In case you hadn’t heard, Chael Sonnen really, really wants to fight Wanderlei Silva.
Sonnen called out “The Ax Murderer” on television, Twitter, and even issued a 24-hour deadline for Silva to accept his challenge in recent weeks. The deadline ultimately came and went, and through it all Silva mostly remained mum on the subject. But that ended in magnificent fashion on Tuesday.
“Jon Jones and Anderson (Silva) have been too nice to Chael. I want to suck his blood. I want to smell it. Not just fight. Not just fight. I want to hurt him,” Silva said to MMAFighting.com’s Ariel Helwani (via UFC Tonight).
“Chael is a joke, man. He is going to be second forever. He is never going to be first.”
Silva went on state that “of course” he wanted to take Sonnen up on his challenge, before laughing heartily and loudly, sarcastically adding, “I’m not going sleep tonight.
“I am just waiting for the UFC. That’s all I want to say.”
A tirade like that put Sonnen on the spot, but of course the pride of West Linn didn’t skip a beat.
“Well I think the real breaking news there is that Wanderlei Silva put together a coherent sentence that somebody understood,” Sonnen shot back. “But I can assure you, Wanderlei, I will not be signing a contract for you to suck on any part of me. I suggest you go to a bath and find yourself.”
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Sonnen vs. Silva. Like clockwork, Wanderlei Silva accepted Chael Sonnen’s challenge on UFC Tonight, but not before spitting some bizarrely hot fire. The best line: “I want to suck his blood. I want to smell it. Not just fight. Not just fight. I want to hurt him.”
A look at the UFC contract. Several notable figures in mixed martial arts, including UFC President Dana White, UFC owner Lorenzo Fertitta and former two-division UFC champion Randy Couture, analyzed the intricacies of UFC contracts. A lengthy, but highly recommended read for all fight fans.
Hunt visa issues continue. UFC 160 co-main event fighter Mark Hunt continued to work through his visa issues, stating on a Tuesday media conference call that he, “should be clear to fly sometime tomorrow, tonight, whenever.” Regardless, UFC officials asked heavyweight contender Roy Nelson to apply for a license to fight Junior dos Santos in the co-main event of UFC 160 in case Hunt is unable to resolve the situation.
WSOF schedules tourney. World Series of Fighting plans to stage a four-man tournament to crown it’s inaugural middleweight champion. Jesse Taylor, Dave Branch, Danilo Villefort and Elvis Mutapcic will compete in the bracket, with the first semi-final fight taking place at WSOF 4 on August 10, and the second taking place at WSOF 5 in September. The finals are expected to be held in December.
Healy popped for marijuana. Lightweight contender Pat Healy tested positive for marijuana in a UFC 159 post-fight drug test. Healy’s third-round victory over Jim Miller has been overturned into a ‘no contest.’ Additionally, Healy received a 90-day suspension and has been forced to forfeit $130,000 in bonus cash.
MEDIA STEW
It’s falling under the radar, but don’t sleep on ‘Jacare’ Souza. The former Strikeforce champ makes his UFC debut this weekend.
Six fighters in. Two spots left. The quarterfinals are finalized on the latest subtitled episode of TUF Brazil 2. (Click to watch.)
For today’s daily dose of regional action, Justin Buchholz makes Emanuel Newton proud. (Jump to 1:55 to see the beginning of the end.)
Video mixtape! (It’s like a rap battle, but with a lot more violence.) So, folks, who wins this one?
Joe Lauzon, a man of the people.
Okay, this clip is titled “Worst MMA Fighter in the World.” My mother always told me If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. So, I guess, here’s this:
A PROPOSITION
If not Mir how do the fans feel about a rubber match to finalize the trilogy between me and Noguiera? I’m game to end it w/Big Nog. @ufc
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) May 14, 2013
NEW SPONSOR?
“@themmapodcast: @theantjimmyshowCongrats on the Coca-Cola deal, Uncle C! @sonnench” Tnx- couldn’t have happened to a better guy.
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) May 15, 2013
INVICTA UPDATE
The decision was overturned to a NC! Thank you to all my friends and fans who supported me. #gunclub facebook.com/jessamynduke/p…
— Jessamyn Duke (@jessamynduke) May 14, 2013
THE BOSS BITES BACK
@kandywilson money can get u a better bleach job for that hair and u might be able to get those nasty crossed eyes fixed.
— Dana White (@danawhite) May 15, 2013
@kandywilson u might be attractive by “southern Indiana” standards but welcome to the rest of the world. That nappy hay hair has gotta go!!
— Dana White (@danawhite) May 15, 2013
@kandywilson with hair like yours you should keep your options open! Shaving it might be the only way to fix it. Is that even a color?
— Dana White (@danawhite) May 15, 2013
WINNER
If you ever have something illegal on you, and are getting pulled over by the cops, just shove it up your butt. Don’t risk it. #REALTALK
— War Machine (@WarMachine170) May 14, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Tuesday, May 13, 2013):
- N/A
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes to us from EthanRubyMMA, who optimistically looks ahead to: 5 fights for Josh Barnett in the UFC
Josh Barnett has recently expressed the want to sign with the UFC and finish his long storied career where he started it. These are 5 fights for “The war-master” to cement his legacy with.
5. Roy Nelson
Josh Barnett vs. Roy Nelson could go of two ways, an instant slugfest on the feet or a spirited ground exchange. Now “Big Country” as of late hasn’t shown his ground skills but none the less their there, this combined with his striking credentials and we could have a great fight between the two veterans of the sport.
4. Travis Browne
Browne is one of the hottest prospects in the heavyweight division with the only bump on his record coming from the No.1 contender Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva with him losing after tearing his hamstring in the first round. A win over Browne for “The war-master” would be a great first fight back in the UFC. For Browne it would do wonders for his career with a win over a highly regarded veteran in Barnett.
3. Loser of Werdum vs. Nogueira
Barnett with 19 submission wins in his career is no slouch on the ground and neither is Fabrico Werdum. A fight between these two would be won an exciting exchange on the ground which is something we’re not used to seeing in the heavyweight division. A fight between Nogueira and barnett would be an end to a trilogy that started in Pride and a fitting one at that. With each man taking a win in their past 2 battles a third in the ufc would be a perfect end.
2. Alistair Overeem
Coming off a loss to Antonio Silva, Overeem will be looking for a good bounce back fight later this year. With Barnett looking to sign with the UFC the timing couldn’t be more perfect. A match between these two would be the perfect striker vs. grappler.
1. Frank Mir
This is a match up we could have already seen, if Barnett wasn’t stripped of the title in ’02 these two could have fought with a belt potentially on the line. But better late than never, both known for their skills on the mat this fight would certainly end before the final bell.
Found something you’d like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me on Twitter @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s column.