As the curtain fell on UFC 114 MMA fans seemed conflicted. Rashad Evans’ fans couldn’t get the grin off their faces. Rampage diehards couldn’t shake the scowl. Many were angry that the fight went the distance and lacked the fireworks that the buildup featured. Some people criticized Jackson for not having his heart in it and others criticized Rashad for adopting a boring style for the fight. No matter what lens you look through, the fight Rashad Evans has come out the victor and likely next contender for the Light-Heavyweight Title.
The accusation that Rampage came in out of shape or undedicated does deserve a second look though. I saw a different problem with Jackson, confidence. Rampage believes in himself like no one else in front of the camera, but the idea of losing angers and scares Jackson so much that it debilitates him in fights. Jackson lacked aggression, the willingness to engage and risk the takedown or the big hook against Evans. Rashad for the most part was not able to take Jackson down but he was able to control him and stay close, putting the pressure on Jackson to go out and win the fight, something he seemed unwilling to do. The only sign of ring-rust I saw was a slight lack of quickness in his hands, a sharpness issues more than anything else and something attributable to time off or apprehension to engage more than a lack of dedication. There is only one person who really knows if Rampage was not 100% and that is the man that is ultimately in control of fixing the problem. Like most main events, everyone had their two cents to throw in but as the tides of MMA flow these issues too will pass, but all eyes will be on Rampage Jackson’s move and he has a lot to prove if MMA is going to continue to be part of his life.
What often gets lost after a large MMA card has finished is the under-card. This blog featured a discussion of UFC 114’s emphasis on big opportunities for favorites and underdogs alike. The focus of this card should be these opportunities and how they were capitalized upon, as few cards have features so many underdogs making an impact on their night to shine. Jason Brilz looked like a top tier LHW as he outworked Little Nog for 15 minutes. The razor thin decision went the other way but Brilz sure looked like a winner and a class act to boot once the fight was complete. Todd Duffee may have looked impressive for the better part of three rounds but it only took Mike Russow one punch to prove you can’t sleep on him. Duffee thought he was invincible by the end of that fight and he got knocked right back down to earth in dazzling fashion. John Hathaway made a cut and dry statement that he had arrived in the Welterweight division, soundly defeating an undersized Diego Sanchez. Sanchez needs to drop right back down to 155 and take a little time to regain his swagger and Hathaway is ready to make a push in a crowded division. Dong Hyun Kim was always the favorite in my eyes (and I was a bit confused by his underdog status to some) but he make good on my prediction by controlling his fight with Amir Sadollah, perhaps earning him move up the ladder. Finally, Cyrille Diabate taught the world that maybe Luiz Cane wasn’t quite where many, myself included, thought he was. Cyrille used his golden opportunity well and will now take a crack at making himself a player at 205 lbs.
No matter how you cut it, the feud is over and probably for good. UFC was a big night for a lot of fighters. It could have come off a boring predictable night but enough underdogs brought their best and made their statements, a relief on a night that didn’t deliver with dramatic headliners.
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