Finally, the Sunday Morning Rumor Mill has returned to satisfy your quirky need to know what’s being talked about in the MMA world. These nuggets of info sometimes hit, sometimes miss, but you guys really want them in your life — so I’ll deliver it. The SMRM took a three-week hiatus but now that it’s back, I expect all of you to bake a tray of oatmeal cookies in my honor. It’s not that unreasonable of an expectation, is it?
- It may sound impossible, but from what I’ve heard the past few days, it appears that Alistair Overeem will be able to fight Junior dos Santos despite his testosterone levels registering much higher than normal after a surprise pre-fight drug test. When Alistair fought Lesnar, technically he never was truly licensed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. Overeem had a conditional license at UFC 141, so in reality the NSAC can’t revoke a license that Alistair Overeem never had. If Alistair can prove that he was prescribed TRT before the positive test, then his chance of fighting at UFC 146 increases dramatically.
- UFC Rio is still slated, however it appears a UN meeting may push the event back (or forward) a week.
- There’s a rumor floating around Russia that Fedor Emelianenko’s next opponent will be Tim Sylvia.
- However, there’s another rumor that originates from the US that Fedor’s next opponent will be Bobby Lashley, but it seems that he’s pricing himself out of the potential bout.
- Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) plans to add MMA to their curriculum, if funding provides.
- Bellator/Viacom has barred certain media outlets from getting access to Bellator events or communications. Unfortunately, MiddleEasy is one of those outlets.
- There is 0% chance Mark Hunt will get a title shot if Alistair Overeem is unable to compete against Junior dos Santos.
- Sort of a wild rumor, but when K-1 comes to Los Angeles later this year, Jean-Claude Van Damme may actually compete at the event. Yeah, I know. I’ll believe it when I see it.
- Phil Baroni is slated to fight on a September ONE FC card.
- People seem to be overlooking the main reason why Jon Jones is being sponsored by UFC in his fight against Rashad Evans is because FORM Athletic no longer exists.
- A relatively large MMA site has their ZUFFA credentials revoked this month due to some tweets that were published in late March/early April.
- Not necessarily MMA, but it appears Badr Hari is on the verge of signing with K-1. The allure to knock heads off appears to have drawn him out of retirement.
- Sorry guys, but we have no idea what’s going on with Strikeforce.com.
- 345 Games seeks to take even more MMA/combat related Spike TV assets and convert them into videogames.
- The next ProElite event is going to be in San Jose on June 2012.
- A lot of you guys called it when it happened, but don’t be surprised if King Mo is signed by the UFC after his mandatory suspension is up.
- Two years ago Sly Stallone teased on Twitter of making a ‘Rocky’ movie with an MMA twist. Now it appears this may not be so far off.
- UFC’s Mark Fischer was in attendance at ONE FC: War of the Lions in Singapore.
- Heavy rumor, but now that Buakaw is training Brazilian jiu-jitsu, people believe that he intends to make a run at MMA.
- Apparently Kevin Rosier from UFC 1 and 4 is roaming around the streets of New York, suffering from brain damage and severe poverty.
