Hell hath no fury like a Riddle scorned.
Matthew Riddle has plenty to smile about right now, hence his nickname “Chipper.” He is currently living out his dream as a professional wrestler and preparing for a tryout with WWE.
Sean Waltman, widely known as X-Pac, told MMAFighting’s Dave Meltzer that Riddle had the “potential to be Kurt Angle caliber.”
It seems like a lifetime ago that Riddle also had the potential to be a UFC star.
After appearing on the seventh season of The Ultimate Fighter, Riddle excelled in the Octagon with a 9-3 record before a couple of failed drug tests for marijuana led to his contract being terminated. He was on a four-fight win streak when the UFC handed him his walking papers.
During an interview with BJPenn.com Radio, Riddle explained his use of the recreational drug as therapeutic and prescribed by a doctor. The explanation still wasn’t enough to save his job, and he eventually retired from fighting.
More than two years have passed since Riddle’s release from the UFC. Now, the MMA world is witnessing the ongoing turmoil in the life of current light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, who was recently revealed as a suspect by the Albuquerque Police Department in a hit-and-run car accident.
Jones tested positive for cocaine several months ago, leading up to his UFC title fight against Daniel Cormier. However, the Nevada State Athletic Commission couldn’t punish him, since the failed test occurred in an out-of-competition drug test. The UFC hit him with a $25,000 fine and sent him on his way.
Riddle’s wife, Lisa, recently spoke out for the first time about the alleged Jones incident and her husband’s untimely UFC release:
In a statement, the UFC said it was currently gathering facts before taking any action. Jones is slated to defend his light heavyweight title May 23 against Anthony “Rumble” Johnson.
As of now, the fight is still on.
Jordy McElroy is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. He also is the MMA writer for FanRag Sports and co-founder of The MMA Bros.
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