Another good fight goes bye-bye: Gonzaga out of UFC 108

The hits keep coming for the UFC, Dana White and matchmaker Joe Silva. The fellas have to scrounge up a quality heavyweight to fight Junior Dos Santos Jan. 2 in Las Vegas at UFC 108. White confirmed that Gabriel Gonzaga is off the card because of staph infection.

Gonzaga (15-4, 7-3 UFC) last fought Chris Tuchsherer at UFC 102 in August. He's won 3-of-4 fights. Dos Santos, 25, is unbeaten in the UFC. The promotion will wait until after Thanksgiving to come up with a list of candidates to replace Gonzaga. It's slim pickings at the top of the UFC heavyweight food chain right now. The most logical choice would be Cain Velasquez, who just lost his opportunity to fight on the card against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Big Nog is also out with staph.  

Dana White vlog: Griffin apology caught on video

Cagewriter told you about Forrest Griffin's apology to Anderson Silva just after his win over Tito Ortiz. After getting knockout by Silva back at UFC 101, Griffin sprinted from the cage. On Saturday night, he told Silva he meant no disrespect (7:53 mark). It's more proof of the sportsmanship often exhibited but rarely covered in mixed martial arts. Even Phil Baroni is seen clowning on himself for taking a beating (5:09 mark).

Was that Silva speaking very good english? During a cageside chat, Silva says he weighs 207 pounds. Tiki Ghosn sitting next to him is actually slimming. 

Ortiz and Dana White can say all they want about how their relationship is repaired, just watch (6:55 mark) their postfight encounter with Jenna Jameson present and feel the "love."

Who knew Chuck Liddell was such a big Josh Koscheck fan (5:38 mark)? Or did he have money on the fight? It was a nice score at plus-115. 

MMA Marketplace: Black Friday specials

After you finish overdosing on turkey, gravy and cranberry sauce -- apparently, the ridged kind wins out -- it's time to think about what you're going to buy loved ones for the holidays. MMA's retailers are already in the holiday spirit with Black Friday sales.

Six Deuce has a new line of shirts starting this Friday, and you can get them for 15 percent off. You may notice that one of those shirts is an homage to the Fedor sweater, which is ten tons of awesome. (You can also try to win that shirt from our friends at Cage Potato.)

Other Black Friday deals can be found at MMA Warehouse, who is announcing a new special every night this week, Fight Chix, who will announce their Friday sale on Twitter tomorrow, and MMA Stop. 

In gratitude: What are fighters thankful for this Thanksgiving?

The life of a professional fighter includes grueling training sessions, an endless parade of injuries, cutting weight, time away from family, dieting and getting punched in the face for a living. Add that to sponsor obligations, media interviews and photo shoots and sometimes lousy payouts, and you could wonder who would sign up for this lifestyle, much less be thankful for it.

Yet, most of the professional fighters I spoke with couldn't stop talking when asked what they were thankful for.  UFC lightweight Clay Guida is appreciative of every person who makes him a professional fighter.

"Same as I am every year. Thankful for family, thankful for the people who put me in the position that I'm in. Thankful for being healthy. Thankful for you guys in the media and the fans who put their butts in the seats so that we can get paid and keep on fighting another day."

Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal, who will make his debut with Strikeforce on Dec. 19, is thankful for the sports he loves.  "Thankful for my friends and family ... and boxing and MMA!"

"I've been given several opportunities, and have been blessed and been able to capitalize on it," Strikeforce's Tyron Woodley said. "So I'm thankful for my family, thankful for everyone who has seen something in me. Thankful for all the positivity."

Miguel Torres recently lost his championship belt and had his win streak broken, but that doesn't tone down his appreciation.

"I'm thankful for a wonderful life and amazing daughter," Torres said.

"I'm thankful for family, thankful for my friends and my health, thankful for opportunities and this great career, thankful for fans who have supported me through ups and downs," said Strikeforce's Daniel Cormier, who recently made the jump from Olympic-level wrestler to mixed martial artists. 

"Thankful for the opportunities given to me and the chance to make the most of those opportunities," said WEC interim lightweight champion Ben Henderson. "I thank the Lord for all He has given me."

"My family, my wife and my children, my health, I'm so blessed to do what I love to do." said UFC fighter Mark Munoz. "Not many people have the opportunity to do what they love, and I do. I wake up every day excited to go to work. I'm also thankful for the team of guys that I'm around. They beat me up, but they build me up."

The UFC's Matt Brown, who is on a three-fight win streak, also lost his father to cancer this year. That doesn't stop him from being grateful. When asked what he is thankful for, Brown answered, "Too many things to list."

Create-a-Caption: Cupcakes make everything better

Sure Mike Brown may have lost the WEC featherweight title, and he has a busted up face. But chocolate cupcakes make everything better. What is Mike thinking about? Leave your caption in the comments, and read on for winners of our last create-a-caption.

First place: Dan Hardy does a solid as he shows up to promote the UFC's newest business venture....Kimbo's pizza by the Slice. -- Allen

Second place: On this episode of Cheaters, Dan Hardy's dietitian catches him red-handed.  -- Joseph 

Third place: What do 4 pizzas and Dan Hardy have in common? They will both be finished quickly. -- Robert C