GM fight enthusiasts! Welcome to this week's MMA scoop, where we unravel the latest in the world of combat sports 🗞️. From potential rising UFC stars to a dash of scandal and jailed fighter to the freshest fight announcements, we've got your ringside ticket to the hottest updates. No more chit-chat – let's dive into the action-packed news ahead! 👊

NEWS
New heavyweight star 💫 

the UFC has just inked an undefeated Cuban powerhouse, Robelis Despaigne, aka "The Bad Boy." Boasting a stellar 4-0-0 record in professional MMA, Despaigne has made a thunderous entrance with four consecutive first-round knockouts. 🥊💨

This Cuban sensation, a decorated Olympian in Taekwondo, clinched Bronze at the 2012 London Games, setting the stage for his unstoppable MMA journey. Standing tall at a whopping 6'7" with an 87" reach, Despaigne's physical prowess surpasses even the likes of giants like Stefan Struve and Jon Jones – an absolute force to be reckoned with!

His meteoric rise to stardom in Fury FC witnessed him dispatching opponents with jaw-dropping speed. In his last three bouts, Despaigne left spectators in awe, clocking a combined fight time of just 19 seconds! 🚀

The highlight reel showcases his prowess, with a five-second knockout against Miles Banks, a three-second stunner against Stevie Payne, and a swift 12-second dispatch of Travis Gregoire.

Yet, the burning question remains – is Despaigne UFC caliber? With a current opponent record of 1-0-0 and never venturing into a second round, his UFC debut at 35 is poised to be a momentous leap into either a harsh reality check or a catapult to MMA superstardom. While the debut details are under wraps, expect the Cuban giant to grace the UFC stage in early 2024. Buckle up for this powerhouse's arrival 🇨🇺

NEWS
UFC Fighters caught up in some drama 🤯 

It's been a rollercoaster year in combat sports 🎢 , and the latest twist involves legal disputes and the spotlight on the personal lives of fighters. Enter the term "WAGs" – an acronym for Wives and Girlfriends – which recently became a focal point in the MMA world, thanks to Layla Ann-Lee, the current wife of UFC Welterweight contender Ian Garry.

While Layla's book, "How to be a WAG," was authored over a decade ago, it found itself thrust into the MMA Twitter storm. Speculation about Garry's marriage spread like wildfire, with even UFC Middleweight champion Sean Strickland weighing in. Strickland, known for his outspoken nature, voiced genuine concern and advised Garry to rethink his relationship.

Strickland's comments were anything but subtle. He questioned the dynamics of Garry's marriage, pointing out the age difference, the purported cohabitation with Layla's ex-husband, and Layla's authorship of a guide on being a WAG. The advice was straightforward: "You got to run away, bro." 🏃 

Garry, understandably, didn't take kindly to the unsolicited advice. He slid into Strickland's DMs, accusing him of harassment, defamation, and spreading hate and lies. The exchange escalated, with Garry hinting at legal action, turning the Twitter spat into a potential courtroom showdown. 🧑‍⚖️ 

Strickland, not one to back down, swiftly retaliated, highlighting Garry's hypocrisy, especially in using Geoff Neal's mugshot for promotional purposes. The name-calling ensued, with Strickland branding Garry a "coward" and urging him to address the situation "like a man."

The MMA drama, usually confined to the Octagon, spilled onto social media and potentially into the courtroom. As legal threats loom, fight fans are left on the edge of their seats, wondering how this unexpected clash outside the cage will unfold!

NEWS
UFC Fighter Arrested 👮

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill faces a charge of misdemeanor domestic violence after allegedly assaulting his brother, according to a report from TMZ. 🥊

Hill was reportedly booked into a Kent County (Mi.) jail early Monday and was released the same day. Per the report, state prosecutors charged him with a single count of misdemeanor aggravated domestic violence for allegedly assaulting James Anthony Hill Jr., inflicting “serious or aggravated injury upon him.”

Hill Jr. is “a resident or former resident” of the ex-champ’s household, per the report, but additional sources confirmed he is Hill’s brother. 👬

A public information officer for Kent County released Hill’s mugshot to MMA Fighting, and a separate officer released a police report for a freedom of information request that is pending.

Hill is due back in court in January to answer for the charges. His rep, Brian Butler of Suckerpunch Entertainment, released the following statement to MMA Fighting. 🗣️

“The recent ‘clickbait’ headlines about Jamahal Hill were based on an alleged dispute between him and his older brother,” Butler wrote. “Jamahal adamantly maintains his innocence and denies the false accusations. We will not be commenting anymore about this until the truth comes out in court.” 🚫🗞️

The former UFC light heavyweight champ was in the headlines this past month when he and his team were caught in the middle of a protest in New York City. Hill was briefly trapped in a van coming from an event in connection with UFC 295, and police and UFC security escorted him to safety. 👮‍♂️

NEWS
Fight Announcements👊 

👊 UFC Fight Night 233, Las Vegas, Saturday

• 140-pound contract weight: Daniel Marcos (15-0 MMA, 2-0 UFC) vs. Carlos Vera (11-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) (Club De Las MMA)

• Lightweight: Melquizael Costa (20-6 MMA, 1-1 UFC) vs. Steve Garcia (14-5 MMA, 3-2 UFC) (MMA Melotto)

👊 UFC Fight Night, Las Vegas, Jan. 13

• Lightweight: Nikolas Motta (13-5 MMA, 1-2 UFC) vs. Tom Nolan (6-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) (Eurosport NL)

👊 UFC Fight Night, Las Vegas, Feb. 3

• Lightweight: Marquel Mederos (8-1 MMA, 0-0 UFC) vs. Landon Quinones (7-2-1 MMA, 0-1 UFC)

• Welterweight: Charlie Radtke (8-3 MMA, 1-0 UFC) vs. Gilbert Urbina (7-2 MMA, 1-1 UFC) (X user ZacLikesMMA)

👊 UFC Fight Night, Las Vegas, Feb. 10

• Middleweight: Armen Petrosyan (9-2 MMA, 3-1 UFC) vs. Rodolfo Vieira (9-2 MMA, 4-2 UFC) (MMA Fighting)

• Welterweight: Max Griffin (19-10 MMA, 7-8 UFC) vs. Jeremiah Wells (12-3-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) (X user Magic M)

• Featherweight: Hyder Amil (8-0 MMA, 0-0 UFC) vs. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke (39-11 MMA, 3-2 UFC)

👊 UFC 298, Anaheim, Calif., Feb. 17

• Women’s flyweight: Andrea Lee (13-8 MMA, 5-6 UFC) vs. Miranda Maverick (12-5 MMA, 5-3 UFC)

• Middleweight: Ikram Aliserkov (15-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) vs. Anthony Hernandez (11-2 MMA, 5-2 UFC) (MMA Fighting)

👊 UFC Fight Night, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 2

• Middleweight: Eryk Anders (15-8 MMA, 7-8 UFC) vs. Jamie Pickett (13-10 MMA, 2-6 UFC)

👊 UFC Fight Night, Mexico City, Feb. 24

• Flyweight: Amir Albazi (17–1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) vs. Brandon Moreno (21-7-2 MMA, 9-4-2 UFC) (ESPN Deportes)

👊 UFC Fight Night, TBA, March 30

• Women’s strawweight: Loopy Godinez (12-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) vs. Virna Jandiroba (19-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) (MMA Melotto)

HIT THE INBOX OF MMA FANS!!!

Advertise with Cage Chronicle’s and get your brand infront of the eyes of MMA fans. GET IN TOUCH TODAY.