On Sunday night, Francis Ngannou made quick work of Cain Velasquez, knocking out the former two-time UFC heavyweight champion in just 26 seconds at UFC Phoenix. After the biggest win of his career, Ngannou began lobbying for a title shot, saying that heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier “should come to avenge his teammate.” Unfortunately for Ngannou, it doesn’t look like that will be in the cards for him.
Speaking with ESPN after the fight, UFC President Dana White revealed that the UFC already has an opponent lined up Cormier.
“Well yeah, Francis is there,” White said. “Cormier’s hurt right now and we have another fight lined up for Cormier first so, we’ll see how this whole thing plays out.”
When Cormier won the title at UFC 226, a superfight with Brock Lesnar was immediately teased. However, despite Lesnar rejoining USADA in July, there has been little discussion about his impending return, leaving even Cormier to wonder if the fight with happen. Meanwhile, Cormier has been dealing with injuries since his heavyweight title defense against Derrick Lewis at UFC 230, leaving who is is fighting next completely up in the air and Dana White did not care to illuminate either.
“[Cormier] is not healthy yet so I would never announce a fight without it being done,” White said when questioned about the opponent for Cormier. “It makes no sense. I don’t even know when Cormier’s gonna be ready.”
Cormier is currently sidelined with a back injury and just last week announced that he would be pushing back his planned retirement date while he recovers.
MUST-READ STORIES
Results. Francis Ngannou finishes Cain Velasquez in opening minute at UFC Phoenix.
Results. Matt Mitrione vs. Sergei Kharitonov ends in no-contest after low blow at Bellator 215.
Results. Michael ‘Venom’ Page earns tactical win over Paul Daley at Bellator 216.
Results. Vanessa Porto beats Pearl Gonzalez for title by technical decision after eye poke at Invicta 34.
Bonuses. Vicente Luque, Bryan Barbarena, Luke Sanders, and Kron Gracie earned bonuses.
VIDEO STEW
UFC Phoenix Post-Fight Show.
Bellator highlights.
Invicta highlights.
LFA 60 highlights.
TTTHS.
LISTEN UP
SBN Post-Fight. Immediate post-fight reaction to UFC Phoenix.
6th Round. Immediate post-fight reaction to UFC Phoenix.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Cold blooded.
I appreciate the compliment by Cynthia but I think I deserve a top five as well. That’s why I consider a title contention fight.
— Tatiana Suarez (@TSPMMA115) February 18, 2019
Al the hero.
@ALIAQUINTA has a better chance at selling me a house than fighting me at ufc 236
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 18, 2019
I’ll take it
— A1 Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) February 18, 2019
@DustinPoirier do you need 3 bedrooms or nah?
— A1 Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) February 18, 2019
@DustinPoirier oh and have your lender send me you pre approval
— A1 Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) February 18, 2019
@DustinPoirier if you don’t have one, i can recommend
— A1 Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) February 18, 2019
We both have to wait for the appraisal first.
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 18, 2019
Bro stopppp
— A1 Iaquinta (@ALIAQUINTA) February 18, 2019
More from Poirier.
Put Gold on the line or open up the check book otherwise don't even call my phone. @ufc
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 18, 2019
Listen its gotta be me and @TonyFergusonXT ......if he waits for Khabib then it has to be me and @TheNotoriousMMA or @BlessedMMA if he comes to 155lbs
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) February 18, 2019
Ouch.
Gross.
Conor been very respectful on Twitter lately.
Very excited to see Kron Gracie compete tomorrow in the UFC.
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) February 17, 2019
Son of Rickson, partner of Diaz.
So much lineage.
Very proud and exciting moment here for the prestigious Gracie family. Remember that without this family, none of us would have a job we loved.
Good luck and Respect.
Savage.
Inevitable.
Anniversary.
Max out here getting people’s hopes up.
Tony Ferguson is the type of guy to copy my back tattoo then tell me I've just been blessed pic.twitter.com/1aDZgHNMJH
— Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) February 15, 2019
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
N/A.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Man, talk about a weird weekend. Bellator had the 15-second no-contest and D1 Paul Daley. Invicta had the eye-poke finish, and the UFC had Cain’s awkward 26-second loss. MMA went full MMA, including having Cain blow out his knee.
Thanks for reading and see y’all tomorrow.
EXIT POLL
Poll
Who will Cormier defend against next?
This poll is closed
-
41%
Brock
-
30%
Stipe
-
6%
Francis
-
21%
Jon
If you find something you’d like to see in the Morning Report, hit up @JedKMeshew on Twitter and let him know about it! Also follow MMAFighting on Instagram, and like us on Facebook!