Travis Browne pocketed a cool $50,000 in bonus cash for his grisly knockout of Gabriel Gonzaga on the main card of Saturday’s The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale. However the finish, which saw Gonzaga knocked out cold by a series of devastating elbows to the head, became the topic of controversy.
It was quickly pointed out that at least two of Browne’s five elbows collided with the back of Gonzaga’s skull, rendering them illegal under the Unified Rules of MMA.
Not surprisingly, Gonzaga’s manager, Marco Alvan, announced that the Brazilian heavyweight plans to appeal the loss to the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Guys Gabriel Gonzaga is ok, thanks for the messages.
I need to review it to count how many illegal elbows but Its a fact that it was illegal.
I contacted Keith Kizer head of Nevada Athletic Comission and he told me to file a complaint and he would review it.
I true believe it was illegal. I never complaint about a losses who knows me know that I handle it good but illegal we can not accept.
Alvan subsequently called for a rematch in an additional message. Including in the post was a link to this video, which appears to corroborate that at least two of Browne’s five elbows were illegal.
This video is clear about the elbow.
I very hope the commission look it carefully and make a correct decision about it. We respect Travis and his camp but it was a sad night. We hope this result can be fixed and get a new fight between them.
I don’t know who post it but thanks to clarify for all of us!
6 MUST-READ STORIES
Gonzaga plans to appeal. UFC heavyweight Gabriel Gonzaga intends to appeal his first-round KO loss to Travis Browne from last Saturday’s The Ultimate Fighter 17 Finale. Browne dropped Gonzaga with a series of standing elbows, although the last few appeared to be illegal strikes to the back of the head.
Gastelum dropping to 170. Fresh off his run through TUF 17, tournament winner Kelvin Gastelum announced plans to drop down to welterweight for his next fight.
TUF 17 Finale medical suspensions. Former Strikeforce women’s champion Miesha Tate could be sidelined for up to six months due to facial injuries suffered during her third-round TKO loss to Cat Zingano.
The MMA Hour. Ariel Helwani and The MMA Hour return to your life with another jam-packed episode featuring Kelvin Gastelum, Cat Zingano, Lorenz Larkin, MMA Lab head trainer John Crouch, Morning Report favorite Tommy Toe Hold and WWE star CM Punk.
TUF 18 tryouts. Several notable fighters tried out on Monday for the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter, which will feature both bantamweight men and women. Included among them: Tara LaRosa, Shayna Baszler, Roxanne Modaferri, Kim Couture, Sarah Moras, Jessamyn Duke, Raquel Pennington and Jocelyn Lybarger. Former UFC fighter Ulysses Gomez also showed up, however he was disallowed from the competition due to his prior UFC experience.
St-Pierre update. Canadian reporter Marc Tougas published a complete transcript of his interview with Georges St-Pierre, within which the UFC welterweight champ admitted he weighed 170.4 pounds at UFC 158’s official weigh-ins.
MEDIA STEW
Hey there, Prebek. It’s been too long.
As an Arizona Cardinals fan, I feel like it’s my duty to warn Bendo against joining our sad club. There’s no upside here. Trust me.
Just because you needed one more reason to be excited for Fourth of July weekend:
Ten years ago Mike Swick fought some guy named Butch Bacon. For real, that was his actual name. The only thing 2013-you needs to know about this clip arrives with the very first line: “This looks like it’s going to be a good fight, bro.”
(HT: MiddleEasy)
Nick Diaz has been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately, so leave it to FlyWin to remind us exactly why he became a fan-favorite in the first place. Fantastic highlight.
TRAGIC
Are u kidding me!? Bombing the Boston Marathon!!? So sad, my heart goes out to everyone who was injured!! #Disgusting
— Dana White (@danawhite) April 15, 2013
Anyone in downtown Boston, go home. There were 2 bombs at the finish line of the marathon. Get the hell out of the city.
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) April 15, 2013
Talking to friends & family in #boston & so far everyone is ok but not the case for others. Very upset about this incident. That’s my city!
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) April 15, 2013
People do the most pointless things . The bombing at the Boston Marathon was just pointless and evil . All we can do is pray for our world !
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) April 16, 2013
Thoughts & prayers w/ all the people & their families in Boston right now 🙁 #prayforboston #bostonmarathon
— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) April 15, 2013
Horrible act again.When this shit will stop?Prayers and toughts to all people in Boston !!!!Sad day…..
— patrick cote (@patrick_cote) April 15, 2013
Wow that’s shocking can’t believe someone would try to destroy something so positive as the Boston marathon. It’s disgusting!
— Ramsey Nijem (@RamseyNijem) April 15, 2013
This is a horrible thing that happened today in Boston… What is the world coming to.
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) April 15, 2013
Thoughts go out to the victims in Boston. I swear this world can breed idiots.
— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) April 15, 2013
I don’t care who did this. Whoever it was needs to die. #BostonMarathonBomb #Boston
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) April 15, 2013
We live in a world full of sick people.My heart and prayers go out to everyone in Boston.
— Ricardo Lamas (@RicardoLamasMMA) April 15, 2013
A DECADE LATER, SWICK SETS THE SCENE
Woa! Someone just sent me a link to one of my rarest seen and most memorable fights. How do I set this one up….
— Mike Quick Swick (@officialswick) April 14, 2013
“@officialswick: Woa! one of my rarest seen and most memorable fights. “WOW Mike, I forgot this was 1st time I ever announced you!”
— Bruce Buffer (@brucebuffer) April 14, 2013
Classic Crazy Bob Cook for that fight. I show up at 185. Opponent 210. Bob laughs & switches fight to 205. I make frownie face. We fight. 😉
— Mike Quick Swick (@officialswick) April 14, 2013
LIVE REPORTING FROM GOMEZ
Time to fill out my TUF application. Q. Have you ever took steroidsA. No! Steroids are for pussies, besides my cock is small enough.
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 15, 2013
Next questionQ. Have you taken illegal drugs in the last yearA. Drugs are for losers so no.
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 15, 2013
Last question. Q. Tell us something interesting about yourself. A. I once killed a man just to watch him die.
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 15, 2013
Hurry up @seanshelby, I’m ready to tryout.
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 15, 2013
It’s starting to fill up now. twitter.com/uselessgomez/s…
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 15, 2013
Man I gotta take a dump but I don’t wanna lose my spot in line. Decision….
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 15, 2013
Good news is I’m number 75, bad news is that I couldn’t hold it and I Tim Sylvia’ed myself.
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 15, 2013
Oh wow just saw one of the girls who is trying out. Haha wow I can’t believe she’s trying out.
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 15, 2013
@_drtanner_ no not that. Just a known name who I didn’t think would try out.
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 15, 2013
No dice guys, they won’t let me tryout but Joe Silva gave me some good advice. Oh well I got a fight to train for.
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 15, 2013
They said I can’t tryout cause I’m a UFC vet but the app doesn’t say anything about it. I think they were afraid of my sexiness.
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 15, 2013
I talked to Sean Shelby before I left. He still said I couldn’t tryout even after I yelled out “LET ME BANG BRO!!!”
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) April 15, 2013
ON THE OFFENSIVE
Chael Sonnen talks about his steroid PED use: youtu.be/_5r3HCn0Mts #poison #TheCheatersChampion #youcallthisgangster?
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 15, 2013
Take steroids in your prime testosterone levels drop then you take TRT to get in your prime again.. Maybe I should just join the team $$$
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) April 15, 2013
STILL CHUGGING
15 – the number of letters in the word hydropneumatics as well as Chael beats Jones. #UFC159 #4/27/13
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) April 11, 2013
14 – the number of Stations of the Cross. I hope you’re praying to every one of them. #UFC159 #4/27/13
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) April 12, 2013
13: The number of Apostles (including yours truly) #UFC159 #4/27/13
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) April 13, 2013
12 – zodiac signs. All which read, hold tight to your greatest possession, soon it’ll be taken at the hands of a Bad Guy. #UFC159 #4/27/13
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) April 14, 2013
11 – 21 Dec 2012 = 21/12/2012 = 2+1+1+2+2+0+1+2 = 11. The code has been deciphered. The end is near. 11 days… #UFC159 #4/27/13
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) April 15, 2013
THAT’S JUST SILLY
Gotta new car and she’s a beauty twitter.com/PhilMrWonderfu…
— Phil Davis (@PhilMrWonderful) April 15, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Monday, April 15, 2013):
- N/A
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day is something completely unrelated, courtesy of NickPT: UFC 160: Ryan Bader’s MCL Injury
Ryan Bader was forced out of his fight with Glover Teixeira at UFC 160 due to a medial collateral ligament (MCL) knee injury. In March, his doctor advised that he avoid any activity (read- training, exercise, running, etc) for a 6-8 week time frame. He is targeting a return to action sometime this summer.
Dan Henderson suffered a tear of the MCL in 2012, prior to his scheduled fight at UFC 151. Jonathan Gelber, MD, posted a guest article on Bloodyelbow.com in August 2012 that gives some good details about the MCL. (Read Gelber’s article- it’s very good.) He also notes that most athletes that injure the MCL can return to their sport activity in about 4-6 weeks, which is roughly in line with Bader’s time frame.
Unlike injuries involving the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), injuries to the MCL, including tears, are not typically treated with surgery. However, there is some controversy in the medical research literature regarding surgical repair of the most severe (grade III) injuries to the MCL. A grade III injury would include complete tear of the tendon ligament. Given that Bader has been advised to avoid activity for 6-8 weeks, I assume that he has a significant injury, with some tearing of the MCL that should heal with rest and a brief period of knee immobilization. The immobilization shouldn’t last more than about two weeks, and then Bader will begin a period of controlled movement of the knee. Early movement within a couple of weeks of the injury has positive effects on healing of the ligament, and is usually a standard treatment for MCL tears.
Why is the MCL Important?
The MCL is located along the inside (medial) aspect of the knee joint. Because of its location, the MCL is the primary restraint against valgus stress of the knee. Valgus refers to buckling inward at the knee.
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More importantly for a fighter, the MCL is the primary restraint to this type of inward stress when the knee is slightly bent, approximately 20-25 degrees. Think about how much time a fighter spends in this position, with the knees slightly bent. This is a common leg position, whether executing an offensive attack or defending against an attack. For example, look at the first two pictures in this photo gallery from UFC on Fuel 9, posted on Bloodyelbow.com. It shows knees flexed while kicking and punching. A kick to the outside of a flexed knee with a loose MCL could cause serious damage, possibly including rupture of the ACL as well.
In about 6 to 8 weeks, Ryan should be back to training. However, he will first need to work on restoring quadriceps and hamstring strength that will undoubtedly be lost during his time off. As long as his pain and knee swelling are controlled, this should not be a problem for him.
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me on Twitter @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.