“How can we explain the unexplainable?”
When it comes to former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva’s failed drug screenings, Wanderlei Silva thankfully doesn’t really try.
In a short video released to fans, the former PRIDE great preferred to remind supporters of Silva’s many accolades than address his testing positive for anabolic steroid metabolites prior to and following his decision victory over Nick Diaz at UFC 183 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
“We have to understand that this fighter’s legacy will never be changed and can never be touched,” said Silva. “Anderson is the man. He became the man. He is our modern Bruce Lee. We have to understand that all geniuses have a crazy side to them. That is the way he is.
“It will please some and not please others, but it’s his ingeniousness. We must recognize that. No matter what happened, we can’t question his talent. We’ve all seen it with our own eyes.”
Silva’s certainly had his own issues in Las Vegas.
After fleeing a random drug test ahead of a doomed bout with Chael Sonnen at UFC 175 last July, Silva sued the Nevada State Athletic Commission after they handed him a lifetime ban.
“I trained with him for years and he is exceptional, he really can do amazing things. So I am here to support he athlete, always. Anderson, you are our champion. Congratulations for all that you have achieved. You elevated MMA worldwide. You made MMA what is it in Brazil today. All of us MMA fighters must thank you for your brilliance. For the path you walked to give all the athletes a better status.”
Finally, Wanderlei says he believes Silva will make another successful return to fighting.
“Congratulations to you. God bless. And everything will pass. You will come back, just like you already did, in a surprising fashion. I was very happy to see you win. God will bless you again and time moves on. Who knows what will happen once this storm passes? I’ll never doubt Anderson Silva. This will pass and he will comeback [sic] to kick some butts and get that belt back. Who knows?”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Bonuses. Frank Mir was one of four fighters to earn a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus Sunday night in Porto Alegre, Brazil.
‘If they can’t see your cash and prizes, then I’m fine with it.’ UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey discusses her appearance in Sports Illustrated’s swimsuit edition.
‘If she can do that, I can, too.’ Holly Holm explains why Women’s MMA ‘would benefit greatly’ if Ronda Rousey lost.
Wrasslin’. Josh Barnett says he’s fine with CM Punk because MMA is more ‘event’ than ‘sport.’
Longread. Cat Zingano opens up about the final days of her late husband’s life.
MEDIA STEW
Highlights from UFC Fight Night: Porto Alegre.
Training Day: Rousey vs. Zingano. (Part 2 here)
Luke Rockhold chats with Ariel Helwani about his upcoming UFC on FOX 15 fight against Lyoto Machida, his love life, drug testing in MMA, whether he is close to a title shot, his new Adidas deal, and much more.
Highlights from Lion Fight 20.
GSP looking huge.
Ronda tells Conan about the injuries that bother her the most.
Long watches.
UFC Fight Night 61 post-fight press conference
…
JRE – Fight Companion – Feb. 22, 2015
TWEETS
See how the pros reacted to UFC Fight Night: Bigfoot vs. Mir.
A few quick reactions.
WOW!! 9 straight underdog wins tonight on @FOXSports1
— Dana White (@danawhite) February 23, 2015
You should see the other guy ;). Thank you @uniquekennels71 it’s hard finding sponsors and you all awesome! pic.twitter.com/UMVRSzsTKR
— Sean Strickland (@SStricklandMMA) February 23, 2015
I want to thank everyone for the kind words. I had to dig deep tonight and fight from the heart. I love all the… http://t.co/5apsHlEUR4
— Frankie Saenz (@FrankieSaenz) February 23, 2015
We did it @blackzilians @CoachGJones @SantiagoMMA @FollowTheMenace @glennauthentic OSU pic.twitter.com/5Kj3jwq4iV
— Henri Hooft (@henrihooft) February 23, 2015
Thank you twitter world for all the love! Thousands of hours training in the gym, 2 min victory. Praise God! @UFCONFOX @danawhite
— Marion Reneau (@BelizeanBruiser) February 23, 2015
As long as I can refrain from getting punched in the face in the next few days I’ll be alright. #googleMe
— Cody Gibson (@TheRenegade559) February 23, 2015
Soon.
Im 146.5 lbs w a resting heart rate of 45BPM at altitude. Fit,strong, confident & HANGRY! @ufc #thetimeisnow #ufc184 pic.twitter.com/Iu3N0lKfr1
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) February 22, 2015
“@RondaRousey: Final days before I retain my title against @catzingano #andSTILL #UFC184 #rouseyVSzingano #feb28 http://t.co/0xpXVNFs8T” SMH
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) February 22, 2015
Regarding their ban on MMA training.
The #IJF isn’t judo. The judoka are the soul of the art, not the bureaucrats.
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) February 23, 2015
Beefin’.
http://t.co/YxERBl8IOV pic.twitter.com/67bjxltWzn
— Marina Shafir (@MarinaShafir) February 22, 2015
@arielhelwani you want some news @Philippou185UFC stop being a bitch lets do this in Vegas #ufc187
— U R I A H H A L L (@UriahHallMMA) February 21, 2015
Hey you stupid bitch @CMPunk there isn’t even another fight out there for you than me. I stole your hair, your gimmick, even your wife. Lmk.
— MAYHEM (@mayhemmiller) February 22, 2015
Yes @CMPunk you played the role of anti-corporate, BUT I AM ACTUALLY ANTI-CORPORATE. SELL OUT BITCH.
— MAYHEM (@mayhemmiller) February 22, 2015
@Renato_Laranja so I’m just going to assume that you like the ring girls style better. They’re built like teenager boys. Which is Your type.
— Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) February 23, 2015
@Renato_Laranja You didn’t say that!
— Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) February 23, 2015
@Renato_Laranja f*ck YOU, You f*cking f*ck!
— Vinny Magalhaes (@VinnyMMA) February 23, 2015
Yikes.
Okay but we’re all thinking the same thing, right? “Who on tonight’s card is going to test positive for steroids next week?” Any bets?
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) February 23, 2015
OK.
“@RowdyBec: Fake tits… they seem to be the in thing for fighters lately “@pegson: What would you buy wit dat Reebok money ??” Haha!
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) February 22, 2015
For the record, I have nothing against fake boobs. #toeachtheirown
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) February 23, 2015
Damn.
Who wins between #Mayweather & #Pacquiao ? Tim Bradley??!!! Thanks #LAtimes http://t.co/NCxVHBJqXZ pic.twitter.com/SpDJTWetkc
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) February 22, 2015
It’s time!
My son is better than Bruce buffer yo @danawhite sign my son lol #UFC #brucebuffer #impresion… http://t.co/tnypQcPyIc
— Terrion Flash Ware (@flashmma) February 23, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (Feb. 20-22 2015)
John Dodson vs. Zach Makovsky at UFC 187
Hatsu Hioki vs. Daniel Hooker at UFC Fight Night 65: Hunt vs. Miocic
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes via Jet”Streetfighter”Feds.
What Should The UFC Next Look To Improve The Most?
From the The Ultimate Fighter show that started it all (which has now seemingly long overran its course) to inconsistent title shots, it would appear there are various areas the UFC really needs to significantly alter. In the last few months, we hardcore and casual MMA fans have witnessed some drastic turn of events, both possibly good and undeniably bad. In this article, I’d like to explore what areas the UFC should better clarify, outright change, what it has improved, and what it desperately needs to.
Let’s start with the “possibly” good, which is the Reebok deal. According to Dana White, the money from the deal with Reebok (worth $70 million) is supposedly to be distributed to the fighters, extra pay contingent on how a fighter is ranked. Apparently the #1-5 guys will get more than then #6-10 and, in turn, this group will get more than the #11-15. Sounds fair right? What we don’t know however is the pay scale itself, specifically “What are these fighters in these positions actually going to be compensated?”
…
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.