MMA Odds and Ends for Tuesday: Demetrious Johnson signs new eight-fight contract, UFC 198 medical suspensions

UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson signs new eight-fight deal  UFC flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson confirmed Monday on The MMA Hour that he has signed a new eight-fight contract with the Las Vegas based promotion. Johnson (24-2-1) is coming off a first round knockout victory over Henry Cejudo at UFC 197 last month. The 29-year old has won 10-straight fights and hasn’t lost since a 2011 unanimous decision defeat to Dominick Cruz at UFC on Versus 6.  Johnson had this to say about his new deal. “I’ve signed a new eight-fight deal, I’m very excited to announce that,” Johnson said. “I think there’s great things to come in the future. I think when fighters do that, they want to see what they’re worth, but at the same time, if they negotiate with the UFC, and they get what they like, there’s no point going and testing free agency,” Johnson said. “And the thing is, even Rampage Jackson said it before, nobody treats you better than the UFC. Dana White’s like ‘dude, go out there and win your fight and everything else will take care of itself,'” said Johnson, who has been champion since Sept. 2012. “A long time ago I was in Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta’s office talking to him and he was like Lorenzo was like, ‘you’re so f*cking dominant, we need to make people believe you can lose and tune in’. … Dana White was just like, keep on winning, Anderson Silva didn’t [become a star] til he fought Chael Sonnen and had that five round war and the rematch.”   Darrion Caldwell signs seven-fight contract extension with Bellator Also announced on The MMA Hour Monday, Darrion Caldwell has signed an extension with Bellator which includes seven more fights. Caldwell (9-0) is coming off the biggest win of his career in the form of a submission victory over Joe Warren in March. Here’s what he had to say. “Just believing in what they had in mind and their plan for me, that’s the biggest thing. It’s bigger than me. I know they have a vision. Even though I have a vision as well — my vision is to be the world champ — they have a vision on how to put me in a position to make sure I maximize everything outside of the cage. And so, I feel like we touched on a lot of subjects there. I think we’ve got a star in the making. After putting the pieces together, Bellator jumping on board, it’s time to go ahead and get married,” Caldwell said. “It is what it is. You feel me? I’m in it for the long run. Bellator has taken good care of me. They take great care of their athletes. I couldn’t be any happier right now.”   UFC 198 medical suspensions Fabricio Werdum: suspended 45 days with no contact during training for 30 days Vitor Belfort: suspended 60 days with no contact during training for 45 days Leslie Smith: suspended 45 days with no contact during training for 30 days Warlley Alves: suspended 180 days due to a facial injury, though a physician can clear him early Nate Marquardt: suspended 45 days with no contact during training for 30 days Yancy Medeiros: suspended 180 days due to a facial injury, though a physician can clear him early Patrick Cummins: suspended 45 days with no contact during training for 30 days

Written by James Lynch

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