After dropping his title to Anthony Pettis at UFC 164 in August, it sounds like former lightweight champion Ben Henderson will be taking some time off before returning to action.
As reported by Ariel Helwani on Wednesday's UFC Tonight, Henderson is eyeing February 2014 as a possible return window. According to his manager, Malki Kawa, Henderson doesn't have a specific opponent in mind, but wants 'someone who puts them back into the title picture.'
Henderson, who was armbarred into submission by Pettis, seemed to be in agony following the bout, unable to even fully put his arm into his shirt sleeve at the post-fight press conference. Initially cleared by Dr. Brian Shafer, an elbow specialist, Henderson was told he suffered only a minor injury with no real structural damage.
"My elbow isn't going to be an issue," Henderson said in a statement. "Dr. Shafer said I can resume training immediately, but to take it slow and steady for a couple of weeks and do my rehab work. Of course, I am anxious to get going full speed again but I will be smart and patient about it as well."
Of course, each fighter's situation is unique, but keep in mind the UFC doesn't have a tendency to rush dethroned champions back into action. Cain Velasquez (six months), Junior dos Santos (six months), Mauricio Rua (five months) and Anderson Silva (six months) have all had lengthy layoffs after losing their straps.
4 MUST-READ STORIES
Scrums. Check out a plethora of great Dana White scrum videos from the UFC's media tour stop in Las Vegas. Dana talks Sonnen vs. Silva, Tito Ortiz and his 'super friends,' and Jones vs. Gustafsson 2.
Decisive win. After exhaling from Saturday night's main event, Jon Jones now feels his win over Alexander Gustafsson was decisive, making him weary of a future rematch. Instead, he'd rather move forward to the next challenge.
Cyborg. Cris Cyborg believes Ronda Rousey is 'mentally sick,' while saying she'd like to fight her in a non-title catchweight bout. "If I keep knocking people out, nothing will hide what I'm doing. (Dana White) won't stop me. Every MMA fan wants to watch to see me in the UFC."
WADA? VADA? An upset Georges St-Pierre tries to set the record straight on the hectic back and forth between he and Johny Hendricks on independent drug screenings. "I wanted to prove to the world that you can be the world champion without using steroids. I've never used steroids in my life, and I wanted to make a point for myself."
MEDIA STEW
Free Fight: Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez.
Dana White interview in Studio Q.
Cain Velasquez talks Junior Dos Santos and Jon Jones.
Rampage vs. Tito Bellator spot.
GLORY 11 Chicago - Tyrone Spong pre-fight Interview.
Harry McLeman vs. Matt Hallam at BAMMA 13.
Fightland chats with Javier Mendez.
TWEETS
Good news.
Just got back from a MRI, Great news! my foot is not broken or fractured.. Focusing on a full recovery
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) September 25, 2013
Sounds good to me.
This fight should decide who the next challenger for the belt, I'm ready for this fight in 2014, let's... http://t.co/K3hLUXe8el
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) September 26, 2013
There's a lot more to this but ... don't hurt yourself.
My girl hacked my email and read an email to my deported ex wife and is now fucking pissed. Is there any doubt to y'all that I love CM..Wtf?
— War Machine (@WarMachine170) September 26, 2013
Hey everyone, Jon doesn't love me and he only allows me to be on his shorts when he fights because I give him money.
— Christy Mack (@ChristyMack) September 26, 2013
Respect the cane.
Went LIVE at @FOXSports1 on @UFCTonight with @sonnench and @kennyflorian!! Talkin ass-whoopings and custom fittings!! pic.twitter.com/T1re1PX7cH
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) September 26, 2013
Hang in there.
Going crazy not hitting shit for two weeks.
— Erik Jon Koch (@NEWBREED04) September 25, 2013
Really.
How the F&$k do people keep adding me on Google+ when I don't even have a Google+acct? Oh & BTW, I'm also not accepting your LinkedIn invite
— Yves Edwards (@thugjitsumaster) September 25, 2013
Muddy.
Post Tough Mudder brews... pic.twitter.com/ye8lA80qRq
— Marcelino Evil (@KCBanditMMA) September 25, 2013
Very cool.
At the Children's Miami hospital visiting the Kids! pic.twitter.com/z4RFQPg9IH
— Hector Lombard (@HectorLombard) September 25, 2013
Plan accordingly.
So now im fighting October 18 in Iowa vs Joe Vedepo. @BellatorMMA
— kendallgrovemma (@kendallgrovemma) September 25, 2013
TUF reactions. <<SPOILER ALERT>>
And now you know why I refer to Edmond as a background tough guy, great terminology learned from @DennisHallman
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) September 26, 2013
Crazy finish and great fight! Both TUF as nails
— Cody Bollinger (@CodyBollinger) September 26, 2013
Wow! These girls went hard. Congrats to @JessRakoczy. @Roxyfighter fought her heart out. Very touching after the fight. @TUFonFS1
— Chris Holdsworth (@holdsworth135) September 26, 2013
The Ultimate Fighter... So much crying.
— Joshua Burkman (@JoshBurkman) September 26, 2013
Feel for Roxy, Rakoczy is a class act #TUF18
— Kaitlin Young (@kaitlin_young) September 26, 2013
#TeamRousey gains control!!! #TUFonFs1
— Chris Holdsworth (@holdsworth135) September 26, 2013
Well, technically, she's a vet, too. In boxing. RT @WMMANews Damn so ouch for the vets
— Roxanne Modafferi (@Roxyfighter) September 26, 2013
After Jessica helped me up, in Japanese I screamed, "I'm sorry, everyone. I did my best!"
— Roxanne Modafferi (@Roxyfighter) September 26, 2013
Did @RondaRousey just smile at my girls pain???
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) September 26, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Sept. 25 2013)
Dennis Siver vs. Manny Gamburyan at UFC 168
Rony Jason vs. Jeremy Stephens at UFC Fight Night 32
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via Connor Ruebusch.
Heavy Hands 3: Jon Jones and the First Line of Defense
Episode 3 of Heavy Hands, and this time we're talking about Jon Jones' epic fight with Alexander Gustafsson: what Jones could have done better, and why he allowed Gustafsson to outbox him so thoroughly.
Then, I spend the rest of the episode discussing a concept I call "the first line of defense." In other words, I break down the various methods that fighters have at their disposal to defend themselves, and which one is the most important to have in place.
...
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.