Feb 9, 2012 - Cesar Gracie is either a marketing genius or Nick Diaz is serious about this whole retirement thing. Either way, no one really appears to know what's going on. So while the UFC treads water in welterweight limbo, catch up on everything else MMA has to offer with the Morning Report.
5 MUST-READ STORIES TO START YOUR DAY
Cesar Gracie says Diaz vs. Condit rematch not happening. "There will be no rematch," Gracie revealed. "I can't do anything. Quote that if you want to."
Dustin Poirier and Korean Zombie spar on Twitter. Two of the UFC's fastest rising featherweights appear to be on a collision course after exchanging jabs online.
Top-10 welterweights: Carlos Condit creeps up on GSP. In light of the ongoing Condit-Diaz drama, Michel David Smith runs down the top-10 for MMA's 170-pound division.
Cung Le tops UFC Twitter bonuses. Zuffa's quarterly Twitter awards feel slightly less Brazilian this time around.
Ronda Rousey interview. Ariel Helwani talks to Rousey about her newfound stardom, psychological warfare, and Miesha Tate's grappling credentials.
YESTERDAY'S MEDIA GUMBO
Alistair Overeem is good at many things, but using those monstrous Dutch hands to unsnap bra straps is apparently not among them. Fairly SFW, but use your best judgement. (HT: Reddit)
Our own Luke Thomas examines whether Nick Diaz was robbed at UFC 143.
A look back to when Jake Ellenberger was barely "The Juggernaut" and Dan Henderson was "Hollywood."
Anderson Silva lands almost every shot on a sparring partner while Freddie Roach tosses advice from the corner.
UFC ring girl Arianny Celeste strips down in this (somewhat SFW) photo shoot with Complex Magazine.
UFC President Dana White rips the athletic commissions in his inaugural presidential address.
Looks like we'll see Cung Le in action at least one more time.
"@T_Webb_31: Cung Le any chance we see you back in the @ufc :) a thank you to your fans perhaps" that's my plans this year!
— Cung Le (@CungLe185) February 8, 2012
K.J. Noons, keeping it real.
Fighters get instant rematches if you cry like a baby. Can I get rematch too w diaz if i cry like a b***h? @danawhite @lorenzofertitta @ufc
— KJ Noons (@kjnoons) February 8, 2012
Someone is a little bitter.
Breaking news! Giselle purchases the Giants. Brandon Jacobs gets fired.
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) February 8, 2012
I'm sure Kenny would disagree with you there.
Peyton > Eli...there I said it, been wanting to get that off my chest...
— Benson Henderson (@SMOOTHone155) February 8, 2012
Chael wastes no time coming out swinging.
When I want your advice I'll beat it out of you, Stupid. Now go back to singing to hamburgers and telling Segal he's legit.
— chael sonnen (@sonnench) February 8, 2012
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Here's what was announced yesterday (Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012):
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's FPOTD belongs to BE reader Monte Fisto: Diaz v. Condit and the Rule of 'Trembling Shock.'
A blow that lands with trembling shock is a blow that moves the target: stops them in their tracks, snaps their head back, knocks the wind out of them, etc. As someone who has scored competitions, I was looking for blows that would damage an unprotected opponent (or even better, those that actually managed to damage a protected opponent).
...
What I saw in that fight was Nick Diaz -- especially in the first two rounds, and even, to some extent in the third -- repeatedly landing "trembling shock" blows (both to the body and head) and Condit landing very, very few comparable shots (he started to pop a few off in the third and especially the fourth).
Found something entertaining, brutal, or just plain bizarre for the Morning Report? Send it to @shaunalshatti and we'll include it in tomorrow's post.
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Comments
Shaun's doing a great job with these
But they can always be improved. I like the new addition of fight vids to it. Anyone else got any recommendations on how this can be improved?
Follow @SBNLukeThomas
by Luke Thomas on Feb 9, 2012 8:27 AM EST reply actions
Completely agree.
If there’s anything you guys would like to see more or less of, please let me know.
Follow @shaunalshatti
by Shaun Al-Shatti on Feb 9, 2012 10:05 AM EST up reply actions
I'm digging this one
nice mix of news and fun.
Follow me on Twitter @KidNate
by Nate Wilcox on Feb 9, 2012 10:16 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
I'm digging it too
This is going to be my go-to place to find out what’s going on in the MMA world first thing in the morning.
by Michael David Smith on Feb 9, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions
i think the morning report is great.
My fav is the fanpost you have added. I wouldn’t know about these if you didn’t put them here.
by XingYi on Feb 9, 2012 9:17 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Thanks!
Follow @shaunalshatti
by Shaun Al-Shatti on Feb 9, 2012 10:15 AM EST up reply actions
Very surprised
that you haven’t heard about Nick’s very likely suspension for testing positive for marijuana.
by ZeeRho on Feb 9, 2012 9:18 AM EST reply actions
What ?
i cant find anything like that and if your trolling that shit is no bueno
The site is turning out great i used to just check out the interviews but that anderson footage was pretty cool.
by shonuffla on Feb 9, 2012 9:56 AM EST up reply actions
Front Row Brian
on Twitter is reporting that this is the case. He is a very reliable source of info and is always breaking stories before they hit the major news outlets. Check him out for solid MMA/boxing breaking news!
by ZeeRho on Feb 9, 2012 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
That Anderson footage was so cool
Gives you a peek of what his straight up boxing style looks like. And it looks GOOD lol
by Rob2507 on Feb 9, 2012 1:56 PM EST up reply actions
Good
Diaz has had multiple shots and blew it. Feed him to Fitch or Kos.
by DocCassidy on Feb 9, 2012 10:04 AM EST reply actions
Great morning report
What does everybody think about matching up Cung Le with Mayhem Miller next? good matchup or no?
by Rob2507 on Feb 9, 2012 10:52 AM EST reply actions
Diaz can't even "play the game" they want him to win
He has lost some close ones in the past and maybe this one was just the last straw. However, the fact is he lost that last fight. The blame goes squarely on his shoulders nd those of Gracie. They baby this guy and don’t keep it real with him. They don’t encourage him to adjust to guys and when things didn’t go his way he complained and Gracie and co mimicked him. He relies in the fact that he’s tough and he comes to fight. Well so does Rampage Nicky boy. But you gotta be honest with yourself. He probably thinks he won a landslide
by Bigs- on Feb 9, 2012 11:07 AM EST reply actions
Gracie and Diaz will probably say yes eventually.
1-Either it’s a tactic to say no at first in order to better negotiate or
2-they are a little bit embarrassed for crying “injustice” more than its fair share and having their demand accepted so quickly
by mmafighter1969 on Feb 9, 2012 11:18 AM EST reply actions
neither
Nick tested positive for marijuana, he can’t compete for up to a year. NSAC will be releasing something shortly.
by ZeeRho on Feb 9, 2012 11:29 AM EST up reply actions
OMFG!!!
Are you serious? Where did you learn about this? Please, tell me.
by DX OX on Feb 9, 2012 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
Check out @FrontRowBrian on twitter
He is always breaking MMA stories before they hit the major outlets and he is always right.
by ZeeRho on Feb 9, 2012 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
Cause marijuana is such a performance enhancing drug..
by grizzly907 on Feb 9, 2012 1:29 PM EST up reply actions
I know how you feel
Pot shouldn’t be on the banned substances list but it is and Nick knew the rules.
by ZeeRho on Feb 9, 2012 3:04 PM EST up reply actions
Nice job
The Silva piece was great the rest was cool.Can we hear a lot more shouts for Condit now he has stood up and is willing to take the rematch….
by GizMo,s BAcK on Feb 9, 2012 11:36 AM EST reply actions
there is no rematch
Cesar Gracie has confirmed the fight isn’t happening, it will be released by the NSAC before the end of the week that Nick tested positive for marijuana.
by ZeeRho on Feb 9, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
Maybe thats the case
But Condit acccepted rematch first time he was asked by Dana i believe…
by GizMo,s BAcK on Feb 9, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
You are right
Both camps accepted the rematch but then the NSAC contacted Cesar and Nick and told them about the positive test results so the fight is not happening. Supposedly Dana will try and convince Carlos to fight someone before GSP when they meet in Vegas tomorrow but Condit’s camp still wants to wait for GSP
by ZeeRho on Feb 9, 2012 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
Not a smart move
Just a long line of wrestlers out there he might aswell wait ,Maybe kampmann if he wins…
by GizMo,s BAcK on Feb 9, 2012 11:45 AM EST up reply actions
Or Ellenberger
As he is a legit contender if he gets past Diego and Condit has already beat him once (albeit in a close decision)
by ZeeRho on Feb 9, 2012 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah
Rather see the winner of that fight go on to challenge Kos.Form Condit,s point it seems best to wait instead of risk losing,Hats of to him for accepting Diaz rematch tho…..
by GizMo,s BAcK on Feb 9, 2012 12:04 PM EST up reply actions
Good call
If Ellenberger can get past Shields, Sanchez and Kos, no one could argue against him being the next guy in line.
by ZeeRho on Feb 9, 2012 3:03 PM EST up reply actions
Dammit, if thats true you know so many people will make a stupid joke about Nick being stoned during the Condit fight lol I can already see the comments
by Rob2507 on Feb 9, 2012 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
Pot and paranoia . . .
It would explain Diaz’s distracted manner in, well, every interview. “Who’s Behind Me?!?!” “Is that cockroach looking at me?!?!” “Can I smoke Helwani’s shoes?”
by REMurph on Feb 9, 2012 1:19 PM EST up reply actions
As someone who smokes weed I find that mildly offensive… lol all pot smokers aren’t retarded… and Nick has social anxiety that’s why he’s so awkward in interviews
by Rob2507 on Feb 9, 2012 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
The career path Diaz has chosen, competition athletics, does not allow him to use marijuana. He therefore has a skewed, daresay “retarded” view of reality. He cannot provide for himself in the manner he has chosen and shown proficiency in while enjoying marijuana. It has not enhanced his life, but detracted from it. If his use of marijuana has damaged his opportunity in one area of life, where is the proof that it is not detrimental to the management of social anxiety as well?
by REMurph on Feb 9, 2012 1:58 PM EST up reply actions
With social anxiety usually comes depression, which Nick obviously has. I’m guessing he uses marijuana to manage his depression, which you’re right, is definitely detrimental to his management of social anxiety(and depression) as a whole. I just wanted to make the point that there are incredibly gifted athletes who smoke marijuana, and I wouldn’t want people to hate on Diaz’s skills because he smokes weed. Weed is not a performance enhancing drug by any means, and if Nick can accomplish all that he has while occasionally smoking weed, I completely respect that. It is still illegal however, and if he tests positive he should face the consequences. I feel bad for Nick, there’s a reason he acts the way he does, and it’s a lot of factors and experiences that we have no idea about and have no right to pass judgement. He’s just a tortured soul lookin for peace
by Rob2507 on Feb 9, 2012 2:22 PM EST up reply actions
You're absolutely right
and from what I know, Nick has a license to smoke in California for his social anxiety disorder but at the end of the day, rules are rules and Nick knew what he needed to do to pass these tests.
by ZeeRho on Feb 9, 2012 3:01 PM EST up reply actions
Good! Hope he goes back to strikeforce
Im not a fan of Diaz, I know this is combat sport but you gotta make an effort to carry yourself as a professional. It sucks that a lot of fans eat this shiit up, his antics and what not. Condit was about to get royally screwed by the brass, he won the first fight by UNANIMOUS DECISION!! Let’s move on people, Condit deserves the title shot and Dana is just mad he couldn’t make 1 fight happen, if anything why can’t Diaz wait after GSP vs Condit.
by iboneu89 on Feb 9, 2012 12:00 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Late Tuesday: Condits camp suddenly accepts rematch, mins later Caesar says its not happening?
how does condits agent stands firm on NO rematch and within an hour tweets that they accept rematch. then thereafter, mins later casear says i wont happen due to unkonwn. did condits camp already know something?
- wtfunk
by magnus_00 on Feb 9, 2012 12:29 PM EST reply actions
Read the other posts before posting my friend
Nick and Condit both verbally agreed to rematch then Gracie camp found out hours later that the test was positive.
by ZeeRho on Feb 9, 2012 3:02 PM EST up reply actions
DOH!
I STAND CORRECTED.
by magnus_00 on Feb 9, 2012 5:56 PM EST up reply actions
captain cannibis goes up in smoke.
unfriggin-believable!!!
this is total poetic justice, what a waste of talent.
look, don’t get me wrong, i really like diaz, as he has been one of my favorites for awhile, however, if all this is true….then, he will cement his legacy as the least mature athlete in sports.
who-tf takes a chance smoking weed with the consequences of killing your career. really really stupid.
good thing he didn’t win.
now all his fan-boys can take a hit too and then blow themselves.
i’m not a fan of losers whinning like he did……he is without a doubt his own worst enemy.
to lose with dignity is more important than winning without.
by neozoo on Feb 9, 2012 1:20 PM EST reply actions
Sure,it could be Diaz.It could just as easily be Pierce...perhaps he was on steroids against Kos.Or maybe it's even Condit and THAT is why there won't be a rematch...who knows?Not us,not yet.
by dh3240 on Feb 9, 2012 3:25 PM EST up reply actions
You were saying?
As I said before, you are trying waaaay to hard to justify Nick’s behavior.
"Alistair Overeem is a Dutch kickboxer who looks like someone at Marvel comics drew a man genetically engineered to fuck your girlfriend."
Hendo/Bisping:
"He hit him so hard that even gravity got scared. Bisping hung in mid-air for a moment while gravity screamed at inertia, "Did you see that shit!?" Then, after a high five, the two universal forces quit screwing around and yanked Bisping's limp body onto the floor." - quotes are by Seanbaby
by superfknmario_ on Feb 9, 2012 7:39 PM EST up reply actions
Great Fanpost Pick
I’m not resting until I’m officially Anderson Silva status.- Jon "Bones" Jones
by AfroSamurai on Feb 9, 2012 2:27 PM EST reply actions
What is with all these "pro" journalists...
… who cannot get “Diaz” and “Condit” straight… In the video he says he gives 1, 3, and 4 to Diaz, and 2 and 5 to …. Diaz, again… oops.
Who? What?
by Spoiler on Feb 9, 2012 7:19 PM EST reply actions
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