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.