n the process of investigating various legal supplements Jones was taking at the time of the test. Under UFCs anti-doping policy, two athletes have suuccessfully reduced their sentences after supplyin

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Paige VanZant didnt want to tap. Not in her backyard, not in the first round, not on national television.So as Michelle Waterson locked in a rear-naked choke hold tight, VanZant fought and fought until she could fight no more. It wasnt until VanZants face started to change color and she was on the verge of passing out that referee John McCarthy stepped in and waved off the fight.It wasnt the storybook finish to her main event she had been hoping for, but that doesnt mean there wont be plenty of storybook finishes for her in the near future.Saturdays result doesnt change the fact that VanZant is a star. She is a celebrity that is no longer defined by wins and losses in the Octagon. Her brand wasnt really going to get a major boost with a first-round win over Waterson, and its not really going to take much of a hit after her first-round loss either.That is why VanZant needs to consider her future in the UFC after just her 10th professional mixed martial arts fight.At 22 years old, VanZant isnt necessarily at a crossroads, but she has reached a point where she no longer needs to step into the UFCs unforgiving and unpredictable cage to continue her rise as a celebrity. Its a ride she can now continue to make in the safer and scripted confines of the WWE.There has been an ever-growing blurring of the lines between the UFC and WWE recently, with Brock Lesnar fighting for both companies this summer, CM Punk making his UFC debut in September, two years after leaving the WWE, and the constant war of words between Conor McGregor and WWE wrestlers, past and present.Its no secret that VanZant is a wrestling fan and wants to join the WWE at some point. She has never shied away from the question, even when it was brought up before Saturdays fight.It seems like I get asked that a lot, so it seems like the people want me to do it, VanZant said. I would love to. Its an amazing organization. After this, Ill decide what Im doing and where Im going, and if other opportunities arise, Ill go for those ... I have so many positive opportunities in front of me right now.That should come as no surprise. VanZant was the runner-up on Dancing with the Stars earlier this year, has been fielding prospective movie roles for the past year, including a starring role alongside Jean-Claude Van Damme, which she turned down to train for a fight, and is a favorite of TMZ videographers when shes in public. After her second loss in her last three fights on Saturday, both of which she main evented, she refused to blame outside factors or interests.I was meant for the spotlight, and Im going to be in the spotlight, she said. I will be back, and Im going to have the belt one day. Im 22 years old, and I have a long time. Ill be back.While VanZant continues to have lofty aspirations for her UFC career, she frequently references her many opportunities outside the Octagon, including the WWE, and shes more than willing to give those a chance.The opportunities are endless, VanZant said. I have a lot of big things outside of fighting, and Im going to pursue those for a little while.Theres no doubt the WWE is interested. The company reached out to VanZants representatives last summer with an eye toward having her at their annual SummerSlam pay-per-view event. The deal never materialized, but VanZant said that she is still interested.Jim Ross, who recruited and signed many of WWEs current stars, from Lesnar to John Cena, when he was the head of WWE talent relations, believes VanZant could be the next big WWE star whenever she decides to make the transition, envisioning her as a cross between Ronda Rousey and WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus.Paige has the uncoachable it factor, Ross told ESPN on Saturday. Its the same as I saw in Dwayne Johnson, John Cena and Brock Lesnar. She even has marketable initials: PVZ. Based on what Ive seen, Id consider Paige a blue-chipper when shes ready.If her skill set would match up with her hype and rep, Id book her making some sort of water cooler talk impact in a perfect TV storm. Wearing gloves wouldnt limit her sex appeal, and it fits who the public knows her to be. Id intro her with huge fanfare, cover her contract signing, training and document her entire journey. Build a long arching anticipation for her debut, which would be at an important destination. There are lots of right ways to introduce a potential star within the sports-entertainment genre.This isnt simply about VanZant joining the WWE because she cant cut it among the top fighters in her weight class. This is about growing her brand and thinking about her career, long-term. WWE stars arent just wrestlers anymore. The Rock is probably the hottest name in Hollywood right now, and Cena is hosting the ESPYS, Saturday Night Live and appearing in major movies and television shows.VanZant may not be totally willing to leave the UFC for the WWE yet, but that shouldnt prevent her from being a part-time performer until she is ready to make the jump full-time. Its the kind of partnership between UFC and WWE that would benefit both promotions. All UFC president Dana White has to do is look at Lesnars blockbuster pay-per-view numbers and the fact that Punk attracted about 450,000 pay-per-view buys for his first professional MMA fight to see what a little rub from the WWE can do for his fighters and events.Id assume she could do both, but Im not sure how successful shed be at either while splitting her focus, Ross said. The skills required to be a successful, pro grappler are varied and need months of diligent training under the watchful eye of top coaches. WWE has that covered. Id suggest that she fulfill her UFC commitments and try and live her MMA dreams before committing to WWE, unless it was for a one-off, high-profile cameo at a major event like WrestleMania.VanZant said shes more than capable of doing more than one thing at a time and said she wasnt exactly sure when she would fight again, saying it could be a couple months or six months or even longer. In the meantime, she will pursue all those opportunities she has in front of her.I took a break to do Dancing with the Stars, and I came back and I knocked somebody out, VanZant said. Im very good at balancing my outside factors. I know how to balance my schedule. I have the best team in the world. Im very smart. I could have done anything I wanted to, and I chose to fight, and Im going to continue to balance my schedule ... I have a lot of passions in the world, and Im not going to limit myself to one thing. Pirates Jerseys 2019 . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. Pablo Reyes Jersey . The Vikings announced Thursday that Priefer will be one of seven holdovers from the previous staff, along with offensive line coach Jeff Davidson, wide receivers coach George Stewart and others. 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Despite an unresolved anti-doping case, UFC star Jon Jones expects to be in the Octagon really soon.The former UFC light heavyweight champion is currently under temporary suspension by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after he tested positive for two banned substances on a test administered June 16. Jones, 29, has maintained his innocence in the case, saying he doesnt know how anti-estrogen substances got into his system.On Sunday, Jones expressed optimism via a video posted on Instagram.Im sure you guys are curious about whats going on with this USADA situation, Jones said. Obviously, I cant get into it because its still pending, but what I can say is that we have found out lots of really good news and I am expecting to be back in the Octagon really soon.Jones later deleted the post.Barring a successful appeal, Jones faces a potential two-year suspension from the United States Anti-Doping Agency.Jones agent, Malki Kawa, told ESPN.com Monday he was not ready to add to Jones statement.The camp has been in the process of investigating various legal supplements Jones was taking at the time of the test. Under UFCs anti-doping policy, two athletes have suuccessfully reduced their sentences after supplying evidence of tainted supplements to USADA.ddddddddddddones (22-1) was scheduled to face Daniel Cormier at UFC 200 on July 9, but UFC removed Jones from the fight after the positive test.In addition to preparing a response to the anti-doping case, Jones appeared in New Mexico court earlier this month to accept a plea deal on charges stemming from a traffic stop in March.Jones pleaded guilty to charges of unlawful exhibition driving and improper display of registration. Three additional charges, including one for drag racing, were dismissed.Ive been doing really good, Jones said in the video. Been training, spending time with family, attacking some of these legal issues that Ive gotten myself into -- trying really to just leave that all behind once and for all.Jones was stripped of his UFC light heavyweight championship last year when he was arrested on a hit-and-run charge in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He won the interim title by defeating Ovince Saint Preux at UFC 197 in April. ' ' '