Conor Benn Bites Back | Darren Till Departs & UFC 285 inches closer.
Maybe it wasn't the eggs?
Evening all!
Let’s just get straight to it, Conor Benn is back and distancing himself from the eggs!
By the way, if you read this entire statement in full, fair play.
Let’s get into it.
What does it say?
My understanding of what Conor Benn is saying in this statement and apparently also in his now infamous 270 page dossier, he has never said it was eggs that caused the ‘contamination’.
In his eyes, he didn’t fail.
Point blank.
He states the WBC made that conclusion themselves.
According to Benn, he is just a victim of the flaws within the drug testing process.
He is saying that VADA, who everyone in the world holds as the premium drug detection agency, have a flawed process. They tested his sample multiple times which is, according to his statement, the incorrect procedure.
He says when it came down to it he sent his own ‘scientist’ to assess the ‘B’ sample, but they were not allowed in to the room.
In reply to all this, The WBC are like nah, you need to relax on the omelettes.
Either way.
It is an absolute mess and we are no further down the line.
If that the WBC & VADA are saying is true, we have yet another combat athlete trying to cheat his way to success.
If what Conor Benn is saying is true, both WBC and VADA are in a world of trouble and the whole theory that VADA have been keeping the sport safe for years is now untrue.
And just to add a little bit more spice, Conor rounds out by criticising the British Boxing Board of Control who in his view have treated him unfairly.
In my view, they have assessed the information we have all received and said he can’t fight because he failed a test.
To conclude, it is impossible for the sport of boxing to come out of this in a positive light.
This is a situation of Benn’s word vs the word of the WBC and VADA.
I doubt we will ever get to see this 270 page dossier that Conor Benn believes proves his innocence.
Maybe that tells us everything we need to know?
Regardless, Benn fights again very soon.
What message does that send?
Till Departs
Drama has hit the world of MMA too with the tweet below surfacing as we all logged into Twitter this morning.
It doesn’t take a genius to work out that Darren Till has had a rough few years.
He has lost five of his last six fights.
Four of those inside the distance.
It is horrible reading.
But, he remains a ranked middleweight and with his personality and following, he will always warrant a big fight on a big card.
I feel like the problems here are deeper than Darren being cut from the UFC.
For a man who had a rock solid corner team for years upon years, to now be roaming around Thailand without a head coach in sight doesn’t feel right.
I am not suggesting he has fell out with his old corner team in Liverpool but something doesn’t add up.
After hours of speculation of if Darren was cut, if he asked to leave or even if he was joining the PFl, he came out with a quick, sharp statement that tell’s its own story.
From this, it looks like Darren is taking time away to sort out more pressing matters.
Injuries?
Team issues?
Personal issues?
or maybe just to get his mind right.
Nobody but his closest people will know but I actually believe this is a brave decision.
At 30 years old, he can still return to the UFC one day and be a contender.
But in order to compete in this world, you have to be 100% committed to the game.
Maybe Darren hasn’t been able to do that in recent years.
Either conciously or sub-conciously.
I write this as a fan of him. I am happy he is taking time away.
I hope in twelve months, we see the return of The Gorilla and regardless of if he becomes a champion or not, he is someone we need in the sport and a fit and healthy Darren Till is a problem for anybody.
The Big One Is Almost Here
If you are reading this then I know you will be as excited for UFC 285 as I am.
We are only half way through fight week and have the press conferences still to come but it feels huge already.
I came into the week doubting whether the best version of Jon Jones still exists and I have to be honest, my feelings haven’t changed.
I am not that inspired by what I am seeing from training footage, granted it’s only seconds of sparring against Walt Harris but that’s how I feel.
At this stage of his career and with so long out, I just don’t know if this heavyweight move is the correct play for him.
Listen, I am here to be proven wrong.
I am a Jon Jones fan but I have to be honest, the more I see of him, the more nervous I get.
Gane, on the other hand.
Cool as a cucumber.
Strolling around Vegas ready to upset the party.
He is copping a little bit of criticism because of his performance against Ngannou when he was dominated in the wrestling department and the theory is correct, if he performs like that against Jones he will lose but one bad night doesn’t make a bad fighter.
A small reminder of what he can do…
Do I think Jon Jones is a favourite going into the fight?
Yes.
Would I be 100% confident in placing my money on him right now?
No.
It’s absolutely fascinating and I can’t wait to break it down more on Friday.
Let me know below who you think wins!?
That’s it!
Thanks again for reading another edition of The Combat Club Newsletter.
I am so happy with the feedback and can’t wait to keep building this community.
Catch you all on Friday!