And we’re back on Gus. After taking a day off to label Alistair Overeem ‘the biggest p*ssy in the heavyweight division,’ Anthony Johnson picked up his campaign to fight Alexander Gustafsson.
Johnson took to Facebook Wednesday looking to illicit a response, but wouldn’t clarify who exactly he was referring to.
Counted among the confused masses, famed trainer John Hackleman commented on the post asking for some clarification. “who’s the chicken… ps,I love you facebook posts…,” Hackleman asked. “Pit Master what’s up brother. Hopefully a Swedish fighter can get the hint,” Johnson responded shortly after.
Well, ‘Rumble’ didn’t wait long for a response from Gustafsson, asking the Swede how long he planned on hiding from him in a post about an hour later.
Regardless of the bout earning Dana White’s blessing, Gustafsson hasn’t warmed up to the idea. Unimpressed with Johnson’s wins over Phil Davis and Antônio Rogério Nogueira since returning to the UFC in April, Gustafsson remarked Monday that ‘Rumble’ needed to ‘a few more’ wins. Big-timing Johnson by saying they weren’t ‘on the playground anymore,’ Gustafsson claimed the fight didn’t make sense for ‘a long and successful career.’
On Wednesday, Gustafsson’s manager Manos Terzitaine told Ariel Helwani that it no longer mattered to their team if their fighter waited to face the winner of light heavyweight champion Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier in January or fought someone else in between, so the bout with Johnson could come together sooner than later.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Pleading ‘not guilty.’ Jonathan Koppenhaver entered a plea of ‘not guilty’ on 32 felony counts in his first appearance in a Las Vegas courtroom on Wednesday.
Shogun vs. Poster Boy. A light heavyweight bout between Mauricio Rua and Jimi Manuwa is being discussed for a fight in Brazil, according to a report on UFC Tonight.
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas discusses the potential of Anthony Johnson vs. Alexander Gustafsson, the role weight cutting could play longterm in MMA, buying UFC 177 and more in this week’s live chat.
Watered down. ‘King’ Muhammed Lawal is concerned over the quality of MMA and that less events is the answer. ‘I think what Bellator is doing right now is great, cutting back on the amount of shows so they can put out quality events. Now, what [passes] as a quality event these days, [one good fight] here and there.’
Only on PPV. Pro wrestling announcer Jim Ross and Chael Sonnen will serve as the broadcast team for Battleground MMA, a pay-per-view show in Tulsa, Okla., on Oct. 3.
MEDIA STEW
Media day highlights from Foxwoods.
Alistair Overeem talks Ben Rothwell, injuring Jon Jones and his walking around weight.
Matt Mitrione’s survival kit.
Tyron Woodley explains why he doesn’t want to fight Hector Lombard.
You should watch this purely to hear war machine’s lawyer.
TUF 20 strawweights explain how they are or aren’t ‘the next Ronda Rousey‘ that Dana White was talking about. (???)
Long watches.
UFC & Bellator Connecticut Care/Don’t Care Preview
…
Press Row with Jordan Breen and Fight Opinion founder Zach Arnold.
TWEETS
This is getting out of hand.
Stop following me @Hof23 , or I’m gonna continue to tweet this: @titoortiz : http://t.co/w0vLvgGhAT I’m sure the needles are for acupuncture
— Stephan Bonnar (@StephanBonnar) September 4, 2014
@StephanBonnar but you #BitchBoy you will be the first #Bitch I’ve ever beat down. You have made this personal! You will pay with our body.
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) September 4, 2014
@DanaWhite I’m thankful that you sent your Hitman #BitchBoy bonnar.I haven’t thanked u 4 much but I really have to thank you for this one.
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) September 4, 2014
@ACE1SUCKAS@BiggestOrtizFanjust about an old school ass beating.I don’t hate many but this #BitchBoy crossed the line.Fight just 2 hurt him
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) September 4, 2014
One of these is not like the others.
Not gunna lie. I think this is pretty cool. This is the main NY subway !! http://t.co/pGDevfkx2d pic.twitter.com/EDo1Ul2pFW
— Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) September 3, 2014
Who be dat on the Fox Studio wall? #TUF20 #UFC #TUFBeauty #TUFStrength #IllEatYourSoul #BoneBreaker #HeartBreaker pic.twitter.com/AqhBweF1Is
— ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) September 3, 2014
Was great to get on the mat here in NYC. #marcelogarcia place is awesome http://t.co/GiNryKqypj
— Joanne Calderwood (@DRkneevil) September 3, 2014
Get well soon.
Every day i feel better.Thanks who support me @ufc @lorenzofertitta @dethrone @AliAbdelaziz00 @Rizvan_RM @danawhite pic.twitter.com/1ToIsicODc
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 4, 2014
That is danger.
After @Sara_McMann spoke with the kids we decided to let her feed some buffalo…with her mouth pic.twitter.com/mUs81GSLPh
— David Michaud (@bulldawgUFC) September 4, 2014
One last time.
My answer to the RETIREMENT questions and my busy schedule with @ONEFCMMA : https://t.co/fjMETKjxqy
— Rich Franklin (@RichFranklin) September 3, 2014
Big day.
First day of school ever for CJ and last year of pre-k for cassidy. Crazy feeling! http://t.co/JYaq2TEnpA
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) September 3, 2014
The first born ready to attack his first day of Kindergarten. The world is your playground son, get… http://t.co/PGhFu7Tenl
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) September 3, 2014
First day of kindergarten. Wow that was hard to drop them off. Time goes by to fast.
— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) September 3, 2014
Maybe a cameo.
A triumphant raid on Brown Thomas with my @HistoryVikings brothers @alexanderludwig and Gustaf Skarsgard!! TO ODIN!!! pic.twitter.com/7t9SXPd32D
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 3, 2014
No context needed.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Sept. 3 2014)
Scott Jorgensen vs. Wilson Reis at UFC 179
Felipe Arantes vs. Andre Fili at UFC 179
Josh Hill out, Marlon Moraes vs. Cody Bollinger at non-title WSOF 13 headliner
Luke Barnatt vs. Roger Narvaez at UFC Fight Night: Austin
Oleksiy Oliynyk vs. Jared Rosholt at UFC Fight Night: Austin
Neil Magny vs. William Macario at UFC 179
Fabricio Camoes vs. Josh Shockley at UFC 179
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.