UFC PR rep makes 'SportsCenter' NOT Top 10 list with Jones vs. Cormier brawl

Monday’s brawl between UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier made the “SportsCenter” NOT Top 10 list this week. But it was due to a UFC PR rep, not the fighters themselves.

Monday’s already-legendary brawl was part of a PR tour stop in Las Vegas to promote the duo’s upcoming title fight at UFC 178, and the clip quickly went viral. It also pushed UFC Senior Director of Public Relations Dave Sholler into meme territory (check out some of the better ones below).

Sholler’s placement on the list can be attributed, at least partially, to Cormier. As you can see in the clip above, the title challenger first mentioned Sholler’s potential placement on the list while doing an ESPN interview.

During Monday’s brawl at MGM Grand Hotel & Casino, Sholler subbed for UFC President Dana White and presided over the customary face-off photo opportunity. But when Jones moved in and bumped heads, Cormier gave him a shove, Jones loaded up for a punch, and poor Sholler was shoved aside, took a tumble off the stage, and crashed through the backdrop. Check it out:

Aside from Sholler’s 15 minutes of fame, the fallout from the brawl has continued throughout the week.

There was the post-brawl grandstanding on social media, the spike in UFC 178 fan interest, the threat of penalties for both fighters, the post-brawl apology tour, a subsequent ESPN interview, Jones’ spot on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and then on Friday, the infamous off-air footage as the fighters’ rivalry went from heated to slightly disturbing.

The rivals will finally settle the score on Sept. 27 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Jones (20-1 MMA, 14-1 UFC), the UFC’s long-dominant champ, puts his 205-pound title on the line against Cormier (15-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC), the undefeated former heavyweight and Olympic wrestler, in the night’s pay-per-view main event.

For more on UFC 178, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.

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Hey @dc_mma: you happy now? m.youtube.com/watch?v=RPo0f-…—
Dave Sholler (@Sholler_UFC) August 09, 2014

"Breaking Sholler" Jones-Cormier brawl watched by Hank and Marie- @Sholler_UFC youtu.be/HoZ5yeHUBRE?li…—
Gilbert Stark (@dreiststudios) August 07, 2014

LMAO @ the editing here: Dave Sholler Cam during Daniel Cormier vs Jon Jones lobby brawl: youtu.be/YiAj5PGKPF4—
Roxanne Modafferi (@Roxyfighter) August 06, 2014

Dave Sholler in the mix and promoting huge fights! #UFC178 #JonesVsCormier http://t.co/IRxrq4C9MU—
  (@fightposium) August 05, 2014

damn, that dave sholler is everywhere. Jack of all trades. #UFC178 #JonesVsCormier http://t.co/m6nraHEZbA—
  (@fightposium) August 05, 2014

Haha Mess with the bull, get the horns! "@UriahHallMMA: @Sholler_UFC I had to bro lol http://t.co/uGZqpr0CDy”;—
Dave Sholler (@Sholler_UFC) August 05, 2014

Let's face it. We'd all be looking like @Sholler_UFC if we were in this situation. #UFC178 http://t.co/d6hxlsvGND—
Kale Havervold (@KaleHavervold) August 04, 2014

The real star of the Jones – Cormier press event brawl was UFC PR director Dave Sholler. Here's a comic about him. http://t.co/m0ZnkIoN0i—
Seanbaby (@Seanbabydotcom) August 04, 2014

@MMARoasted What Dave Sholler was saying during scuffle. #UFC178 http://t.co/C1XPMZ9k5e—
David Spears (@Davei_Boi) August 05, 2014

@Sholler_UFC @danawhite @ufc @UFCONFOX Leave Dave Sholler alone. #TeamSholler http://t.co/WqA27afEsy—
Wesley. (@Wsly05) August 05, 2014