Author: David St. Martin

Speaking with The Opie & Anthony Show Monday morning, UFC color commentator Joe Rogan believes UFC welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre not only lost his title to Johny Hendricks at UFC 167, but that he should walk away from the sport. Hendricks appeared to have decisively dominated much of the action during the five-round main event, but St-Pierre was awarded a split decision victory.

“I think Georges should retire,” said Rogan. “One of the reasons I think Georges should retire is he was on my podcast and he was talking about being abducted by aliens. I was going, ‘you think you’ve been abducted by aliens?’ He starts talking about missing time. He started talking about driving his car and all of a sudden he’s at home and he has no idea [how] he got there. I think it’s head kicks.”

“That fight he had some serious memory loss (at UFC 167). I think he’s taken too many shots. An interesting statistic is that Georges has taken more punches and kicks in the last three fights than any of his fights, ever. In fact, 50% of the shots he’s taken his entire career were in the last three fights. I think he should get out. I know the UFC probably doesn’t want to hear me say that. I know that could be a huge rematch.”

“I think they should just give Johny Hendricks the belt. I think Johny Hendricks won that fight. I think there’s real problems with judging and I don’t think there should be a way for a guy to win a fight, but yet lose a fight.”

Rogan also addresses the controversy alleging Hendricks tapped to St-Pierre during the first round. While Hendricks’ positioning is fairly common in grappling (wrist to hip near side, deep underhook far side) some fans believed he was submitting to a choke.

“I read a lot of really f***ing dumb people who thought [Hendricks] tapped in the first round. He did not tap in the first round. People are f***ing retarded. He’s trying to figure out what to do with his hips. When you’ve got a guy on top of you, he’s mounting you and trying to choke you, the options are two fold. One, you’ve got to figure out how to push him off you and two, you’ve got to figure out how to separate the choke.”

“He’s gotta figure out what to do. So he’s in the middle of deciding ‘how tight is this choke’ and that depends which way he’s twisting his neck. Can he twist his neck out of it? Can he tuck the chin? Should he put his hands on his hips or should he grab the choke? He probably had a moment of hesitation. He didn’t tap. You don’t tap that quick. The only way you tap that quick is if a guy is ripping your f***ing neck off your head.”

Although UFC president Dana White claims to be confident a rematch will take place, St-Pierre’s post-fight comments seemed to allude to major personal issues burdening the champion.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Team Hendricks. Johny Hendricks’ manager is confident his fighter will be facing Georges St-Pierre again. “I haven’t heard anything from the UFC, but I am (sure Hendricks’ next fight will be a rematch) because Dana makes things happen.”

3rd man. Referee Mario Yamasaki disagree’s with the judges’ decision at UFC 167. “I’m inside the cage so I can’t see the fight as the judge sees it, but I thought Hendricks won the fight.”

Fortunes changed for five. Dave Meltzer tells us where UFC 167’s biggest winners and losers go from here.

Rumors put to rest. With rabid speculation as to St-Pierre’s personal problems, a family member has come forward to dispute some claims.

Askren wants MacDonald. Former Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren says he will fight Rory MacDonald for free and that he’ll retire from MMA if he loses.

It’s Tuesday, so make sure to check out this week’s MMA Hour featuring MMA journalist Dave Meltzer, Firas Zahabi, GSP’s head trainer, Campbell McLaren, the original executive producer of the UFC, Ben Askren, Jason High, Mark Hunt and Ted Ehrhardt, Johny Hendricks’ manager.

MEDIA STEW

Manny Pacquiao working with Freddie Roach.

In honor of Legend FC closing up shop here are its top KO’s.

Cool mini doc with Carlo Prater.

Knuckle Up with Eugene S. Robinson. ‘UFC 167, the horrible crap it wrought & Sal D’Amato, Tony Weeks & Asswipery’

Ashlee Evans-Smith says she feels Fallon Fox shouldn’t be able to fight women.

Chael Sonnen pranked. (skip to 1:15)

Recaps of ONE FC 12 and Final Fight Championship 9.

With bonus Super Fight League 34.

TWEETS

Feeling better.

Good morning from Vegas – Feeling much better now! Merci à tous pour votre support incroyable!!! pic.twitter.com/zBGs2OLPkW

— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) November 18, 2013

It’s been a rough time in Las Vegas ready to get back to Texas and see what the future holds lol.

— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) November 18, 2013

Hoo boy.

Party hard !!! pic.twitter.com/03XSQiHiut

— Erik Goyito Perez (@Goyito_Perez) November 18, 2013

Still talking 167.

Still think Johnny won, was a close one. Just sucks that judging isn’t perfect, but humans aren’t perfect.

— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) November 18, 2013

I had Hendricks winning the fight 1,2&4 easy”@PositiveMilitia: @JohnMcCarthyMMA Hi John, who did you think won on Saturday?

— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) November 19, 2013

Don’t need a neck to act.

Just got done with class. Great day of breaking down my script and lines finding the actions for the reactions. Now Training the mind.

— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) November 18, 2013

Get well.

I’m out of Surgery 😁 They cleaned out all the bone fragments out of my elbow. Can’t wait to be training again

— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) November 18, 2013

Back at the doc getting checked for hernias;)

— Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) November 18, 2013

But capri sweatpants, Rich?

This is what usually happens to my training partners. Sad! #trainhard pic.twitter.com/d2CAvJaqqC

— Rich Franklin (@RichFranklin) November 19, 2013

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Nov. 18 2013)

NA

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via okgangster.

My Reaction to UFC 167

The UFC celebrated its 20th anniversary last night and it climaxed with Georges St. Pierre fighting Johnny Hendricks for the welterweight title. I don’t feel like typing much of an introduction so let’s get into this.

The first fight was Tim Elliot against the Russian, Ali Bagautinov. This fight saw Elliot go with the hands down, block with face strategy that usually doesn’t end well. Fortunately for Elliot’s brain though he didn’t get knocked out, he lost a decision. It was an exciting fight that saw Elliot push the pace, but his undoing was simply not throwing punches while Bagautinov was hitting him with power shots and it cost him. For Bagautinov a fight with Dustin Ortiz seems to make sense right now. As for Elliot he should look to fight Louis Gaudinot or Phil Harris.

Up next on the card was Tyrone “The Chosen One” Woodley against Josh Koscheck. Woodley made quick work of Kos, knocking him out round 1. Kos seemed to be invigorated until the fight started. Woodley’s power was just too much to handle. If he doesn’t get cut Josh Koscheck has a few choices, he should look to fight Sexyama (if he ever comes back), Brian Ebersole, Erick Silva, or retire. Woodley looked good; he should change his horrible nickname and fight Dong Hyung Kim or the winner of Jake Ellenburger /Tarec Saffadine.

…

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.

Don’t hold your breath waiting for so-called ‘superfights’ in the UFC. According to UFC president Dana White, the window may have closed on that pipe dream.

“This whole superfight thing has been destroyed,” White told media during Thursday’s media scrum. “I think it’s dead now. It was fun for a little while. I think it’s over.”

White’s comments seemingly put to rest the endless debate over which UFC champ would rise to rule them all in some sort of catch weight exhibition match. Due to years of dominance from welterweight and middleweight champions Georges St-Pierre and Anderson Silva, talk of getting them into the cage together reached a fevered pitch the past few years. With the emergence of light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, Silva now had another option, likely better suited for him given his one-offs at 205lbs.

Silva, the chain holding this entire notion together, snapped this past July at UFC 162 when Chris Weidman connected on Silva, handing The Spider his first UFC loss. At least Weidman had the forethought to apologize for ruining the UFC’s plans.

With no long-standing champion to face either St-Pierre or Jones, White and Co. sound soured on the concept in general. Even so, Jones declared Tuesday that he’d be confident facing the elite of the UFC’s heavyweight division, including champion Cain Velasquez. With Jones racking up title defenses and the world scanning the horizon for any sort of challenge to Velasquez, it’s conceivable the UFC reconsiders its posture on superfights sooner than later.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Scrum. Get the latest from Dana White’s UFC 167 pre-fight media scrum.

Take that back. Actually, Jon Jones will not face Glover Teixeira next February at UFC 170.

Not interested. Dana White again declares the UFC is not interested in former Bellator welterweight champion Ben Askren, but WSOF is.

20 in 20. Chuck Mindenhall’s series reaches 1995, the year Dan Severn became ‘The Beast.’ “I knew I was going to have to half kill my opponent. And basically, I just about did that twice. I think I delivered well over 300 headbutts in that match against him. And 20 or 30 minutes after that match was done they rushed him off to the hospital because his skull was swelling. I popped two Ibuprofen and I was good to go.”

No interim title. The UFC will not pursue an interim title as lightweight champion Anthony Pettis heals from a torn PCL.

MEDIA STEW

UFC 167: Pre-fight Press Conference.

Johny Hendricks gets nerdy.

Mark Coleman says ground and pound is becoming a lost art.

Action from DRAKA 14:

Ilya Goldfinches vs. Karen Karapetyan.

Alexander Matmuratov vs. Filip Rzadek.

Bellator 108 preview:

Action from FCC 8:

Rob Beech vs. Tom Bankevics.

Mitchell Head vs. Azi Thomas.

Michael Beaumont vs. Mark Armstrong from UCMMA 36.

TWEETS

Penn bringing in the big guns.

Great stopping by the @TUFonFS1 house to visit @bjpenndotcom pic.twitter.com/O9Zi7heexb

— Johny Hendricks (@JohnyHendricks) November 14, 2013

It’s been awhile.

I respect fighters like Beltran.. But dude ain’t ready 4 tomorrow. http://t.co/Lkcj4kga69

— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) November 14, 2013

@Rampage4real you better kickass tomorrow. So I can still make you twerk!!

— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) November 14, 2013

I think we’ll have a lot to look forward to.

Picture of @bisping training. His eye better be ready for April. pic.twitter.com/bGYhUPMuhj

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 15, 2013

Terrifying.

I am on a mission and I will not let any one take my focus away!!!! Essa é minha missão e não deixarei… http://t.co/mEyG1sLRd1

— Vitor Belfort (@vitorbelfort) November 14, 2013

Keep your head on a swivel out there.

One of the most ignorant & sickening things I’ve heard in the news. I feel compelled to do something about this. http://t.co/hz59P3zPZY

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) November 14, 2013

These Jersey kids playing A game called knockout.. disgusting. Pussies sneaking up and KOing innocent people.

— Jeff Curran (@BigFrogBJJ) November 15, 2013

What the hell is wrong with kids these days!! This new game “knock out” is going to get one of these kids hurt badly or worst!

— Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) November 14, 2013

About that…

Who would you guys like to see me fight now that I am a free agent??? @ufc @lorenzofertitta

— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) November 14, 2013

Outstanding.

Caught @realskipbayless riding his scooter to work again wearing his cowboy coat! pic.twitter.com/K8lmakGOwf

— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) November 14, 2013

Probably a good thing.

More nervous about this presser than any fight…

— Tim Elliott (@TElliott125) November 14, 2013

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Nov. 14 2013)

cancelled Jon Jones vs. Glover Teixeira at UFC 170

Cole Miller vs. Sam Sicilia at UFC Fight Night 35

T.J. Dillashaw vs. Mike Easton at UFC Fight Night 35

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via griff111.

MMA: Can it be a truly mainstream sport, worldwide

“Criticism may not be agreeable, but it is necessary. It fulfills the same function as pain in the human body. It calls attention to an unhealthy state of things.”
– Winston Churchill

Now hear me out. Hold the vitriol till you read the entire article if possible. I know us MMA fans can be a little sensitive to criticism, but playing devils advocate can stimulate the discussion, and find solutions to problems; or indicate that perceived problems are phantoms, and not worth worrying our little heads over.

Dana White was hit with a dose of reality recently at a football game, when someone in his core demographic of 18 to 35 years old struck up a conversation asking what it was he did. After saying those three famous letters White probably expected some sort of sign of recognition from his new friend. Instead White was met with a blank stare and questions which indicated that the UFC might as well be the XYZ to this guy. He had no knowledge of the MMA powerhouse. For someone who is as much of a star in the MMA world as his fighters, this must have been a somewhat humbling experience. So, aspirations to be bigger than the NFL may have to be parked for a while.

However, the bigger question for me as someone from the UK is not whether the sport will ever be a mainstream US sport, but whether it’ll ever be a worldwide mainstream sport. Obviously, I’m thinking about this from the UK viewpoint, but the questions are easily transferable to other markets, and UK in the post is easily replaced with Sweden, Ireland etc.

…

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.

Nick Diaz has already returned from retirement once and sounds as if he’s open to do it again. Originally calling it quits following a controversial decision loss to Carlos Condit in Feb. 2012, Diaz returned to contend for Georges St-Pierre’s UFC welterweight championship earlier this year at UFC 158.

Now, with St-Pierre coincidentally back gracing Pay-Per-View promos, Diaz says he’ll need a real payday to be lured back inside the Octagon. “If I do fight again I want a lot more money,” Diaz tells Fighters Only. “I’m living in this ghetto ass apartment because I haven’t been making the money that I should have been making.” For the record, Diaz reportedly earned $200k in each of his last three fights in the UFC.

Following a subpar training camp leading up to the title bout, Diaz no longer employs Cesar Gracie as a manager, but strictly as a coach. He also affirms that talk of being offered a fight is false. UFC president Dana White told reporters Nov. 9 in Brazil that Diaz had been offered a bout, but that his manager claimed he was retired.

“I’ve not had a manager since my last fight. I would like people to know that I was never offered any fight [recently]. I haven’t had a manager, I told Dana [White] that I didn’t want anyone representing me after what happened with my last training camp.”

Once insisting that re-investing in his camp was the correct course, Diaz now sounds like more changes could be coming. “Things change, people change. I don’t have anything against Cesar but I see the big picture now. Right now what I need is a good fight and a good camp.”

5 MUST-READ STORIES

A full deck. John Hendricks says he’s never had to show his entire skillset to win a fight, but that he might have to against Georges St-Pierre. “‘He’s fighting Kampmann, better striker. ‘He’s fighting Condit, a better striker.’ Where did I win those fights at? Everybody keeps doubting me, and I love that. I absolutely love that.”

Chael & Wandy. Chael Sonnen may be coming around on his old friend, Wanderlei Silva. I don’t think he’s a liar like the Nogueiras or Vitor [Belfort]. I think when he signs a contract, he means it. So I think the fight is likely going to happen. But he’s not in there yet.”

20 in 20. Chuck Mindenhall’s series reaches 1998. The UFC finds a savior in New Jersey before visiting Brazil and meeting 21-year-old Vitor Belfort.

Royce over Rickson. Rorian Gracie explains why he chose Royce to carry the family name into the Octagon rather than the clan’s top fighter in Rickson.

Rampage. Quinton Jackson says the mood at the UFC changed once he fought Chuck Liddell. “The UFC still has some good people that work for them, but overall, it was hard even showing up there and being around a bunch of fake people.”

MEDIA STEW

Free Fight: Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva at UFC 162.

Top UFC knockouts.

Fighters predict Georges St-Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks.

Hendricks working through some circuits.

Joe Stevenson teaching some techniques to Ryan LaFlare.

Tom Watson undergoing strength testing at Cal State Fullerton.

Rumor has it (via Zane Simon) the UFC has signed Bekbulat Magomedov and Will Chope who could be facing one another at UFC Fight Night 34.

TWEETS

Happy anniversary.

Happy Birthday #UFC20Years Thank you for “The Incredible Journey!”

— Rich Franklin (@RichFranklin) November 12, 2013

20 years ago @realroyce ‘s win showed me what I wanted to do for a living! Congrats to all those who make the @UFC this success f/ 20 years!

— Demian Maia (@demianmaia) November 12, 2013

Happy 20th #Anniversary @UFC & thanks for all the great #memories. Thank you to all helped me along… http://t.co/owvJRvz63Q

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) November 12, 2013

Happy official 20 years to the @ufc glad I got to celebrate with you in Detroit a couple weeks ago

— Matthew brown (@IamTheImmortal) November 12, 2013

Today @ufc birthday 20 years old and I am very honor to be part of this family for 17 years and I have… http://t.co/zAL9G1QzGv

— Vitor Belfort (@vitorbelfort) November 12, 2013

happy birthday 20 years @ufc I’m happy to be part of this history as the first champion featherweight ufc pic.twitter.com/SVz4Sv16C9

— Jose ‘Scarface’ Aldo (@josealdojunior) November 12, 2013

Awful

ESSA MAI NAO E MINHA KD A MINHA TATUAGEM DA MAO ESQUERDA? minha mão NAO QUEBROU. pic.twitter.com/0DhvO6m7EF

— Rony Mariano Bezerra (@RonyJasonMMA) November 12, 2013

Unrelated, yoga pants.

Gotta love the hubby for buying me these cute #Lululemon pants! Thanks babe😘 http://t.co/glvFaGLMxF

— Michelle Waterson (@karatehottiemma) November 12, 2013

Walking wounded.

Bummer if Varner is out but it doesn’t matter who they throw in. I’m ready to scrap with whoever.

— Patrick Healy (@BamBamHealy) November 12, 2013

So I guess news is out. I tore my PCL and will need about 4-6 weeks recovery. Good news is I won’t need surgery. I’m really bummed tho 🙁

— Kelvin Gastelum (@KelvinGastelum) November 12, 2013

I would believe it.

Interesting, many fighters in Brazil said they would LIKE to be coached by Chael Sonnen.

— Dana White (@danawhite) November 12, 2013

Does not look happy.

Look who I ran into on my way to Vegas! My ol’nemesis @rampage4real! 🙂 we share some #UFC history… http://t.co/cYPU5F7MBZ

— Rashad Evans (@SugaRashadEvans) November 12, 2013

Good strategy.

Hey @danawhite IS MIKE TYSON GONNA BE AT THE SHOW THIS WEEKEND?! CAN I BEAT SOMEONE UP IN FRONT OF MILE TYSON PLEEEEEEEASE?!

— Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) November 12, 2013

Even got the Caddy.

Watched Say Anything last nite, now this creep @JoeJitsu is holding his iPad outside my window playin Peter Gabriel! pic.twitter.com/zdAd8m89Uw

— Lance Palmer (@LancePalmer) November 11, 2013

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Nov. 2013)

Jamie Varner out, Bobby Green vs. Pat Healy at UFC on FOX 9

Kelvin Gastelum out, Ryan LaFlare vs. Court McGee at UFC on FOX 9

Rick Glenn out, Lance Palmer vs. Georgi Karakhanyan at WSOF 7

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via leriksson.

WMMA November Week 1 & 2 Recap – Video of Vicious Knockout Surface

DEEP JEWELS 2

– Sorry haven’t been able to find any footage yet.

105lbs: #6 Seo Hee Ham def. #12 Sadae Numata via unanimous decision

115lbs: #8 Mizuki Inoue def. #12 Emi Fujino via unanimous decision (advances to finals)

115lbs: #22 Emi Tomimatsu def. #21 Mika Nagano via unanimous decision (advances to finals)

105lbs: Naho Sugiyama def. Masako Yoshida via unanimous decision

However, video of the weigh ins are up. If you’re into Japanese women being forced to expose their weight, click here!

The order is Mika Nagano, Emi Tomimatsu, Mizuki Inoue, Emi Fujino, Seo Hee Ham, Sade Numata, Naho Sugiyama and Masako Yoshida.

I found this weigh in atmosphere super weird, but also kind of cool. We’re used to seeing fighters weigh in on a stage with people actually there. This felt like a medical checkup, instead of an event.

Also, almost all the fighters didn’t have to take all their clothes off (you heard me), and all made weight pretty nonchalantly, except Sadae Numata, who was absolutely shredded (SHE 41…according to Sherdog). That leads me to believe Tomimatsu, Nagano, Sugiyama and maybe even Fujino could drop down a weight class. Japan does put on fights at 100 pounds sometimes (I call it Centuryweight) and there are some tiny women that have fought at 95lbs aka minimumweight before, which I think is the worst weight class name.

…

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.

In promotion of this week’s upcoming UFC Fight Nights, Dana White elaborated on his feelings regarding the recent skirmish between Ultimate Fighter standout Uriah Hall and retired fighter Jason Miller. Days following the incident, White remarked on Twitter that rather than suspend Hall, he’d more likely give him a bonus.

@dylanwardenn fuck no!!! I’m gonna give him a bonus!!!

— Dana White (@danawhite) October 29, 2013

Now, White explains this logic by saying Hall gave Miller what he deserved.

“We don’t ever want our fighters fighting outside of the Octagon, but guess what? There’s gonna be situations where men need to handle their business and that’s one of those cases. First of all, Mayhem Miller, how this guy is still walking the f***ing streets of America is beyond me, number one. Number two, he deserved what he got from Uriah Hall. It’s no different from the situation with Roger Huerta, right? Roger Huerta was in a situation where a guy punched a girl in the face and knocked her out, knocked her unconscious. Then Roger Huerta knocked him out. There’s gonna be cases where I don’t give a s**t.”

The UFC’s Conduct Policy reserves the right to disciple its contracted athletes for actions detrimental to the promotion, including the use of physical violence against others. Given the structure of the policy, it’s hard to imagine Miller not having been severely reprimanded for his part in the brush up had he been under contract.

Hall faces Chris Leben at UFC 168 on Dec. 28.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

No pressure. He’s currently next in line for the UFC middleweight title, but Vitor Belfort loses that status with a loss to Dan Henderson at UFC Fight Night 32.

Next for Gus. With Antônio Rogério Nogueira falling out due to injury, Alexander Gustafsson will now face Jimi Manuwa next March in London.

20 in 20. Chuck Mindenhall’s series reaches 2005, when Stephan Bonnar and Forrest Griffin put on arguably the UFC’s biggest fight to date.

Karma. The back and forth continues between Dana White and Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney.

Mainstream. The UFC, and MMA in general, have a long way to go to reach the greater masses.

MEDIA STEW

Fight for the Troops: Official Weigh-In.

Dan Henderson back on TRT.

Behind the scenes at Bellator 106. Alvarez also gets into it with one of Chandler’s guys at the end.

Tarec Saffiedine “I’m the most underrated Strikeforce Champion coming into the UFC”

EA Sports UFC trailer. Still waiting on gameplay footage.

Don Frye says he was partying harder than he was fighting. My god.

This video is worth it for the soundtrack alone. Can anyone name them all? I got most of them.

TWEETS

Ready for the troops.

On the bus to weigh-ins for @ufc Fight For The Troops 3 with @iamgirlrilla and all. pic.twitter.com/OMOk107kYw

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) November 5, 2013

They are the REAL warriors! Thank you troops from the bottom of my heart! http://t.co/vaLHjKRDcG

— rafael natal (@rafaelsaponatal) November 5, 2013

Bonus Glover.

UFC fight for the troops pic.twitter.com/nByESkwCop

— glover teixeira (@gloverteixeira) November 5, 2013

Chatter at the weigh-ins spills to twitter.

Battle on words is for girls like mrs Masvidal .I will say in the cage !

— Rustam Khabilov (@KhabilovMMA) November 5, 2013

Upgrade?

@AlexTheMauler @danawhite thanks for making this happen. Now let’s set that octagon on fire!!! OSS!!!

— jimi manuwa (@POSTERBOYJM) November 5, 2013

Hittin’ the leg press.

Living in the gym! train, hair/makeup, photoshoot, train http://t.co/58apyvKkd7

— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) November 5, 2013

Better call Saul.

Best advice I ever received was from my divorce lawyer: “Find a girl who was raised in a 3rd world country & doesn’t know how pretty she is”

— Sean McCorkle (@BigSexyMcCorkle) November 5, 2013

Album?

We are busy to stretch @AndreiArlovski ;))) with my training partner @JohnDodsonMMA #UFC167 #UFC pic.twitter.com/tifJYHN0iF

— Ali Bagautinov (@AliPuncherKing) November 6, 2013

Comeback?

“@FlexMastaSteph: @ShaneCarwin how’s retirement big man?” I’m itching to fight, can’t stand it

— Shane Carwin (@ShaneCarwin) November 5, 2013

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Nov. 5 2013)

cancelled Vaughan Lee vs. Sergio Pettis at UFC 167

Kiichi Kunimoto vs. Hyun Gyu Lim at UFC Fight Night 34

Shunichi Shimizu vs. Kyung Ho Kang at UFC Fight Night 34

Alexander Volkov and Vitaly Minakov moved from Bellator 109 to Bellator 108

added Alexander Shlemenko vs. Doug Marshall moved from Bellator 108 to Bellator 109

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes viaMarc Donnay

Melendez vs. Sanchez: The making of a modern classic

“Classic fight”. It’s a phrase that has been ever-present in the jargon of combat sports since time immemorial.

Recently, legions of fans and commentators have put Melendez vs. Sanchez into this bracket without hesitation. And how could you not? Mike Goldberg had christened it “The Mexican World War” for crying out loud – and that was even before we had heard the final bell. The badass nickname – surely that’s the hallmark of every classic bout?

But what really makes a classic?

For many fans, Jones vs. Gustafsson fits the bill perfectly – an underdog story which took everybody by surprise. Neither fans or bookmakers were willing to give the challenger a chance, and although the marketing of the bout was centred on how the fighters’ physical similarities meant Jones was in for his first legitimate challenge – one in which his height and reach would not be deemed unfair by his cult of critics – it still gave equal thrust to the alternative questions it posed: what would those critics say when an opponent of near-identical dimensions was crushed like all those that came before him? And who could possibly challenge next?

Those questions were quickly answered in the first two rounds – well not answered, more thrown out of court with disdain by Gustaffson who quickly established that his rangy, accurate boxing and light footwork would give Jones the gruelling dogfight he had claimed to have craved.

…

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.

Fresh off seeing friend and training partner ‘King’ Muhammed Lawal drop a close decision to Emanuel Newton at Bellator 106, UFC heavyweight Roy Nelson believes it mirrored his own recent defeat to Daniel Cormier at UFC 166.

“I didn’t feel like it was a fight, just a good sparring match,” says Nelson regarding his bout with Cormier. “I was back in the gym on Monday [following the fight]. I just got out-pointed.”

Cormier, according to Fight Metric, out-struck Nelson 74-17 (3-0 on takedowns) before claiming a unanimous decision, shutting out Nelson on the judges’ scorecards.

“It’s nothing against Daniel [Cormier]. Excellent game plan. Played it to a tee. I just wish I had two more rounds. Daniel won that night and he was the better guy, but I definitely would like to do a rematch. I’d fight anyone I’ve ever lost to.”

With Cormier looking to make his light heavyweight debut sometime next year and a chasm separating them in the rankings, it’s unlikely ‘Big Country’ gets his wish anytime soon.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Close, but no cigar. Dave Metlzer says that while the promotion put on a great main event, the card fell short of Pay-Per-View worthiness.

Saving the night. If not for the rousing main event, Dave Doyle thinks Bellator 106 very well could have been a fiasco. “Had Chandler and Alvarez put on a dud of a rematch Saturday night, we’d be comparing Bellator 106 to the night Seth Petruzelli knocked out Kimbo Slice and the evening in New Jersey in which “Bigfoot” Silva pummeled Fedor Emelianenko right out of Strikeforce.”

20 in 20 roundup. Chuck Mindenhall’s series reaches 2007, the year when the Lil’ engine that could knocked out welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre. Also, make sure to check out 2008 and 2009 from this weekend.

Crusher. Tatsuya Kawajiri makes his long-awaited UFC debut against Hacran Dias at UFC Fight Night 34: Ellenberger vs. Saffiedine in Singapore.

The Ringer. Shayna Baszler looks back on TUF and predicts another win for Rousey. “Ronda’s gonna beat Miesha. I’ve competed with Miesha. I’m confident. I was one of the people who used to think if you can stop Ronda’s armbar, you can beat her. But I’ve trained with her, and she’s got a lot of cool stuff besides the armbar.

MEDIA STEW

Jack Slack’s Alvarez vs. Chandler breakdown.

Bellator 106 highlights.

Pros pick Vitor Belfort vs. Dan Henderson.

Eddie Alvarez doesn’t care who won.

Highlights from Lion Fights 12.

David Loiseau looking for UFC return.

Top bantamweight prospect Aljamain Sterling (Serra-Longo) stays undefeated.

Brutal KO from #10 Strawweight Alida Gray.

(HT to @ErikssonLau)

TWEETS

Make sure to check out our ‘Pros react’ from this weekend’s Bellator 106.

New belts.

All better happy Halloween!! pic.twitter.com/yPY0qBr4qJ

— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) November 3, 2013

Praise God for the victory!! Thank u for the support sponsors, fans, family, friends for all the love and support

— Emanuel_Newton (@Emanuel_Newton) November 3, 2013

And the NEW!!!!!!!!!! #pigtailmafia

— Daniel Straus (@DanielStraus) November 3, 2013

Better luck next time.

I have no 1 to blame but myself. I know I’m a better fighter then that. Thank you to my team and coaches for bringing me this far.

— Pat Curran (@PatCurranMMA) November 3, 2013

One to the next one.

#fast7 stunt team 🙂 http://t.co/9NH9k9GSN5

— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) November 3, 2013

Tony Jaa = awesome sauce http://t.co/QSJVwXxDO1

— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) November 3, 2013

Oh, Forrest.

If you’ve never shit blood your not living life to the fullest/ fact

— Forrest Griffin (@ForrestGriffin) November 3, 2013

Too bad.

MMA is brutal. Great sport, but not for me. I will never step foot in the Octagon.

— Jordan Burroughs (@alliseeisgold) November 3, 2013

More Machida.

It’s a done deal!!! Thank you @lorenzofertitta @danawhite @ufc pic.twitter.com/9PK8gnZU3H

— Ed Soares (@edblackhouse) November 1, 2013

Live, dammit. Live!

today I ran into beautiful @oliviaculpo, miss universe 2012. Nice to have met you and good luck Saturday! pic.twitter.com/rDjN7TuYNC

— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) November 3, 2013

“The good news is, we’re doing a stadium show…”

Hey @danawhite lets get a fight here 😉 to Cleveland stadium or Q I’ll bring my people 😉 @Browns @cavsdan pic.twitter.com/gWcJxnDiAm

— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) November 3, 2013

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced this weekend (Nov. 1-3 2013)

cancelled Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Alexander Gustafsson at UFC Fight Night in London

Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi UFC Fight Night in Brazil

Hacran Dias vs. Tatsuya Kawajiri at UFC Fight Night 34: Ellenberger vs. Saffiedine

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Decado.

UFC Champions to WSOF Prospects Speak Out: The Truth About Sponsorship in MMA

This particular piece is all about the realities of trying to get and keep good sponsors in MMA, and it contains some eye-opening quotes that I feel you guys will find very interesting.

You’re fighting for an MMA organization that is nationally televised. You’re on the televised portion and you’ve managed to get 3 or 4 sponsors together. How much do you think you’ll be making, total, from those sponsors? $5,000? $3,000? For many fighters, the real number is below $1,000.

More…

The truth of MMA sponsorship is that the majority of guys aren’t making anywhere near what you expect them to be. Since the economic downturn and UFC Sponsor Tax implementation, the amount fighters receive from sponsors has taken a dramatic hit.

This piece is the culmination of several month’s work interviewing many fighters to get the most accurate view possible of the sponsor market now and in the past. The topics covered include how much sponsors are really paying, why they are paying less now than in the past, how difficult it is to get cash from sponsors, what factors affect how much sponsors will pay you, and more.

Participants

Along with my MMA Sentinel Radio co-host, Steph Daniels, I interviewed over a dozen fighters to get details on the state of sponsorship in MMA. Those fighters include: A UFC Champion, UFC title contenders, plus top contenders and prospects in the UFC, Bellator and WSOF.

We feel it’s important to give an indicator as to the type of fighter we received comments from, and their relevant places in the MMA world. We also wanted to know how much guys are really making, what effect the sponsor tax had, and how common it is for sponsors to fail to pay a fighter. Some fighters agreed to go on the record, others wished to remain anonymous. Some made some comments on the record, and some off.

I made the decision to have every response be anonymous, for the sake of consistency and ensuring I didn’t give any clues to you intrepid investigators out there who might try to match anonymous comments up with named fighters.

Every factual statement in this piece is 100% true. The wording of the statements may have been edited to remove references to times, places or other things which may give clues to the identity of the fighter. Other than these measures, nothing you read here has been altered in any way.

…

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.

A night out with training partners from Reign MMA quickly turned into chaos for Uriah Hall, thanks to Jason Miller. Hall and ‘Mayhem’ were involved in a nasty incident Oct. 25 while attending BAMMA USA’s Badbeat 11 event in Commerce, Calif. After being taunted with racial slurs by Miller, Hall threw a punch.

Now a week removed, Hall says he was merely an onlooker looking to settle tensions before being singled out by Miller.

“Initially, I saw a big bald-headed dude,” Hall tells MMA Weekly. “Then it hit me that it was Mayhem Miller. I was a little star struck, at first. He was yelling at me though, and wanted to talk to the girl. I guess it was his ex. I tried to stay calm and just diffuse things. I was still kind of shocked that it was all happening.”

After his punch ‘just barely clipped’ Miller, the pair were separated by security. It didn’t stop there. Hall says following the confrontation with Miller, ‘Mayhem’ continued the onslaught via Twitter and text messages.

“I don’t know how he got my number,” Hall says. “I asked and his response was, ‘I am Mayhem Miller, I know everything.'”

Miller, seemingly unrepentant, only looks more bizarre after comments made by former acquaintances revealing personal anecdotes. Hall, who faces Chris Leben at UFC 168 on Dec. 28, says he’s past being angry and simply hopes Miller takes the steps to get help.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Lil Nog out. Just days after being set to face Alexander Gustafsson next year in London, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira has withdrawn with an injury.

WADA on the house. Josh Barnett will have random, extensive pre-fight drug screenings paid for by the UFC.

TRT for a title shot. Vitor Belfort says he’d stop testosterone replacement therapy if he were granted a UFC middleweight title shot. “I’ve already said that, if they agree with it, I would (stop doing TRT),” he said. “No problem at all. If they want me to get there in a disadvantage, that’s ok.”

20 in 20. Chuck Mindenhall’s series hits 2010, the year we said hello (goodbye?) to the WEC and Ferrari World.

JDS not impressed. Junior dos Santos says Cain Velasquez‘ performance at UFC 166 didn’t necessarily prove he was better. “He applied pressure, grabbing hold of me and avoiding the fight, making the fight boring, making the audience boo a lot. An effective strategy to win, but he didn’t prove he was the better fighter.”

MEDIA STEW

Michael Bisping walks around Manchester with James Haskell.

Chael Sonnen and Rashad Evans put friendship aside.

King Mo talks Emanuel Newton.

And a pre-fight interview.

(HT to Zombie)

Friend of the MR Ottavia Bourdain teaches some BJJ.

Halloween special from Tommy Toe Hold.

Jordan Mein’s dad gets a quick KO from last weekend.

Super Fight League 31.

TWEETS

Chael had some thoughts on Lil Nog pulling out.

Lil Nog: the only man who has ‘no-showed’ more times than Axl Rose.

— chael sonnen (@sonnench) November 1, 2013

He fights less than Ghandi

— chael sonnen (@sonnench) November 1, 2013

FOR SALE: MMA GLOVES Never used. Contact Lil’ Nog, 1 Fragile Chicken Road, No-Show, Brazil

— chael sonnen (@sonnench) November 1, 2013

He signs his contracts in disappearing ink

— chael sonnen (@sonnench) November 1, 2013

He gets hurt more than Johnny Knoxville

— chael sonnen (@sonnench) November 1, 2013

Too bad he can’t list his profession as “Fight Avoider” on his tax return

— chael sonnen (@sonnench) November 1, 2013

He’s got a MEMORIAL PAVILLION named after him at UCLA Medical Center

— chael sonnen (@sonnench) November 1, 2013

Maybe Dos Santos can lend Lil Nog his heart while his face heals

— chael sonnen (@sonnench) November 1, 2013

He’s the “Carmen Sandiego” of MMA

— chael sonnen (@sonnench) November 1, 2013

Instead of a contract, Joe Silva faxes him a Missing Person’s Report

— chael sonnen (@sonnench) November 1, 2013

it’s Halloween. Lil’ Nog went as a FIGHTER

— chael sonnen (@sonnench) November 1, 2013

But he didn’t fool anybody and got no candy

— chael sonnen (@sonnench) November 1, 2013

New standard?

I can imagine that today may set the precedent from here on and random testing may become the standard for the sport of MMA

— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) October 31, 2013

Kinda came out of nowhere.

@Young__Assassin Melvin that doesn’t even make sense with u saying that. What r u trying to accomplish??

— Michael Johnson (@FollowTheMenace) November 1, 2013

Diego poetry will always have a home here.

Trick or Treat smell my feet who is next 4 me 2 beat? another rd plz he’s near defeat. 2 close to call what a brawl 4 da fans thank u all!

— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) November 1, 2013

What is?

Morning Breakfast!! pic.twitter.com/7jfeDupfUk

— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) October 31, 2013

Calling out Demian Maia?

E ai @demianmaia o q acha, d voltar as vitórias em cima d um cara ruim de chão e horrível nas defesas de quedas com eu?

— Erick Silva (@ErickSilvaMMA) October 31, 2013

Halloween.

Happy Halloween from Heisenberg and the #ATTnation #halloweencostume #halloween #ufc #mma @mikebrownmma pic.twitter.com/DVhkEVpDcY

— American Top Team (@AmericanTopTeam) October 31, 2013

Happy Halloween! http://t.co/Ya5QiLOWmj

— Cain Velasquez (@cainmma) October 31, 2013

Pinhead driving Power ranger and Zombie hunter to school. #happyhalloween http://t.co/8wGUvpJFhw

— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) October 31, 2013

We are here to defend the world from penguin, joker magneto and all other bad guys. Barman anf… http://t.co/8DuRaoSkKb

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 31, 2013

Which one did you like more, peacock or hula girl!?? (I have 1 more tomorrow!) @AlienwareMMA @SuckerPunchEnt pic.twitter.com/SWkB9HTkwj

— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) October 30, 2013

#TBT The baddest tomato?…pumpkin?…whatever to hit the streets. No candy was safe. #Halloween http://t.co/fbnsO8VF86

— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) October 31, 2013

I too could have defeated the dark lord. Harry Potter wished he had my skillz. #HappyHalloween pic.twitter.com/u8xPI7tzL7

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) October 31, 2013

Dressed up or Halloween party downtown CLE I am a Indian Chief EVIL Eye of EYEBELIEVE TRIBE 🐻 #warbonnet #indian pic.twitter.com/vTGKolAHoh

— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) November 1, 2013

For the last time people coming up to me, I AM NOT dressed up as Ben Stiller for #Halloween !!! I’m just tryin’ to get to the supermarket.

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) November 1, 2013

Rocky, Adrian & Mick pic.twitter.com/FMOJD73RXW

— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) November 1, 2013

Trying to blend in… http://t.co/FqhDXpcrO1

— Dan Hardy (@danhardymma) November 1, 2013

First Halloween I’m not in drag … Being a responsible adult/parent does have it’s down falls.

— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) October 31, 2013

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Oct. 31 2013)

cancelled Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Alexander Gustafsson at UFC Fight Night in London.

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Bradley Bates.

Rampage vs. Beltran? Wake me up when it’s done

You’ve probably heard the news today that former UFC light-heavyweight Joey Beltran has stepped in to replace the injured Tito Ortiz and face Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson at Bellator 108.

Whilst this is good news for Bellator as they get to put on a fight with what is probably their biggest draw, it’s bad news for us fight fans. With a combined four wins in their last 11 fights, neither guy is exactly riding high at the moment. Nor did either guy light up the UFC, at least not in the past four and a half years since ‘Rampage’ knocked out Wanderlei Silva at UFC 92.

Beltran (14-9-0(1) MMA, 0-0 BMMA) is a known brawler, but isn’t exactly a finisher, having not finished a fight since his UFC debut in 2010. Rampage (32-11 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) on the other hand is known for his vicious knockout power, but again it’s something we haven’t seen as of late. You would have to go back to the above mentioned, albeit spectacular, knockout of Wanderlei Silva in 2008 for Rampage’s last finish.

With both fighters last three wins coming by decision, it doesn’t look as though it will be a ‘balls to the wall’ fight. Then there’s the question of what happens to the winner? If Rampage wins do Bellator still do the Tito fight? And if Beltran wins, the Tito fight, for Rampage at least, wouldn’t be easy to sell.

…

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.