yet it’s seemingly not happening now after the coveted role reportedly went to Oscar-winning actress Brie Larson.
Oh Brother!
Following Jon Jones’ positive drug test results, which indicated a potential USADA anti-doping violation, older brother Arthur Jones, who plays as a defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts was slapped with his own four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on PED’s. Big brother Jones also says his positive test is due to a tainted supplement. “I did a piss poor job of double checking my supplements to make sure nothing was banned,” Arthur told the media.
Like father, like son
Kevin Ferguson Jnr is following in his father’s footsteps and entering the world of professional mixed martial arts. The son of the late ‘Kimbo Slice’, ‘Baby Slice’ will be making his debut at Bellator 160 which goes down on August 26th in Anaheim, California. The 170lb’er will face an opponent yet to be determined by the promotion.
Phenom-enal leader
In an interview with Brazilian media outlet Olimpo MMA, current interim UFC featherweight champion José Aldo believes former UFC light heavyweight champion Vitor ‘The Phenom’ Belfort would be the best man to head up a potential fighters association. Aldo cites Belfort as someone “who has a great spirit of leadership.”
Six-year itch for Carwin
It’s been over six year’s since he last fought in the UFC, but could former interim heavyweight champion Shane Carwin be making a return to the Octagon? The 41-year-old took to twitter yesterday claiming his manager had been in touch with UFC matchmaker Joe Silva and followed up with some emojis (because that’s what you do in 2016) claiming he is ready.
Better late than never
A stalwart of the UK MMA scene, ‘Judo’ Jimmy Wallhead is finally getting his shot at the big time after the 38-year-old was confirmed as a short notice replacement opponent to fight Jessin Ayari at UFC Fight Night Hamburg on September 3rd. Coming in hot off a four-fight win streak, Wallhead will be looking to prove he’s not just an Octagon gatekeeper for Europe’s up and coming prospects.
