Roy Nelson is hours away from having to survive Mark Hunt’s overhand right, but he’s still got time to dig at UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez.
According to Nelson, Velasquez has been sheltered, presumably by the UFC, in order to protect him from, well, Nelson.
“I think Cain Velasquez has only fought the same guy over and over the last couple of years, because they don’t want to change (the champion),” Nelson told FOX Sports.
Velasquez hasn’t competed since finishing his trilogy with former champ Junior dos Santos last October at UFC 166. Velasquez walked away with a TKO, but suffered a torn labrum which required surgery.
“I think any time you’re the champ, you just want to live it up,” said Nelson. “If I was the champ, I’d call it a day. ‘I’ve got pigeon toe. Oh, my toe is hurting, I can’t fight.’ … I’ve gotta make fun of (Velasquez) — ‘Oh, my shoulder hurts. Oh, my butt hurts.'”
Lacking a promoter who shares his enthusiasm, Nelson was forced to borrow from boxing.
“Don King would be clamoring here,” said Nelson. “This is the fight we need to happen. It’s like Pacquiao vs. Mayweather. They just don’t want to make it happen.”
UFC president Dana White probably wouldn’t be jazzed with Nelson’s ideas on co-branding.
“I can put ‘White Pride’ on my chest,” Nelson joked. “He has his ‘Brown Pride’ on his chest. Wait, that isn’t the same thing, is it?”
Nelson faces Hunt in the main event Sept. 20 at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Nelson in Saitama, Japan. Velasquez defends his title to Fabricio Werdum at UFC 180 on Nov. 15 in Mexico City, Mexico.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
MMA Beat. The panel discusses the state of the UFC’s heavyweight division, the upcoming UFC card in Japan, Khabib Nurmagomedov’s contender status, the promotion for UFC 178, next weekend’s pay-per-view lineup, and more.
Super Samoan. With six fights left on his deal, Mark Hunt needs one more shot at a heavyweight title before walking away. ‘I want to beat Roy on Saturday night, and then I want to fight a top-five guy. Then I want to challenge for the title once, whoever that may be against. That’s all I’m interested in. I want one chance for that title shot.’
Jacare ‘ahead of everyone else.’ Ronaldo Souza says he thought he’d be in more of a war with Gegard Mousasi. ‘I wanted to submit him, of course, but I wasn’t expecting to submit him. I was expecting a tougher fight.’
Pressure. Tim Kennedy doesn’t think he’ll have a problem taking Yoel Romero down. ‘If he tries to use his wrestling, I’m good enough to stop his takedowns. I want to beat him up on our feet.’
‘We’ve got to do what’s right for Travis.’ Trainer Greg Jackson reacts to Travis Browne’s departure in favor of training under Edmond Tarverdyan.
MEDIA STEW
Weigh-ins from last night.
Mark Hunt’s gym escape.
Ronda Rousey demonstrating a few throws in Brazil.
Mini Ronda scrum.
TTTHS.
‘Filthy’ Rich Walsh’s vlog from fight week in Japan.
Jon Jones vs. Les Grossman.
Long watches.
Eddie Bravo “MASTERING THE SYSTEM” episode 68 (feat. Denny Prokopos, & Josh Barnett)
TWEETS
One took the bait.
I’m calling out Ross @RossTheRealDeal Norman Park and @FuryJury I guys decide who’s going to go first
— Bobby King Green (@BobbyKGreen) September 18, 2014
I’m calling out @AbelTrujillo1 @JoeLauzon and @GamebredFighter if he wins his next fight
— Bobby King Green (@BobbyKGreen) September 18, 2014
I’m calling out @lastcall155 @JimMiller_155 and anyone else I was suppose to fight but pull out due to injury
— Bobby King Green (@BobbyKGreen) September 18, 2014
I know it makes no sense but I have no interest in the title if it comes great. My only intentions are to slay the division #KingArmy
— Bobby King Green (@BobbyKGreen) September 18, 2014
@lastcall155 I’m sorry guys I’m sorry u look like u were about to go in the back and cry like a lil girl lol stop laying on guys #boring
— Bobby King Green (@BobbyKGreen) September 19, 2014
@BobbyKGreen Bobbi, you had ur chance remember. Then, you pulled out, something about 2 limp wrist.
— Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) September 19, 2014
@BobbyKGreen Bobbi spent his fight money and all he has to show for it is a rocawear jacket and 2 fake gold chains.
— Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) September 19, 2014
@BobbyKGreen Talk all that shit and pull out. Then, talk more shit cuzz ur broke and need a fight. #BrokeBitch
— Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) September 19, 2014
Nice.
.@stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/rSZm7dpWpc
— Dana White (@danawhite) September 18, 2014
Get well soon.
Knees feeling great! Thanks http://t.co/cQ2A9lJl5K for the advanced support on my @ufc return! @FadyOrthopedic #178 pic.twitter.com/XQyhqWvQ38
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) September 19, 2014
Apparently it cost like $3 so someone let me know.
Gonna tell y I didn’t fight 4the belt and what’s going on with me and Bellator later tonight on my tweet Secret app so everybody understands
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) September 18, 2014
She’s swell.
Come hang out with me tomorrow 6-8 pm for @themodcabin beard competition! 401 S Public Rd in … http://t.co/2yzjzWoMoA pic.twitter.com/cOwMXxRRk4
— Rose Namajunas (@rosenamajunas) September 19, 2014
Congrats.
Very happy and honored to receive my purple belt in #bjj from my coach Nate Ryan at @MassBJJ 🙂 pic.twitter.com/7Z3CqhQqkz
— Peggy Morgan (@peggymorganmma) September 19, 2014
Damn.
#Redlightdistrict #sleepylittlepanda #thatsnotyourbedbro http://t.co/ZcrpOUGRbA
— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) September 19, 2014
I’m like the pied piper of unattractive women pic.twitter.com/QhchsrKHwT
— Sean McCorkle (@BigSexyMcCorkle) September 19, 2014
I’m not the only one that just saw this am I? pic.twitter.com/RW8yHmqhIh
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) September 19, 2014
I heard I could find #RayRice here, I been here for hours and he still hasn’t showed up. Must be scared! pic.twitter.com/tAYcS1FFz9
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) September 18, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Sept. 18 2014)
Junior dos Santos vs. Stipe Miocic at UFC on FOX 13
Derek Brunson vs. Ed Herman at UFC on FOX 13
Bryan Barberena vs. Joe Ellenberger at UFC on FOX 13
Todd Duffee vs. Anthony Hamilton at UFC 181
Yancy Medeiros vs. Joe Proctor at The Ultimate Fighter 20 Finale
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.