Hughes recently called for increased drug testing in the merger
between PFL and Jake Paul's

Most Valuable Promotions.

Paul Hughes on PFL drug-testing: ‘Not good enough'

PFL lightweight Alexandr
Shabliy was recently suspended for six months after testing
positive for recombinant erythropoietin (rEPO) in an
out-of-competition sample. Hughes believes Shabliy should have been
banned for life instead. Hughes also wanted the same for former PFL
champ Movlid
Khaybulaev, who was banned for a year and stripped of his title
after testing positive for rEPO last year. The Irishman claims he
has only been drug tested a day before his fights, which is
inadequate.

“I have seen Shabliy calling for the next title shot,†Hughes said
on social media. “He got popped for EPO… The guy should be f*cking
banned for life. And speaking of that, PFL-MVP merger here, I'd
need to see increased drug testing. There's him getting done for
EPO and a six-month suspension. What the f*ck even is that ban?
There's Khaybulaev, former PFL featherweight champion out of team
Khabib, popped for EPO as well. Should be banned for life… All the
drug testing that I have gotten has been just a day before the
fights. That's not good enough; people are cheating that.â€

An elite
middleweight clash headlines PFL Charlotte: Tune in on Friday, Aug.
7 at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN.

The PFL's drug-testing partner is USADA, the former drug-testing
partner of the
Ultimate Fighting Championship. As the merged promotion will
operate under the MVP banner, it remains to be seen if they will
continue with USADA.

Hughes (14-3) has made two unsuccessful title bids against Usman
Nurmagomedov in his last three outings. He claims he was unable
to train for six weeks due to back-to-back surgeries ahead of his
rematch against Nurmagomedov last October.

Islam Makhachev is looking to get a stoppage win at UFC 330 when he defends his welterweight title against Ian Machado Garry.

Makhachev is set to headline the numbered event in the first defense of his welterweight title at UFC 330 on August 15. Heading into the bout, Makhachev is a massive -390 favorite while the Irishman is a +280 underdog on FanDuel. Although Makhachev is a big favorite, he's not just looking to win; instead, he said he plans to take more risks and look for the finish.

“This fight, I will take more risks to finish my opponent, because I like finishing my opponents,†Makhachev said to MMAJunkie. “This fight, I think honestly, from the first time when I take him down, I have a chance to finish him, because I saw his ground game – it's not so good, you know? He have good striking, long reach, long arm, and he control the distance, always go back, but I see when I take him down, it's gonna be a finish.â€

If Makhachev does finish Garry, it would be a statement win as the Irishman has never been finished in his career. But Makhachev is eager to be the first.

Islam Makhachev looking to learn from Jack Della Maddalena fight

Makhachev wanting the finish comes after him being disappointed in his last fight.

Islam Makhachev is coming off a dominant decision win over Jack Della Maddalena, but he is frustrated with that performance because he wasn't able to get the finish.

“Honestly, I watched the fight with Jack – I don't like this fight, you know?†Makhachev said. “Because I want to be just double champ. I was just fighting like, you know, just for the win. I don't do some things to finish Jack, because I understood I won every round – I just want to take the second belt. If this was just like a regular fight, if we fight second time, I see I can finish him like every round.â€

Makhachev is 28-1 as a pro and riding a 16-fight winning streak.

Do you think Islam Makhachev will beat Ian Machado Garry at UFC 330?

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM

Credit: Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

UFC flyweight contender Allan Nascimento's tragic death rocked the Mixed Martial Arts world on Monday.

Tragedy struck the Ultimate Fighting Championship on Monday as UFC flyweight contender Allan Nascimento was found unresponsive at his home after an apparent heart attack in his sleep.

The promotion announced Nascimento's sudden passing in a recent press release.

“This morning, Monday, August 3rd, our beloved flyweight fighter, Allan Nascimento, was found unresponsive after suffering an apparent heart attack in his sleep,†the UFC said of Nascimento.

“Despite the efforts of the responding medical team, he was pronounced deceased at the scene. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Allan's family, friends, teammates, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.â€

Nascimento, 34, last fought in the UFC Octagon on June 20th, losing to Mitch Raposo by split decision. He went 4-2 in his UFC tenure with wins over Cody Durden and Jake Hadley.

Allan Nascimento dies from heart attack just weeks after last UFC fight

Nascimento made his UFC debut in October 2021, losing an extremely tight split decision to Tagir Ulanbekov. Before signing with the UFC, Nascimento fought in promotions such as XFC and RIZIN.

Nascimento was one of the most dangerous grapplers in the UFC flyweight division, earning two ‘Performance of the Night' bonuses for submission victories. He was a staple of Chute Boxe in Brazil and was a close friend and teammate of BMF titleholder Charles Oliveira.

Nascimento made his professional MMA debut in 2011 before winning his first seven fights. He earned his first shot in the UFC via Dana White's Contender Series in 2018, losing to Raulian Paiva by split decision.

Nascimento bounced back with a first-round submission against Elivaldo Lima before making his UFC debut against Ulanbekov.

Everyone at BJPenn sends our condolences to Nascimento's family and friends during this heartbreaking time.

This article appeared first on BJPENN.COM