Truth & Rumors > MMA

07:54 AM ET 05.18 | Former UFC welterweight Matt Riddle was released by the promotion following his second failed drug test for marijuana in his last three fights. Both of the fights were initially wins for Riddle, but they were overturned to a no contest from the governing bodies. Immediately following his release, Riddle signed on with Legacy Fighting Championship but he has already decided to leave for a new home. News surfaced late Friday night that Riddle has agreed to join Bellator. Luckily for Riddle, there are reports that Bellator doesn't drug test their fighters on a consistent basis, so that could end up being a benefit for him while he tries to get a few more wins under his belt.

FanSided.com

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07:50 AM ET 05.18 | Nate Diaz made some headlines when he responded to the news that fellow lightweight Pat Healy had his fight night bonuses from UFC 159 taken away because of a failed drug tests, which showed marijuana metabolites in his system. Diaz expressed his opinions on the situation via social media, but it was a derogatory term that he used to describe UFC president Dana White that caught the attention of UFC official. White was unhappy with the comments and stated that Diaz would be released from the promotion or heavily fined for the homosexual slur. Luckily for Diaz, White chose the latter punishment.

FanSided.com

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05:24 PM ET 05.17 | UFC lightweight Jeremy Larsen has a lot going on this weekend. Not only does he face Lucas Martins on the Facebook portion of the UFC on FX 8 fight card, but his wife could birth to their child any day now. "I need to get home ASAP so she does not have my daughter while I'm away," Larsen said. After failing short against Joe Proctor in his UFC debut in June, Larsen is looking for a rebound. He may also be looking for a flight home. UFC President Dana White took now-retired Stephan Bonnar home on his private jet in October after facing Anderson Silva in order for him to be home on time to see his wife give birth. While Larsen hasn't been offered the same opportunity, he's not about to turn it down if it comes his way. "But if I've got to take the flight they booked, I'm OK with that too," Larsen said.

MMA Junkie

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02:05 PM ET 05.17 | There's been some criticism from MMA fans that the main event for UFC 160 on May 25th is a fight no one wants to see: the rematch between Cain Velasquez and Antonio 'Bigfoot' Silva. Velasquez defeated Silva in dominating fashion last May in a non-title bout. Many fans wonder whether it makes sense for these two to be fighting again. For Velasquez, the fight is still very important. "This is a whole new fight. Obviously, we saw what 'Bigfoot' can do in his past two fights," said Velasquez. 'You can't take him lightly. He's a tough competitor and really dangerous in the Octagon. I don't see it as anything less than a hard, grueling fight. That is what I am expecting." Velasquez believes if nothing else, getting out there and defending the title, even if the the fans think otherwise, is an important exercise for himself and good for the division. "To me, [defending the belt] is the most important thing, just to hold onto it. This is the position I want to be in. I have to go out there and perform," he said. "As far as motivation, it's there. A rematch is what it is. We fought before, and you learn from that fight, but you can't think too much of it."

Sherdog

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01:37 PM ET 05.17 | Luke Rockhold, the last Strikeforce middleweight champion, is set to make his UFC debut this weekend against Vitor Belort at UFC on FX 8. The build-up for the fight has been contentions with Rockhold making an issue about Belfort's use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). At Thursday's press conference, the two posed for the media and according to Rockhold, the way Belfort posed - with his fist on Rockhold's face - inspired the AKA middleweight to perform even better. "Just squaring off with him and seeing eye to eye, it just really fires me up, I'm not going to lie," Rockhold said. "Him squaring up, you want to put your hand on my chin? Alright. Let's go." Rockhold also used Belfort's past as a way to tie all of his animus together. "It bothers me to take that route when you have a history of steroids and you've been caught in the past," Rockhold said. "Obviously you're looking for a way to supplement again and get on it. I'm a fan of a clean sport, and I'm here to clean up the sport."

MMA Junkie

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