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It sounds like Fabricio Werdum's inactivity isn't sitting well with the UFC. According to Ariel Helwani's report Wednesday night on FOX Sports Live, UFC president Dana White would like to see the heavyweight No. 1 contender pressed into action sooner than later. With UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez said to be shelved for much of 2014 after undergoing shoulder surgery Tuesday, UFC brass would like Werdum paired with the winner of Josh Barnett vs. Travis Browne later this month at UFC 168.
Barnett returns after a vicious first-round stoppage over Frank Mir at UFC 164 in August, while Browne scored an equally brutal KO over former K-1 grand prix champion Alistair Overeem the same month at UFC Fight Night 26. Werdum hasn't competed since early June where he submitted Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC on FUEL TV 10, avenging an earlier loss from a 2006 bout in PRIDE.
Oddly enough, former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos believes he could be next for either Browne or Barnett, saying earlier this week he believed that fight would make the most sense for the division. "I don't know what's next for me, and I don't choose opponents," dos Santos said. "I'll be ready for anyone, but I believe my next opponent can be either Josh Barnett or Travis Bowne."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Welcome the strawweights. The UFC has announced the creation of its 115 pound women's division which will serve as the cast of the 20th season of The Ultimate Fighter. "The 135-pound division has been very successful for us, the fans like it, I'm thrilled with it, and we're going to dive into the 115-pound division now."
Sidelined again. Cain Velasquez undergoes successful surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder and could miss much of 2014.
Jacare. Ronaldo Souza says he has the perfect style to beat Anderson Silva or Chris Weidman. "Many people don't believe in my potential yet, but that's how I like it. I still have much to prove, I've fought only twice in the UFC, but I can guarantee you that I'm ready for any challenge to prove I have what it takes to get the title."
Chat Wrap. Luke Thomas covers a UFC on FOX 9 preview, Georges St-Pierre's future, a recap of an epic weekend in MMA and more in this week's live chat.
PCL problems. Josh Thomson says he was counting on Anthony Pettis pulling out of their title fight after suffering another knee injury. "I tore my PCL the week before I fought Gilbert Melendez the third [time]. There's footage of me doing it, FOX was following me around for it, and I knew exactly what was going on. You can fight with a torn PCL."
MEDIA STEW
Make sure to check out loads of UFC on FOX 9 interviews ahead of this weekend.
Chael Sonnen talks getting punched in a bar.
New TTHS.
Joe Lauzon vlog episode 1.
(A completely random note, Joe manages to spoil this week's episode of Sons of Anarchy at the very end, so avoid if you haven't already seen it.)
EFC AFRICA 26: Van Zyl vs. Potts - Fight NOW! TV News Hitz.
GLORY 13 Tokyo promo - Holzken vs. Karapetyan.
Mark Muñoz talks Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman 2.
Action from Valor 6:
David Butt vs. Damon Upton-Greer.
Adam Cook vs. Jeremy Carroll.
Christina Tatnell vs. Amy Adam.
Sam Chapman vs. Cameron Malcolm.
Hoshi Friedrich vs. Eddie Trewin.
TWEETS
TUF bound.
Welcome #teamtiny Tecia Torres to the UFC @ufc TUF Season 20 11 women will enter 1 will win. Lets go!!!!
- Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) December 12, 2013
I know it's the middle of the night but I think I just read this..... pic.twitter.com/xvDmTczJOG
- Joanne Calderwood (@badmofo_jojo) December 12, 2013
Pretty excited to be a part of the @UFC and TUF show. I believe in myself and team & will be a brand new fighter next time you see me
- Felice Herrig (@feliceherrig) December 12, 2013
It's been announced! I'm officially in the @ufc ! ;) #stoked @AlienwareMMA
- Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) December 12, 2013
I made it!!!! UFC BABY!!!!! https://t.co/xj0JoNcl23
- Paige Vanzant (@PAIGEVANZANT) December 12, 2013
To dentro!!! Isso e realização de um sonho! Muito feliz! O dia mais feliz da minha vida!!!!!!!!! http://t.co/FiythXMdxD
— Juliana Lima (@julianalimabh) December 12, 2013
Is true everyone!
— ThugRose Namajunas (@rosenamajunas) December 12, 2013
Just need coaches.
@danawhite I'd be proud to be a coach on #TUF20
— LIZ CARMOUCHE (@iamgirlrilla) December 12, 2013
Why does #TUF20 women's 115lb house have to be female coaches? Have @JohnDodsonMMA & @MightyMouseUFC as coaches then a 125lb title fight
— Tara LaRosa (@TaraLaRosa) December 12, 2013
HR would like a word.
And are all HOT 🔥☺️ RT @ufc: Welcome @CarlaEsparza1 @feliceherrig @TeciaTorres @RowdyBec @rosenamajunas @ClaudiaGadelha_ @julianalimabh
- FranCisco Rivera (@CiscoRiveraUFC) December 12, 2013
Get well soon.
Back on the heavy bag 13 weeks post ACL. Someone will pay. The clock is ticking https://t.co/NYVT2M2dMS
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 12, 2013
Surgery's tomorrow. I'm scared. :-(
— Miriam Nakamoto (@MiriamNakamoto) December 12, 2013
My shoulder surgery yesterday went well. Can't wait to be back at it! http://t.co/sugfDxh4aB
- Cain Velasquez (@cainmma) December 11, 2013
Good news: No collateral damage to my knee! MCL, PCL, meniscus, cartilage etc. Everybody's OK! Except the Bad news: My ACL is kaput. RIP :-(
- Miriam Nakamoto (@MiriamNakamoto) December 11, 2013
Something's missing here.... @ SOAR http://t.co/mVGFwipAue
- Miriam Nakamoto (@MiriamNakamoto) December 11, 2013
@julesk_fighter I Am feeling better already and I Will come back stronger!! I Believe in God's time!! He have mine!!
— Claudia Gadelha (@ClaudiaGadelha_) December 11, 2013
Booked.
We're looking forward to #ufc170 vs Mike Pyle, February 22nd
— TJ Waldburger (@TJWaldburger) December 11, 2013
Congrats.
Russian combat sambo federetion awarded me with the medal for loyalty to this kind of sport😏👍👍👍 http://t.co/6avQtPXgoR
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) December 11, 2013
Let it be the start of something bigger.
Was going to post a Selfie and then I felt ashamed and ridiculous so I cancelled the post... #selfie
— Akira Corassani (@AkiraCorassani) December 11, 2013
An incredibly unfortunate name for a town.
Sandusky produces true champions past , present and future. It is a honor to say I am Sandtown strong. Love this blue collar town with pride
- Kevin Randleman (@themonstah_) December 11, 2013
A little mitt work.
Blessed and grateful. Training hard for @shanknapp and @InvictaFights. #InvictaFC #champion http://t.co/8TK4ACYgfE
— Cris Cyborg (@criscyborg) December 12, 2013
Buy stock in pomegranates.
Just the bare necessities. Final days http://t.co/f1cF53Ooc6
— Urijah Faber (@UrijahFaber) December 12, 2013
One step closer to Abu Dhabi.
Congrats to @Bourdain on his well deserved first stripe! @igorgracie @RenzoGracieBJJ pic.twitter.com/biIHlbCIQL
— Ottavia Bourdain (@OttaviaBourdain) December 11, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Dec. 11 2013)
Mike Pyle and T.J. Waldburger at UFC 170
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via Hoss.Boss.
TUF Finally Feels Like it Matters with Announcement of TUF 20
Wednesday night the UFC world got a whole lot bigger with the announcement of how the UFC will introduce their new 115 lbs women division. The long running reality series, The Ultimate Fighter, will bring the new division to television audiences in its classic tournament format in order to crown their first women's straw-weight champion.
It has been a long time since TUF had such high stakes, the closest would probably be all the way back in 2006 with The Ultimate Fighter 4: Comeback when the winner of the season got an immediate title shot. The stakes are even higher this time where the winner of the season becomes the champ.
And to up the stakes even more, TUF 20 brings up the best of the 115 lbs division unlike the recently finished TUF 18 which brought some fresh faces and interesting talent, but far from the top of the women's bantamweight division. At first it looked like the UFC would be at least a year or two from a serious straw-weight division since all the top fighters were signed to Invicta FC, but Shannon Knapp's benevolence has allowed the top of the division to move over to MMA's top agency.
Check out the rest of the post here.
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