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It's amazing to think that someone could go from the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world to an afterthought in just 13 seconds, but that's exactly what's happened to Jose Aldo.
Conor McGregor made short work of Aldo in the main event at UFC 194 and his next match was being discussed before the Brazilian was even up off the mat.
Despite the one-punch knockout, UFC welterweight Matt Brown believes Aldo should still be awarded an immediate rematch.
"I think Aldo should fight Conor. Yeah, I think so 110 percent," Brown told FOX Sports. "I think Aldo has done everything to deserve whatever he wants at this point in his career. That son of a b--ch has been a champion for however many years, undefeated for 10 years, he's been an honorable soldier for the UFC. Maybe he's not the most marketable guy so that's the reason he's not getting it, but he just f---ing deserves it."
McGregor has options, but the promotion seems to be pointing him in one direction. The Irishman could meet lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos and vacate his title, or stick around 145 pounds to scrap with No. 1 contender Frankie Edgar.
"Frankie deserves it, too," Brown said of the McGregor fight. "I think he deserves it every bit as much as Aldo but when you're even like that you've got to pick one guy ahead of the other and the 'X' factor in that is Aldo was ex-champion for so many years and he already beat Frankie so he should get the jump in front of Frankie."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Long time coming. Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva will now face Michael Bisping in London and says the Brit will be a "big test" before challenging for a title.
'I'm not against options for other fights.' UFC women's bantamweight champion Holly Holm says she's "open to" fighting Cris Cyborg at a heavier weight class.
Technique Talk. Brandon Gibson explains why MMA striking's future is now.
Big business. UFC 193's main event between Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm looks to have topped 1 million pay-per-view buys. "Before Rousey, no combat sports pay-per-view event headlined by a woman had ever topped 125,000 buys."
Awards. Chuck Mindenhall gives his pick for MMA's event of the year.
MEDIA STEW
UFC 195 Countdown: Lawler vs. Condit and Arlovski vs. Miocic.
Free Fight: Stipe Miocic vs Mark Hunt.
Jose Aldo had a tough day on the pitch.
First Roy Jones Jr, now Jeff Monson.
Weigh-in faceoffs from the RIZIN world grand prix.
Jeremy Horn teaches the short choke.
Long watches.
...
TWEETS
You think?
After what I've seen this year I gotta say if I was fighting Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) I'd be asleep lol pic.twitter.com/ylEON82fCS
— Daniel Cormier (@dc_mma) December 27, 2015
Beef.
#numbersrule #imcomingforyou https://t.co/3JUUx21aK3 pic.twitter.com/wI8uNRgDiH
— Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209) December 28, 2015
@SpiderAnderson see you in London my friend! Just leave the viagra out of it! #randomtesting
— michael (@bisping) December 24, 2015
— Rory MacDonald (@rory_macdonald) December 24, 2015
@RaphaAssuncao Thats bc u don't talk!! I wudve had a title shot at 5Wins, but instead, YOU chose to be silent. That helps NO ONE. #SilentBob
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) December 27, 2015
@RaphaAssuncao Hey, I like u, but a few PR classes wud help u like the tit helping Caraway avoid fights with the new hittas in this division
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) December 27, 2015
@FunkMaster_UFC nah nah man It's cool but you talking about personal stuff ....Keep that (Gold?chain) shiny and the new hair style. Great PR
— Raphael Assuncao (@RaphaAssuncao) December 27, 2015
Bro, personal?! Our pay IS NOT personal. It's PUBLIC. U seem very sensitive tonight. Its ok pms must be for guys too https://t.co/V0itUcJpgI
— Aljamain Sterling (@FunkMaster_UFC) December 27, 2015
Looking like a welterweight.
We ready now! Let's go Champ!! #ufc195 @headrushbrand @ Boca Raton, Fl 33428 https://t.co/Q42Tesw1Ta
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) December 27, 2015
The champ.
Brrrrrrr!! https://t.co/kZoxhw50Dd
— Holly Holm (@HollyHolm) December 26, 2015
Any interest?
@BelizeanBruiser It would be a delight to dance in London @seanshelby
— Bethe (@bethecorreia) December 25, 2015
I'd watch.
Finishing @nickdiaz209 on @sonnench ! Realized Stooge Northcutt makes twice what @NateDiaz209 does! What! That blows my freaking mind
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) December 27, 2015
If @NateDiaz209 fights @sagenorthcutt gonna have to hear ear muffs so he doesn't hear all the foul language. Can you imagine :)
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) December 27, 2015
Dang.
I remember when people listened to me, followed orders, were inspired. Then I married & fathered 3 little girls, and it all went to sh$t
— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) December 28, 2015
How was Sage not a Power Ranger?
It's Power Ranger Time pic.twitter.com/2evIqMVjH2
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) December 26, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (Dec. 24-27 2015)
Gegard Mousasi out, Anderson Silva vs. Michael Bisping at UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Silva
Thales Leites vs. Gegard Mousasi at UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Silva
Noad Lahat vs. Diego Rivas at UFC 196
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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