This past weekend in combat sports wasn’t just busy — it was uniquely busy. From the usual, UFC events and regional shows loaded with notable names, to the unusual, supercard Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournaments and the most dangerous middleweight in the world showing off his pipes, there was really something for everyone.
And like always, we’re here to catch you up if you missed out on any of the fun or just plain want to see it all again. So lean back, fill up that morning coffee and let’s get to the goods.
6 MUST-READ STORIES
Werdum subs Big Nog. Fabricio Werdum punctuated a record-setting night of submissions by coaxing a verbal tapout from Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira with a second-round armbar at UFC on FUEL 10. (Video.) Afterward, Werdum voiced his willingness to wait for a title shot against the winner of JDS-Velasquez III.
Silva returns. Thiago Silva needed just four-and-a-half minutes to knock out former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Rafael Cavalcante on the main card of UFC on FUEL 10. Barring any post-fight setbacks, the win is technically Silva’s first since 2009, and earned the Brazilian $100,000 in bonus money. For some reason Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva subsequently challenged Silva to a heavyweight bout, however the light heavyweight slugger declined.
Bowles popped after loss. Former WEC bantamweight champion Brian Bowles tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone following his UFC 160 loss to George Roop. Bowles’ testosterone-to-epitestosterone level exceeded 20-to-1, a level far beyond the 6-to-1 legal limit. Bowles will be suspended and fined by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
Metamoris 2. Kron Gracie defeated ONE FC lightweight champion Shinya Aoki via guillotine choke, while Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu took a frustrating, bizarre unanimous decision over UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub at BJJ pay-per-view Metamoris 2 on Sunday. Additionally, Royler Gracie vs. Eddie Bravo, a rematch a decade in the making, is slated to headline Metamoris 3.
Nunes signs. Former UFC featherweight contender Diego Nunes inked a multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA. Nunes compiled a 3-3 UFC record over the course of three years, defeating Mike Brown, Manny Gamburyan and Bart Palaszewski, while losing to Kenny Florian, Dennis Siver, and most recently, Nik Lentz.
Weekend results. To see the best of the rest, check out results and gifs from KSW 23 and Titan FC 25.
MEDIA STEW
There was plenty of drama with the whole Brendan Schaub fiasco, most of it during the post-fight presser, but the other notable MMA fighter who competed at Metamoris 2 didn’t disappoint, regardless of the outcome.
Cain Velasquez beats Daniel Cormier 100 times out of 100? Yeah, I don’t believe that either.
Elsewhere this weekend, former champion strongman Mariusz Pudzianowski took on UFC vet Sean McCorkle in the co-main event of KSW 23. Check it out.
And for the night’s main event, Mamed Khalidov — probably the best unsigned middleweight in the world — battled against the one-punch power of Melvin Manhoef. Wild nights in Poland.
Anderson Silva singing again? Yep, Anderson Silva singing again.
Props to @Intravid for the find.
Finally, let’s exit with a trailer to a trailer. (That sentence is morbidly comical to me.) E3 kicks off today, so expect to see more soon from EA’s UFC game.
SUBBING THE SUB-MASTER
.@fabriciowerdum has one of the nastiest armbars in the game.
— Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) June 9, 2013
So much for me saying that there won’t be any submission in they main event, haha, wow, really didn’t expect that, that was awesome!
— Bas Rutten (@BasRuttenMMA) June 9, 2013
Congratulations @fabriciowerdum! Title shot coming your way, well deserved!
— Krzysztof Soszynski (@KSOSufc) June 9, 2013
REFLECTIONS
Thank you so much for all the support and all the messages before and fighter the fight Thanks to my team @blackzilians and all my teammates
— Thiago Silva (@ThiagoSilva_MMA) June 9, 2013
I can think of better ways to waste 8 weeks of my life.
— Jason Highwalker(@KCBanditMMA) June 9, 2013
I made a STUPID mistake and got punished for it only me to blame,sorry for the disappointment,new path starts today,thanks for the support!!
— Mike Wilkinson (@M_WilkinsonMMA) June 9, 2013
Man I wish I fought tonight 🙁
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) June 9, 2013
LOFTY GOALS
Guys, I’m not worried about breaking into the top 10 heavyweights. I just want to break the top 10. Period. @ufc #ufc
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) June 9, 2013
JUST TWO FRIENDLY GUYS
Nicest guy ever. I hate to fight him twitter.com/BigSexyMcCorkl…
— Sean McCorkle (@BigSexyMcCorkle) June 10, 2013
HOW TO TURN A CROWD AGAINST YOU IN 20 MINUTES
Such an honor to compete in metamoris thank u Cyborg & the jiu jitsu community instagram.com/p/aXRHCpBToz/
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) June 10, 2013
If you weren’t entertained by the match the press conference was interesting 🙂 instagram.com/p/aXd0_ZBTnQ/
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) June 10, 2013
HAPPY SO FAR
I have 2 keep it real,I had fun on TNA last night.And I was a Lil star struck when I met Hulk Hogan. But can’t wait 2 get back n the cage!
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) June 7, 2013
Yo guys I need some ideas on what 2 name my Reality show 4 Spike TV.. I have a few names already,but would love 2 hear from my fans
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) June 8, 2013
BELLATOR TALK
@bjornrebney thanks for the follow boss! Dana White never followed me or even responded to my tweets! #respect @bellatormma Natural is home!
— John Alessio (@johnalessio79) June 7, 2013
@johnalessio79 @bellatormma My pleasure.Like I said, I’ve been a fan of yours for years.You on @spiketv this Sept. will be awesome.
— Bjorn Rebney (@BjornRebney) June 7, 2013
@bjornrebney @bellatormma @spiketv believe me I can’t wait for this!!
— John Alessio (@johnalessio79) June 7, 2013
@johnalessio79 @bjornrebney @bellatormma @spiketv I have, met TWO girls that night and I have since slayed them both! Good luck there! =p
— War Machine (@WarMachine170) June 7, 2013
AND THE PLOT THICKENS
St. Pierre: I stole your truck. I have the pics of you & Rory. Let’s talk
— Jake Ellenberger (@EllenbergerMMA) June 8, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced over the weekend (Friday, June 7, 2013 – Sunday, June 9, 2013):
- UFC 163: Ian McCall (11-4-1) vs. Iliarde Santos (27-1-1)
- UFC 163: John Lineker (21-6) vs. Phil Harris (22-10)
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day sees Jonnyboy6969 turn the page back a week and don his Joe Silva hat for: Who Should Fight Who? UFC 160 Winners & Losers
Velasquez should fight Dos Santos – Reason: Cain dominated Bigfoot like we all knew he would but what was so surprising is how fast he got it done. I read that Silva had only landed 4-6 strikes on Cain in their two fights. Thats ridiculous. Cain just proved that Bigfoot didn’t belong in there with him, I really wish Werdum didn’t go and do TUF, he would have been the one fighting Cain at 160 and I’m sure it would have been much more competitive. Oh well, hopefully we’ll see that fight soon. I thought and said before 160 that even if JDS knocked out Hunt I wouldn’t want to see him fight Cain again so soon but after his performance I’m 100% fine with the third fight happening next and its going to happen so thats that and it should be great. I’m looking forward to it, these two are absolutely the Two Best Heavyweights on the Planet and I’m sure the Rubber match will be great. This fight will be booked soon.
Silva should fight Struve – Reason: Bigfoot shouldn’t have even been in that title fight, he got whooped again which was no surprise. I want to see him fight someone ranked outside the top 10 next, I think Stefan Struve would be great. I think that would be a very good fight and I think I makes sense so I hope that one gets booked. Silva could also fight Mark Hunt or Todd Duffee.
Dos Santos should fight Velasquez – Reason: Dos Santos looked great, he dominated the fight he hit hard a couple of times but he never looked hurt and he just beat the crap out of Hunt for 3 rounds before knocking his head off with a Spinning Heel kick! It was amazing. What a way to end a fight, 40 seconds left, thinking its going to a decision and then BAM. It was fantastic . Now hes getting the rematch with Velasquez that hes wants very badly and a chance to get his belt back. It should be a great fight, I’m excited about it. It’ll be booked soon.
Hunt should fight The Loser of Nogueira vs Werdum – Reason: Hunt did a good job in his fight with JDS, he got knocked out and outclassed but he stayed in there with one of the best Heavyweights in the world for almost 15 minutes and he kept coming forward, gotta respect that. I’d like to see him fight The Loser of Nogueira vs Werdum next. I think it would be a great fight and I hope it happens. Hunt could also fight Antonio Silva or The Winner of Barry vs Jordan.
Teixeira should fight The Winner of Henderson vs Evans – Reason: Teixeira went in there and got it done fast, he’s a well rounded beast and he needs a solid top 10 opponent next and hes already said he wants The Winner of Henderson vs Evans so I hope he gets the Winner. Thats a fight that makes sense and would be great so I hope it happens. Teixeira could also fight The Winner of Shogun vs Sonnen or Antonio Rogerio Nogueira.
Te Huna should fight Manuwa – Reason: Te Huna’s very solid but he got caught in a choke and that happens. I expect him to bounce right back and look great in his next fight. I’d like to see him fight Jimi Manuwa next, I think that’d be a fantastic fight. That just has Bangfest written all over it, I hope it gets booked. Te Huna could also fight Fabio Maldonado or The Winner of Cavalcante vs Silva.
Grant should fight Henderson – Reason: UnBelievable. I doubted Grant before this fight, I thought Maynard would push the pace and control the fight with his boxing and wrestling but I had no idea what type of beast Grant was at the time. Now I know. Maynard was doing good at the beginning of the fight but that didn’t last long, Grant cracked him a couple of different times and hurt Maynard then he got swarmed on and that was it. Maynard is very very good and for Grant to finish him the way that he did Benson Henderson better keep his hands up. This guy is a killer and hes coming for that belt. Grant vs Henderson is happening next and It should be awesome. Can’t wait for this fight, I hope Grant destroys Bendo.
Maynard should fight Melendez – Reason: Maynard looked good early in the fight but once Grant had him hurt he never let him recover and he put him away. It was very shocking, Grant is a monster and I know Maynard will come back better than ever for his next fight. I’d like to see him fight Gilbert Melendez next. I think that fight makes a lot of sense and it would be a very good fight. I hope this fight gets booked. Maynard could also fight Jim Miller or Evan Dunham.
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.