Morning Report: Luke Rockhold doesn’t hold much hope for ‘old’ Vitor Belfort and his ‘chicken neck’ against Chris Weidman

For someone who’s spent some time on the business end of a Vitor Belfort spinning head kick, UFC middleweight contender Luke Rockhold can’t wait to get back in the Octagon with ‘The Phenom.’ Belfort is booked to challenge middleweight champion Chris Weidman Dec. 6 at UFC 181 and Rockhold would like nothing more than to take the strap off him.

“That’s a perfect world right there,” Rockhold told Submission Radio. “It would be awesome and we would really sell the fight, ’cause there’s a couple of people I can shit about. I don’t really like to talk shit about a lot of people, but there’s a few people. There’s Bisping and Vitor are definitely my targets, and I would sell the shit out of that fight, and then I would beat the shit out of them too.

“There’s nothing I want more than to fight Vitor Belfort. You know Vitor can talk all he wants, I mean he’s not even on this planet. The guy just, nothing makes sense that comes out of his mouth, and his whole life is a lie. I have fun, yeah. People wanna call me a ‘Playboy’, I like to enjoy myself. I’m young, I’m single, travelling the world and having a good time, but you know I handle business when it’s time. Yeah, I wanna fight Vitor, more than anything.”

No longer sanctioned to undergo testosterone replacement therapy, Belfort’s apparently smaller appearance has been ridiculed by both Weidman and Rockhold.

“There’s no doubt,” said Rockhold. “He’s gonna be a lot different fighter, you know. Who knows what he’s gonna be like, but I just don’t think he’s gonna have much for Weidman. He looks old and he looks like he’s got a chicken neck now, so I don’t know.

“He looks tiny! I don’t know how he’s gonna keep the weight on, ’cause he was on UFC on Fox, man the guy looked tiny. He literally looked like a small welterweight.”

[Transcription via Submission Radio]

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5 MUST-READ STORIES

Find a lawyer. Wanderlei Silva says he’s confident he won’t be suspended by the NSAC. ‘There’s not much to be done, there’s no legislation over me.’

90%.’ Mark Bocek believes an overwhelming majority of fighters are using PEDs. ‘We can only speculate, we can’t put a number on it, but maybe someone like me can go further into this area than your average Joe.’

‘I believed I was going to die.’ Christy Mack releases statement on alleged War Machine attack.

Rumors. Bellator will reportedly make a ‘major fight announcement’ Tuesday which could include the rumored signing of Gina Carano.

Exploring flaws. Vitor Belfort says Chris Weidman would be ‘crazy’ to strike with him. ‘I see a lot of openings from him and I’m studying this game since last year.’

Check out The MMA Hour with TJ Grant, Urijah Faber, Cub Swanson, Patrick Holohan, Mark Bocek and Dave Meltzer.

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MEDIA STEW

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Jenna Jameson telling Dr. Drew she ‘can relate on every level’ regarding the incident involving Christy Mack and War Machine.

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About that Jon Jones as Bruce Buffer promo…

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Chael Sonnen breaks down Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes.

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Full fight video of Marina Shafir getting KO’d by Amanda Bell.

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Skitchin’ with Jeremy Stephens.

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Paul “The Irish Dragon” Felder earned a UFC contract after scoring this KO at CFFC 38.

(HT r/MMA)

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Long watches.

Knuckle Up #405: Jones-D.C: the smartest stupidest moves ever, Sonnen vs NSAC + much, much more

Star-divide

TWEETS

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On the hunt.

.@WarMachine170 better 2Give All You Excuses To The Judge ..you got 24 hrs to turn your self in or I am Coming After YOU.!#CMTDogAndBeth

— Duane Dog Chapman (@DogBountyHunter) August 12, 2014

@WarMachine170 I’m coming for you bro!

— uriah hall (@UriahHallMMA) August 11, 2014

@WarMachine170 turn yourself in

Diego Sanchez UFC (@DiegoSanchezUFC) August 11, 2014

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Get well soon.

All is well in NM! I should be cleared to train soon! I can’t thank you guys enough for the support. pic.twitter.com/0BjINspLdI

Carlos Condit (@CarlosCondit) August 12, 2014

Training with my friend Erik Owing at his NYC academy…lol pic.twitter.com/ecU5dKKzLp

Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) August 11, 2014

First time kickboxing since UF… http://t.co/ufaHODVxwX pic.twitter.com/2zG2CtNZ0K

Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) August 12, 2014

UFC fighter, Joe Riggs: I’ll fight again… even with holes in my hand and leg! http://t.co/ajf0PFlgnE pic.twitter.com/htB3SYEKhG

— TMZ (@TMZ) August 11, 2014

Sorry@KingMoFH and @BellatorMMA I was looking forward to competing. Goodluck in your fight and maybe we meet again pic.twitter.com/QEve3UTRek

Tom DeBlass (@TomDeBlass) August 11, 2014

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The Horsewomen respond.

The beginning of a journey is like reading a good book… For the protagonist the beginning could be… http://t.co/YDOmvUDWJp

Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) August 11, 2014

“Friendship defines us, not w/l records” “But u lost!! Down w/your group of friends!!” ….Twitter Experts. twidiots. smh

Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) August 11, 2014

If 1 of us goes down, there will ALWAYS be the other 3. #4Horsewomen is a sisterhood. Friendship defines us, not growth bumps.

— Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) August 11, 2014

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Ice bucket challenge.

Ive been nominated for the ALS ice bucket challenge by my boy Matt Compton and cousin John Mitchell . first thing… http://t.co/Lj9LVYtmrF

— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) August 12, 2014

#IceBucketChallenge to raise awareness for ALS. I nominate @MikeChandlerMMA to do it next. u have 24 hrs to accept! http://t.co/ZpL55FWXRm

Pat Curran (@PatCurranMMA) August 11, 2014

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Sad.

.@jennajameson your not a survivor your a liar! All your doing is hurting our boys. Please get help. pic.twitter.com/edJtgPTgjR

Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) August 12, 2014

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Welcome aboard.

After seeing this video, I’v suddenly become interested in watching UFC Fighting: http://t.co/dvEWRfbBcf

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 11, 2014

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Possible for a champ?

@Khalin_B: @ChrisWeidmanUFC And y interest in competing in @MetamorisPro ?”I did get the itch watching it!

— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) August 11, 2014

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For those interested.

My coach @ErikPaulson showing the head-and-arm sub I used at Metamoris. http://t.co/aGXSfgl7Gc

Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) August 11, 2014

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Aug. 11 2014)

Sergio Moraes out, Wendell Oliveira Marques vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Arlovski 2

Tom DeBlass out, Muhammed Lawal vs. Marcus Sursa at Bellator 123

Jingliang Li vs. Nordine Taleb at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine

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FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via DROCK10.

The case for Cormier: & why Gus will fail miserably in the rematch…

(Okay, that second part might have been click bait, but I do think the rematch will be markedly anticlimactic.)

When Gustafson pulled out of the rematch I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little excited to hear it. While I believe Gus/Jones 2 will be exciting, it simply lacks the potential for upset that Cormier brings. Now before you go all keyboard warrior on me, laying out all the reasons Gus is the man to dethrone Jones, let’s take a minute to look at what made Gus so successful in the first fight, then compare those things to Cormier.

Reach & Size
You simply cannot deny the fact that Gus’ size was a huge factor in that fight. While being tall and having reach is not a guarantee for success (stefan struve anyone?), it certainly cannot be discounted, particularly against an opponent who’s historically enjoyed a massive advantage in this department. Not taking anything away from Gus, he showed up for that fight, he was tough as nails (count the head kicks the guy took), he outboxed Jones and he used his size well. That said, his primary advantage in this fight was the element of surprise. Is he a better technical boxer than Jones? Unquestionably. Would that have mattered if he was 3 inches shorter with 3 inches less reach? No, and neither would his takedown defense. No matter how you slice it, every major advantage Gus enjoyed in this fight (except toughness) was predicated on his being nearly Jones equal in height and reach, and Jones being poorly prepared for or simply underestimating the importance of that reality.

Boxing
Gus was clearly the better boxer in the first Jones fight. He managed distance better, he was cleaner in the pocket and he did an excellent job of circling out of Jones advances. Yet, even with better boxing Jones still frequently controlled the pace with his kicks. Granted there is plenty of room to debate whether Jones kicks or Gus’ boxing was more significant, but it is undeniable that the balance of power was never completely in any mans corner.

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.

For someone who’s spent some time on the business end of a Vitor Belfort spinning head kick, UFC middleweight contender Luke Rockhold can’t wait to get back in the Octagon with ‘The Phenom.’ Belfort is booked to challenge middleweight champion Chris Weidman Dec. 6 at UFC 181 and Rockhold would like nothing more than to take the strap off him.

“That’s a perfect world right there,” Rockhold told Submission Radio. “It would be awesome and we would really sell the fight, ’cause there’s a couple of people I can shit about. I don’t really like to talk shit about a lot of people, but there’s a few people. There’s Bisping and Vitor are definitely my targets, and I would sell the shit out of that fight, and then I would beat the shit out of them too.

“There’s nothing I want more than to fight Vitor Belfort. You know Vitor can talk all he wants, I mean he’s not even on this planet. The guy just, nothing makes sense that comes out of his mouth, and his whole life is a lie. I have fun, yeah. People wanna call me a ‘Playboy’, I like to enjoy myself. I’m young, I’m single, travelling the world and having a good time, but you know I handle business when it’s time. Yeah, I wanna fight Vitor, more than anything.”

No longer sanctioned to undergo testosterone replacement therapy, Belfort’s apparently smaller appearance has been ridiculed by both Weidman and Rockhold.

“There’s no doubt,” said Rockhold. “He’s gonna be a lot different fighter, you know. Who knows what he’s gonna be like, but I just don’t think he’s gonna have much for Weidman. He looks old and he looks like he’s got a chicken neck now, so I don’t know.

“He looks tiny! I don’t know how he’s gonna keep the weight on, ’cause he was on UFC on Fox, man the guy looked tiny. He literally looked like a small welterweight.”

[Transcription via Submission Radio]

Star-divide

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Find a lawyer. Wanderlei Silva says he’s confident he won’t be suspended by the NSAC. ‘There’s not much to be done, there’s no legislation over me.’

90%.’ Mark Bocek believes an overwhelming majority of fighters are using PEDs. ‘We can only speculate, we can’t put a number on it, but maybe someone like me can go further into this area than your average Joe.’

‘I believed I was going to die.’ Christy Mack releases statement on alleged War Machine attack.

Rumors. Bellator will reportedly make a ‘major fight announcement’ Tuesday which could include the rumored signing of Gina Carano.

Exploring flaws. Vitor Belfort says Chris Weidman would be ‘crazy’ to strike with him. ‘I see a lot of openings from him and I’m studying this game since last year.’

Check out The MMA Hour with TJ Grant, Urijah Faber, Cub Swanson, Patrick Holohan, Mark Bocek and Dave Meltzer.

Star-divide

MEDIA STEW

Star-divide

Jenna Jameson telling Dr. Drew she ‘can relate on every level’ regarding the incident involving Christy Mack and War Machine.

Star-divide

About that Jon Jones as Bruce Buffer promo…

Star-divide

Chael Sonnen breaks down Jose Aldo vs. Chad Mendes.

Star-divide

Full fight video of Marina Shafir getting KO’d by Amanda Bell.

Star-divide

Skitchin’ with Jeremy Stephens.

Star-divide

Paul “The Irish Dragon” Felder earned a UFC contract after scoring this KO at CFFC 38.

(HT r/MMA)

Star-divide

Long watches.

Knuckle Up #405: Jones-D.C: the smartest stupidest moves ever, Sonnen vs NSAC + much, much more

Star-divide

TWEETS

Star-divide

On the hunt.

Star-divide

Get well soon.

Star-divide

The Horsewomen respond.

Star-divide

Ice bucket challenge.


Star-divide

Sad.

Star-divide

Welcome aboard.

Star-divide

Possible for a champ?

Star-divide

For those interested.

Star-divide

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Aug. 11 2014)

Sergio Moraes out, Wendell Oliveira Marques vs. Santiago Ponzinibbio at UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Arlovski 2

Tom DeBlass out, Muhammed Lawal vs. Marcus Sursa at Bellator 123

Jingliang Li vs. Nordine Taleb at UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine

Star-divide

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via DROCK10.

The case for Cormier: & why Gus will fail miserably in the rematch…

(Okay, that second part might have been click bait, but I do think the rematch will be markedly anticlimactic.)

When Gustafson pulled out of the rematch I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little excited to hear it. While I believe Gus/Jones 2 will be exciting, it simply lacks the potential for upset that Cormier brings. Now before you go all keyboard warrior on me, laying out all the reasons Gus is the man to dethrone Jones, let’s take a minute to look at what made Gus so successful in the first fight, then compare those things to Cormier.

Reach & Size
You simply cannot deny the fact that Gus’ size was a huge factor in that fight. While being tall and having reach is not a guarantee for success (stefan struve anyone?), it certainly cannot be discounted, particularly against an opponent who’s historically enjoyed a massive advantage in this department. Not taking anything away from Gus, he showed up for that fight, he was tough as nails (count the head kicks the guy took), he outboxed Jones and he used his size well. That said, his primary advantage in this fight was the element of surprise. Is he a better technical boxer than Jones? Unquestionably. Would that have mattered if he was 3 inches shorter with 3 inches less reach? No, and neither would his takedown defense. No matter how you slice it, every major advantage Gus enjoyed in this fight (except toughness) was predicated on his being nearly Jones equal in height and reach, and Jones being poorly prepared for or simply underestimating the importance of that reality.

Boxing
Gus was clearly the better boxer in the first Jones fight. He managed distance better, he was cleaner in the pocket and he did an excellent job of circling out of Jones advances. Yet, even with better boxing Jones still frequently controlled the pace with his kicks. Granted there is plenty of room to debate whether Jones kicks or Gus’ boxing was more significant, but it is undeniable that the balance of power was never completely in any mans corner.

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.