UFC title challenger suspended, banned fighter denies drug use, Jake Paul says Jon Jones has a secret reason for dodging Tom Aspinall: MMA News Roundup

A UFC title challenger has been suspended for a positive drug test. Elsewhere, a Bellator fighter banned over the same has denied any wrongdoing.

Catch up with today's top combat sports stories with Sportskeeda MMA's News Roundup.

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Khalil Rountree Jr. suspended ahead of UFC 307

An official suspension was handed to Khalil Rountree Jr. by the Nevada Athletic Commission for testing positive for anabolic steroid DHEA. He was also fined $157.04 for prosecution fees included in the settlement agreement.

Rountree Jr. had self-reported the matter after an accidental intake of a tainted supplement, after which he was removed from the UFC 303 co-main event against Jamahal Hill.

NAC chairman Dallas Haun said:

"I’m glad he showed up, and the self-reporting obviously had a great influence on the commission’s decision here. I applaud him for self-reporting." [H/t MMA Junkie]

Rountree Jr. is set to fight Alex Pereira next at UFC 307 on Oct. 5. The suspension period will expire before the date and he will be able to challenge 'Poatan' for the light heavyweight belt in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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Usman Nurmagomedov denies using drugs

Usman Nurmagomedov, the current Bellator lightweight champion, had his win over Brent Primus overturned to a no-contest after failing a drug test in October. He was also fined $50,000.

Speaking with MMA Junkie, Nurmagomedov addressed the positive drug test and subsequent suspension and claimed that he did not do "steroids" at all:

"We have a deal with [the] California Commission and I cannot tell to media or someone, but it was medication. If it were a steroid, they [would] have to say, ‘This was a steroid.’ And they have to give me more time for suspension... I didn’t do nothing. I know who I am. I never did something like steroids or something like that. People only talk about this because they cannot win (against) us."

Serving the ban, the undefeated star is all set to return at Bellator Champions Series: San Diego on Sep. 7 against Alexandr Shabliy.

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Jake Paul believes Jon Jones has an ulterior motive behind "dodge"

Jake Paul believes Jon Jones has a specific reason why he has not fought the interim UFC heavyweight champion, Tom Aspinall, yet.

'The Problem Child' tweeted that he believes 'Bones' is holding out for "real money" which according to him should be around $25 million guaranteed purse and UFC pay-per-view share on top of that.

He wrote on X:

"Jon Jones doesn't dodge anyone. He knows exactly what he's doing. Show him the money - that real money. Not that spin the narrative money. Him versus Aspinall is massive as it hits two big ppv markets. $25M guarantee plus ppv seems about right."