Michael Chandler Questions Conor McGregor & UFC 290 Officiating Duties: MMA News & Notes For 6/21/23

– Clay Collard has issues with the PFL points system:

“I think two wins should outweigh a knockout just because it’s win-win (vs.) win-loss,” Collard told MMA Junkie Radio. “In my opinion, two wins should outweigh the one win, because anybody can get lucky and catch somebody. It takes more to win (twice), you know. That I kind of have a question with. Other than that, I do like the point system. I like that there are no politics. The only problem people and I have to watch out for is the judges.”

– MMA Fighting is reporting that the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) has assigned the officials and judges for the title fights at UFC 290. Herb Dean will officiate the main event between UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski and UFC Interim Featherweight Champion Yair Rodriguez, with Mike Bell, Ron McCarthy and Sal D’Amato serving as judges. Jason Herzog will officiate the co-main event between UFC Flyweight Champion Brandon Moreno and Alexandre Pantoja, while Ben Cartlidge, Junichiro Kamijo and Derek Cleary will serve as judges.

– MMA Fighting is reporting that Manoel Sousa is filing a lawsuit against the PFL after the promotion prevented him from competing on Dana White’s Contender Series.

– Daniel Cormier says Conor McGregor is becoming a victim to fame:

“You almost become a victim to the fame,” Cormier said on DC & RC (transcript via Farah Hannoun of MMA Junkie). “You and I don’t know that level of fame. We just never got there, but you almost become a victim to the fame, and it seems as though he’s unwilling to let go of that, to let go of the idea that he can do less, that he has to be insulated, that he has to be surrounded by people that say no.

“But as you and I both know, especially fighters, as you sign all the checks, people are less likely to say no to you because they don’t want to let go of the money. I think that is why McGregor finds himself in that situation.”

– Neil Magny responds to Ian Garry’s call out for a future fight:

“It’s definitely a call out that’s worth entertaining,” Magny told reporters at Wednesday’s media day (transcript via Matthew Wells & Danny Segura of MMA Junkie). “I mean, the guy is currently, I believe, ranked in the top 15. I believe he’s undefeated in the UFC, as well. It’s a matchup that definitely intrigues me. But first things first: I’ve got Phil Saturday night, so I’m really trying to focus on that one first.”

– Daniel Cormier supports Erin Blanchfield vs. Julianna Pena for the vacant women’s bantamweight title:

“She should be getting the title fight at 125,” Cormier said on DC & RC (transcript via Farah Hannoun of MMA Junkie). “But because Valentina Shevchenko lost, and she’s having to run it back against Alexa Grasso, it kind of ties up the division. Nothing else makes sense for Erin Blanchfield. I tap all the way in on Erin Blanchfield vs. Julianna Peña for the bantamweight championship, 1,000 percent.”

– Most Valuable Promotions has announced that UFC veterans Jeremy Stephens and Chris Avila will meet on the Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz undercard.

– Chael Sonnen predicts a Yair Rodriguez upset in the main event of UFC 290:

“I am a little worried about that fight because that fight has all the feelings of an upset,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel (transcript via Farah Hannoun of MMA Junkie). “Every upset that you have has the same ingredients. And more times than not, when one fighter is not focused on a fight, another one is. Bad things happen because nothing will make you fall apart in combat faster than finding yourself in a match that is harder than you thought it was going to be. Nothing will make your mind start doing different formulas and making different excuses, and your goals will change quickly as soon as that opponent is harder than you thought he was going to be.

“The only reason I bring that up is nobody is putting any focus that I ever see on Rodriguez. Oh, by the way, that includes Rodriguez. Yair Rodriguez has the trickiest skillset possibly that I have ever seen. … A straight-up badass. This is a ‘BMF’-type guy. Rodriguez is a true badass. He has elected to stay very quiet. He has elected to put all of the focus and all of the pressure on Volkanovski.”

– MMA Junkie has revealed that Jon Anik, Dominick Cruz and Daniel Cormier will be calling the action this weekend at UFC On ABC 5.

– The UFC has announced that Volkan Oezdemir will face Azamat Murzakanov at UFC Paris.

– Michael Chandler questions what is going on with Conor McGregor and USADA:

“Alright guys, you guys have all seen the news: Conor’s not in USADA,” Chandler said in a video posted to Twitter (transcript via Matthew Wells of MMA Junkie). “One hundred and seventy-nine days left until December 16, which is supposed to be the last pay-per-view of the year. And comically, USADA shows up at my door today to add insult to injury. Where you at, boy?”

– Marlon Vera responds to Henry Cejudo injury rumors ahead of UFC 292 fight:

“On my end, it’s on — it’s signed, fighter is in shape, fighter is working, the team is nice and good,” Vera said on The MMA Hour. “We’re good. We’re ready to go. I’m not the type that goes into the digging — I don’t give two f****. If he signs the contract, and he shows up on Aug. 19, epic. If not, I don’t give a f***. Somebody else will, and it doesn’t matter if it’s him or anybody else.

“Whoever is in front of me Aug. 19, it’s a wrap. I’m going to put their f****** lights off, and I’m motivated, I’m disciplined, and whoever comes out that day is gonna get stopped. Hopefully, it happens. I don’t know if he’s hurt. I wouldn’t talk crazy if I don’t really know what’s going on. Just you guys know on my end, it’s all done.”

– MMA Fighting reports that Anthony Hernandez will battle Chris Curtis on the September 16 UFC card.

–  MMA Fighting reports that Seo Hee Ham and Stamp Fairtex will fight for the vacant ONE Women’s Atomweight Title in the main event of ONE Fight Night 14.

– Anderson Silva says he is working on an MMA fighters association with Jake Paul:

“It’s moving, it’s all in motion,” Silva said on Trocação Franca. “Jake is a very correct person, so it’s happening. To make sure it’s done the correct way and it’s enduring, it stays for future generations, it has to be well-planned and structured, and we’re working on it.”

– Sherdog is reporting that Junior Dos Santos and Fabricio Werdum will meet in a bareknuckle MMA fight on the September 2 Gamebred Fight Night card.