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You read that headline right. The Italian Anti-Doping Agency just made Nick Diaz’ suspension look like cream puffs in the summer. They backhanded flyweight Mara Romero Borella (12-5 overall, 1-1 in the UFC) with a staggering 26-year suspension for competing while already suspended. MMA Today had the details.

In this unique case, Borella and her boyfriend at the time, Rugby player Filippo Maserati, were charged with drug trafficking after a two-year investigation called Operation Flanker that also rounded up 31 others. They were charged with selling cannabis and cocaine at sporting events, bars, nightclubs, and Mara was charged with distributing these drugs at her gym. In 2012, it was reported, though with minimal detail, that most of the defendants had agreed to plea deals that involved 1-4 years in jail. Mara, as a professional athlete, was also hit with a suspension by the WADA-following Italian Olympic Committee for 15 years, until 2029.

As she continued competing, and also apparently used Italian sporting facilities, the Italian Anti Doping Agency has now suspended Borella for a further 15 years, commencing at the expiry of her original suspension and so running from June 2029 and running until the year 2044.

The UFC aren’t obligated to follow WADA code, and it isn’t clear what stance USADA will take on the matter. Borella is the first female Italian fighter to win a bout in the UFC.

Insomnia

A Karate Combat event on top of the Freedom Tower sounds like the stuff they make martial arts movies out of.

Pound for pound rankings are utterly meaningless but this was a well done little clip

Changes in the P4P rankings!



What do you think? ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/l2SwMPe49X — UFC (@ufc) September 13, 2018

In the fight of the Tony’s, how are you gonna do Tony Ferguson like this? I mean yes, Anthony Pettis is the pretty one but at least make it even by giving him some exaggerated features or something. Also, this fight rules and there is a non-zero chance one of them will end up fighting for the title instead.

The lightweight division rules

An early analysis peak at #UFC229: Conor vs Khabib



It shows how they are the dominant outliers for their division, yet in very contrasting ways.



Also shows that @DustinPoirier @TonyFergusonXT and @NateDiaz209 as the most worthy next contenders. pic.twitter.com/rGkwOktBQV — Fightnomics Reed (@Fightnomics) September 13, 2018

Exciting news for Corey Anderson

This kick combination is among the most amazing knockouts I’ve seen

I have no idea what the main event will be, but it sounds like the Khabib-McGregor presser is when we will find out.

Which tells me whatever the main event is will be announced at that presser. https://t.co/4B0frPYBcs — Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) September 12, 2018

This was fun to watch between Josh Barnett and Sakuraba

Sakuraba reaching out for the tag is where you get me. pic.twitter.com/Lt27irvXLj — Ben Fowlkes (@benfowlkesMMA) September 13, 2018

What a weird choke

What a sumo battle!

Day4 Kaisei (R) vs still perfect Yokozuna Kisenosato. Such a arduous struggle! Long, but am posting the whole bout. pic.twitter.com/QToeEfjBdc — SumoSoul (@TheSumoSoul) September 12, 2018

Random Land

This level of talent still amazes me

This was funny.

Siri, show me the easiest own of all time pic.twitter.com/71o48iLzKs — Robert Maguire (@RobertMaguire_) September 13, 2018

Someday I will visit Mjolnir gym in Iceland and also see these sights

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