Former UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis took a little heat last week when he appeared to take delight in the news that undefeated contender Khabib Nurmagomedov had suffered an injury setback to his knee.
Pettis later clarified, saying he was simply returning the favor.
Jus so you all know I dnt wish injury on anyone!!! pic.twitter.com/yJG8iiGm2s
— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) April 30, 2015
“He was talking big crap when I was injured, how I was a paper champ and scared to fight people,” Pettis told MMASucka.com (via Bloody Elbow). “Injuries happen and there’s nothing you can do about them. He got a little taste of his own medicine.”
Even prior to Pettis dropping his title to current champion Rafael dos Anjos at UFC 185 in March, Nurmagomedov was very vocal about how much stock he put into ‘MMA math.’
Nurmagomedov scored a unanimous decision victory of dos Anjos at UFC on FOX 11 in 2014 and called a potential bout with Pettis, ‘easy money.’
“He probably didn’t wish injuries [on others] but when you talk about injuries and you talk about other people when they’re hurt, it happens to you,” said Pettis. “That’s why I said it to him.”
Nurmagomedov underwent knee surgery earlier this week and is expected to be sidelined four to six months.
“I don’t wish injury on him,” said Pettis. “I hope he gets better and if he is one of the best in the lightweight division we should see it coming up in a couple of months here. He needs to quiet down a little bit, humble himself and just focus on getting better.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
‘Remember the source.’ Daniel Cormier responds to Chael Sonnen’s ‘punk’ comments. ”That’s the thing about Chael, that’s what you have to realize when you get to know him. A lot of times he’s just talking.’
‘He hasn’t had his day in court.’ Jon Jones‘ manager says it was unfair for the UFC to strip the former champion of his title.
‘I’m injured and can’t fight.’ Junior dos Santos says Alistair Overeem ‘is a better talker than a fighter.’ ‘I wanna see him saying these things when I’m 100 percent again. I think he’s going to be quiet again.’
‘I get that decision to put DC in, but we should be next.’ Ryan Bader says his four-fight win streak should be enough to get him a fight with the winner of Daniel Cormier vs. Anthony Johnson.
HOF. The UFC is revamping its Hall of Fame with new categories and building a … building for it.
MEDIA STEW
Fun promo for Edgar vs. Faber.
Mark Hunt is still scary.
Dan Henderson talks Tim Boetsch. “I don’t want to say he’s good at getting him, but…”
Fight Music Ep 5: Luke Barnatt.
Joe Rogan talks Jose Aldo vs. Conor McGregor.
Raging Al Iaquinta doing some backyard wrestling at a kid’s birthday party.
Long watches.
…
5 Rounds Today – Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Fallout, Greatness and More
…
TWEETS
Congrats.
Got my BB from @RenzoGracieBJJ n @MattSerraUFC So honored and blessed to have these guys by my side! @Renzograciebjj pic.twitter.com/HFLPykdxeP
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) May 6, 2015
Gonna be wearing this around for a while. Thanks again @Renzograciebjj and Matt Serra for all the… https://t.co/4SLys1RSMx
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) May 6, 2015
Get well soon.
Rehabilitation. ????????????. @ Athletic Gaines https://t.co/sCOFCwMYXw
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) May 5, 2015
Beef.
@danawhite : Johnny you want to fight Tyron? #JohnyHendrick : Tyron Who !? . Let go… https://t.co/8Y0ZeXDNjd
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) May 5, 2015
Lets go @JohnyHendricks @ufc arent U N the biz of puttin 2gether fights fans want 2C & make sense? @danawhite pic.twitter.com/jls4RxqpAy
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) May 5, 2015
@JohnyHendricks U have 2 make a pit stop here B4 u get ur “4th” shot at the Title! @danawhite @ufc @lorenzofertitta pic.twitter.com/FOW7CV4woY
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) May 5, 2015
Dan Bilzerian where you at pic.twitter.com/QKj1Pl4Hv9
— Makwan Amirkhani (@MakwanAmirkhani) May 5, 2015
It’s Cinco de Signo Sonnyboy’…
— Jake Ellenberger (@EllenbergerMMA) May 5, 2015
Here we go.
Reportage très intéressant sur les effets spectaculaires du dopage sportif! http://t.co/4RYU2ZhRv7
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) May 5, 2015
OK.
.@davidbix @ArtDavie @joerogan Hulk Hogan being asked to fight in #originalUFC is absolutely false. Not in real life anyway.
— Campbell McLaren (@campbellcombate) May 4, 2015
@campbellcombate if you’re really disputing a statement made by a flamboyant entertaining pro wrestler you’ve already lost. 🙂
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) May 5, 2015
“#Ebc time well spent #hoodrich @spartan_sano @natediaz209 ready to rematch won the last fight to by far learn how a real fight works UFC needs to you to incorporate yellow cards for people who stall or move away be much better for the fans and the and the sport to favor the best martial artist
should be fighting in a ring instead of a dog cage like to see someone get away with for corners should be promoting #mma not a game of tag and hold on for dear life #pridefc #welovethering”
Interested?
Everyday that goes by I’m becoming less and less interested in a fight at 155 I am more interested in featherweight fights @seanshelby
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) May 5, 2015
after ten years in @ufc I’m not dropping down to 45 to fight a no namer I’ve earned that much @seanshelby
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) May 6, 2015
@DennisSiver if the timing was right I would be interested
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) May 6, 2015
@ScottCoker @rich_chou I see RFA vs Legacy champ vs champ. Let’s throw down @BellatorMMA vs @MMAWorldSeries champ vs champ.
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) May 6, 2015
Happy holidays.
tacosandbeer @ifightordie ninoboxer1 frankcesena @ Tacos & Beer https://t.co/O79AxZWx0U
— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) May 6, 2015
Cinco de Mayo y Taco Tuesday with @AshleeMMA1 ! pic.twitter.com/1bfxyhQmMk
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) May 6, 2015
Once upon a time in Mexico #cincodemayo https://t.co/P2whVHRWMe
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) May 6, 2015
Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone please eat some Mexican food for my hungry ass #cincodemayo #lamalillaaustralia pic.twitter.com/PfKxF45FqC
— ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) May 6, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (May 5 2015)
Brian Ortega vs. Thiago Tavares at UFC Fight Night: Boetsch vs. Henderson
Henry Corrales vs. Daniel Straus at Bellator 138
Sergio Moraes vs. Peter Sobotta at UFC Fight Night: Jedrzejczyk vs. Penne
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.