:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/45622758/rogan44.0.JPG)
It's no secret that Joe Rogan isn't a huge fan of the UFC's gloves.
The UFC commentator has made his case against the gloves for playing a major role in the promotion's eye poke epidemic, but Rogan says his bosses believe the problem lies with the fighters.
"There's a lot of people that have some really strong feelings about the shape of the [UFC] gloves right now and that they're contributing to eye pokes," Rogan said last week on his podcast.
"I've had some recent conversations with [UFC president] Dana White and with [UFC CEO] Lorenzo Fertitta and they're of the opinion, I think, that the fighters need to be penalized more because the gloves have been the same for a long time, but back in the day, [eye pokes] weren't nearly as much of an issue."
White called for harsher penalties in December following the unfortunate ends to fights between K.J. Noons and Daron Cruickshank and Urijah Faber and Francisco Rivera.
While Noons' foul on Cruickshank resulted in a no contest, Urijah Faber earned a submission stoppage of Francisco Rivera after an eye poke led to a scramble.
According to Rogan, White's deterrent would almost certainly cost violators the fight.
"It happens," said Rogan. "Guys get poked in the eye. It seems like it's inevitable but Dana's opinion is that they should be penalized. Every time there's an eye poke, one point. It's pretty harsh, but you wouldn't do it."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
Say it aint so. According to the Nevada Athletic Commission, former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva has tested positive for two types of performance enhancing drugs.
3 strikes. Nick Diaz tests positive for marijuana metabolites after UFC 183.
'Mental midget.' Chris Weidman fires back at Vitor Belfort for questioning his toughness.
Signal to noise. Luke Thomas gives you the best and worst from UFC 183.
Jacare. Ronaldo Souza says he'd like to replace Vitor Belfort and face Lyoto Machida for the UFC interim middleweight title.
MEDIA STEW
UFC Rankings report.
A bit awkward now, but Anderson Silva's Spider Life Ep. 9.
Nice little feature on KO's from rising stars.
Firas Zahabi talks Rory MacDonald's title shot snub, the Reebok deal and his belief that Georges St-Pierre isn't done fighting.
"Well that sucked." Joe Lauzon talks loss at UFC 183.
A few funny clips from this weekend's MMA Awards.
Long watches.
Rollin' In Dakar - The Rise of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in West Africa
...
LIVE - Team Alpha Male Radio - #038
...
TWEETS
See how the pros reacted to Anderson Silva and Nick Diaz failing their drug tests.
A few more reactions.
Is it just me, or does it seem like people are getting popped all over the place? These drug tests are gonna start keeping people honest!
— Carla Esparza (@CarlaEsparza1) February 4, 2015
Maybe since @nickdiaz209 will be suspended at length he would be open to coming to Asia and fighting under real MMA rules. @ONEFCMMA
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) February 4, 2015
Stricter punishments? More testing? What do you guys think the UFC needs to@do to stop all the cheating?? http://t.co/EdEYtr03ks
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) February 4, 2015
I have said that there is a major problem in our sport. It breaks my heart that the greatest of all times succumbed to the pressure. #PED
— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) February 4, 2015
What a mess.
"@MieshaTate: @josephdiano77 no offense but Ive been asking for the @bethecorreia fight for awhile, I wanna shut down her win streak" me too
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) February 3, 2015
@MieshaTate @MMAViewpoint @bethecorreia @danawhite @seanshelby @Sara_McMann I'm ready to fight!! I've been ready since July 6th Last Year!!
— Alexis Davis (@AlexisDavisMMA) February 3, 2015
If u wanna see me fight @bethecorreia next & end her win streak help me get this ball rollin! Tell @danawhite @lorenzofertitta & @seanshelby
— Miesha Tate (@MieshaTate) February 3, 2015
@MieshaTate @danawhite @seanshelby pic.twitter.com/mPWDChLFPL
— Bethe (@bethecorreia) February 3, 2015
"@bethecorreia: @josephdiano77 neither Sarah nor Tate takes my invincibility. I beat up the champion @RondaRousey" great, then let's fight!
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) February 4, 2015
"@TravelingTerry: you should hire @TheNotoriousMMA for your fight negotiations." I definitely should
— Sarah Kaufman (@mmasarah) February 3, 2015
So much beef.
@sonnench cala a boca ou liga pro seu dentista!!! Alguém traduz pra esse ignorante q nem falar português fala kkkk
— Wanderlei Silva (@wandfc) February 3, 2015
@SaintMMA Wanderlei tweeted to Sonnen: "Shut up and call your dentist. I'm retired, but I'll make an exception if I meet you"
— Guilherme Cruz (@guicruzzz) February 3, 2015
@GilbertMelendez You already know I accept , im not waiting until June to fight again tho, Lets pick an earlier date June is too far out
— Edward Alvarez (@Ealvarezfight) February 4, 2015
If @Cowboycerrone doesn't want to fight with me, @GilbertMelendez what about UFC 187??? @ufc @danawhite @AliAbdelaziz00 @arielhelwani
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 3, 2015
Mr @Cowboycerrone you called me out two times.Please don't runLet's fight. @arielhelwani @danawhite @lorenzofertitta pic.twitter.com/WViwcAeaA2
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 3, 2015
Wanna see @PendredMMA as my next victim..what do you think guys? @ufc @MMAjunkieJohn @arielhelwani @SixGunGibson @JacksonWinkMMA
— Omari Akhmedov (@Omari_Akhmedov) February 3, 2015
@Omari_Akhmedov @PendredMMA @ufc @MMAjunkieJohn @arielhelwani @SixGunGibson @JacksonWinkMMA I like that
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 3, 2015
@TeamKhabib pic.twitter.com/N6JUTDHOhe
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) February 3, 2015
@PendredMMA pic.twitter.com/o5zsQcmr7l
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 3, 2015
@TeamKhabib pic.twitter.com/y9pqVtOMDT
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) February 3, 2015
@PendredMMA This guy is waiting your answer))) pic.twitter.com/VB0dFYgcwH
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 3, 2015
@TeamKhabib pic.twitter.com/8U7uxgkT9j
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) February 3, 2015
Get well soon.
Keep it moving! There is nothing sexy here! @ufc #ufc #ufc183 Aftermath! pic.twitter.com/8uE8D2vehm
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) February 3, 2015
Начал бить ногами и коленями . Already started kicking,I'll be ready for 100% in one month ! http://t.co/XT20cEbCBh
— khabib nurmagomedov (@TeamKhabib) February 3, 2015
I survived my second eye surgery pic.twitter.com/PlOT61D9p8
— Vinc Pichel (@FromHellPichel) February 4, 2015
save yourself, Buchecha.
Ja em negociações rsrs. Negotiating already haha. @ufc pic.twitter.com/wXlRtesZEJ
— Marcus Almeida (@MarcusBuchecha) February 4, 2015
Fine.
My #UFC184 Walkout Design is now available at http://t.co/KppEI0pIEM pic.twitter.com/BbIPnBx4ct
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) February 3, 2015
Great pic.
These 2 legends sparred together. Looks like they won't be fighting each other. The spar should've been sold as a PPV pic.twitter.com/At3EwdmSnF
— Cathal Pendred (@PendredMMA) February 3, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Feb. 3 2015)
Nik Lentz vs. Levan Makashvili vs. UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch
Talita Nogueira out, Julia Budd vs. Gabrielle Holloway at Bellator 133
Mannyl Gamburyan out, Takeya Mizugaki vs. Aljamain Sterling at UFC on FOX 15
Yancy Medeiros out, Tony Ferguson vs. Gleison Tibau at UFC 184
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via Graham Douglas.
Mike Dolce isn't arrogant, it's just that he's right. He is the unsung hero of the sport of MMA.
I've watched most, if not all the Dolce interviews on the MMA hour. Something stuck me today though. This guy is not arrogant. Nor is he smug. The fact is that Dolce Knows. He needs a new shirt, "Dolce Knows" or "Dolce told you so, but you didn't listen", etc. Create your own, it's fun!
He's right. It would seem that being able to cut weight effectively is a GIGANTIC part of success in the sport. Lower weight class, smaller opponents, and less damage. The question really though becomes whether you can get to a lower weight and still be effective. It's clear that Dolce makes it happen for guys. What is his expertise worth? It's worth bigger payouts, a longer career, more energy come fight time, and a healthier existence after years of fighting and cutting weight.
...
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
