MMA News Roundup: Conor McGregor Calls for “Lifetime Ban” on Ryan Garcia, Alex Pereira Says Jiri Prochazka Next, Jon Jones Confirms Interest in ‘Poatan’ & Tom Aspinall

In this edition of the MMA roundup, we will take a look at Conor McGregor, who appeared to call for Ryan Garcia to be banned from the boxing world following his failed drug test reports. This comes after Garcia was previously on The Notorious’ good books. We will also focus on Alex Pereira, who hinted at wanting to fight a former rival. And much to our dismay, it is not Israel Adesanya.

Lastly, we will see what Jon Jones asked fans online, regarding ‘Poatan’ and Tom Aspinall amidst allegations of Bones intentionally avoiding a bout against Aspinall. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!

Here’s why Mystic Mac turned his back on Ryan Garcia!

‘The Notorious’, as controversial as he is sometimes, doesn’t seem to be too fond of athletes who use performance-enhancing drugs. McGregor recently suggested that ‘KingRy’ should face a lifetime ban for getting caught for substance use, while also taking shots at 135-pound kingpin, Sean O’Malley.

“Cheated the weight and was juiced, lifetime ban. Sad to see, sad to say. Sad and a bit sick. Don’t come near me if I see you ever Ryan Garcia. I am actually disgusted. This ostarine it reminds me of Seán O Malley was on that as well,” McGregor wrote on a now-deleted X post.

Despite the accusations made against him, Ryan Garcia has maintained a stance of innocence, claiming that he doesn’t even have a clue about PEDs. We’ll have to wait for further confirmations regarding his issue, which could also lead to the Devin Haney fight’s decision getting overturned.

Alex Pereira is on a roll and has a certain ‘Samurai’ on his list next!

The UFC light heavyweight champion has apparently opened up on his next conquest. He could go back to fighting Israel Adesanya, which is something he had mentioned earlier. However, Alex Pereira wants to continue his impressive 205-pound run. Combat sports journalist Guilherme Cruz said that ‘Poatan’ is considering running it back against ‘The Czech Samurai’ Jiri Prochazka, whom he defeated to become a two-weight champion.

Cruz took to X and wrote, “Alex Pereira just told us during a scrum in Rio that he’s likely fighting Jiri Prochazka next. Still working on a date. Will have video soon over at @MMAFighting. Also, scrum videos with UFC 301 guest fighters Charles Oliveira, Alex Grasso and Diego Lopes.”

Given that Jiri Prochazka never had the chance to lose the title because he jumped straight back in the title picture after recovering from injury following a year-long layoff, that can qualify him to get the rematch against Alex Pereira. However, it depends on Dana White and what the UFC CEO is up to when it comes to the light heavyweight picture.

Jon Jones seems torn between two contenders, and Stipe Miocic did not make the list!

The UFC world heavyweight champion, Jon Jones, seems to be getting closer to returning to action following an untimely shoulder injury setback. After recently resuming his training sessions, ‘Bones’ took to X and put out the names of two fighters, asking the fans who should have a crack at first. The names in his mind were the champion duo of Alex Pereira and Tom Aspinall. It was interesting that he did not take Stipe Miocic’s name after what happened at UFC 295.

Jon Jones and Stipe Miocic were set to battle for the heavyweight championship at UFC 295 on November 11, 2024, at Madison Square Garden. But it was called off after Jones suffered an injury and tore a pectoral tendon off the bone during his training. Last March Jones ended a three-year sabbatical from UFC and had moved up to the highest weight class by taking down Ciryl Gane and occupied the vacant championship in the main event of UFC 285. Soon after the fight he wanted to fight Miocic.

But after the unfortunate injury, that bout didn’t take place, so fans were anticipating that after his comeback, he would want to resume that fight with Miocic. However, Jones seems to have some other plans and the UFC world had some interesting answers to his question.

First of all, having fought only once in the last four years, some fans called for him to relinquish the heavyweight strap. Meanwhile, there were different sections of fans with one side adamant about watching Jones throw down his fists against the 205-pound champ, Alex Pereira. And then the other section of fans wanted to see a title unification fight against Tom Aspinall. However, we cannot say anything for sure until ‘Bones’ fights the former two-time champion, Stipe Miocic.

What do you have to say about Jones’ picks for possible future opponents?