MMA Odds and Ends for Thursday: Tim Means pulled from UFC Fight Night 83 main event after failed USADA test

Tim Means pulled from UFC Fight Night 83 main event after failed USADA test UFC officials announced Wednesday evening that UFC Fight Night 83 headliner Tim Means has been pulled from a planned from his UFC Fight Night 83 welterweight fight with Donald Cerrone after being notified of a potential anti-doping policy violation. “It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed,” the statement read. “However, because Means was scheduled to compete against Donald Cerrone on February 21 in Pittsburgh, there is insufficient time for a full review and proper promotion before the scheduled bout.” Means (25-7-1) vented his frustrations on Twitter last night. Means took to social media to express his surprise at the decision.

UFC Fight Night 83 takes place Feb. 21 at Pittsburgh’s CONSOL Energy Center and the promotion is currently seeking a replacement opponent for Cerrone. If you haven’t seen it, our very own Frank Trigg got an exclusive interview with Means as he gives his side of the story.

                Chris Weidman to get rematch against Luke Rockhold at UFC 199

UFC President Dana White confirmed Wednesday on FOX Sports’ “Garbage Time” with Katie Nolan that former champion Chris Weidman will fight Luke Rockhold at UFC 199.

 

Rockhold (15-2) won the middleweight title in December at UFC 194 by earning a fourth-round TKO victory. Weidman (13-1) suffered the first loss of his career in that matchup and due to Yoel Romero being flagged for a potential USADA doping violation, this lead way for the rematch.   No location or date has been announced for the rematch. Report: Nate Marquardt vs. Thiago Santos set for UFC Fight Night 88 According to Combate, Nate Marquardt will be taking on Thiago Santos at UFC Fight Night 88 in Brazil. Marquardt (34-15-2) is coming off an impressive win over C.B. Dolloway which snapped his two-fight losing streak. The Colorado native will be competing for the first time in Brazil. Santos (12-3) heads into this fight on a three-fight win streak which includes Andy Enz, Steve Bosse and most recently Elias Theodorou. UFC Fight Night 88 takes place in Brazil, although an exact location has yet to be determined. Here’s an updated look at the card. The latest UFC Fight Night 88 card now includes: Vitor Belfort vs. Ronaldo Souza Matt Brown vs. Demian Maia Evan Dunham vs. Leonardo Santos Nate Marquardt vs. Thiago “Marreta” Santos   Chris Cariaso retires from MMA at 34-years of age  Former UFC flyweight title challenger Chris Cariaso is calling it quits according to MMAJunkie. “I’ve decided after 22 years of active fighting to call it a career, it’s a bittersweet decision, as fighting and competing in a ring or cage is about all that I have known for a lifetime. The last four-and-a-half years fighting under the umbrella of Zuffa have been nothing short of amazing. I have so many memories and have been able to travel the world doing what I love best. Honestly, my life is what many only get to dream about and I have to thank so many people for making dreams a reality to me.” Cariaso (17-8) is known primary for his main event matchup with UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson at UFC 179.  The 34-year old holds wins over Takeya Mizugaki, Danny Martinez and Louis Smolka. After losing in that championship fight with “Mighty Mouse”, Cariaso went on to lose back to back fights against Henry Cejudo and Sergio Pettis before his UFC release.   Abdul-Kerim Edilov fails USADA test before making his UFC debut  UFC officials annouced Tuesday that light heavyweight Abdul-Kerim Edilov (16-4) has been notified of a potential doping violation from an out-of-competition test. “USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case,” the statement read. “It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full and fair legal process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. Additional information will be provided at the appropriate time as the process moves forward.” Edilov was slated to take on Francimar Barroso at UFC Fight Night 81 event but a knee injury pulled him off the card  and he was replaced by Elvis Mutapcic.   Watch Lookin’ for a Fight Episode 2 In this episode Dana White, Nick “The Tooth” and Matt Serra head to Alaska.

Written by James Lynch

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