Derek Brunson is not pleased with USADA.
The No. 4 ranked UFC middleweight contender was hoping to close out his career after winning his way to a rematch and championship coronation against Israel Adesanya pre-UFC 271. Unfortunately for Brunson, Jared Cannonier had other plans as he viciously knocked out the surging Wilmington, North Carolina native in round two of their co-main event affair.
Since then, Brunson has been plotting his next move while being subjected to random tests by USADA. This isn’t anything out of the ordinary, as every fighter on the UFC roster has to do the same. However, Brunson has found the process to be a bit overbearing at this stage in his career.
“@usantidoping has to be the worst testing program out [there],” Brunson tweeted. “Imagine trying to handle business outside of the octagon and having to take quick flights to check on properties, having a family and other stuff going on, etc and them giving you failures because you forgot to update the glitchy app.
“There’s several athletes out here taking peds but no one failing. Get your GPS feature back. Giving someone a failed whereabouts isn’t the same as someone failing a PED test.”
Brunson typically isn’t one to keep quiet about his feelings on certain aspects of the fight game and has never had issues involved with banned substances. In recent years, test failures have become rarer as time passes on.
Despite being a mainstay on the UFC roster in 2022, Brunson wanted to make it a point that he’s still relatively busy outside his primary career, and sometimes other obligations are more important for his overall well-being.
At 38, the “Blonde Bomber” better be careful though otherwise, he may end up with a career-ending suspension.
“Just to be clear. Usada gave me a whereabouts infraction because I didn’t update my location,” Brunson said. “Stating I have 2 whereabout infractions and 1 more could result in a 2-year suspension. They use to have GPS tracking, maybe get back the system that worked for fighters!
“I do [update my location], but with multiple businesses, it’s easy to forget a time or two. I’m not one of these fighters on social media complaining about being underpaid. I go out and make things happen. I’ve made more money outside the octagon! Respect my time and update your system is all I ask!”
Also chiming in on the matter was former UFC bantamweight, Cody Gibson, who Brunson agreed with.
“This is why some sort of fighter organization would be important,” Gibson quote tweeted. “Give fighters a seat at the table when it comes to negotiating the terms of this employment. These aren’t independent contractors.”
TOP STORIES
Lightweight. Khabib Nurmagomedov: Islam Makhachev willing to fight champ Charles Oliveira in Brazil.
War. ‘What the f*** are you doing?’: Junior Dos Santos reflects on ‘absurd’ mistakes made against Cain Velasquez.
Trouble. Michel Pereira reveals DUI case in Las Vegas, says it won’t affect UFC Vegas 55 co-main.
Disrespect. Michael Page on rival Paul Daley’s retirement: ‘I don’t care that he’s retired, I don’t respect anything he’s done in his past.’
Late. Dustin Poirier still wants Nate Diaz fight.
Investment. Former MLB great Alex Rodriguez invests in PFL, joins promotion’s board of directors.
Perseverance. Davey Grant on the disastrous early road that nearly derailed his UFC career — and why quitting never once crossed his mind.
VIDEO STEW
Between the Links.
UFC 274 Commentator Booth Reactions.
Holm vs Vieira – Desire to Achieve | Fight Preview | UFC Vegas 55.
Rise of Ketlen Vieira.
Top Finishes From UFC Vegas 55 Fighters.
UFC 276: Adesanya vs Cannonier – Big Dog In The Yard | Official Trailer.
Bad At Sparring? Do This Drill! | Traditional Karate for MMA.
LISTEN UP
Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses if Dustin Poirier vs. Nate Diaz is right there for the UFC — why isn’t it booked?
‘DAMN! They Were Good’ MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew, Shaun Al-Shatti, and Alex K. Lee celebrate the violent career of “The Natural Born Killer“ Carlos Condit.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Merab awaits.
Someone from top 10 Bantamweight needs to call my name ! I have been ready to go since my last fight back in September. Who is ready for me ??? Lets goooo ! @ufc
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) May 19, 2022
You’re not alone, Jorge.
My next fight I want to get paid in gasoline
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) May 19, 2022
Throwback.
Cat fight.
Sizzle.
Lightweights hottest prospect pic.twitter.com/v1j7P0JqeE
— Terrance ‘T Wrecks’ McKinney (@twrecks155) May 19, 2022
50/50.
50/50 Revenue Split for PPV Fighters
“True economic partners”
✅ Fighters First@barstoolsports & @RobbieBarstool pic.twitter.com/nk0q2xsPS7
— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 19, 2022
Mute?
FINALLY!!!
An MMA Event where you don’t have to mute the announcers@EagleFightClub
Commentary by
ME— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) May 19, 2022
Live it up, brother.
Buzzing pic.twitter.com/ajYQcGtb1K
— Arnold billy allen (@Arnoldbfa) May 19, 2022
Motivation.
“Some people want it to happen, some people wish it to happen, others make it happen.” -Michael Jordan
What are you making happen?#WorldChampion #tbt#ThrowBackThursday pic.twitter.com/vON7OTEoyb
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) May 19, 2022
Candyman.
The last guy I beat was ranked #6. Everyone in the top 10 knows me, and they don’t say my name. That’s the truth. Top10 let’s get this division moving let’s go! @bokamotoESPN @arielhelwani @JohnMorgan_MMA @ufc
— Sean BRADY (@seanbradymma) May 19, 2022
Plus two.
Let’s do this a 5 round fight@robwhittakermma @Mickmaynard2 @AliAbdelaziz00
— Marvin Vettori (@MarvinVettori) May 19, 2022
Quick kiss.
Papa Marretta.
Nap time for us
❤️
Hora do cochilo pra nós pic.twitter.com/ReWf7PQGZm— Thiago Marreta (@TMarretaMMA) May 19, 2022
Who needs knees anyway?
I try this technique yesterday and my knee paying for that https://t.co/9L50LYXTco
— マネル・ケイプ Manel Kape (@ManelKape) May 20, 2022
Laura Oliveira.
Geeked out on some of the amazing details of @CharlesDoBronxs finish of Justin Gaethje …then @GinaDangerAK hair got in the mix (full video: https://t.co/K7s6JjOK5Q ) pic.twitter.com/binnEDDDXS
— Laura Sanko (@laura_sanko) May 18, 2022
Getting serious.
Subtle posting, Marina.
Classic Weili training intensity.
Still with these guys.
I nasty from bottom. Really. Evil. I Don’t care.Shoot.Hold. I’ve nasty weapons here. I’d do whole fight here if had to.where was he going he was top guard can you explain please master splinter2ndcousin?Where was he going? I’d scoot in to butcher if had 2 on god.B’s in my account
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 20, 2022
Interesting…
As of May 19, Conor McGregor still doesn’t show any USADA tests in 2022.
The last test count shown is Q3 2021: 1. https://t.co/SCYms1vhEh
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) May 20, 2022
Hollywood Felder at it again.
Just spat out my drink seeing Paul Felder appear on a show I’m watching. pic.twitter.com/LFvaoL6RYO
— Greg Rosenstein (@grosenstein) May 20, 2022
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Cat Zingano (12-4) vs. Pam Sorenson (9-4); Bellator 282, June 24
Tafon Nchukwi (6-2) vs. Carlos Ulberg (4-1); UFC Fight Night, June 25
Sam Alvey (33-17-1) vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk (16-5); UFC Fight Night, Aug. 6
Nikolas Motta (12-4) vs. Cameron VanCamp (15-6-1); UFC Fight Night, Sept. 10
FINAL THOUGHTS
Please give Marina her title shot, UFC. I beg you.
Happy Friday, gang! Enjoy the weekend of action, stay safe, and thanks as always for reading!
EXIT POLL
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