Now dropping back-to-back fights, Roy Nelson isn’t getting cut much slack by UFC president Dana White, not that he ever was. Nelson, who struggled against Daniel Cormier in the co-main event of UFC 166, attributed his frustrating appearance to a tentative dance partner. Out-struck 74-17 (3-0 on takedowns) by Cormier, Nelson didn’t garner much sympathy from White.
“It’s stuff like that,” said White during his post-fight media scrum. “He said Cormier wasn’t engaging enough. [Cormier] outwrestled him, and he punched the living s–t out of him. How much more does he want to be engaged? Huh? He says some dumb s**t and he’s very delusional.
“He says we’ve never given him a title shot when we should have got a title shot. Every time you get that close to a title shot, you get beat by the best in the world. That’s why you’ve never had a title shot.”
Once calling his relationship with the Prez more similar to that of a husband and wife, Nelson and White have traded barbs through the media for years. With Nelson signing a new nine-fight deal in July, some thought the pair had largely reconciled.
“Contrary to popular belief, I try so hard to like Roy Nelson. It’s like, I saw him backstage before I came out to talk to you guys. ‘What’s up Roy? You looked good. You lost weight,’ this and that. Then I come out and hear the stupid s**t he said to you guys right before I walk out there. The guy says the dumbest s**t I’ve ever heard in my life and he’s very delusional.
“That being said, I think he’s an incredibly tough guy, with his physique and everything. I’m blown away he can compete at this level. How talented he is and what a great chin he has. But every time he gets above No. 5, he looks like he doesn’t belong in the top 10. You get him in there with some guys that aren’t and he looks like a world beater. Everybody starts yelling ‘He should get a title shot!’ Then you see him fight guys that are athletic and talented and he looks like he doesn’t belong in the top 10.”
Under contract for eight more and looking slimmer than ever, we’ll have to see if Nelson follows Cormier’s move to 205lbs.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Dana scrum. Get the latest buzz from Dana White’s UFC 166 post-fight media scrum.
UFC 166 Aftermath. Another dominating performance over Junior dos Santos behind him, Cain Velasquez still has plenty to prove before earning the moniker of ‘best ever.’ Dave Doyle breaks down the event’s big stories.
Fortunes change for five. Dave Metlzer examines what happens next for UFC 166’s biggest winners and losers.
The Purge. With Dana saying the UFC roster is too bloated as is, could we see leashes tighten across divisions to make way for new talent?
The Female Conor McGregor? See who fans are begging Dana and Co. to bring into a blossoming UFC women’s bantamweight division.
MEDIA STEW
Cain retains the belt.
One for the ages.
Weekend edition of the Tommy Toe Hold Show.
One FC 11 Total Domination highlights.
Behind the scenes at Glory 11.
Video blog with Bas Rutten. Bas coaches his fighters at an amateur MMA event.
Quick Brazilian KO.
TWEETS
As always, make sure to check out our extensive Pro React piece to see what fighters had to say during the fights.
The morning after.
Bringin in my own bottle of my favorite drink #gmtitanium Now lets celebrate! http://t.co/O227R9bvqI
— Cain Velasquez (@cainmma) October 20, 2013
I want to thank my fans for all of your support! Please follow & join me on my journey down to 205 at http://t.co/mQ9iHqTYKA #AutomaticMMA
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) October 20, 2013
Big thank you to all the fans in Houston I will love you forever!
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) October 20, 2013
And that’s how the cookie crumbles!
— Shawn Jordan (@savageshawn) October 20, 2013
Thx y’all for all the support & cheering for me. I feel loved everytime I’m in & out of the cage. Thx y’all. @Fearthefighter @HAYABUSA_MMA
— John Dodson III (@JohnDodsonMMA) October 20, 2013
Dam!!! Thank everyone for all the support it wasn’t my best night but I promise to come back better than ever
— Darrell Montague (@DARRELLMONTAGUE) October 20, 2013
Just wanted to thank everyone for their support,the eye pokes were unintentional sorry that it went down like that. Prolly cost me the fight
— CB Dollaway (@cbdollaway) October 20, 2013
I just was able to rewatch the fight.man we both did awesome.I never enjoyed watching one of my own fights that much. Kudos to both of us !
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) October 21, 2013
Thank you everyone for the support tonight! I had a great time, put on a great fight but judges scored it differently. Rematch in Canada?
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) October 20, 2013
We did it! Anybody who supports me i can’t even begin to thank you enough. Our time! I love you all.
— Andre Fili (@TouchyFili) October 20, 2013
Maybe you know already…. I got victory TKO at #UFC #UFC166 ?Thank you all.
— Kyoji Horiguchi (@kyoji1012) October 20, 2013
Thank you everyone for the kind words and encouragement! I love you all. I will be back stronger, always!
— Dustin Pague (@DustinPague) October 20, 2013
Matchmaking?
After last night who thinks DC would beat Gus?
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) October 21, 2013
Maybe check out Gil/Diego.
Ok so just watched kauffman/Eye female fight from last night, about to watch BigCountry/Cormier.. any other fights I MUST watch??
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) October 20, 2013
Stone Cold.
Great compliment from the Texas RattleSnake “@steveaustinBSR: Damn what a fight between Diego Sanchez and Gilbert Melendez. #HolyShit #UFC“
— Gilbert Melendez (@GilbertMelendez) October 21, 2013
Busy busy.
Its finally official.After #expenables3 I’m flying to Altanta to shoot #fast7 before going back to LA for 6 week camp and defending my title
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) October 19, 2013
Salt in the wound.
Lol at tough guy @WarMachine170
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) October 19, 2013
GSP, the Terminator, who’s next?
In rehab today and in walks Arnold @Schwarzenegger!! A true honour to meet this LIVING LEGEND!!! Thanks to @HMilliPT pic.twitter.com/rmYqbqC8nG
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) October 19, 2013
I still like Dodson’s chances.
Who wins @Johndodsonmma vs. @dwighthoward @houstonrockets @ufc #UFC166 ? http://t.co/M9pMB5Jj5A
— Jackson’s MMA (@JacksonsMMA) October 20, 2013
but together…
Was suprised by the very own @DwightHoward last night after my fight.My face is priceless when he asked for a pic;) pic.twitter.com/y7giDMVXeX
— Jessica Eye (@jessicaevileye) October 21, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Oct. 10 2013)
Mike Wilkinson out, Robert Whiteford vs. Jimy Hettes at UFC Fight Night 30
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via SocratesRising.
Ok, ok I know what you are thinking – wtf dude, he just mauled JDS AGAIN for five rounds. Hear me out. I just watched the fight and I listened to Joe Rogan (I love him as an announcer btw) wax on about Cain’s amazing cardio, talk at length about his work ethic and wrestling prowess. Cain is impressive as hell with those attributes. I was left somewhat dissatisfied by this performance though. Taking nothing away from Cain; I saw a fighter who is capable of absolutely smothering his opponent with constant movement and a relentless pace. I believe 95% of those 25 minutes were spent with Cain pressing JDS against the fence. When they broke either because of the rare occasion when JDS was able to create space or Cain just decided to grant space, JDS looked much better. Whenever they had space, JDS was clearly the more dangerous, dynamic and skilled fighter.
The old saying, just because you can doesn’t mean you should – to me that rings true in a weird way here. If Cain doesn’t possess great finishing skills, punching power or submissions – he should thank God every night he was blessed with 4 gas tanks when the average HW has 1/2 of one. He certainly is using the tools in his belt to the best of his ability. But to me that fight didn’t seem fair in a weird way. It was like Cain was thinking, “I know you can beat me standing, so let me hold you here against this wall for 22 minutes of the next 25 and pitter pat you until you wear out.”
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