Morning Report: Dana White using his reality show to scout opponents for CM Punk's UFC debut
Nearly a year ago to the day, former WWE star CM Punk appeared at UFC 181 in Las Vegas, Nevada to announce his signing with the UFC.
We didn't have too many details at the time. Punk didn't have a camp, a weight class or an opponent. Now a welterweight training at Roufusport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Punk is still waiting on a dance partner.
Fighters from every weight class -- and both genders -- jumped at the chance to spoil the celebrity fantasy camp, but UFC president Dana White wants multiple fights out of Punk.
In January UFC CEO Lorenzo Fertitta said Punk would face "a competitive guy MMA media will know," while White aimed lower shooting for "a guy who is 1-0, 1-1, 2-1."
Well, it looks like White might win out.
"I just started a new show," White told TSN's Michael Landsberg. "The pilot is on YouTube. It's called, 'Dana White: Looking for a fight.' I'm actually out looking for opponents for CM Punk right now."
So where in the world is Dana White scouting right now? He's actually in Wichita, Kansas for Evolution Fighting Championship 2. The card only has five professional bouts, but two of them happen to be around 170 pounds.
Chris Harris (3-0) fights Derrick Adkins (5-1) at welterweight while Manual Meraz (6-1) takes on Cody Sherwood (3-3) at a 175 pound catchweight. [If you plan on attending, send us back a scouting report.]
Asked if he really believed Punk would be ready to go in 2015, White admits he wasn't so sure. In October, coach Duke Roufus told ESPN that an injured shoulder would push Punk's UFC debut back another six to 10 months.
"I didn't know," said White. "It's the first time this guy has ever trained to fight. The guy has never wrestled. He 'professional wrestled' but he's never wrestled. He will fight next year. 100 percent."
5 MUST-READ STORIES
The MMA Beat. The panel discusses next week's wild UFC schedule, Benson Henderson's future, Georges St-Pierre and much more.
Movin' on up. Conor McGregor moving to lightweight after fighting UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo at UFC 194 is "almost set in stone."
Deadspin. Dana White responds to Jon Jones' claim that the promotion knew about Vitor Belfort's PED use.
'I'm going to dominate him, and then I will finish him.' Luke Rockhold says Chris Weidman's wrestling isn't going to dictate the pace of their fight. "I deal with that s**t every day."
'It's important just to still the mind.' Conor McGregor explains what he learned from Ronda Rousey's loss to Holly Holm.
MEDIA STEW
UFC Fight Night: VanZant vs. Namajunas embedded episode 1.
Dana White confirms Holm Holm's next fight will be the rematch with Ronda Rousey.
Dana White talks about watching Ronda Rousey, "someone he's very close to," get KO'd.
Quick look inside Serra-Longo's fight team.
Ronaldo Souza says he'll submit Yoel Romero.
McGregor talks fighting Jesus Christ. Yep.
Dana White risked his damn life to get a closeup shot of a grizzly bear for Instagram.
Long watches.
Show Money 7: What do the UFC's finances tell us?
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Joe Rogan Experience #730 - Demetrious Johnson
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TWEETS
You think?
@LukeRockhold #dontjointheteam what do think if Weidman being so light 2 weeks out if the fight #ufc194
— Kyle Goss (@kylegoss13) December 3, 2015
I like it. Weight cut is in his head #dontjointheteam https://t.co/E3ZbXr6UBo
— Luke Rockhold (@LukeRockhold) December 4, 2015
Weird spot.
I'll carry the work ethic of the Challenger but know that I am a champion https://t.co/tkvtIp531R
— Jon Bones Jones (@JonnyBones) December 4, 2015
Simmer down.
@Benaskren @mookiealexander beep beep beep. Hey Tyron we need you to kick Carlos A again! Cool let me pic my beard and I'll be right down
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) December 4, 2015
Hey guys.......I'm still here always dependable and ready @Ufc pic.twitter.com/45wmaUaZlj
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) December 4, 2015
Planning to evade?
Some evasive work today with Owen Roddy! #HardWork #CleanWork pic.twitter.com/0MLWH4XByP
— Conor McGregor (@TheNotoriousMMA) December 3, 2015
: I
@ZProphet_MMA @rizin_PR I have been chasing this dream for a decade and will fight him anywhere. set it up rizin-san
— Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) December 4, 2015
Stick with giant belt.
Dzisiaj nie śpię sama! Mam towarzystwo - NOWY MISTRZOWSKI PAS UFC Tonight I don't sleep ... https://t.co/LmUbbau9aB pic.twitter.com/AeW4WfG3rz
— Joanna Jedrzejczyk (@joannamma) December 4, 2015
Pretty good group.
Bam! jonnybones @jacksonwinkmma ... Next up ... @cowboycerrone I can't say it enough. Im so proud... https://t.co/TfnPDwvdEV
— Holly Holm (@HollyHolm) December 3, 2015
The only way to golf.
This is how I golf when I get mad lol jk but this was awesome... https://t.co/dnZ6GZdDxz
— Efrain Escudero (@effyescudero) December 4, 2015
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced yesterday (Dec. 3 2015)
Beneil Dariush out, Mairbek Taisumov vs. Chris Wade at UFC Fight Night: Dillashaw vs. Cruz
cancelled Germaine de Randamie vs. Sarah Kaufman at UFC on FOX 17
Mirsad Bektic out, Tatsuya Kawajiri vs. Jason Knight at The Ultimate Fighter 22 Finale
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.