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Sometimes these things happen in MMA. Weight cutting, media obligations and Meisha Tate do not a happy Ronda Rousey make. While doing a quick spot of promotion on ESPN's SportsCenter for her upcoming title defense Saturday at UFC 168, women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey may have gotten just a bit excited speaking on her fiery rivalry with Tate. Asked about her take on the portrayal of the real-life drama, Rousey explained living through it has been enough for her to bear.
"I haven't read my Twitter timeline or read any articles concerning us since the beginning of August so you would probably know better than me," said Rousey. "I know what it's like for real and it's sh***y enough from my point of view so I'm sure it's even worse from people on the outside. I don't need to see it."
I guess shacking up next to your competition breeds just that sort of talk. Rousey told our Ariel Helwani Thursday afternoon that her and Tate's teams had been booked adjoining suites at the MGM Grand leading up to this weekend. Dana White expanded on the story, assuring fans it was a simple mistake on the UFC's part.
"Anybody else on this card, it wouldn't make a difference if their rooms were next door to each other. We had to screw up and put their rooms next to each other. It's true. Miesha's like, "are you serious? I'm walking outside the hotel and these guys are mad dogging me already." So we switched rooms and put Miesha in another wing of the hotel."
Hopefully we'll still get to enjoy White manning SportsCenter's Instagram account this week.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Brock back? Mum on rumors of former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar's possible return to MMA, Dana White looked like a man dying to spill the beans.
Soured on Bigfoot vs. Hunt. Dana White says Antonio Silva's testing positive for elevated testosterone levels following his epic battle with Mark Hunt earlier this month 'ruins it.'
Predictions. Luke Thomas sells us on his picks for UFC 168.
The Silva 16. The men who faced Anderson Silva reflect on their experiences leading up to, during and following their respective bouts with him.
No longer the villain. Miesha Tate says she feels a renewed sense of fan appreciation walking into the cage this weekend. "How could I get along with her? How could I possibly get along with Ronda Rousey?"
MEDIA STEW
Make sure to check out our slew of UFC 168 interviews with Anderson Silva, Chris Weidman, Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, Josh Barnett and Travis Browne.
Dana White's second UFC 168 vlog.
Don Frye and a poor man's Stacy Keibler give their picks for UFC 168.
Ronda Claus less jolly than expected.
Anderson supports Ben Affleck as Batman. Here's where we part ways.
Edmond Tarverdyan says he'll 'pay money for Miesha Tate to come & get her ass kicked at our gym.'
Some Magic with Josh Barnett.
Random MMA:
Throwback Thursdays I: Ryo Chonan leg scissor takedown Anderson Silva to victory.
Late entry for comeback of the year? (Sorry, embed disabled. Skip to 2:40)
Long watches. If you've got the time, check these out.
UFC 168 Countdowns: Wiedman/Silva, Rousey/Tate, Barnett/Browne.
UFC 168: Pre-fight Press Conference
Joe Rogan and Eddie Bravo Talk JiuJitsu ADCC Rules
UFC 168 Care/Don't Care Preview w/ Nate & Eugene
TWEETS
So damned close.
"@DakotaLupo: My man @ChrisWeidmanUFC 's escalator game is on point right now #ufc168 pic.twitter.com/1itMIdryNF"haha crazy
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) December 26, 2013
Hoje o dia foi coletiva de imprensa .. Agora descansar amanha pesagem #GoSpider http://t.co/q9JUeO7qk0
— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) December 27, 2013
Stepping up the hair game.
.@RondaRousey gets her hair done while @UriahHallMMA and @JohnDoomsday discuss their hair options for #UFC168 #BTS http://t.co/tb4CCuIf55
— UFC (@ufc) December 25, 2013
.@burtwatson4real impressed with @mieshatate's multitasking skills.@suzesuzeq doing hair while Miesha signs... https://t.co/MYanVhGxYH
— UFC (@ufc) December 24, 2013
Rolling deeper than ever.
That is my team We are together , thank y'all to be with me #gospider http://t.co/16CZ7cpxqr
— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) December 26, 2013
Always good to see.
Putting on the war paint http://t.co/XbIxyUpfdK
— Chris Leben (@cripplerufc) December 27, 2013
Merry Christmas.
Christmas just got awesome for me tonight! Wife and kids got in and @gpvillante as Santa! http://t.co/3oo2woK92o
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) December 26, 2013
With bonus footage sounding like it.
A little ice fishing in tyumen Russia. We had a really good time there. DC http://t.co/mSmCK4VAge
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 27, 2013
Stuck in the middle.
Which one @UFC fans? @MieshaTate or @RondaRousey #CATSMASH what you think @danawhite ? pic.twitter.com/LfcE9qLTh5
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) December 27, 2013
Congrats? I think.
I think I am all ready for #BabyLauzon... Has to be easier than fight camp, right? http://t.co/1y51fBKsUY
— Joe Lauzon (@JoeLauzon) December 26, 2013
Is that a McGriddle?
Was sitting down with #ChaelSonnen in #Vegas and some fine gentlemen sent over some drinks to kill us.... http://t.co/XEpSd974p3
— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) December 27, 2013
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced over the break (Dec. 24-26 2013)
Alptekin Ozkilic vs. Louis Smolka at UFC Fight Night 35
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via Da Headbanger.
An Alternate Preview to UFC 168
This is it for the year. The UFC saved its biggest card for the last event of the year and to emphasize that they are even raising prices for the cost of the PPV. Minor gripes aside, this really is going to be an awesome card. There are two title fights that should have a definitive ending and a heavyweight bout to determine one of the participants in a #1 contenders match that is unlikely to go to decision. To spell it out for those of you that struggle to put two and two together, not only are the fights on the card high stakes but they should be explosive affairs as well. If you are any sort of fight fan you can not, should not, and will not miss this event.
I don't want to go into the meat and potatoes right here, so I'll shut my mouth with regards to an introduction and deliver the main course.
(C) Chris Weidman (10-0) vs. Anderson Silva (33-5), Middleweight
This could be the most anticipated rematch in the history of MMA. If it isn't, its as close as it can get to the top without reaching the plateau. Silva was undefeated in the UFC for 7 years and had a reputation of clowning many of his opponents before finishing many of them in devastating fashion. No fighter ever had a reputation as close to untouchable as he had. Then along comes Chris Weidman with his clean-cut All-American image who makes Silva pay for his clowning and disrespect by catching Silva with a left hook and putting him to sleep. Now Silva is back to reclaim his throne from the man who took it from him. If you aren't giddy (yes, I used the word giddy on an MMA preview) with anticipation you are no true fight fan.
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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