Ric Flair reportedly in medically-induced coma ahead of surgery

Ric Flair’s medical condition is indeed quite serious, according to a report.

TMZ Sports reported Monday, citing a WWE rep, that Flair is in a medically-induced coma and is set to undergo a procedure imminently, though few details were available beyond that.

Flair was admitted to the hospital on Saturday morning, with the situation originally being described as “routine.” All indications are that the situation has grown significantly more serious since then.

The wrestling icon’s management requested prayers early Sunday morning, as Flair dealt with “tough” medical issues. The news of a medically-induced coma appears particularly serious, and here’s hoping his operation is a success and he is able to pull through.

Ric Flair hospitalized with ‘tough medical issues’

Ric Flair was hospitalized over the weekend with what was initially deemed a non-serious issue, but his representatives are now asking fans to pray for the wrestling legend.

On Saturday, the CEO of Legacy Talent LLC confirmed that Flair had been admitted to the hospital but said it was for “routine monitoring” and there was “no reason to panic.” Something must have changed over the course of about 24 hours, because the management team was asking fans for prayers early Monday morning.

Are u a Fan/Friend of Ric Flair?If so, we need prayers & positive energy 4 our Living Legend as he is dealing w/some tough medical issues

— MelindaMorrisZanoni (@LegacyTalentCEO) August 14, 2017

Flair, 68, has seemed like his usual self when making public appearances in the past year. He had a lot of fun with the last presidential election and shared some hilarious posts on social media about it. More recently, Flair has been campaigning for his friend and fellow WWE legend Kane, who is running for mayor of Knoxville County in Tennessee.

Here’s hoping the Nature Boy makes a full recovery from whatever it is that’s ailing him.

Dana White: Ronda Rousey will ‘probably’ retire

Ronda Rousey’s last fight came in December 2016 and that may very well be the last one of her mixed martial arts career.

Rousey began her career in 2011 and won her first 12 fights as a professional before suffering a defeat to Holly Holm in 2015. During that time, she captured the UFC Women’s Bantamweight title and became a worldwide star.

Rousey followed the loss to Holm with another defeat in her next match, this time to Amanda Nunes. We haven’t seen Rousey in the octagon since and, as Dana White speculates, we may never again.

“I think people realize she’s probably going to retire,” White told ESPN.

“And the way she is, is what made everybody get behind her,” he continued. “It’s what blew up the women’s divisions. Now she’s going to move on to the next chapter of her life, get married and have kids, do that thing. It’s not sad, it’s the way she wanted it.”

If Rousey does decide to move on to the post-fighting stage of her life, she will leave behind a lasting legacy in mixed martial arts. She dominated the sport for a period of time, became a champion, and played a role in the growth of the women’s side of UFC.

At just 30 years old, Rousey is obviously at an age where she could still compete at a high level, if she chose to. However, on the heels of two consecutive losses, Rousey may decide to leave that portion of her life in the past.

Brock Lesnar responds to being called out by Jon Jones

Jon Jones reclaimed the UFC light heavyweight title Saturday night by knocking out Daniel Cormier in the third round, and he wasted no time trying to lay the groundwork for his next fight. Jones wants it to be a big one. How big? Brock Lesnar big.

Following his win over Cormier at UFC 214, Jones turned his attention toward Lesnar.

“Brock Lesnar, if you want to know what it feels like to get your ass kicked by a guy that weighs 40 pounds less than you, come meet me in the octagon,” Jones said, via Simon Samano of MMAFighting.com.

Lesnar, who was eligible to have his suspension lifted earlier this month, issued a warning to Jones in response.

“Be careful what you wish for, young man,” the WWE star told The Associated Press.

While speaking with reporters later, Jones said he is serious about wanting to fight Lesnar.

“We’re serious about it, and it would be great for the MMA world,” he said. “It would bring more of the general public to mixed martial arts, and that’s what we need. We need to expand our sport, so why not be the guy to take part in that?”

Since Lesnar retired from the UFC earlier in the year, he would still have to serve six more months of his suspension before being reinstated. There were some recent reports indicating he had put the wheels in motion to resume his MMA career, but the latest doesn’t sound promising.

Jones fought at 205 pounds against Cormier, which is the very top of the light heavyweight division. He’d have no problem getting past the 206-pound minimum to fight in the heavyweight division, though Lesnar would still have a serious size advantage.

While the fight would be one of the most anticipated in UFC history, there are probably too many obstacles to overcome. But if Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather Jr. have taught us anything, it’s to never say never.

UFC denies that Brock Lesnar has re-entered drug testing pool

Despite recent reports indicating otherwise, Brock Lesnar has not begun the process of making himself eligible for a UFC return.

Lesnar was suspended one year retroactive to July 15, 2016 after he failed multiple drug tests for his fight with Mark Hunt at UFC 200. The heavyweight told the UFC he was retiring back in February, but some rumors popped up earlier in the week about Lesnar re-entering the drug testing pool to prepare for a UFC comeback.

UFC vice president of athlete health and performance Jeff Novitzky, who oversees the drug testing program, said there is no truth to that.

“(Lesnar) is not currently enrolled in the USADA testing pool, nor has there been any inquiry on his part to do so,” Novitzky said, via John Morgan of MMAFighting.com.

Lesnar’s fight against Hunt last year came after a five-year absence from MMA competition. He defeated Hunt but had the decision overturned after he tested positive for PEDs twice.

Lesnar is currently the WWE’s Universal Champion, and there were some rumors claiming he is going to lose that belt at “SummerSlam” next month to position himself for a UFC return. Lesnar would need to make himself available for drug testing for six months before being eligible to return to the UFC, so another comeback seems unlikely if he has not re-entered the program.

We already know what one fellow heavyweight thinks of Lesnar’s chances to make a UFC return. The 40-year-old’s MMA career may finally be over.

Brock Lesnar rumored to make UFC return by end of year

After being fined and suspended from the UFC for one year, Lesnar’s return may be imminent. Though he reportedly told the UFC he was retiring earlier this year, rumor has it he may return for another fight by the end of the year.

Lesnar reportedly met with Paul Heyman, his manager, and UFC higher-ups in Las Vegas during International Fight Week.

Paul Heyman and Brock were at the UFC HQ during IFW. Had a meeting with the UFC brass. Brock's return is eminent. Most likely at MSG on Nov4

— #Dizz © (@TalkMMA) July 19, 2017

The speculation is that Lesnar would return for the UFC’s visit to Madison Square Garden in New York City on November 4. It’s a major venue, and Lesnar is a huge star; it would make sense.

Talk MMA stated multiple sources have said Lesnar is back in the USADA testing pool.

I just had a 2nd person tell me that Brock Lesnar is back in the USADA testing pool. Rumor around WWE is Brock is dropping the belt at SS.

— #Dizz © (@TalkMMA) July 19, 2017

Wrestling Observer confirmed Lesnar is back in the testing pool but stated he could not fight until mid-December, per the timing of his suspension.

So, could this really happen? Ariel Helwani says a deal is “not remotely close.” So don’t get your hopes up yet.

Nothing remotely close at this time. They could certainly use him, but not much there right now. https://t.co/qoMvyeqDWL

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 19, 2017

Shane McMahon survived helicopter crash in Atlantic Ocean

McMahon and the pilot, Mario Regtien, were the only men aboard the Robinson R-44 helicopter. Neither man was harmed.

The vehicle experienced engine failure, so Regtien conducted an emergency landing. Emergency responders quickly arrived on scene and pulled the men from the water.

McMahon and Regtien spoke to reporters about the incident.

“It’s very unsettling when all of a sudden you have something happen,” McMahon said, according to ABC NY 7. “You hear a bang, and then you start saying, ‘We’re going to do an emergency landing in the water.’ So yes, it was very unnerving. But…Mario was super calm, which made me super calm. And we landed perfectly.”

The WWE’s YouTube account uploaded footage of McMahon’s interview.

The helicopter was headed to Westhampton, N.Y., from New York City.

Though it was a serious incident, fans got a chuckle out of it, joking that McMahon is “invincible.”

Shane McMahon survived a crash landing of a plane,off the hell in a cell,off the titantron 2X,&going through glass.

THIS MAN IS INVINCIBLE pic.twitter.com/any0tFKm0b

— ❄Desháun☆❄ (@PunksXAngel) July 19, 2017

Shane McMahon literally can jump from one side of the ring to the next. That's all I needed to see 2 know he's immortal.

— taryn (@livorleave) July 19, 2017