Morning Report: Yoel Romero's USADA test leads to middleweight uproar by Luke Rockhold, others

It takes quite a bit to bring Michael Bisping and Tim Kennedy together, but science found a way.

With news that UFC middleweight contender Yoel Romero was informed of a "potential Anti-Doping Policy violation" stemming from an out-of-competition USADA drug test, the rest of the division didn't waste much time.

Tim Kennedy, a former opponent of Romero's and outspoken critic of the sport's on-going issues with performance-enhancing drug use, went straight for the jugular.

@YoelRomeroMMA hey buddy. Did Jesus tell you to use steroids?

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) January 13, 2016

@YoelRomeroMMA FYI Gay Jesus isn't ok with #PEDs

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) January 13, 2016

@YoelRomeroMMA bummer you weren't tested for our fight. Is that why you needed the stool?

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) January 13, 2016

@YoelRomeroMMA grabbing the cage, kicks to the groin, long breaks between rounds, PEDs, not sure if there are any ways left for you to cheat

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) January 13, 2016

@YoelRomeroMMA hey bro I'm in the market for some anabolic steroids you got any extra?

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) January 13, 2016

Bisping wasn't far behind.

So Yoel tests positive, not surprised at all #roider of God is a cheating scumbag, @TimKennedyMMA I feel ur pain having been there before

— michael (@bisping) January 13, 2016

Looks like Im one of the only clean athletes in the 185ers @ufc when I beat Anderson 'viagra' silva, I want my title shot, #cleanfighter

— michael (@bisping) January 13, 2016

@bisping @ufc hey bro. Not so fast. (Yep just dropped a bro in there)

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) January 13, 2016

@bisping crazy to think about all the dudes we have beat while we were clean. Hat is off to you.

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) January 13, 2016

@TimKennedyMMA for once Tim, I agree with you lol. Shame on hat sham of a man, and anyone else who cheats. Zero honor!

— michael (@bisping) January 13, 2016

Finally, middleweight champion Luke Rockhold jumped in.

I'm sick of all these cheaters. It's pathetic, man up or get the fuck out.

— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) January 13, 2016

7-0 in the Octagon since 2013, Romero most recently scored a split-decision win over Rondaldo 'Jacare' Souza at UFC 194 on Dec. 12 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

It's on. Conor McGregor calls Rafael dos Anjos a 'traitor,' vows to behead him for Brazilian people.

Salad vs. steak. Conor McGregor's head coach calls Rafael dos Anjos "a warm-up fight" and predicts s first-round finish.

Longer layoff. UFC president Dana White says Ronda Rousey is unlikely to fight at UFC 200 and needs more time off due to movie obligations.

#freenickdiaz. NAC reduces Nick Diaz penalty to 18-month suspension, $100K fine.

'I'd say that's the fight I deserve.' Chris Weidman calls for immediate rematch against UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold.

MEDIA STEW

Countdown Embedded: TJ Dillashaw vs. Dominick Cruz.

Dillashaw talks leaving Team Alpha Male.

Mike Swick teaches you how to prevent standups against the cage.

Wanderlei Silva's team isn't happy about having his case pushed back by the NAC.

Highlights from the regional scene.

Chael Sonnen talks Ronda Rousey, Nick Diaz and Conor McGregor vs. Rafael dos Anjos.

Long watches.

...

TWEETS

Official.

Prediction: RDA by slaughter!

— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) January 12, 2016

March 5th, 2016. #UFC197 pic.twitter.com/Ja7yvOnbjO

— Cathal Pendred (@Pendred) January 12, 2016

Back to work.

I'd like to thank Dana, Lorenzo, UFC, my attorney's and all my fans. Back to work. ... https://t.co/BojfyYpjzx pic.twitter.com/8QGbb5V5sc

— nick diaz (@nickdiaz209) January 13, 2016

Buds.

Ladies pic.twitter.com/VdfpMxg1Z7

— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) January 12, 2016

Romero reactions.

My record needs to be fixed. No middleweight in the world can beat me without PED. I'm disgusted... pic.twitter.com/nE2W2TjdoM

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) January 13, 2016

@DerekBrunson he was 100% cheating when he fought you. I was there.

— Tim Kennedy (@TimKennedyMMA) January 13, 2016

Going to be a much more difficult yr to use PED's w/ way more tests. Most young fighters are no longer tempted to use, big change for better

— Brian Stann (@BrianStann) January 13, 2016

I got tested this morning at my house. 2nd time in a month! https://t.co/HZlukEqEGI

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) January 13, 2016

If you get caught juicing once it should be life ban. This isn't baseball, your trying to hurt people. He gorilla smashed Jacare in 1st.

— Chris Wade (@CWadeMMA) January 13, 2016

Congratulations you played yourself. #noforcheating

— Will Brooks (@illwillbrooks86) January 13, 2016

The juice sure is popular with quite a few fighters in Florida! Gym name will soon be switched to #PEDTT, to better fit the team. #GotEm

— Johnny Hollywood (@HollywoodCase) January 13, 2016

Get well soon.

Nose surgery absolutely sucks.... constant sharp pressure from plastic stents that are stitched in. No bueno

— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) January 12, 2016

Excite.

. We coming!! @ufc @danawhite pic.twitter.com/OLXDbASLbi

— BJ PENN (@bjpenndotcom) January 13, 2016

What an honor to have @bjpenn @jacksonwink_mma ・・・ We coming !! @ufc @danawhiteufc https://t.co/mSwI8aFMrc pic.twitter.com/tVIURi3Lnj

— JacksonWinkMMA (@JacksonWinkMMA) January 13, 2016

This is going to be fun https://t.co/JGHC4DaWx8

— Brandon Gibson (@SixGunGibson) January 13, 2016

Not happy.

Some people have a different meaning of loyalty #CutTheFat

— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) January 13, 2016

@EASPORTSUFC hey seriously did I make the cut for the game? This will be 8 years in the @UFC for me and I've never made it in:(

— Tom Lawlor (@FilthyTomLawlor) January 12, 2016

More Reebok.

Coming to a Toys R Us near you soon! Lol pic.twitter.com/jjr0fSNN9Q

— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) January 12, 2016

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Jan. 12 2016)

Derek Anderson out, Patricky Freire vs. Ryan Couture at Bellator 148

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.