UFC president Dana White has never liked matchmaking immediately after events.
As for middleweight champion Chris Weidman’s next opponent, the answer may have varied depending on when you caught White Saturday night following UFC 187.
Speaking with FOX Sports’ Ariel Helwani and UFC correspondent Megan Olivi, White gave slightly different takes on who may be next for the champ.
“It took me so long to get here because Luke Rockhold had me in the hallway,” White told Helwani. “Luke Rockhold said, ‘Do not give this fight to Jacare. Jacare isn’t going to try to come in and do what I’m going to do. You saw what I did to [Lyoto] Machida. That’s exactly what I’m going to do to Weidman. Me and Weidman will go after each other. It’ll be a stand-up fight. We’ll do this, we’ll do that. Let’s do this thing in Las Vegas.’
“He was all over me back here. We’ll see what happens.”
Asked directly if Rockhold was the No. 1 contender at middleweight, White wasn’t coy in the least.
“He is,” said White. “He is. [Ronaldo Souza’s] manager texted me after the fight and said, ‘He’s ready to go.’ So, I don’t know. We’ll see what happens here.”
Speaking with Olivi, White seemed to be leaning a bit more towards Souza.
“So Jacare’s manager hit me right after the fight and said, ‘We’re ready for Chris Weidman,’ so it’ll probably be Jacare vs. Weidman next. I don’t know. Anything can happen. We’ll see how this thing plays out. Luke Rockhold is obviously the No. 1 contender. We’ll see what happens.”
With Jacare recently undergoing surgery to repair damage done to his left meniscus in his quick win over Chris Camozzi on April 13, one would think a healthy Rockhold may have a slight edge.
Souza is due to return in September, along the same timeline Rockhold has proposed, so ‘we’ll see what happens.’
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Post show. Ariel Helwani and Marc Raimondi break down the top storylines coming out of UFC 187.
Aftermath. Dave Doyle explains why there is no disputing Daniel Cormier as the UFC’s true light heavyweight champion.
All aboard. Chris Weidman tells fans it’s time to stop doubting him and that ‘this is his last invitation’ to ‘join the team.’
No paper champ. Daniel Cormier says he’s the real champion because ‘I didn’t disqualify myself from competition’
Close one. Dana White says he didn’t think Andrei Arlovski was going to fight two hours before UFC 187.
MEDIA STEW
Octagon interviews with Chris Weidman, Vitor Belfort, Daniel Cormier and Anthony Johnson.
Backstage interviews with Weidman and Cormier.
DC gets into it with Ryan Bader.
UFC 187 post-fight presser highlights. (full presser here)
UFC 189’s official “Trailer.”
Long watches.
Submission Radio 24/5/15 Hector Lombard, Frank Trigg, Dan Lambert, Lance Palmer + UFC 187
…
EBI 3 – Eddie Bravo Invitational – OFFICIAL (Entire Event)
TWEETS
See how the pros reacted to UFC 187.
Victory Lap.
Thank you all for the continued support. What an honor to wear this title. It was an honor to share… https://t.co/AvPAK10uMz
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) May 24, 2015
Thank you for all the support! Love u all! #AndStill #jointheteam #UFC187 pic.twitter.com/YZ90NK2PlM
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) May 24, 2015
Sunday Funday!!! Summer is here https://t.co/rlKwJCDEsg
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) May 24, 2015
In case you missed #UFC187 and #WARLOVSKI https://t.co/EfwZCGqWDB
— Andrei Arlovski (@AndreiArlovski) May 24, 2015
Another day at the office! I love you all. I have the best fans, family and team in the world!… https://t.co/evnXVBWtv3
— Joseph Benavidez (@JoeJitsu) May 24, 2015
This is what success looks like @AndreiArlovski @Cowboycerrone #UFC187 pic.twitter.com/d3b1sQHqFF
— John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) May 24, 2015
?????? #ufc #ufc187 #lasvegas #teammad #mgmgrand https://t.co/OXEME4AIfm
— Dong Hyun Kim (@fighterdhk) May 24, 2015
All the honor and glory to GOD, thank you guys for all the support. http://t.co/2rSb3cnA8b
— rafael natal (@rafaelsaponatal) May 24, 2015
Not bad for 3 weeks notice. Had him hurt and should of finished on feet in 2nd. @ufc #ufc187
— Colby Covington (@ColbyCovMMA) May 24, 2015
I’ll take a personal day then back at it thanks for the support everyone. Lots of work to do but… https://t.co/fMsx2JHp3h
— Justin Scoggins (@ScogginsFlow) May 24, 2015
Better luck next time.
Sorry I let you all down but I promise I will be back. I love u all, Rumble Squad!
— Anthony Johnson (@Anthony_Rumble) May 24, 2015
Thank you for the support. I don’t need to say much, those of you that truly know me, knows what’s… https://t.co/1T5pVLFnyd
— Travis Browne (@travisbrowneMMA) May 24, 2015
Already working on my choke defense this morning. Thank you guys for the support and awesome messages… https://t.co/3Ul53UdpEC
— Joshua Burkman (@JoshBurkman) May 24, 2015
Get well soon.
@JohnMakdessiMMA glad your surgery went well. We all hope you get well soon!! Stepped up on short notice and put his heart into the fight!
— Firas Zahabi (@Firas_Zahabi) May 25, 2015
One year ago I created memories for a lifetime and can’t wait to create more. https://t.co/1v317kQHXP
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) May 24, 2015
I want to apologize to everyone, mainly my opponent @rosenamajunas. Things happen and we cant explain. Thanks for still taking the fight!
— Nina Ansaroff (@NinaAnsaroff) May 22, 2015
Congrats.
#TheProdigy @BJPenndotcom joins the UFC Hall of Fame in July Story: http://t.co/tjH9PIvBQt pic.twitter.com/3yYWrlEHTH
— UFC (@ufc) May 24, 2015
Conor’s night.
Post fight selfie with the Terminator and the Terminator Jr!! Amazing night at the MGM! pic.twitter.com/M3cp17EqMN
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) May 24, 2015
Happy holidays.
Don’t confuse #MemorialDay with Veterans Day. Spend the day with your family enjoying the freedoms these patriots died for.
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) May 24, 2015
Back with the Master.
Treino de domingo de manopla ao som da capoeira. Obrigado pelo treino mestre. @kings_mma @ Mexico… https://t.co/kOGpfBpt5u
— Shogun Rua (@ShogunRua) May 24, 2015
Buddies.
Good talking with the champ @FloydMayweather pic.twitter.com/F7fClPBw6Z
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) May 25, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (May 22-24 2015)
Neil Seery vs. Louis Smolka at UFC 189
Caio Magalhaes vs. Josh Samman at The Ultimate Fighter 21
Dan Miller vs. Trevor Smith at The Ultimate Fighter 21
Russell Doane vs. Jerrod Sanders at The Ultimate Fighter 21
Ildemar Alcantara vs. Kevin Casey at UFC Fight Night: Duffee vs. Mir
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Graham Douglas.
Daniel Cormier – As Fake As It Gets
I have one rule. I don’t disrespect the fighters. No way. These guys are the toughest humans on earth. True warriors.
However, in the case of DC, I’m going to say this. And no, it’s not complimentary but it not a shot at his skills or talents. It’s an open question to his promotional choices.
The press conference blow up with Bader was as fake as shit. It was as they say, as bad as it gets. DC laid down the foundation for his next fight during fight week by saying what he said. Even Bader played his role in it.
It’s calculated. It’s promotion. It has no business being in the UFC.
…
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.