Fresh off an impressive win to move into the TUF Nations middleweight semifinals last week, the UFC is out of the Tyler Manawaroa business.
Following the discovery of racially offensive images posted by Manawaroa prior to his joining The Ultimate Fighter Nations: Canada vs. Australia, the UFC now says it will not offer him a contract at season’s end. In a statement released to Bleacher Report, the UFC states that regardless of how far Manawaroa progresses through the tournament, he won’t be joining the promotion’s ranks.
The UFC organization had hired an investigation company in Australia to conduct thorough background investigations on potential contestants for The Ultimate Fighter Nations television series. Unfortunately, the background checks did not uncover all of the social media history by contestant Tyler Manawaroa. The UFC is committed to having an environment that is free from discrimination. Consequently, UFC has notified Manawaroa that regardless of how far he advances in the completed television series, the organization will not be offering him a contract to compete in the UFC.
After receiving vocal criticism from fellow TUF castmate Kajan Johnson, Team Canada coach Patrick Cote and former UFC challenger David Loiseau, Manawaroa posted an apology for the post Sunday evening. After learning of the UFC’s decision, Manawaroa posted the following message Monday night:
Just a question. . Every one in their life has made a bad decision that has offended someone ..if you have apologized and have no intention of ever repeating that bad decision ..and your apology has been rejected. ..what do you do??
Currently 10-0 as a professional, Manawaroa seems to be the standout talent of his Team Australia at just 19 years old. Scoring his team’s first win of the season, Manawaroa topped Tristar Gym’s Nordine Taleb via a three-round decision.
The TUF Nations Finale, headlined by a middleweight bout between Michael Bisping and Tim Kennedy, takes place Apr. 16 in Quebec City.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Ronda scrum. UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey talks game plans, judo vs. wrestling, studying Sara McMann, CM Punk vs. Rock, her upcoming movies and more before Monday’s UFC 170 media workout.
Cannabinoids. According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Jessica Eye’s pre-fight drug screening did, indeed, test positive for cannabinoids, a chief component found in marijuana.
Tragedy. Luiz de Franca, a 3-0 welterweight from Kimura Nova Uniao team, was murdered inside a gym on Monday morning in Natal, Brazil.
Playing it safe. Roy Nelson remains critical of Daniel Cormier’s style, comparing it to running out the clock in football. “If he’s up two rounds, he’s going to play it safe. “
Silva update. Thiago Silva’s attorney has released a statement trying to clear up his client’s current legal status.
It’s Tuesday, so make sure to check out The MMA Hour featuring MMAFighting.com’s Guilherme Cruz, Ronda Rousey’s head coach Edmond Tarverdyan, Israeli-born fighter Noad Lahat, Jessica Eye and Roy Nelson.
MEDIA STEW
Another EA ‘gameplay’ video with no actual gameplay. Getting nervous?
Alan Belcher says he’s done with MMA, but would return at light heavyweight if he did.
Urijah Faber talks injuries heading into UFC 169.
Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi preview.
MMA Awards recap.
Marina Shafir’s last ammy fight from Sunday night.
Long watches.
Knuckle Up #431: Where talk turns to steroids, steroids, losing + more steroids
Unseen Gracie Challenge Fights (also some good footage of the late Mauricio Zingano)
UFC 170-Ronda Rousey vs. Sara McMann: Rousey full workout
TWEETS
Khabib’s trolling is strong out the gate.
@ufc @danawhite @arielhelwani My dessert on the way to the titleshot😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/G1AbaLScxB
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 10, 2014
How about the guy she threw around for 10 minutes?
Oops! 😯 …. Thank you @layziethesavage for all the videos from today http://t.co/A1tRG0NsSY
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) February 10, 2014
Congrats.
EFC AFRICA puts Potts through to UFC. More here: http://t.co/CAAxAZaDsf @RuanFANGZZPotts @ufc pic.twitter.com/BvHNZxE6t9
— EFC AFRICATM (@EFCAFRICA) February 10, 2014
Get well.
More time with my ol pal the @EXOGEN stimulator #BrokeAssHand pic.twitter.com/4rODJWJXj1
— Cole Miller (@colemillerATT) February 10, 2014
Support for Mike Sam.
Mad RESPECT to @MikeSamFootball for your Courage, Bravery & Strength!! #Athlete #NFL #SmileandBelieve
— Jessica Aguilar (@jagatt) February 10, 2014
Michael Sam you are a hero to many. @MikeSamFootball
— LIZ CARMOUCHE (@iamgirlrilla) February 10, 2014
Michael Sam no problem bubba. Just don’t be punter and I respect you forever
— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) February 10, 2014
Interested?
I would be very happy to fight with such a great fighter like @BensonHenderson on UFC173 in May @ufc @danawhite I’m ready for big fights
— Rustam Khabilov (@KhabilovMMA) February 11, 2014
Overstated?
I am grateful. Because there is am army of hate praying to see me fall.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 11, 2014
Daily CM Punk callout.
YO. @@CMPunk LETS FIGHT IN DAIRY QUEEN PARKIN LOT
— RANDOM (@mayhemmiller) February 10, 2014
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Feb. 10 2014)
Johnny Bedford vs. Rani Yahya at Ultimate Fight Night 39
Raphael Assuncao vs. Pedro Munhoz at UFC 170
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Da Headbanger.
Everything You NEED to Know About UFC Fight Night 36 Prelims
Another fight card and hopes for more violent endings than the last produced. While I wasn’t completely disappointed in UFC 169, I was hoping for more highlight reel finishes (though Trujillo and Varner delivered). Chances are we’ll see more endings this time around.
After some late shuffling, there are a number of unknowns on the undercard of Fight Night 36 and while none of them would qualify as household names, there are others that are familiar faces to many. Here’s the important stuff:
Joe Proctor (8-2) vs. Cristiano Marcello (13-5), Lightweight
A pair of teammates from TUF 15 collide in this potential pink slip match. I’d say they both recognize this and it often leads to urgency (translation: fun fight).
Proctor works with Joe Lauzon, but isn’t quite the balls-to-the-wall style fighter of his mentor. Nonetheless, he is aggressive in looking for submissions and owns a solid (not great) wrestling game to supplement it. His striking is wild (though he has tightened it up since he first started) and leaves him open to getting hit. He has some power and can KO his opponent, but more often than not uses his strikes to set up a takedown or submission.
…
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.