Morning Report: Luke Rockhold laughs off Chris Weidman's injury claim, vows to stop him in two rounds
We knew about the staph infection Luke Rockhold fought through at UFC 194 but now we're hearing about what was bothering former middleweight champion Chris Weidman.
Weidman revealed earlier this month that he suffered his first professional loss while battling a broken foot. The former champ's coach Ray Longo told ESPN that the foot was fractured in two places and that Weidman could barely stand just a month out from the fight.
Don't look to Rockhold for any sympathy. He stopped the champ with punches midway through round four in December and plans to cut that time in half.
"The rematch with Weidman is set," Rockhold told Bloody Elbow. "I believe at UFC 199. It should be June 4 or so. I'm looking forward to it. I think [the broken foot] is a joke. They know my situation. I came in with an infection on antibiotics and I still whipped his ass. Like I said to his manager just now, Weidman goes down in two [rounds]. I'll put him away in half the time. I almost feel bad about this next one. It's going to be bad."
Speaking with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Rockhold elaborated on the rematch and wants to remove any doubt about how this matchup goes down.
"People, for some reason, think it was a close fight," said Rockhold. "I don't think so. I think I was controlling it the whole way and I really don't see it any different the next time around. I wasn't at my peak performance. Chris wants to say he was at 10 to 20 [percent]. When I beat him again, what's he going to say? He's at two percent? Three percent? I'm looking forward to getting in there and putting an ending on that one. I'm going to end it with an exclamation point."
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'I'll believe it when I see it.' Robbie Lawler isn't holding his breath waiting for Georges St-Pierre.
'If he's gonna yap, he's gonna yap.' Scott Coker reacts to champion Will Brooks' recent criticism of Bellator.
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'It's going to be horrible. Horrible.' Claudia Gadelha's coach says she and Joanna Jedrzejczyk on TUF could be "worse" than Jose Aldo-Conor McGregor.
MEDIA STEW
Free Fight: Conor McGregor vs Chad Mendes.
Conor McGregor taking more shots at Nate Diaz and Frankie Edgar.
Chael Sonnen breaks down Donald Cowboy Cerrone vs. Alex Oliveira and Dennis Bermudez vs Kawajiri.
Joe Lauzon tries to KO a man of size with a body shot.
Johny can't make the weight.
TTH reads the insane press release from the promoter of Mayhem Miller's new organization.
Long watches.
KNUCKLE UP #328: KEVIN RANDLEMAN FAREWELL + THE LAYING TO BED OF NASTY RUMORS CONNECTED TO HIS PA...
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RDA vs Conor McGregor - Pre-Figth Analysis - Coach Firas Zahabi
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TWEETS
Congrats.
Such an honor to share the cover with @theashleygraham and @haileyclauson for @si_swimsuit! pic.twitter.com/2xRkdNXmwC
— Ronda Rousey (@RondaRousey) February 14, 2016
Buds.
Honor to have @ricoverhoeven n house. Always fun sling leather w/ the best n the world @adidascombatusa #adidasmma pic.twitter.com/ttPCOPYHg8
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) February 12, 2016
@BensonHenderson maybe we could schedule some time to talk all things mma and family. Let me know if you can make it happen.
— Matt Mitrione (@mattmitrione) February 12, 2016
Hit me up, just followed so dm me... https://t.co/IKhZ5M3qL2
— TheOnceAndFutureKing (@BensonHenderson) February 12, 2016
Rose visiting NM.
#Repost @domshonuff with @repostapp.
— JacksonWinkMMA (@JacksonWinkMMA) February 13, 2016
・・・
Had to get that surprise pic this morning with th... https://t.co/NF9EAwskSx pic.twitter.com/kwtwEvkxeL
Beef.
Only equipment needed for the rematch against Cruz. Next training camp is going to be strictly... https://t.co/9ghJmp37WQ
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) February 12, 2016
I'm not impressed pic.twitter.com/ZPZIOhOiSE
— Royce Gracie (@realroyce) February 14, 2016
Hitting some pads.
Taking some time in Toronto for NBA All-Star weekend to train with my friend & coach Jorge @82spaniard!https://t.co/LfotmzFzTo
— Georges St-Pierre (@GeorgesStPierre) February 14, 2016
Good to know.
At the movies seating next to someone that would go crazy in here,IF HE GETS UP TO QUICK. pic.twitter.com/aooIY4lgXx
— Derrick Lewis (@Thebeast_ufc) February 14, 2016
Happy holidays.
Happy Valentine's Day pic.twitter.com/cV7FGub8ru
— Sage Northcutt (@sagenorthcutt) February 14, 2016
I had to pick up my Valentine, isn't she BEAUTIFUL!!!! pic.twitter.com/HKWMoMNQb7
— Kenny Robertson (@170Kenny) February 14, 2016
Happy National buy random shit & candy to show love day #Valentines pic.twitter.com/57jsxvKjxK
— Brendan Schaub (@BrendanSchaub) February 14, 2016
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced this weekend (Feb. 12-14 2016)
Julian Erosa vs. Teruto Ishihara at UFC 196
cancelled Sarah Moras vs. Lauren Murphy at UFC Fight Night: Cowboy vs. Cowboy
Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Brandon Thatch moved to UFC 196
David Branch vs. Clifford Starks at WSOF 30
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.