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When news that Chael Sonnen had possibly undergone some sort of operation the day before facing former UFC light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans at UFC 167, fans were left scratching their heads.
In an interview with TSN's Off the Record, host Michael Landsberg claimed to be 'hearing a story' that Sonnen underwent surgery to remove a section of his bowel just prior to his bout with Evans. Sidestepping Landsberg's demand that he confirm or deny the story, Sonnen seemed caught off guard given his response.
"I don't make excuses before fights or after fights," said Sonnen. "If I had anything to deal with, I'll deal with it. But when it's time to fight I'll walk out there and fight."
Sonnen, who suffered a loss to Evans via first-round TKO, attributed his poor performance to being undersized at light heavyweight.
"It's a little bit of a surprise that you had that information," Sonnen continued. "Here's the bottom line. When I sign a contract to fight I'm agreeing to fight a guy on a certain day and at a certain time and at a certain venue. It's my job to feel good when I go out and do it. And if I don't that may play a hand in the fight. But I don't like these guy who come up with excuses, particularly after the fact, and I'm damn sure not one of them."
At the time, Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) Executive Director, Keith Kizer seemed as shocked as anyone upon hearing the story, telling Deadspin:
"We were never informed of any such surgery, if it even occurred," said Keith Kizer, who runs the NSAC. "I just checked with [UFC vice-president] Marc Ratner, and he said he hadn't heard of anything like that.
"It's not uncommon," he added, "for fighters to make excuses up after they get beat up in competition. I hope that's what this is. I don't know, I plan to find out."
Later Wednesday evening, Kizer released a second statement to Deadspin:
I checked with the UFC. They verified with Chael and his team that he did not have any surgery prior to the Rashad Evans fight. According to Chael, the interviewer asked him a question and Chael, coyly, didn't answer him directly as the article clearly states, and the interviewer inferred that the answer to his question was in the affirmative.
Now we're simply left wondering why Sonnen didn't deny the report and where Landsberg got it to begin with. We've heard of fighters omitting certain nagging injuries on commission medical screenings, but this would be something entirely unique. Strange to say the least.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Litigious Bigfoot. Antonio Silva says he plans to sue the doctor who signed off on the treatment that resulted in his suspension. "You go get help with a doctor, you do the right thing, and now this story tarnishes my professional career."
1.8 rating. UFC on FOX 9 turned in a total of 2.8 million viewers, the lowest for a UFC on FOX event of those held during football season.
Schedule permitting. All hope may not be lost for those hoping to see Anderson Silva coach alongside Chael Sonnen on TUF: Brazil.
Chat wrap. Luke Thomas covers GSP's semi-retirement, a UFC 168 preview, Bigfoot Silva and TRT, Glory 13 and more in this week's live chat.
A whole new world. With Georges St-Pierre out of the picture, welterweights like Tarec Saffiedine see the division opening up. "The welterweight division is so stacked, so many great fighters, and all the Top 10 are really tough. It's not easy to get a title shot, but I'm looking forward to that challenge."
MEDIA STEW
Ronda Rousey wants Holly Holm.
Bonus mitt work.
A Day with Nick Newell.
Tommy Toe Hold's spot from UFC Tonight.
Chances it actually happens?
Fight shot with Google glass.
Cabbie trains, lands brutal KO.
Random MMA:
PANCRASE 255 highlight.
ONE FC's top 10 knockouts of 2013.
Ultimate Beatdown 13 highlight.
Long watches. This is something I'm playing with since not everyone can handle the longer videos. If you've got the time, check these out:
"Old School MMA Review" UFC 8 - The David VS Goliath Tournament
How To Achieve Your Greatness In Life: Chatri Sityodtong at TEDx Singapore Management University
The Joe Ray Documentary - DARE Fight Sports
(In this documentary by film maker Stuart Cooper we follow rising MMA star "The Joe Ray" leading up to his fight against fan favorite Ole "Iron Fist' Laursen in promotion DARE Fight Sports. The documentary follows Joe from his preparation at Tiger Muay Thai with Coaches Roger Huerta, Brian Ebersole and 4th Degree Black Belt Fernando Maccachero.)
TWEETS
Harassing Dana works.
Text 16 reads... Thanks for the opportunity! @danawhite @lorenzofertitta @ufc #ufc171 #The16thText
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) December 18, 2013
#lizbos & #lizbros I think you should tell @danawhite how you'd watch #TUF20 if I was coaching.
— LIZ CARMOUCHE (@iamgirlrilla) December 18, 2013
Wishful thinking.
So if #bigfoot got caught 4 high #testosterone , does that mean me & my #japanese brother @takeya_miz can get a piece of that #fotn $? Lol
— Nam Phan (@NamPhanMMA) December 19, 2013
Congrats.
Got a huge surprise today at practice! Was not expecting this, thank you Senei Valverde and Maestre... http://t.co/KXAcTDNFgC
— Ricardo Lamas (@RicardoLamasMMA) December 18, 2013
"@John_Kavanagh: Physio, coach's and main office starting to take shape. pic.twitter.com/85GTyzoXac" http://t.co/uzVxI8Shot
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 19, 2013
Im on Wikipedia now!! Thanks @TommyToeHold for the awesome shotout!! =) Looks accurate just needs some additions. http://t.co/CSbMypfXn4
— Tecia Torres (@TeciaTorres) December 18, 2013
What I spent my @InvictaFights winnings on.... pic.twitter.com/SDFQbvl7jP
— Joanne Calderwood (@badmofo_jojo) December 18, 2013
Did padwork today for the first time, so nice to hit something! Making progress daily, @UFC getting closer on the horizon! @FadyOrthopedic
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) December 19, 2013
For who?
I wonder if I pee in the icebath if it will be any less miserable.... @BryanCaraway @RobertFollis @RockyPMMA @heatherjoclark @Roxyfighter
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) December 19, 2013
Beefin'
Who is who? pic.twitter.com/9BwaaFNoir
— Shayna Baszler (@QoSBaszler) December 19, 2013
@JSampoMMA I see you make your gf's do all the shit talking for you. Very cute ... How's that bonus doing for you?
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) December 19, 2013
They're called Hobbit Holes ... I think.
Here @JacksonsMMA we even have rooms for the hobbits ! @federastamma pic.twitter.com/ThBXsthZCI
— Erik Goyito Perez (@Goyito_Perez) December 18, 2013
Always looking up.
@JustinTheViking yes! I'd be a giant for once. There probably crazy strong for being that small
— Ian McCall (@Unclecreepymma) December 18, 2013
He gets around.
Chatting w/ the Legend aka Mr. Venice @Schwarzenegger pic.twitter.com/KyKiB5TQaq
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) December 19, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Dec. 18 2013)
John Lineker vs. Ali Bagautinov at UFC 169
Stephen Thompson vs. Robert Whittaker at UFC 170
Darrell Montague vs. Will Campuzano at UFC 171
Raphael Assuncao vs. Francisco Rivera at UFC 170
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via heavyfl0w.
The MMA Movement's 2013 Year End Awards (Submissions)
2013. A hell of a year in MMA. It's time for my annual recap! We'll tackle submissions first. Enjoy, and if you do, tell a friend and share the love. Happy holidays!
Also, stay tuned for my KO's and fights of the year pieces in the next week or so. Thanks for reading!
http://mma-movement.com/the-mma-movements-2013-year-end-awards-submissions/
Good googly moogly. We're here already? It never ceases to amaze me how quickly every year seems to end after Halloween. You're back at the house, watching your little kids frolic in a sea of diabetes, and the next thing you know, you're wrapping presents and wondering if there are any bars open on Christmas.
What a year 2013 has been. This was the year that officially made me feel like I don't know anything anymore. There were several bad judges decisions that were universally seen as bad. But there were also a few that I thought were terrible and NOBODY agreed with me (with Kyung Ho Kang-Chico Camus and GSP-Hendricks being two that I can think of off the top of my head). The problem is, I didn't have anyone to argue with, because none of my friends are into MMA anymore. So, why not spew my arguments out at the internet? Those were bad decisions, internet! Also, Anderson Silva got knocked the hell out. That, too.
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.
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