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Brock Lesnar’s Concern for Pat Barry Should Not Be Taken Lightly

Brock Lesnar is a public figure in the sense that he used to make violent appearances at UFC events and does the occasional WWE show, but he rarely speaks out about anything, instead opting to keep a low profile.
Yet when he does, it’s time to stand at…

Yet when he does, it’s time to stand at attention.

Lesnar, who knows a thing or two about the wear and tear a career inside the Octagon can have on one’s body, is making waves around the globe thanks to his comments made to UFC president Dana White concerning mixed martial artist Pat Barry.

Barry has been knocked out four times in about the past two years and 14 times overall between UFC and kickboxing. After bowing out of UFC and signing with Glory kickboxing on Spike TV in January, he went out in his debut against Zack Mwekassa on May 3 and suffered a vicious knockout in the first round.

MMA journalist Adam Martin provided a look at the first-round knockout:

White addressed the media after UFC Fight Night in Cincinnati and reveled that Lesnar “begged” him to convince Barry to retire, as captured by Fox Sports’ Damon Martin:

Brock Lesnar called me and begged me to make him retire. He said ‘I don’t consider too many people my friend, and I consider Pat Barry a friend, Dana you’ve got to get this guy to retire’. I said listen he’s a grown man, Brock. What am I going to do, there’s only so much I can do.

White went on to add that he has helped other fighters hang up the gloves in the past but that it comes down to the fighter’s personal situation:

It’s different with guys like Forrest (Griffin) and Chuck (Liddell) guys that I have relationships with for a long time and guys who have made a lot of money. That’s the difference. It’s easy to make them quit. Lot tougher to make a guy quit that has to make a living.

I don’t want to hurt Pat Barry or throw a monkey wrench in his life or anything, but at the end of the day, state athletic commissions that need to step in and help a guy like Pat Barry retire or people that care about him.

Only Pat Barry can make Pat Barry retire. Promotions won’t stop paying Barry to enter a cage, regardless of the potential damage, if his name moves tickets and he is willing to endure the punishment.

It doesn’t sound like Barry is ready to call it quits, either. After his brutal loss, he posted the following image to Instagram, with the caption, “HARD TO EXPLAIN, HARDER TO COMPREHEND, BUT THIS PIC IS THE REASON, THE TEST, WHY WE DO IT!!”

Barry is in the punching-bag portion of his career, a stage all fighters inevitably enter. Like so many, he seems incapable of knowing when to give it up.

Writers write. It’s what they do, how they define themselves.

Fighters fight. Barry seems stuck and in need of a third party to intervene. It just has to be done in the proper manner.

Which is why Lesnar‘s pleads are so important.

One of the most feared human beings on the planet—a former UFC heavyweight champion, NCAA Division I heavyweight wrestling champion, NFL player and even WWE champion—knew when to say enough is enough after losses to Cain Velasquez and Alistair Overeem.

A variety of factors, including a serious bout with diverticulitis, played into Lesnar‘s decision to retire. But his concern is all too palpable for his former sparring partner. It’s rare when fighters have this level of concern for their fellow fighters, and those who know an ounce about Lesnar understand that pigs may be flying past their windows as they read.

So Barry needs to pay attention. He’s on the right path considering few of his knockouts have come from kickboxing. His jump back to that form of combat sports was a good start after being brutalized in the mixed martial arts realm, but this latest knockout is of the utmost concern.

Nobody wants to see Barry hang it up and not be able to live comfortably. Especially Lesnar, a friend who cares enough to go public (in a roundabout way, as he had to know White would spout off given the chance) with his thoughts on the matter.

Barry needs to take Lesnar‘s concerns seriously before too much damage is done. It’s safe to say Lesnar is right there to help his friend through the end-of-career process if he can be convinced to call it a career.

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UFC 172: Biggest Takeaways from Jones vs. Teixeira as Sport Surges Ahead

Masterful.
That’s the one word that describes Jon Jones’ performance on Saturday night at UFC 172, as he successfully defended both his light heavyweight championship and his title as best in the world, making quality opponent Glover Teixeira look like…

Masterful.

That’s the one word that describes Jon Jones‘ performance on Saturday night at UFC 172, as he successfully defended both his light heavyweight championship and his title as best in the world, making quality opponent Glover Teixeira look like a hapless victim in the process.

While not the best title bout in the sport’s history, it serves as an important indicator as to the direction Dana White‘s promotion is headed in the coming years.

Spoiler alert—things look great.

The Division Is in for Another Memorable Year

There’s talent at each level of the UFC hierarchy, but it’s hard to name a more loaded division than the one Jones’ currently sits atop.

Outside of Jones, his recent adversary, Alexander Gustafsson, is quite the draw. By all accounts, including MMA Fighting writer Ariel Helwani’s, part two is next on the slate:

Despite the mind-numbing loss where his best wasn’t close to enough, Glover remains a top name. He’s one of the most feared strikers the sport has to offer and won’t have many issues bouncing back.

None of this is to suggest the division holds a legitimate threat to Jones’ crown (more on that in a bit), but he’s a must-see attraction, and the tier below him is rather even keel and will put together some quality action over the course of the next calendar year.

Jon Jones is Untouchable

Not an exaggeration.

Jones admitted in the post-right interview with Joe Rogan that he altered the game plan dramatically after noticing Glover winding up for big shots.

Instead, Jones got inside of the lengthy wind-up—exactly where all experts agreed he shouldn’t go since it plays to Glover’s strengths—and abused his opponent at his own game through five rounds of action.

Brutal elbows, punches and the occasional clinch—with a shoulder projectile maneuver against the cage for good measure—all combined to fell Glover and erase the somewhat sour memories of Jones’ previous bout with Gustafsson.

As Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Snowden helps to capture, there’s something electric about the 26-year-old’s style that should keep fans glued to the sport:

At such a young age, it’s scary to think Jones is still rounding out his arsenal and getting experience under his belt.

Big-Name Absences Are a Non-Issue

Georges St-Pierre. Anderson Silva. The list runs rather deep.

UFC needs a face, that one can’t-miss fighter who sells pay-per-views, especially with the two names above sidelined. As it stands, Jones is that guy. He told the media after the win on Saturday that it felt good to be back in the good graces of viewers, per Jeff Wagenheim of Sports Illustrated:

“It felt good to have the fans on my side again,” Jones said at the post-fight press conference. “It’s been a long time since I’d had cheers. I thought, let me embrace that and give the audience some entertainment.”

They aren’t going anywhere. It’s not because they have nobody else to turn to, either. It’s because any lingering doubt that Jones is the next big thing and perhaps one of the best of all time has been officially put to bed.

Was Glover the absolute best threat? Of course not. But similar to Floyd Mayweather on the boxing side of things, Jones doesn’t have a group of competition below him that is on his level to pick from, so we’ll have to take what we can get.

It’s hard to complain about the future with Jones leading the way.

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UFC 172: Main Card Storylines to Monitor Saturday Night

The arrival of UFC 172 on Saturday night brings with it a loaded card at face value, highlighted by the sport’s best in Jon Jones as he continues to etch his name in MMA history.
His opponent is Glover Teixeira, a man who both offers plenty of intrigue…

The arrival of UFC 172 on Saturday night brings with it a loaded card at face value, highlighted by the sport’s best in Jon Jones as he continues to etch his name in MMA history.

His opponent is Glover Teixeira, a man who both offers plenty of intrigue and also has the look of a severe underdog—which are two traits that will be commonplace throughout the night’s events.

This makes for quite the spectacle. Alleged underdogs can shock the globe, or some of the most consistent names in the business can go about their dominant ways to the glee of supporters. Regardless, it’s yet another card from Dana White that fans won’t want to miss.

Focus

Simple—will two of the sport’s biggest names keep their eyes on the immediate prize?

It’s apparently tougher than it sounds. Phil Davis wants a shot at Jones’ title, but he first has to move past Anthony Johnson. That’s no straightforward task, especially if Davis continues to focus more on Jones than his fight Saturday night:

Davis oozes confidence, so why is this a problem? He could learn a thing or two from Jones, who appeared to make the same mistake in his last fight.

That last fight came against Alexander Gustafsson, who almost pulled off the upset. Jones confessed on the Jim Rome Show, via Fox Sports’ Damon Martin, that he overlooked his adversary:

Going into the Gustafsson fight, I had just beat Chael Sonnen. Somebody that almost beat Anderson Silva twice. I dominated Chael Sonnen in a minute and 30 seconds and I think for the first time in my career, I really started to feel myself. I really started to think maybe I’ve got this extraordinary talent and maybe I can’t be touched.

I went 80-percent,” Jones said about the Gustafsson fight. “I’m not making any excuses, Gustafsson did a great job in the fight, but I know I had a lot more in me. I did some of the cardio tests that I normally do and my numbers weren’t the same.

It’s hard to think Jones will make the same mistake twice, although he certainly enters a favorable matchup against Teixeira. The same can’t be said for Davis, who has to remain grounded and deal with the task at hand unless he wants to suffer the same lesson.

Can Underdogs Prove Their Worth to Stick Around in UFC?

There’s a lot on the line at the event. Health. Career trajectory. Food on the table. It goes on.

For some of the underdogs, it’s all at stake. Look at Teixeira. He’s won 20 straight fights and five since joining the UFC, but a loss to Jones in his first bout against respectable competition would cripple his credibility.

There’s Johnson, who is in a career revitalization of sorts at 205 pounds as a stone-fisted knockout machine who certainly has what it takes to drop Davis in one shot. David Kano of MMA Show News is one who believes in Johnson:

But a loss? Forget it. Johnson will have a tough time ever getting back to title contention.

Don’t just look at the top of the main card, though. In Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Boetsch, the latter should count his lucky stars he gets another shot at a top-10 opponent. A loss effectively ends his run.

Jim Miller vs. Yancy Medeiros? The latter has the makings of a major star after an impressive recent win—that was negated after a positive test for marijuana. In other words, he has yet to prove he belongs, although a win over a consistent contender like Miller would change things in a hurry.

Will the Hype of the “Stacked Card” Come to Fruition?

Look, a promoter’s job is to create interest in the product he or she touts. White can’t be blamed for hyping up 172’s card, but it’s certainly a wild card in the entertainment department.

His comments and actions, via Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith, sum up the situation perfectly:

Jones may simply bully Teixeira in the main event, especially if he can take things to the mat. The same goes for Davis, as Johnson simply isn’t comfortable in the wrestling department. Rinse and repeat, as Miller is a surefire victor if he applies a submission maneuver. Boetsch is a glutton for punishment who is in for a beating if he can’t close the distance against Rockhold.

Each match may end early. While a fun event, fans may feel robbed of time and/or money. That, or a few wild upsets happen and the event goes down as one to remember.

What’s it going to be?

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UFC 172 Fight Card: Start Time and Full Predictions for Stacked Slate

UFC 172 promises to be one of the more memorable cards in recent history thanks to impressive depth throughout the event, which is headlined by the highly anticipated Jon Jones vs. Glover Teixeira bout.
While Jones and Teixeira will put on a show after…

While Jones and Teixeira will put on a show after a boatload of hype and overanalysis, some of the lesser matches on the card may provide the best action of the night. After all, it’s hard to imagine anyone topping Jones in his current form.

The other fights on the card aren’t as predictable. Here’s a look at the full list, followed by a breakdown of two bouts that are sure to entertain.

Luke Rockhold vs. Tim Boetsch

There’s an underlying chance for major entertainment value when Luke Rockhold and Tim Boetsch step into the Octagon on Saturday.

Yes, Boetsch has been on a skid of epic proportions, losing to Costa Philippou and Mark Munoz before somehow getting the controversial split decision at UFC 166 against C.B. Dollaway. He’s ranked No. 13 and gets yet another shot at a Top 10 opponent.

Rockhold is fresh off a loss to Vitor Belfort and a major win over Philippou in his UFC debut, so it’s easy to write this off as a major blowout win for the former Strikeforce middleweight champion, who seems to want another stab at Belfort sooner rather than later.

But Boetsch has tapped once and been knocked out just twice in his career. If he can get the fight up against the cage to negate Rockhold’s length advantage, things may just swing in his favor. He can also grab a highlight win if Rockhold leaves himself open for a counter, which he does rather routinely.

Regardless, both men have something to prove, as one may be released from the promotion with a loss, while the other may fail on his effort to get back at Belfort.

Jim Miller vs. Yancy Medeiros

Yancy Medeiros emphatically put himself on the map in his first UFC win last November via a first-round knockout of Yves Edwards.

Then he was busted for marijuana.

That experience is in the rearview mirror, as Medeiros wants to set a better example, per Marc Raimondi of Fox Sports. “I made a big change,” Medeiros said. “I’m sober now. I want to be a good image, to especially Hawaii. I want to be a representative, an ambassador. That was a big change for me.”

To advance even further in an extremely stacked division, Medeiros has to move past annual lightweight contender Jim Miller, who most recently scored a first-round victory over Fabricio Camoes.

It’s a war of contrasting styles on Saturday. Medeiros is known as a finisher via strikes, with six of his nine victories coming in that fashion. Miller is the opposite, as evidenced by his 13 submission wins.

The decisive factor? Experience. Miller is an Octagon veteran with a strong jaw. He won’t have to do much more than avoid the big swings and get Medeiros on the mat to earn another victory. For Medeiros, he has to seize a fleeting chance at glory to prove he belongs in the promotion.

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Jon Jones vs. Glover Teixeira: Tale of the Tape and Preview for UFC 172 Bout

Entering Saturday night at UFC 172, Jon Jones has successfully defended his UFC title six times, a number that only trails greats like Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre.
To push that number closer to the greats and cement his status as the best in t…

Entering Saturday night at UFC 172, Jon Jones has successfully defended his UFC title six times, a number that only trails greats like Anderson Silva and Georges St-Pierre.

To push that number closer to the greats and cement his status as the best in the world at the moment and further his legacy, Jones will have to maneuver past the underdog Glover Teixeira. The scrappy Brazilian has won 20 fights in a row.

While a seemingly lopsided affair, the tale of the tape suggests both fighters are evenly matched:

There’s certainly good reason to tune in, as Teixeira has the proverbial puncher’s chance.

Just don’t believe the hype that credits him as the biggest threat to Jones yet.

He’s not.

Bleacher Report’s Chad Dundas best explains why Teixeira’s hype machine to get fans to tune in shouldn’t be believed:

Certainly, Teixeira is a capable, heavy-handed competitor who has rightfully earned his spot as No. 1 contender. He could absolutely defeat Jones if he can load up and catch the champion slipping with a big shot. Through five Octagon appearances against mostly middling talent, though, Teixeira just hasn’t shown the skills to justify the hyperbole currently being heaped at his feet.

Teixeira certainly buys his own hype, although he can be given a pass:

Now 34 years old, Teixeira joined the UFC in 2012 and won five fights. He ran through Kyle Kingsbury, Fabio Maldonado and James Te Huna before a decision over Quinton Jackson. A bout with Ryan Bader was shaky at best for the Brazilian, as Bader had him on the ropes before letting his guard down.

Meanwhile, Jones has been nothing short of the best fighter in the sport. In a way, he’s sort of like boxing’s Floyd Mayweather—alone at the top, and no matter who he chooses to fight he will be met with some semblance of criticism.

Jones has bullied his way to the top, although he too had a rough encounter in his last outing against Alexander Gustafsson. Unlike his opponent Saturday, the near-loss is not a major concern as the competition was actually valid, as DWLA editor Josh Gross helps to point out:

Conventional wisdom says Teixeira has an advantage in the striking department, although his display of power has come against lesser competition, and his clear lack of speed when he steps in the Octagon with Jones may rear its ugly head.

It’s also seemingly impossible to take down Teixeira, but again, the quality of his competition plays a factor. Conversely, Jones has scored at least one takedown in each of his last 11 fights.

Watch for Jones to use his superior length and speed to avoid the danger zone. This is what sets the two apart on Saturday night, as Teixeira looks for his shot at glory and Jones wants to remain on top of the mountain.

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UFC 172 Start Time: Match Card and Predictions for Jon Jones vs. Glover Teixeira

All things considered, the match card at UFC 172 is stacked even if the main event between pound-for-pound MMA ruler Jon Jones (19-1) and Glover Teixeira (22-2) reeks of a potential stinker.
Still, fans around the globe should tune in any time Jones en…

All things considered, the match card at UFC 172 is stacked even if the main event between pound-for-pound MMA ruler Jon Jones (19-1) and Glover Teixeira (22-2) reeks of a potential stinker.

Still, fans around the globe should tune in any time Jones enters the cage, and there’s an allure of the unknown surrounding the challenger.

Add in a stacked card, and it’s easy to see why the hype for the event is at a fever pitch.

Where: Baltimore Arena, Baltimore

When: Saturday, April 26 at 10 p.m. ET

Watch: Pay-per-view (check local cable provider)

Live Stream: UFC.TV (subscription required)

Best Bout of the Night: Phil Davis vs. Anthony Johnson

This one is taking a lot of heat from fans and the media, as Anthony Johnson makes his return to UFC in a somewhat unfavorable matchup against Phil Davis.

Davis touts the wrestling prowess that can perfectly counter Johnson, who has, for whatever reason, been somewhat reluctant to take bouts to the mat.

That said, Davis has been running his mouth so much about a title shot, he may arrogantly make this a fight. On the path to the event, Davis has seemed more concerned with Jones than Johnson, as captured by Marc Raimondi of Fox Sports and UFC:

Like a video game, it only takes one miscalculation for Johnson to pull off the upset. He holds an advantage in the striking department and has looked nothing short of dominant on his path back to the UFC.

The problem here is Davis’ ability to get Johnson off his feet. When this happens, ground-and-pound will eventually take its toll, and Davis will finally get to run his mouth as the next man in line to take on Jones.

Prediction: Davis via decision.

Main Event Outlook

The main event means everything to Teixeira, who has won 20 fights in a row (five in the UFC).

Just ask the man himself:

It sounds good on paper, but Teixeira has a tough task ahead. Not just because of the obvious, which is just how great Jones truly is, but also the fact that his nice record is entirely misleading, as Tomas Rios of Sports on Earth helps to illustrate:

He damn near got knocked out by gatekeeper Ryan Bader in his last fight and can’t sustain the aggression his style hinges on for more than a round or two. Teixeira’s best and perhaps only hope is to dominate in the pocket with power combinations, but there isn’t a light heavyweight alive who can force Jones into that kind of fight. The short of it is that Teixeira’s limitations mark him as someone Jones will delight in exposing — his stated preference is not to win, but to win in an aesthetically pleasing manner that highlights the intelligence underwriting his athleticism. He’s dead serious about it.

Jones has too much speed. He can keep Teixeira at bay while both are upright and has more than enough ammunition to win the battle on the mat should it somehow go there without his permission.

It’s simply a lopsided matchup, which would make the upset all the more poetic. But Jones’ experience on the big stage and dances with tougher competition, not to mention all of the above, equate to what will be an extremely ugly fight.

Prediction: Jones via decision.

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