Every time we think we’re out, they pull us back in. Though it probably should be expected by now, because that’s the bizarre thing about this UFC 151 situation: it’s not like Jon Jones goes to bake in isolation under the Albuquerque sun for a couple months. He’s headlining the next UFC event. With that responsibility comes media obligations, and with those media obligations come the inevitable questions about the debacle that just happened.
If anything, it’s been interesting to see Jones’ slow evolution throughout this process. Even though the man was publicly lambasted by his bosses, at first he still tried to stay the good guy. Then at some point last week he kind of shrugged his shoulders and stopped playing the company man. And now, with his latest comments, he’s finally throwing some of the blame right back at the Dana White and the UFC.
“I had to do what’s right for myself by turning down that fight,” Jones remarked to the Montreal Gazette. “Dana had to do what was right for himself by putting the blame on everyone else except for himself.
“I think in the future, this can make me and Dana even better off. For him to get out how he felt about me in that situation, it will help me look at things more business-oriented. A lot of good can come out of it. Fighters can learn the lesson of doing what’s best for themselves and not feeling like puppets. I think the UFC has learned a lesson of making sure they stay loyal to the fans and give them full cards.”
Jones’ words are striking, if only because they’re a rarity. For any fighter employed under the Zuffa umbrella, retribution is swift, and going hard at White and the Fertitta brothers is akin to professional suicide. Only a few fighters could safely call out White for blaming the cancellation on everybody but himself — which happens to be a true statement — and even fewer could actually suggest the UFC “learned a lesson” about selling one-fight pay-per-views off at $55 a pop — which is exactly what UFC 151 was.
Where we go from here is anyone’s guess, but two things are clear. First, this dialogue isn’t going anywhere until UFC 152 is wrapped-up and in the books. Second, Jones’ willingness to attack the top only seems to be growing, as does his boldness. Really, these press conferences can’t come soon enough.
6 MUST-READ STORIES
Jones says White blamed everybody but himself. Speaking with Montreal Gazette, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones flipped the script on the UFC 151 fallout, explaining that “Dana [White] had to do what was right for himself” by not admitting fault, and that the “UFC has learned a lesson of making sure they stay loyal to the fans and give them full cards.”
Dos Santos involved in hit-and-run. UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos was the victim of a hit-and-run accident in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil last weekend. Dos Santos is unhurt and still plans to fight Cain Velasquez at UFC 155, though he noted that Salvador traffic is “frightening.”
Mitrione would welcome Jones to heavyweight. Former NFL player Matt Mitrione didn’t exactly mince words when it came to Jon Jones, saying the young champ was “douchey” and that if he wanted to test out the heavyweight waters, Mitrione would love to welcome him.
Munoz potentially out for year. UFC middleweight Mark Munoz said he could potentially be sidelined for upwards of a year due to foot injuries sustained prior to his bout against Chris Weidman.
Torres to headline World Series of Fighting. Former WEC champion Miguel Torres will headline the World Series of Fighting’s inaugural show against a yet-to-be-named opponent. The event — which also features Gregor Gracie, Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante, Josh Burkman, Bobby Lashley and James McSweeney, among others — is slated to take place November 3, 2012 at the Planet Hollywood Casino in Las Vegas, NV, and will air live on NBC Sports Network.
Morecraft arrested. Heavyweight Christian Morecraft was pulled over and arrested by police in Hyannis, Massachusetts after being charged with “operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, driving so as to endanger, speeding, and driving with no license in possession.” Following his arrest, Morecraft posted an apology on his Facebook page.
MEDIA STEW
The MMA Live crew recently ran down a top-5 list of the biggest, most implausible upsets in MMA history. Any disagreements with their choices?
Rampage Jackson and King Mo aren’t exactly happy with the current state of affairs in MMA, and they want to tell you how it can be fixed.
Zombie Prophet took the liberty of compiling a playlist comprised of fights from all 16 cast members of TUF: The Smashes, so feel free to spend the rest of your day checking out some British and Australian MMA. For more, subscribe to the MMA Nation YouTube channel.
Looks like Ronda Rousey’s eventual successor is being groomed as we speak.
(HT: Reddit)
The first time “Ninja” Rua and Paulo Filho fought was at 2006’s PRIDE Bushido 10, and the career outlook for both men was anything but bleak. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for last night’s rematch.
(HT: Bloody Elbow)
YOU COME AT THE KING, YOU BEST NOT MISSPELL
“@jeff_leblanc343: @sonnench Your garbage.” it’s YOU ARE. Resend genius, then do yourself a favor and go buy my book.
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) September 6, 2012
GREAT NEWS
The word is that everything has gone well with my nephew’s transplant. Both Danny and my Aunt came out strong. TY everyone for the support
— Jim Miller (@JimMiller_155) September 6, 2012
THE FRIENDLIEST TRASH TALK EVER
@smiocic Dude let’s ask @ufc 2 let us fight this weekend, I’m so done with training I’m about to start crying :p
— Stefan Struve (@StefanStruve) September 6, 2012
@smiocic @ufc lets find à spot somewhere in the middle and just beat the shit out of each other 🙂
— Stefan Struve (@StefanStruve) September 6, 2012
@smiocic @ufc hell yes! Almost there brotha, 3 more weeks 🙂
— Stefan Struve (@StefanStruve) September 6, 2012
@smiocic @ufc lol I do prefer à yard with a nice lawn tho..
— Stefan Struve (@StefanStruve) September 6, 2012
HELPFUL BARNETT
An athlete wouldn’t sweat it…fatty.RT @theerikhammer Wife wants to go zip lining. # limit 275 I weigh 265# Concerned…a little.
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) September 7, 2012
WELL THAT WOULD’VE BEEN SOMETHING
I love Clint Eastwood and all but when I heard there was gonna be a secret guest speaker at the republican convention I thought for sure
— Forrest Griffin (@ForrestGriffin) September 7, 2012
it would be Chael Sonnen
— Forrest Griffin (@ForrestGriffin) September 7, 2012
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Thursday, September 5, 2012):
– UFC on FUEL 6: Kyung Ho Kang (11-6) vs. Alex “Bruce Leeroy” Caceres (7-5)
– UFC on FUEL 6: Marcelo Guimaraes (8-0-1) vs. Hyun Gyu Lim (10-3-1)
– World Series of Fighting: Miguel Torres (40-5) vs. TBA booked for main event
– World Series of Fighting: Gerald Harris (21-4) vs. Josh Burkman (23-9)
– World Series of Fighting: Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante (16-6) vs. John Gunderson (34-14)
– World Series of Fighting: Ronys Torres (25-4) vs. Brian Cobb (19-7)
– World Series of Fighting: Gregor Gracie (7-2) vs. Tyson Steele (8-1)
– World Series of Fighting: Rolles Gracie (7-1) vs. TBA
– World Series of Fighting: James McSweeney (10-9) vs. TBA
– World Series of Fighting: Bobby Lashley (7-2) vs. TBA
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day is an introductory lesson, courtesy of Motmaitre: The Karate Chronicles – A Case Study
Back to the basics. From time to time, I hanker after a dose of quality combat striking, and trawl YouTube for exciting Karate matches. It feels good to see punches that don’t loop wildly, and kicks that don’t whirl like drunken soccer shots. And now, with UFC action in a lull before the storm, I thought I’d use one randomly-selected Karate bout to share some pointers on Karate as a sport, clear up some popular misconceptions, and throw in a gratuitous MMA reference or two.
First, enjoy this Bronze medal fight between two female warriors at the WKF 2010 World Championships. I shall then point out some moments of note from the fight. Sit back, and let me be your Joe Rogan. But first, a brief primer on the rules:
What’s all this about? For those unfamiliar with Karate competitions, the simple explanation is that the competitors are trying to score points without hurting each other. Punches and kicks are supposed to be thrown with power and precision, but be controlled to stop just short of contact, or to only make light ‘skin’ contact. Clean, powerful strikes that would have done damage if they were not controlled score points. Voila:
Scoring: In WKF rules, punches score one point (‘ippon’), body kicks, combos and strikes to the back score two points (‘nihon’); and head kicks and takedowns combined with finishing blows earn three points (‘sanbon’). Yes, comrades, blows to the back of the head are actively encouraged. After all, if you turn your back on a bloodthirsty adversary, you deserve whatever ensues. However, uncontrolled contact that causes injury results in a penalty. The combatant with the most points at the end of the match wins. If there is a draw at the end of the match, a sudden-death period is instituted.
More after the jump…
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me on Twitter @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in Monday’s column.