Morning Report: Dana White says UFC in negotiations with Josh Barnett, men’s 115-pound division will ‘happen’

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The flyweights may not be the smallest men on the Zuffa roster for much longer.

Less a week removed from the first defense of Demetrious Johnson’s 125-pound title, UFC officials are already in the preliminary stages of adding a men’s Strawweight division (115 pounds) to the promotion’s ranks. UFC President Dana White confirmed the news on Tuesday night’s episode of UFC Tonight.

“As the sport continues to grow and we go into other markets like Latin America and Asia, yes, we will eventually open up a lighter weight division, which is a great thing,” White announced. “It’s an amazing opportunity for fighters all over the world.”

UFC officials recently trekked to Mexico to scout potential fighters for the 115-pound division, and White apparently liked what he saw.

“I don’t know how soon it’s going to happen,” he explained. “But yes, it will eventually happen.”

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7 MUST-READ STORIES

115-pound division imminent. UFC President Dana White told the crew at UFC Tonight that the addition of a men’s 115-pound division in the UFC will “eventually happen,” noting the lighter weight class as an opportunity for fighters in Asia and Latin America.

Couture signs Spike TV deal. UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture reportedly inked a muti-year contract with Spike TV, one that would see the former champion featured in multiple projects for the network, including Bellator’s upcoming reality show, according to SI.com.

TUF 17 recap. Catch up on last night’s episode of The Ultimate Fighter 17 with a running recap plus fight results.

White talks Barnett. Appearing on UFC Tonight, Dana White issued this statement about former Strikeforce heavyweight and current free agent Josh Barnett: “We’re talking to Josh Barnett right now. Yes, we’re open to bringing Josh Barnett into the UFC. It’s about making a deal now.”

Jardine semi-retired. Speaking with MMAFightCorner, former UFC and Strikeforce fighter Keith Jardine said of his current status: “I’m semi-retired, I’m definitely on the shelf right now.”

UFC roster. The folks over at Bloody Elbow have compiled a comprehensive database of all recent UFC roster moves, including releases, signings, and fight announcements for all nine divisions. Check it out, it’s pretty nifty.

Silva vs. Weidman ‘closer than people think.’ When asked about the next defense of Anderson Silva’s middleweight title, Dana White told UFC Tonight that a bout against Chris Weidman was “closer and more possible than people think,” eventually adding, “We’re looking at a couple different options right now, some options that we like, and Weidman is one of them.”

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MEDIA STEW

I’d say that ACL has healed up just fine.

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A few days later, and Anthony Pettis‘ performance is still remarkable. That knee may have saved Donald Cerrone from landing at the top of everyone’s ‘Knockout of the Year’ list.

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Ronda Rousey watch out, this litte girl is coming for you.

(HT: Reddit)

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Amanda Lucas is a professional fighter sporting a 5-1 record, nicknamed “Powerhouse.” Her dad also happens to be George Lucas.

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As fight week gears up, check out the lastest from Frankie Edgar’s video blog series. (If you missed it, feel free to catch up with part 1 and part 2.)

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Watching Joe Rogan at weigh-ins = Gold.

(HT: Reddit)

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I’m not going to pretend like I have any idea what’s going on here, but for anyone interested, former UFC champ Brock Lesnar appears around the 4:20 mark.

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SARCASM DETECTOR NEEDED

@jayrequard I love it

— Dana White (@danawhite) January 29, 2013

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FRANKIE LOOKING SLIM

Assinando os posters do @ufc 156! Signing @ufc 156 posters! @frankieedgar @ufc_brasil #Fightweek twitpic.com/bzbv64

Demian Maia (@demianmaia) January 29, 2013

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SETTLING A DISCUSSION

Let me set the record straight it is not trash talk when I say he got booed and he’s boring if its true every fight I listened to the crowd

Bobby Green (@BobbyKGreen) January 29, 2013

@jacobvolkmann come on bro why are u saying I’m shit talking I’m really not just saying I want us to have a exciting fight no disrespect

— Bobby Green (@BobbyKGreen) January 29, 2013

@jacobvolkmann never said anything about knocking u out I said the best fight I saw from u was when u got dropped by Paulo thiago

— Bobby Green (@BobbyKGreen) January 29, 2013

@jacobvolkmann there’s no need for trash talk were going to fight in a couple of days I don’t want my character or yours to be damaged

— Bobby Green (@BobbyKGreen) January 29, 2013

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DIDN’T WORK OUT SO WELL LAST TIME

Very frustrated that one of my main sponsors still has not paid me for my last fight which was Nov 17…

Mark Bocek (@MarkBocek) January 29, 2013

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HARD TO ARGUE

Complete joke, its legal so dont blame fighters blame the commissions for allowingRT @troy_little: @brianstann what’s your stance on TRT?

Brian Stann (@BrianStann) January 30, 2013

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ROAD TO RECOVERY

One more surgery to go! ACL replacement. I can’t believe I’ve gone 6 months with out one. Back to back surgeries.I will b nice 2b pain free

Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) January 30, 2013

I think so. @andystowe: @titoortiz @danawhite paid for your neck surgery himself?”

— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) January 30, 2013

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RIP

RIP Master Helio Gracie. 4 years today without our Grand Master. #BJJ #GracieJiuJitsu

Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) January 29, 2013

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Tuesday, January 29, 2013):

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FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day sees MikeWellman88 return with: Aldo vs Edgar: Looking at the superfight

To answer your first question, yes this is a superfight. Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar is the best possible match in mma at any weight class below 155. This is going to be the eighth title fight in a row for Edgar, and the sixth for Aldo. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, after defeating BJ Penn to win the UFC lightweight title, Edgar was asked at a pre-weigh in Q&A session with fans who he’d most like to fight out of anyone in the UFC or out. His answer was Jose Aldo, who at the time was the WEC featherweight champion. The two organizations hadn’t merged yet, and Aldo would have been the stiffest competition outside the UFC. Fast forward three years and Jose Aldo is Frankie Edgar’s stiffest competition in the UFC.

Edgar is perhaps most famous for his resiliency and his ability to come back from the brink of defeat, further defining what the brink actually is in the process. Both of his fights with Gray Maynard featured exchanges where Edgar was being bounced back and forth around the cage by hard punches early in the fight, and in both fights Edgar came back and kept fighting. Aldo is most known for his amazing striking, and sheer dominance. Aldo lost his way a bit at UFC 129, when he gassed out against Mark Hominick, but he already had enough rounds in the bank to win. Other than that he has looked almost perfect, never really being in danger of losing.

Jose Aldo will most likely try to impact Edgar’s boxing by chipping away at him with outside leg kicks. I don’t think it would be wise for Edgar to fight at range against Aldo, as most of the champions strikes are thrown with fight-changing intent, and that combined with his aggressive finishing instinct usually make a short night for the challengers looking to strike it out.

Shooting for the takedown in the middle of the cage against Aldo is a very effective treatment for insomnia. You will be sleeping tonight. That’s not to say that the pressure needed by Edgar to control where the fight goes against Aldo is any easier of a task. Aldo is most dangerous in first round, where he posts most of his finishes. Edgar’s best chance is get Aldo against the fence, and try to get the takedown. Aldo cuts more weight than Edgar to get to featherweight limit, so he’ll probably be the bigger fighter in the cage. This will be Frankie’s first fight at 145, usually fighting at 155, closer to what he walks around at. That could play a factor in the fight.

If Frankie can’t get him down, he’s going to need to tire out the champ against the fence for as long as he can, and get the fight back against the fence and try again. Aldo has so many more paths to victory than Edgar does in this fight. These two have to be considered each other’s most skilled opponent. I see the champion retaining, by second round tko. I think Edgar can weather some hard shots, and his foot work will take fight out of the opening round, but I don’t think he’ll last against Aldo’s onslaught. This is a fight that has been talked about for a long time, between two of the pound-for-pound best ever, and we’re finally going to get to see it.

Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me on Twitter @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.

010_dana_white

The flyweights may not be the smallest men on the Zuffa roster for much longer.

Less a week removed from the first defense of Demetrious Johnson’s 125-pound title, UFC officials are already in the preliminary stages of adding a men’s Strawweight division (115 pounds) to the promotion’s ranks. UFC President Dana White confirmed the news on Tuesday night’s episode of UFC Tonight.

“As the sport continues to grow and we go into other markets like Latin America and Asia, yes, we will eventually open up a lighter weight division, which is a great thing,” White announced. “It’s an amazing opportunity for fighters all over the world.”

UFC officials recently trekked to Mexico to scout potential fighters for the 115-pound division, and White apparently liked what he saw.

“I don’t know how soon it’s going to happen,” he explained. “But yes, it will eventually happen.”

Star-divide

7 MUST-READ STORIES

115-pound division imminent. UFC President Dana White told the crew at UFC Tonight that the addition of a men’s 115-pound division in the UFC will “eventually happen,” noting the lighter weight class as an opportunity for fighters in Asia and Latin America.

Couture signs Spike TV deal. UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture reportedly inked a muti-year contract with Spike TV, one that would see the former champion featured in multiple projects for the network, including Bellator’s upcoming reality show, according to SI.com.

TUF 17 recap. Catch up on last night’s episode of The Ultimate Fighter 17 with a running recap plus fight results.

White talks Barnett. Appearing on UFC Tonight, Dana White issued this statement about former Strikeforce heavyweight and current free agent Josh Barnett: “We’re talking to Josh Barnett right now. Yes, we’re open to bringing Josh Barnett into the UFC. It’s about making a deal now.”

Jardine semi-retired. Speaking with MMAFightCorner, former UFC and Strikeforce fighter Keith Jardine said of his current status: “I’m semi-retired, I’m definitely on the shelf right now.”

UFC roster. The folks over at Bloody Elbow have compiled a comprehensive database of all recent UFC roster moves, including releases, signings, and fight announcements for all nine divisions. Check it out, it’s pretty nifty.

Silva vs. Weidman ‘closer than people think.’ When asked about the next defense of Anderson Silva’s middleweight title, Dana White told UFC Tonight that a bout against Chris Weidman was “closer and more possible than people think,” eventually adding, “We’re looking at a couple different options right now, some options that we like, and Weidman is one of them.”

Star-divide

MEDIA STEW

I’d say that ACL has healed up just fine.

Star-divide

A few days later, and Anthony Pettis‘ performance is still remarkable. That knee may have saved Donald Cerrone from landing at the top of everyone’s ‘Knockout of the Year’ list.

Star-divide

Ronda Rousey watch out, this litte girl is coming for you.

(HT: Reddit)

Star-divide

Amanda Lucas is a professional fighter sporting a 5-1 record, nicknamed “Powerhouse.” Her dad also happens to be George Lucas.

Star-divide

As fight week gears up, check out the lastest from Frankie Edgar’s video blog series. (If you missed it, feel free to catch up with part 1 and part 2.)

Star-divide

Watching Joe Rogan at weigh-ins = Gold.

(HT: Reddit)

Star-divide

I’m not going to pretend like I have any idea what’s going on here, but for anyone interested, former UFC champ Brock Lesnar appears around the 4:20 mark.

Star-divide

SARCASM DETECTOR NEEDED

Star-divide

FRANKIE LOOKING SLIM

Star-divide

SETTLING A DISCUSSION

Star-divide

DIDN’T WORK OUT SO WELL LAST TIME

Star-divide

HARD TO ARGUE

Star-divide

ROAD TO RECOVERY

Star-divide

RIP

Star-divide

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Tuesday, January 29, 2013):

Star-divide

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day sees MikeWellman88 return with: Aldo vs Edgar: Looking at the superfight

To answer your first question, yes this is a superfight. Jose Aldo vs. Frankie Edgar is the best possible match in mma at any weight class below 155. This is going to be the eighth title fight in a row for Edgar, and the sixth for Aldo. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, after defeating BJ Penn to win the UFC lightweight title, Edgar was asked at a pre-weigh in Q&A session with fans who he’d most like to fight out of anyone in the UFC or out. His answer was Jose Aldo, who at the time was the WEC featherweight champion. The two organizations hadn’t merged yet, and Aldo would have been the stiffest competition outside the UFC. Fast forward three years and Jose Aldo is Frankie Edgar’s stiffest competition in the UFC.

Edgar is perhaps most famous for his resiliency and his ability to come back from the brink of defeat, further defining what the brink actually is in the process. Both of his fights with Gray Maynard featured exchanges where Edgar was being bounced back and forth around the cage by hard punches early in the fight, and in both fights Edgar came back and kept fighting. Aldo is most known for his amazing striking, and sheer dominance. Aldo lost his way a bit at UFC 129, when he gassed out against Mark Hominick, but he already had enough rounds in the bank to win. Other than that he has looked almost perfect, never really being in danger of losing.

Jose Aldo will most likely try to impact Edgar’s boxing by chipping away at him with outside leg kicks. I don’t think it would be wise for Edgar to fight at range against Aldo, as most of the champions strikes are thrown with fight-changing intent, and that combined with his aggressive finishing instinct usually make a short night for the challengers looking to strike it out.

Shooting for the takedown in the middle of the cage against Aldo is a very effective treatment for insomnia. You will be sleeping tonight. That’s not to say that the pressure needed by Edgar to control where the fight goes against Aldo is any easier of a task. Aldo is most dangerous in first round, where he posts most of his finishes. Edgar’s best chance is get Aldo against the fence, and try to get the takedown. Aldo cuts more weight than Edgar to get to featherweight limit, so he’ll probably be the bigger fighter in the cage. This will be Frankie’s first fight at 145, usually fighting at 155, closer to what he walks around at. That could play a factor in the fight.

If Frankie can’t get him down, he’s going to need to tire out the champ against the fence for as long as he can, and get the fight back against the fence and try again. Aldo has so many more paths to victory than Edgar does in this fight. These two have to be considered each other’s most skilled opponent. I see the champion retaining, by second round tko. I think Edgar can weather some hard shots, and his foot work will take fight out of the opening round, but I don’t think he’ll last against Aldo’s onslaught. This is a fight that has been talked about for a long time, between two of the pound-for-pound best ever, and we’re finally going to get to see it.

Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me on Twitter @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.