Author: Shaun Al-Shatti

Well, that was an interesting weekend. While the rest of the sports world was whipped into a Super Bowl frenzy, the mixed martial arts community was still decidedly abuzz from UFC 143’s polarizing main event. Plenty of fallout arrived amid Diaz vs. Condit, so catch up on everything you might have missed and everything you need to see on today’s edition of the Morning Report.

5 MUST-READ STORIES TO START YOUR DAY:

Dana White believes Carlos Condit deserved to win. Ariel Helwani and the UFC President discuss whether the judges made the right call, before being interrupted by a shirtless Mike Goldberg.

Judges’ scorecards from Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz. Take a look at how the three ringside judges — including fan-favorite Cecil Peoples — scored the action, round-by-round.

UFC 143 morning after: Condit has what it takes to beat St. Pierre. Michael David Smith weighs-in with his thoughts from Saturday night, from Condit vs. GSP, to Kim Winslow’s perfect stoppage.

Video of the new UFC intro. Catch a replay of the new pay-per-view lead-in video that cost an “obscene amount of money,” according to Dana White.

Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen agree to UFC title rematch. Lost amongst the judging hysteria was the fact that the one of the UFC’s most anticipated rematches has officially been set.

THIS WEEKEND’S MEDIA GUMBO:

Relieve Saturday’s action with this Fox Sports highlight package.

This man clearly did not agree with Sensei Cecil Peoples. (HT: Bloody Elbow)

With that out of the way, afford yourself a look ahead at UFC 144, featuring fighters so strong they knock the pigment off their opponent.

Somewhere, Stephen Thompson is smiling. (HT: Bloody Elbow)

Carlos Condit’s other, more tangible prize for beating Nick Diaz. (via Kevin Iole)

Surprised she didn’t armbar her.

I don’t think Japan is ready for a second dose of Rampage.

Anyone else holding out for “RESPECT THE VADGE!” to become the female version of “Don’t be scared homie?”

Miguel Torres gets it.

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Here’s what was announced over the weekend (Friday, Feb. 3, 2012 – Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012):

• UFC on Fox 3: Louis Gaudinot (5-2) vs. John Lineker (19-5)
• UFC on FX 3: Brandon Vera (12-5, 1 NC) out with injury, Thiago Silva (14-2, 1 NC) expected to receive new opponent
• UFC on Fuel TV 1: Yoislandy Izquierdo (6-0) out, Tim Means (16-3-1) in against Bernardo Magalhaes (11-1)
• Bellator 63: War Machine (12-4) out, Chris Lozano (9-2) in against Karl Amoussou (13-4-2)
• Tachi Palace Fights 12: Casey Olson (13-3) vs. Cody Gibson (5-2)

FANPOST OF THE DAY:

Today’s FPOTD belongs to MMA Mania reader Wooly Shambler: As the “Godfather of MMA,” how proud would Bruce Lee be of what MMA is today?

Referred to as the godfather of MMA , Bruce Lee envisioned martial arts as truly becoming mixed. He felt that at the pinnacle of martial arts one should “be like water,” meaning fluid and able to adapt instantly around an object or obstacle. While alive and teaching these beliefs he was met with strong opposition from many masters and disciples of the old guard. Bruce was challenged and scoffed at for believing that not one single martial art or form was best or sufficient. It seems however that not only through his demonstrations and victories, in both form and film, but also in the evolution of martial arts after his death that Bruce was right.

DON’T FORGET to follow @MMAFighting on Twitter and ‘like’ us on Facebook.

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.

For the first time since 2008, a man other than Georges St. Pierre will lay claim to the UFC’s welterweight strap.

Welterweight headliners Nick Diaz and Carlos Condit both made weight during Friday’s UFC 143 weigh-ins at the Mandalay Bay Events Center, rendering their interim title tilt official. No stranger to championships bouts, Condit managed to hit his mark perfectly, tipping the scales at 169 pounds. Diaz quickly followed suit, skimming the welterweight limit at 169 pounds to a chorus of cheers from the adoring Las Vegas audience.

Diaz was markedly tempered throughout the proceedings, especially considering his well-documented aversion to weigh-ins. “I’m ready to take my ass-whooping,” he declared. “It’s whatever.”

Likewise, Condit appeared to be high spirits. “Nick Diaz is the toughest guy I’ve ever fought,” he coolly stated. “I’m as prepared as I’ve ever been. I can’t wait to get out there and do this thing.”

Elsewhere on the main card, Roy Nelson continued his commitment to a sleeker figure, tipping the scales at a trim 246 pounds. His opponent, Fabricio Werdum, marked the end of a three-and-a-half year UFC sabbatical by similarly registering in at 246 pounds.

Meanwhile, Mike Pierce played heavily to the crowd’s dislike of welterweight rival Josh Koscheck. After weighing in at 170 pounds, Pierce donned a blonde Koscheck-esque wig, which instantly incensed the former All-American. Both fighters had to be separated by UFC President Dana White.

Full weigh-in results are below.

Main Card (Pay-Per-View):
Nick Diaz (169) vs. Carlos Condit (169)
Roy Nelson (246) vs. Fabricio Werdum (246)
Josh Koscheck (170) vs. Mike Pierce (170)
Renan Barao (136) vs. Scott Jorgensen (135)
Ed Herman (185) vs. Clifford Starks (185)

Preliminary Card (FX):
Dustin Poirier (146) vs. Max Holloway (144)
Alex Caceres (136) vs. Edwin Figueroa (135)
Matt Brown (171) vs. Chris Cope (171)
Matt Riddle (170) vs. Henry Martinez (169)

Preliminary Card (Facebook):
Dan Stittgen (170) vs. Stephen Thompson (171)
Rafael Natal (186) vs. Michael Kuiper (183)

We’re just one day away from UFC 143: Condit vs. Diaz. Before we can enjoy the fights, let’s make sure we’re up to speed on that brawl and the rest of the sport of mixed martial martial arts. From Thursday’s UFC 143 pre-fight press conference, to Chuck Liddell’s newest Super Bowl commercial, catch up with everything you might have missed and everything you need to see on today’s edition of the Morning Report.

5 MUST-READ STORIES TO START YOUR DAY:

UFC Gladiator has finally been defeated. After nearly a decade, the Gladiator has called it quits. Ariel Helwani brings you the details of the UFC’s newest Hans Zimmer-esque introduction.

U.S. government shuts down streaming websites. For those planning to stream UFC 143 online illegally, the task just got a little tougher.

UFC 143: by the odds. Ben Fowlkes offers us Saturday night’s betting lines and outlines his idea for the perfect parlay.

UFC 143 press conference photo gallery. Esther Lin was on-hand to document Thursday’s pre-fight press conference, of course including plenty of shots of Roy Nelson’s dwarf beard.

UFC 143 judo chop: the striking and grappling technique of Nick Diaz. Nate Wilcox comprehensively breaks down the skills that make Nick Diaz one of MMA’s most feared combatants.

YESTERDAY’S MEDIA GUMBO:

India’s first professional MMA organization, the Super Fight League, has apparently tapped the services of Bob Sapp and James Thompson to launch their inaugural show. (HT: Bloody Elbow)

Don’t blink or you’ll miss UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell in Kia’s newest Super Bowl commercial. (HT: Bloody Elbow)

Members of the New England Patriots make their UFC 143 predictions. (Note: the intro is in Spanish, but bear with it.). Click the image to watch the video.

The infamous media rumble at the UFC 143 open workouts. Skip to 11:00 to see our own Ariel Helwani doing his thing, or just jump right ahead to 18:46 to see the media testosterone fly. (HT: Middle Easy)

Pat Barry’s all-caps, multi-exclamation point response after finding out he would fight on Fox:

Debuting the calf slicer into the UFC’s lexicon was apparently enough for instructors Erickson Cardoso and Jorge Patino “Macaco” to award Charles Oliveira his BJJ black belt. (HT: Bloody Elbow)

Curious to know a little more about the UFC’s new non-gladiator intro? We’ve got the goods, courtesy of Case Keefer. (Click the link for a larger version.)

Even when no one’s around, Chael Sonnen’s mouth never sleeps.

Doesn’t Forrest Griffin tell the nicest stories?

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Here’s what was announced yesterday (Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2012):

• UFC on Fox 3: Jim Miller (21-3) vs. Nate Diaz (15-7) confirmed as main event
• UFC on Fox 3: Pat Barry (7-4) vs. Lavar Johnson (16-5) confirmed for Fox broadcast
• UFC on Fox 3: Karlos Vemola (8-2) vs. Mike Massenzio (13-6)
• UFC on FX 3: Thiago Silva (14-2, 1 NC) vs. Brandon Vera (12-5, 1 NC)
• UFC on FX 3: Tom Lawlor (7-4, 1 NC) vs. Jason MacDonald (25-15)
• UFC on FX 2: Robert Peralta (15-3, 1 NC) out with injury, Mackens Semerzier (6-3, 1 NC) expected to receive new opponent

FANPOST OF THE DAY:

Today’s FPOTD belongs to BE reader MarcusMitchellBSP: Defending The Champ.

DON’T FORGET to follow @MMAFighting on Twitter and ‘like’ us on Facebook.

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.

UFC 143 coverage is officially kicking into high gear. There’s tons to check out including our UFC 143 open workout photo gallery, Ariel Helwani’s interviews from the same event, Ben Fowlkes’ interview with Roy Nelson, pre-fight presser video and the like. Now, start your day with these five can’t-miss links:

Open workouts interview with Nick Diaz. Ariel Helwani talks to Stockton’s own about the cameras of UFC Primetime, his dislike of editing, and a burgeoning rivalry with Georges St. Pierre.

UFC 143 preliminary card dissections. Dallas Winston visually breaks down Saturday night’s entire six-bout undercard, including the Facebook preliminaries and FX-televised UFC Prelims special.

The UFC 143 cut list. Ben Fowlkes probes to see which fighters are safe, and which fighters desperately need a ‘W’ on Saturday night.

Floyd Mayweather vs. Miguel Cotto slated for May 5. Boxing’s biggest draw hits the ring on the same night of UFC on Fox 3.

UFC 143 media scrum interviews. Bloody Elbow’s Matt Roth and the rest of the media talked to GSP and Nick Diaz. Check out his videos of these extended conversations.

Yesterday’s Media Gumbo:

Remember Josh Haynes? The TUF 3 finalist who almost had his scalp ripped off by Rory Singer? Apparently he’s a cop now. (HT: The Underground)

From one legend to another, Mike Tyson discusses the career of Fedor Emelianenko.

How many Ivy League-schooled Wall Street stockbrokers can count both ceramics and mixed martial arts among their hobbies?

Relive Carlos Condit’s ridiculous knockout of Dan Hardy at UFC 120.

Something to look out for on Saturday night.

The official UFC Undisputed 3 predictions have proven to be startlingly accurate so far, but will the trend continue?

Matt Mitrione braved the deep waters to power his way through this grueling workout. (HT: Middle Easy)

Did you miss any fight announcements? Here’s what was announced yesterday (Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2012):

• Legacy Fighting Championships 10: Gerald Harris (19-4) vs. D.J. Linderman (10-2)
• BAMMA 9: Andrew Punshon (10-4) vs. Matt Howard (9-0)
• BAMMA 9: Jason Ball (18-10) vs. Colin Fletcher (7-1)
• BAMMA 9: Nick Nembhard (1-2) vs. Leeroy Barnes (9-9)

FanPost of the Day:

Today’s FPOTD belongs to BE reader Luke Nelson: UFC On FOX: Has The UFC Botched Their First Two Tries?

DON’T FORGET to follow @MMAFighting on Twitter and ‘like’ us on Facebook by clicking the link below: