Author: David St. Martin

Don’t hold your breath hoping to see former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia walk to that Octagon again.

Speaking with Chael Sonnen this week on his podcast, Sylvia explains what caused his abrupt UFC departure in 2008.

In a “Fight of the Night” for the interim heavyweight title, Sylvia was submitted by Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira in February 2008 at UFC 81. By July he’d signed on to face Fedor Emelianenko at Affliction: Banned for the promotion’s debut event.

Sylvia was submitted with a rear-naked choke just 36 seconds into the first round, but earned $800,000 for his trouble.

“I was making $100,000 [to show] and $100,000 [to win] in the UFC,” said Sylvia. “I would have to win four fights in the UFC to make the $800,000 to get what I was paid [at Affliction: Banned]. I had one fight on my contract left and I wanted to fight Brock Lesnar next. They wouldn’t let me do it. I wanted to get paid what he was getting paid. He was getting $300,000 and $300,000 plus PPV buys. He was making about three million dollars a fight. I was like, ‘I’m the [former] f***ing heavyweight champ and this guy comes in and he’s making this kind of money? He’s only fought once in his career.’

“I was very bitter, very pissed off. [UFC] said they were going to have me fight Cheick Kongo over in Europe and I said I wasn’t interested. I asked them to release me from my contract, they did and the next day I signed with Affliction.”

Sylvia achieved a modest 7-6-1 record outside the promotion from 2008-13, but blames UFC president Dana White for never being brought back into the fold.

“You know Dana White,” said Sylvia. “He’s just a f***ing d**k. He’s just holding a grudge. They’re pissed off because I went to support Affliction. I was sponsored by them for three years before that fight. Dana’s just a d**k. He holds grudges. They blackballed Andrei Arlovski, as well, but he was smart, went to a good camp, started picking and choosing who he fought and put eight or ten wins together. They had no choice but to bring him back to the UFC.”

After going 0-4 from 2009-11 against Fedor Emelianenko, Brett Rogers, Antonio Silva and Sergei Kharitonov, Arlovski actually went just 6-1-1 over the next two years before returning to the UFC against Brendan Schaub at UFC 174.

“Look at him,” Sylvia said of Arlovski. “He’s top 10 again. I truly believe that if I hadn’t taken some dumb, stupid fights and stayed in shape I could have been back in the UFC and top 10, as well. Would I have won the title again? I don’t know. Probably not, but there’s still a lot of good fights for me out there. I could have fought Frank Mir, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Stefan Struve, Matt Mittrione, Brendan Schaub.”

Not overly impressed with the UFC’s plans for global expansion, Sylvia believes the quality of events and fighters is on the slide.

“There are so many guys in the top 10 who don’t even deserve it,” said Sylvia. “The UFC is over-saturated now with Ultimate Fighters. Events back to back to back. They’re just bringing in scabs. It’s not like it used to be when we were fighting back in the day when we had to earn our right to get into the UFC. I think it took me 15[13] fights to get into the UFC and I was undefeated.

“I’ve slowed down a little bit, but I’ve still got the punching power. If I was in shape? I’m top 20. No doubt about it.”

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Big business. Conor McGregor paces first episode of TUF 22 to a 27 percent ratings increase from last season.

On it goes. Nick Diaz’s attorney could make a motion for Nevada deputy attorney general to remove himself from the case. “You can’t act as an advocate and as a witness in the same proceeding.”

‘It’s been a long, strange road.’ Chuck Mindenhall explains how great Dominick Cruz vs. T.J. Dillashaw could really be.

‘That’s three times in a row that I went down.’ Sam Stout discusses his decision to retire from MMA. “I clearly can’t take a punch the same way I used to, so the decision wasn’t that hard for me.”

On the mend. No. 1 strawweight Claudia Gadleha is still nursing her hand injury and hopes to return in February.

MEDIA STEW

Faber and McGregor banter on TUF 22.

The Detroit Piston trane UFC.

Luke Rockhold wants to “slap the s–t” out of Conor McGregor.

The BMF crew heads to UFC 191, gets pulled over for speeding.

Invicta FC 14 preview show.

A Faber and Rockhold podcast could be interesting.

Long watches.

…

…

TWEETS

Do it.

I accept January 17th #boston https://t.co/2hXqJrO3RS

— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) September 10, 2015

I accept January 17th #boston

A photo posted by Anthony Pettis (@showtimepettis) on Sep 10, 2015 at 4:26pm PDT

Cut?

My home overlooks the Golf course. My sword overlooks the players. https://t.co/EzFm9nOfW2 pic.twitter.com/TbxRoGExpl

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 10, 2015

Soon.

less then a month away from #UFC192 !!!! Who is coming?! @san_nutrition @monsterenergy https://t.co/HPSoGXVceK pic.twitter.com/uaOUvstDwx

— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) September 10, 2015

Beef.

Then Re read it! And read my previous tweet where I said he talks about me in shape year round, easy weight cuts https://t.co/SKx6OIUvGT

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) September 10, 2015

vs #illbeatyouatyourowngame #dontbeilevethehype #IllEatHerSoul #UFCFightNight81 #ufc https://t.co/maMFJXgwkr

— ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) September 10, 2015

Let me get this straight so Bec is too injured to fight me but she is not that injured to call out Paige?? I’m lost

— Randa Markos (@randamma) September 11, 2015

Get well soon.

Titanium is becoming part of me. About to have a titanium plate put in my left hand just like my right. #Wolverine pic.twitter.com/G5y19eBTqt

— Saad Awad (@SAADMMA) September 10, 2015

Stem cell for my shoulder today !!!! excited to see how thing works and hopefully I can fight a lot sooner asap

— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) September 9, 2015

Just left dentist. Teeth are fine, just the plaster holding them in place broke. Hope to be back in @ufc cage come December w @FrankieEdgar

— Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) September 10, 2015

Everyone loves GSP.

I really wasn’t expecting that. Royer, you guys really got me! https://t.co/Z9OxCfHPWF

— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) September 10, 2015

PRIDE never die.

Excited to welcome the most unmistakable voice in MMA to #DYNAMITE1, @lennehardt LISTEN: http://t.co/CTzHzsnShT pic.twitter.com/JRFigwgTXg

— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) September 10, 2015

Congrats.

Here comes baby number 3. We still don’t know if it’s a boy or a girl!! pic.twitter.com/hh0dQSGKvZ

— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) September 10, 2015

This Week in Struggle.

Thank you to the A**hole who broke into our jeep. I hope you really enjoy Flavio’s phone. But did you… https://t.co/RyqrZvf9fr

— Alexis Davis (@AlexisDavisMMA) September 10, 2015

Building steps and landing. Burning both ends of the night. This trying to get shit done and train is a real bitch pic.twitter.com/R3IkGgMwUy

— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) September 10, 2015

98 and raining cats and dogs.

— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) September 9, 2015

@Ealvarezfight com’on bro! Leave Pettis to me! Lol

— Edson Barboza (@EdsonBarbozaJR) September 9, 2015

I get people hating me because I fight. But hating me cause I’m a fireman? That’s all sorts of dumb people.

— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) September 8, 2015

I watched “Funny game” with my GF at the cottage last night…worst idea ever and worst night ever :'(

— Olivier Aubin (@MMAOAM) September 9, 2015

Seriously someone tell me how I dropped in the rankings???

— Randa Markos (@randamma) September 8, 2015

The @UFC is starving for flyweight contenders right now…welp

— Willie Gates (@WhOopassWilliE) September 9, 2015

A man just asked for my window seat because he “wanted it” , I said no and will now tweet about him. That’s how manchildren deal with issues

— Mitch Clarke (@MitchClarkeMMA) September 10, 2015

stripes in your black belt just tells how old U are, I try to take some out 2 look young others put in go figures https://t.co/YDXVm1A6k2

— Renzo_Gracie_BJJ (@RenzoGracieBJJ) September 7, 2015

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Sept. 10 2015)

Bobby Lashley vs. James Thompson at Bellator 145

Michael Chiesa vs. Jim Miller at UFC Fight Night 80

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.

The rocky back-and-forth between Dana White and Josh Koscheck took another strange turn Wednesday when the UFC president admitted to Colin Cowherd his blowouts with the Ultimate Fighter alum almost got physical.

“Listen, I’m not trying to run around and get into physical confrontations with the guys, but yea, I’ve had plenty of cases where the guys are like, ‘How bout I come over there and kick your ass?’ I could give you a lot [of examples]. Phil Baroni. Phil Baroni and I had a really good one.

“Josh Kocheck and I had a really good one a couple weeks ago. When you’re the boss of 600 ultimate fighters, you know. Guys have threatened to get physical many times, but, you know, we work it out.”

Koscheck isn’t the biggest fan of White these days.

In July, the recent Bellator signee called White the “little errand b—h” of UFC majority owners Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta. Reacting to UFC 191’s Reebok sponsorship payouts earlier this week, Koscheck called UFC fighters “slaves” earning “chicken feed.”

5 MUST-READ STORIES

The return. Former champion Dominick Cruz will return to face UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw Jan. 17 in Boston on FOX Sports 1.

Pain don’t hurt. Ronda Rousey to star in remake of 1980s cult classic Road House.

Don’t worry. Fabricio Werdum says he never told the UFC he wouldn’t be able to fight until March and that he could fight much sooner.

Mr. Tate. Urijah Faber says he was set to face Bryan Caraway in December but that he backed out. “We were supposed to actually headline, it was supposed to be Caraway and I headlining the TUF Finale and he didn’t take the fight.”

Can boxing trust USADA? Questions surround drug testing for Mayweather-Pacquiao and other bouts.

MEDIA STEW

Inside the Octagon with Ariel Helwani.

A few highlights from the TUF 22 premier.

Luke Rockhold sounds fed up with Conor McGregor.

(via r/MMA)

Chuck Liddell talks Floyd Mayweather and Ronda Rousey.

Sit down with Liam Mcgeary.

Together at last.

Long watches.

…

TWEETS

Excited?

Dominick Cruz vs TJ Dillashaw on January 17 on @FS1! pic.twitter.com/rirKWk9s8v

— Dana White (@danawhite) September 10, 2015

TUF love.

I fucking love watching @CrzyJenks fight. Have the same reaction @danawhite had every time I watch him. Congrats my brother

— Gian Villante (@GPVillante) September 10, 2015

Yay Gritz!! Those are some nasty knees @sodapopfuzz…..feel like I just watched a murder…

— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) September 10, 2015

It was awesome to see Ryan Hall on #TUF! I’m a big fan of his grappling game!

— Chas Skelly (@ChasSkelly) September 10, 2015

Really excited for the next season of @UltimateFighter especially to watch @ryanhallbjj this guys is legit! @ufc

— Chad Laprise (@ChadLaprise) September 10, 2015

Congrats to my @BlackHouseMMA brother @Mehdi_Baghdad for his victory on #TUF22 tonight!!! pic.twitter.com/VqdAwncr1L

— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) September 10, 2015

Please be careful.

#BDayAldo diversão garantida! So funny!! lol pic.twitter.com/pSWybUOUR8

— Jose Aldo Junior (@josealdojunior) September 10, 2015

Confirmed?

I can’t sit right Now !! Boston !! Me and Pettis ?? are You fucking Kidding me !!! East coast lets Gooooo!!! This will be something special

— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) September 9, 2015

Here we go.

You busy January 17th @PaigeVanzantUFC ? #letsdothisshit #UFCFightNight81 #dontbescaredhomie pic.twitter.com/g7S9yZQY2L

— ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) September 10, 2015

@Jon_Anik @lukethemanmurph no fights booked for me, I’m always ready for this one just give me a date, I’ll be there

— Randa Markos (@randamma) September 10, 2015

Get well soon.

This final X Ray goes out to all of the hater that the Young Assassin has in his life would say Fuck… https://t.co/M0cwUo3Mqk

— Melvin Guillard (@Young__Assassin) September 9, 2015

My money maker is back doesn’t look like much now but the doctor just notified me that my baby is back.$$

A photo posted by Melvin Guillard (@melvinguillard) on Sep 9, 2015 at 11:50am PDT

No test.

“@JoeMoney13: @Cowboycerrone Have You & Dos Anjos Been Tested This Year..Under The New System Put In Place By The UFC??” I haven’t?

— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) September 9, 2015

Dang.

FREE FIGHT: @UrijahFaber vs @TheDomin8r (2007) #WEC26. Watch for 24hrs➡️ http://t.co/mGxAXu1EdK @WECNeverForget pic.twitter.com/5aVt3unqVq

— UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) September 9, 2015

@UFCFightPass @UrijahFaber @TheDomin8r @WECNeverForget Hope we weren’t expecting a RT from Dom on this one ;D

— Ant Evans (@AntEvansUFC) September 10, 2015

.@AntEvansUFC @UFCFightPass @WECNeverForget silly silly choice

— Dominick Cruz (@TheDomin8r) September 10, 2015

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Sept. 9 2015)

T.J. Dillashaw vs. Dominick Cruz at UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz

Thomas Almeida vs. Anthony Birchak at UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson

Philipe Lins out, Roy Boughton vs. Francis Carmont at Bellator 142

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.

Just prior to his title bout against flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson at UFC 191, John Dodson and his girlfriend welcomed a newborn daughter into the world.

Johnson had arrived in Las Vegas for fight week when he received the call he needed to catch a flight right back to Albuquerque for the birth. Dodson spent the night in the hospital alongside his family before heading back to finish cutting weight.

Instead of enjoying his time with family, Dodson says he’s receiving flak from fans blaming the unanimous decision loss on his newborn and his mother.

“Everyone I lost the fight cuz I didn’t fight to my full potential,” Dodson wrote on Facebook. “It’s something I have to live with for the rest of my life and y’all can bad mouth me all you want but do me a favor please keep my mom and my newborn daughter outta y’all mouth.”

On Sept. 4, the Friday night before his fight, Dodson posted an image celebrating his mother’s birthday at a restaurant in Las Vegas.

“They didn’t do anything to deserve your hatred,” Dodson continued. “I do and I take responsibility for it. Thank you I appreciate your hate towards me losing. Have a nice day.”

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Get paid, or not. Frank Mir, Andrei Arlovski and Anythony Johnson all earned more than flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson at UFC 191.

‘I need him.’ UFC light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier says he needs Jon Jones back so he can “stop playing around with these guys.”

‘He’s going to get knocked out.’ UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw says he’ll finish Dominick Cruz faster than he did Renan Barao.

Mark your calendar. The Nevada Athletic Commission sets dates for its disciplinary hearings for Nick Diaz, Rousimar Palhares and Jake Shields.

Medical suspension. Heavyweights Andrei Arlovski and Frank Mir are among five UFC 191 fighters potentially out until 2016.

Watch The MMA Hour with TJ Dillashaw, Mark Hunt, Holly Holm, Sam Stout, Brad Pickett, Valerie Letourneau, Kyra Gracie, Jinh Yu Frey.

MEDIA STEW

Conor McGregor says he’s handing out lottery tickets.

Jimmy Smith rolling with Phil Davis.

Kyra Gracie’s new MMA travel show launched on UFC Fight Pass.

Firas Zahabi teaching how to drop into leglocks.

Urijah Faber would fight T.J. Dillashaw if that’s what he wanted.

TTTHS.

Long watches.

…

TWEETS

Camping.

Getting that championship work in. December 12th is gonna be a great day ! pic.twitter.com/BXLP8GVfPJ

— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) September 8, 2015

Jan. 2nd will be here before we know it. Gotta stay on the grind. PC Will Fox https://t.co/pYqWNoDBSQ pic.twitter.com/PhpnzrihQ8

— Carlos Condit (@CarlosCondit) September 8, 2015

Congrats.

My 14 days of “mandatory rest” is over….so excited to be back in the gym. @ufc I’m ready

— Neil Magny (@NeilMagny) September 8, 2015

Congrats to @Duffy_MMA on earning his purple belt! https://t.co/jNvN8NPSgt pic.twitter.com/L0Yf77NgVR

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) September 8, 2015

I’m still undefeated after wrestling down the #CinnamonSwirlFrenchToast from @CarlsJr/@Hardees pic.twitter.com/sSV6lrVbQq

— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) September 8, 2015

Thanks, dad.

About to hit Rodeo Drive, who’s coming w us! Thanks @danawhite @lorenzofertitta $$ #TUF22 #ufc194… https://t.co/IqOfRCKqSG

— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) September 8, 2015

Ouch.

Sorry to all my friends and fans out there. I’m not making any excuses; It was a tough, hard fight. Unfortunately, early in the 2nd round, I blew my knee and it changed my game plan and what I could do. I faught for the next 6 minutes like this. I’m taking nothing away from Paige and have a lot of respect for her.Thank you to everyone who has been with me on my journey, my sponsors, American Top Team, Northside Pure Boxing, LRP Performance, and the @ufc @danawhiteufc @seanshelby for the opportunity. I’m looking forward to healing up, begin training for my next fight, and continue doing what I love.

Sorry to all my friends and fans out there. I’m not making any excuses; It was a tough, hard fight. Unfortunately, early in the 2nd round, I blew my knee and it changed my game plan and what I could do. I faught for the next 6 minutes like this. I’m taking nothing away from Paige and have a lot of respect for her.Thank you to everyone who has been with me on my journey, my sponsors, American Top Team, Northside Pure Boxing, LRP Performance, and the @ufc @danawhiteufc @seanshelby for the opportunity. I’m looking forward to healing up, begin training for my next fight, and continue doing what I love.

A photo posted by Alex Chambers (@alexchambersmma) on Sep 7, 2015 at 12:32pm PDT

Beef.

@lc_davis @llezneDavis there’s one part of my body big enough for both of your whole familys to eat!

— Joe Warren (@JoeWarrenMMA) September 8, 2015

Get well soon.

Knee is feeling good and up and walking on it!! Just waiting on that swelling to go down and I’m… https://t.co/49IQLfiF0B

— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) September 8, 2015

In the movies.

Excited for this premiere tonight at Arclight Sunset Blvd. pic.twitter.com/HLhIOMSeXn

— Chuck Liddell (@ChuckLiddell) September 8, 2015

Dang.

Hey @arielhelwani just out here doing MAN shit, Remember when you said you were going to come help?? pic.twitter.com/RVfjo5spRq

— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) September 8, 2015

Well @arielhelwani I was talking all that shit. Fucking took a fall off the Roof and broke my Nail gun. Bullshit off to Home Depot

— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) September 8, 2015

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Sept. 8 2015)

Hisaki Kato vs. Melvin Manhoef at Bellator 146

Dennis Olson vs. Brennan Ward at Bellator 144

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.

Would an event in Hawaii be enough to bring former UFC champion B.J. Penn out of retirement? Max Holloway thinks so.

“I heard Dana White talking about UFC: Hawaii,” Holloway told fans on Periscope (via Bloody Elbow). “I heard he said it was already on the agenda and just needed to get over some obstacles. B.J. Penn said if UFC ever came to Hawaii he would come out of retirement for a last one. You guys might just get your wish and see the legend back in action.”

Penn retired last July following his featherweight debut, a third unsuccessful attempt at beating former UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar.

Prior to that Penn dropped back-to-back decisions to Nick Diaz at UFC 137 in 2011 and then to Rory MacDonald at UFC on FOX 5 in 2012.

Penn submitted Matt Hughes in 2004 at UFC 46 to become the welterweight champion, but his reign at 155 pounds made him a Hall of Famer.

Returning to the lightweight division in 2007, Penn earned wins over Jens Pulver, Joe Stevenson, Sean Sherk, Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez before losing his title via unanimous decision to Edgar at UFC 112 in 2010.

“I think he needs to fight at his true weight though, at 155,” said Holloway. “Just because he can make the weight, doesn’t mean he should. Give B.J. one last fight and that would be great, I think.”

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Cigano. Junior dos Santos says he’s “a different fighter today,” but would still knock UFC heavyweight champ Fabricio Werdum out again.

‘He was hardly there.’ UFC bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw says Conor McGregor “wasn’t there for his team at all” on TUF 22.

‘There’s hope. I’m gonna get there.’ Holly Holm says Invicta FC featherweight champ Cris Cyborg is serious about cutting to 135 pounds for a UFC title fight with Ronda Rousey.

Sport vs. entertainment. Vitor Belfort says UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo is a real athlete while Conor McGregor is just a trash talker.

‘Just a matter of time.’ UFC flyweight contender Henry Cejudo discusses hi upcoming fight against Jussier Formiga, why the match-up against Joseph Benavidez fell through, challenging Demetrious Johnson and much more.

MEDIA STEW

New TUF promo for season 22.

Carlos Condit says he was in awe of Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald.

Donald Cerrone sparring with Mike Pyle at Syndicate MMA.

McGregor taking a hands off approach to coaching.

In focus with Tito Ortiz.

Free Fight: Daniel Cormier vs Dan Henderson.

Long watches.

KNUCKLE UP #350 UFC 191 + a Stunning Glimpse Into Things Not Sucking

TWEETS

Nope.

Ouch!! #ufc191 https://t.co/HMQym1w1cT

— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouseUFC) September 8, 2015

Soon.

Enjoying this Beautiful sunset and lady!! Training camp Starts this week fight announcement soon!!!!… https://t.co/Zmkiabo8GC

— Anthony Pettis (@Showtimepettis) September 6, 2015

Squad.

W/these studs @akiyamayoshihir @fighterdhk #MirkoCroCop… #UFCSeoul #TheReturn #TheOnceAndFutureKing… https://t.co/ZXZsg4fxCm

— TheOnceAndFutureKing (@BensonHenderson) September 8, 2015

Hahah the dream team putting up with my grumpy ass while I cut the last few pounds all smiles all day though. pic.twitter.com/1gNlttQGhF

— Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) September 7, 2015

Beef.

@MieshaTate Everyone is ready to see this fight. We are waiting on you.

— Amanda Nunes (@Amanda_Leoa) September 7, 2015

I’m still here waiting for fight papers @travisbrowneMMA. You claim you want it, but you haven’t responded. #SoTellMeeeeeeWhatsReallyGoinOn

— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) September 7, 2015

Hey, @danawhite a top heavyweight in the @ufc named @travisbrowneMMA said he wanted to fight me in Nov. Can you please make that happen?

— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) September 7, 2015

“@bethecorreia I can easily leave you well after fighting with me” I’m not worried about anything you bring to the table. When’re you ready?

— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) September 8, 2015

Get well soon.

Every day I do Rehabilitation with best doctors in Bahrain. Thanks @khaled_hamad_alkhalifa… https://t.co/4gbSRfJ0Mj pic.twitter.com/sX9Bbphr1J

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 7, 2015

Buds.

@TWooodley @ufc you noticed that too? Lol

— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) September 6, 2015

@JohnyHendricks @zachariahdeen @ufc well it’s one of the best fights of the year and an honor. No hype needed

— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) September 7, 2015

Congrats.

Update:My 9 month suspension w/the @ufc is over 2day.I CANT WAIT 2 get back in the cage. Stay tuned 4 fight… http://t.co/SgfR0yixCx

— Ashlee Evans-Smith (@AshleeMMA1) September 8, 2015

Hmmm.

Sean Penn DGAF.

White party Malibu https://t.co/Yo5OyeekGT

— Chuck Liddell (@ChuckLiddell) September 8, 2015

White party Malibu

A photo posted by Chuck Liddell (@theofficialchuckliddell) on Sep 7, 2015 at 6:35pm PDT

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Sept. 7 2015)

NA

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.

If you missed the UFC’s “GO BIG” event on Friday, don’t worry. All you really need to know is that Conor McGregor has fights booked through 2020.

McGregor’s actually fighting featherweight champion Jose Aldo Dec. 12 at UFC 194 but you wouldn’t know it watching the event. McGregor threw a few jabs at Aldo, but the real show started when he turned his attention on lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and No. 1 contender Donald Cerrone.

Dubbing their weight class as the “stick in the mud division,” McGregor goaded Dos Anjos and Cerrone by saying they’d each rather being fighting him instead.

“I’d change your bum life,” McGregor told Dos Anjos. “I could make you rich. You fight me? It’s a celebration. ‘Conor McGregor made us rich. Break out the red panties.’

“Don’t say you wouldn’t take that fight because you would, just like everyone else up here. Regardless of belts or any of that s**t. I’m the money fight in the male s**t in all divisions so f**k everybody else up here.”

As Dos Anjos bowed out, Cerrone wasn’t content to smile and nod.

“Of course, we get out here and and he wants to run his mouth,” said Cerrone. “It’s good, he sells the fights, but if he comes to 155 I’m going to bend his little ass over and knock the f***ing “Lucky Charms” out of him.”

Well, that wasn’t good enough for one man. A man who, on occasion, has been known to seek out “hitters” in casino lobbies or even on CBS.

@Cowboycerrone @RdosAnjosMMA lames you should’ve stepped up in that press conference instead you both got punked out like some #bitches..

— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) September 6, 2015

Nate Diaz hasn’t competed since dropping a one-sided decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27) to Dos Anjos at UFC on FOX 13 in December. Dos Anjos earned a title shot off that win and went on to dethrone Anthony Pettis to become lightweight champ at UFC 185 at in March.

As for Cerrone, Diaz scored a marquee decision win over “Cowboy” at UFC 141 in 2011.

It’s easy to see why Diaz would be stoking the fires with a rematch with either of them.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Post-fight show. Marc Raimondi and Ariel Helwani break down the top storylines coming out of UFC 191.

Long wait. Andrei Arlovski will have to sit in limbo after beating Frank Mir because Fabricio Werdum vs. Cain Velasquez won’t happen until March.

Oh, Rumble. Anthony Johnson isn’t happy with the media. “A lot of you guys write a lot of bulls—.”

Aftermath. In Jon Jones‘ absence, Demetrious Johnson is the pound-for-pound king.

‘I told him that his zipper was down.’ Dana White says he wasn’t scolding Conor McGregor during last week’s “Go Big” press conference.

MEDIA STEW

Demetrious Johnson’s Octagon interview with Joe Rogan.

Highlights from Demetrious Johnson vs. John Dodson and Anthony Johnson vs. Jimi Manuwa.

UFC 191 post-fight presser highlights. (full presser here)

Backstage interview with Dana White.

Donald Cerrone behind the scenes at the “GO BIG” presser conference.

TTTHS.

Long watches.

GO BIG Campaign Launch Event

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Submission Radio #64 Hector Lombard, Patrick Cummins, David Branch + UFC 191

TWEETS

See how the pros reacted to UFC 191.

Victory lap.

Awesome night of fights @ufc 191 always grateful for everything I have and huge thanks to my coaches… https://t.co/6MEz7ek8Or

— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouseUFC) September 7, 2015

Thank The Following you VERY MUCH to EVERYONE who were on my side September 5th, sorry if I disappointed you guys !!! I’M SO SORRY !!!

Thank you VERY MUCH to EVERYONE who were on my side September 5th , sorry if I disappointed you guys !!! I’M SO SORRY !!! Thank you so much to my beautiful wife and my handsome son and my parents !!! Special thanks to : @jacksonwink_mma and @judochopflipya – @tdcmma and @saidhatim75 and @sixgungibson and @bupascoach and @elevatephw and @npnmatt and @malkikawa & Co and @dr.beauhightower and my sparring partners @jonbeautysalonhamm and Josh , my sponsors and friends: @versazka_gruop and @spodakdental – Greg SPODAK and @dimkarozinov and ALL MY FANS !!!

A photo posted by Andrei Arlovski (@andreiarlovski) on Sep 6, 2015 at 6:52pm PDT

This fight was dedicated to everyone that believed in me and to the ones that talk shit. I needed that motivation and you gave it to me!

— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) September 6, 2015

thank you @ufc, family, team, and friends. Tonight was amazing. We came, we saw, we DOMINATED!!! #UFC191 #IRONARMY #BEASTIN258

— Corey Anderson UFC (@CoreyA_MMA) September 6, 2015

@PaigeVanzantUFC your wish is my command! Nice to meet you! Congrats!!! Come to my show later if you’re around xo

— Ruby Rose (@RubyRose) September 6, 2015

Big thanks to @alliancemma @ericdelfierro my team mates, my family, my wife @kristiejpearson always… https://t.co/M3iMdpsHPG

— Ross Pearson (@RossTheRealDeal) September 6, 2015

Firme na rocha! Obrigado Deus!! pic.twitter.com/va0c7LrJP5

— John Lineker (@johnlineker) September 6, 2015

Sportsmanship is what it’s about!!! No matter the outcome #Repost @wsn247 with repostapp. ・・・ We love… https://t.co/HDs4p6oLsB

— Raquel Pennington (@RockyPMMA) September 6, 2015

Essa vitória é para o meu povo, para o BRASIL-AMAPÁ-JARÍ. Obrigado meu Deus! #LMS #AMAUTO #2AIMPORTADOS… http://t.co/kc813bU0NC

— Tiago Trator (@TiagoTrator) September 6, 2015

Better luck next time.

Losing is shit and Ill learn from it. I’m Not scared to fight anybody on the planet. Well done to @Anthony_Rumble he’s a great sport.

— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) September 6, 2015

I have to take a break for the next few months. I have to think, put everything together, 1/2

— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) September 6, 2015

do some analysis and primarily to restore my passion and spark that I lost. In a few hours I’ll come back to you guys and I’ll say more. 2/2

— Jan Blachowicz (@JanBlachowicz) September 6, 2015

Just wanna thank the @UFC for another huge fight.@RossTheRealDeal is a bad dude. I’ll be back even stronger and motivated. Sorry to my fans

— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) September 6, 2015

I think this says it all. Yes I fight to win but I’m also a life long martial artist and testing… https://t.co/Q3c8wIBwLL

— Paul Felder (@felderpaul) September 7, 2015

Sorry guys .. But when ur a fighter raised where I’m from and someone wants to bang we bang.. #Failedgameplanmyfault @ufc for the fans

— FranCisco Rivera (@CiscoRiveraUFC) September 6, 2015

Things do not always go as planned. Now it’s time to raise your head, focus on training and prepare further for the next fight for UFC !! Thanks to all my team, my master and IMR MKT (imrmkt) for all the support always !!! Let it all to the next … #imr #imrmkt #imrteam #imrvipexperience #ufc # ufc191 #lasvegas

Nem sempre as coisas saem como planejamos. Agora é hora de levantar a cabeça, focar nos treinos e se preparar… http://t.co/91IZ0yTeYm

— Jessica Andrade (@JessicaMMApro) September 6, 2015

Thanks for all the love people, I hope you enjoyed the fight. I’m just happy I’m having fun with it again. I’ll come back better every time!

— Clay Collard (@CCCcollard) September 6, 2015

(Part 1) Thank you everybody for your prayers and well wishes. we need to run this one back… https://t.co/i5sKmXSd7v

— Ron Stallings (@ChoirBoyMMA) September 6, 2015

Cool.

#DNB @RondaRousey #BeyonceMadeInAmerica @UFC @S_C_ https://t.co/2OBGp3T3Ce

— Dana White (@danawhite) September 6, 2015

That’s nice.

Demetrius and Hume are two of the all time great coach and fighter teams there has ever been in this sport.

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 6, 2015

Buds.

@Anthony_Rumble good job bro

— JIMI MANUWA (@POSTERBOYJM) September 6, 2015

Nail polish.

Dana told me I remind him of Chuck Liddell, do you Guys think I look like him? It was a p… http://t.co/Jj34551q0X pic.twitter.com/KDgSf3pZhU

— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) September 6, 2015

Have a good cry.

U never cry? Ever? If u haven’t u should try it. It’s very therapeutic, when ur hurt or angry it helps to let it out https://t.co/pKH8BQaaPZ

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) September 6, 2015

Party in the back.

Caption this pic.twitter.com/DvLjLr4q6z

— Paige VanZant (@PaigeVanzantUFC) September 7, 2015

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced this weekend (Sept. 4-6 2015)

Joanna Jedrzejczyk vs. Valerie Letourneau at UFC 193

Marco Beltran vs. Ning Guangyou at UFC Fight Night: Alves vs. Henderson

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Graham Douglas.

It’s time now for everyone to drop the word “boring” from all future DJ discussions.

I’m the last person who would say this, but I’m saying it now. Everyone in the MMA community, including reporters, needs to drop the discussion about DJ and his lack of entertainment value. It’s over, it’s done. Get over it.

DJ tooled the one guy who everyone thought had the greatest chance. DJ whipped Dodson. As I like to say, it was NC. No contest. When DJ made reference to his face at the end of the fight, that’s no joke. That’s a win on more than one level.

…

Check out the rest of the post here.

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.

Conor McGregor may have a packed schedule, but he’s still got time to mess with Urijah Faber’s head.

The pair of Ultimate Fighter coaches stopped by UFC Tonight this week and McGregor went to work needling Faber over his Team Alpha Male teammate, bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw.

By the sound of it, Dillashaw spent some time alongside Faber helping to coach the team of American lightweights against McGregor’s international squad.

The move doesn’t especially raise any eyebrows, but it caught McGregor’s attention.

“You shouldn’t be letting him in your s**t,” McGregor told Faber. “He’s a snake in the grass. I told you that to your face. You brought him on to TUF thinking he was there to help you. He was there to help him. He’s a snake in the f***ing grass in your s**t. You need to figure that out and stop being a p***y.”

Some of the ambiguity should clear up as the season airs, but if you read between the lines a bit you can get a sense there may be some tension between Faber and Dillashaw.

Like a child of an ugly divorce, Dillashaw has been caught in the middle of the bitter split between Faber and former Team Alpha Male head coach Duane Ludwig. After recruiting Dillashaw to Sacramento and training him for years, Ludwig was largely credited for the young champ’s rise.

After Ludwig recently said Dillashaw was the only Alpha Male “that actually wants to be a champion,” Faber responded by calling Ludwig “a bully” and that he “feels bad for the people that are stuck with him.”

An acolyte of Ludwig, Dillashaw still regularly trains with his former coach in Colorado.

It doesn’t help matters that Faber and Dillashaw have also “made it very clear they will fight each other,” according to UFC president Dana White.

“You shouldn’t have brought him in,” McGregor continued. “That was your moment to build [a fight?] up and you let him come in. He took over your s**t. You brought him up from high school, you brought him up through the game. He’s not your boy. Come on. There are no boys in this. He’s not your boy. I don’t mind him, but I sense disloyalty. I sense a snake and I’m going to say that when I see it.”

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Scrum. Before UFC 194, Conor McGregor met with the media in Los Angeles to discuss Jose Aldo, Urijah Faber, The Ultimate Fighter, and much more.

Good news. UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler won’t require surgery on his injured thumb and could be ready for UFC 195 on Jan. 2

Rebound. Fresh off his lifted suspension, UFC heavyweight Travis Browne is looking to fight Matt Mitrione in November or December.

‘I’m trying to be positive with him.’ Conor McGregor says Jose Aldo is a “do-nothing b***h” who rarely defends his title.

Regrettable. MMA fighter and Brazilian jiu jitsu blue belt Monique Bastos foils a robbery attempt and subdues the thief. “I did it to defend myself and my friends, so I used what I learned.”

MEDIA STEW

UFC 191 embedded episode 2.

Anthony Johnson teaches how to throw a yoga mat left high kick.

The BMF crew heads to Las Vegas.

Frank Mir’s open workout ahead of UFC 191.

Ronda Rousey is going to the ball.

TTTHS.

Long watches.

UFC 191: Unibet Presents Inside The Octagon Johnson vs. Dodson 2

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UFC 191: Johnson vs. Dodson Care/Don’t Care Preview

…

TWEETS

Beef.

Just focus on your task at hand @TheNotoriousMMA you do realize you have to see me face to face in 2 days

— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) September 3, 2015

Me and the beautiful @MeganOlivi talking titles and shit o ya Frankenstein was ment to do 1:1 with me. He no show pic.twitter.com/WwHo7YrtJ2

— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) September 2, 2015

Camping.

Back at it #UFC193 #Nov14th #andSTILL #rouseyVSholm https://t.co/WwHEu9qctc

— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) September 3, 2015

Back at it #UFC193 #Nov14th #andSTILL #rouseyVSholm

A video posted by rondarousey (@rondarousey) on Sep 2, 2015 at 5:44pm PDT

Big deal?

Bethe Correia Plans on Training at AKA; Wants Tate, Kaufman for Next Fight: http://t.co/yI6ZkWrfVO @seanshelby @danawhite @ufc @ufc_brasil

— Bethe (@bethecorreia) September 3, 2015

Congrats.

Congrats to @SammyJstout on an awesome career in the sport of mma You’re a first class warrior! #poineer #handsofstone

— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) September 3, 2015

Sad to see one of the most exciting fighters in @UFC history retire. Much love and good luck to @sammyjstout. pic.twitter.com/m7aiMKoaZE

— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) September 3, 2015

Fingers crossed.

@DangerousDNR @DustinPoirier don’t worry about that, we will

— Joe Duffy (@Duffy_MMA) September 2, 2015

Let’s give them what they want! Let’s gooo!!! https://t.co/MyVwaiXH9P

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) September 2, 2015

Tested.

Random Drug Test this morning #ufc194

— Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) September 2, 2015

Cool.

Today I will be coaching a mma training session for the Detroit Pistons! Już niedługo po… http://t.co/lhSn6DC97j pic.twitter.com/xQucPKIVoU

— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) September 2, 2015

Impressed?

I’m in South Dakota learning about what was probably the greatest battle between 2 animals, 66 million years ago. pic.twitter.com/JKaGGZWkTM

— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) September 2, 2015

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Sept. 2 2015)

Jon Delos Reyes vs. Neil Seery at UFC Fight Night: Duffy vs. Poirier

Luiz Henrique vs. Francis Ngannou at UFC on FOX 17

Sage Northcutt vs. Frank Trevino at UFC 192: Cormier vs. Gustafsson

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.