Dustin Poirier called his shot.
After trading verbal barbs with Chan Sung Jung throughout the week, the two fast-rising featherweights have been tapped as the main event of UFC on Fuel 3, set for May 15 at the Patriot Center in…
After trading verbal barbs with Chan Sung Jung throughout the week, the two fast-rising featherweights have been tapped as the main event of UFC on Fuel 3, set for May 15 at the Patriot Center in Fairfax, Virginia. According to UFC officials, the headlining tilt will be a three-round affair.
Jung and Poirier are a combined 6-0 under the UFC banner, and each fighter has wasted little time propelling their name into title contention with a series of spectacular performances.
The 24-year-old Jung (12-3), affectionately nicknamed “The Korean Zombie,” emerged as a fan-favorite after his thrilling WEC brawl with Leonard Garcia was widely nominated as 2010’s “Fight of the Year.” Since then the young South Korean has turned in another pair of astonishing performances, debuting the twister submission in a rematch with Garcia and stunning Mark Hominick en route to a seven-second knockout at UFC 140.
Likewise, the 23-year-old Poirier (12-1) has seen his stock skyrocket since announcing his 145-pound debut in a unanimous decision win against top prospect Josh Grispi. With a five-fight winning streak at his back, including dominating victories over Max Holloway, Pablo Garza, and Jason Young, “The Diamond” is fast-approaching a shot at the UFC featherweight strap.
In retrospect, I guess we shouldn’t be that surprised that Nick Diaz outkicked his coverage and tested positive for weed during a UFC 143 drug screening. After all, this is the guy that hit a bong in the middle of a Strikeforce…
In retrospect, I guess we shouldn’t be that surprised that Nick Diaz outkicked his coverage and tested positive for weed during a UFC 143 drug screening. After all, this is the guy that hit a bong in the middle of a Strikeforce conference call.
But still, Hendo might fight at heavyweight if we can find him a good match-up. So it’s not all bad.
5 MUST-READ STORIES TO START YOUR DAY
Nick Diaz tests positive for marijuana. Nick Diaz is facing a lengthy suspension after testing positive for marijuana metabolites for the second time.
Diaz’s positive drug test not surprising, but still bizarrely disappointing. Like a father that discovered his son’s weed hidden under the dresser drawer, Ben Fowlkes isn’t angry at Diaz’s failed test, justdisappointed.
Dana White ‘beyond disappointed’ in Nick Diaz. White was unexpectedly measured in his short public statement.
UFC 143 trending near 400,000 pay-per-view buys. Early estimates have the buyrate for last weekend’s UFC 143 show far exceeding expectations.
MEDIA STEW
TUF 14 prankster Akira Corassani pulls one over on Frankie Edgar.
A man named Michael Page acts like Anderson Silva for 63 seconds then smashes some other unfortunate man with a tornado kick for his professional MMA debut. (Thanks to Sam James.)
Even Fedor can’t help but crack a smile at the water park. (HT: MiddleEasy)
Our own Luke Thomas discusses whether Nick Diaz’s stubbornness could prevent him from ever claiming UFC gold.
Come on Strikeforce, play fair. As Ronda Rousey spent her time pushing for this fight, she spent most of it openly drawing on the looks of her and her opponent as the selling point. She was worried the fight may never happen and, since a fight between two pretty girls is very marketable, she wanted it to happen as soon as possible. For the future of women’s MMA, this seems pretty damning.
As a female fighter, it seems very short sighted to reduce your division to a beautiful sideshow. I understand why Ronda feels the need to make the most out of her career while she can, it just does not reflect well on her female colleagues. There is a great division of fighters there. Tate and Rousey are great athletes, each with their own story and representing wrestling and Judo respectively. That is already marketable.
Found something entertaining, brutal, or bizarre for the Morning Report? Send it to @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in Monday’s post.
Less than 48 hours hours ago, after much griping, it appeared that Nick Diaz would indeed receive his rematch with Carlos Condit. Now it’s unclear when, or if, Diaz will ever fight in the UFC again.
The polarizing Stockonian te…
Less than 48 hours hours ago, after much griping, it appeared that Nick Diaz would indeed receive his rematch with Carlos Condit. Now it’s unclear when, or if, Diaz will ever fight in the UFC again.
The polarizing Stockonian tested positive for “marijuana metabolites” in the aftermath of UFC 143, according to Nevada State Athletic Commission Executive Director Keith Kizer. Given that this is Diaz’s second offense, a lengthy suspension is likely forthcoming.
It seems strangely fitting that after five days of fervent debate, the positive test puts the Condit-Diaz controversy to bed in the most Diaz-like way imaginable. As the UFC and Condit were busy plotting their next move, a slew of Diaz’s colleagues sounded off on the announcement.
Nick Diaz was the aggressor of the fight while he was high as a kite is a testament to how good he really is and how much pot he can smoke.
Cesar Gracie is either a marketing genius or Nick Diaz is serious about this whole retirement thing. Either way, no one really appears to know what’s going on. So while the UFC treads water in welterweight limbo, catch up on ev…
Cesar Gracie is either a marketing genius or Nick Diaz is serious about this whole retirement thing. Either way, no one really appears to know what’s going on. So while the UFC treads water in welterweight limbo, catch up on everything else MMA has to offer with the Morning Report.
5 MUST-READ STORIES TO START YOUR DAY
Cesar Gracie says Diaz vs. Condit rematch not happening. “There will be no rematch,” Gracie revealed. “I can’t do anything. Quote that if you want to.”
Dustin Poirier and Korean Zombie spar on Twitter. Two of the UFC’s fastest rising featherweights appear to be on a collision course after exchanging jabs online.
Top-10 welterweights: Carlos Condit creeps up on GSP. In light of the ongoing Condit-Diaz drama, Michel David Smith runs down the top-10 for MMA’s 170-pound division.
Alistair Overeem is good at many things, but using those monstrous Dutch hands to unsnap bra straps is apparently not among them. Fairly SFW, but use your best judgement. (HT: Reddit)
Our own Luke Thomas examines whether Nick Diaz was robbed at UFC 143.
A blow that lands with trembling shock is a blow that moves the target: stops them in their tracks, snaps their head back, knocks the wind out of them, etc. As someone who has scored competitions, I was looking for blows that would damage an unprotected opponent (or even better, those that actually managed to damage a protected opponent).
…
What I saw in that fight was Nick Diaz — especially in the first two rounds, and even, to some extent in the third — repeatedly landing “trembling shock” blows (both to the body and head) and Condit landing very, very few comparable shots (he started to pop a few off in the third and especially the fourth).
Found something entertaining, brutal, or just plain bizarre for the Morning Report? Send it to @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s post.
After hurtling through four events in four weeks, it almost felt weird to not have some fights lined up for the weekend. But then this happened and things got crazy. Catch up on the UFC’s biggest rematch since Edgar-Maynard with the Morning Report.
5 MUST-READ STORIES TO START YOUR DAY
Dana White: Carlos Condit accepts rematch with Nick Diaz. It was bound to happen. Carlos Condit is traveling to Las Vegas on Friday in hopes of finalizing a rematch with Nick Diaz.
UFC vs. Pride was one of the most fun times of Dana White’s life. The UFC President reflected back on the only organization he ever considered a competitor.
Pat Barry name-drops Dragon Ball Z and Phil Davis calls his shot for Evans vs. Jones.
Anderson Silva ventures out to fight with the indigenous tribes of Brazilians in this Globo TV report. Only a matter of time until Chael sees this and promptly has a field day with it.
Joe Rogan weighs in with his take on Condit-Diaz and the difficulty of judging from a commentator’s perspective. (HT: Bloody Elbow)
Minnesota’s own Brock Lesnar returns home to present freshman standout Logan Storley with the 2011 Junior Hodge Trophy. (HT: MMA Mania)
Nothing new here, but a great clip for your daily dose of violence. The enigma of Badr Hari retires as only he could, brutally rematching Gokhan Saki at ‘It’s Showtime’ late last month.
The UFC finally uploaded their new pay-per-view intro (but no embedding allowed, of course), so for anyone that missed it the first time around, click the image below to watch.
In my years as an avid MMA fan, I’ve been lucky enough to attend two live UFC events. With that said, I’ve only attended two live events. I’m a young guy; my friends like watching MMA, and I love drinking beer. So where does that leave me? Spending anywhere from 6 to 15 or more hours per month sitting in a bar, usually craning my neck staring at a flat screen TV, either sipping or slamming an adult beverage.
The past several years spent watching UFC events in bars have been glorious. I love the atmosphere and I love those Saturday nights. With this experience, I’ve become accustomed to seeing the same little slices of fandom, almost entirely regardless of the bar. Without further ado, the following are the people or groups that I (and, I’m assuming, most BE readers) typically observe in their natural, violence-lusting, habitat.
Found something entertaining, brutal, or just plain bizarre for the Morning Report? Send it to me at @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s post.
After hurtling through four events in four weeks, it almost felt weird to not have some fights lined up for the weekend. But then this happened and things got crazy. Catch up on the UFC’s biggest rematch since Edgar-Maynard with the Morning Report.
5 MUST-READ STORIES TO START YOUR DAY
Dana White: Carlos Condit accepts rematch with Nick Diaz. It was bound to happen. Carlos Condit is traveling to Las Vegas on Friday in hopes of finalizing a rematch with Nick Diaz.
UFC vs. Pride was one of the most fun times of Dana White’s life. The UFC President reflected back on the only organization he ever considered a competitor.
Pat Barry name-drops Dragon Ball Z and Phil Davis calls his shot for Evans vs. Jones.
Anderson Silva ventures out to fight with the indigenous tribes of Brazilians in this Globo TV report. Only a matter of time until Chael sees this and promptly has a field day with it.
Joe Rogan weighs in with his take on Condit-Diaz and the difficulty of judging from a commentator’s perspective. (HT: Bloody Elbow)
Minnesota’s own Brock Lesnar returns home to present freshman standout Logan Storley with the 2011 Junior Hodge Trophy. (HT: MMA Mania)
Nothing new here, but a great clip for your daily dose of violence. The enigma of Badr Hari retires as only he could, brutally rematching Gokhan Saki at ‘It’s Showtime’ late last month.
The UFC finally uploaded their new pay-per-view intro (but no embedding allowed, of course), so for anyone that missed it the first time around, click the image below to watch.
In my years as an avid MMA fan, I’ve been lucky enough to attend two live UFC events. With that said, I’ve only attended two live events. I’m a young guy; my friends like watching MMA, and I love drinking beer. So where does that leave me? Spending anywhere from 6 to 15 or more hours per month sitting in a bar, usually craning my neck staring at a flat screen TV, either sipping or slamming an adult beverage.
The past several years spent watching UFC events in bars have been glorious. I love the atmosphere and I love those Saturday nights. With this experience, I’ve become accustomed to seeing the same little slices of fandom, almost entirely regardless of the bar. Without further ado, the following are the people or groups that I (and, I’m assuming, most BE readers) typically observe in their natural, violence-lusting, habitat.
Found something entertaining, brutal, or just plain bizarre for the Morning Report? Send it to me at @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s post.
Saturday is long gone, but the Condit vs. Diaz controversy somehow rages on. The fallout continued in spades yesterday, from Cesar Gracie’s belittlement of the judges, to the Condit camp’s refusal to sign a rematch. Catch up on all the back-and-forth with today’s edition of the Morning Report.
5 MUST-READ STORIES TO START YOUR DAY
Cesar Gracie calls UFC 143 judging a “perfect storm of incompetence.” Still fuming from the judging slight, Gracie minced no words during Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour.
Greg Jackson: stick-and-move strategy was “no-brainer.” Unsurprisingly, Jackson adamantly defended the pro-Condit decision, explaining, “it’s not like we reinvented the wheel.”
Hungry for violence? Check out Yury Bessmertny’s crushing knockout of Gago Drago from Thai Boxe Mania. (HT: Liver Kick)
Not enough? Watch Chad Sermon and Brian Kerr revert back to Pride rules (to devastating results) at Shepherdsville’s Hardrock MMA 43 event. (HT: Middle Easy)
Yup, this is somehow from the exact same event. This time Braedon Ward and Brandon Bishop suffer a double KO in the most bizarre way imaginable. (HT: Bloody Elbow)
Roy Nelson’s Roller-Coaster Weekend, Part 1. (via @roynelsonmma)
Roy Nelson’s Roller-Coaster Weekend, Part 2: Coolio Edition.
Nik Lentz has a simple solution for all the controversy.
@NikLentz Nik Lentz Ufc mma If you are upset at the Diaz/Condit fight, there is a simple fix..Make the cage smaller. Larger areas favor reach, height and evasion. #UFC Feb 06 via SeesmicFavoriteRetweetReply
Chael Sonnen still isn’t convinced he’ll get his fight.
@sonnench chael sonnen I wouldn’t pack for June in Brazil just yet, Eagles. Grab a coat, though, because if this happens Hell is frozen. Feb 06 via webFavoriteRetweetReply
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Here’s what was announced yesterday (Monday, Feb. 6, 2012):
A lot has been said and written about Nick Diaz’ fight with Carlos Condit. One point of discussion has been Diaz seeming inability to adapt in a fight that was at least close or – in the opinion of many fans and more importantly the judges – he was losing. Personally I thought Diaz did win the fight, but this is definitely a case of “could’ve gone either way”. More interesting to me is the question, what was going on with Nick, whether he was following a gameplan, if he really did get bad advice by his corner and so on. Luckily, the UFC provides an audio-stream straight from the corner of Nick Diaz. Even more luckily for you gentlemen I had the insane idea to make a transcript of the high-points for the poor suckers who do not get these streams for free like us germans.
Found something informative, entertaining, brutal, or just plain bizarre for the Morning Report? Hit me at @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s post.
Saturday is long gone, but the Condit vs. Diaz controversy somehow rages on. The fallout continued in spades yesterday, from Cesar Gracie’s belittlement of the judges, to the Condit camp’s refusal to sign a rematch. Catch up on all the back-and-forth with today’s edition of the Morning Report.
5 MUST-READ STORIES TO START YOUR DAY
Cesar Gracie calls UFC 143 judging a “perfect storm of incompetence.” Still fuming from the judging slight, Gracie minced no words during Monday’s episode of The MMA Hour.
Greg Jackson: stick-and-move strategy was “no-brainer.” Unsurprisingly, Jackson adamantly defended the pro-Condit decision, explaining, “it’s not like we reinvented the wheel.”
Hungry for violence? Check out Yury Bessmertny’s crushing knockout of Gago Drago from Thai Boxe Mania. (HT: Liver Kick)
Not enough? Watch Chad Sermon and Brian Kerr revert back to Pride rules (to devastating results) at Shepherdsville’s Hardrock MMA 43 event. (HT: Middle Easy)
Yup, this is somehow from the exact same event. This time Braedon Ward and Brandon Bishop suffer a double KO in the most bizarre way imaginable. (HT: Bloody Elbow)
Roy Nelson’s Roller-Coaster Weekend, Part 1. (via @roynelsonmma)
Roy Nelson’s Roller-Coaster Weekend, Part 2: Coolio Edition.
Nik Lentz has a simple solution for all the controversy.
@NikLentz Nik Lentz Ufc mma If you are upset at the Diaz/Condit fight, there is a simple fix..Make the cage smaller. Larger areas favor reach, height and evasion. #UFC Feb 06 via SeesmicFavoriteRetweetReply
Chael Sonnen still isn’t convinced he’ll get his fight.
@sonnench chael sonnen I wouldn’t pack for June in Brazil just yet, Eagles. Grab a coat, though, because if this happens Hell is frozen. Feb 06 via webFavoriteRetweetReply
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Here’s what was announced yesterday (Monday, Feb. 6, 2012):
A lot has been said and written about Nick Diaz’ fight with Carlos Condit. One point of discussion has been Diaz seeming inability to adapt in a fight that was at least close or – in the opinion of many fans and more importantly the judges – he was losing. Personally I thought Diaz did win the fight, but this is definitely a case of “could’ve gone either way”. More interesting to me is the question, what was going on with Nick, whether he was following a gameplan, if he really did get bad advice by his corner and so on. Luckily, the UFC provides an audio-stream straight from the corner of Nick Diaz. Even more luckily for you gentlemen I had the insane idea to make a transcript of the high-points for the poor suckers who do not get these streams for free like us germans.
Found something informative, entertaining, brutal, or just plain bizarre for the Morning Report? Hit me at @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s post.
