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With the line between athlete and entertainer becoming more blurred each year, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson finds himself working alongside some of MMA's biggest stars. Having filmed Fast & Furious 6 with Gina Carano and Fast & Furious 7 with UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, who better to pick a would-be matchup between the two than Johnson?
"Come on, man, you can't ask me that," Johnson told UFC.com. "That's like asking me, "Hey, Rock, which side of your handsome face do you like better, left or right?" Obviously, it's impossible to answer. You see what I did there? Avoided that question like the Filipino clap and managed to drop a "handsome" line in."
Elaborating on Rousey a bit, you'd have to believe he's giving her the edge against just about any female on Earth.
"Ronda is one of a kind," said Johnson. "She's a champion with world-class drive and work ethic. And to be able to do what she's doing-the drive of being a champion and then balancing that with the drive of being equally as good on the big screen-that type of ambition requires capacity, and it's so cool to see her achieve and move mountains."
When it came to now former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar making the move from professional wrestling to MMA, you'd think 'The Beast Incarnate' would have leaned on Johnson for advice.
"I never spoke to Brock when he decided to compete in MMA," Johnson said. "We've been good buds for years, and he always knew I supported his decision. To be able to accomplish what he did and become UFC heavyweight champion in that short amount of time was insane-historic.
While Johnson never made the leap like Lesnar, he admits it crossed his mind.
"I used to hear that voice a few years back, then I remembered I don't like getting punched in the face," said Johnson. "Kidding aside, I have boundless respect for MMA and the discipline it takes to become a champion. The best way I can honor the warriors is through my support."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Gus out, DC in. Daniel Cormier will replace an injured Alexander Gustafsson against light heavyweight champion Jon Jones at UFC 178 Sept. 27 in Las Vegas.
Verdict. Chael Sonnen has been suspended for two years by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and will cover the cost of the testing used to prove he used performance-enhancing drugs.
Phenom win. Vitor Belfort has been granted a license to compete by the NSAC and will challenge middleweight champion Chris Weidman in the main event of UFC 181 on December 6th.
Gonzo. Chuck Mindenhall breaks down the surreal scene that took place before the NSAC on Wednesday.
'Getting close.' Negotiations to book Gina Carano against Ronda Rousey are progressing, while Holly Holm has already been called out.
MEDIA STEW
Cormier gets his shot.
Inside the Octagon.
New episode of The Reem.
THE REEM SEASON 3 EPISODE 6: THE FOUNDATION from THE REEM on Vimeo.
Brutal finishes.
Fighters talk failed drugs tests in MMA.
Breaking down Nobutatsu Suzuki vs. Ben Askren.
Long watches.
Mike Tyson and Dana White as guests on Jim Norton's new show.
...
TWEETS
Welp.
@JonnyBones and the new.......
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) July 23, 2014
This is the fight I wanted in the first place. Nothing like fresh meat #Champion2014
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) July 24, 2014
I just talked to @dc_mma on the phone and his little daughter was screaming in the background "My Daddy is gonna be the CHAMPION"
— Dana White (@danawhite) July 23, 2014
Merry Christmas.
In my hands lincença approved by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. My training has never been based on the law of least effort and my awards and achievements are the result of a job that few can do and still rare for supporting for many years. The journey that I have as a fighter not to. For those who criticize the answer to that support # rumoaoterceirocinturão My fight will take place on December 6 at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Get well soon.
Today I had surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus, make dua for me inshaallag back in early 2015
NSAC reactions.
Very happy Vitor got licensed and he'll be randomly drug tested by blood/urine. This is the fight I wanted! #cheatersneverprosper #ufc181
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) July 23, 2014
@LukeRockhold make sure you use all of the performance enhancing drugs that you can. Apparently it's totally fine.
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) July 23, 2014
NSAC was way to easy on Chael today. They say let's clean up the sport? Then they need to start attacking these cheaters with big fines!
— Josh Koscheck (@JoshKoscheck) July 23, 2014
MY POINT is ALL MMA/UFC Fighters will think twice about doing sports enhancing drugs if you start attacking the pocketbook with big fines.
— Josh Koscheck (@JoshKoscheck) July 24, 2014
Every year I dress up as a super hero, this year I'm gonna dress up as Anthony Marnell, dude just became my hero. We'll done sir well done
— Ulysses Gomez (@uselessgomez) July 23, 2014
@sonnench @VictorConte Yeah rrriiiiiiggghht Wtf Lmfao
— phil baroni (@philbaroni) July 23, 2014
One thing I confirmed today in Major sports is IT PAYS TO CHEAT and Cheat and Cheat - Look at our buddy Lance and... http://t.co/HsS1aYUp8R
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) July 23, 2014
Chael Sonnen was that kid with the cookies on his mouth saying "Mom I swear I didn't eat a cookie" #DudeCanLie ...
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunsonMMA) July 23, 2014
You know there's something wrong with the Sport when everyone is tuning into the Nevada State athletic commission hearing. #PED #NSAC #TRT
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) July 23, 2014
The struggle.
The @ufc said before my last fight that if I had one more win I'd be ahead of Mendes in the title picture #justsaying
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) July 23, 2014
Dang I really wish they made me an #expendables outfit in these colors - pretty cool #ex3 design I... http://t.co/WXrm2YbhBp
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) July 23, 2014
Man, the struggle is real been at the DMV in Los Angeles since 9am
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) July 23, 2014
Between my three workouts, and my time on the range today I lost a total of 12 pounds of water. I am still 30 pounds overweight for my fight
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) July 23, 2014
Sunshine Ice cream and a trip to the leprechaun museum :-P
— Patrick Holohan (@PaddyHolohanMMA) July 23, 2014
Congrats.
Caught by surprise at GI class! Proud and honored to have received my #purple belt from @MattSerraUFC tn! #SerraLongo pic.twitter.com/DlwjXPENal
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMasterAljO) July 24, 2014
Outstanding.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Jul. 23 2014)
Chris Weidman vs. Vitor Belfort at UFC 181
Alexander Gustafsson out, Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier at UFC 178
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via Davis8185.
Is Gina Carano Having A Good Meeting With The UFC A Bad Sign?
Gina Carano has been popping in and out of the MMA news stream. This time its because a deal seems to be close between the UFC and herself. Ariel Helwani reported this on UFC tonight and from a source that said "it's close". If this were to happen it would be a big deal in the MMA world because this would almost guarantee a end of the year fight between Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano.
Is having a good meeting with the UFC off the bat actually a good sign? we have seen time and time again where everything would seem to be fine and then, boom, Dana White goes off on them for some reason. We saw this with Holly Holm where just like many situations, where Dana takes himself out of the equation and lets Lorenzo Fertitta finish it up.
...
Check out the rest of the post here.
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