So much for Carlos Condit’s supposedly promised UFC welterweight title shot. After last week’s announcement that, barring a loss this weekend, Condit would be next in line to face the winner of UFC 171’s main event between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler, UFC president Dana White squelched that claim during Thursday’s pre-fight media scrum.
“I don’t know. We’ll see what happens,” said White. “It’s a great card with great fights, but there’s a lot of great fights at 170 [pounds] on this card. I think pretty much anybody who’s fighting on this card to come off looking great and exciting, anybody can get a shot.
“There’s no guarantees anywhere, ever, in life. They’re going to have to come out and perform. [The welterweight division] is wide open.”
To make matters even more confusing, Condit’s opponent, Tyrone Woodley, said Wednesday he believed he was also just a win away from a title bout.
“Yes it’s been confirmed that this is a number one contendership bout,” Woodley told MMA Fight Corner. “The media, they want to put a spin on it. They want to say if Carlos wins, he gets a fight. To me, it’s pretty clear cut from Dana that a number one contendership bout means that the victor of this fight is the number one contender…I think that’s why we’re matched up as the co-main event.”
It would seem the two men with the most to gain following White’s comments are fellow main-carders Jake Shields and Hector Lombard. Although Lombard would be a bit of a tougher sell even with a win, Shields has the opportunity to string three impressive victories together with past wins over Woodley and Demain Maia.
UFC 171: Hendricks vs. Lawler goes down Mar. 15 from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
The Eagles of Bettendorf. Chuck Mindenhall takes us back to when Iowa was the center of the MMA universe in an awesome longread.
The return. Dana White says he ‘knows for a fact’ that Georges St-Pierre will return to fighting.
UFC 171 predictions. Luke Thomas breaks down this weekend’s event with picks and analysis.
5 rounds? Shaun Al-Shatti asks if No. 1 contender bouts in the UFC should be adjusted from three to five rounds.
Gone Hollywood. Ronda Rousey and her original management team are heading to court to settle a dispute.
MEDIA STEW
UFC 171 media day highlights.
The pro’s pick UFC 171. (More here)
Georges St-Pierre at the premiere for Captain America.
Bellator 112 preview.
Here’s the Hendricks vs. Lawler striking breakdown vid Luke mentioned in his live chat.
The inevitable Mortal Kombat remix we all knew was coming.
Long watches.
UFC 171: Hendricks vs. Lawler MMA Vivisection
So, here is the full Conor McGregor documentary that aired in Ireland last night. The problem seems to be manipulating your IP with different apps to actually watch it outside the UK. (More on that here). I’ll post a hassle-free version when I find one but good luck.
TWEETS
Gotta do what you gotta do.
This is the result of a tough cut from @DanielStraus. Heart of a Champion. Going to be a great fight this Friday. pic.twitter.com/EjPlKBOQtI
— Anthony Mazzuca (@Mazzuca87) March 14, 2014
#pigtailmafia lives on!!!!!! http://t.co/kNBo6vk5AP
— Daniel Straus (@DanielStraus) March 14, 2014
Ready.
Ready to F shit up tomorrow night http://t.co/fcFGeMAxPs
— Pat Curran (@PatCurranMMA) March 14, 2014
You’d have to kill me to take my belt. http://t.co/5OhFFAJvFW
— Daniel Straus (@DanielStraus) March 14, 2014
I’m on weight and been eating carbs and protein all fight week @TheDolceDiet is a blessing thank you mike for taking me under your wing!
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) March 14, 2014
I figure I’d take the selfie now before I get fat again lol http://t.co/CKEUkqYA9N
— Kelvin Gastelum (@KelvinGastelum) March 13, 2014
Sounds good.
@StefanStruve Stefan is getting ready.. pic.twitter.com/odrSeUN55b
— Gegard Mousasi (@mousasi_mma) March 13, 2014
Brazilian McDonalds better for you?
Great time in Brazil with @UnderArmour team & a good healthy lunch with Ironman @MaccaNow just before leaving! pic.twitter.com/SD8QjorL91
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) March 13, 2014
Did anything get real?
For those of you OG enough to remember who Wallid Ismael is… We were roommates for 9 months in 2003. Sit on that for a while..
— Mac Danzig (@macdanzigmma) March 14, 2014
Scary.
High school kid almost took me out when he lost control on the country road. Was doing 100 easy and lost it in turn. pic.twitter.com/KP6v79s18u
— Pat Miletich (@patmiletich) March 13, 2014
They’ve become self-aware, Tommy Toe Hold.
CAN I GET A HELL YEAH?!?!
— Stipe Miocic (@smiocic) March 14, 2014
I think I see Krang from TMNT and the Eiffel Tower.
#TBT I lost that fight. joejitsu get an IG. http://t.co/xhN6hjlhiK
— Justin Buchholz (@jbmma155) March 14, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Mar. 13 2014)
Phil Baroni vs. Jesus Martinez at Bellator 118
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via heavyfl0w.
The Top 4 Reasons To Root For Robbie Lawler At UFC 171
WAR ROB.
UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler. In 2014.
Wait … what?
Yep. It’s a distinct possibility. Now, don’t let the title of my article mislead you. There’s a great reason to root for Johny Hendricks here, and that reason is simple: Most people thought he deserved to get his hand raised against Georges St-Pierre last November, and it would undoubtedly feel like a wrong had been righted if Johny went in there and got it done on Saturday. No doubt. I’m not the biggest Hendricks guy, but even I could admit that that would be a great story.
But it ain’t topping Robbie Lawler. Here’s why you should all get out your Robbie Lawler pom poms and make asses out of yourselves …
1. Because if Lawler wins, there is a 0.00% chance that his victory wont be shit-your-pants thrilling to watch.
I see two possible methods of victory for Lawler here. One would be to come out cautious, feel Hendricks out for a bit, then slowly take over the fight on the feet, like he did against Murilo “Ninja” Rua. If this happens, color me wildly impressed. Rob used to be a big swinger, but over the years he’s really learned how to fight intelligently on the feet.
…
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.