Back in the title hunt after an impressive submission win over Dennis Bermudez at UFC 180, UFC featherweight Ricardo Lamas is campaigning for a shot at another contender.
“I don’t hate the guy,” Lamas said of Conor McGregor. “I don’t have anything against the guy, but every single reporter asks me about him so I’m like, ‘You know what? I want to stop the talk. I don’t want to be asked about him anymore. Let’s have a fight.”
McGregor will headline opposite German striker Dennis Siver in the UFC’s return to Boston on Jan. 18, but Lamas wants to see him tested against a wrestler.
“I do think the UFC is matching him up with people that play well into his style,” Lamas told The Roman Show. “They match him up with strikers. They don’t match him up with anybody who’s really going to pressure him and take him down. I don’t think he has any wrestling. I think that’s the one hole in his game that everybody needs to see. As soon as he fights a good wrestler everybody’s going to see that. I want it to be me.
“I want to be the one to put an end to this whole thing and to quiet him down and to humble him.”
Lamas has also recently been called out by fellow former No. 1 contender Chad Mendes, but ‘Money’ hasn’t been pushing the right buttons.
“If you’ve got two guys who want to fight you, one’s calling you ‘the P word’ and the other’s like, ‘Hey, you wanna fight?’ Who are you gonna want to fight? Of course, the guy that’s talking all the crap.”
At 15-3, Lamas has only been beaten once in the UFC, a five-round unanimous decision to featherweight champion Jose Aldo at UFC 169 in February.
Asked how he would fair again against Aldo, top contender Frankie Edgar or McGregor, Lamas believes the easiest fight would come against the Irishman.
“I feel like I’d be able to finish him, easily,” said Lamas. “But he is a dangerous fighter. He throws a lot of flashy moves. A lot of stuff that you don’t really see coming.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
The League of Supermen. In his latest long read, Shaun Al-Shatti shows you the rise and fall of Real Pro Wrestling, ‘amateur wrestling’s most successful crack at gaining traction in the United States with a professional league.’
Heavy hitters. UFC parent company Zuffa has hired New York-based firm Boies, Schiller & Flexner LLP to represent it in the case filed on behalf of fighters Cung Le, Jon Fitch, and Nate Quarry in U.S. District Court.
No hyperbole needed. Chuck Mindenhall explains how much this Jones-DC fight means to people who don’t really ‘care for barefoot fighting at all.’ ‘The great thing about the build-up in this sport is that it leads to a fight, the most satisfactory resolution yet invented for those with extreme and literal tastes.’
Staying close to home. According to UFC president Dana White, CM Punk will be training in Milwaukee at Roufusport with lightweight champion Anthony Pettis.
‘How Jon Jones Became The Baddest Motherf***er On Earth.’ Greg Howard has one of the better profiles on Jon Jones you’re likely to read.
MEDIA STEW
UFC 182 Embedded episode 2.
Outstanding profile on Daniel Cormier.
Dana White’s Tuesday spots on FOX.
Rankings report.
TTTHS.
Long watches.
You’re Welcome with Chael Sonnen – Ep 12 – Daniel Cormier & Uriah Hall
…
TWEETS
Not too surprising.
What do you guys think about the @EASPORTSUFC sim engine results for #UFC182? #TeamJones https://t.co/4VessQ6SVn
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 30, 2014
Just fight.
@Benaskren you know what’s more embarrassing then losing to me? Never getting to the ufc cause you put fans to sleep. Have fun in @ONEFCMMA
— matthew riddle (@riddletuf7) December 31, 2014
Woodley wants Rory.
@David76712716 @MMAFighting @SaintMMA down
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) December 30, 2014
@David76712716 @MMAFighting @SaintMMA all my wins happened before the time expired, close loss to Jake, and Rory was a better guy that night
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) December 30, 2014
Tis the season.
Well fuck sometimes putting on a fun show isn’t enough.
— ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) December 30, 2014
I would like to thank @ufc @seanshelby joe silva and @danawhite for the opportunity I was givin to fulfill a dream!
— ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) December 30, 2014
Hey @ScottCoker you guys need anybody over at @BellatorMMA who comes to scrap every fight?
— ike vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) December 30, 2014
Get well soon.
There’s been lots of questions, people asking how I’m doing. I wanted to let everyone know I’m doing… http://t.co/8BE7bINqQZ
— TyroneSpong (@Tyrone_spong) December 30, 2014
Like it.
Can’t wait to hear what all the instagram coaches have to say about this one my secret secret to… http://t.co/ZWRwX4A8yZ
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) December 30, 2014
Advice.
@KelvinGastelum dangerous tweet lol
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) December 31, 2014
@KelvinGastelum Don’t send out any nudes and you’ll be ok
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) December 31, 2014
It’s always better with a beard. @jennareneefit @beardyland #beardporn #BgetstheV #myeyesareuphere http://t.co/ZOmOcdQATJ
— Travis Browne (@travisbrowneMMA) December 30, 2014
Hang in there.
Iv had worse jobs to do! Happy new year everyone #TeamPearson kristiejpearson http://t.co/0bSZOy4BD6
— Ross Pearson (@RossTheRealDeal) December 31, 2014
Careful.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Dec. 30 2014)
Yan Cabral out, Anthony Christodoulou vs. Mairbek Taisumov at UFC on FOX 14
cancelled Krasimir Mladenov vs. Jesse Taylor at WSOF 17
Iuri Alcantara vs. Frankie Saenz at UFC Fight Night: Evans vs. Teixeira
Mike de la Torre vs. Tiago dos Santos at UFC Fight Night: Evans vs. Teixeira
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.