Morning Report: Andre Galvao says Anderson Silva considered retirement prior to Weidman fight, win or lose

Just off the top of my head, I can't remember any post-event buzz in recent history becoming so pervasive and protracted as UFC 162's has this week. Although I guess that's what happens when one of the greatest of all-time gets knocked silly in such outlandish fashion.

But despite all the background noise, don't forget folks: an absolutely stacked Invicta FC card storms into Kansas City tomorrow night. Check out everything you need to know about it here.

Now with that said, ease back into that chair of yours and let's cruise into some Friday morning headlines.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Galvao on Silva. Team Nogueira member Andre Galvao revealed this nugget while speaking to Brazilian outlet Tatame (via Google Translate): "[Anderson Silva] became a celebrity, everyone knows who he is, [he] had no peace anywhere. He was tired. Win or lose, he was considering retiring, but I think this defeat will bring him more motivation to keep fighting."

Stann retires. UFC fan-favorite Brian Stann announced his retirement from mixed martial arts on a special edition of The MMA Hour. Said Stann: "If you look at my life, I've been getting hit in the head since I was in second grade playing football. I'm now 32 years old. That's a long time, and there's only so long that I can roll those dice and be successful."

Shamrock on 'Fight Master.' Frank Shamrock returns to recap the latest episode of 'Fight Master,' from the hardest liver shot of his career to why he plans to mess with Joe Rigg's head until he 'melts.'

GSP offers VADA testing. In an interview with SportsNet, UFC welterweight titleholder Georges St. Pierre invited Johny Hendricks to submit to additional VADA drug screening prior to the pair's November championship bout at UFC 167.

UFC to Singapore. The UFC expects to stage its inaugural event in Singapore sometime during the first quarter of 2014, likely at the lavish Singapore Marina Bay Sands.

MEDIA STEW

That black and white ending. ... Damn you, Bill Withers.

The new champ trollin' Stephen A. Smith on First Take? I can dig it.

I rarely post full-on interviews, but Mike Winkeljohn breaking down Silva-Weidman is pretty fascinating.

Another interesting take on Silva-Weidman: Joe Rogan and Joey Diaz on the JRE. (For the lazy, jump to 54:56 for UFC 162 talk.)

Apparently that guy is a soccer player for the Brazilian team Corinthians. But really, it's all about fake Rocky music and Junior dos Santos wheel kicking a soccer ball. (Or kneeing. Whatever. Don't get picky with me.)

On a scale of 1-to-10, one being not at all surprising and 10 being very surprising, where does Chael Sonnen defending Brendan Schaub's Metamoris 2 performance rank?

Don't even ask. I have no idea.

KEEPIN' IT CLASSY

Congratulations to @BrianStann on his retirement. One of the classiest and toughest people I've ever met. Salute! 👉🇺🇸👏👊💥 #ufc

— Kenny Florian (@kennyflorian) July 11, 2013

Brian Stann is someone I look up to as a fighter and as a person. I'm thankful to have trained and fought beside you buddy @BrianStann

— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) July 11, 2013

I have a ton of respect for @BrianStann as a fighter, leader, soldier, and friend. I'm proud to consider him a friend. I wish him the best!

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) July 11, 2013

Hurts to see a good one go thanks for being such a great roll model @BrianStann. Enjoy the afterlife.....of fighting.

— Todd Duffee (@ToddDuffee) July 11, 2013

Was trying to be professional but can't help it! Hope @BrianStann gigantic jaw and chin does well in his next venture 😁👍😁👍😁

— isaac vallie-flagg (@IKEVF) July 11, 2013

@BrianStann congrats on your career! Been a pleasure crossing paths with you. Thanks for all the advice and help in my young career!!

— Clint Hester (@clinthester) July 11, 2013

Congrats to the @BrianStann on a great career and wish him all the best in his new one!

— TJ Grant (@TJ_Grant) July 11, 2013

@BrianStann shocking but congrats bro . I know you'll be very successful with the analyst job , God bless !

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) July 11, 2013

Thank you for all the amazing fights @BrianStann and good luck to you in your new future endeavors!!!

— Julie Kedzie (@julesk_fighter) July 11, 2013

Thanks everyone for the kind thoughts and regards, & thank you for understanding my decision. I am a better person because of MMA

— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) July 12, 2013

STORM'S COMIN'

@Showtimepettis no reason to tell you who I am twice, I'll just remind you after I knock your ass out. #UFC166 pic.twitter.com/T0JsOkLJV3

— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) July 11, 2013

@Showtimepettis careful, you won't see another title shot for years. Your own fans are telling you not to fight me. They're tryin to save u.

— Josh Thomson (@THEREALPUNK) July 11, 2013

REPPIN' DAT WHITE BELT

Gi jiu jitsu this morning with Leo and leandron Vieira and the champ Cain Velasquez http://t.co/9XbN7wHmdX

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 11, 2013

"@BluntmanCloud9: @dc_mma u want a fight with big country?" Yes

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 11, 2013

"@TheReddyHoodie: @dc_mma After fighting Big Country, are you going to go down to LWH?" Yes

— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 11, 2013

WHAT A TEASE

Don't count your chickens before they hatch! Damn time to look else where. #Positive

— Tito Ortiz (@titoortiz) July 11, 2013

LIVING LARGE

#weidmansworld coming up on @sportscenter pic.twitter.com/QERKXjHViM

— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) July 11, 2013

ok people! @stephenasmith n I made up after the @TimTebow talk @RealSkipBayless is my boy!! @espn_firsttake pic.twitter.com/S8zsNZB7CB

— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) July 11, 2013

UFC Champ @ChrisWeidmanUFC saw when we go to break the intensity still continues http://t.co/corK50ZnLt

— ESPN First Take (@ESPN_FirstTake) July 11, 2013

On the way from Connecticut to longisland on this bad boy ! Gotta love being @ufc champ :) pic.twitter.com/tapg52VBIS

— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) July 11, 2013

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Thursday, July 11, 2013):

• UFC 165: Mitch Gagnon (9-2) vs. Dustin Kimura (10-0)
• UFC on FOX 8: Siyar Bahadurzada (21-5-1) out with injury, Bobby Voelker (24-9) in against Robbie Lawler (20-9, 1 NC)
• UFC on FOX 8: Spencer Fisher (24-9) out, Daron Cruickshank (12-3) in against Yves Edwards (42-19-1)
• UFC on FOX 8: Bobby Green (20-5) out with injury, Tim Means (18-4-1) in against Danny Castillo (15-5)
• UFC on FS1 #3: Sean Spencer (9-2) vs. Yuri Villefort (6-2)
• Invicta FC 6: Charmaine Tweet (4-3) out, Tamikka Brents (2-0) in against Ediane Gomes (10-2)

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day is dpk875's latest edition of: Prospects to Watch this Weekend

KOTC - 11 Jul - Highland, CA

FW

Cooper Gibson (7-1) vs. Henry Corrales (4-0)

Corrales has a wrestling, and submission based game that has served him very well to this point as all his victories have come by way of submission. Gibson has won 7 in a row, 6 by stoppage, since losing his pro debut, and brings a solid grappling game of his own into this fight.

NEF - 12 Jul - Bangor, ME

WW

Matt Desroches (4-0) vs. Jonathan Lemke (3-0)

Desroches is certainly a work in progress. He has good athletic ability, but the progression between his first pro fight in January 2012 to his 3rd in Jul 2012 was remarkable. In his first fight he was nearly KO'd and in trouble in the 1st round because he kept his chin high, hands low, gassed early, and was lucky that he was in the cage with someone who was not very refined. By his 3rd fight, his overall form had improved tremendously standing, and he seemed very in control during the fight. I'm still not sold that he is ticketed for one of the bigger organizations, but I'm not ruling it out. Lemke is 34 years old, but was 3-0 as an amateur, and has now matched that as a pro. His name might ring a bell, as he picked up a win on a Bellator undercard back in March.

LW

Ray Wood (3-0) vs. Lenny Wheeler (6-2)

Wood was 5-1 as an amateur, is 24 years old, and brings a tall 5'10'' frame into the cage as a featherweight. He is good at using his height while standing, and has good top control on the ground. There is room to improve his ground game, as he can lose top position while hunting for submission, and did not appear to have much offense off his back. It hasn't come back to cost him as a pro yet, but could be a concern against better competition.

Nitro MMA -13 Jul - Queensland, Australia

WW

Tyler Manawaroa (9-0) vs. Semir Celikovic (6-1)

Manawaroa is a 6'1'' 18 year old prospect fighting out of the same Australian MMA camp as UFC fighter Kyle Noke. He can be outstruck on his feet, but has very good takedowns with both double legs, and some throws, or trips from the clinch. Once on top he looks for ground and pound using his long arms to punch, and elbow opponents until he can improve position.

HW

Cam Bracewell (3-0) vs. Chris Lokteff (10-1)

Bracewell will need some work if he is going to get to the next level but the tools are there. He has good size, power on the feet, and serviceable takedowns. He mixes in submission attempts with GnP based on what his opponent is going to give him.

MMA Super Heroes - 13 Jul - Sao Paulo, Brazil

FW

Thomas de Almedia (11-0) vs. Valdines Silva (8-4)

I profiled Almedia last week, and he continued rolling with his 11th straight 1st round stoppage to start his career on July 4th. Now the Chute Box product will turn around and take his 2nd of 3 fights scheduled for the month of July.

FW

Felipe Douglas (6-0) vs. Vinicius Zani

Douglas is a 21 year old Muay Thai based fighter with a developing overall MMA skill set. He will usually look to strike first, but has good enough take down defense to be aggressive with his kicks and not worry about ending up on his back. When the fight does go to the ground, he mixes up the GnP, and submission attempts. None of Douglas's 6 fights have been against an opponent with a winning record at the time of the fight, so Zani at 5-3 will be a good test for him moving forward.

Brave - 13 Jul - Tokyo, Japan

FW

Takahiro Ashida (8-1-2) vs. Kenya Yamanaka

Ashida brings a 6 fight, 5 stoppage winning streak over the last 12 months into this fight with Yamanaka. Ashida could land on the UFC or OneFC radar very soon if he continues to rack up wins.

Review from Last Week

Bison FC 1

Thomas de Almedia (11-0) picked up his 11th straight stoppage victory to start his career. Allan Nascimento (8-1) rebounded from his first career defeat by picking up a submission win.

KOTC

MW Sean Strickland (12-0) picked up a unanimous decision victory. LW Lowen Tynanes ended up not fighting on this card, and I'm not 100% sure why at this point.

WFC

Raoni Barcelos (6-0) had a change in opponent from who I profiled, but still scored an impressive result with a 1st round KO over Team Nogueria fighter Erinaldo dos Santos Rodrigues.

GMC

The Mateusz Teodorczuk (10-2) vs. Ruben Crawford (13-2) fight in Germany appears to have been scrapped from the card.

Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me on Twitter @shaunalshatti and we'll include it in Monday's column.