Morning Report: Silva-Sonnen II Finally Set, The Condit-Diaz Debate Rages On

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Well, that was an interesting weekend. While the rest of the sports world was whipped into a Super Bowl frenzy, the mixed martial arts community was still decidedly abuzz from UFC 143’s polarizing main event. Plenty of fallout arrived amid Diaz vs. Condit, so catch up on everything you might have missed and everything you need to see on today’s edition of the Morning Report.

Star-divide

5 MUST-READ STORIES TO START YOUR DAY:

Dana White believes Carlos Condit deserved to win. Ariel Helwani and the UFC President discuss whether the judges made the right call, before being interrupted by a shirtless Mike Goldberg.

Judges’ scorecards from Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz. Take a look at how the three ringside judges — including fan-favorite Cecil Peoples — scored the action, round-by-round.

UFC 143 morning after: Condit has what it takes to beat St. Pierre. Michael David Smith weighs-in with his thoughts from Saturday night, from Condit vs. GSP, to Kim Winslow’s perfect stoppage.

Video of the new UFC intro. Catch a replay of the new pay-per-view lead-in video that cost an “obscene amount of money,” according to Dana White.

Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen agree to UFC title rematch. Lost amongst the judging hysteria was the fact that the one of the UFC’s most anticipated rematches has officially been set.

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THIS WEEKEND’S MEDIA GUMBO:

Relieve Saturday’s action with this Fox Sports highlight package.

Video: Highlights: UFC 143

This man clearly did not agree with Sensei Cecil Peoples. (HT: Bloody Elbow)

With that out of the way, afford yourself a look ahead at UFC 144, featuring fighters so strong they knock the pigment off their opponent.

Somewhere, Stephen Thompson is smiling. (HT: Bloody Elbow)

Carlos Condit’s other, more tangible prize for beating Nick Diaz. (via Kevin Iole)

Ufc143harley_medium

Surprised she didn’t armbar her.

@RondaRousey
Ronda Rousey
I had a crazy dream last night involving a Japanese invasion,me shooting Rihanna w/ a glock 22(she was a traitor!)&a rest stop in the desert
Feb 03 via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet Reply

I don’t think Japan is ready for a second dose of Rampage.

@Rampage4real
Quinton Jackson
It b a lot of horny chicks n this gym n the morning….not complaining just saying
Feb 03 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet Reply

Anyone else holding out for “RESPECT THE VADGE!” to become the female version of “Don’t be scared homie?”

@julesk_fighter
Julie Kedzie
Hey @ikevallieflagg I am going to f*** you up if we fight, you punk b****… RESPECT THE VADGE! (is my trash talk improving?) @seanshelby
Feb 03 via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet Reply

Miguel Torres gets it.

@MiguelTorresMMA
Miguel Angel Torres
At the end of the day I’m just a man with an awesome haircut who gets paid to crush another mans hopes and dreams.
Jan 29 via txt Favorite Retweet Reply

Star-divide

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Here’s what was announced over the weekend (Friday, Feb. 3, 2012 – Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012):

Star-divide

FANPOST OF THE DAY:

Today’s FPOTD belongs to MMA Mania reader Wooly Shambler: As the “Godfather of MMA,” how proud would Bruce Lee be of what MMA is today?

Referred to as the godfather of MMA , Bruce Lee envisioned martial arts as truly becoming mixed. He felt that at the pinnacle of martial arts one should “be like water,” meaning fluid and able to adapt instantly around an object or obstacle. While alive and teaching these beliefs he was met with strong opposition from many masters and disciples of the old guard. Bruce was challenged and scoffed at for believing that not one single martial art or form was best or sufficient. It seems however that not only through his demonstrations and victories, in both form and film, but also in the evolution of martial arts after his death that Bruce was right.

DON’T FORGET to follow @MMAFighting on Twitter and ‘like’ us on Facebook.

Found something informative, entertaining, brutal, or just plain bizarre for the Morning Report? Hit me at @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s post.

Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Well, that was an interesting weekend. While the rest of the sports world was whipped into a Super Bowl frenzy, the mixed martial arts community was still decidedly abuzz from UFC 143’s polarizing main event. Plenty of fallout arrived amid Diaz vs. Condit, so catch up on everything you might have missed and everything you need to see on today’s edition of the Morning Report.

Star-divide

5 MUST-READ STORIES TO START YOUR DAY:

Dana White believes Carlos Condit deserved to win. Ariel Helwani and the UFC President discuss whether the judges made the right call, before being interrupted by a shirtless Mike Goldberg.

Judges’ scorecards from Carlos Condit vs. Nick Diaz. Take a look at how the three ringside judges — including fan-favorite Cecil Peoples — scored the action, round-by-round.

UFC 143 morning after: Condit has what it takes to beat St. Pierre. Michael David Smith weighs-in with his thoughts from Saturday night, from Condit vs. GSP, to Kim Winslow’s perfect stoppage.

Video of the new UFC intro. Catch a replay of the new pay-per-view lead-in video that cost an “obscene amount of money,” according to Dana White.

Anderson Silva and Chael Sonnen agree to UFC title rematch. Lost amongst the judging hysteria was the fact that the one of the UFC’s most anticipated rematches has officially been set.

Star-divide

THIS WEEKEND’S MEDIA GUMBO:

Relieve Saturday’s action with this Fox Sports highlight package.

<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/video?videoid=66439c02-61fb-4e03-96f8-fd0adcf3c2e9&amp;src=FLPl:embed::uuids" title="Highlights: UFC 143">Video: Highlights: UFC 143</a>

This man clearly did not agree with Sensei Cecil Peoples. (HT: Bloody Elbow)

With that out of the way, afford yourself a look ahead at UFC 144, featuring fighters so strong they knock the pigment off their opponent.

Somewhere, Stephen Thompson is smiling. (HT: Bloody Elbow)

Carlos Condit’s other, more tangible prize for beating Nick Diaz. (via Kevin Iole)

Ufc143harley_medium

Surprised she didn’t armbar her.

I had a crazy dream last night involving a Japanese invasion,me shooting Rihanna w/ a glock 22(she was a traitor!)&a rest stop in the desert
Feb 03 via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet Reply

I don’t think Japan is ready for a second dose of Rampage.

It b a lot of horny chicks n this gym n the morning….not complaining just saying
Feb 03 via Twitter for BlackBerry® Favorite Retweet Reply

Anyone else holding out for “RESPECT THE VADGE!” to become the female version of “Don’t be scared homie?”

Hey @ikevallieflagg I am going to f*** you up if we fight, you punk b****… RESPECT THE VADGE! (is my trash talk improving?) @seanshelby
Feb 03 via Twitter for iPhone Favorite Retweet Reply

Miguel Torres gets it.

At the end of the day I’m just a man with an awesome haircut who gets paid to crush another mans hopes and dreams.
Jan 29 via txt Favorite Retweet Reply

Star-divide

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Here’s what was announced over the weekend (Friday, Feb. 3, 2012 – Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012):

Star-divide

FANPOST OF THE DAY:

Today’s FPOTD belongs to MMA Mania reader Wooly Shambler: As the “Godfather of MMA,” how proud would Bruce Lee be of what MMA is today?

Referred to as the godfather of MMA , Bruce Lee envisioned martial arts as truly becoming mixed. He felt that at the pinnacle of martial arts one should “be like water,” meaning fluid and able to adapt instantly around an object or obstacle. While alive and teaching these beliefs he was met with strong opposition from many masters and disciples of the old guard. Bruce was challenged and scoffed at for believing that not one single martial art or form was best or sufficient. It seems however that not only through his demonstrations and victories, in both form and film, but also in the evolution of martial arts after his death that Bruce was right.

DON’T FORGET to follow @MMAFighting on Twitter and ‘like’ us on Facebook.

Found something informative, entertaining, brutal, or just plain bizarre for the Morning Report? Hit me at @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s post.