Morning Report: Matt Brown confirms fight with Nate Diaz at UFC 189 is off

Well, it seems a welterweight bout between Matt Brown and Nate Diaz at UFC 189 wasn't meant to be.

After Diaz explained to MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani that the bout hadn't been discussed before being announced by the UFC, Brown took to Twitter Tuesday night to confirm it was off.

Fight against @NateDiaz209 isn't happening. I'll update you guys soon as I get the word on opponent/date/ thanks for the support as always!

— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) April 15, 2015

According to FOX Sports, Brown responded 'He didn't sign the contract' when asked about the bout.

Diaz admitted he saw the appeal in a fight between he and Brown, but said he felt he was being 'strong-armed into a fight.'

"I think that's a great fight, everybody would want to see that fight -- I would if I was just a fight fan, that sounds like an awesome fight, like a fight you'd like to see," Diaz said Monday. "But it was never talked about, and it kind of feels like I'm being forced into a fight instead of talked to and dealt with fairly."

Brown also tweeted he held no ill will for Diaz, counting himself as a fan.

By the way I like watching Diaz fight lw's I wish him the best of luck in the future and I'll be watching every time he fights

— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) April 15, 2015

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Big show. UFC on FOX 16 books fights featuring bantamweight champion T.J. Dillashaw, former lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and Miesha Tate.

'Smack his ass to the floor.' Nate Diaz explains what he would have done if Conor McGregor snatched his championship belt.

'Liar.' Michael Bisping refutes reports that he turned down a fight with Ronaldo Souza at UFC 186. 'Jacare is a great fighter, but his manager doesn't need to tell lies to make him sounds like a bad ass.'

Judge not, lest ye be judged. Marc Raimondi recounts his experience shadowing California State Athletic Commission judges at Bellator 136.

'I didn't realize until the end of the show that I had a lot of issues.' Chris Leben talks addiction, picking on Jason Thacker, his upcoming book and life after fighting. 'I didn't realize that people didn't wake up and drink every day. I mean, I had been living in my own world.'

MEDIA STEW

Free fight: Joey Beltran vs. Brian Rogers.

Joe Lauzon gets a new puppy.

Ronda Rousey hanging out with Manny Pacquiao.

Highlights the 2015 ADCC qualifiers in Rio de Janeiro.

Regional highlights from Inside MMA.

Heatch, the director's cut starring Kenny Florian and 27X world champion Renato Laranja.

Long watches.

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TWEETS

Sweet tat.

If you see the Tiger it's too late. You're food. pic.twitter.com/uAnC2cB0tV

— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) April 14, 2015

Cool.

Truly honored to meet such a humble and genuine person. Thank you @MannyPacquiao for welcoming us into your home pic.twitter.com/I1IkpuyLXt

— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) April 14, 2015

Big day.

The thing about me is I always try to keep it real,nobody can honestly say I'm shady or that I screwed them over in a business deal. I know that there are a lot of shady people in the fight world. Common sense should prevail when people think about who's doing shady business. I can look myself in the mirror everyday day proud that I've been righteous. No matter what happens in my career,no matter what the judge says tomorrow,the powers that be should know one important fact about me.. IM NOT JUST A FIGHTER haha I have other ways to make a living, the most high God of heaven and earth and the creator of all living things gave me many skills. I can walk away from MMA right now and only fight 4 fun. I love this sport but not SOME of the evil people behind it.

The thing about me is I always try to keep it real,nobody can honestly say I'm shady or that I... https://t.co/4LHANPnRgr

— Quinton Jackson (@Rampage4real) April 15, 2015

Like it?

@ufc thinks I coast? Its because these guys dont push me. Give me someone who will like @IamTheImmortal. @danawhite @lorenzofertitta

— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) April 14, 2015

If @NateDiaz209 doesnt want @IamTheImmortal i will take whichever one of the 2. @ufc @danawhite @lorenzofertitta

— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) April 14, 2015

RIP.

So sorry to hear about the passing of Kevin Rozier, one of the original first 10 at UFC 1. RIP Kevin

— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) April 14, 2015

Beef.

I just purchased the same tiara @KingMoFH wears off the internet for $4.49 pic.twitter.com/b61ORbCcYo

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) April 14, 2015

@DerekBrunson my man is in pure denial.. Derek's hairline start in the middle of his head. When he get a cut they only do the sides.

— Rashad Evans (@SugaRashadEvans) April 14, 2015

Bom dia !!! Good morning!!! #TNT #Treinoemaistreino #tntenergydrink #omelhor

A photo posted by josealdojunioroficial (@josealdojunioroficial) on Apr 14, 2015 at 5:56am PDT

Get well soon.

Thank you dr @Rickson_Moraes for evaluation of my elbow, and I release to the next battle will be soon..

Obrigado dr @Rickson_Moraes pela avaliação do meu cotovelo, e me liberar para a próxima batalha que será em breve.. pic.twitter.com/yiOx5XUrTb

— Erick Silva (@ErickSilvaMMA) April 14, 2015

Never forget.

Só pra lembrar vocês... Just a reminder... pic.twitter.com/S90wHrX1Hf

— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) April 14, 2015

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (April 14 2015)

T.J. Dillashaw vs. Renan Barao at UFC on FOX 16

Myles Jury vs. Anthony Pettis at UFC on FOX 16

Jessica Eye vs. Miesha Tate at UFC on FOX 16

Alex Caceres vs. Francisco Rivera UFC Fight Night: Cormier vs. Bader

Alan Omer vs. Mike Wilkinson at UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Teixeira

cancelled Matt Brown vs. Nate Diaz at UFC 189

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day comes via TheFightNerd.

Fights/Fighters You Don't Mind Paying For

The economics of being a broke MMA fan is sometimes daunting. Shell out $50 for a fight card, or buy fresh food for two weeks instead of stuff in boxes and cans? Usually the answer is going to be the fresh food. But sometimes there's a specific fight you must see, or a fighter who you like so much that you feel a moral obligation to buy the card. Sometimes it's the hype, and sometimes it's the history of destruction a person brings with him into the cage.

And when money's involved, sometimes it oddly doesn't equate to who your "favorite fighter" is. The best example of this phenomenon is late-career GSP. He was undoubtedly my favorite fighter, and I loved watching him fight. But because of the style of his fights, and counter-intuitively, his dominance, I didn't feel a burning need to buy every card he was on. I didn't mind watching him dismantle Thiago Alvez a few days later.

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Check out the rest of the post here.

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