Craig Jones says Alexander Volkanovski will end a martial art vs. Islam Makhachev: 'Sambo is a myth. It doesn't exist'

Craig Jones thinks Alexander Volkanovski puts an end to Sambo at UFC 294.

Volkanovski (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC) will step in on less than two weeks’ notice to rematch lightweight champion Islam Makhachev (24-1 MMA, 13-1 UFC) next Saturday, Oct. 21 in Abu Dhabi.

Jones, a multiple-time IBJJF world championship medalist and 2019 ADCC runner up, isn’t sold on Sambo as a martial art, and hopes Volkanovski proves how ineffective it is by beating Makhachev.

After suffering a unanimous decision loss to Sean Strickland at UFC 293 and pleading guilty to drunk driving in the aftermath of the defeat, Israel Adesanya has decided to take an extended break from fighting. Adesanya acknowledged Strickland's superiority on the night of the fight and credited his opponent's performance. He expressed a need to focus on self-care and well-being.

Adesanya made it clear that he's not retiring, as he believes there's more to achieve in his career. However, he emphasized that he won't be returning to the octagon anytime soon. Despite recent setbacks, he's confident in his abilities and is determined to make necessary lifestyle changes to prepare for his next fight.

Having faced a challenging schedule with four fights in the last 18 months, Adesanya wants to prioritize his health and recovery. When he eventually returns to the octagon, he sends a fiery warning to the division, promising to be a force to reckon with.

The UFC's partnership with USADA could result in legal action, as UFC chief business officer Hunter Campbell issued a threat of legal proceedings against USADA due to recent statements made by the organization's drug-testing partner. Campbell accused USADA CEO Travis Tygart of defamation and demanded a formal apology by 5 p.m. PT on Thursday. Additionally, Campbell and UFC executive Jeff Novitzky revealed plans to partner with Drug Free Sport in early 2024 for their drug-testing and anti-doping program. Former FBI agent George Piro will lead this program as an independent administrator.

Tygart previously announced that December 2023 would mark the end of USADA's partnership with the UFC, citing disputes over Conor McGregor's testing status as a contributing factor. Campbell vehemently disagreed with Tygart's claims and emphasized that McGregor had always intended to reenter the testing program for six months before fighting, with no exceptions.

Campbell criticized USADA's use of McGregor to advance a false narrative and suggested that the organization was driven by a desire to maintain authority and media attention. Despite the contentious end to the partnership, Campbell and Novitzky expressed gratitude for USADA's work over the years. The UFC's relationship with USADA, which began in 2015 and included over 27,000 tests, will continue until the end of 2023, despite the recent developments.

U.S. Anti-Doping Agency CEO Travis Tygart recently unveiled the reasons behind the deteriorating relationship between the USADA and the UFC. This process began during the past summer and was marked by disagreements over the potential return of UFC superstar Conor McGregor.

In July, UFC CEO Dana White asserted that there was a "100 percent" chance of McGregor fighting later in the year. White openly challenged the anti-doping agency's stance that McGregor, who was returning from a broken leg sustained at UFC 264, needed to be enrolled in the UFC's anti-doping program for at least six months before competing.

White, in a later clarification, aimed his comments more at the media's use of his quote. Nevertheless, it conveyed a clear message to Tygart: the UFC was not in sync with USADA's demands. USADA never received an official request for an exemption from the UFC, according to Tygart. However, the agency's stance didn't sit well with the promotion.

Recently, Tygart disclosed that he was on a call with UFC executives who informed him of the promotion's decision not to renew its contract with USADA, which had overseen the UFC's anti-doping program since 2015. Tygart was perplexed by the UFC's claim of financial concerns, as the organization had never raised this issue before and was now valued at $12 billion.

In a swift turn of events, Andre Petroski has courageously accepted the challenge of facing Michel Pereira at UFC Fight Night 230, despite the short notice. This bout came to fruition after Marc-Andre Barriault withdrew from their scheduled middleweight clash set to unfold at the UFC Apex, with live streaming available on ESPN+.

Initially, Petroski was inclined to decline the opportunity. He had prior commitments, including a grappling competition at the ADCC trails, but upon deeper consideration, he recognized the advantages of squaring off against fan-favorite Pereira.

Beyond the allure of Pereira's name in the MMA world, Petroski identifies the matchup as one that still plays to his strengths, even within the constraints of a condensed preparation period.

USADA to End UFC Partnership in 2024 Over McGregor Situation

The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is set to terminate its partnership with the UFC's anti-doping program at the conclusion of their current contract in 2023. The decision, announced by USADA CEO Travis Tygart, came after UFC star Conor McGregor's return to the drug testing pool. Talks for an extension of the partnership between USADA and the UFC broke down, leading to the UFC's decision to discontinue the collaboration in 2024.

Tygart emphasized the strained relationship between USADA and the UFC, primarily attributed to McGregor's situation. McGregor left the anti-doping program after fracturing his leg in a fight against Dustin Poirier in 2021. While McGregor expressed intentions to re-enter the program, USADA regulations mandated six months of testing before his return, unless an exemption was granted.

"Kamaru Usman Steps In to Face Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294 After Paulo Costa's Withdrawal"

In a swift turn of events, Kamaru Usman has answered the call to replace the injured Paulo Costa and will now take on Khamzat Chimaev at UFC 294. Costa's surgery on his elbow just weeks before the fight rendered him unable to compete, leading to Usman's acceptance of the bout. This fight marks Usman's middleweight debut as he moves up from the welterweight division to co-headline the event in Abu Dhabi on October 21.

UFC 294 has seen rapid changes to both the main and co-main events. After Charles Oliveira's unfortunate withdrawal due to a training injury, the main event was adjusted to feature a rematch between Islam Makhachev and Alexander Volkanovski. Chimaev vs. Usman now takes the co-headliner spot following Costa's inability to compete.

In a shocking turn of events, Charles Oliveira (34-9 MMA, 22-9 UFC) sustained a severe laceration that led to his withdrawal from the UFC 294 main event against Islam Makhachev. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Alexander Volkanovski stepped in as a replacement. Oliveira took to social media to share images of the gruesome cut, accompanied by a brief apology video sporting a bandage on his left brow.

White revealed that the laceration occurred on the eve of Oliveira's scheduled flight to Yas Island, Abu Dhabi for his October 21 title rematch with Makhachev. It was noted that Oliveira's team attempted to address the issue through their own connections rather than seeking the UFC's medical expertise. White suggested that reaching out to the UFC could have resulted in a better solution, stating, "They didn't call us. We would've had him go to a plastic surgeon. They would've sewed it from the inside-out... These guys never call us like they should when something happens. They call us after they get it stitched up."