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The already tenuous relationship between Cris Cyborg and UFC president Dana White has completely broken down in recent weeks, resulting in White waiving the UFC’s exclusive negotiation and matching rights in Cyborg’s contract so that the former featherweight champion can become an unrestricted free agent.
There’s plenty of blame go around, and according to UFC broadcast member Joe Rogan, it’s not all on the fighter and the boss.
White publicly announced that he was through with the Cyborg business after a video appeared on her social media that showed a backstage conversation with White, a clip that did not paint him in a flattering light. The video has since been deleted and Cyborg issued an apology to White, saying that it was her production team who were primarily responsible for the misrepresentation.
It’s a theory that Rogan agrees has some weight.
“They f*cked up. Cyborg’s team,” Rogan said during a conversation with Brendan Schaub on the Joe Rogan Experience. “Whoever did it, whether it’s her boyfriend or whoever it was that edited that video, that lied and put words in his mouth, is so f*cking stupid.
“You don’t think that they’re going to do something about that? You’re out of your goddamn mind. When they edited that video to say that “whenever I’m talking in public I’m not telling the truth,” which is not what he said at all, and then to have it edited and cut right there…”
Schaub then interrupted Rogan to add that there is no way White would have such a sensitive conversation with Cyborg knowing that there were cameras everywhere. He described White as being too smart for that.
Another point of contention for Rogan actually involves the comedian’s own history with Cyborg. Back in 2015, Rogan made crude remarks about Cyborg’s gender the fighter has recently been outspoken about bullying and wanting White to apologize to her for making similar comments before she joined the UFC.
As far as Rogan is concerned, that issue with Cyborg in the past.
“But also they did was they’re bringing back shit that happened five years ago,” Rogan said. “Cyborg was saying she wanted an apology from me. And I don’t think it was that she wanted an apology from me, I think it was her boyfriend or someone on the team. I apologized to her, me and her, no one around, face to face, and I took a photo with her afterwards. There’s a photo of me and her on my Instagram.
“She started fighting in the UFC. She hadn’t fought in the UFC before and I said, ‘Hey, I’m sorry about the jokes. I promise no more jokes,’ and I said, ‘I’m actually a fan of yours and I want you to succeed in the UFC and I wish you the best of luck.’ I go, ‘ No hard feelings?’
“She goes, ‘No, those jokes kind of hurt my feelings.’
“I said, ‘I’m sorry. No more jokes.’ I gave her a hug. We took a picture together.”
Schaub echoed Rogan’s assessment of the situation, noting that regardless of who is responsible, he doesn’t believe butting heads with the brass was ever going to go well for Cyborg.
“I like Cyborg, a nice person,” Schaub said. “And I don’t think Cyborg’s a bad person. I think her management and the way they’ve handled things have completely f*cked her. I think her going to battle with the UFC was the worst thing and it’s not her.”
MUST-READ STORIES
Young Assassin. Catch up with Melvin Guillard before he fights at BKFC 7 on Saturday.
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BJJ. Brazilian jiu-jitsu star Rodolfo Vieira is ready to make an impact in the UFC.
Unprofessional. PFL boss Ray Sefo addresses the rash of weight misses in his league.
VIDEO STEW
UFC Uruguay videos.
Dan Hardy’s War Room.
Life of a Prize Fighter with Belal Muhammad.
Valentina Shevchenko’s last fight before joining the UFC.
LISTEN UP
You’re Welcome. UFC welterweight champion Kamaru Usman and Chael Sonnen talk Colby Covington.
The MMA Vivisection. Discussing this weekend’s UFC Uruguay card.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Back in the day.
Fair answer.
Actually I don’t. https://t.co/duJCXggv4q
— Ben Askren (@Benaskren) August 8, 2019
“Rocky” isn’t having all that talk.
shut your lying mouth you fat fuck. stop trying to protect your boy and stop your desperate attempts to be tough on twitter your quiet as a mouse in person
— Leon 'Rocky' Edwards (@Leon_edwardsmma) August 8, 2019
Are we still doing these?
Take control of your careers, fellas.
November of December im ready to break your face
— Nasrat Haqparast (@Nasrat_mma) August 8, 2019
Not if I break yours first. See you then.
— Scott Holtzman (@HotSauceHoltzy) August 8, 2019
Help Gastelum out.
I want to ask my followers a question. Who would you like to my next fight to be? I want to fight Nov, 2nd at MSG.
— #OnAmission4Gold (@KelvinGastelum) August 8, 2019
Comment below and based on the top answers I will also make a poll on the best possible matchups that YOU ALL decided.
Dana White, foiling Jorge Masvidal’s fun again.
@danawhite said I was too big ♂️ #supernecessary https://t.co/FAipFmHX4n
— Jorge Masvidal UFC (@GamebredFighter) August 8, 2019
Invicta portraits, always dope.
Check out the official portrait gallery taken by photographer Dave Mandel for #InvictaFC36 here: https://t.co/BQS7gVKC7g pic.twitter.com/dw8htcIhhu
— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) August 8, 2019
And PFL!
Some portraits from @ProFightLeague studio day. Always appreciate PFL letting me get weird. || @ARRIChannel pic.twitter.com/KunXd8qSOK
— Ryan Loco (@RyanLoco) August 8, 2019
Mama noooo!
Kelvin Tiller putting his Mama through her paces. #PFL6 pic.twitter.com/GZahsXGkcS
— #PFLmma (@ProFightLeague) August 9, 2019
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Aspen Ladd (8-1) vs. Yana Kunitskaya (12-4, 1 NC); UFC on ESPN 6, Dec. 7
Claudia Gadelha (17-4) vs. Cynthia Calvillo (8-1); UFC on ESPN 6, Dec. 7
Blaine O’Driscoll (7-2) vs. Jake Hadley (4-0); Bellator Dublin, Sept. 27
Galore Bofando (6-3) vs. Stefano Paterno (12-3-1); Bellator Milan, Oct. 12
Oliver Enkamp (8-2) vs. Giorgio Pietrini (16-5-1); Bellator Milan, Oct. 12
TODAY IN MMA HISTORY
2008: At UFC 87, Georges St-Pierre successfully defended his welterweight title against Jon Fitch with a dominant five-round performance, putting a stop to Fitch’s 16-fight win streak. And wrestling superstar Brock Lesnar earned his first UFC win with a unanimous decision nod over Heath Herring.
2009: Brian Bowles pulled of an insane upset at WEC 42, defeating bantamweight champion Miguel Torres via first-round KO and becoming just the second man to beat Torres in 39 pro fights.
FINAL THOUGHTS
This is Alexander K. Lee filling in today, Jed Meshew will be back soon with your regularly scheduled programming.
But while I have this space, I just want to remind everyone to enjoy themselves this weekend whether you’re tuning in to Invicta FC tonight, or to UFC Uruguay and BKFC 7 on Saturday, or streaming some random show being broadcast out of a dude’s backyard in Iowa.
There are a lot of fights out there and probably something for even the most discerning combat sports fan. So go forth and be merry!
EXIT POLL
Poll
What UFC Uruguay fight are you most looking forward to?
This poll is closed
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34%
Valentina Shevchenko vs. Liz Carmouche 2
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47%
Vicente Luque vs. Mike Perry
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15%
Volkan Oezdemir vs. Ilir Latifi
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2%
Other
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, add us on Snapchat at MMA-Fighting, and like us on Facebook.