Mike Goldberg opens up about ‘disappointing’ UFC departure: ‘I watched everything around me be shattered’

No one is more disappointed than Mike Goldberg about the way things ended between he and the UFC.

The longtime play-by-play voice of the Octagon unceremoniously parted ways with the UFC last month after spending 20 years as a mainstay of the company’s broadcast booth — exiting the UFC without even a tribute from the promotion itself. On Monday, speaking publicly for the first time his departure, Goldberg said was stunned to learn of the UFC’s decision to not renew his contract at the beginning of December, and explained that he simply resolved to close out the final three shows of his UFC career with the same level of professionalism as everything that came before.

“It was a shock,” Goldberg said on The MMA Hour. “I was speechless. I didn’t know what type of emotion to have, because I was just in a state of shock and disbelief.

More?

Mark Hunt Files Civil Lawsuit Against Brock Lesnar and UFC

According to ESPN, Mark Hunt, who competed against and lost to Brock Lesnar at UFC 200, is filing a civil lawsuit against Lesnar, UFC and President Dana White stemming from Lesnar’s UFC 200 related anti-doping violations.

As noted, Hunt lost his UFC 200 fight to Brock Lesnar via decision, however, the result of the match has subsequently been overturned, and Lesnar was fined $250,000 and is currently serving a one year suspension from MMA by both USADA and UFC. Lesnar tested positive for clomiphene and its metabolite, 4-hydroxyclomiphene, in an out-of-competition drug test which took place on June 28th, and in-competition test on July 9th, the night of his UFC 200 fight.

42 year old Mark Hunt, who is scheduled to return to The Octagon against Alistair Overeem at UFC 209, filed the civil suit yesterday in a Nevada District Court, and offered the following statement to ESPN:

“I want the UFC to understand it’s not OK to keep doing what they’re doing. They’re allowing guys to do this. They had a chance to take all the money from this guy, because he’s a cheater, and they didn’t. What message is that sending to the boys and girls who want to be a fighter someday? The message is, ‘You just have to cheat like this and it’s OK.’ In society, if you commit a crime, you pay. Why is it different in MMA? It’s hurt the business, so it’s even worse. They need to be held accountable for this.”

Hunt’s lawsuit adds the defendants “affirmatively circumvented and obstructed fair competition for their own benefit.” He is also accusing the UFC and Lesnar of racketeering, fraud and several other allegations. He is seeking damages “in the millions.”

Brock Lesnar Suspended by USADA Following UFC 200 Doping Case

According to MMAFighting.com, WWE star Brock Lesnar has been suspended for one year by USADA after failing two drug tests in relation to his UFC 200 fight against Mark Hunt back in July. Lesnar will be eligible to return to the Octagon on July 15, 2017, one year after his provisional USADA suspension began.

As noted, Lesnar tested positive for clomiphene and its metabolite, 4-hydroxyclomiphene, in an out-of-competition drug test which took place on June 28th, and in-competition test on July 9th, the night of his UFC 200 fight. Due to the nature of the drug for which Lesnar tested positive, one year was the maximum sanction Lesnar was going to receive under the UFC’s anti-doping policy.

As we reported last month, Brock Lesnar was also suspended one year and fined $250,000 fine by the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) last month. Lesnar’s win over Mark Hunt at UFC 200 was also overturned following the suspension and fine.

Former WWE Announcer Signs With UFC

Former WWE announcer and ESPN anchor Todd Grisham has signed with UFC.

Grisham will make his UFC debut at the Fight Night event on January 15th, which airs on FS1. Grisham signing with the company comes after long-time announcer Mike Goldberg finished up in December.

Grisham changed his Twitter handle and wrote the following today:

"Just changed my twitter handle to @GrishamMMA. 2017 is going to be a great year!"

Ronda Rousey Suffers Stunning Defeat in Her Return Fight at UFC 207

UFC star Ronda Rousey returned at last night’s UFC 207 PPV at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and faced Amanda Nunes for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship in the main event.

Nunes made quick work of Rousey, as she defeated the former Champion 48 seconds into the first round via TKO. Below are detailed fight results, courtesy of Sherdog.com:

Herb Dean is the referee for tonight’s main event, scheduled for five rounds in the women’s bantamweight division. The champion Nunes sticks out a hand to touch gloves, but challenger Rousey shows no interest. Nunes connects with her first combination, putting Rousey on her back foot, backing up to the fence. Nunes walks her down, digs into the body with more punches, then goes back upstairs. Rousey is on wobbly legs, staggering around as Nunes continues to tag her with right hands. Rousey tries to clinch, gets a one-two to the face, a left straight on the jaw, now a right hand on the temple. Rousey is out on her feet, still absorbing punches, when referee Dean steps in to stop the beating. Nunes circles the cage with a finger to her lips, shushing the stunned crowd. Rousey seems confused at first, ready to keep fighting, but her bloody face tells the story of the brief fight. Amanda Nunes retains her UFC 135-pound title with an impressive performance against the former champion.

Stephanie McMahon shuts up WWE fans’ CM Punk chants with a savage burn

It’s inevitable that whenever WWE returns to Chicago, fans will try to take over a segment by chanting the name of CM Punk – the Chicago native who was unceremoniously fired by WWE in 2014.

Raw commissioner Stephanie McMahon opened the show by coming to the ring, and it took less than five minutes for a round of deafening CM Punk chants to drown her out. McMahon was prepared, though.

Monday Night Raw's Chicago crowd chanted for CM Punk but @StephMcMahon silenced them with a callback to his UFC loss https://t.co/kdUuzUAG9A

— WWE on ESPN (@WWEonESPN) December 27, 2016

Punk, of course, made it just two minutes and 14 seconds in his UFC debut against Mickey Gall.

Brock Lesnar Suspended And Fined For UFC Drug Test Failures, Fight Result Overturned

Brock Lesnar has been suspended for one year for his two failed drug tests related to his UFC 200 win over Mark Hunt earlier this year, according to MMAFighting.com. The punishment was handed down today by the Nevada Athletic Commission. Lesnar will be able to return to MMA in 2017.

Lesnar also agreed to pay a $250,000 fine as part of a settlement with the Nevada attorney general's office. Lesnar's win over Hunt will be overturned into a No Contest.

As reported a few months back, Lesnar twice tested positive for anti-estrogenic agent Hydroxy-clomiphene in pre-UFC 200 fight drug tests. One test was on the day of the fight, July 9th, and the other was on June 28th.

Lesnar received a then-UFC record $2.5 million purse for the victory.

GSP And Other MMA Fighters Launch MMA Association, Why It's Not A Union, UFC Responds

Former Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney joined fighters Georges St-Pierre, Donald Cerrone, Cain Velasquez, TJ Dillashaw and Tim Kennedy on a conference call with media earlier today to announce the Mixed Martial Arts Athletes Association. Rebney said he is working with the group as an advisor, providing strategy and support. The five fighters on the call make up the board of the association.

The group laid out plans to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with UFC and to establish a 50/50 revenue split between UFC and the fighters. It was claimed on the call that UFC fighters receive just 8% of company revenue. Rebney clarified that this new group is an association and not a union because UFC fighters are independent contractors and unionization would slow their process down.

The group is focused on just the UFC but Rebney said they have not reached out to the UFC yet and don't plan on doing so any time soon. He said:

"There's no reason (for us) to (reach out). Our structure and what we're doing, and our plan of attack, does not include us reaching out to the UFC. It includes the implementation of strategies that are designed, and have been designed over the last two years, to achieve a very specific set of goals. And those strategies, I think, will be very effective in achieving those goals. And at some point, I'm quite comfortable our phone will ring."

Kennedy was the first to speak on the call and talked about how they're concerned about fighters of yesterday and tomorrow, pointing to how fighters of the past have been forgotten and discarded. Cerrone said the group was something that needed to be done and while he still has a UFC contract, he's scared to death. Cerrone confirmed he will still be fighting for UFC next weekend. Regarding possibly recruiting Conor McGregor into the association, GSP said they are looking to get as many big names as possible. GSP said, "He [Conor] knows what's right. He's not a coward. Everyone knows what we're doing is right."

A UFC official issued a response to the new association, seen below from MMAFighting.com:

"We respect all of our athletes and are always open and willing to hear their thoughts on how to improve the sport."

The same official added that the company will not have further comments at this time because they feel not enough details were shared on the two-hour call.

Conor McGregor's agent: "If there is a WWE offer, we are willing to entertain it"

Less than two weeks after his historic victory at UFC 205, when he became the first fighter to hold titles in multiple weight classes simultaneously, talk of what's next for Conor McGregor has continued to dominate headlines.

McGregor announced he will take some time off after a hectic 2016 for the birth of his first child, and he isn't expected back in the Octagon until at least May, per UFC president Dana White. At the same time, talks about a superfight in boxing with retired champion Floyd Mayweather just won't seem to go away.

But what about a third option -- the idea of McGregor entering the scripted world of pro wrestling during his upcoming hiatus from mixed martial arts, which coincides conveniently with WWE's WrestleMania 33 card on April 2 in Orlando, Florida?

According to his agent, Audie Attar, who appeared Tuesday on ESPN's 5ive Rounds podcast, it's something McGregor is willing to entertain -- as long as the money is right.

"I think it's all about business, man," Attar said. "If [WWE] is going to come with an offer, we are willing to entertain it. We are here. Have their people call his people -- which is me. We can have a conversation."

The topic of a McGregor crossover into sports entertainment picked up steam when executive and 14-time WWE world champion Paul "Triple H" Levesque was in attendance at UFC 205 at Madison Square Garden in New York. Levesque gave an interview with a British newspaper in which he said McGregor would be a perfect fit for WWE.

"He could come over, he's got it all, man," Levesque told the Daily Telegraph. "He's got the personality, the skills, the talk. He's an entertainer, for sure."

More?

Triple H On Conor McGregor Possibly Appearing For WWE

Triple H attended UFC 205 this past Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. In the evening's main event, UFC Featherweight Champion Conor McGregor become the first person in UFC history to simultaneously hold titles in two divisions after defeating Eddie Alvarez for the UFC Lightweight Championship.

Triple H spoke to The Telegraph at the event and confirmed that WWE is interested in bringing McGregor in.

"He could come over, he's got it all, man - he's got the personality, the skills, the talk. He's an entertainer, for sure," Triple H said. "What does he walk around at? 180lbs? I have smaller guys now in the WWE. We have 200lb guys who are stars. You don't need to be 300lbs any more.

"He could do just as well as Floyd Mayweather when he fought the Big Show. That really worked. Conor could do it for sure."

Triple H posted this GIF of Conor and Vince McMahon earlier today:

#WhenYouKnowYoureTheMan @VinceMcMahon @TheNotoriousMMA #UFC205 pic.twitter.com/HGOgmS3mgf

— Triple H (@TripleH) November 14, 2016

UFC welcomes new owners Affleck, Brady, Levine, Newton, O'Brien, Wahlberg and more – seriously

Sure, you know all about the recent $4 billion sale of the UFC to William Morris Endeavor-International Management Group. But have you heard about the 23 new owners now on board?

On Thursday, UFC officials confirmed to The Wall Street Journal that 23 celebrities have invested in the world's largest MMA promotion. Included on the list are sports stars Tom Brady, Cam Newton, Maria Sharapova, and Serena and Venus Williams, actors Ben Affleck and Mark Wahlberg, musicians Adam Levine and LL Cool J, and talk-show host Conan O'Brien.

O'Brien also announced the deal on Thursday's new episode of "Conan" on TBA, jokingly adding that he would soon be competing in the octagon, as well.

Terms of the investments weren't revealed. A full list of the 23 celebrities is expected to be released on Friday.

WME-IMG co-CEO Ari Emanuel said selecting the 23 for potential investment was simple.

"They would always ask for tickets," Emanuel told The Wall Street Journal, adding, "I think it's a mainstream sport now."

Ric Flair Says 'What Goes Around Comes Around' On CM Punk's UFC Loss

On episode 11 of The Ric Flair Show, the 16-time professional wrestling world champion discussed CM Punk's MMA debut at UFC 203 and what Punk's future in MMA holds:

On the topic of Punk, 'The Nature Boy' stated that he felt sorry for Punk after his resounding loss to Mickey Gall at UFC 203.

"I actually felt bad for him. I just think, number one, it's a lot to bite off and he [has] been injured a couple of times, I guess, while training. But you always want to go out there and you hope for the best for everybody because if he wins it makes us look [good], but if you lose like that…" Flair continued, "but the problem I have, as we discussed before, he [has] been so negative and knocked everybody in WWE, but always treated me [well], so I never had a problem with him. But what goes around comes around."

When asked about Punk's future in MMA, Flair suggested that Punk should try his hand at something else.

"If I was him, I don't know how you follow that. I didn't see it, but I heard it lasted, what, 30 seconds?" Flair continued, "he still has some name recognition because of his success in the WWE, so I'm sure he has options. But, I mean, why would you do that again? It's kind of like, once you get that, it's pretty devastating. I'm sure he had a hard time sleeping that night, knowing he put in all that time and that so many people, because of his brand, were looking at him. Does that make sense? So those are decisions he has to make, but whatever he does, I wish him well. Make no mistake, going out there, just to do that, you get a lot of respect from a lot of people. That's a tough sport, so my hat's off to him for trying, but if I were him, I'd do something else."

Chael Sonnen’s Account Of Vince McMahon Trying To Sabotage A UFC Card Is Mind-Boggling

CM Punk says he'll keep fighting, but he isn't sure if it'll be in the UFC

CM Punk vows to fight on. He just doesn't know for what promotion.

After a blowout loss in his MMA debut to Mickey Gall at UFC 203, Punk said he'll continue training and fighting. The former WWE star just isn't sure if the UFC will want him back after a poor debutante performance.

"My initial venture into this was gonna be at the lowest level," Punk said at the post-fight press conference. "This opportunity just got presented to myself and I would have been a fool to say no. I don't know what happens from here on out. What if I get cut? I don't know. I think that's a possibility. Do I want that to happen? No. But who's to say where I go from here? I don't know. I definitely want to keep going."

Gall took Punk down right away and finished him with a rear-naked choke submission in just 2:14. Punk got emotional discussing the loss. Sure, it was his dream to be a mixed martial arts fighter and he said he had the time of his life this week. But he also planned on being victorious.

"There's probably an alternate reality somewhere where I win and I'm still disappointed in myself," Punk said, fighting back the tears. "That's just who I am. I'm just really, really hard on myself. I lost and it sucks and it was lopsided and it's upsetting. But I know I'm better than that."

Punk, 37, was then asked what his wife AJ Brooks, also a former WWE star, told him after he got out of the Octagon.

"You guys are all gonna make me cry," Punk said. "You bastards. ... She just said she was proud of me."

More?

Dana White Comments On CM Punk’s UFC 203 Fight, Says His Next Fight ‘Probably Shouldn’t Be In UFC

Dana White spoke to LAW Radio / Fight Network’s John Pollock after UFC 203 last night, and commented on the possibility of CM Punk’s second mixed martial arts fight.

White commented on the idea that Punk’s UFC career was an experiment, saying he doesn’t believe that, and that he likes Punk and thought he’s a nice guy and he asked for a shot so he got one. Pollock asked about Punk’s next fight, and White said his second fight probably shouldn’t be in UFC. He said even with Punk going against a fighter like Gall that is 2-0, UFC is a ‘tough place to learn’.

Joe Rogan Calls CM Punk Fighting Mickey Gall “Delusional”

During tonight’s post-UFC 203 press conference, Joe Rogan had the following to say about CM Punk fighting Mickey Gall at tonight’s event:

“I admire CM Punk for taking the chance, I really do. But, it was delusional. That’s my feeling, it was my feeling watching him hit the bag, when I was watching him punch things. It’s not like he can’t ever learn, but there’s a journey as a martial artist. There’s a path that each martial artist is on and different people are on different paths. There’s a reason why brown belts don’t compete with white belts in jiu-jitsu tournaments. It’s not fair, and what we saw tonight was not fair. Mickey Gall’s way better, he’s really good.”

CM Punk Gets Destroyed In His UFC Debut

CM Punk made his UFC debut at UFC 203 tonight, and the fight went pretty much as most expected.

Punk's opponent, Mickey Gall, got his wish and came out to "Oh Mickey, You're So Fine," which UFC President Dana White had nixed earlier this week, but changed his mind after fan backlash. Punk got a great pop coming out to his old wrestling theme, "Cult of Personality."

Almost immediately, Punk was taken down. Gall landed some hard ground and pound and got his back. Punk escaped Gall's first attempt at a rear naked choke, but was forced to submit to the second at 2:14 of the first round. Punk's face and ear were a mess after the fight.

After the fight, Gall refused to say anything bad about Punk, instead saying that there's too much hate and to "f--k the hate, we're all going to be dead in a hundred years." He said the fight was a great opportunity, then called out Sage Northcutt, stating that he was "corny."

Despite the mauling, Punk spoke to Joe Rogan after the fight and said that he still plans to fight again.

"In life you go big or you go home, I just like to take challenges," Punk said. "This was a hell of a mountain to try to climb and I didn't get to the summit today, but that doesn't mean I'm going to give up.

"I will be back, believe it or not, this was the most fun I've ever had," Punk continued. "It was the second best day of my life after marrying my wife. I know there's a lot of doubters, but life's about falling down and getting up. It doesn't matter how many times you get knocked down, it's about getting back up. So if there's any kid out there who's told be a parent, a teacher or a coach or somebody that they're supposed to look up to, somebody that's supposed to push them and believe in them and they're told no, don't listen to them. Believe in yourself. Sometimes the outcome isn't always what you desire it to be, but the true failure in life is not trying at all. I know that sounds preachy and kind of weird for a guy that just got beat up, but f--k it. This is the time of my life, thank you Cleveland!"

Dana White Says Vince McMahon Is A “F**king Maniac”

UFC President Dana White appeared on this the latest edition of Ric Flair’s podcast. He was open in discussing his relationship with Vince McMahon who described as a "f**king maniac."

“I’ve been working, or trying to work with Vince for years. It was obviously very difficult Vince is a maniac. He’s a f**king competitor, man. That’s what he is. If you look at what Vince McMahon has accomplished in all of his years, and to still be on top, still doing it, the guy’s got enough money, he’s in it because he loves it. He’s in it because he’s passionate about it.”

White added, “I would say that this last Brock deal [for his fight at UFC 200], and when Ronda went over and did the WWE WrestleMania, I’d say those were the two, out of all the years of dealing with Vince and everybody, those were probably the two best experiences. I think that Vince, and definitely Stephanie and Triple H…Stephanie and Triple H are always great [and] always cool to work with. Vince has been very difficult in the past, but in the last several years he’s been much better.”

White has a respect for McMahon even though they are competitors on some level. He said, “He’s a f**king maniac, he’s an animal, he’s a competitor, he wants to win, and you know, that’s his nature, and I respect it.” Flair jokingly said that Vince does not delegate authority well.

Brock Lesnar: No WWE Punishment ... for Failed UFC Drug Tests

Brock Lesnar will NOT be disciplined by the WWE for his UFC 200 drug test failures ... and WILL perform at SummerSlam as planned ... TMZ Sports has learned.

A WWE spokesperson tells us ... only full-time WWE performers are subject to the organization's wellness policy, which prohibits PEDs ... but since Brock isn't a full-time performer, he's essentially exempt.

"WWE’s talent wellness program does not apply to part-time performers such as Brock Lesnar," the spokesperson said.

We confirmed with the WWE that Brock has only performed in 19 matches over the past 3 years (4 in '14, 8 in '15, 7 in '16) ... and that the average full-time WWE superstar wrestles more than 200 matches per year.

One well-connected source broke down the situation like this -- WWE is show business, not a regulated athletic competition ... and the wellness program is only designed to keep the "full-time" performers healthy.

Bottom line -- Brock will be in the squared circle on August 21st ... no matter what happens to him in the UFC.

UFC Will Not Fine Brock Lesnar For Failed Drug Tests, Bonuses May Not Be Touched

Fines Brock Lesnar potentially faces for reportedly testing positive for clomiphene in drug tests related to his fight at UFC 200 will have to come from the Nevada Athletic Commission, and not from UFC itself.

According to an article by Marc Raimondi on MMAFighting.com, UFC vice president of public relations Dave Sholler stated the MMA promotion will not be fining Lesnar. Any fines will be left up to the state athletic commission.

The Nevada Athletic Commission's guidelines state the penalty for a first violation of its drug policy related to the use of anabolic steroids is 50 to 70 percent of the participant's purse. Whether or not the NSAC categorizes clomiphene as an anabolic steroid, its guidelines state, "We will continue to follow WADA's Prohibited List, for both prohibited substances and prohibited methodologies."

Clomiphene is specifically named as a prohibited substance by WADA. None of the other three drug categories in the NSAC guidelines (sedatives, diuretics, stimulants) seem like a more accurate fit for clomiphene.

Lesnar's publicly-disclosed purse for fighting Mark Hunt at UFC 200 was $2.5 million. He's likely due even more in pay-per-view bonuses. MMAFighting.com says the money Lesnar made beyond his disclosed purse is likely to go untouched. A fine on 50 to 70 percent of $2.5 million would come out to $1.25 million to $1.875 million.

It's unclear yet whether WWE, which he's under contract to, will take any action to penalize Lesnar.