Morning Report: Henderson-Edgar II Green Lit, Rampage Jackson Threatens to Quit UFC

Ten days. That's how long the UFC lightweight division was open for business before word came down for the third straight title rematch since April 10, 2010.

Now, we've all heard the arguments ad nauseum. It's only fair. Frankie Edgar had to do it twice. And let's be honest, we all kind of expected this. Never mind that just four men have fought for the 155-pound title in the last 23 months.

So for now, lets try to forget how groovy the storylines for Henderson-Pettis II would have been. Or how fascinating the bizarre personality clash of Henderson-Diaz would be. Unless someone randomly gets popped for weed, it is what it is. Henderson-Edgar II will be entertaining, and afterward we can be done with this endless circle of rematches -- unless, of course, Frankie takes a narrow split decision. Then you can bet we'll be well on our way to trilogy town. So check out all the details of Henderson-Edgar II, plus everything else MMA has to offer with the Morning Report.

5 MUST-READ STORIES

Frankie Edgar vs. Ben Henderson rematch booked. After ten tiresome days of debate, Dana White and the UFC granted Frankie Edgar a lightweight title rematch against Ben Henderson.

Rampage Jackson unhappy with UFC, says he's leaving after next fight. Jackson has unloaded a barrage of interesting tweets while vacationing in the Philippines, including a series of announcements that revealed plans to leave the UFC after his next fight.

Nate Diaz thinks brother Nick Diaz will remain retired. Ariel Helwani caught up with Nate Diaz following Tuesday's UFC on FOX 3 press conference, and the young Stocktonian was rather candid about a potential title shot and his brother Nick's retirement.

Junior dos Santos vs. Alistair Overeem confirmed for UFC 146. The long-awaited heavyweight title scrap is finally on the books for May 26 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Thiago Silva vs Alexander Gustafsson booked for UFC on FUEL 2. An Antonio Rogerio Nogueira knee injury has paved the way for Thiago Silva to face Alexander Gustafsson in the main event of UFC on FUEL 2.

COUNTDOWN TO A SLIMMER ROY NELSON

Started (on March 4th): 32,000 likes.
As of this writing: 92,183 likes.
Goal (by March 18th): 132,000 likes.

MEDIA STEW

Chael P. Sonnen has had enough. No more lobbing media bombs at Anderson Silva. No more pro wrestling promos. He's stepping out of the game. And if you don't believe him, Sonnen took the opportunity last night to apologize to Silva and relinquish his status as the number-one contender.

The relationship between Bellator and their middleweight champion, Hector Lombard, appears to be shaky at best right now. And it may only get worse. When asked about Lombard's current contract situation, Dana White couldn't help but drop this little gem: "I'll probably end up with him then."

Don Frye took a break from wrestling bears to honor us with stories about his new announcing gig, his legendary brawl with Yoshihiro Takayama, and the magic of aging. (HT: Middle Easy)

From the backfiles of the early 90's: Trevor Berbick, aka the last man to defeat Muhammed Ali, fought HUSTLE owner Nobuhiko Takada in this infamous boxer vs. wrestler match. (HT: Reddit)

FRANKIE EDGAR GETS HIS REMATCH

Rematch anyone??.......it's on!! Thanks to @danawhite @lorenzofertitta. Me and Henderson 2. Here we go!!

— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) March 6, 2012

#SustainedExplosion!!! RT @danawhite: Frankie Edgar and Ben Henderson rematch will be this summer

— Benson Henderson (@SMOOTHone155) March 6, 2012

I will...whats the hurry???...RT @RevPhilBert: @SMOOTHone155 what about petitis? Don't u wanna get back that loss?@danawhite

— Benson Henderson (@SMOOTHone155) March 7, 2012

RETURN OF THE CRIPPLER

What's up everyone im back, cleaned up my act and you'll be hearing from me regularly

— chris leben (@cripplerufc) March 7, 2012

MICHAEL SCHIAVELLO: NOT IN THE SONNEN FAN CLUB

@KCBanditMMA @DaveHendrickTLW nope. Wanker. Plus he doesn't write his own material, Matt Lindland does from what I hear.

— Michael Schiavello (@SchiavelloVOICE) March 5, 2012

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Tuesday, March 6, 2012):

- Frankie Edgar (14-2-1) vs. Ben Henderson (16-2) rematch announced for summer

- UFC 146: Junior dos Santos (14-1) vs. Alistair Overeem (36-11, 1 NC) confirmed as main event

- UFC on FUEL 2: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (20-5) out, Thiago Silva (14-2, 1 NC) in against Alexander Gustafsson (13-1)

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day goes to BE's SSreporters: UFC Fight Statistics For 1st Quarter of 2012

Easy numbers to digest. 62.5% of this year's finishes have come in the opening round, 25% in the 2nd, and only 12.5% in the 3rd. Obviously of the 5 to come in the final round, two have come in the last couple of weeks, with Tim Boetsch's comeback KO vs. Yushin Okami and Martin Kampmann's dramatic guillotine choke over Thiago Alves. Only four fights have been five-rounders and three of them went the distance, and since the switch to five-round non-title main events, not a single one has seen a finish past the 3rd round.

This (next) table breaks down fight results for every weight class thus far, including the recently added flyweight division from last Friday's UFC on FX 2 card.

Found something entertaining, brutal, or bizarre you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just send it to @shaunalshatti and we'll include it in tomorrow's post.