Brennan Ward, a Bellator athlete who struggles with drug addiction, has endured hell and back. A few other celebrities, including UFC veteran Mark Coleman, have discussed the issue in the meantime. Ward had to take a heartbreaking five years layoff from MMA due to this toxic temptation. However, he got up keenly in 2022 as well as proved his abilities as a fighter both within and without the Bellator octagon. Ward has spent years fighting his addiction, and with a grudge on his back and a great personality, he is currently on a campaign to assist everyone else in overcoming their addictions. Ward was detained in 2016 for disturbing the peace and assaulting an officer despite having drinking problems. Later, "Irish" served 120 days in prison but has since maintained his sobriety for a while. To inform the people around the world battling drug addiction to understand they're not the only ones and there is a way to escape the trap they consider themselves in, he desires to act as a ray of light for everyone. The 34-year-old also utilized the post-fight media briefing as a forum to convey his vision of optimism following his latest spectacular knockout victory at Bellator 290. With his victory over Sabah Homasi this past Saturday in the cage, Ward increased his winning streak to 3. A vicious head kick from the 34-year-old knocked Homasi to the canvas inside the second round, and thus the referee decided that his following blows were sufficient to secure the TKO victory. But his best moment came during the media briefing that followed the fight. Brennan rose to the occasion and delivered not only sage advice but also a big help while inquiring regarding what other people struggling with drug addiction might be doing to escape their troubles as he had. The Bellator welterweight said: "Take the step, just do it. Go to detox, get it done and ride that grind out. Going to detox is the easier part, it's those next 6 months to a year. You've just gotta get through it, it's so hard. I know how f***ing hard it is, trust me. Just grind it out, you'll be so happy you grinded it out. It might take you a couple of times, if you trip and fall don't beat yourself up." "I tried to get clean for 10 years, 10 years until I finally got clean. It's a process and it's the hardest thing I've ever done. Cagefighting is nothing compared to getting clean, nothing, nothing. Take that step, go to detox, go to rehab and grind it out," he added.

Conor McGregor has expressed his desire to compete again on social media. But besides plenty of his open cockiness, he still needs to finish several tasks in order to resume fighting. The former two-division champion has recently announced his return to the octagon. He is set to participate in the new season of “The Ultimate Fighter” reality show as coach against Michael Chandler. Prior to the year's conclusion, a match between the lightweights is anticipated in addition to the coaching position. McGregor still must re-join the UFC's anti-doping program, a requirement for all UFC fighters, which demands six months of drug testing before a fighter is permitted to contest once again. “As we’ve confirmed before, as of today, Conor McGregor has not been reenrolled in the USADA testing pool, which he would have to be in for a minimum of six months and have at least two negative tests prior to any competition,” United States Anti-Doping Agency representatives said in a statement to MMA Fighting. “For all the obvious reasons, coaches are not in our testing pool and there is no requirement for him or other coaches to be in the testing pool just to coach. If there is eventually a plan for the coaches to fight each other, then he would have to be in the testing pool at least six months and have two negative tests before any fight.” USADA is responsible for conducting drug tests on UFC fighters to ensure a level playing field and prevent performance-enhancing drug use. Fighters who have not re-enrolled in the testing pool are not eligible to compete in the UFC. Many fans and experts are speculating on the reasons for McGregor’s delay in re-enrolling in the USADA testing pool. Some believe that he may be trying to negotiate a better deal with the UFC. Whatever the reason, the interruption has caused some concern among fans. The UFC has a strict policy against performance-enhancing drugs, and many fans are worried that McGregor may be using banned substances to enhance his performance as he has recently bulked up and looks fresh to make a debut in the welterweight division. Despite the speculation, it’s important to remember that McGregor has not been accused of any wrongdoing. Until he fails a drug test or is officially sanctioned by the UFC, we cannot jump to conclusions about his motivations for not re-enrolling in the USADA testing pool. The six months of compulsory testing can be waived for fighters; however, McGregor will still have adequate time to re-enter the pool before his next fight. The upcoming series of The Ultimate Fighter, which will begin on May 30 and last until August 15, is anticipated to begin production soon. The following battle between McGregor and Chandler has not yet been set on a specific date. If McGregor submits at least two negative tests during six months of necessary examination, he may rejoin the UFC's anti-doping program as late as March and contest in September.

Nate Diaz, in the opinion of Oscar De La Hoya, needs stronger representation. In a recent tweet addressed to Diaz, the founder of Golden Boy Promotions and Hall of Fame boxer in essence extended an invitation to collaborate with the well-known mixed martial artist from Stockton, California. One of the most recognizable UFC fighters, Diaz, completed his contract with the renowned MMA organization last September when he submitted Tony Ferguson in the fourth round of UFC 279 to win. The Californian now has a rare opportunity to transition his MMA fame into the realm of boxing, where there will probably be no shortage of rich chances to participate in crossover matches. Zach Rosenfield, who represents Diaz, recently disclosed to MMA Junkie that his client will engage in "several fights" in 2023, including boxing. According to Rosenfield, Diaz has indicated interest in a trilogy with his UFC rival Conor McGregor and a cross-over fight with Canelo Alvarez. The Japanese MMA organization Rizin, which has had demonstration fights with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao in separate contests, has hinted that Diaz may join their ranks. Diaz is not the only former UFC champion who might give boxing a shot. Francis Ngannou, a former heavyweight champion of the UFC, is also considering competing in The Sweet Science. Boxing A-listers like Anthony Joshua and WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury have been associated with Ngannou's stardom.

Anshul Jubli, an Indian mixed martial artist, defeated Indonesian Jeka Saragih in the Road to UFC finals and won a historic lightweight UFC contract on Sunday at the UFC Apex in Nevada. With his victory in Vegas, the fighter from Delhi became only the second Indian-born fighter after Bharat Khandare to secure a UFC deal. Jubli was the underdog going into the bout, but he fired blows and severely injured his opponent, ultimately winning by KO in the second round. Anshul landed early punches and attempted to establish his authority in the high-octane two-round fight. The Indian immediately took the attack on his opponent by grappling with him and throwing punches in his face as Jeka tried to make fun of him by making funny faces early in the first round. Jeka made numerous attempts to escape that situation, but none of them were successful. In the second, Jeka found himself fighting to escape the grip after hitting early punches, as Anshul got an advantage over him. This time, Anshul put Jeka to the ground using his knees before using the same technique to deliver routine blows. The contest had to be stopped by the referee, and Anshul was declared the winner. “The game plan was to keep the distance, hurt him in the ground and dominate. And that’s exactly what we’ve done, we’ve dominated this fight, and we’ve proved why we are here, why Indian fighters deserve to win the UFC, and I’m gonna keep evolving, keep grinding,” said Jubli to the broadcasters. “It is very important. Our Indian MMA community has really worked hard to send a boy into this promotion (UFC) to represent India. They have done a great job and I’m gonna make them proud,” Anshul added. Anshul Jubli has joined hands with Paradigm Sports management, the same agency that represents two of the finest UFC athletes, Conor McGregor and Israel Adesanya.

WBO Cruiserweight Champion Lawrence Okolie is making moves in the boxing world, as he recently announced that he has joined forces with renowned trainer SugarHill Steward. This news has caused a stir in the boxing community, as many are eager to see what this new partnership will bring. Okolie, who has an impressive 18-0 record with 14 knockouts, has been working with trainer Shane McGuigan since May 2019. Under McGuigan's tutelage, Okolie won six consecutive fights, including a six-round knockout victory over Krzysztof Glowacki to become the WBO Cruiserweight Champion. However, since his last fight in February 2022, Okolie has been on a hiatus and has spent time in Dubai and the United States. Along with his hiatus from the ring, Okolie has also been in a public dispute with his former promoter, Eddie Hearn. Despite this, Okolie has now confirmed a deal with Sky Sports and Boxxer, and his next fight is set for March 11th against mandatory challenger David Light. Enter SugarHill Steward, who is well-known to British fight fans for his work with heavyweight champion Tyson Fury and rising prospect Ben Whittaker. This will be Steward's fourth trainer role for Okolie, who has previously worked with Brian O’Shaughnessy, Barry Robinson, and McGuigan. Many are excited to see what this new partnership will bring, as Okolie's skills in the ring combined with Steward's training expertise could lead to a powerful force in the cruiserweight division. This change in the corner could be just what Okolie needs to take his career to the next level and continue his winning streak. Despite the legal dispute with Hearn, Okolie remains focused on his next fight and his goal of solidifying his place as one of the top cruiserweight fighters in the world. With SugarHill Steward by his side, there's no doubt that the boxing world will be watching closely to see what this dynamic duo will bring to the ring.

Sean O'Malley is set to stay with the UFC for a while longer, as the bantamweight contender has signed an eight-fight contract extension with the promotion. The news was announced by UFC President Dana White on Saturday, with O'Malley confirming the deal through his podcast, which he had negotiated himself after becoming his own manager. O'Malley expressed his satisfaction with the deal, saying, "I got a very gracious contract that I’m proud of. I got a number that I’m very happy with. I truly don’t think any manager that I had could have gone in there and got me what I got. That also helps with the relationship built with the UFC. I feel like I have earned this contract. I feel like I have earned the amount that I’m getting paid.” The new contract extension with O'Malley makes sense for the UFC, especially as the 28-year-old fighter is rapidly approaching title contention following his victory over former bantamweight champion Petr Yan last October. O'Malley has established himself as one of the UFC's most marketable stars, with an 8-1 record and one no-contest through 10 fights with the organization. Currently, he is riding a five-fight unbeaten streak, with his only UFC loss coming via TKO against Marlon Vera in 2020. There are indications that O'Malley may receive a title shot in his next fight, but that will depend on when reigning UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling returns to action. Sterling is currently targeting a May fight against Henry Cejudo, which means O'Malley may have to wait until at least the second half of 2023 for his shot at the title. Regardless, O'Malley is locked in with the UFC for the foreseeable future, and fans can look forward to seeing more of him in the Octagon as he awaits his next assignment. With his impressive record, marketability, and now a secure contract, O'Malley is poised to make his mark as a UFC champion.

Emanuel Navarrete and Liam Wilson put on an electrifying performance in their super-featherweight fight on Friday night, with Navarrete coming out on top after a 9th round TKO. However, the victory has been marred by controversy surrounding a "long count" in the fourth round, which Wilson and his team claim was as long as 27 seconds, and a possible tampering with the scale at the weigh-in. In response, Wilson's promoter, Matt Rose, has launched an official protest to have the result changed to a No Contest. Rose argues that the count was too long and that Wilson should be awarded a rematch. He also claims there was some tampering with the scale at the weigh-in, where Navarrete weighed in heavier than his announced weight. Despite these grievances, it remains to be seen if Navarrete's upcoming fight with Oscar Valdez will be postponed for a rematch with Wilson. Regardless of the outcome, it cannot be denied that Wilson fought admirably, considering he was only in his 13th professional fight on Friday. While a rematch with Navarrete would be appropriate, it is uncertain if it will come to fruition. Regardless, Wilson deserves recognition for his valiant effort in the ring.

Leon Edwards, the UFC Welterweight Champion, has commented on the debate over the cost of tickets for his scheduled first title defence. The trilogy bout between Kamaru Usman and Edwards, planned for The O2 in London, will serve as the main event. Demand for tickets to the event was quite strong, as one might expect given the highly anticipated main event and fights including fighters like Justin Gaethje, Marvin Vettori, Jack Shore, and Muhammad Mokaev. But as soon as the prices were revealed, the atmosphere soon turned. The cost of a seat in Level 4C is stated as £225.50 ($277.86) in a Twitter photograph, which is a significant increase over the £88 ($108.43) tickets for the same sector at UFC London in March. Edwards was questioned about whether his supporters had contacted him regarding the heavily criticised ticket prices for the March 18 event during a recent interview on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani. "Rocky" acknowledged his concern and said it would be more understandable if the fighters competing received the additional revenue rather than the promotion. “For me, I don’t understand why they’re so high,” Edwards said. “I think ringside, before it went on sale, was like four thousand pounds or dollars. That’s a lot of money, you know? " It would be worth it if the fighters got paid more, but it all just goes back to the UFC anyway. People have been messaging me saying, ‘Why is it so expensive?’ I’m like, ‘Mate, I’m not making the prices" Edwards added.

Katie Taylor's highly-anticipated world title rematch against Amanda Serrano is set to make history once again, as Irish MMA star Conor McGregor steps in to sponsor the event. The Irish fighter will face Serrano in Dublin's 3Arena on May 20th, but negotiations with the Gaelic Athletic Association to host the bout at Croke Park fell through. The GAA cited the Matchroom promoter's refusal to pay for the "extra security bill" as the reason for not allowing the fight to take place at the stadium. However, McGregor offered to sponsor the event by providing £500,000 to pay for the extra security, taking to Twitter to declare, "The extra security bill is 500k to have Katie Taylor fight at Croke Park? I will sponsor the event to see this happen." In response, Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn posted, "Let's talk." The lightweight title fight was later confirmed after Serrano's win against Erika Cruz, with Taylor joining Serrano in the ring for the post-fight face-off. Croke Park's commercial director, Peter McKenna, stated that the "real issue here is about security costs" and that the stadium would love to host the fight. The cost of renting the stadium was around £355,000, which is not much more than renting Wembley, according to McKenna. Hearn expressed his frustration over the situation, stating that the cost of running the event in Ireland is nearly three times more than at Wembley Stadium. Despite the challenges, Hearn promised that Taylor's next fight would be in Ireland, declaring that "it will be the most sensational atmosphere wherever we are." The Taylor vs Serrano rematch promises to be a historic event, with McGregor's sponsorship bringing the bout one step closer to taking place at Croke Park. Stay tuned to see what happens next in this exciting story.

Amanda Serrano made history on Saturday by becoming the first Puerto Rican fighter to unify all the featherweight division belts, with a unanimous points win over Erika Cruz in New York. The three judges scored the fight 98-92 98-92 97-93 in Serrano's favor. In a remarkable moment, Ireland's Katie Taylor, who beat Serrano in a points victory last April, joined her in the ring to confirm their rematch, which will take place on 20 May in Dublin. Taylor is the undisputed champion in the lightweight division, while 34-year-old seven-weight champion Serrano has now added featherweight to her list of accomplishments. Also on the card at Madison Square Garden, American Alycia Baumgardner became the undisputed champion in the super-featherweight division, with a victory over France's Elhem Mekhaled. This marks the first time two new undisputed champions have been crowned in a single night in the four-belt era. Serrano went into the fight with Cruz as a strong favorite, but Cruz's aggressive style made things difficult for her in the early rounds. Despite a cut to her head in the third round, Cruz continued to fight hard, but Serrano was ultimately too strong for her. The Puerto Rican fighter credited her corner for helping her get back to basics and focus on throwing 1-2 combinations, which ultimately led to her victory. In conclusion, Amanda Serrano's victory over Erika Cruz marked a historic moment for Puerto Rican boxing, and the anticipation for her rematch with Katie Taylor on 20 May in Dublin is already building. With two new undisputed champions crowned in a single night, the future of women's boxing looks brighter than ever.

Serghei Spivac defeated former heavyweight title contender Derrick Lewis with ease, earning him his most significant victory to date. In the main contest of UFC Vegas 68, which took place on Saturday at UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Spivac sent Lewis to the ground before securing the submission in the opening round. At the 3:05 mark of the first frame, Lewis was submitted to an arm triangle, losing for the third time in a row and the fourth time in his previous five matches. Spivac has won his last five fights, moving up the list of prospective challengers for the vacant heavyweight championship. Spivac then called out Jon Jones for a potential fight in the future. However, Jon Jones is already booked for March 5th with a fight against Ciryl Gane for the UFC Heavyweight Title. It would be interesting to see which opponent Spivac gets for his next fight as Tai Tuivasa or Tom Aspinall could be a great match-up for him.

It was a rematch of their bout from January 2019, which Bader won by TKO in just 35 seconds to claim the vacant Bellator heavyweight championship. At Saturday's Bellator 290, heavyweight champion Ryan Bader once again defeated "The Last Emperor" by first-round TKO, ending the career of MMA veteran Fedor Emelianenko. Emelianenko never really had a chance in the bout after being hit, bloodied, and knocked down just over a minute in. With relentless ground and pound and devastating hammer punches, Bader eventually put an end to the fight at 2:30 of the first round. The 46-year-old Emelianenko entered Saturday with a two-fight winning streak over three years, defeating Rampage Jackson (in December 2019) and Timothy Johnson via knockout or technical knockout (October 2021). Randy Couture, Royce & Renzo Gracie, Chuck Liddell, Josh Barnett, Chael Sonnen, Mark Coleman, Dan Henderson, Matt Hughes, Jackson, and Frank Shamrock were among the MMA greats present to celebrate Emelianenko's illustrious career. Emelianenko (40-7-0) retired after never fighting for the UFC, despite there having been discussions for him to face Brock Lesnar in the past. He competed for PRIDE, Strikeforce, Bellator, RINGS, Affliction, BodogFight, M-1, and other organizations during the course of his nearly 23-year career. He worked at Bellator for the previous six years.