UFC featherweight contender Conor McGregor seems a bit torn over the promotion’s decision to allow a retired professional wrestler with no competitive experience whatsoever to compete alongside him in the sport’s premier organization.
McGregor understands the appeal of wrangling the elusive and dreaded ‘casual fan,’ but would have preferred for 36-year-old CM Punk to first prove himself elsewhere.
“I don’t have no problem with it,” McGregor told Severe MMA. “If you bring something with you to the table, you get a seat. I feel a lot of fighters feel they get in and get signed by three letters: U-F-C. And that gives them a certain right, but you must bring something to the table.
“As far as the CM Punk thing, he has a different fanbase, the WWE fans. To be honest, it’s weird to me to let an amateur come in and do it in the pro game. I mean, who knows what his skill level is like? I would like to see it the way they done it with [former UFC heavyweight champion] Brock [Lesnar]. Brock had one or two fights in the smaller league. Brock was a different animal all together. He had Division 1 All-American wrestling status. He was a freestyle wrestling champion. Plus he was a f***ing monster of a man.”
Stating mostly concern, McGregor sounds more worried for the man’s health than anything else.
“CM Punk? I don’t know,” said McGregor. “Listening to him speak, when I heard the broadcast announcement I saw a man afraid. Like he signed up for something he didn’t want to be. When the shin bone cracks the body or the elbow cracks or the heel cracks… It doesn’t get much more real than that. Personally, I don’t think he should be in this league just yet, but again, you bring asses to the seats, you bring eyeballs to the screen and we will give you a shot.”
McGregor faces Denis Siver Jan. 18 in the main event at UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver in Boston, Massachusetts.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Post show. Ariel Helwani and Shaun Alshatti break down the top storylines coming out of UFC on FOX 13.
No. 1 contender. Rafael dos Anjos will get his title shot against UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis after an impressive win over Nate Diaz.
Aftermath. Dave Doyle explains why it’s getting harder and harder to watch former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos engage in slugfests.
Toquinho. Rousimar Palhares is again having to defend how long he held onto a submission after tapping Jon Fitch Saturday night at WSOF 16. ‘I believe I did what I should have done to win.’
Not another Daley. Dana White says he won’t look to punish strawweight contender Claudia Gadelha after her controversial punch after the bell.
MEDIA STEW
Highlights from Junior dos Santos vs. Stipe Miocic and Carla Esparza vs. Rose Namajunas.
Dana White talks Dos Santos, Dos Anjos, Nate Diaz and more.
UFC on FOX 13 press conference highlights. (Full presser here)
Nate Diaz explains missing weight and fighting injured.
Rousimar Palhares vs. Jon Fitch at WSOF 16.
Miesha Tate says Ronda Rousey could use some deodorant.
Long watches.
Super Fight League 36 United States Of America
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TWEETS
See how the pros reacted to UFC on FOX 13 (here) and the TUF 20 Finale (here)
Victory lap.
Antes de qualquer coisa OBRIGADO! #gigantedecoração Before anything THANK YOU! http://t.co/DnqL9UgceI
— Junior Dos Santos (@junior_cigano) December 14, 2014
My dreams are really close to become true, 2015 I’ll get this belt. @ufc @danawhite. 2015 essa cinta vai ser nossa!! pic.twitter.com/aT99MGJgwP
— Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) December 15, 2014
12/13/14 is a victory! pic.twitter.com/eCSbh37GMW
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) December 14, 2014
Huge respect to @gonzagabjj a true warrior and you’ve done more things in your career than most everyone that’s ever fought here. thank you
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) December 14, 2014
My New friend ;)) #new #friend #ice #machine #in #hyatt #hotel #after #the #fight #UFC #FIGHTNIGHT… http://t.co/8AUhmHhj6B
— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) December 14, 2014
“@szanpan: @bensaundersMMA @MMAfightfans im glad you acted like a real sportman there after the tapout.” I am a Martial Artist & a Samurai.
— Ben Saunders (@bensaundersMMA) December 14, 2014
I want to thank my corners and friends that came out to phoenix and help me get the win. Leister III Bowling… http://t.co/fLm6zsQmY9
— Drew Dober (@DrewDober) December 14, 2014
Thank you @danawhite joe silva @lorenzofertitta @ufc for letting me have fun on the big stage @UFCONFOX #UFCPHOENIX hope you guys enjoyed it
— BRYAN BARBERENA (@bryan_barberena) December 14, 2014
Woke up feeling great! Ready to get back in that @ufc octagon! I think I need a date for Valentines Day in Colorado now @danawhite
— David Michaud (@bulldawgUFC) December 14, 2014
Thank you all! Gracias! Got the WIN. Obtuvimos la VICTORIA. #UFCPhoenix #UFCFightNight
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) December 13, 2014
50,000 reasons to thank the @ufc! Appreciate @rayelbe @DeBoaBJJ for helping me make weight! @boostermma @phukettopteam apex mma thank you 2
— Ian Enty (@ianenty_) December 14, 2014
Got some hardware I need to drop off at @teamoyama tomorrow night before I head to Australia! See u tomorrow night! pic.twitter.com/luPjqy8K9O
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) December 15, 2014
Sorry to @Cruickshank155 and fans. I did not mean to do eye poke. Hopefully he has fast recovery and we can do again. So bummed.
— KJ Noons (@kjnoons) December 13, 2014
Thank you to all my fans, supporters, and my fam!!!! #YancyMedeiros #TUF20Finale
— Yancy Medeiros (@ymedeiros) December 13, 2014
Always love the looks I get at the airport the morning after a fight
— Jessica Penne (@JessicaPenne) December 13, 2014
Well you can’t say I can’t take a punch. Some times you have to take some to give some. We… http://t.co/pnFWXABUy3 pic.twitter.com/VD9wnTaYTW
— heatherjoclark (@heatherjoclark) December 15, 2014
My Nose is fine for the peeps asking, It always bleeds. now to deal with the shittest thing coming… http://t.co/NJyzk3ycI3
— Joanne Calderwood (@DRkneevil) December 14, 2014
Let the celebrations begin! @ufc @ultimatefighter #teamtiny pic.twitter.com/MNp3aTom6k
— Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) December 13, 2014
“@HansGutknecht: Great win for @AngieOverkill #Tuf20Finale photos http://t.co/KgwjWdgurc pic.twitter.com/4jjXaAmBU2” can’t sleep, still buzzing
— Angela Hill (@AngieOverkill) December 13, 2014
Better luck next time.
And by the way @junior_cigano is a hell of a fighter and a really nice guy. Thank you for the battle man.
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) December 14, 2014
P.o.w http://t.co/HdpOakZhGo pic.twitter.com/eCYoMx3GY5
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) December 14, 2014
There are way worse things in life then losing a fight, looking forward 2 the future. Getting in there was 1 thing, finding the old me is 2
— Stefan Struve (@StefanStruve) December 14, 2014
Guys what do you think about this text ? I lost and when I get in the lock room I see this in my phone !! After 9… http://t.co/bU3LcT4YrC
— gabriel gonzaga (@gonzagabjj) December 14, 2014
Would like too thank @ufc @danawhite @seanshelby for giving me this amazing opportunity sorry I came up short but trust im a force at 125
— Willie Gates (@WhOopassWilliE) December 14, 2014
Thanks to all. I’ll be back. Thank you to the UFC for talking care of me. I love you guys. I great morning. http://t.co/LgR8gF4Pzv
— JOE RIGGS (@DIESELRIGGSMMA) December 14, 2014
I knew this would be my last time I’d go in to battle and my only regret is…. Nothing I … http://t.co/Nme6LApiT8 pic.twitter.com/capsCPIYEq
— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) December 15, 2014
Well that sucked. Hats off to @bryan_barberena He brought it. I’m banged up, but I’ll live. Sorry @ufc I’ll be back, better than ever.
— Joe Ellenberger (@JoeEllenberger) December 13, 2014
Thank you to all my supporters you guys make me hungry for victory! Thank you UFC for the tremendous opportunity… http://t.co/erq6QofpJx
— Anthony Birchak (@abirchakMMA) December 15, 2014
So many things I could’ve done better and I’m gonna keep learning but that all comes with … http://t.co/rf6eypd90h pic.twitter.com/3NHOcizB0T
— Rose Namajunas (@rosenamajunas) December 13, 2014
Great things will come from this learning experience, thanks to all of you in my corner. Thank you all for the huge amount of support!
— Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) December 14, 2014
Headed to surgery now. Hopefully I have a speedy recovery and can get my rematch asap. pic.twitter.com/F4bg45EViB
— Daron Cruickshank (@Cruickshank155) December 13, 2014
Surgery is done. @UFCDoctor @ufcdocsays 3 months or less to fight. I want @kjnoons back in front of me. pic.twitter.com/glsmgnKr27
— Daron Cruickshank (@Cruickshank155) December 13, 2014
#neverquit #alwaysgetbetter #teamaggression #teamproctor http://t.co/mxRscUxgni
— Joe Proctor (@JoeProctor) December 13, 2014
I live to fight another day once again I only have myself to blame… give me a fight to the death… http://t.co/3LWQuFyaFv
— ‘Rowdy’ Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) December 13, 2014
I had a really good nude to post if I won. Sadly just deleted that shit. Next time chumps.
— Angela Magana UFC (@AngelaMagana1) December 13, 2014
Not happy.
Now Pettis is in hurry to fight. I feel like everybody is protecting him from me. I ready April or May @danawhite @lorenzofertitta
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) December 14, 2014
Champs.
Rua, Jackson, Machida, Evans, Belfort, Sonnen, Gustafsson, Teixeira & Cormier #Victory #YesICan #IWill #Win #IBelieve #AllThings #Champion
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 15, 2014
Sunday night work in the books. I’m extremely focused for this fight. Gonna show a completely… http://t.co/I08eiMliz6
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) December 15, 2014
Oh well.
@JoeLauzon @CMPunk @ufc I would break that drug test like a hammer hitting a carnival bell in a bugs bunny cartoon.
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) December 12, 2014
Get well soon.
Drive on.
— Jon Fitch (@jonfitchdotnet) December 15, 2014
Back in the CLE and back in my BED. Might not move for 2 days.
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) December 15, 2014
N.1 medicine http://t.co/NMUdRc0jNK pic.twitter.com/LpjXttrx9t
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) December 13, 2014
Beefin’.
Headed to catch my flight and who comes mouthing off loud mouth @EdHermanufc please book this fight asap. Gonna KO this guy @danawhite
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 14, 2014
@DerekBrunson strutting threw the lobby like nothing is wrong punked out last night 5 mins before fight see you at the airport dog!
— Ed Herman (@EdHermanufc) December 14, 2014
@EdHermanufc besides you ain’t bout that life . Cut it !
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 14, 2014
“@DerekBrunson: @EdHermanufc small airport , not hard to find .” You gonna hide behind your girl again didn’t look to sick to me punk !
— Ed Herman (@EdHermanufc) December 14, 2014
@EdHermanufc work on your wrestling . You’re disrespectful and I’m kinda pissed. Our next cage encounter should be epic .
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 14, 2014
This twitter release was fun @EdHermanufc. I won’t be seeing u at the airport. We’re gonna do it when the world is watching. See u soon 🙂
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 14, 2014
Can’t believe you’d be so disrespectful in the toughest sport in the world where ever fight counts @EdHermanufc.You r gonna get the best me
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) December 14, 2014
Ladies’ night.
Thanks @ufc @danawhite for the fantastic seats. You sure know how to make your fighters feel appreciated………. pic.twitter.com/7Ftd5YM9Ut
— Ryan Jimmo (@RyanJimmo) December 13, 2014
And last week in Vegas @ufc @danawhite great seats for 2x knockout of the night winner………. pic.twitter.com/vyeBeJJAEz
— Ryan Jimmo (@RyanJimmo) December 13, 2014
Just go to the fights @ufc love these awesome seats . If you see me say hi . #ThePurpose pic.twitter.com/UiZL8J6WD6
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) December 13, 2014
Cool to see @criscyborg Octagon side tonight for the UFC fights also. @ufc pic.twitter.com/YSX3K7McPL
— Bruce Buffer (@brucebuffer) December 14, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (Dec. 12-14 2014)
NA
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Graham Douglas.
5 Round Non Title Fights Are Pure Evil
I just watched the UFC on Fox 13 press conference. JDS and his sunglasses and face are going to give me nightmares. Stipe isn’t faring much better in the post fight speech test and bruise test.
I’m right now suggesting this should be the end of 5 round non-title fights. I feel guilty to be honest, because it was entertaining, but there was nothing justifying such a long fight. The results on their bodies says it all. There was no belt. There was no title fight money up for grabs.
The reason it needs to end? Simply because there is no need to put fighters through such pounding when all they are doing is working toward title contender status.
…
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.