I'll preface this by saying that I've never been one to get into the whole weird, ongoing preoccupation with Steven Seagal that the sport of mixed martial arts seems to have going for it. But sometimes, in situations like this, it's hard to ignore.

Back in August, UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture made a half-joking comment about how the only person he would come out of retirement to fight would be Seagal. People chuckled and forgot about it, and a couple months passed until Seagal was able to offer a response, which he just so happened to do on yesterday's edition of The MMA Hour.

"First of all, I am a martial artist, and I have been a martial artist all my life," Seagal started. "I've been fighting all my life, and I believe that the essence of learning how to fight, and fighting, and being a warrior and martial artist is to try to overcome the negative qualities that we all inherent as people, and become a better person, and to help others and help the world be a better place."

"That being said," he continued. "I really have to kind of wonder what his intentions and motivations may have been in saying that. I always thought that Randy was my friend and a gentleman. I'm kind of confused as to why he would say that. All I can say is, I'm here. Anybody can find me anytime and anyplace. If Randy really wants to fight me, he can fight me anytime he wants. It'll be for free, and it'll be some place where there are no witnesses."

Seagal went to emphasize the "no witnesses" aspect of his challenge a few more times, before being asked if the proposed fight would be held under MMA rules.

"Oh no, I don't play by rules," he responded. "That's not how I fight.

"I'm a man of honor. I'm a gentleman, but I am a warrior. And if he needs to find me, he knows where to find me."

Folks, sometimes this stuff just writes itself. Now quickly, let's get to some headlines before I succumb to the low-hanging fruit Seagal just delivered to our doorstep.

6 MUST-READ STORIES

Cruz to miss additional year. UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz underwent a second major operation last week to repair a torn ACL suffered in May. Cruz could miss up to 12 months following the operation, which was necessitated by his body's rejection of a cadaver ACL placed into his left knee back in June.

The MMA hour. Ariel Helwani returns with another packed episode of The MMA Hour, featuring a lineup of Josh Barnett, Tyron Woodley, Bruce Buffer, Mauro Ranallo and Steven Seagal.

Faber reportedly gets next opponent. According to a report from Brazilian outlet Tatame, former champ Urijah Faber has been booked to rematch Ivan Menjivar at UFC 156 on February, 2, 2013 in Las Vegas, NV. Faber and Menjivar met previously at a regional show in 2006, where Faber earned the victory via disqualification for an illegal kick to a downed opponent.

West gives account of Pancrase controversy. After losing a surreal and controversial decision to Japanese MMA star Rin Nakai at Pancrase: Progress Tour 14, Danielle West revealed the bizarre mistreatment and last-minute rules changes she alone was forced to endure at the hands of promotion officials, including fight-day weight cutting and disallowing her use of knees and chokes.

Overeem talks White, improvements. Speaking to ESPN 1100 in Las Vegas, sidelined heavyweight Alistair Overeem admitted he never really talked to Dana White during his dealings with the NSAC. Overeem also detailed the vast advancements he's made in his game since relocating to Florida's Blackzilians squad: "Back in Holland we didn't have black belts, we had a purple belt who was teaching. We didn't have an Octagon, we had a ring where if you made a takedown and the guy steps aside you would fly through the ropes right into the wall."

Bellator targets 'King Mo' debut. Former Strikeforce light heavyweight champion Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal will make his Bellator debut on Thursday, January 17, 2013, at the UCI Bren Events Center in Irvine, CA, competing in the promotion's inaugural Spike TV light heavyweight tournament. Lawal's opponent has yet to be announced.

MEDIA STEW

Seriously, these things are fantastic. Eight furious fights to get you hyped for this weekend, all in one neat little package. (And if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend you check out Bendo vs. Cerrone.)

Last week I posted a clip from FUEL TV that featured Rashad Evans walking us through round one of his fight against Chuck Liddell. Now, thanks to the power of the internet, you can check out the complete episode. (Click here for part two.)

(HT: Reddit)

Prior to last weekend, Doug Marshall's previous three fights lasted an average of 28 seconds. So safe to say, this wasn't exactly surprising.

Nothing to do with MMA here, but any fight fan with a remote interest in boxing should do themselves a favor and dig into the Pacquiao vs. Marquez rivalry ahead of the pair's upcoming fourth bout. It's all here in this playlist, every episode of HBO's 24/7 series plus the first three fights in their entirety, courtesy of the folks over at MMA Nation.

Let's complete this circle by closing out with the complete replay of Sunday's UFC on FOX 5: Road to the Octagon special. Good stuff.

HOLLOWAY TRIES TO STEP UP ON FIVE DAY'S NOTICE

TUF Live winner Michael Chiesa forced off Saturday's Seattle card due to illness - get well soon, @mikemav22 — UFC (@ufc) December 3, 2012

@danawhite if you need a replacement for @mikemav22 Lmk! — Jerome-Max Holloway (@BlessedMMA) December 3, 2012

VISIT FROM A LEGEND

Me and my man @miketyson hangin watchin some AWESOME TUF fights!!! Jones vs Sonnen season kicks ass. twitter.com/danawhite/stat… — Dana White (@danawhite) December 4, 2012

A HOLIDAY TRAGEDY

Sorry everyone I had to shave the stache yesterday.Too many people wanted to fight it when I was at a local fight.@ufc — Jacob Volkmann (@JacobVolkmann) December 3, 2012

FOR CONTEXT...

Last day of Movember.And yes my stash is reddish. twitter.com/JacobVolkmann/… — Jacob Volkmann (@JacobVolkmann) November 30, 2012

FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announced yesterday (Monday, December 3, 2012):

UFC on FOX 5: Michael Chiesa (8-0) out with injury opposite Marcus LeVesseur (22-6), bout scrapped

UFC 156: Urijah Faber (26-6) vs. Ivan Menjivar (25-9), according to Tatame

Bellator: Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal (8-1, 1 NC) booked for Jan. 17, 2013 debut at the UCI Bren Events Center in Irvine, CA

FANPOST OF THE DAY

Today's Fanpost of the Day sees sampark continue his: Fighter Series: Jon Jones the Judoka

Jon Jones has a very wide and unique range of techniques and takedowns he has added to his toolbox of weapons. Judo is one of his most valuable assets as he is able to use his leverage advantage from his reach to throw and trip top competition. No other fighter has been able to pull off such flashy and eye-catching technique without flaw like Jon Jones. He has never been taken down, has taken down every single one of his opponent, and continues to build and mature as a fighter. We will cover the Judo of Jon Jones. Jon Jones' Judo throws/trips Osoto Gari on Matt Hamill Since Matt Hamill and Jon Jones are both wrestlers, they both felt very comfortable in the single collar tie position since it is a very common position in collegiate wrestling. Being accustomed to wrestling techniques, throwing unorthodox judo techniques definitely caught Hamill off guard. The throw worked beautifully because Matt Hamill is usually back foot heavy. More analysis and gifs after the jump...

Found something you'd like to see in the Morning Report? Just hit me on Twitter @shaunalshatti and we'll include it in tomorrow's column.