:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/35273900/TUF_20-11.Still002.0.jpg)
The all-female strawweight cast of The Ultimate Fighter 20 hasn't been in Las Vegas more than a week and there are already reports of possible disciplinary action being dolled out.
"I'm very excited," UFC president Dana White said Sunday evening. "It's like nothing we've ever done before. We have the top 16 women in the world in that weight class and it will crown a champion at the end of the season. It's different, it's exciting, it's new. The women go after it. The first day when they get in there, there's already been stuff. Half of them don't like each other. It's going to be a very interesting season."
White was then asked by a media member if he could confirm a rumor that cast member Felice Herrig was nearly thrown off the production the very first day of shooting.
"Well, I wouldn't say she almost got thrown off, but a fight broke out the first day," said White.
Herrig most recently dropped a one-sided decision loss to fellow cast mate Tecia Torres in December, but the strife more than likely involved her longtime rival Heather Clark. Herrig and Clark have flung insults at one another for years, but the pair were infamously involved in a post-fight scuffle at Bellator 94. Having lost a split decision and being taunted by Herrig, Clark reportedly backhanded her opponent with the arm she actually broke during the bout. Then in December 2013, signed under the Xtreme Fighting Championships (XFC) banner, Clark was scolded by promotion president John Prisco for tweets she made disparaging Herrig, going as far as to say she could be released from the promotion.
Coached by lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and No. 1 contender Gilbert Melendez, the 20th installment of the reality series is due to air this fall.
5 MUST-READ STORIES
'This is the end.' B.J. Penn officially retires from fighting. 'I'm thinking to myself, why did you step back into the Octagon after the beating that Rory MacDonald gave you?'
Ronda's injuries. Women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey details why she required stitches in her hand on Saturday night and her plan for knee surgery.
'Play by the rules, man up.' Chris Weidman's head trainer Ray Longo has words for Vitor Belfort.
'Laying low.' Dana White discusses his current relationship with Chael Sonnen. 'He's apologized, and he's going to live his life, and he's doing his thing up [in Oregon].'
Cyborg. Dana White explains the difficulties involved in bringing Cris Cyborg into the UFC. 'Just so you know, when we bought Strikeforce, we offered [Cyborg] the same exact deal that we offered Ronda, and they turned it down.'
MEDIA STEW
Chris Weidman and Ronda Rousey speak with Joe Rogan post-fight.
Dana White recaps UFC 175.
UFC 175 post-fight press conference highlights.
B.J. Penn hangs it up.
Cat Zingano hit a quick flying armbar at Grapplers Quest.
Long watches.
Dana White's UFC 175 post-fight scrum
...
Pat Miletich Hall of Fame ceremony
...
Joe Rogan's Fight Companion for TUF 19 Finale.
TWEETS
Make sure to check out our Pros React piece for instant reaction from UFC 175 (here) and Edgar-Penn III (here).
Victory lap.
Thanks to all my fans and supporters. What an awesome battle with @lyotomachidafw #andstill #USA http://t.co/TuqtvOqbaE
— Chris Weidman (@ChrisWeidmanUFC) July 6, 2014
Practice making perfect #ufc175 gfc_diamond http://t.co/lUva2aTNWG
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) July 6, 2014
Weird feeling...I'm out pseudo celebrating (I guess) but I did absolutely nothing to earn my money. Bittersweet. Wish we could've performed.
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) July 6, 2014
Not my most exciting fight, but @Brim205 is a beast so I did what I could. Let's go eat brotha!!
— russell doane (@RussellDoane135) July 6, 2014
Thank you God, my wife, family, and friends. I could not do anything without you, now let's party.
— Kenny Robertson (@170Kenny) July 6, 2014
Better luck next time.
Você foi guerreiro! Thanks for all support! Let's go together till the end for the belt. Give up, never! #PressLyoto pic.twitter.com/uMAda3IZD4
— Lyoto Machida (@lyotomachidafw) July 6, 2014
"It's better to be in the arena, getting stomped by the bull, than to be up in the stands or out in... http://t.co/xO47pFTZBt
— Alexis Davis (@AlexisDavisMMA) July 6, 2014
I fell short tonight, next time I'll finish...good job @RussellDoane135 #UFC175
— Marcus Brimage (@Brim205) July 6, 2014
My fault for getting taken down. Hard to fight when someone just wants to hold on. Wish I could have given you fans a better show
— Chris Camozzi (@ChrisCamozzi) July 6, 2014
Thnx everybody for your support. Sometimes some things go wrong so that we can grow strong. pic.twitter.com/HCUMGll6Yt
— George Roop (@GeorgeRoop) July 6, 2014
Even when the will of God differs from ours, we rejoice and drive on.
— Bubba Bush (@BubbaBushMMA) July 6, 2014
Why not? #WSOF11 @Justin_Gaethje pic.twitter.com/o0UlpEdBhO
— Nick Newell (@NotoriousNewell) July 6, 2014
No excuses he was a better man tonight I'll be back stronger thank you all for the support!
— Dhiego Lima (@DhLimaMMA) July 7, 2014
Get well soon.
Just want to let everybody know I'm ok, had a blackout in the locker room and we had to call the fight off, thanks for the love folks!
— Stefan Struve (@StefanStruve) July 6, 2014
My heart and thoughts go out to my friend @StefanStruve get better buddy. We haven't had the pleasure of punching each other in the face yet
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) July 6, 2014
Ouch. RT @MMANewsdotcom: @MMAFighting pic.twitter.com/FyVZgfTHGy
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) July 6, 2014
The Xray photo https://t.co/9zY3RKBfxb via @sqor
— uriah hall (@UriahHallMMA) July 6, 2014
almost back together! thank you every one for the love and support @ufc #neverquit pic.twitter.com/UhWn2N8dgZ
— uriah hall (@UriahHallMMA) July 6, 2014
Rousey with stitches in her hand pic.twitter.com/yiKbnyhQ0H
— David St. Martin (@SaintMMA) July 6, 2014
Got a thumb durring the first exchange. Was blind in left eye whole fight.
— Jon Fitch (@jonfitchdotnet) July 6, 2014
Congrats.
New UFC hall of famer. Pat Miletich!! #ufc http://t.co/gsnrJw1rRA
— Dana White (@danawhite) July 6, 2014
@Ruthless_RL @danawhite Thanks, Dana. Love ya' Rob!!!
— Pat Miletich (@patmiletich) July 6, 2014
Me & Chris Weidman's mom being nervous together last night pic.twitter.com/5IIryZNROL
— DrAnnMaria (@DrAnnMaria) July 6, 2014
Feels great to be back at it. Talking and meeting with fighters all week, exciting things ahead
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) June 27, 2014
Askren trolling.
@JohnyHendricks sitting front row looking like a fat boy. Hey Johny tell Uncle Dana to let you prove your actually the best. Can't beat me
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) July 7, 2014
Hey @JohnyHendricks if you're curious I'm at your 11 o'clock. You are looking real chunky
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) July 7, 2014
@danawhite ducking my heckling by sitting in the opposite side of the cage
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) July 7, 2014
Cold.
Close.
13 days. pic.twitter.com/D4dLAtUGww
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) July 6, 2014
Team Brazil sending Machida their vibes.
Don't forget Bellator.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Jul. 4-6 2014)
NA
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via Davis8185.
End Of An Era, Thank You B.J. Penn For Everything
Yesterday, we witnessed the end of the legendary career of B.J. Penn when B.J. returned after a 18 month layoff. B.J. got the opponent of his choice in Frankie Edgar because B.J. had lost twice to Edgar. This time it was different because B.J. had to drop to 145 pounds in order to fight Edgar and B.J. agreed.
On Saturday during the weigh , B.J. looked like he had not problem making 145 and during those weigh in, B.J. had the most support from the crowd. Unfortunately this is where the story is going to have a terrible ending. The fight yesterday did not live up to the hype of B.J. returning. What we saw from B.J. was another athlete that lost their fight with father time. At no point in the fight did I have I feeling of, yes B.J. has a chance. What I saw instead was a dominant performance from Frankie Edgar and sealed the fate of the legendary career of B.J. Penn.
...
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.
Get the latest gear
