This Saturday, Thiago Santos will get his shot at UFC gold when he takes on Jon Jones in the main event of UFC 239. It’s a tall order for Santos. Jones is among the greatest fighters of all time and comes into this fight riding a 16-fight unbeaten streak. Fortunately, Thiago Santos can get some advice on how to win the belt from a guy who has been in there with Jones twice before.
Speaking recently with MMAJunkie Radio (h/t MMANews), UFC heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier had some words of wisdom for Santos heading into his title fight against arguably the Greatest of All Time.
“I think Santos needs to go in there and fight his fight,” Cormier said. “Don’t think about what he has to do different than everybody else, what he needs to do to be better. Just fight your fight. Don’t worry about all that other stuff. All that other stuff is just white noise. Worry about Thiago Santos and give yourself a chance.”
That’s sound advice for Santos as most people are giving “Marreta” little chance of pulling off the upset. In fact, oddsmakers have Jones listed as a -600 favorite for Saturday and Cormier agrees in principle. Cormier has fought Jones twice, losing a unanimous decision the first time and getting knocked out with a head kick in their rematch; however, that result was overturned after Jones tested positive for a banned substance. But having functionally lost to Jones twice now, Cormier knows just how difficult a night Santos has ahead of him.
“It’s a tall order for him,” Cormier said. “It’s gonna be a tough fight for him. I saw them standing face to face the other day, and I thought Santos was a little bigger. He’s not as tall as I thought he was and I think he’ll realize early how difficult it is to deal with Jones’s length.”
Jones is two inches taller than Santos and will carry an eight-inch reach advantage into their fight. Those advantages proved difficult for Cormier to overcome. That doesn’t matter to Santos though who plans to “shock the world”.
UFC 239 takes place in the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV this Saturday.
MUST-READ STORIES
Focus. Amanda Nunes ignores talk of Cris Cyborg, Valentina Shevchenko ahead of UFC 239.
Focus. As last fight of UFC contract draws near, Cris Cyborg keeps focus on Felicia Spencer.
Contracts. Manager rips regional promotion for not allowing fighter out of contract to fight in the UFC.
Wrasslin. Cain Velasquez’s first pro wrestling match announced for August.
Tournament. Trio of PFL playoff events to take place in Las Vegas in October.
VIDEO STEW
Embedded 2.
UFC Connected.
Top 5 finishes of Amanda Nunes.
DC and Jon.
Rockhold really is a sensational grappler.
LISTEN UP
Eurobash. Interviews with Jai Herbert and James Webb.
Fights Gone By. Jack Slack reflects on Francis Ngannou killing another heavyweight.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Boss Logic has moved up in the world.
Fitting that @Bosslogic is a literal boss. #SpiderManFarFromHome, now in theaters. pic.twitter.com/EwfHVj1CG6
— Spider-Man: Far From Home (@SpiderManMovie) July 2, 2019
Askren.
I don’t need to say anything to @PaulMalignaggi he already got embarrassed bad enough by Artem. https://t.co/O7Hb53OqLy
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) July 2, 2019
Very cool.
My Bantamweight belt plaque has officially arrived. Thank you @bixlerofficial for making this special. #TripleC pic.twitter.com/xfL5QCiXQs
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 3, 2019
It’s a weird and cool sponsorship. But we all know Krispy Kreme is that fire.
Cris Cyborg hanging out with her new friends @dunkindonuts. pic.twitter.com/TUeqgCsKZg
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) July 2, 2019
Olive branch.
@PetrYanUFC beers??
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) July 2, 2019
The latest bottle cap entries.
Too easy #BottleCapChallenge@ufc pic.twitter.com/PnE3mMzksc
— Ricky Simón (@RickySimonUFC) July 3, 2019
Well... pic.twitter.com/jrSTl7iyFV
— Bonecrusher ☠️ (@Marc_Diakiese) July 2, 2019
Johnny Walker starting a new challenge, except the part where you can’t actually see what happens.
Bare Knuckle is already starting a Hall of Fame?
The @BKBHOF Induction Ceremony is being held July 12th I’m really sad i won’t be able to attend but feel really honoured to be inducted into the Hall of Fame I’ve decided to donate my broken tooth that i had punched out in my last title defence against Cecilia Flores to @BKBHOF pic.twitter.com/4590GKzE8M
— Bec Rawlings (@RowdyBec) July 3, 2019
Nick Newell ready to race for slips.
I'll be in town & I'm renting a Toyota Carolla if you tryin to fuck around & race for pinks https://t.co/HZE8ptk3pJ pic.twitter.com/EAxmG5PJty
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) July 3, 2019
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Marlon Vera (15-5-1) vs. Nohelin Hernandez (10-2); UFC 239, July 6.
Pam Sorenson (7-3) vs. Kaitlin Young (10-9-1); Invicta FC 36, Aug. 9.
Vicente Luque (16-6-1) vs. Mike Perry (13-4); UFC Uruguay, Aug. 10.
James Gallagher (9-1) vs. Call Ellenor (8-2); Bellator Dublin, Sept. 27.
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2010: Brock Lesnar successfully defended his heavyweight title, unifying the belts with a second-round arm-triangle choke of Shane Carwin at UFC 116.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Just a heads up, this will be the final Morning Report of this week. Thanks for reading, enjoy the fights, happy 4th, and see y’all on Monday.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Who wins this weekend?
This poll is closed
-
79%
Jon Jones
-
20%
Thiago Santos
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it! Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, and like us on Facebook!