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This edition already went out on August 25, 2023. Subscribe to never miss an edition.

Edition 51August 25, 2023

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1
Mayra Bueno Silva fails a drug test for her Holly Holm fight

The positive test: She tested positive for Ritalinic acid, which stemmed from Concerta, her medication for ADHD. Silva has been taking this medication for 2-3 years after a battle with depression.

The implications: Silva was circled in to fight for the vacant Bantamweight title after finishing Holly Holm last month. If she gets suspended, the UFC will have to find another person to fight Julianna Pena for the title.

2
Aljamain Sterling is taking some time off

How long? He plans to sit out for the remainder of 2023 and decide what he wants to do in 2024.

His options: He wants a rematch against Sean O'Malley in 2024 but will likely have to fight another Bantamweight contender first. The success of Merab Dvalishvili will likely determine his decision to stay at Bantamweight or move up to Featherweight. If Merab becomes the Champion, Sterling might not stick around.

3
Mike Perry is the backup fighter for Dillon Danis

Why? Dillon Danis has had a history of failing to show up for scheduled fights. If he pulls out again, Mike Perry will be boxing Logan Paul.

Will he be on the card? He doesn't have a fight scheduled on the card right now, but Darren Till has called for a fight against Perry on the undercard. Given their history and Till's status as a free agent, this is a natural next fight for both.

4
Shane Burgos is out of the PFL Championship

What happened? Burgos lost a unanimous decision to Clay Collard on Wednesday and is no longer eligible to compete for $1 Million at the PFL Championship event in November.

Will he fight again in 2023? The PFL could book him in a 'showcase' fight this year, but it won't be in the league format. With him and Brendan Loughnane eliminated, a fight between them makes a lot of sense.

5
Michael Venom Page is open to fighting a top 5-10 opponent in the UFC

What he said: He wants to take the Michael Chandler route if he signs with the UFC. He wants to fight a contender immediately and work himself into a title shot.

Potential fights: Vicente Luque, Stephen Thompson, Shavkhat Rakhmonov, and Geoff Neal are all potential fights for MVP in the Welterweight division. These are all top 10 opponents that like to strike, which is something MVP specializes in.

6
Michel Pereira is moving to the Middleweight division

Why? Pereira has missed weight multiple times, including against Stephen Thompson at UFC 291, which cost him the fight. Pereira is big for the division, and weight cuts are getting harder.

Next fight: Pereira will make his Middleweight debut against Marc-Andre Barriault on October 14th at the UFC Fight Night event in Las Vegas.

7
Alexander Volkanovski considered Aljamain Sterling over Ilia Topuria

What he said: If Sterling defeated Sean O'Malley in impressive fashion and asked to challenge for the Featherweight title, Volkanovski would have granted him the shot.

What's next: With Sterling out of the mix, Ilia Topuria is the only fresh challenger in the Featherweight division who has a case for fighting for the title next. Volkanovski is targeting a return action by the end of the year. If he fights, it'll either be in November at MSG or in the last UFC PPV of the year in December.

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OverUnder
All of your weekly MMA updates in one place.
Keeping up to date with combat sports news can take up a lot of time, so we’re simplifying the process by bringing the most important stories directly to you. We read the internet all week and then summarize what you need to know in 3-4 minutes.
Enter your email to sign up for the OverUnder newsletter. The first email newsletter in MMA.
By subscribing, you will receive a weekly MMA newsletter from Verdict MMA. You can unsubscribe at any time.