Without sugar-coating anything, we just waited three weeks to hear Alistair Overeem pull out the generic ‘I totally didn’t know banned substances were in my medication’ defense. I’ll admit, after the whole “reasonable excuse” spiel, this is a little anticlimactic.
Regardless, Overeem was remorseful in his statement, and everybody has the right to innocence until proven guilty, so let’s buck the perception and play devil’s advocate for a second. Let’s say Overeem actually did take this testosterone-riddled medication, unaware it was buffing up his levels like the ooze from TMNT 2. He still knows he’s going to be randomly drug tested. He agreed to that caveat last year.
Let’s also assume Overeem, like most humans, is a money enthusiast. So he knows one slip-up could royally screw the biggest payday of his career.
Now, given these particular set of circumstances, why wouldn’t he report any mysterious medication he was considering putting in his body to the UFC? I’m sure they’d help him out. Have one of his assistants do it if he’s feeling a little lazy. Why take the chance? It just doesn’t make sense.
But hey, that’s just my own speculation. We’ll see what Overeem says in a few hours.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Alistair Overeem explains failed drug test. In a written statement, Alistair Overeem revealed his 14:1 failed drug test was the result of an accidental anti-inflammatory medication that was mixed with testosterone. Overeem is scheduled to appear in front of the Nevada State Athletic Commission in an attempt to gain licensure at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT this afternoon.
The MMA Hour. Ariel Helwani is back in your life with another edition of The MMA Hour, featuring a star-studded lineup of Frank Mir, Dan Henderson, Eddie Alvarez, Andreas Spang, Alan Belcher, Guilherme Cruz and Mike Chiappetta.
Marloes Coenen calls out Ronda Rousey. Former Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion Marloes Coenen said that while she is impressed by Ronda Rousey’s run to the title, she still believes the new champ is fighting with fear in her heart.
Frank Edgar says move to 145 is inevitable. After years of snubbing a drop to featherweight, Frankie Edgar finally admitted the move down is inevitable, and he is looking forward to fighting Jose Aldo in the future.
Cro Cop, Badr Hari get opponents for May 27 card. K-1 officials revealed the fight card for their May 27 event, to be held in Madrid, Spain. Notable match-ups include Mirko Cro Cop vs. Loren Javier Jorge and Badr Hari vs. Anderson Silva (not that one).
MEDIA STEW
On a shortlist of people you’d expect to pop up in a foreign report about Manny Pacquiao’s training camp, where exactly would Mixed Martial Arts Superstar & Hollywood Actor Quinton “Rampage” Jackson rank? (Also, there’s a report with Rampage fake ground ‘n’ pounding the Filipino fans, if you’re interested.)
So apparently Bob Sapp is a sneaky little tyke who fought in Slovenia on Sunday. $100 bucks says you couldn’t guess what happens next. (HT: Cagepotato)
For bonus Bob Sapp fun, we turn to the hilarity of Wikipedia. (Click the image to enlarge.)
Sonnen-Sllva II is mess a right now, but if you were at all down on Wanderlei Silva vs. Vitor Belfort, NickTheFace is here to save the day.
How awesome was that? Well, there’s no such thing as too much of the Ax Murderer, so here’s a rundown of what to expect from his first video blog: 1.) Wanderlei referring to himself as “The Silva,” which is pretty amazing, 2.) Wanderlei looking back at his legacy, and 3.) Wanderlei outlining the exact way he’s going to knock out Vitor Belfort, right down to the spot Belfort is going to drop.
POST-FIGHT INJURY UPDATE
I went 2 UFC 145 in Atlanta and I had the best seat in the house & all I came back with was this fat eye! Wt instagr.am/p/JxNbJkk1Ee/
— Rashad Evans (@SugaRashadEvans) April 23, 2012
This is what my ankle looks like today…Luckily, I’m walking on it fine… Use the other leg muscles to support it. lockerz.com/s/203578531
— Mac Danzig (@macdanzigmma) April 23, 2012
SERIOUSLY GUYS?
In Buenos Aires now in training session w Seagal, Anderson n Lyoto. 1 word, “Fascinating” n no more info so don’t ask! twitter.com/brucebuffer/st…
— Bruce Buffer (@brucebuffer) April 23, 2012
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Monday, April 23, 2012):
– UFC 146: Gabriel Gonzaga (13-6) vs. Roy Nelson (16-7)
– UFC 146: Shane del Rosario (11-0) vs. Stipe Miotic (8-0)
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day is a question that Nick Diaz would appreciate, via BE’s LYHL: “Look At His Face and Look At Mine” – The Importance of Post-Fight Physical Appearances?
The Hominick-Yagin fight this past Saturday went down, and the outcome gave me some thoughts. I’d like to share them with you lot and see what you lot think.
In my opinion, the fighter who looked worse off at the end of the fight was Yagin. Although Hominick’s eye was swollen, the entirety of Yagin’s face was masked with blood. This immediately made me think of Diego Nunes’ post-Siver fight comments: “look at his face and look at mine”, insinuating that he should have been victorious in that fight.
However, should post-fight visual appearances be a more determinative factor in a fight?
Realism: Perhaps it can be argued that visual appearances represent the ‘real’ outcome of the fight. In most street fights, the victor and loser is often determined (providing one participant is not unconscious) by the visual state of the combatants at the end of the fight. Using a simple analogy, the loser in most playground fights is the one who walks away with a broken nose. Should MMA, the closest sport that we have to an uncontrolled fight be any different?
Found something perfect for the Morning Report? Just hit me on Twitter @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s post.