Cathal Pendred had a busy week.
The UFC welterweight took a break from his Twitter beef with CM Punk, WWE fanboys and other trolls Thursday to write a sports column about it.
According to Pendred, the Irishman wasn’t trying to call Punk out with the tweet that started it all, just make fun of himself.
“I was half slagging myself off when I Tweeted a pic of him hitting the pads and commented that he makes me look like Ali,” Pendred wrote for the Irish Mirror. “Fact is, people haven’t been too impressed with that part of my game either, so it was a little dig at me as well.”
Calling Punk ‘the laughing stock of the UFC,’ Pedred has to give the convert some credit for landing with a strong camp, Milwaukee’s Roufusport.
“In fairness he’s trained at a really good gym for the last year but no one makes their MMA debut in the UFC,” said Pendred. “You slowly build yourself up, work your way through the ranks. It’s a weird situation but I can understand from a business perspective why the UFC are going with it.
“He’s a very famous WWE figure in the States and has already brought a lot of attention to the business. I’ve no major objection to him, even if a stuntman entering this highly-skilled sport is the equivalent of me wanting to become a pro footballer and joining Man United.”
Pendred says he received an outpouring of support from fans hoping to see him tangle with Punk in the pro wrestler’s Octagon debut.
“While WWE fans said they wanted the same thing, it’s a bit delusional on their part,” said Pendred. “They somehow think it would be a competitive fight! A hell of a lot of UFC fighters have been calling him out, trying to organize a fight with him because there’s a lot of bucks in it given he’s such high a profile draw. He’s ignored them all, so the fact he got onto me makes me think he might fancy himself against me, which is quite funny in truth.
“I’d love it. It would be a bit of fun. He’ll probably be humiliated on his debut but the UFC will continue to use him to attract more supporters. I have my own fight in October to prepare for but if something comes of this fight down the line, I’ll jump at it.”
As of now, Pendred is set to face Tom Breese Oct. 24 at UFC Fight Night: Duffy vs. Poirier.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Closure. Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva has been suspended one year for his failed UFC 183 drug tests.
Comedy of errors. Five things we learned from Anderson Silva’s bizarre Nevada Athletic Commission hearing.
‘They lose too much money.’ Joe Rogan talks Reebok sponsor pay. ‘I’m on the fighters’ side when it comes to that.’
McGregor show. Chris Weidman defends his middleweight title against Luke Rockhold in the UFC 194 co-main event.
‘My disenchantment has come from the business side of it.’ Tim Kennedy isn’t happy with the current state of MMA.‘The reffing, the sponsorship. Where the sport is now is horrible and tragic and pathetic.’
MEDIA STEW
Donald Cerrone messing with John Dodson.
Silva blaming Thai sex supplements for positive PED test.
Lorenzo Fertitta says fighting is easy compared to (American) football, as roughness goes.
Behind the scenes at GLORY 23.
Rogan on Reebok.
Nice quick interview with Ray Longo.
Long watches.
Dariush-Johnson and The Counter Fighters (Styles Make Fights)
…
…
Phuket Dreaming Season 2 – Episode 1 – “Thai Style” (Fair warning about a lengthy cock fighting scene, but no gore)
…
TWEETS
See how the pros reacted to Anderson Silva’s NAC suspension.
Booked.
This is gonna be a lot of fun! Can’t wait !! #UFC194 https://t.co/oJ71h8FCeX
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) August 14, 2015
@chrisweidmanufc time has come. Las Vegas, MGM Grand, December 12. https://t.co/6nxEc6Ox1v
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) August 14, 2015
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) August 14, 2015
More Anderson reactions.
People forgive people who are honest about their mistakes. Everyone is a screw up at the end of the day. It’s relatable. Truth sets u free.
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) August 13, 2015
Who has the Soundtrack from todays Anderson hearing? How weird was that? Where was is coming from?
— Al Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) August 13, 2015
I don’t know but it just seems like 12 months ain’t enough
— Robert Whiteford (@Flyinjudoka) August 13, 2015
The #NSAC only prosecutes fighters but no one holds them accountable for their crooked judges. But they profit off fighters #beurocacy
— Ramsey Nijem (@RamseyNijem) August 13, 2015
I don’t know which genius came up with the viagra thing for Anderson Silva to talk about. Got punished, and revealed his Sex Enhancing Drug!
— Siyar Bahadurzada (@Siyarized) August 13, 2015
Is Anderson sponsored by Viagra? That’s the only reason I could see using that as a defense??
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) August 14, 2015
I’m done after this. pic.twitter.com/cQZccogjZr
— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) August 13, 2015
Oh no.
— Chael Sonnen (@sonnench) August 13, 2015
Get well soon.
Had successful ankle surgery this Am So did my brother’s knee @Freddy_Assuncao simultaneously Here’s my new ankle ! pic.twitter.com/p5ssNMagQ4
— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) August 13, 2015
My knee is starting to turn the corner. I’m hoping to fight December or Jan https://t.co/QmTwao9IDA
— heatherjoclark (@heatherjoclark) August 13, 2015
Congrats.
Not bad for my first 142.6 race #vinemanironman #ironman @colemilleratt don’t kill yourself trying to… https://t.co/4sSeKUXvHJ
— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) August 14, 2015
Beef.
Hey #12 @wilsonreis7 this is #13, I want your spot. @seanshelby @danawhite @ufc let’s make it happen!!
— Ray Borg (@tazmexufc) August 14, 2015
Some interesting credentials.
Flying out ?? at 6am I’d normally have my “I hate the world” face on at that time?? but I’m WAY… https://t.co/glv0NUQ3YY
— Ashlee Evans-Smith (@AshleeMMA1) August 13, 2015
This Week in Struggle.
When that one song (trap queen) comes on the radio and makes you think of that one girl (a stripper)
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) August 10, 2015
I gotta whoop this dudes ass on OCT 17th at WSOF 24 so I can afford to stain my hardwood floors
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) August 11, 2015
Hey @ufc 3 straight 1st round wins about to make it 4 next month I’m ready to come back home @seanshelby @danawhite https://t.co/tCqB0e1s0R
— Steven Siler (@Stevesiler) August 14, 2015
To this whole dnb craze I don’t care if you do something or do nothing just don’t be a bitch let’s be… https://t.co/7hyC760zHw
— Rose Namajunas (@rosenamajunas) August 12, 2015
Im starving for some fajitas y rice , but im trying to stay lean n shit… The struggle
— HECTOR URBINA (@WHATDAHECT) August 13, 2015
There goes my drivers license… #FML pic.twitter.com/JOmoBcJeKp
— Siyar Bahadurzada (@Siyarized) August 12, 2015
HOW ARE YOU “UNABLE TO LOCATE A PRINTER”?? IT IS SITTING RIGHT NEXT TO YOU AND PLUGGED INTO YOU!!! IT IS THE EXACT SAME PRINTER AS ALWAYS!!!
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) August 11, 2015
Right 8 weeks till fight, time to get my run on. This is going to suck as I can’t remember the last I went running! pic.twitter.com/nBoYkKMTam
— John Maguire (@MaguireTheOne) August 10, 2015
If a woman says, “Just tell me the truth I won’t be mad.” Don’t say sh^t cuzz she’s already mad.
— Danny Castillo (@lastcall155) August 13, 2015
Just sitting here waiting for @Cowboycerrone to invite me out golfing pic.twitter.com/97LBH9YofJ
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) August 13, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Aug. 13 2015)
Rafael dos Anjos vs. Donald Cerrone at UFC on FOX 17
Chris Weidman vs. Luke Rockhold at UFC 194
Henry Corrales vs. Emmanuel Sanchez at Bellator 143
Nicolas Dalby vs. Darren Till at UFC Fight Night: Duffy vs. Poirier
Andre Fili out, Clay Collard vs. Tiago Trator at UFC 191
Patricio Freire vs. Daniel Straus at Bellator 145
Will Brooks vs. Marcin Held at Bellator 145
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.