Phan and Garcia Throw Down – If you like to see a good fight – a no joke, no frills fight – this one is for you. Leonard Garcia only knows one speed and is always down to swing leather with anyone in the division while Phan was more than happy to oblige. Maintaining some semblance of a professional fight, Garcia and Phan brought fireworks en rout to winning fight of the night. Both men likely saw their stock rise from their pay per view performance and I look forward to seeing them both soon.
4. Joe Lauzon Stuns Guillard – I really thought Guillard would be too much of a physical presence for Joe Lauzon. He has looked absolutely dominant over his past 4 fights and was heavy favorite to continue his hot streak. It appears as if I, along with most of the MMA world, may have jumped the shark a bit. Guillard came into this fight with his typical swagger and then some, walking, dancing, and fighting like he was invincible. Lauzon was all to happy to prove him wrong by rocking him early in the fight and following up quickly with a rear naked choke. I guess the Melvin Guillard era will have to wait a bit longerwhile Lauzon’s stock just went way up in a very competitive division.
3. Kenny Florian Comes Up Short… Again – Poor Kenny Florian, he failed to win a UFC title for the third time. It seems that Ken-Flo is destined to be a bridesmaid and now his future in the sport is in question. Dana White stands behind him, insisting he has a future with the company but Florian has to be questioning himself. If you aren’t trying to be champion and you aren’t a legend taking only big fights, what are you doing? It was a close fight, one that I had dead even going into the final round, making this another somewhat disappointing performance for the ultra hyped Jose Aldo. Winning is winning and Aldo is good at it but expectations are high for the pound for pound rated featherweight and he needs finishes to live up to those expectations. The real story is Florian and whether or not he can saddle up to make yet another run at a title shot.
2. Frankie Edgar Puts The Feud To Bed – Ok, I will be the first to admit that Frankie Edgar proved himself to be the best lightweight in the world, despite my insistence that Maynard should be on top. The first round looked very much like the first round from their second fight, Maynard teeing off on Edgars head. And just like in the second fight Edgar woke up in the second round and really found his rhythm. What really surprised me here was Edgar being able to finish the Bully. About 10 minutes earlier I text messaged a friend saying that I didn’t think Edgar could hurt Maynard. Boy did I feel dumb when Maynard was laid flat from Edgar’s punches. The Champ is the man and there is no doubt about that now. The talk of Aldo vs Edgar has already begun and there is no shortage of contenders at 155 pounds so the future is wide open for the undisputed king of the lightweights.
1. Chael Sonnen is Back – Man oh man, Chael Sonnen stole the show at UFC 136. After dominating Brian Stann and making it look more or less like a walk in the park Sonnen called out Anderson Silva and I quote: “Anderson Silva, you absolutely suck!” He followed that by raising the stakes of the challenge. Sonnen challenged Silva to loser leaves town fight. If Sonnen loses he claims he will leave the UFC forever but wants Silva to put his career as a middleweight on the line. Say what you will about Chael Sonnen but this guy knows how to sell fights and make a ruckus. I’d almost put money on this fight happening and I believe wholeheartedly that he will keep his word if he loses. The charismatic contender has since gone on to claim that he is the real middleweight champion and has offered Anderson Silva a rematch. Sonnan must have been studying WWE DVDs while he was laying low because Vince McMahon could only dream of promoting a title fight this well. All that’s left to do now is wait and see if Sonnan gets his wish for what would amount to one of – if not the – greatest match-ups ever.
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