Morning Report: Donald Cerrone looking forward to run-in with Bobby Green, defends Alistair Overeem as a teammate

UFC lightweight Bobby Green may have lost his UFC 178 booking with Donald Cerrone, but he made sure he’ll get his shot at ‘Cowboy’ sooner than later. Alleging to bear witness to Cerrone taking part in racist and inappropriate behavior at a UFC fan expo, Green told Ariel Helwani that Cerrone was ‘groping every woman in his line.’

“The things he said, I mean, that was two years ago,” Cerrone told Sherdog.com. “Groping women? Why hadn’t any of this ever come out? Why wouldn’t a fan have filed a lawsuit or said, ‘Yo, Cowboy’s over here groping my wife!’ Come on. Or racist comments. I have three black guys that live with me so if I was racist I couldn’t even believe I’d let someone like that live with me. It’s just funny to me, but whatever. If the fans want to believe him, go ahead. If you take Bobby Green’s word, a guy who just wants to say dumb comments, whatever.

“I’ve got nothing to say to the guy other than, ‘One day, I’ll see you, Bobby Green. Twitter beef to me means nothing, but one day I’ll see you and I know what I’ll do.'”

Cerrone was also quick to defend his new Jackson’s MMA stablemate, former Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1 heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem. Overeem has taken quite a bit of flak for injuring UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones during a wrestling practice in August. Jones was forced to withdraw from his Sept. 27 title bout with Daniel Cormier and underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

“I’ve always been a fan of Alistair, even before he came here,” said Cerrone. “Once he came here I was pumped. Super nice guy. Takes us out to dinner, chills, plays frisbee with us. It’s just, he’s a big-ass dude. When there’s a big-ass dude, injuries happen.

“It was totally not intentional. He doesn’t mean to go out there and hurt people. You see him sparring and like I said, you throw a knee with a big dude or get kicked in the rib, it’s going to hurt. Nah, none of it’s intentional. I like Alistair a lot and I’ll stand up and back him up as a team should. Great dude.”

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5 MUST-READ STORIES

Scrum. Dana White recaps UFC 177, explains why he’s not paying Renan Barao, talks Ben Askren, Gina Carano, Ronda Rouseyand much more.

Post-show. Ariel Helwani, Dave Meltzer, and Dave Doyle break down the top storylines coming out of UFC 177.

Aftermath. Dave Doyle gives his take on Dillashaw’s ‘no-win scenario,’ who he’d like to see him fight next and whose stock is rising and falling.

Grudge. Dana White doesn’t rule out Ben Akren getting a chance to fight in the UFC. “If he keeps winning, he can get a shot over here.”

‘His body really needs some rest.’ Barao’s coach and manager Andre Pederneiras doesn’t think the former champion needs to move to featherweight, just more time off between fights. ‘I know he’s big for 135, but we have the support of doctors and nutritionists, so I don’t see why changing divisions.’

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MEDIA STEW

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Octagon interviews with T.J. Dillashaw and Joe Soto.

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Dana White talks Barao missing weight.

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Joe Rogan interviews Renan Barao.

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Highlights from Legacy 34.

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Ben Askren dismantles Nobutatsu Suzuki.

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Luke Thomas & Nate Wilcox talk UFC 177 and where the UFC goes from here.

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Long watches.

UFC 177 Post-Fight Press Conference Video

UFC 177: Fight Club Q&A with Pettis and Faber

ONE FC: REIGN OF CHAMPIONS – Fight 1: Ana Julaton vs Ann Osman

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TWEETS

Make sure to check out our Pros React piece for instant reaction from UFC 177.

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Victory lap.

@Ruthless_RL thanks man, I appreciate it

— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) September 1, 2014

Thank you @UFC #UFC177 #Sleeptrainarena! Sacramento you are beautiful! Enjoyed my time here! Heading back w/ the crew! #Monstersquad up!

Tony Ferguson (@TonyFergusonXT) August 31, 2014

“Fighting every day looking for my belt! Whoever has it is a Hollywood star, I wish to see she try to… http://t.co/dDWqJ1iIhJ

— Bethe (@bethecorreia) September 1, 2014

@GilbertMelendez thank you my brotha!! You’re next.. Get that belt!!!

Yancy Medeiros (@ymedeiros) August 31, 2014

I’m about to destroy a pizza, I haven’t had any bad food in 3 months!!!!!!!

Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) August 31, 2014

All glory & praise to my Lord & savior Jesus Christ…without Him, I am nothing. Thank you for this victory! #UFC177

Anthony Hamilton (@AHamilton_MMA) September 1, 2014

Thank you everyone for all of your support during my @ufc debut!! Much appreciated!! #ufc #UFC177 pic.twitter.com/MaZQ9Agj37

Chris Wade (@CWadeMMA) August 31, 2014

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Better luck next time.

Thank you @danawhite for this opportunity, it is an honor to fight for the @UFC, dream come true

— Joe Soto (@JoeSoto135) August 31, 2014

Thank you to Everyone for all the positive words, was a dream to fight for the @UFC last night, can’t wait to get back in there

— Joe Soto (@JoeSoto135) August 31, 2014

Bullfight critics, ranked in rows, Crowd the enormous plaza full, But only one is there who knows, And… http://t.co/4DIjkqs5Ee

Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) August 31, 2014

Not the W but I come to fight and will always put on a great show @ufc @danawhite @tareqazim

Ramsey Nijem (@RamseyNijem) August 31, 2014

Didn’t go my way but I’ve grown more for this fight. Nothing to be disappointed about excited to know I can only get better #ufc177

— Ramsey Nijem (@RamseyNijem) August 31, 2014

Disappointed in the outcome but it was a great experience I’ll be back with a full camp,better than ever. Thank you all for thesupport @ufc

Damon Jackson (@DamonTheLeech) August 31, 2014

Sorry everybody but I think it’s my time to listen to my coaches and team and drop to 170 sorry about the fight @ufc @ParadigmSM

Lorenz Larkin (@da_MONSOON) August 31, 2014

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More reactions.

That time u made weight then you get told ur opponent won’t be doing the same. pic.twitter.com/VQarSFIx26

— Scott jorgensen (@Scottjorgensen) August 31, 2014

Yo @joesoto135 I don’t know you but great job that is that is what the @ufc is all about. F those extra two rounds

Forrest Griffin (@ForrestGriffin) August 31, 2014

@BFiggywiddit yep “oh hey, welcome to the UFC…here’s a title shot!” Wtf has he done to deserve that shit!

Eddie Wineland (@EddieWineland) August 30, 2014

@aaronparkinson: @dc_mma what did you think of Barao passing out and not making weight?” Cut too much water too fast. Crazy man

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) August 31, 2014

Joe Soto have my respect. He got a 24h notice fight and fought like a lion.

Rafael dos Anjos (@RdosAnjosMMA) August 31, 2014

A wrestler/grappler that just holds someone down. Is the equivalent of a a striker with great footwork who runs the whole fight #TryToFinish

Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) August 31, 2014

I feel like @lastcall155 ‘s fight was very close but he controlled the fight. I gave it 29-28 Castillo. How about you guys?

Andy Ogle (@thelittleaxe) August 31, 2014

.@danawhite @ufc @lorenzofertitta Ever in a pinch & need a sick fight for the fans, call me. Any weight, don’t matter… I’m always down.

Jeremy Stephens (@LiLHeathenMMA) August 31, 2014

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The master.

Oh thank you master @danawhite can I please have a shot

— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) August 31, 2014

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After Pettis mispronounced ‘Khabib’ at the Q&A.

I’ll be in Sacramento tomorrow. I will teach you how to pronounce my name! @Showtimepettis @arielhelwani @ufc @danawhite @lorenzofertitta

— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) August 29, 2014

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No strap, no scrap.

@amirnoorali #NoStrapNoScrap @AmericanTopTeam #attnation

— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) August 30, 2014

@TWooodley tell the world the real reasons why I want to fight you! Stop been fake you fuck wit pic.twitter.com/tFaR9rc0nL

Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) August 30, 2014

Silence is 1 of the most deadliest weapons known. Its the toughest 1 to use as u wanna speak truth. Truth is many arent ready 4 the #TRUTH

— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) August 31, 2014

My choice 2 take the high road, preserve my integrity, protect my team, & keep my testimony is hard but needed. @AmericanTopTeam #attnation

— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) August 31, 2014

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Congrats.

Surprise, we got married! Mr. & Mrs. Henderson!! http://t.co/zINc8hNgL2

Dan Henderson (@danhendo) August 31, 2014

I got Engaged to my best friend yesterday. @janettex18 pic.twitter.com/GMwniMF38d

Manny Gamburyan (@MannyGamburyan) August 31, 2014

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Nice.

I leaked some nudes but my chest hair made look like I was fully clothed

— ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) September 1, 2014

My nudes got leaked too pic.twitter.com/PMmkUgvSr0

Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) September 1, 2014

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced this weekend (Aug. 29-31 2014)

Efrain Escudero vs. Leonardo Santos at UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Arlovski 2

Leandro Silva vs. Francisco Trinaldo at UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Arlovski 2

Chris Beal vs. Tateki Matsuda at UFC Fight Night: Mousasi vs. Souza

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FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via The_Judge.

Watching a really old fight…

OK, this is for old-timers on here, who remember K-1 Hero’s.

I am watching Herring-Greco fight, the one where Herring tears his leg.

Now, over the duration of this fight, Sam Greco

1. Tries to kick Herring in the head as he is on one knee.
2. Knees him, as he is standing up.
3. Runs over and kicks him in the head, after Herring collapses, seemingly before he realizes ref has called the fight off.

Now, the thing is, I thought K-1 Hero’s rules, unlike PRIDE, did not allow kicks/knees to a grounded opponent:

http://k-1.info/html/HEROS_RULES/

Now you can argue that none of those broke the rules, but in each of those cases, that’s pretty serious risk of a DQ.

Several possible explanations occur to me:

1. Those were not the rules at the time, and that was legal.

2. Those were the rules at the time and Greco did not care/did not realize what they were.

Check out the rest of the post here.

Star-divide

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.

UFC lightweight Bobby Green may have lost his UFC 178 booking with Donald Cerrone, but he made sure he’ll get his shot at ‘Cowboy’ sooner than later. Alleging to bear witness to Cerrone taking part in racist and inappropriate behavior at a UFC fan expo, Green told Ariel Helwani that Cerrone was ‘groping every woman in his line.’

“The things he said, I mean, that was two years ago,” Cerrone told Sherdog.com. “Groping women? Why hadn’t any of this ever come out? Why wouldn’t a fan have filed a lawsuit or said, ‘Yo, Cowboy’s over here groping my wife!’ Come on. Or racist comments. I have three black guys that live with me so if I was racist I couldn’t even believe I’d let someone like that live with me. It’s just funny to me, but whatever. If the fans want to believe him, go ahead. If you take Bobby Green’s word, a guy who just wants to say dumb comments, whatever.

“I’ve got nothing to say to the guy other than, ‘One day, I’ll see you, Bobby Green. Twitter beef to me means nothing, but one day I’ll see you and I know what I’ll do.'”

Cerrone was also quick to defend his new Jackson’s MMA stablemate, former Strikeforce, DREAM and K-1 heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem. Overeem has taken quite a bit of flak for injuring UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones during a wrestling practice in August. Jones was forced to withdraw from his Sept. 27 title bout with Daniel Cormier and underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

“I’ve always been a fan of Alistair, even before he came here,” said Cerrone. “Once he came here I was pumped. Super nice guy. Takes us out to dinner, chills, plays frisbee with us. It’s just, he’s a big-ass dude. When there’s a big-ass dude, injuries happen.

“It was totally not intentional. He doesn’t mean to go out there and hurt people. You see him sparring and like I said, you throw a knee with a big dude or get kicked in the rib, it’s going to hurt. Nah, none of it’s intentional. I like Alistair a lot and I’ll stand up and back him up as a team should. Great dude.”

Star-divide

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Scrum. Dana White recaps UFC 177, explains why he’s not paying Renan Barao, talks Ben Askren, Gina Carano, Ronda Rouseyand much more.

Post-show. Ariel Helwani, Dave Meltzer, and Dave Doyle break down the top storylines coming out of UFC 177.

Aftermath. Dave Doyle gives his take on Dillashaw’s ‘no-win scenario,’ who he’d like to see him fight next and whose stock is rising and falling.

Grudge. Dana White doesn’t rule out Ben Akren getting a chance to fight in the UFC. “If he keeps winning, he can get a shot over here.”

‘His body really needs some rest.’ Barao’s coach and manager Andre Pederneiras doesn’t think the former champion needs to move to featherweight, just more time off between fights. ‘I know he’s big for 135, but we have the support of doctors and nutritionists, so I don’t see why changing divisions.’

Star-divide

MEDIA STEW

Star-divide

Octagon interviews with T.J. Dillashaw and Joe Soto.

Star-divide

Dana White talks Barao missing weight.

Star-divide

Joe Rogan interviews Renan Barao.

Star-divide

Highlights from Legacy 34.

Star-divide

Ben Askren dismantles Nobutatsu Suzuki.

Star-divide

Luke Thomas & Nate Wilcox talk UFC 177 and where the UFC goes from here.

Star-divide

Long watches.

UFC 177 Post-Fight Press Conference Video

UFC 177: Fight Club Q&A with Pettis and Faber

ONE FC: REIGN OF CHAMPIONS – Fight 1: Ana Julaton vs Ann Osman

Star-divide

TWEETS

Make sure to check out our Pros React piece for instant reaction from UFC 177.

Star-divide

Victory lap.

Star-divide

Better luck next time.

Star-divide

More reactions.

Star-divide

The master.

Star-divide

After Pettis mispronounced ‘Khabib’ at the Q&A.

Star-divide

No strap, no scrap.

Star-divide

Congrats.

Star-divide

Nice.

Star-divide

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced this weekend (Aug. 29-31 2014)

Efrain Escudero vs. Leonardo Santos at UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Arlovski 2

Leandro Silva vs. Francisco Trinaldo at UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Arlovski 2

Chris Beal vs. Tateki Matsuda at UFC Fight Night: Mousasi vs. Souza

Star-divide

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via The_Judge.

Watching a really old fight…

OK, this is for old-timers on here, who remember K-1 Hero’s.

I am watching Herring-Greco fight, the one where Herring tears his leg.

Now, over the duration of this fight, Sam Greco

1. Tries to kick Herring in the head as he is on one knee.
2. Knees him, as he is standing up.
3. Runs over and kicks him in the head, after Herring collapses, seemingly before he realizes ref has called the fight off.

Now, the thing is, I thought K-1 Hero’s rules, unlike PRIDE, did not allow kicks/knees to a grounded opponent:

http://k-1.info/html/HEROS_RULES/

Now you can argue that none of those broke the rules, but in each of those cases, that’s pretty serious risk of a DQ.

Several possible explanations occur to me:

1. Those were not the rules at the time, and that was legal.

2. Those were the rules at the time and Greco did not care/did not realize what they were.

Check out the rest of the post here.

Star-divide

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.