UFC Hall of Famer Chuck Liddell has particular tastes.
The former light heavyweight champ doesn't shell out praise lightly and even Jon Jones, arguably the greatest fighter of all time, hasn't been spared "The Iceman's" jabs.
Outside of an unresolved rivalry with fellow former champ Tito Ortiz, Liddell was never much of a talker. But when it comes to featherweight champ Conor McGregor, game recognize game.
"I'll be honest: I don't like the way Conor talks," Liddell told Yahoo!'s Kevin Iole. "I'm not a fan of that. I get it. I understand it. It's his way of intimidating guys and getting into their head. Everyone has their way of trying to get into the other guy's head before a fight, and talking is his way. I don't like it, but I can put up with all the loudmouth, crazy things he says when he goes out and fights like he does and gives you those kinds of finishes."
McGregor stopped No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Jose Aldo in just 13 seconds at UFC 194, something not even Liddell can pick at.
"I love the way Conor fights," said Liddell. "How can you not? I mean, the guy delivers. I've been an Aldo fan for years, and he's been such a great fighter, and Conor went out there and did what he said he was going to do."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Don't worry. Robbie Lawler shoots down recent injury rumor. "I guess some guy up in Canada thought I was gonna do an appearance three or four weeks before my [fight] up in some cold weather."
The Notorious. Dave Doyle explains why Conor McGregor is his 2015 Fighter of the Year.
Moneyweight. King Mo envisions big fights in three weight classes for Bellator in 2016.
The Conor Effect. Like Conor McGregor, Carlos Condit preaches the movement gospel. "I like what it's doing for me and what it's done for my body, my rehab for my knee, and my overall agility and athleticism."
Best of the MMA Hour in 2015. Check out interviews with T.J. Dillashaw, Dominick Cruz, Nate Diaz, Georges St-Pierre, Rampage Jackson, Mirko Cro Cop, Forrest Griffin & Stephan Bonnar and BJ Penn.
MEDIA STEW
UFC 195 embedded episode 1.
Extended Preview for UFC 195.
Dan Hardy breaks down Robbie Lawler vs. Carlos Condit and Andrei Arlovski vs. Stipe Miocic.
Ben Askren is headed to middleweight.
Mike Swick teaches a transition to mount.
Free Fight: Andrei Arlovski vs. Antonio Silva.
Long watches.
...
TWEETS
Right back at it.
Utterly defeated, post sparring @officialcainvelasquez Downside of being apart of team #AKA is having to help prepare...
Posted by Luke Rockhold on Monday, December 28, 2015
Be careful.
Quiet night in. #Uzi #Colt pic.twitter.com/xLPOnVO0NU
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 28, 2015
Buds.
Rapaz, finalmente tive a honra de conhecer pessoalmente esse grande Mestre @ricksongraciejj, do qual me inspirou a ser...
Posted by Kings Mma on Monday, December 28, 2015
With @KS_SAKU39 at @rizin_PR . A Japanese MMA legend. pic.twitter.com/JO123DRAfQ
— Gegard Mousasi (@mousasi_mma) December 28, 2015
@CatZingano @RNGooderham heheh remember when we fought together on UFC 178 our locker room chat
— Demetrious Johnson (@MightyMouseUFC) December 28, 2015
Yeah, when you said "relax, it's just a fight"? I wanted to kill you dead, lol. But I guess you were right;) @ufc https://t.co/bgftjJrSuA
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) December 28, 2015
We ran into @forrestgriffin while in the @ufc headquarters earlier today. https://t.co/3tgTC36tgl
— michael (@bisping) December 29, 2015
@bisping @ufc ahh ya my belly game is getting strong
— Forrest Griffin (@ForrestGriffin) December 29, 2015
Yep.
Post-fight Speech of the Year: Anik: Al Iaquinta; Florian: Nate Diaz #AFPAs @ALIAQUINTA @NateDiaz209 @Jon_Anik @kennyflorian
— Anik Florian Podcast (@AnikFlorianPod) December 29, 2015
For real.
Can we get @Justin_Gaethje a wiki page now? He's one of the best fighters in the world! @MMAWorldSeries @Wikipedia pic.twitter.com/8WwCKENd3z
— Schaub (@BrandenSchaub) December 29, 2015
No. 1 fan.
Not a fan of @stipemiocicufc. He is a sloppy boxer w/some ok wrestling. Has no Jitz skills, no Muay Thai skills and is not good anywhere.
— UP2DATEMMA (@UP2DATEMMA) December 28, 2015
I appreciate your opinion but I have to disagree. I love Stipe. I would even say he's my favorite heavyweight. https://t.co/i7r4VQVQ0U
— Stipe Miocic (@stipemiocicufc) December 29, 2015
No words.
Breakfast of Champions #AdventureTooth pic.twitter.com/cZTwSdH9mK
— Patrick Cummins (@OfficialDurkin) December 28, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Dec. 28 2015)
Kevin Casey vs. Rafael Natal at UFC on Fox 18
Jodie Esquibel out, Alida Gray vs. Angela Hill at Invicta FC 15
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.