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Ronda Rousey has stepped out of the ring and into the world of comics. Artists Writers and Artisans (AWA), the independent developer of bold, original stories announced today the upcoming Kickstarter campaign for Rousey’s graphic novel debut, ‘Expecting the Unexpected.’

“I felt like I had to tell this story, because Expecting the Unexpected pulls from the most important parts of my life: motherhood, my career as a fighter, and fun action movies,” said Ronda Rousey in a statement. “I knew I needed an artist who understood how to translate my fighting from real life to graphic novel artwork, so it’s been truly gratifying watching Mike Deodato bring this story to life. I’m so excited to work with AWA and share my very first graphic novel with the world and I hope comic fans will enjoy this adventure.”  

“Ronda has brought the same level of ferocity, discipline, and craft to her original script that made her a champion in Judo, UFC, and WWE. A potent blend of dark comedy, romance, and over-the-top action, ‘Expecting the Unexpected’ delivers a knockout punch on every level. You’ll laugh, you’ll wince, you’ll cry, and you’ll thrill at the action scenes — meticulously choreographed by Ronda and executed with precision by comic book maestro and martial arts black belt Mike Deodato, Jr. — that literally leap off the page,” Chief Creative Officer of AWA Axel Alonso said.  

Through Kickstarter, AWA allows fans to support its most ambitious limited-edition projects. This new graphic novel will feature Kickstarter exclusives and include premium, tiered rewards for the biggest Ronda Rousey fans. The ‘Expecting the Unexpected’ Kickstarter will launch on July 25.  Throughout her career as a global superstar, Rousey has built a huge fan base around the world and Kickstarter allows fans to support this debut in more than 200 countries worldwide.

This marks AWA’s third Kickstarter project, following the successful campaigns for Frank Cho’s ‘Fight Girls – Deluxe Director’s Cut Edition, and Garth Ennis’ ‘Marjorie Finnegan, Temporal Criminal’, both surpassed their initial funding goals within hours. 

Along with a press release, Rousey posted about the project on social media.  “Finally I can announce the martial art romantic comedy graphic novel I’ve been working on the last 5 years! “Expecting the Unexpected” written by myself, illustrated by Eisner winning artist @mikedeodato and edited by marvel alumni and @awastudiosofficial editor and chief Axel Alonso is a labor of love I can’t wait to share with the world. Get it before anyone else and special editions not available anywhere else via @kickstarter once we launch our campaign,” Rousey wrote.  

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Invicta FC founder Shannon Knapp admits it was tough to bite her tongue and not fire back at rumors that the all-women’s promotion was going out of business.

Just weeks before announcing a broadcast rights deal teaming up Invicta FC with CBS Sports Network, a report surfaced on Twitter that the organization was allegedly done, with no events since October 2023. In truth, Knapp says the extended break was intentional as the promotion made some necessary changes internally while working tirelessly on getting a new TV deal done.

Once she was finally able to announce the partnership with CBS Sports Network, Knapp was more than happy to take a victory lap.

“Let me tell you how hard it was to read that stuff,” Knapp told MMA Fighting. “To read it and just know that I knew something different. Sometimes you just have to stay quiet and let people put their own foot in their mouth, so to speak.

“No, do you think I’m going down without a fight? True to the phoenix, we always rise and find a way. It certainly was not the case nor would I sit back and let that be the case. If Invicta doesn’t exist, it creates a huge hole in the industry. Invicta is super important to this sport, not just because of the women’s side of it but just we keep people honest. I love that’s what Invicta means to the combat space. Yeah, no, not going down that easily.”

As a well-respected industry veteran who’s been around combat sports longer than many organizations have even existed, Knapp didn’t really feel the need to get into a mud slinging contest publicly.

Instead, she just sat back and waited for the chance to announce the deal with CBS Sports Network along with a busy schedule filled with events for the rest of 2024 to cement her win.

“The thing is I’m so approachable, if you have doubts, call me up,” Knapp said. “I’m not going to lie. I’m not known to be untruthful in the industry or a liar. So it’s certainly easy enough to pick up the phone and ask me instead of assuming.

“But sensationalism and spreading non-truths, that happens a lot on this side of the sport.”

As far as the CBS Sports deal, Knapp revealed that talks with the Paramount owned network started several months ago but broadcast rights deals don’t happen overnight. There was a lot of ground to cover before contracts could be inked along with a plan to launch the next Invicta FC card, which goes down Friday in Kansas City.

“It’s been a really exciting time and hard to keep it quiet,” Knapp said. “You sit back and you know what’s coming and you’ve been working on it but you have to announce when it’s time to announce. It’s been a whirlwind since we announced [the deal].

“I think back just before the last event, we started doing the courting process as we’ll call it. A good six or seven months now, something in that vicinity. For me, you can’t share that information. I have a lot of athletes that have questions and stuff. I’m really blessed that they trust me when I tell them I’m working on something that will be a game changer for us and will be great for you, that they trust in that. It’s tough to keep that quiet.”

Knapp says ultimately going with CBS Sports Network was a no brainer when she contemplated the future for Invicta FC, which has sent dozens of athletes off to promotions like the UFC ever since first launching back in 2012.

“They’re a very respected sports network, which I love,” Knapp said. “Just being on a sports network was very important. I think outside of the deal points and things like that, that always make a difference, it just feels like a good fit. They’re good people. I’ve had a really good experience dealing with them and the representatives I’ve dealt with so far. It just felt right at this moment in time.

“Who knows what the future brings but certainly very invested in this and they’re invested in it and want to be part of this family, the CBS Sports Network family.”

With the first event under the CBS Sports banner on Friday, Invicta FC already has future cards set for August, September, November and December.

After working on the broadcast rights deal and a nine month layoff between events, Knapp can’t wait to hit the ground running with a very busy 2024 ahead of her.

“I love it,” Knapp said. “That’s the thing that’s so important is consistency. If you don’t have consistency, then how do you build a brand? I just think it’s hugely important. To have a partnership that provides that consistency is great. We’re excited.

“An opportunity for Invicta to shine and to connect with a potential fanbase that wasn’t available to us and reach new fans. We’re excited about it.”

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This week, we’ll recap PFL Salt Lake City, Bellator Dublin, and UFC Saudi Arabia, preview UFC 303 and Invicta FC 55, review Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope (1977) and Super (2010), and discuss everything in between. Watch it live at 3:00 P.M. EST every Tuesday or on replay in the player above on our YouTube channel.

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Arman Tsarukyan was issued a nine-month suspension with a chance to have that reduced to six months after he got into an altercation with a fan at UFC 300.

On Tuesday, the Nevada State Athletic Commission approved an adjudication agreement with Tsarukyan suspended until Jan. 12, 2025 and he faces a $ 25,000 fine along with $ 471.12 in prosecution fees that must be paid.

As a result of the altercation back in April, Tsarukyan’s purse was withheld but once the fine is pulled out of his paycheck, the remaining funds will be released to him in accordance with the agreement he made with the commission. The incident occurred as Tsarukyan was walking to the cage for his fight against Charles Oliveira when he got physical with a fan shouting at him from the crowd.

“He showed me ‘F*ck you’ and he wanted to punch me and I wanted to punch him back,” Tsarukyan said after the event. “That’s it. So guys, no one show me ‘F*ck you.’ It doesn’t matter who you are, I’m going to punch you in the face.”

Obviously, the nine-month suspension would prevent Tsarukyan from fighting again in 2024, which could be disastrous considering he’s been rumored for a lightweight title bout against Islam Makhachev with all signs pointing towards the UFC event in Abu Dhabi in October.

The good news is Tsarukyan can have his suspension reduced to six months — and that would expire by Oct. 13 with the UFC event scheduled on Oct. 26 — as long as the 27-year-old lightweight completes an approved anti-bullying message for the commission.

The commission voted unanimously to approve the measure.

Tsarukyan’s longtime manager Daniel Rubenstein confirmed in a message to MMA Fighting that the lightweight plans on completing the public service announcement with hopes that he’ll be competing for the lightweight title before the end of the year.

“Arman appreciates the NSAC’s dealings in this matter and looks forward to working with the UFC and NSAC to produce an anti-bullying PSA to reduce his suspension and competing for a UFC lightweight title before the end of the year,” Rubenstein wrote.

Before closing the proceedings, Nevada State Athletic Commission chairman Dallas Haun issued a warning that Tsarukyan’s adjudication agreement is a “one-time offer” and anyone else getting involved in an altercation with a fan “will be dealt with much more severely.”

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After waiting patiently for the last year and a half, what’s a few more months for Michael Chandler?

Originally, the former Bellator MMA champion was set to make his return to the Octagon on June 29 for a clash with former two-division titleholder Conor McGregor at UFC 303. Sadly, the fight fell through after McGregor broke his pinky toe, forcing him to bow out of the bout, leaving us with a light heavyweight championship rematch to headline International Fight Week.

Fortunately, McGregor’s injury should only postpone the fight for a few months.

Recently, Chandler took to social media, teasing that a new date was already on the way. Whether it’s for his long-awaited clash with McGregor or a new fight altogether for ‘Iron’ remains to be seen.

“Time well spent in progress is never time wasted,” Chandler wrote on Twitter. “New date LOADING. Walk On. See you at the top!”

Dana White continues to remain tight-lipped on rescheduled conor mcGregor vs. Michael Chandler fight

While backstage at the Bellator Champions Series event in Dublin on Saturday, Conor McGregor offered some insight into his injury and, more importantly, when we might see him back inside the Octagon. ‘Mystic Mac’ suggested that August or September is the goal.

However, UFC CEO Dana White was quick to dispell any rumors that a new date was being worked on while McGregor is still nursing an injury.

“I don’t know right now,” White said of McGregor’s return during the UFC Saudi Arabia post-fight press conference. “Our schedule is laid out. We’ll see. I’m not doing anything until I know that Conor is healthy. It’s not even worth talking about. What about September? What about October?

He’s not ready. So why even talk about that? … I’m not thinking about Conor fighting anybody right now. I have no time frame, I have nothing. McGregor’s not even healed yet. McGregor’s hurt.”

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