Volkanovski Grapples With A Basketball Player, Diaz’s Failed Test Saga And More

In the MMA latest updates, Alexander Volkanovski, the UFC featherweight champion, shared some footage of him training alongside Denver Nuggets’ Jamal Murray.

Volkanovski recently bounced back from his loss to Islam Makhachev by stopping Yair Rodriguez at UFC 290 in the third round.

Thereafter, Volkanovski did not rule out a rematch with Makhachev but his plans were hindered by an injury to his left shoulder.

However, following some surgery, the champion targeted a return in January. But in the meantime, he did take some time to show his skills against  Murray.

Volkanovski Vs. Murray

In the footage above, the pair can be seen having a grappling match. And as part of that process, Murray was simply trying to last with his opponent rather than engage in any submissions. The aim was to last a minute, which he managed to do.

Although Volkanovski worked himself into a position of performing a rear-naked choke, he switched tactics to a guillotine. However, Murray did not tap out until after a minute, which did give him a win in the challenge. 

Diaz’s Failed Test Saga

Meanwhile, former MMA fighter Josh Thomson has accused the UFC of trying to silence Nate Diaz’s failed test prior to his fight with Jorge Masvidal at UFC 244.

In 2019, Diaz failed a USADA test as he was getting ready to face Masvidal. During the course of that process, it turned out that the failed test was a result of tainted supplements.

Although that may have been the case, Thomson alleges that Diaz was not putting up with the idea of keeping this quiet. As the fight would play out, Diaz came up short as he was stopped. But looking back, this could have been a whole lot worse. 

“Look what they were trying to do with Nate Diaz. He tested positive, and they were like, ‘You know what, we’ll get it all sorted out after.’ And Nate said, ‘F**k you, we’ll get it sorted out now.’ That means that they knew that Nate tested, and they were still gonna let him fight… So I would not say that they have not tried to do that, or would not do it,” Thomson

Those comments were also telling in light of Mark Hunt’s lawsuit that was dismissed against Dana White and the UFC. The case alleged that White had misled Hunt over Brock Lesnar’s failed test, as he may have had knowledge that he was doping.

This was crucial since Lesnar had beaten Hunt only to then fail a USADA test as the result became a no-contest. Although the lawsuit failed, Thomson had a few words to say on it. 

“When I’m looking at (Lesnar), I mean I’m just thinking to myself that this was early in USADA. I don’t know. I don’t wanna say that they knew, but I wanna say that the history – which I can only give you that case – is that they tried to have Nate still fight, and ‘We’ll deal with it after.’… I know people in Nate’s camp that said they even tried to offer money. They tried to like, ‘We’ll take care of it all afterwards, no big deal. It’s probably just a misunderstanding,” Tomson stated 

John Howard’s Ordeal

Meanwhile, the ex-UFC fighter John Howard has revealed that his two children were victims of a gun crime. 

According to reports, Howard’s daughter (Juliana) and son (Johan) were hit by bullets on September 17th, 2023. Johan was allegedly taken to Boston Children’s Hospital before being released.

Meanwhile, Juliana is in intensive care with four gunshot wounds as she remains on a ventilator. In addition, three other people were also said to have been hospitalized following the incident.  In response, a GoFundMe has been set up for the family.  

“Father John Howard, mother Joanna Algarin, and their two children, 11-year-old Johan and 15-year-old Juliana, are pleading for an end to violence after their children were struck by a hail of gunfire in their Dorchester community. This incident occurred on a Sunday night around 8:30 at the Franklin Field housing community. Tragically, Johan and Juliana were injured in the horrifying event. We urgently seek your assistance to support this family as they navigate the physical and emotional challenges brought about by this senseless act of violence,” GoFundMe

The target is $30,000 and so far over $20,000 has been raised. It is not exactly clear if the authorities have managed to find the people that were responsible.

But in any event, it is an extremely difficult time for the former MMA fighter. After all, he did walk away from the sport, having fought in the UFC and PFL. Despite that being the case, Howard thanked all those who had taken their time to show some support. 

“My daughter is still fighting for her life. Any donations you want to give is greatly appreciated! Even when she makes a full recovery, still have a long road ahead!! Please go to my GoFundMe page if you want to donate, anything you want to donate [is] greatly appreciated,” Howard