Yesterday we literally posted Tweets from UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones where he expressed confusion and probably a shade of dismay at the possibility of facing either Shogun Rua or Brandon Vera in a future title defense. Jones wasn’t alone. The rest of the MMA community expressed similar sentiment. UFC President Dana White heard the complaints, so opened the door to a title shot for any of the four light heavyweights at UFC on Fox 4 who win and impress the most. That’s better, although still far from perfect.
Speaking of Jones, his army of detractors were probably angry to find out the New York resident won’t face jail time for his DWI charges incurred back in May. That isn’t to say he got off scot free. I wouldn’t want to take a breathalyzer every time I needed to start my car. At a minimum that’s incredibly annoying.
So, dive on into today’s Morning Report. We’ve got top headlines, video of Ronda Rousey spilling the beans on TMZ, a Tyrone Spong trailer, John Alessio’s candid Tweets and much more.
FIVE MUST-READ STORIES
Dana White says Bader vs. Machida also in title shot sweepstakes. Due to backlash from fans and media, the UFC President decided to give the co-main event winner at UFC on FOX 4 the possibility of earning a fight with the eventual UFC light heavyweight champion.
Georges St. Pierre could begin training camp in August. Which, if true, means he’s on target for his November timeline he’s stuck to since the surgery.
Greco-Roman 60kg and 66kg Olympic preview. Mike Riordan is the best writer in MMA covering wrestling and his previews are second to none. Get squared away on what to expect before wrestling kicks off this Sunday.
Dan Henderson claims he’s going to put Jon Jones on his back. Could be bluster. Could be a real threat. Could never happen, but it certainly makes for an intriguing possibility if he can make it happen.
Jon Jones sentenced in DWI case. He won’t serve jail time, although he has to pay a fine and can’t drive any of his cars until a breathalyzer allows the engine to start.
MEDIA STEW
Dana White released the first (and probably only) video blog for Saturday’s UFC on FOX 4 event:
UFC light heavyweight Phil Davis is in a Sprite commercial. You should watch it:
Legends of the UFC gather to talk old memories and current issues. This is only one part of many videos. For the rest of this series, go to Bloody Elbow:
There’s a new trailer out for kickboxer Tyrone Spong. It’s pretty good:
Yours truly, Stephen Bonnar, Nate Quarry and Craig Carton discuss the implications of the proposed ABC rule changes to professional MMA:
WINNING > BEING EXCITING
My ufc employment has been terminated, im very upset!! Now what?? I tried so hard to be entertaining that I forgot to just win, this sucks!!
— John Alessio (@johnalessio79) July 31, 2012
I JUST RIDE A BIKE WHEN I FEEL LIKE THIS
My toy 4 days when I miss my child hood instagr.am/p/NxEcUgP_I-/
— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) August 1, 2012
NOT SURE WHAT THIS IS
@jens_pulver it’s the before picture.— MarloesCoenen (@MarloesCoenen) July 31, 2012
THEY’RE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS?
If
@ufc can make a superfight with Anderson and James Irvin why not this? twitter.com/CesarGracieBJJ…— Cesar Gracie (@CesarGracieBJJ) July 31, 2012
DMV =/= DC, MARYLAND, VIRGINIA
Back to the DMV. The more time you spend at the DMV the less of a soul you have.
— Jason High (@KCBanditMMA) July 31, 2012
RENZO IS MR. CLEAN
“
@seanmcclureky:How much are you actually at a gym a day?”all depends, lately a lot since I want to fight again, average 4 showers a day— Renzo_Gracie_BJJ (@RenzoGracieBJJ) August 1, 2012
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s FanPost of the Day comes from gspmademegay who channels his inner Chael Sonnen and take UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva to task for not accepting fights with Chris Weidman or Alan Belcher sooner:
We remember you running from Demian Maia, recognizing his superiority over you. We remember you being mercillessly beaten by Chael Sonnen in Oakland; we delighted in your suffering. We watched you eke out controversial victories against Vitor Belfort and Yushin Okami. We remember you ducking a Sonnen rematch, until finally being forced to fight, then meekly resisting a takedown and laying limply under the superior Sonnen.
And now? Now you’re ducking Jon Jones, a man just a scant 13 years younger than you, who for some reason looks up to you and considers you a friend. Youre ducking Chris Weidman, who, when you do finally fight, you’ll undoubtedly have to resort to more silly, unheard-of finishing methods. Or just knock him out quick with yet another preposterous fucking JAB.
The Seven see through you, Anderson Silva. We’re online, raging against the false greatness, transendence, creativity, longetivity, durability, and God-like brilliance you’ve tricked tens of millions of people into falsely perceiving. We demand that you fight Weidman, and after you luckily beat him, Jones, and after you luckily beat him, JDS or Cain or Overeem. Anyone, really, who will finally expose you for what you are: weak and ordinary and fallable and human. Just like us, the H.A.T.E.R.S.