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SCMP Martial Arts

Welcome to SCMP's fight news live blog, bringing you all the fight announcements from around the world of MMA on Tuesday, as well as the latest gossip and trash talk.


MMA latest: Reyes vs Blachowicz set; 'Rumble' Johnson returns; UFC 252 medical suspensions

UFC: Jon Jones vacates title but reveals negotiations for heavyweight move

UFC 252: Marc Goddard sorry for missing Stipe Miocic eye poke on Daniel Cormier

UFC 252: Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera says Sean O’Malley’s coach was talking smack on way to the cage

UFC 252: Stipe Miocic confirms he’s the best – but he might just be getting better

UFC 252: Sean O’Malley’s serious injury a worrying red flag but ‘Sugar’ can still be a star

Sport

Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts

Jon Jones celebrates his win against Dominick Reyes in their UFC light heavyweight championship bout during UFC 247. Photo: AFP

Jon Jones, left, delivers a kick to Dominick Reyes, right, during a light heavyweight mixed martial arts bout at UFC 247 Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Stipe Miocic celebrates his victory over Daniel Cormier in their UFC heavyweight championship bout at UFC 252. Photo: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Sean O'Malley (left) and Marlon Vera face off during the UFC 252 weigh-in. Photos: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

Stipe Miocic punches Daniel Cormier in their UFC heavyweight championship bout during UFC 252. Photos: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 15: Stipe Miocic celebrates after his victory over Daniel Cormier in their UFC heavyweight championship bout during the UFC 252 event at UFC APEX on August 15, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 15: (R-L) Stipe Miocic punches Daniel Cormier in their UFC heavyweight championship bout during the UFC 252 event at UFC APEX on August 15, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Sean O’Malley kicks Marlon Vera in their bantamweight bout during UFC 252. Photos: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 15: (L-R) Marlon Vera of Ecuador punches Sean O'Malley in their bantamweight bout during the UFC 252 event at UFC APEX on August 15, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)

Keep up to date with all the latest MMA fight announcements – official and unofficial. Tuesday's big news is that Dominick Reyes is set to fight Jan Blachowicz for the light heavyweight belt at UFC 253, after Jon Jones vacated the title. 


Keep up to date with all the latest fight news, gossip and trash talk from around the world of MMA on Tuesday.


Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Live

That’s right, folks. Jon Jones has officially vacated the UFC light heavyweight title. 
ESPN’s Brett Okamoto was quick to report on Twitter that the UFC is lining up Dominick Reyes (12-1) vs Jan Blachowicz (26-8) at UFC 253.
Breaking: A 205-pound fight between Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) and Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) is in the works for Sept. 26. The fight is nearly agreed to, but the stakes are being worked out. UFC is working with current champ Jon Jones right now to figure out his next move. pic.twitter.com/lHy7GUfX2Q
  — Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 17, 2020

If Reyes vs. Blachowicz ends up being for a title, I wouldn't IMMEDIATELY assume it's Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic next. Maybe. That's a big fight. But hasn't been discussed yet, far as I know. They're figuring 205 out right now. Francis Ngannou still very relevant at HWT.
  — Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 17, 2020



Reyes to face Blachowicz for vacant title

It looks like Umar Nurmagomedov (12-0) will finally make his UFC debut at UFC 254 on October 24, on the undercard of his cousin Khabib’s big unification fight against Justin Gaethje.
Umar Nurmagomedov will fight Sergey Morozov at #UFC254 on October 24th. (first rep. @ILazorin) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN pic.twitter.com/x1185iLChq
  — MaRCeL DoRFF 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) August 17, 2020


Umar Nurmagomedov  to make UFC debut


According to Bout Review, former two-time ONE Championship lightweight champ and Japanese legend Shinya Aoki (38-7) will fight Kimihiro Eto (17-5) at Road to ONE 3 in Shibuya, Japan on September 10.
In a battle of former ONE strawweight champs (who are also presumably stuck in Japan on coronavirus lockdown), Yoshitaka Naito (15-3) will also reportedly face Yosuke Saruta (20-9-3) at the event.


Aoki to fight at Road to ONE 3 in September

Some news out of Korea from SCMP’s very own John Hyon Ko:
AFC featherweight champion Moon Gi Bum and Heat lightweight champion Kim Kyung Pyo are scheduled to make their promotional debuts in September for @uae_warriors. Some big fights against international talent. pic.twitter.com/SE0pG8AjQb
  — John Hyon Ko (@JHKMMA) August 18, 2020


Korean champs Moon, Kim set for UAE Warriors debuts

More big news from ESPN’s Brett Okamoto today – former UFC light heavyweight challenger Anthony “Rumble” Johnson is officially back in the Usada testing pool.
Breaking: Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) will re-enter the UFC’s mandatory drug testing program this week in anticipation of a comeback, per his manager Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00). Right now, the plan is to come back as a light heavyweight. pic.twitter.com/5sclYSSaUF
  — Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) August 18, 2020


‘Rumble’ Johnson set for UFC return

Daniel Cormier has released his first statement since Saturday night’s UFC 252 defeat by heavyweight champ Stipe Miocic.
The 41-year-old former two-division champ Cormier (22-3, one no contest) confirmed his retirement from MMA with a classy Instagram post – here’s to you, DC!
“Been a helluva ride, huh?”


 

 
 


 



View this post on Instagram

 


 
 
 


 
 


 
 
 


Thank you all for the love and support. Not what I wanted or expected but it is what it is. Congrats to @stipemiocic on a fantastic fight, was an honor and pleasure to share the octagon with you for 50 minutes. Boy did we give ‘em a show everytime. To my team: I love you all to death, you’ve made so many sacrifices. I hope I made you guys proud. Salina and the kids: thank you for being my motivation. To all the fans: I love you so much. You guys push me to try and be great. To @danawhite and the @ufc: I have loved every minute. Thank you for giving me the opportunity. Been a helluva ride, huh?
A post shared by  Daniel "DC" Cormier (@dc_mma) on Aug 17, 2020 at 10:27am PDT




Cormier releases statement after retiring

Soon after Jon Jones confirmed he was giving up the UFC light heavyweight title, and looking to move up to heavyweight, Dominick Reyes weighed in.
Reyes (12-1) is set to fight Jan Blachowicz (26-8) for the vacant strap, after a controversial decision loss to “Bones” in a February fight many thought he had won.
I'll catch you later JB https://t.co/C9ZpNgmUMS
  — Dominick Reyes (@DomReyes) August 17, 2020


Reyes responds to Jones vacating belt


The Nevada State Athletic Commission has released the medical suspensions from UFC 252, as obtained by MMA Junkie. The main takeaways are that Stipe Miocic and Daniel Cormier both need eye issues examined, while Sean O’Malley is out until February 2021 unless his ankle injury is cleared.
Here’s the full list:

Miocic – must have retinal specialist clearance on left eye; minimum suspension until September 30, 2020, no contact until September 15
Cormier – must have left eye cleared by an ophthalmologist or no contest until February 12, 2021. Minimum suspension until September 30, 2020, no contact until September 15
O’Malley – must have orthopedic doctor clearance on right ankle or no contest until February 12, 2021. Minimum suspension until September 30, 2020, no contact until September 15
Junior Dos Santos – must have laceration under left eye cleared by a doctor or no contest until October 15, 2020, no contact until September 30
Daniel Pineda – suspended until September 30, 3030, no contact until September 15 (left eyebrow laceration)
Herbert Burns – suspended until September 30, no contact until September 15 (right eyebrow laceration)
Jim Miller – must have cut on bridge of nose cleared by doctor or no contest until September 30, 2020, no contact until September 15
TJ Brown – must have left orbital fracture cleared by an ophthalmologist or no contest until February 12, 2021. Minimum suspension until September 15, 2020, with no contact until September 6
Parker Porter – suspended until September 15, 2020, no contact until September 6
Kai Kamaka – must have facial lacerations cleared by doctor or no contest until September 30, 2020, no contact until September 15
Tony Kelley – suspended until September 15, 2020, no contact until September 6 (forehead laceration)



O’Malley, Cormier, Miocic lead medical suspensions

Former UFC champ Chris Weidman made a successful return to middleweight this month, but Marvin Vettori wasn’t impressed, and the Italian continues to trash talk the American.
Who wants to see it?
I dare you to fight me main event in a 5 rounds fight  Mr All American stop hiding like a mole@chrisweidman @Mickmaynard2
  — Marvin Vettori (@MarvinVettori) August 18, 2020


Vettori calls out Weidman