The MMA Twitter wars seem to be heating up right along with the weather. After watching his younger brother score a win on Saturday at UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov in Albuquerque, UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis faced another callout from Sambo savant Khabib Nurmagomedov. Sidelined with an injured posterior cruciate ligament and booked to face No. 1 contender Gilbert Melendez at year’s end, Pettis has yet to defend his title since taking it off Ben Henderson at UFC 164 last August.
@TeamKhabib who have you beat again? Every has something to say when I’m Injured lol!!!
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) June 8, 2014
@Showtimepettis I do not touch the disabled, and fight at least once a year if you are a champion @ufc @danawhite
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) June 8, 2014
@Showtimepettis How much of disability payment do you get? @ufc @danawhite @lorenzofertitta
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) June 8, 2014
That back and forth pales in comparison to our main event. For a promotion quick to rely on manufactured animosity to sell a fight there’s no need for it with Bellator featherweight champion Pat Curran and top contender Patricio Freire. After injuring his calf, Curran was forced out of a rematch with the two-time tournament winner booked for Bellator 121 on Jun. 6. Needless to say the Brazilian isn’t happy. “I think Pat Curran did the right thing if he doesn’t feel 100 percent for the fight, but it pisses me off because it’s the third time he postponed a fight with me,” Freire told MMA Fighting Thursday.
.@PatCurranMMA you used your disease to get an undeserved title shot.You think it was fair?Now who has to go fuck himself?Who’s the crybaby?
— Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) June 8, 2014
.@PatCurranMMA whilst you wish bad things for me and tell me to fuck myself, I really wish God blesses you and give you a fast recovery. +
— Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) June 8, 2014
@PatricioPitbull thank you. I will be 100% when I beat you. You will have no excuses after that. @BellatorMMA
— Pat Curran (@PatCurranMMA) June 9, 2014
@PatricioPitbull @andreborbar let’s see your head after our @BellatorMMA fight. pic.twitter.com/9rbWMOBZfq
— Pat Curran (@PatCurranMMA) June 9, 2014
@PatricioPitbull @andreborbar @BellatorMMA haha or it might have been one of the hundred jabs I landed on you.
— Pat Curran (@PatCurranMMA) June 9, 2014
@PatricioPitbull @andreborbar @BellatorMMA excuses for days. Stop crying about it
— Pat Curran (@PatCurranMMA) June 9, 2014
@PatricioPitbull @andreborbar @BellatorMMA I’m looking for no ones pity. I’m still champion for a reason. #puppet
— Pat Curran (@PatCurranMMA) June 9, 2014
‘@PatricioPitbull @andreborbar @BellatorMMA ha! I’m putting you to sleep this time and when u wake up you’ll be staring up at me.
— Pat Curran (@PatCurranMMA) June 9, 2014
@PatricioPitbull @andreborbar @BellatorMMA I would love to see it. I’d destroy u in a street fight. I’d bet my whole purse on it.
— Pat Curran (@PatCurranMMA) June 9, 2014
@PatricioPitbull @andreborbar @BellatorMMA i’d much rather make $ beating the shit out of u but would be happy to run into u in the streets
— Pat Curran (@PatCurranMMA) June 9, 2014
‘ @PatricioPitbull @BellatorMMA when $ is involved I want to be 100% but if I see u in the streets that’s a different story
— Pat Curran (@PatCurranMMA) June 9, 2014
‘ @PatricioPitbull @BellatorMMA starting packing. It’s going to be a quick trip after I head but you to unconsciousness #realtalk
— Pat Curran (@PatCurranMMA) June 9, 2014
.@PatCurranMMA @BellatorMMA my bags are ready. Now it’s up to you, Patty. pic.twitter.com/BApscc0kkE
— Patricio Freire (@PatricioPitbull) June 9, 2014
The fight is expected for July according to Freire, but we may not have to wait long if he and Curran run into one another.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
‘Land of Enchantment.’ Chuck Mindenhall tries to sort through the hyperbole and figure out just what the hell happened in the Sanchez-Pearson debacle. ‘The word “robbery” is kicked around in MMA a little loosely, but this one was a jaw-dropping robbery.’
Fortunes changed for five. Dave Meltzer explains how Benson Henderson, Rustam Khabilov, Diego Sanchez, Ross Pearson and John Dodson move on from UFC Fight Night 42.
Busy night. After cornering four of his fighters, Greg Jackson talks Sanchez’ decision, Bryan Caraway’s fishhook and Russian accents.
Timidity. Referee Mike Beltran explains his decision to disqualify a fighter at RFA 15 for failing to engage his opponent. ‘I said he has to fight, that’s what we’re here for. I asked him if he was okay and if he wanted to continue.’
Test results. Wisely announced on a Friday afternoon, Vitor Belfort admits he failed his random Feb. 7 drug test with elevated levels of testosterone.
MEDIA STEW
Ben Henderson’s Octagon interview.
Diego Sanchez talks win over Ross Pearson, plus highlights.
Highlights from RFA 15.
Ed Soares behind the scenes at RFA 15. Guest appearances from Rickson Gracie, Renato Laranga, Lyoto Machida, Rener Gracie and Vladimir Matyushenko.
Nick Diaz‘ first fight was everything you would imagine.
In case you missed Jackson’s Russian accent.
Long watches.
UFC Fight Night 42 post-fight press conference video
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Cage Warriors 69: Graham Boylen Post Fight Scrum
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TWEETS
Make sure to check out our Pros React piece for instant reaction from UFC Fight Night 42.
Victory lap.
#OnePercentBetter #TheOnceAndFutureKing #ITalkInHere #SlowIsSmoothSmoothIsFast pic.twitter.com/oVQtTW5gU9
— Benson Henderson (@BensonHenderson) June 8, 2014
My best fan! Here at the victory party! Haters gonna hate but Jesus gets all the glory way!truth!life pic.twitter.com/gmSYLUsXq0
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) June 8, 2014
It felt better than it looks here #UFCFightNight pic.twitter.com/aGx8g5jirn
— John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) June 8, 2014
Full team after victory. Equipe reunida depois da Vitoria. #thankyougod #jesusfirst #evolvemma… http://t.co/weHnzwqBRH
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) June 8, 2014
I’m back! http://t.co/kyht4EbqCy
— Piotr Hallmann (@PiotrHallmann) June 8, 2014
Thank you for every1 who believed in me! Putting #Goyo away was 1 of the biggest accomplishments of my… http://t.co/g4elX40DG2
— Bryan Caraway (@BryanCaraway) June 8, 2014
Thanks for all the support everybody ! Got the W,back in the groove, and ready for the next one. #improving
— Sergio Pettis (@sergiopettis) June 8, 2014
Thanks to everyone last night for your tweets, support and for having my back.
— Lance Benoist (@LanceBenoistMMA) June 8, 2014
So many tweets from a lot of awesome fans I can’t get to em all but know I’m reading them and thanks for having my back!
— Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) June 8, 2014
I want 2 say thx to @JakeLibrarian 4 a really fun fight! Such a tough dude & heard ur a hell of a gamer. Wishing u a speedy recovery!
— Jon SuperSaiyan Tuck (@JonCruzTuck) June 8, 2014
The first of many. Thanks for believing in the barista! http://t.co/NL6Fvwf2eY
— Patrick Cummins (@OfficialDurkin) June 8, 2014
Better luck next time.
Thanks for all the great fan I’ll be back strong @ufc
— Rustam Khabilov (@RustamTheTiger) June 8, 2014
Idk why they stopped it. Doc kept saying they couldn’t stop the bleeding my trainer says they did stop it. Don house said I was fine. Damn
— John Moraga (@chicanojohn) June 8, 2014
Nose not broken btw. Four stitches and by the time I walked into the hallway and looked in the mirror bleeding was pretty much done.
— John Moraga (@chicanojohn) June 8, 2014
Incredibly sorry & embarrassed for the ref incident. Will never happen again.
— Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) June 8, 2014
Congrats @PiotrHallmann beyond the disappointment thank you for being a good guy & a gracious victory. @ufc #UFCFightNight
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) June 8, 2014
Thank you everyone at the @ufc and @scottjorgensen for the fight of the night and to all the people that watched today @foxsports1
— Danny Martinez (@dannymma125) June 8, 2014
Heading home contemplating a disappointing loss pic.twitter.com/HvzkwhMpM9
— Roger Narvaez (@Silverback316) June 8, 2014
Care for another?
@RossTheRealDeal if @ufc wants us to do it again I’m down any time any place make it a 5 rounder. #Iwonthefight
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) June 8, 2014
Takers?
Who wants some??? #awapigroast2014 @awawisconsin @WrestlinRaschka @LilYde106 @YdeAustin132 @awaIronman @natehensley4 pic.twitter.com/XuM0Gzshgx
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) June 8, 2014
Great to hear.
Thank u god the @ufc has decided to pay for my brothers funeral what a blessing this is definitely my biggest moment of my career #ufcthanku
— Bobby King Green (@BobbyKGreen) June 7, 2014
When you see it.
Can we ever just get a regular cake?! @tjdillashaw @touchyfili @lastcall155 chadmendes @lancepalmer… http://t.co/NcZBTz59BW
— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) June 8, 2014
Next stop.
Trained at TheRockMMA today with @BrockTheRock @BarbHonchak . Working on groove! @ufc pic.twitter.com/8sM7DikhlJ
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) June 8, 2014
Oooooops! Looks like I may be moving up to fight @ufc light weights soon! #mybad #beefcake pic.twitter.com/7i2sv5pQfr
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) June 9, 2014
Your new favorite meme.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (June 6-9 2014)
Myles Jury out, Frank Trevino vs. Abel Trujillo at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens
Milana Dudieva out, Valerie Letourneau vs. Elizabeth Phillips at UFC 174
Derek Brunson vs. Lorenz Larkin at UFC 176
Walmir Lazaro vs. James Vick booked for UFC 176
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via NamesJack.
Irish television outlet 3e secures rights to show UFC Dublin
Today marks another step in the progression of MMA here in Ireland. Irish television outlet 3e, a free to view televison channel here in the green isle (owned by “TV3”) has secured the rights to show upcoming Irish sports superstar Conor McGregor bring his brash, arrogant and talented traits to the Octogon here in Ireland. From my powerful obsession of this sport I have learned that much like Ali back in the day, McGregor and his open minded blabbering has single-handedly brought the UFC back to Ireland after an absence of more than five whole years, something of which me and many others have been chomping at the bit for. Not only did McGregor help create revenue for the sport here in Ireland, this past week he has contributed towards two huge milestones for this small country in that helping UFC Dublin being one of the fastest selling UFC events of all time, with tickets selling out almost immediately and also McGregor also promising and succeeding in bringing this country the UFC to an Irish TV outlet something of which I am proud of and a little fascinated by how a single man such as McGregor with no political power can change the whole landscape of a sport in a country.
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Check out the rest of the post here.
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me up on Twitter @SaintMMA and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.