UFC 144 - More Than Just Another Show

The UFC is headed to the land of the rising sun. This is a very significant move in the growing international presence of the UFC. For those who are skeptical of Zuffa’s domination, this might be a gloomy move but if the consolidation of the best talent in the world excites you, this is a very important turn in the business. Rumors swirled for years about threats to Dana White’s life if he chose to run a show in Japan, threats possibly associated with organized crime. Japan is a huge market for mixed martial arts and the UFC’s entrance into that market might spell trouble for other promotions but more likely it will simply open the door for Zuffa to run one or two major shows a year. Further expansion is likely a few years away but it could lead to a more complete consolidation of talent. To impress the Japanese fans the UFC has put its best foot forward for this show and will present 7 fights on the main card – capped off by a fight that guarantees excitement.

Anthony Pettis vs Joe Lauzon (#7 LW)

I have talked a lot about exciting match-ups lately. That is partially because the booking has been fantastic and partially because my anticipation for events has been growing with the growth in the sport and the decline in my social life. Pettis vs Lauzon is one of those sure fire fights though. I know I know I hyped up the Diaz/Condit fight and it didn’t live up and there is the chance of that with every fight. However, Pettis is one of the most creative strikers in the world and Lauzon is an underrated lightweight that pushes a serious pace. Both fighters can finish and both are on the cusp of making a run this year for a title shot. This fight will be a huge step in the right direction for the winner

Hatsu Hioki (#3 FW) vs Bart Palaszewski (#10 FW)

As Hioki goes, so does this fight. Palaszewski is a gritty fighter and is one of the most game underdogs (I assume he is an underdog) on this card but Hioki was brought in to the UFC to be an eventual challenger for the featherweight belt. As with every Japanese fighter until they prove themselves in the UFC, I remain skeptical about him. He has a chance to emerge as a challenger and one to get excited about if he can win impressively but he also has a really good chance of getting knocked out by an exciting, tough veteran and derailed on his way to the top.

Yushin Okami (#4 MW) vs Tim Boetsch

I love this fight because I love both these fighters. Okami will likely forever be judged by the tragic performance he put up against Anderson Silva but he is a better fighter than that. He just got beat before he ever stepped in the cage. Tim Boetsch on the other hand is a viking, a caveman,or a “barbarian.” No matter what you want to call him the effect is the same – brute strong, tough as nails, can and will hurt you. Stylistically this fight might not be the most grabbing but both posses the kind of power to and explosiveness to finish fights early. Boetsch might be the perfect spoiler and something keeps telling me this is going to be an early knockout but Okami should still have an advantage with his overall skill set and the hometown crowd. This will either be Boetsch’s biggest career win or Okami’s much needed return to form.

Yoshihiro Akiyama vs Jake Shields

Speaking of two guys that need wins, Jake Shields and Yoshihiro Akiyama are in desperate need. Two fights ago Jake shields was getting out pointed by GSP and then he dropped a “surprise” to Jake Ellenberger. Now the number one contender on a 14 fight win streak is mid-card fighter on a two-fight losing streak. He can’t afford number three because it would necessarily come at the hands of another struggling fighter as Akiyama drops down to 145 pounds to try his luck at the UFC’s welterweight division following a tough three fight skid. I expect a fair amount of grappling in this one but Akiyama has the power to knock out middleweights so he might try to keep it standing and keep Shields in range. The Japanese star is huge in Asia so the audience will be jacked (as jacked as a Japanese audience will ever get) for this fight.

Mark Hunt vs Cheick Kongo (#10 HW)

It is pretty cut and dry – two big strikers with big power. Unfortunately I suspect Cup-Check Kongo may like his chances going for takedowns and controlling Hunt on the ground while practicing his ground-n-pound but who knows, maybe they will stand and strike. For those of you who don’t know Hunt he is one of those big men with a concrete head and concrete hands. He is hard to hurt and has devastating power. He was also a big star in Japan, hence the booking. This one is Kongo’s to lose and I don’t expect the big men to need 15 minutes to sort this out.

Quinton Jackson (#6 LHW) vs Ryan Bader

Rampage Jackson might be the most popular fighter on this card in the eyes of the Japanese fans. He is legendary for his work in PRIDE FC. Unfortunately he has hit quite a crossroads since coming to the UFC. He has had some great showings, like the one against Machida, but has come up short in the fights that mattered most (Rashad and Jones). Bader should represent a step down in competition but it really isn’t fair to call a guy with his wrestling skills a step down. Bader has a lot to win in this one but this fight is all about Jackson, who would be in a really tough spot if he were to lose. Jackson always has an opportunity to produce fireworks but I am curious as to how he will reaction to Bader’s takedown potential. Either way, this might be the most excited the Japanese fans get (well, next to Akiyama). Don’t sleep on the fight and its importance but don’t get yourself worked up for an old fashion Jackson slugfest.

Frankie Edgar (#1 LW) vs Ben Henderson (#2 LW)

In all earnestness Edgar vs Henderson should be not just a really good fight but a serious contender for fight of the year. That is of course presuming that both men come to fight the way they have for the majority of their careers. Both men push an exceptional pace and have a and exceptional skill set that will force the action on the feet and the ground. This is a going to be a truly different test for Edgar who is making his mark as one of the top fighters in the world right now. I am not completely sure why but I am simply not sold at this point. I think Edgar has a ton of talent but I really like Henderson in this fight. Granted, I also really liked Maynard as well and we know how that eventually turned out. The long and the short of it is that this fight is built to be exciting – to absolutely thrill the audience. I really don’t see it happening any other way. Tune in to see which one of these two emerges as the king of 155 pounds as the division shapes up with new, emerging challengers.

Reflections on Professional Fighting

Nick Diaz vs Carlos Condit didn’t live up to the hype. It left fight fans wanting. For a while I was one of those fans, still am if I am honest about it. Upon some reflection though I realized it isn’t really Condit or Diaz I am upset with. In reality, I don’t think it is either fighter that anyone is upset with. The fight left a sour taste in our mouths not because one fighter was boring or one fighter didn’t perform up to expectations. No – it left a sour taste in our mouths because it was a technical, professional fight and deep down collectively, we want something else. The fact of the matter is, the fight wasn’t that bad, but it just wasn’t that good either. It had as many significant shots landed and as much action per round as your average boxing match as far as I am concerned. It delivered solid exchanges, the brash Diaz trash-talk, and some high level technical footwork and angles. There was a lot to see! So what was the problem? The problem was the expectation – an expectation rooted in what a fight is and sabotaged by what a fight can be. Professional fighting is cursed by the paradox of excitement versus technique. The two are by no means mutually exclusive but they are often found at odds. Particularly in a sport like mixed martial arts, where the technical skills that go into creating an effective game plan are foreign to most fans, particularly new fans – top shelf technique can seem boring or un-engaging. Whereas the goal of a fight from a fighters stand point is, and should be, to finish ones opponent or otherwise win the fight without suffering damage, the draw of a fight to third party fans is to see maximum mutual damage culminated by a clear victor. More and more we are seeing the goals of the fighter prevailing before the desires of the fans.

To be honest, technique as a “problem” is far from taking over the sport. That is not to say that most fighters aren’t using technique but it is to say that the complexity of the sport and the diversity of those involved create too many variables for there to be consistency on any level in the near future. There will be bad fights and there will be good fights. However, the problem is clear; as the stakes raise and game planning evolves – we are going to see more fighters fight to win decisions. Greg Jackson’s camp has been ahead of the curve in this regard. It is here where expectations will never be met. The word fight does not evoke decision victory. It does not evoke out pointing one’s opponent. It evokes a desire to decisively win, to hurt, and to crush your adversary. The trajectory of game planning and emphasis on technique is not counter to the sport and its rules or even the competitiveness of its participants but to the resonance of the activity, the connotation of the word itself. To be clear, I do not blame a fighter for fighting a smart fight. Some of my favorite fighters are the most patient and get the most heat for their style. However by the same token, I don’t think fighters and trainers can be surprised by fan backlash when they fight for decisions. I am not saying they have to care but they should understand more than anyone the disconnect between certain styles of fighting and the expectations the sport is pregnant with. Most fans, myself included, expected Diaz vs Condit to epitomize professional FIGHTING. Both men had recently demonstrated an aggressive pace and killer instinct. Condit didn’t completely abandon his aggression but it was heavily heavily tempered with smart sideways movement, good footwork, sharp leg-kicks, and a stick and move attack. What can we say? It was successful. He won the fight. He did it within the rules and now he is the Welterweight champion. It is not what he did or how he did it that is particularly significant. Rather it is the light it shed on the space between what happened in those 25 minutes and what fighting summons us to expect, summons us to desire and how we as fight fans will cope with the evolution of the sport – and vice versa.

Arm Triangle Blog's Official MMA Rankings

Heavyweight

1. Junior Dos Santos (UFC) – It doesn’t get much more impressive than that. It took less than two minutes for JDS to set himself apart as the best of the big men.

2. Cain Velasquez (UFC) – Finally slipped up against one of the best strikers the game has seen. He doesn’t slip far though.

3. Alistair Overeem (UFC) – Beating Brock Lesnar was impressive but it doesn’t make him jump Velasquez just yet.

4. Josh Barnett (Strikeforce) – Lesnar is out so everyone moves up. 2012 promises a lot of shakeups in this division.

5. Fabricio Werdum (UFC) – Looked sharp against Nelson, demonstrating improved striking and a good chin. Needs to develop a killer instinct.

6. Daniel Cormier (Strikeforce) – I am higher than most on this guy. I think he has world-beater potential but his size might be an issue in the UFC.

7. Frank Mir (UFC) – Ok ok ok, I have to give credit where credit is due. He took a beating and managed to somehow defeat Big Nog again.

8. Antonio Silva (Strikeforce) – This tournament is even good to its losers, placing them in high profile fights. Silva is good and we will find out how good very soon.

9. Shane Carwin (UFC) – Carwin needs to stay active and needs a good match-up soon. Carwin and Mir are lucky I am totally disinterested in Fedor being top 10 now.

10. Cheick Kongo (UFC) – I reluctantly don’t have anyone else to put here. I was grossly disappointed with Big Nog the last time out, otherwise he would be here.

Light- Heavyweight

1. Jon Jones (UFC) – Will we finally get to see him back up his talk and defend his belt against Evans?

2. Dan Henderson (UFC) – He did just enough to pull off what might be the best fight in the sports history. That is enough to jump right to the front of the line.

3. Rashad Evans (UFC) – He gets the next show but I wasn’t overly impressed with him. We haven’t learned anything new about Rashad in a long time but he is definitely top tier.

4. Shogun Rua (UFC) – Shogun was heroic against Henderson and did enough to get a draw in my book. I’d watch those two fight 100 times over

5. Lyoto Machida (UFC) – Looked good in the first round and got caught in the second. Machida doesn’t actually slip down the list at all though.

6. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson (UFC) – Rampage needs to bounce back in Japan. Can he prove that he is still a top 10 LHW?

7. Alexander Gustafsson (UFC) – Gustafsson keeps winning and winning. This should be a huge year for the young striker.

8. King Mo Lawal (Strikeforce) – King Mo needs better competition. However, he keeps winning and looking better with each fight.

9. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (UFC) – I think his body shots actually made Tito Ortiz cry. This guy is getting better against wrestlers and I think he is really dangerous.

10. Phil Davis (UFC) – A lackluster performance drops Mr. Wonderful to the bottom of the top 10 but the future is still bright.

Middleweight

1. Anderson Silva (UFC) – The best fighter in the world is going to fight Sonnen in a soccer stadium in Brazil – Enough Said.

2. Chael Sonnen (UFC) – Earned himself another title shot by edging out Bisping. Sonnen better be sharper against the Spider.

3. Mark Munoz (UFC) – Tough break on the injury but Munoz is still very much at the top of the heap. Munoz should get a quality uponent upon his return.

4. Yushin Okami (UFC) – He gets to fight in Japan against Tim Boetsch and the pressure will certainly be on. It is time to get back on track.

5. Vitor Belfort (UFC) – Coaches TUF Brazil and meets Wandi in June. The Brazil card should be nuts so it can gain a lot of momentum over the next 5 months.

6. Michael Bisping (UFC) – Bisping was so impressive in losing that I am moving him up my top 10. The Brit might have been robbed of a title show by a few judges that prefer takedowns to clinch control.

7. Hector Lombard (Bellator) – I really don’t like having him at number 5 but wins are wins. I think a few guys below might be primed to jump him.

8. Nate Maquardt (Some British Organization) – I don’t know what else to do with this guy. Hindsight is 20/20 so he has to be top 10 but what is next?

9. Luke Rockhold (Strikeforce) – As some fighters fall some must rise and the Strikeforce champion has done as much as anyone to rise.

10. Brian Stann (UFC) – Stann has had his ups and downs but as a spot opens at the bottom of my top 10, I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more.

Welterweights

1. Georges St. Pierre (UFC) – Out till November, GSP should return against Condit to unify the titles.

2. Carlos Condit (UFC) – Beats Diaz, proving me right for having him ranked higher pre fight but its hard to make him number one when you know GSP is returning.

3. Nick Diaz (UFC) – He lost a close fight to Condit but he still looked good. If he retires the division loses one of its best fighters.

4. Josh Koscheck (UFC) – I was not really impressed with Koscheck against Pierce. He is in a tough spot but a change of camp might give him a new start.

5. Jake Ellenberger (UFC) – Ellenberger smash! Another fighter that might be looking at the Condit winner if he can get past Sanchez

6. Johnny Hendricks (UFC) – Huge win for Big Rig. I confidently give him the big jump because he has all the tools to fight with the cream of the crop

7. Jon Fitch (UFC) – To be honest, he is better than number 7 but with the long lay off and the quick KO, he has to fall for now.

8. Martin Kampmann (UFC) – Kampmann finally gets the nod on a close one. Beating Story is big and now it looks like he has Alvez on deck.

9. Thiago Alvez (UFC) – If this kid can keep his weight down and keep improving the sky is the limit. Those are such big “ifs” though.

10. Diego Sanchez (UFC) Jake Shields could easily be number 10 for me but I want to see more from Shields in the UFC. Sanchez has a chance to make a huge jump by beating Ellenberger.

Lightweight

1. Frankie Edgar (UFC) – Finally shakes the 180 pound monkey off his back by TKOing Gray Maynard and solidifying himself as the man at 155 pounds.

2. Benson Henderson (UFC) – I never thought I would put him here in front of Maynard and Melendez but no one wants to fight this guy right now. I’d bet on him against MMA Jesus right now.

3. Gray Maynard (UFC) – Finally falls in my rankings but not far. This guy is still a beast at 155 and I don’t think we have heard the last of him.

4. Gilbert Melendez (Strikeforce) – Melendez is great but I am really tired of the hype. He needs to get a taste of the UFC lightweight shark tank if he is going to move up.

5. Shinya Aoki (Dream) – Another win for the Japanese submission wizard but I would love to see him do it in the UFC because I suspect he wouldn’t be able to.

6. Jim Miller (UFC) – Back on track, now Jim Miller is in the hunt for a title shot and might be able to string together the big wins to do it.

7. Joe Lauzon (UFC) – The win over Guillard is only the tip of the iceberg. He is a great fighter with a solid career to this point

8. Nate Diaz (UFC) – I think both Diaz boys are hitting their stride right now and Nate looked pretty good against the dynamic Cerrone.

9. Clay Guida (UFC) – Guida didn’t look bad against Henderson he just didn’t have much for him.

10. Michael Chandler (Bellator) – Out of nowhere this guy comes out to beat Eddie Alverez and move to 9-0.

Featherweight

1. Jose Aldo (UFC) – Aldo holds up against the game Mendes. Hopefully a new contender emerges soon.

2. Kenny Florian (UFC) – I would really like to see Florian return. There just simply aren’t many contenders as Aldo has whipped out the division.

3. Hatsu Hioki (UFC) – He will likely earn a title shot with a win in Japan. I don’t have a ton of faith in him but will be pulling for him to emerge as the new number one contender.

4. Chad Mendes (UFC) – Another fighter falls to Aldo and another fighter falls down the ranks.

5. Dustin Poirier (UFC) – Another big performance puts Poirier in a solid position to push for a title shot in 2012.

6. Diego Nunes (UFC) – Nunes gets a big win in the invisible prelims but he is back to his winning ways and looking for a title shot in 2012.

7. Pat Curran (Bellator) – Talented fighter with the world in front of him. He just needs to find consistency.

8. Chang Sung Jung (UFC) – I have been really impressed with his last two wins. He is at a great camp and has his best days in front of him.

9. Jimmy Hettes (UFC) – This kid is what I call a third generation grappler and I think he has all the tools for a really bright future.

10. Bart Palaszewski (UFC) – Wrecked Tyson Griffin in one of the bigger upsets of the year. I like this guy and can’t wait to see him again.

Bantamweight

1. Dominick Cruz (UFC) – Another big one for Cruz. Can anyone stop this guy. He has topped 2-6 on this list already.

2. Joseph Benavidez (UFC) – Benavidez is moving down to Flywieght which means the next ranking list will look markedly different at 135 pounds

3. Urijah Faber (UFC) – I really thought Bowles would have more for him. Faber looked good though and he will get another title shot.

4. Renan Barao (UFC) – This guy is the real deal. I think he will earn himself a title shot by the end of the year but he has to wait for Faber and Cruz to settle their score.

5. Brian Bowles (UFC) – Really came up short against Faber but he is still one of the best in the division. I have lots of time for him.

6. Scott Jorgensen (UFC) – Solid performance but not enough to beat the rising star Barao. Now he gets to restart the climb.

7. Demetrious Johnson (UFC) – Moving to 125 pounds in 2012 so we will see him move from this list and probably into the top 2 of the flyweight division.

8. Masakatso Ueda (Shooto) – He may only be on a two-fight win streak but he is 12-1-2. Ueda seems to be improving with each fight.

9. Miguel Torres (UFC) – He is going to get a second chance at life in the UFC. I think the luster has been lost on this one though.

10. Takeya Mizugaki (UFC) – I have all the time in the world for Mizugaki and am pulling for him to string together some wins.

Why You Should Watch UFC 143

If you haven’t already decided to dedicate your Saturday night to UFC 143 you have not yet made the right decision, the transcendental, metaphysical correct choice. In an ideal world this show would be riding a wave of momentum created by UFC on FOX 2 but that was somewhat disappointing so Diaz and Condit are just going to have to fend for themselves. For long time fans of the sport this show sells itself but there are a few guys that are under the radar, guys that should excite fans and are worth tuning in for.

The Prelims

I am not going to go into the entirety of the card but there are more than a few names you should keep in mind during the prelims. Dustin Poirier is a fast rising featherweight with his eye on a title shot. He rides a four fight win streak into a showdown with unbeaten Max Holloway, whom makes his UFC debut. This fight will have serious ramifications on the division, a division that is currently in need of new contenders. Further away from a title shot is Alex Caceres (AKA Bruce Leeroy from TUF). He is 1-2 in his last three fights but he was impressive enough in his last fight for me to raise an eyebrow. I don’t think he is a world-beater but his development is interesting. Caceres has potential and likely doesn’t know how to fight boring so is worth watching, if nothing else to gage his progress. Finally, I think everyone should watch Matt Brown (pictured) fight because Matt Brown is legend. Is he great? No. Is he a supreme athlete? No. Is he a fighter? YES! This guy just loves to fight. Win or lose, Brown brings it and unless his opponent tries to ruin your night, he wont disappoint.

Ed Herman vs Clifford Starks

I don’t know a lot about Clifford Starks except that he is highly touted and unbeaten. Having one UFC win under his belt, Starks is welcomed to the big show by Ed Herman. Herman is the operational definition of a mid tier tough guy at this point in his career. He is a very well rounded ginger and would be hard to walk through. This is a solid opening fight for the main card and should set the tone for a high-energy night of fights.

Scott Jorgensen (#4 BW) vs Renan Pegado (#7 BW)

Condit vs Diaz is the front-runner for fight of the night but this fight is a close second. If the bantamweight division were higher profile this fight could co headline just about any show. Jorgensen is a former title contender that is 7-1 in his last 8 (losing only to Dominick Cruz – the champion). He is a high motor fighter that pushes the pace and breaks his opponent’s will. Aside from Cruz, Pegado represents Jorgensen’s biggest test to date. Pegado (pictured) is on a 27 fight win streak, coming off his best win of his career against Brad Pickett, making him my bantamweight fighter to watch in 2012. The winner of this fight could earn a title shot or at least a number one contender fight. Both are game strikers with strong, yet different ground games. Don’t sleep on this fight, as it is probably the second best fight on the card.

Josh Koscheck (#4 WW) vs Mike Pierce

Love him or hate him, Josh Koscheck wins fights. The thing is, that “hate him” part is rooted in his crass persona, a persona that has earned him the title of a bully. Koscheck’s bullying is what caused Mike Pierce (pictured) to call him out. Pierce is somewhat of a conundrum. He is 5-2 in the UFC, loses coming to Johny Hendricks and Jon Fitch. Some people are excited about his skill set and his progression as a fighter. While I count myself among them, Pierce is yet to step up and win the big fight. Both men are strong wrestlers so expect a lot of leather to be thrown as their grappling negates and this turns into a striking battle. A win puts Koscheck in the title conversation, as the interim champion may have to defend once before Georges St. Pierre returns to the cage. Keep an eye out for an upset though because Pierce could emerge as a top 10 WW if he can back up his brash challenge.

Roy Nelson (#10 HW) vs Fabricio Werdum (#7 HW)

You might remember Fabricio Werdum as “that guy who beat Fedor” but Werdum has been a perennial top 10 heavyweight for some time now. Despite an unimpressive performance from time to time Werdum has been quite imposing more times than not, losing only to Dos Santos and Overeem in his last 7 fights. Roy Nelson (pictured) is in the process of redeeming himself for fighting so grossly out of shape against Frank Mir and looking to shake the “fat guy” image. Nelson’s transformation over his past three fights has been shocking. He doesn’t even look like the same person. However, some speculate that he might not be able to maintain his power and top control without the extra weight. His frame is starting to look more and more like a light heavyweight’s. I suspect this fight will be largely conducted on the feet or in the clinch. Both are quite confident in their hands and despite having high level grappling backgrounds, both prefer knockouts. The winner of this stands to gain a great deal of momentum moving forward this year but since both have lost to the current champ their roads will be long ones. Watch Nelson to see how is cardio holds up if the fight makes it past the middle of the second and pay attention to which man is willing to apply the pressure. I think both have a lot to prove right now and should feel a sense of urgency at this opportunity.

Carlos Condit (#2 WW) vs Nick Diaz (#3 WW)

This is the big one folks. This fight ranks up with Machida/Shogun and JDS/Velasquez in my most anticipated fights ever list. It isn’t because they are pound for pound ranked or unbeaten juggernauts but because these are two high level fighters that always bring the fight to their opponents. You won’t find either man’s will being broken in the cage, nor will you see either man give the other the smallest break. Condit (below) and Diaz (right) are killers, finishers and both have demonstrated extreme toughness and resilience. Any fight can end early but if I were a betting man I wouldn’t use stolen money to bet on either fighter; instead I would put it on at least three rounds of excitement.

By way of background I would first and foremost direct you to the UFC Primetime series on this fight. Watching all three will take less than 90 minutes of your life but you will be well versed in the somewhat complex road each man has faced over the last year. Everyone knows Diaz. He is brash, talking trash and flipping off everyone who passes him. I suspect there are two things about Diaz that drive his persona, a persona that fans buy hook line and sinker: he knows how to get what he wants in the business and he legitimately has to cultivate anger in himself to fight. Diaz backs it all up in the cage though. He wins fights and he breaks people. His cardio is off the charts, allowing him to push the pace as long as he needs to. The most dangerous part about Diaz might be his terrifying ground game. No one wants to stay on the ground very long with him and that allows him to open up his awkward boxing. He will need to bring everything from his hate to his submission game to UFC 143 though, because the guy across from him might be the most underrated fighter in the world.

In 35 fights I do not believe Nick Diaz has met anyone quite like Carlos Condit. Condit is a finisher. He has lost one fight in the last 13, finishing 11 out of 12 of his bested opponents. In the process he has put on impressive performances against rising stars Jake Ellenberger and Rory MacDonald, highly regarded and both current and future contenders in the welterweight division. He hits hard, transitions well, and can compete wherever the fight goes. The Diaz hype and the fans desire to see Diaz vs GSP has falsely taken much of the spotlight away from Condit but do not be fooled, this man is no underdog. If this fight ends early it will likely be at the end of a Condit hook, as he is known for his power and intelligence in adjusting his strikes to his opponent. If he can keep up with Diaz these two might just be the perfect storm for fight of the year.

When the dust settles this, like every other fight, will be settled in the cage. I expect fireworks from bell to bell. Diaz hasn’t turned up the trash talk against Condit, reserving his harshest words for GSP but I don’t suspect that will change the way he fights come Saturday night. On the other side of the cage, Condit will be looking to show everyone just how underrated he is coming into this fight, spoiling everyone’s plans for GSP vs Diaz. If you are only going to watch one fight this year consider making this that fight.

UFC's Rotten FOX Luck

The UFC’s contract with FOX is likely the biggest and most important move the sport has seen on its way to mainstream success since their return to pay-per-view. Long time fans have already noticed substantial increases in visibility among popular sports outlets. Unfortunately, when it came to sitting in front of the TV, cracking open your beer, and watching the fights one could argue the UFC is 0 for 2. Let’s be clear, the move is still substantial for the sport. There has never been a fight I anticipated more than Dos Santos vs Velasquez. It established Dos Santos as not just a champion but an elite fighter. FOX 2 established two title contenders and did its part in creating buzz. But, did either show live up to the hype? The answer for most is probably a resounding no. While UFC on FOX 1 was short, allowing critics to scoff at the always-potential lackluster results of the sport, a sport one traditionally must pay for, UFC on FOX 2 gave critics a different kind of ammunition and all three fights fed that fire.

Chris Weidman vs Demian Maia

There is almost nothing to say about this fight. It was the perfect storm of bland. Demian Maia is a great fighter with flashy submissions but he was absolutely outmatched by an elite wrestler that beat him to the punch consistently. Weidman on the other hand couldn’t use his opportunity. His last minute weight cut probably didn’t help matters but there was no pace, no urgency, and no thrill in this fight. Weidman’s gain wasalmost nullified by the uninspired performance, turning this great opportunity into little more than a wash. Maia on the other hand loses another forgettable fight and must begin another regrouping process. These are two good fighters and fans should get excited for them in the future but UFC on FOX 2 was not their finest hour.

Michael Bisping vs Chael Sonnen

I have never hidden my general distaste for Michael Bisping. My general contention has always been” “Bisping is overrated,” but he was anything but against Sonnen. Demonstrating top-tier takedown defense and an ability to stand back up once down as well as crisp counterpunching, this was his most impressive performance to date. Lets give credit where credit is due, Sonnen kept pushing the pace and was relentless in his desire to grind out a win. HOWEVER… and this is a big big HOWEVER… Chael Sonnen won just one round in my opinion and the fact that he was given all three by one judge is alarming, pointing to a consistent problem in MMA judging: takedowns. Takedowns have always been overvalued in and of themselves. The logic is that if you take down your opponent you are controlling the pace and place of the fight. This logic does not extend to stuffed takedowns, not even if you handicap the ratio. In this fight the logic didn’t even extend to the clinch against the cage. For two rounds, Michael Bisping controlled up to 80% of the fight by holding Sonnen against the cage, working the body inflicting “Bisping type” damage. Every time Sonnen came in he paid for it in the form of crisp counterpunches. Unfortunately Chael Sonnen scored a takedown or two in each round, doing almost no damage. Judges have tended to see takedowns through glasses given to them by the first generation of the sport when wrestlers taking down fighters spelled sure domination until the end of the round. I came into the fight anticipating Sonnen wrecking Bisping but left the fight despondent about Sonnen’s success. All that is left now is that a more effective Chael Sonnen better show up against Silva because he can’t take counter punches like that from The Spider.

Rashad Evans vs Phil Davis

In the last few days no less than 5 people have asked me about this fight, prefaced with their own opinion. Those opinions have been mixed. Some people think Evans looked great while others said he looked boring and uninspired. Either way the fight didn’t electrify the MMA world and probably didn’t sell any new fans on the sport. I don’t blame Evans for playing it somewhat safe. He had the best of Davis in every aspect of the fight so why should he risk his title shot, a title shot that he has already earned and had taken from him on two occasions. This fight again turns into somewhat of a wash, an impressive but tedious performance from Evans has left few excited for his clash with Jones but I am not sure UFC on FOX 2 was indicative of how Evan’s can and will fight Jones. Another immanent disappointment for the people sitting in front of their TV for the FOX show, masked in hype and post fight impact.