Former UFC fighter arrested, Khabib Nurmagomedov invites Paul Hughes to Dagestan, fiancee showers love on Dricus du Plessis: MMA News Roundup

A former UFC fighter was arrested on a couple of allegations after cops stormed the house on Thursday morning. Elsewhere, Khabib Nurmagomedov extended another olive branch to Paul Hughes.

Here are today's top combat sports updates, presented by Sportskeeda MMA:

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Former UFC fighter arrested in Brazil

A former UFC fighter and Invicta FC champion Livinha Souza was arrested in Araraquara, Brazil. She has been accused of being involved in alleged drug trafficking and illegal possession of a weapon.

The local authorities received an anonymous phone call and went to her house with a search warrant on Thursday morning and found a .380 pistol, 59 bullets, marijuana, and steroids.

Her lawyer, Glaucio Dalponte Mattiole, told MMA Fighting:

"During the operation, a quantity of marijuana was seized, a substance that she uses, as publicly declared previously. It’s worth noting that Livia was the first UFC fighter in Brazil to be sponsored by a CBD company and is a public defender of the legalization of marijuana... Regarding the firearm mentioned, we clarify that it was acquired in the past. However, due to a series of setbacks, it has not yet been possible to regularize its possession."

The statement claimed that Souza was going to cooperate with the police.

Souza is currently with the Global Fight League, a new combat sports promotion that has signed several fighters from PFL and UFC, including Tony Ferguson and Luke Rockhold. She last fought in October 2021, when she dropped a decision to Randa Markos in her final UFC outing.

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Khabib Nurmagomedov invites Paul Hughes after PFL Dubai

Khabib Nurmagomedov put on an exemplary display of class and sportsmanship as he invited Paul Hughes, the Irish MMA fighter who challenged Usman Nurmagomedov for the lightweight belt at PFL Dubai, to Dagestan.

'The Eagle' wrote on X:

"Thank you for the fight [Paul Hughes] and for the experience, I invite you and your whole team and family to Dagestan, any time you want, believe me you will like it and your arrival will serve as a good example for many young generations."

Hughes accepted the former UFC lightweight champion's offer but presented a condition of his own:

"Thank you [Khabib Nurmagomedov], I have great respect for you, your team and your nation. I would be honored to take you up on this offer someday and then return the favor in Ireland. But please, only after I get to rematch Usman."

The two parties were at loggerheads in the buildup to the event, with Usman and Hughes' rivalry showing shades of the iconic Dagestan vs. Ireland war sparked by Khabib and Conor McGregor's bitter UFC beef. However, it was all respect after the fight, as Khabib hailed Ireland for being one of the biggest supporters of Palestine in the war against Israel.

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Fiancee Vasti Spiller pens a heartwarming post for Dricus du Plessis

Dricus du Plessis proposed to his girlfriend Vasti Spiller on his 31st birthday a couple of weeks ago in front of their friends and family. As he went down on one knee and Spiller said yes, the crowd cheered loudly.

Recently, Spiller, a photographer and entrepreneur, shared a series of photos from the event along with an endearing caption where she said:

"God knows when. God knows how. God loves you in every season. God is the reason I fell in love with a man that makes me want to live and not regret anything. Life is not always easy, but for moments like these… well every second is worth it. I can’t wait to marry you @dricusduplessis and see what God has called us to do. Love you."

Take a look at the full post below: