Author: David St. Martin

Speaking with AXS TV’s Inside MMA, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones says he’d like to see Chris Weidman grow his resume before entertaining the idea of a superfight with him.

“A lot of people are starting to mention Chris Weidman’s name and I think in order for it to be a superfight Chris Weidman needs to get his name a little bit bigger and prove himself against some other world champions. With that being said, I think Cain Velasquez is the only guy that would actually be considered a superfight.”

But speaking with fans during a UFC 169 Q&A session just over a week ago, Jones seemed much more enthused about the prospect of fighting Weidman, especially if it were set in New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

“I think it would be phenomenal,” said Jones. “It would be awesome.”

“I’ve got no reason to make comments about Weidman. Everything you say up here, it gets back to the fighter, so I don’t want to offend him. I think he’s a great guy, but I’m very confident. I’m a very confident young man. I’ll just leave it at that.”

Following up, a fan wanted a confirmation that Jones would, indeed, be open to the idea of fighting Weidman.

“Absolutely,” replied Jones. “That’s my job.”

Unlike former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva, who never really seemed too interested in fighting the larger Jones, Weidman has said he would jump at the chance. Prior to his second win over Silva at UFC 168 in December, Weidman told ESPN he’d be more than happy to face Jones, even on short notice.

I’ve got Anderson Silva on my mind, but if the fans wanted to see that fight [against Jones] and the UFC wanted it to happen, I’m 1000 percent in. I asked to fight Jon Jones on 10 days’ notice back when Dan Henderson got hurt. But I wasn’t a big enough name at that point, so they were like, no.

Jones mentioned back in November that he was typically walking around at close to 230lbs, just ten pounds off the mark of where he’d like to fight Velasquez. Standing 6’4, Jones enjoys a reach advantage at 84.5 inches compared to Velasquez at 77 inches standing 6’1. Saying he believes the fight would ‘be huge for the sport,’ Jones said he planned on fighting Velasquez sometime within the next year before making a an eventual move to heavyweight.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Sit-down interview. Luke Thomas chats with Michael Chandler about brain injuries, Eddie Alvarez, Bellator’s tournaments and Jose Aldo vs. Anthony Pettis.

The Dreamcatcher. Gegard Mousasi says he needs a smart fight with no mistakes to beat Lyoto Machida. “He’s dangerous if you lose your control and you get too aggressive or leap into your punches — that’s when he’s most dangerous, so you have to fight smart.”

Fightweets. Dave Doyle weighs in on your Twitter questions, including what happens if Ronda Rousey bails on MMA for Hollywood.

No rematch? Cub Swanson wants Jose Aldo to move up to lightweight for the challenge.

Manawaroa apologizes. TUF Nations semifinalist Tyler Manawaroa has apologized after a past racially offensive Instagram post came to light this weekend.

MEDIA STEW

Alexander Gustafsson reflects on the loss to Jon Jones.

New Tommy Toe Hold.

Anthony Pettis talks fight with Jose Aldo.

Highlights from Lion Fight 13.

The pros pick Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi.

Florida local news makes all the ‘cage’ puns.

Long watches.

The MMA Beat on Aldo vs. Pettis, Barao vs. Faber, Overeem, ‘Rumble’ Johnson, Punk vs. Ranger, more

TWEETS

Get well soon.

Surgery was a #success. Thank you @danawhite @ufc for everything you’ve done for me! !

— Julianna Peña (@VenezuelanVixen) February 7, 2014

24hrs out from surgery got nearly 90 degrees bend back & full lock straight very happy http://t.co/7ktpWbxn8Z

— Ross Pearson (@RossTheRealDeal) February 8, 2014

Staredown.

Here we go ! May 24th another great Brazilian opponent to share the cage with! http://t.co/psJPzQZu7s

— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) February 8, 2014

Congrats.

From a weekend full of awards.. This is my reward.. #BartonAndBrowneBoys #TheLegoMovie #3D #FatherSonTime http://t.co/2wlZIXRxDg

— Travis Browne (@travisbrowneMMA) February 9, 2014

Thank you so much for honoring me with this award. I want to give all the glory to God, because the… http://t.co/YbG6uAptBL

— Vitor Belfort (@vitorbelfort) February 9, 2014

Mma awards are a joke

— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) January 12, 2013

Congrats to @MarinaShafir for another first round win tonight!! #firstroundarmbarallday!!!!5-0 I’m so proud of you!!! pic.twitter.com/U8dATIhxXh

— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) February 10, 2014

“@daduke1515: @NotoriousNewell Congrats Bro On The Black Belt. pic.twitter.com/224ycAr8jS” Thanks my man

— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) February 6, 2014

Back at it.

.@SpiderAnderson is already back to the gym after his injury at UFC 168 (Photo via @Silva_MTC) http://t.co/0Uyjcamet3 pic.twitter.com/yfaeOTlb7Z

— UFC (@ufc) February 8, 2014

I’d say so.

Progress……. http://t.co/3m9iHPW8ZK

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) February 9, 2014

Big fan of Strikeback.

On set. I’m a nice guy really! #strikeback http://t.co/Zz1W0sEKF9

— michael (@bisping) February 10, 2014

We missed a good one.

In case you missed it, here’s my video of my experience at the MMA awards 😀 http://t.co/ms0tTMJtLp

— Roxanne Modafferi (@Roxyfighter) February 9, 2014

I’d rather see this one.

I’ll fight @CMPunk in @BellatorMMA @BjornRebney. No better fight

— phil baroni (@philbaroni) February 9, 2014

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced this weekend (Feb. 7-9 2014)

Thiago Silva out, Nikita Krylov vs. Ovince St. Preux at UFC 171

Shayna Baszler vs. Sarah Kaufman at TUF Nations Finale

Bobby Green vs. Jim Miller at UFC 172

Noad Lahat vs. Godofredo Pepey at UFC Fight Night 38

Yosdenis Cedeno vs. Ernest Chavez at UFC 170

Zak Cummings vs. Alberto Mina at TUF China Finale

Albert Cheng vs. Anying Wang at TUF China Finale

Mark Eddiva vs. Jumabieke Tuerxun at TUF China Finale

Josh Burkman vs. Tyler Stinson at WSOF 9

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Michael Shulski.

Quick Poll: is T. Silva Finished?

Most of the mma world knows by now that Thiago Silva was arrested on some serious felonies. It’s hard to imagine that he will not do any jail time. I remember hearing that T. Silva grew up poor and was mostly a “self-made man”. Same thing with Palhares. Both grew up poor and became big money makers. Both fighters have broken rules the UFC laid out. Silva with urine and Palhares with leg locks. There are countless stories of poor boxers in the USA who would go on to commit felonies and/or squander their wealth. Mike Tyson stands as the prototype in my mind. Thus, it can be concluded that Silva’s behavior isn’t all that uncommon. Vote below and consider the “for” and “against” factors.

For-

1) Silva is talented and has never broken any rules inside of a fight.

2) Silva is a known commodity in international mma markets because of his 12 octagon appearances.

3) One of the victims of his recent crime spree, Pablo Popovitch, believes that Silva was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and thus may never have become so violent if sober.

…

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.

The UFC’s biggest star might just be getting bigger. According to Variety, UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has signed on to two feature films with Warner Bros. Impressed by her performance against Miesha Tate at UFC 168 and from positive word of mouth on the sets of The Expendables 3 and Fast and Furious 7, studio execs believe she could be Hollywood’s emerging action star.

Slated to defend her title to Sara McMann Feb. 22 at UFC 170, Rousey will join the cast of Entourage, set to begin shooting in mid-March. The next project could dramatically reshape Rousey’s career, set to play the lead role in the film adaptation of The Athena Project. In a film Warner Bros. believes has franchise potential, Rousey would play the leader of a small, all-female squad of Delta Force operators specializing in counter terrorism. Author Brad Thor has apparently hit it off with Rousey, who indicated her interest in the project when asked by the studio about other possible roles. Now in final negotiations with Thor, Warner Bros. reportedly put in a bid for the novel the next day.

While we’ve seen other combat sports athletes make the move to film with varied success, none have done it as quickly or successfully as Rousey. Not exactly looking to remain in the public eye as an athletic career winds down, Rousey sits at the pinnacle of her sport. Whether or not Rousey can stay there, given her increasingly hectic schedule, is the real question. Either way, UFC president Dana White is all smiles.

Congrats Ronda!!! Couldn’t happen to a better person http://t.co/0iaTFCAxUd

— Dana White (@danawhite) February 7, 2014

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Silva arrested. UFC light heavyweight Thiago Silva was arrested at his home Thursday night after a brief standoff with police.

Unhappy Shogun. Mauricio Rua says he’s still upset with the judges’ decision in his first bout with Dan Henderson. “I can’t do anything about it, but I think a draw would have been fairer.”

Title shot. Dana White says Lyoto Machida could be next to fight for the UFC middleweight title with a win over Gegard Mousasi.

Sour grapes? Josh Thomson has some harsh words for Benson Henderson. “Let me just tell you, he’s not strong. He doesn’t hit hard. He’s not strong. He doesn’t kick hard.”

Gunni. Renzo Gracie says Gunnar Nelson will take the UFC welterweight title and wipe out the division within two years.

MEDIA STEW

Full fight: Nordine Taleb vs. Tyler Manawaroa from TUF Nations.

Bellator Season 10 promo.

Herb Dean talks blown calls.

Dan Hardy on Beyond the Octagon.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley 2 press conference highlights.

News and other headlines.

Long watches.

Statisticion Paul Gift talks about trends in MMA judging/fights, Ronda Rousey stats & more

TWEETS

Remember the BJJ shirt?

@RdosAnjosMMA I will present you this shirt after the fight 😉

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 6, 2014

@rdosanjosmma time will give answer.

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 6, 2014

Back to back days with lingerie.

I don’t know where brianbowensmith found an old 50’s hair dryer in an alley but it looked cool 🙂 it… http://t.co/W6N4Q1QMXa

— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) February 6, 2014

Not good.

You don’t wont none of The First 48 Silva ! #BoutThatAction “@TimKennedyMMA: I never called out Thiago Silva

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) February 7, 2014

Get well.

Cast off, time to begin phase 2…PT! One month of that then another checkup! Also ashy hands need a… http://t.co/Yarh0dfjCX

— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) February 6, 2014

Google says it’s a Jaguar.

I have an obsession with the Leopard. The most versatile of all the cats. Cold, calm, calculated. pic.twitter.com/eXPYO9WesK

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 6, 2014

Yeesh.

Yo @Cruickshank155 found a pic of you before your last fight. Hahahahah pic.twitter.com/aT3Z2tXKZ6

— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) February 6, 2014

Conspiracy.

Awesome they showed us having dinner with our guys and bringing them food after the weight cut. Oh they didn’t. #villians #TUFNations

— Kyle Noke (@KyleNoke) February 6, 2014

Would have liked to see a higher one rep max.

“I piss excellence! Look at me glisten!”A NEW @Ranger_Up video is up. http://t.co/FjTIC1W9iI @BrianStann ” out did ourselves lol

— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) February 6, 2014

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Feb. 6 2014)

Douglas de Andrade vs. Zubair Tuhugov at UFC Fight Night 36

Caio Magalhaes vs. Josh Samman at UFC on FOX 11

Thiago Alves vs. Seth Baczynski at UFC on FOX 11

Jordan Mein vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio slated for UFC on FOX 11

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via HerrDannyboy.

Why 2013 Kicked this MMA Fan’s @ss Part 5: May: Lionosaurus “Wrecks” and Clash of the Titans

Preamble

Some would argue that a normal human being would come out satiated from April 2013’s MMA bonanza. Others would say that they are suffering from MMA fatigue and even complain that Gosh darn-it there’s too much MMA.

Not me. Not at this pace. I wanted more.

I don’t follow team sports (except if the Habs make it to the playoffs) or individual sports that people play (those are called games and are all on par with Bingo and Tiddly Winks).

Plus, more often than not, I end up disappointed whenever I watch boxing (looking at you Bute vs Pascal), so I need my fight fix.

Hell, I even created a Facebook account and pay for 2 overpriced packages (which should be illegal- Bastards!) just to get Sportsnet and FX to watch the Goddamn UFC prelims fights!

…

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.

Team Canada’s Chad Laprise joins us in our weekly Thursday morning Q&A, where he’ll break down all the action that took place inside the TUF house, both in front of the cameras and behind the scenes.

If you have any questions you’d like to ask Chad please let us know in the comments below and he’ll answer you next week. Rec’d comments will get first priority. Now with that said, let’s get things started.

David St. Martin: So we pick right back up immediately after your fight. Chris Indich is all busted up and kind of takes issue with Nordine Taleb. Is that just a running theme this year? Trying to seem tough in defeat?

Chad Laprise: Yea I had no idea that conversation even happened. I guess Chris heard somebody saying that he couldn’t take a punch. He was just validating himself. I think it was just frustration from them, letting us know we weren’t going to get away easy. That these guys weren’t backing down and were here to fight.

St. Martin: It was nice to see you and Chris making peace over some cheesecake. Is there just less stress in the house as the fights start rolling?

Laprise: For sure, the tension definitely lessened. For Chris and I, I honestly never really spoke to the guy much. Now that the pressure of fighting is over we just move on. He’s a really nice guy and it was good to just enjoy some cheesecake.

St. Martin: We don’t get much footage of guys who have just lost, but we know they’re curled up just miserable somewhere, beat to hell. I can’t imagine a less-fun environment to go back to right after getting your ass kicked.

Laprise: Yea, it’s terrible. It’s a super weird environment. That morning we were eating breakfast two feet from each other, then went and fought, then had dinner together. Usually, of course, you only see your opponent at weigh-ins and then the fight. I’m just really glad they showed us hanging out afterwards.

St. Martin: Now to the fight. Team Canada’s Nordine Taleb vs. Team Australia’s Tyler Manawaroa. This seemed like the first one with some actual heat leading into it.

Laprise: Nordine’s a really cool guy, but he’s pretty intense. He takes martial arts very seriously. Tyler is pretty much the opposite. He’s only 19, 10-0. I guess he’s one of the big prospects in Australia. He had a huge chip on his shoulder and wasn’t going to let Nordine bully him around. He just really got under Nordine’s skin. They both wanted to fight each other.

I figured Tyler’s wins were probably racked up against lesser opponents. Nordine is a training partner of mine and he’s a killer. That guy is legit, especially in the standup. I honestly thought Nordine would walk right through him. I thought it was one of the most secure wins for us. I never thought in a million years that Nordine would lose that fight.

St. Martin: In hindsight we know Nordine badly injured his foot early on, but he looked a little thrown off by Tyler’s style. Having such a strong kickboxing background, did the rope a dope throw him off?

Laprise: Yea he and I both have strong striking backgrounds and I have a much harder time when a guy has a more awkward style. You’re just not used to it. Your setups are all different. Everything changed when Nordine hurt his foot because he really uses his kicks. I had no clue he had hurt it, but I knew something was off. He just didn’t look his normal self. His foot was like a marshmallow after that fight. He told me afterwards he had real problems with his movement. He just couldn’t plant on that foot.

St. Martin: Given everything, I was still surprised he didn’t take the decision.

Laprise: Man, given the fact I’m his teammate, I still believe the fight should have gone to him. It was close. You could have flipped a coin. I was heartbroken for Nordine but it was close.

St. Martin: We’ve got a living arrangements question from the mailbag. I know about the infamous Tristar dorms, which I assume you’ve spent some time in.

Laprise: Oh yea, I’ve spent lots of time in there.

St. Martin: So given that experience, was it easier for you to handle the house than others?

Laprise: 100%, it was a huge advantage for me. My first few stays in the dorms were tough. I have a beautiful wife here at home and I’m very used to having my own space. Living with 15-20 other guys up at the dorms really got to me. Like anything, you get used it it, so going into the show with that comfort was a huge advantage.

Do you have a question for Chad Laprise? Ask it in the comments below and he’ll answer you next week. The Ultimate Fighter: Nations airs every Wednesday at 10 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1. Portions of this interview have been edited for concision.

Famed boxing trainer Freddie Roach has now joined the passive aggressive back and forth between UFC president Dana White and former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. Admitting he’s a bit upset over his perception of how St-Pierre has been treated by White since his bout with Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 back in November, Roach reveals some ideas as to why St-Pierre chose to take time away from fighting and how long he may be gone.

“Well, [St-Pierre] told me he wanted to take two years off and I told him, ‘Two years is retirement,'” says Roach. “‘Lets stick with one year for now, see how you feel after a year and if you feel hungry enough to get back in there we’ll do it. If not, we’ll call it a day.’ Georges is a great guy and I just want him to make the right decision at the right time and not be too hasty.

“He was telling me he had headaches and so forth. When I hear that I want to get him checked out completely. I told Georges to see his doctors and make sure everything is 100% and healthy before he makes a decision. It’s really easy to make a decision after a tough fight like that and after Dana talking really bad about him. You get him depressed a little bit and drag him down, instead of most promoters who would try to build you back up, but Dana’s not that kind of cat.”

Appearing on Wednesday night’s edition of FOX Sports Live, White responded to Roach’s comments, saying he believes St-Pierre’s recent statements have more to do with personal resentments than anything else.

“The crazy stuff I keep hearing back from Georges St-Pierre is unbelievable. No, Georges St-Pierre never complained to us about headaches. Georges St-Pierre has never publicly said the real reasons why he stepped away from the UFC for a year. When he sat down with Lorenzo [Fertitta] and I it was a whole different set of issues, personal problems. It had nothing to do with headaches or drug testing or anything else that’s been said.

“Not only did he tell us it was personal issues, he told us what the personal issues were. I have no idea [why he keeps complaining]. I don’t know if he’s just trying to draw a smokescreen to what he’s really dealing with and doesn’t want to publicly talk about [it]? I don’t know.”

Once again, White says he believes St-Pierre is still upset about comments he made post-fight at UFC 167, hot under the collar following St-Pierre’s impromptu quasi retirement speech with commentator Joe Rogan just minutes before.

“When Georges St-Pierre fought I called it like I saw it. I didn’t think he won the fight. I thought Johny Hendricks won the fight. That’s my opinion as the president of the company and as a fight fan. What Georges St-Pierre told us in private I would never repeat. He can get as kooky as he wants to get and say whatever he wants to say, but I would never repeat what he told us.”

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Aldo will get paid. Dana White clears up some of Jose Aldo’s concerns about vacating his UFC featherweight title, saying he’ll be compensated as if he were still a champion.

Green Power Ranger vs. CM Punk. Part-time MMA fighter Jason David Frank says he wants to fight the professional wrestler in World Series of Fighting.

Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas covers UFC 169, Jose Aldo’s tenure, UFC on FOX 11’s lineup, Pat Barry signing with GLORY, Vitor Belfort and more in this week’s live chat.

Going to 205. Chris Weidman says he still has plenty of challenges at middleweight, but would have no problem fighting at 205 pounds for the right opportunities.

Team Alistair. Anthony Johnson says Alistair Overeem was never a true teammate of the Blackzilians.

MEDIA STEW

Jon Jones leg kicking some poor man.

(via @Simon_HWT)

Joanne Calderwood on the UK’s Beyond The Octagon.

News and other headlines.

Michael Bisping talks getting cleared and fighting Tim Kennedy.

A look at some of Gina Carano’s recent stuntwork.

And then, some individual saw fit to capture her lingerie scenes and slow them down, as if to draw them out. Disgusting. (NSFW, probably?)

Luke commentating an actual Green Power Ranger fight.

(via r/MMA)

Long watches.

Knuckle Up #432: Offers the most accurate take on MMA’s SuperBowl in UFC 169

Fight News Now – Weidman: “I Wanna Clear Out 185”, Aldo vs. Pettis, GSP vs. Captain America & More

TWEETS

That’s gonna be a problem as the co-main at UFC 173 … in Vegas.

@wandfc Hey Stupid, I decide where we fight and your hometown, Las Vegas, is OUT. Stay tuned for details.

— chael sonnen (@sonnench) February 6, 2014

I hope this never ends.

One of The Best body in the history,result from long health life and of corse train a lot!! Estamos… http://t.co/HFLlE8ZPUV

— Wanderlei Silva (@wandfc) February 5, 2014

Encouraging.

Thnx to all 4 the support through my adversities n the last month-I’m still climbing the mountains-n I’m on my way.. pic.twitter.com/SsD4DwcBRV

— Dominick Cruz (@TheDomin8r) February 6, 2014

Eye’s statement.

Hey thanks for patients here is my statement as well as #UFC about my current situation http://t.co/rRF1ZlcXgv

— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) February 6, 2014

Not too bad.

So a lot of people have been asking for a pic of my leg, so here ya go ya vultures!!!! Haha! Sorry… http://t.co/mPzDHM8WU8

— Ricardo Lamas (@RicardoLamasMMA) February 5, 2014

Fun.

Taking body shots from @gfc_diamond after bjj with @renergracie and @ellenbergermma tonight http://t.co/bFsRKAppGD

— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) February 5, 2014

About time.

Finally booked and ready to fight! @dethrone pic.twitter.com/gMEjEpRdpE

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 5, 2014

Hendricks with a man of exceptional size.

Check out my cameo on the upcoming Wing-Men show! http://t.co/IjT8Eq7jMy

— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) February 5, 2014

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Feb. 5 2014)

cancelled Thiago Tavares vs Zubair Tuhugov at UFC Fight Night 36

Mike Corey vs. Shane Kruchten at WSOF 9

Ozzy Dugulubgov vs. Johnny Nunez at WSOF 9

Rafael Silva out, Eduardo Dantas vs. Anthony Leone at Bellator 111

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via MrBrutality.

Let’s Talk About These Caucasian Highlanders

With the recent success of the athletes getting signed from south Russia, follow Mr.Brutality into their homeland:

As we are all now well aware, the ‘Russian Invasion’ has occurred within the UFC, with new Russian prospects already representing an astonishing win percentage in the UFC since January of 2012. However, the term ‘Russian Invasion’ is mis-leading – it would be more accurate to refer to this group as the ‘Caucasian Invasion’.

While the term ‘Caucasian’ is often incorrectly used in North America to describe to anyone who is white, these men are true Caucasians – they are highlanders who hail from the Caucasus mountains in Southwestern Russia. So while they are technically Russians and subject to the Russian government, they truly do not represent the culture of Mother Russia.

In regards to MMA, we are looking at two of the republics in the mountains: Chechnya and Dagestan. We have seen political unrest in this zone on our news channels, particularly about Chechnya, but we are now also witnessing the martial arts skills and aggressive fighting instincts of their native athletes.

…

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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.

Visiting the Nation’s Capital alongside his UFC 172 opponent Glover Teixeira, UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones is still looking back to his September bout with Alexander Gustafsson. Speaking with Chad Dukes and Lavar Arrington on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C. Tuesday, Jones says his last outing with Gustafsson has given him new resolve as a champion.

“My last fight I had a really tough fight. I just won by decision. I just squeaked out a victory. I’ve been humbled. It’s an empowering thing. It’s a scary thing for [my opponents]. Now I’m taking my job more seriously than ever.”

With claims by some fans that he’s already looking down the road at future opponents, Jones says it’s all just part of the game.

“It’s kind of a no-brainer. Anybody who pays attention to the sport knows who’s coming, you know who’s deserving. You’ve got to give Alexander Gustafsson the No. 1 contender spot behind Glover Teixeira. Then with the way Daniel Cormier has been performing, he’s top three at the heavyweight division. Lets see how he competes at the light heavyweight division but with the tear he’s been on, if he can continue that, it’s unquestioned that he deserves a shot, as well.

“I really don’t like [Cormier] too much, but right now he’s coming across as being good for the sport. He’s a really articulate guy. He’s doing a lot of broadcasting and commentary. He’s a winner and an Olympian. So even though I don’t like him, I do respect what he’s doing for our sport.”

Back to the matter of Teixeira, Jones doesn’t look to be buying into the Brazilian’s knockout hype.

“I won’t have to gameplan for it. I’ll just have to be aware of it and respect it. In Glover’s last fight, you saw that. He was getting beat up. He had his back against the wall. He was covering up his face, kind of in the fetal or turtle position. He peeked up, saw that he had an opening, swung and got a knockout, which was extremely impressive. So yea, Glover is someone I’m going to have to respect tremendously. He has knockout power in both his right hand and left hand. It’s just going to be a really entertaining fight to watch.”

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Rumble returns. After going 6-0 outside of the UFC, Anthony Johnson returns to face Phil Davis at UFC 172.

A rising Overeem lifts all ships. Chuck Mindenhall explains why a dominant Alistair Overeem means more eyeballs on the sport.

Signal to noise. Luke Thomas gives us his best and worst of UFC 169.

Brain study. Legislators and promoters have teamed up to study brain trauma in combat sports.

Fight pass. The UFC has started taking steps to improve security for the digital service.

MEDIA STEW

A look at Forrest Griffin’s time in TUF 1.

Jose Aldo and Renan Barao hanging out a few hours before their fights at UFC 169.

Cris Cyborg says she’s walking around at 165lbs.

Jones runs into Georges St-Pierre.

Then a followup of Jones asking TMZ why they tried to create controversy over nothing.

Teixeira talks Jones.

Bless you, Korean UFC Fight Night 36 promo.

(via r/MMA)

Long watches.

Daniel Cormier on Steve Austin’s podcast. (Skip ahead to 12:00 to get to DC)

Senators Reid and McCain Join Boxing, MMA Executives to Support Professional Fighters Study (Skip to about 1:00:00 to get to Lorenzo and the fighters)

TWEETS

Welcome back.

@PhilMrWonderful Thanks big dog. Let’s put on a show nobody will ever forget.

— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) February 4, 2014

This would have been a much better live season.

If you are real Man talk this to me tomorrow,face to face or shut up @sonnench! La è um froxo,amanha o bixo vai Pegar pr o lado dele chega!

— Wanderlei Silva (@wandfc) February 5, 2014

Different.

First look at the official #UFC172 poster! @JonnyBones vs @gloverteixeira pic.twitter.com/LB9hSv0Bw0

— UFC (@ufc) February 5, 2014

Still part of Team Nog?

#TeamNogueira Oss orgulho em tbm fazer parte desse time. #TeamNogueira I’m proud to also being part… http://t.co/sVE98XiQ0L

— Junior Dos Santos (@junior_cigano) February 4, 2014

In D.C.

Great to be a part of the Cleveland Clinic Brain Health Study pic.twitter.com/RnCYNTjHSY

— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) February 4, 2014

Chilling with my hitta my hitta…. John McCain http://t.co/0Yp3Ps5Otw

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) February 4, 2014

Origami.

On set for a crazy advert with @Heineken today!! It was a lot of fun #StayTuned pic.twitter.com/QVjdmmwl6I

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 4, 2014

How big was the fight bonus?

Pleasure having brother @danawhite on our new show #WakeUpCall. He helped change a kids life today. Thank you, D! pic.twitter.com/knP0CNk5GN

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) February 5, 2014

Rate her form.

* pop a squat like it’s hot pop a squat like it’s hot * @davisspeedctr https://t.co/0taFIqzc4M

— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) February 5, 2014

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Feb. 4 2014)

Phil Davis vs. Anthony Johnson at UFC 172

Tim Boetsch vs. Luke Rockhold at UFC 172

Diego Brandao vs. Will Chope booked for UFC Fight Night 38

cancelled Rafael dos Anjos vs. Rustam Khabilov at UFC 170

Rafael dos Anjos vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC on FOX 11

Pat Healy vs. Jorge Masvidal at UFC on FOX 11

Yoel Romero vs. Brad Tavares at UFC on FOX 11

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via forty two.

Guys fighting…or how fight teams might change the seemingly endless sea of UFC events.

Thirty something days into the year and with 4 events in the books the UFC are on track to reach the 50+ events they announced for 2014. After yet another night of ‘guys fighting’, it is clear that the UFC is not firing on all cylinders when it comes to marketing their fighters or their events. The fight promotion has effectively become a fight planning company. With at least a 1000 fighters entering the cage in 2014, even for hardcore fans it gets difficult to keep track of everything that is happening in and outside the cage.

One way to bring a more cohesive structure to the extensive roster of fighters and events is to introduce the idea of fight teams. This is by no means a new idea, but developing it further might help solve some of the more obvious problems that are present in the current MMA eco-system.

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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.

While we all enjoy the candor of UFC president Dana White, commentator Joe Rogan takes the cake when it comes to leaving the censors at the door. Unlike White, who remains ever faithful we’ll see former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva make his return this calendar year, Rogan is perhaps more realistic. On Dec. 28, 2013 at UFC 168, Silva suffered a gruesome leg injury during the second round of his title bout with Chris Weidman, breaking both the tibia and fibula of his left leg.

Speaking with SiriusXM’s The Opie & Anthony Show, Rogan isn’t putting high hopes on such a quick turnaround:

“Maybe. Dana’s a promoter,” says Rogan. “He wants [Silva] to fight by the end of the year. Anderson wants to fight, too, but there’s a real danger of that thing breaking again. You’ve got to make sure that it’s completely healed up before you check it again. [Opponents] are going to do the exact same thing. Anybody who fights Anderson is going to practice checking kicks like a mother f***er.

“Guys have come back in other sports, but those other sports are very different. They don’t involve purposefully trying to break your bones.”

White reaffirmed his belief that Silva would, indeed, be returning by years end in an update during Saturday night’s UFC 169 post-fight press conference.

“Anderson should be walking without crutches here in the next couple weeks, then he’ll start training in a few months. We’ve got to see how he comes back. He is 100% confident that he’s coming back.

“He probably won’t fight until the end of the year. If everything goes the way that it should, he should be fighting in pretty much the same fight he had this last year.”

(Skip to 23:00)

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Fortunes changed for five. Dave Meltzer tells us how Barao, Faber, Aldo, Overeem and Bagautinov move forward following UFC 169.

No decision. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation has overturned Jessica Eye’s split decision victory over Sarah Kaufman, citing Eye testing positive for a ‘prohibited drug.’

Barry to GLORY. Former UFC heavyweight Pat Barry returns to kickboxing, making his GLORY debut in May.

Reem. Alistair Overeem refutes Dana White’s critiques, saying he needed to prove to himself and others that he could flourish in the later rounds.

Chunky Wandy. Chael Sonnen says Wanderlei Silva is trying to get out of their fight after believing it would happen in July, not May.

It’s Tuesday, so make sure to check out The MMA Hour featuring , Alistair Overeem, actor Skylar Astin of “Pitch Perfect” fame, Gegard Mousasi and Pat Barry.

MEDIA STEW

BJ Penn says he’s a new man.

Cro Cop talks GLORY 14.

Training vlog with Myles Jury.

A look at some hand positioning from UFC 169.

Metamoris 3 countdown for Eddie Bravo vs. Royler Gracie.

Don Frye on Brock Lesnar, GSP, Hendricks, TRT and more.

Long watches.

FrontRowBrian: MMA’s Mystery Man

MMA 3 Way: Off Topic and UFC 169

TWEETS

This mess.

I PROMISE YOU I AM NOT SUSPEND and WILL BE FIGHTING FEB 22 as scheduled !! @UFC don’t believe everything you read online !

— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) February 3, 2014

@AlexisDavisMMA ohh we are fight alright !! Shit going down like poop in a toilet ! #ufc 😉

— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) February 4, 2014

Poor, Khabib.

“@TeamKhabib: @Cowboycerrone wants to fight a lot, I need opponent for a long time.Lets do this fight in April! I’m down!

— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) February 3, 2014

“@_Sam_K_: @Cowboycerrone i thought you were down to fight @TeamKhabib? now you’re fighting @EdsonBarbozaJR” I just say yes to everyone

— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) February 3, 2014

🙁 “@ArtemYalanskiy: Donald Cerrone and Edson Barboza will fight at UFC on FOX on April 19th, so the @TeamKhabib fight won’t happen.”

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 3, 2014

Congrats.

GUESS WHO’S SIGNED TO @GLORY_WS ?!?! @BrianButler_Au @SuckerPunchEnt @AlienwareMMA

— Pat Barry (@HypeOrDie) February 3, 2014

1ST KICKBOXING FIGHT SINCE 2007 WILL BE MARCH 22 IN RICHMOND VA AT WKA THEN GLORY IN MAYYYY!!!! @BrianWKA @BrianButler_au @SuckerPunchEnt

— Pat Barry (@HypeOrDie) February 3, 2014

I’d settle for the Gus rematch.

If this “celebrity” boxing match wasn’t in march, I’d gladly oblige Zimmerman.

— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) February 4, 2014

Juggling about three different beefs.

Sorry guys busted my hand again .. Won’t be fighting @ufc 170 😔😔😥 ..

— FranCisco Rivera (@CiscoRiveraUFC) February 3, 2014

Hi guys, so..My supposed opponent Francisco Rivera broke his hand and is outta the fight #UFC170 . Who would ya’ll like me fight against ??

— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) February 3, 2014

@RaphaAssuncao @RobertFrausto have many times brotha, not saying u weren’t a tough fight but u got lucky it was in Brazil. That was my fight

— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) February 4, 2014

@RaphaAssuncao lol for one u never rocked me and for two I definitely won rnd 1 and 3. But much respect man. agree to disagree

— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) February 4, 2014

@EddieWineland @RockyTopD @danawhite awesome !!but i would love a shot at Barão like you had , perhaps later on. 🙂

— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) February 3, 2014

Not happy.

So happy (and jealous) for @Cowboycerrone …already has his 2nd fight of 2014 for @ufc booked before I have my first! Congrats!

— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) February 3, 2014

Link here if interested.

Doing an “Ask Me Anything” on #Reddit. Will start answering questions at 3pm EST. http://t.co/JFX6rBD9P8 @Reddit_MMA

— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) February 3, 2014

Come on over.

If i wasnt a soccer player i would love to be a MMA fighter!👊 Se non ero un calciatore avrei voluto essere un combattente di MMA. 👊

— Mario Balotelli (@FinallyMario) February 3, 2014

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Feb. 3 2014)

Joe Benavidez vs. Tim Elliott at UFC 172

Edson Barboza vs. Donald Cerrone at UFC on FOX 11

cancelled Raphael Assuncao vs. Cisco Rivera at UFC 170

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Stylesmakefights.

Two belts for José Aldo

Let’s face it, José Aldo is bored. He’s just going through the motions-exceedingly violent, cringe-inducing motions complete with the most brutal leg kicks in the sport. The greatest featherweight ever has cleaned out his division, and it was quite evident at UFC 169. Aldo controlled the action early against an overmatched Ricardo Lamas, and coasted to victory in the later rounds. No one is disputing his right to move up a division and challenge Anthony Pettis for the lightweight belt. But Dana White seems determined to make Aldo vacate his strap before doing so, a sentiment I can’t quite understand and for which there is an easy compromise.

Aldo has earned some privilege; a winning streak dating back to May 2006 and a remarkable eight title defenses under the Zuffa banner will do that. In this case, the privilege Aldo has earned is the opportunity to be the first dual belt holder in company history. But that doesn’t mean he has to actually defend both of those belts.

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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.