After reportedly testing positive for steroids following his UFC 117 loss to Anderson “The Spider” Silva, middleweight contender Chael Sonnen’s team has broken its silence and intends to file an appeal with the California State Athletic Commission. MMAFighting.com first reported the news today.
Earlier this week, Sherdog.com reported that Sonnen had been flagged for an unidentified “steroid substance” and subsequent reports from SI.com’s Josh Gross have noted that Sonnen commented in advance that he may fail the UFC 117 drug test. Sonnen faces a one-year suspension and a fine.
The North American Allied Fight Series held its first all-female event tonight at the Chapparells Community Center in Akron, Ohio. The solid card was headlined by a 125-pound pro bout between Jessica “Evil” Eye and Marissa Caldwell and also featured some of the top female amateurs in the area.
King of the Cage came to the MGM Grand at Foxwoods in Mashantucket, Connecticut tonight for KOTC: “No Mercy.” The event was headlined by a KOTC Flyweight Championship bout between “The Silent Assassin” Abel Cullum and once-beaten challenger Jimmie Rivera.
A new all-female mixed martial arts promotion has emerged in the United States. GirlFight Global, based in Boston, Massachusetts, has formed big plans for MMA’s women’s division and intends to hold its first event in the coming months. That event is targeted for Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Michelle Waterson’s first mixed martial arts bout in Japan will have to wait. The rising star from Jackson’s MMA has announced that she is pregnant and will return to MMA in the second half of 2011. MMAWeekly.com first reported on the news on Thursday evening.
While the Shine Fights Grand Prix went ahead as planned last weekend, controversy continues to surround the promotion. Contrary to claims from Shine Fights COO Jason Chambers, all fighters who competed on the card now face 60-day ineligibility distinctions in Oklahoma, Ohio and elsewhere.
The Ultimate Fighting Championship came to the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas tonight for UFC Fight Night 22. The event was headlined by a middleweight matchup between former title challenger Nate “The Great” Marquardt and leglock specialist Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares.
DREAM Lightweight Champion Shinya “Tobikan Judan” Aoki is very likely to compete at the upcoming DEEP: “50th Impact” event on October 24th. Sources close to the promotion tell MMARising.com that Aoki will compete on the Tokyo card against a mid-level, non-contender opponent.