UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones had quite the busy Wednesday. In addition to offering MMA veteran Tyson Griffin a job as his water boy (see below), Jones also made a point to remind fans he’s doing his best to remain focused on his next title challenge, Glover Teixeira. Presumedly in response to some criticism he took for his comments regarding Daniel Cormier earlier this week, Jones says he’ll get to ‘your favorite fighter’ in due time.
One opponent at a time, the rest is simply nonsense.. Let’s just call all the talking MMA drama. 🙂
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 5, 2014
Lets not forget Im fighting Glover next. Some of y’all don’t know what you want to see! Just a few months ago everyone was screaming rematch
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 5, 2014
My job is to fight the best in the world, I’ve been doing it for years now. Be patient, your favorite fighter will have his turn soon enough
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 5, 2014
Following Cormier’s hat in hand plea for a chance at the strap, Jones claimed he wasn’t interested, saying he didn’t feel it would be ‘appropriate to give that title shot’ until Cormier had proven himself against stern competition. Jones also alludes to a possible rematch of his UFC 165 bout with Alexander Gustafsson, a fight fans have been clamoring for since the moment the first one ended. With Cormier waiting on a dance partner, Gustafsson can only help his cause with a strong performance against Jimi Manuwa this weekend in London.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
‘May have to stop.’ Chael Sonnen isn’t sure how much longer his UFC career will last without TRT.
You’re saying there’s a chance. Given the opportunity, Dana White didn’t flat out deny rumors that Ronda Rousey could be booked against Gina Carano sometime this year.
Jacare. Recovering from elbow surgery, Ronaldo Souza says he wants to return against Michael Bisping in August.
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas covers the ban on TRT, talk of Rousey vs. Carano, a UFC Fight Night London preview and more in this week’s live chat.
Sad news. Booto Guylain has died after suffering a serious head injury during his Feb. 27 bout in Johannesburg, South Africa.
MEDIA STEW
I get the ‘no finishes’ thing for Ronda’s knee, but no Cormier?
Jimi Manuwa’s training vlog.
Alexander Gustafsson agrees with Jones that Cormier needs to prove himself further.
Chris Weidman, Lyoto Machida and Ryan Bader talking TRT.
Gunnar Nelson says he focused mainly on striking in his year away.
UFC 171 extended preview.
Long watches.
MMA 3 Way: UFC Gustafsson vs Manuwa + Nevada’s TRT ban
“King Mo” will do a Crown Vs Chain match with RAMPAGE
TWEETS
This was fun.
If you’re a “champ” @JonnyBones you’d whoop @dc_mma and move on. He’s a tougher test than your last two fights so just #embracethegrind
— Tyson Griffin (@TysonGriffin) March 5, 2014
This 26 year old @JonnyBones thinks the names on @dc_mma record aren’t top level? That is just disrespectful if you ask me.
— Tyson Griffin (@TysonGriffin) March 5, 2014
2 former champs and a man that beat the originally GOAT of all time! Kids these days, I tell ya lol!!! pic.twitter.com/271YcXlyL4
— Tyson Griffin (@TysonGriffin) March 5, 2014
So the great champ @JonnyBones DM’s me then unfollows so he wouldn’t have to hear my response. Class act I tell ya! pic.twitter.com/zqkWb3rjKm
— Tyson Griffin (@TysonGriffin) March 5, 2014
Lmao!! Keep em coming brother!! pic.twitter.com/Ap8l9Do2lE
— Tyson Griffin (@TysonGriffin) March 5, 2014
Like I previously said, kids these days….SMH pic.twitter.com/4at8R4rZeI
— Tyson Griffin (@TysonGriffin) March 5, 2014
And another one lol! pic.twitter.com/0lbf7ynPxV
— Tyson Griffin (@TysonGriffin) March 5, 2014
@TysonGriffin @MMARoasted @JonnyBones As classy as posting it socially on the Internet? He is a hardworking class act. Why don’t you try it?
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) March 6, 2014
Oh it was nothing please go on about your day people 🙂 “@Dovington82: @JonnyBones What’s up with the twitter rant champ?”
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) March 6, 2014
Khabib looking big.
Khabib and DC.who is the best wrestler in MMA?: http://t.co/gHNpUq2u76 ?? @YouTube
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) March 5, 2014
More beef.
6 weeks until the cage door closes and @QoSBaszler destruction will ensure 😉 #TUFNations
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) March 5, 2014
@QoSBaszler @SC_Michelle clearly I haven’t spent enough time as it took me 3x to figure out ‘Murican. But in 42 days I’ll be the meanest Can
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) March 5, 2014
No video?
Shot my first arrow into another arrow today. Robin Hood style http://t.co/b0SlvikbXL
— Joe Rogan (@joerogan) March 6, 2014
Lets all just calm down.
@Rampage4real Sell the Lamborghini. It’s undrivable on the street
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) March 6, 2014
More shorts, more fights.
The @FORTYTHVS CM shorts have surpassed 30 sold so as promised here is my first MMA loss to future KOP Daizo Ishige http://t.co/5sz1WCPYcx
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) March 5, 2014
Big day.
8 years ago today, I unleashed the “Swickatine” for the first time! 😉 #UFC58 #Swickatine 😉 http://t.co/lF8keIXHpK
— Mike Quick Swick (@officialswick) March 5, 2014
8 years ago today I made my @ufc debut against @theking_spencer to start off the best rivalry of my… http://t.co/91CmiGrnB4
— sam stout (@SammyJstout) March 6, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Mar. 5 2014)
Charlie Brenneman vs. Danny Castillo at UFC 172
cancelled Steve Bosse vs. Ryan Jimmo at TUF Nations Finale
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Da Headbanger.
Everything You NEED to Know About UFC Fight Night 38 Main Card
I have some friends that decided they would hold on the UFC Fight Pass for the opportunity to see Gustafsson fight. In other words, Gustafsson has arrived. While many will bitch about the fact that Manuwa isn’t a worthy opponent, will you tell me who a healthy and worthy opponent to face Gustafsson might be that he hasn’t already fought? Keep in mind that the UFC originally tried to line Gustafsson up with Lil Nog too. While its true that Manuwa hasn’t exactly face elite competition, he has done what is to be expected when facing lesser competition by finishing all of his opponents. So quit yer bitching and just enjoy the match!
The rest of the main card isn’t as dynamic as it originally was going to be (thank you injury bug), but it still should deliver some fun fights and even a potential title contender within the next year. While this clearly isn’t a PPV quality card by any means, it is a major step up from last weeks Fight Pass edition.
Lets break it down!
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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.