After quickly dispatching Dong Hyun Kim Aug. 23 in Macao, UFC welterweight Tyron Woodley made it clear earlier this week that he wanted to test himself against the gritty Matt Brown. Mending an injured hand, Brown dismissed the idea of fighting Woodley in favor of a chance to be re-booked against former interim champion Carlos Condit. Brown and Condit were set to main event UFC on FOX 9 last December, but Brown was forced to withdraw after suffering a back injury.
Thursday, UFC president Dana White seemed to side with Brown.
“What’s weird about that is that Woodley [No. 3] calls out Matt Brown [No. 5], but he’s ranked higher than Matt Brown,” White told UFC.com. “But we want to do Tyron Woodley vs. Hector Lombard – that’s the fight we want to do.”
Lombard [No. 6], who hasn’t competed since scoring a decision win over Jake Shields at UFC 171 in March, is actually ranked even lower than Brown. With that carrot growing smaller by the day, White seems to have employed the tried-and-true tactic of publicly stating one half of the fight is already set.
“Hector said yes, we’re just waiting to hear from Woodley,” said White. “Lombard said he would fight him, no problem.”
As for a Brown-Condit clash coming together in the future, White indicated the matchup to be ‘very possible.’
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Sleaze. Dana White says he isn’t bothered about being recently featured in GQ magazine, but that it was ‘unfortunate’ and ‘unfair for the UFC as a brand.’
Welp. Dana White says Luke Rockhold will likely fight Lyoto Machida, not Michael Bisping. ‘They’ll meet each other anyway eventually, but Rockhold has got Machida first.’
King Mo. Muhammed Lawal has signed a long-term contract extension with Bellator. ‘When Scott Coker came aboard with Bellator, everything changed. This is where I want to be.’
‘It took a soccer kick to really understand it.’ Roger Huerta on the long road to his MMA comeback.
Less Than Super. Jonathan Snowden explains why MMA fans should take a stand by refusing to order UFC 177. ”The current UFC can’t deliver a monthly pay-per-view worth buying. Unfortunately that isn’t stopping them from trying.’
MEDIA STEW
T.J. Dillashaw says all the pressure will be on Renan Barao in their rematch.
UFC 177 embedded episode 3.
Free Fight: Tony Ferguson vs. Katsunori Kikuno.
TTTHS.
Chris Weidman thinks Luke Rockhold should fight Lyoto Machida and that Michael Bisping has work to do to be considered a contender.
EA SPORTS UFC’s simulation for Dillashaw vs. Barao II.
A very strange interview with Ken Shamrock.
Long watches.
GLORY Last Man Standing – Joe Schilling vs Simon Marcus
…
Welterweight prospect Tom Breese
TWEETS
No way.
@mattiefranco25 @Cowboycerrone @TimKennedyMMA 210lbs at the moment!
— Alistair Overeem (@Alistairovereem) August 28, 2014
So the Cameras show up and @Alistairovereem think he plays for NFL lol So fun @TimKennedyMMA Ultimate Frisbee pic.twitter.com/VpmyFXtwmC
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) August 28, 2014
Sorry to hear.
To the people who support me this will explain what’s been going on for the last couple of weeks. Thank you pic.twitter.com/2X42RcFwWf
— Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) August 28, 2014
God has a reason for everything Oct 4 I will be co main against Akira Corassani #ufcsweden #teamblessed #teamholloway pic.twitter.com/IFOo15W445
— Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) August 28, 2014
@BlessedMMA Stay Strong
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) August 28, 2014
Congrats.
#dreamscometrue thanks to @ufc @danawhite @lorenzofertitta closed on my dream home at the base of the Sandia Mts pic.twitter.com/8w45CtQBxe
— Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) August 28, 2014
First night in the new gym @thefranklester @felderpaul @jonavinwebb pic.twitter.com/Vih04MvuH2
— Cowboy Cerrone (@Cowboycerrone) August 29, 2014
OK.
My weight is okay,2 months eating very healthy…. To ficando magrinho rsrs,2 meses comendo muito… http://t.co/4ODOm5utyE
— Antonio Pezao Silva (@BigfootSilva) August 28, 2014
Eh?
Big Daddy is back in fighting form.. Rumour: Fighting soon in Japan in a super heavy fight lol #toosmart #bigdaddy pic.twitter.com/Zz2tp1LPIl
— Gary Goodridge (@GaryHGoodridge) August 29, 2014
Very cool.
“@RobbieNowlan: Just back from training with @TheNotoriousMMA finally met my hero! #UFC #TeamIreland pic.twitter.com/0dM3yx1XCm” My man
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) August 28, 2014
Man…
@thugjitsumaster sad world where a man cant cup a tigers balls without getting chastised 4 it. Felt situation out before I jumped for…lol
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) August 28, 2014
So much damn struggle.
A Great Dane just walked up to me, lifted his leg and pissed all over me. Can I just say how much this has NOT been my week?
— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) August 25, 2014
I follow to many people that have good drink and smoothy recipes #thestruggle
— Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) August 29, 2014
I got pulled over for eating cake at a red light….I have no one to blame but myself
— Mitch Clarke (@MitchClarkeMMA) August 29, 2014
No fight to announce yet and I’m feeling the need to hit something. Video cred: my “Twin”… http://t.co/itI9Dv39un
— Patrick Cummins (@OfficialDurkin) August 29, 2014
Helping @ramseynijem cut weight. Better him then me. @tareqazim http://t.co/kqWfPA8M6d
— Jake Shields (@jakeshieldsajj) August 29, 2014
Got a knock in training today & I need to ice it. I went to 4 supermarkets to get ice. None of them had any. Damn you #ALSiceBucketChallenge
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) August 28, 2014
I’m looking at food porn with the same mix of hopelessness and longing that I imagine zitty adolescent virgins look at regular human porn
— Peggy Morgan (@peggymorganmma) August 29, 2014
My neck is raw from the pajama party tonight. #BJJ
— James Krause (@TheJamesKrause) August 29, 2014
#TBT pin in my hand after surgery. not fun. http://t.co/fCdGUnes1A pic.twitter.com/JMEeNU85da
— Anthony Njokuani (@anthonynjoku) August 28, 2014
Murphy’s law: When you go for a shirtless run, the sun goes away |
— The Spartan (@EliasTheodorou) August 28, 2014
How ironic is it that in a few weeks I’m fighting a guy named “Dick White” when he is in fact black and a pussy?
— Sean McCorkle (@BigSexyMcCorkle) August 28, 2014
#throwbackthursday #fatass #WhatWasHeEating #everything back when I had my acl surgery and got fat pic.twitter.com/H8eE8tTvEr
— David Michaud (@bulldawgUFC) August 28, 2014
I’m a little special @themodcabin http://t.co/QoOHaaBglw pic.twitter.com/V4hmtxhrNh
— Rose Namajunas (@rosenamajunas) August 28, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Aug. 28 2014)
Chan Sung Jung out, Akira Corassani vs. Max Holloway at UFC Fight Night: Nelson vs. Story
Louis Gaudinot vs. Patrick Holohan at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine
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.