UFC 148 is a strong card – not as strong as it once was –
but a strong card all the same.
More importantly, UFC 148 is a card that will likely represent a crucial
junction for the most dominant champion in UFC history, Anderson Silva. Win or
lose, Silva’s career will be in some ways defined by this fight. I am not
overselling its importance when I say this may determine the fate of the most
memorable chapter of his storied career. The entire PPV card is more than worth
watching. All told, this still represents one of the strongest showings of the
summer for the UFC but the hype and the show will likely be stolen by the main
event and the fate of two bitter rivals.
Mike Easton and Ivan Menjivar
Fight of the Night Alert! MMA fans should thank their lucky
stars that this fight made the main card because it has fireworks written all
over it. Easton and Menjivar (pictured) are
two dynamite bantamweights that push a high octane pace early on in their
fights. This is a sleeper
candidate for all the awards: fight, submission, and knockout of the
night. It could honestly lead to
just about anything but I expect a furious round and a half before someone gets
caught and put to sleep via repeated head trauma or constriction of air. Tune in early and do not miss this
fight.
Cody Mckenzie vs Chad Mendes (FW#5)
David (Cody - Pictured), meet Goliath (Chad), Goliath, David. Cody McKenzie is punching above his
weight class (figuratively of course) in this one as he steps up to fight the
former number one contender Chad Mendes who desperately wants to get back on
track to a title shot. Here is the thing though; McKenzie is always desperate
for a win. This guy is absolutely always the underdog. He comes in with two things; toughness
and the sickest guillotine choke in the sport. I expect Mendes to be just too much for him but I wont be
surprised – and I will be not so secretly rooting for this – if McKenzie slaps
on a choke as Mendes comes in for a takedown, earning the biggest win of his
career.
Dong Hyun Kim vs Demian Maia
This card comes complete with a criminally under-hyped
fight. These are two fighters that
always seem to be at the cusp of making a run. Unfortunately both have dropped
fights at the most importune moments. Kim (pictured) and Maia need a big win and both
bring unique skills that the other should have trouble with. Kim is hard to control and has dynamic
quickness. Maia is a submission wizard and tricky when it comes to getting guys
down. Both men have showed
improved striking and that might be where the fight takes place. The loser is going to find himself in a
really tough spot but the winner should break into the top tier mix in the
crowded welterweight division.
Cung Le vs Patrick Cote
Le (pictured) has been an MMA darling for some since he burst on the scene
in Elite XC. He looks and acts the part of martial artists from the
movie-films. His strikes are precise and flashy. If he is anything at all it is
entertaining to watch. Le looks for his first UFC win against last minute
replacement Patrick Cote – Yes THAT Patrick Cote, haha. In all seriousness,
Cote is tailor maid for Le, a slower striker with heavy hands but far inferior
technique. I expect Cote to miss a
lot heavy punches and find himself outclassed round after round. Don’t be
surprised if Le hits a takedown or two, relying on his often talked about
wrestling background to secure points and keep his head safe from the hunting
of Cote. This could wind up in a
flashy knockout one way or another but expect exciting exchanges either way.
Forrest Griffin vs Tito Ortiz III
Who would have thought when Griffin (pictured) began his career that he
would find his greatest rivalry in Tito Ortiz? To this point Griffin and Ortiz
have been through 6 closely contested rounds and both found success– one a
piece. Their rubber match might
just be a swan song for both of them. Ortiz has been talking retirement for a
while and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame before the show. Griffin is in
some ways entering his prime years but seems content with his career, more
interested in other pursuits. Who can blame either though? I expect another
close decision win for one of these two legends. It will be scrappy, gutsy, and
could have all the makings of one of those special moments in the sport. Of
course it could end with a quick finish for someone (which now that I have
waxed somewhat emotional about it that’s probably going to happen). Who knows, maybe this fight will breath
new life into one of these fighters and they will make one last run at the
title. One way or another this is – deceptively enough – a fight worth going
out of ones way for.
Chael Sonnen (MW#2) vs. Anderson Silva (Champion – MW #1)
What is there to say about this fight that hasn’t been said
100 times over? Here is the quick rundown of what I think is important to know.
- Silva
and Sonne fought once before.
- Sonnen
beat Silva up for 23 minutes but was submitted in the closing two – Silva won
the fight.
- Sonnen
then tested positive for elevated testosterone levels, which he claimed he had
permission for.
- He
served a lengthy suspension.
- Silva
claimed he had a rib injury that effected him during the fight.
- Sonnen
earned this title shot by inching out a controversial victory over Michael
Bisping, who he could not take down and not control in the clinch.
I tried to stick to the facts but you can probably tell
where I am going with this. I don’t think this is going to be a repeat of their
first encounter. Sure Sonnen will
apparently be on the same testosterone replacement therapy he was on in the
first fight but I am not completely convinced we have seen the same Chael
Sonnen since his last title shot.
If he takes the same kind of shots he took from Bisping in this fight
Sonnen is going to end up eating through a straw. Silva has the knockout power
and varied clinch-work that Bisping does not. I am not saying that Sonnen doesn’t have a chance but to
think that this fight will look like the last might be a bit foolish.
You might have also heard tell there is some bad blood in
this fight. You see it isn’t just about what is going to happen in the cage.
This fight is a bit bigger than that. It has elevated beyond a simple
fight. Sonnen has done everything
imaginable to provoke Silva. He has discussed breaking into his home and having
Silva’s wife cook him a steak. He has insulted Brazilians, insulted Brazil, and
insulted Silva’s friends. He has
claimed he is the champion giving Silva a title shot. Sonnen has done
everything from claiming he is the best in the world to questioning Silva’s
manhood and his sexuality. Silva
for his part has remained calm and quiet, until recently. In the weeks leading up to UFC 148
Silva explained his plans for Sonnen claiming that he was going to break his
teeth, arms, and legs. Further, Silva explained that Sonnen wouldn’t want to fight
again after he was done. Perhaps most impressively Silva said he was going to
change the sport with his performance.
Now, lets come down a bit from the hyperbole and see what we have.
First, I think it clearly means that Sonnen is in Silva’s head in some way.
That doesn’t mean good and it doesn’t mean bad. It just means that Silva’s
mentality is different coming into this fight. Second it means that both these
guys have in some way put their reputation on the line. One of them will eat
crow at the end of the fight. One of them will look somewhat the fool.
The trash talk is great because it builds the fight but it
also sets the stage for how each fighter will be remembered. No matter how you
cut it Anderson Silva will be remembered differently after this fight. He will
either be the man who put up and shut up his biggest rival once and for all or
Chael Sonnen will always have had his number. UFC 148 should be one to remember – barring some sort of
strange draw or no contest. This
is the biggest fight of the summer without a doubt and should be not be a night
to miss.
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