Not many fighters make an immediate impact when crossing over to the UFC.
Due in part to the big lights strewn around the Octagon, most newcomers crumble in the eyes of that pressure-filled moment—one which may in fact define entire professional …
Not many fighters make an immediate impact when crossing over to the UFC.
Due in part to the big lights strewn around the Octagon, most newcomers crumble in the eyes of that pressure-filled moment—one which may in fact define entire professional careers.
But as rare as it is to see an accomplished outsider take his new home by storm, it happens. Brandon Thatch is the perfect example.
He nearly slaughtered the formidable Justin Edwards at UFC Fight Night 27 in Indianapolis this past Wednesday in what can only be considered a perfect divisional debut.
Capable of building off a mere 83 seconds of dominating pressure and precision, Thatch now has the UFC welterweight crop at his disposal.
Here’s what you need to know about the towering dynamo.
There are moments in sports that not only evaporate the very oxygen in our lungs but forever challenge the laws of universal physics.
They are found few and far between, but occasionally, a brief spark of unbelievable excellence will manifest so greatl…
There are moments in sports that not only evaporate the very oxygen in our lungs but forever challenge the laws of universal physics.
They are found few and far between, but occasionally, a brief spark of unbelievable excellence will manifest so greatly that it will bring about complete recognition of possibility and potential to our watchful eyes.
Even in an entity as punishing and unforgiving as mixed martial arts, these unprecedented occurrences contradict our collective beliefs and expectations when the skies open and the fight Gods allow them to shine.
This was never more true than after a beautifully crafted short left hook pulled Anderson Silva back down from the heavens and made Chris Weidman a storied Octagon warrior in a matter of seconds.
But beyond the glamorized spotlight of a media-crazed UFC community—usually driven by current ability instead of destined potential—what does the future hold for an unsung Long Island native coming off the most awe-inspiring, second-round finish in combat history?
For the sake of argument—everything. But in a world as unpredictable as tomorrow, is any fighter’s future truly cemented by certainty?
Some people find it difficult to crown Weidman as the new king. For them, a knockout of the greatest fighter of all time doesn’t suffice in a fight world currently fueled by rematches and win streaks.
They feel as if Weidman‘s historic swing for the fences was sheer luck, having nothing to do with his preparation and raw heart.
These people cannot fathom the possibility that Silva’s middleweight reign has come to an end and will never resurface.
But what does that have to do with the current champion?
Didn’t Weidman do everything he was supposed to do?
Didn’t he execute when his time came?
Didn’t he do it with the utmost professionalism and gratitude?
For the people that underestimate Weidman‘s worth as a power wrestler with evolving submissions and one-punch knockout ability, their day of reckoning will come.
Denying the potential of an undefeated champion coming off of the most prolific and sensational finish in recent memory is pitiful. It holds no merit in today’s game.
However, opinions are opinions. Without them, every person in this world would be living and breathing robots. So for Weidman to transform the beliefs and the inferior projections attached to his name, he’ll have to do something he’s already done; viciously defeat the former pound-for-pound king one last time.
Putting an end to a legend, even though he has presumably already done it, would launch Weidman into a whole other echelon of accomplished greatness. His name will no longer be attached to words like fluke, fraud, lucky or beneficiary of standup cockiness.
Beating Silva again would reveal the true potential of Weidman in the UFC. His youthful outlook on the sport and undeniable love for competition is exactly what champions are made of. It’s exactly what UFC fans want to see, exactly what his hometown New Yorkers can hang their hats on and precisely the calculated image that a guy like Weidman strives to attain.
Once he gets that monkey off his back, the sky is the limit. As one of the weaker divisions in the UFC, Weidman has the chance to run amuck at middleweight.
Silva is on the fritz, VitorBelfort can only fight in Brazil, Chael Sonnen’s wrestling isn’t strong enough and guys like Michael Bisping, Mark Munoz, Luke Rockhold, Ronaldo Souza and Tim Kennedy simply don’t possess the skill set to defeat a 10-0 phenom.
Obviously anything is possible, but it’s not like Weidman is a storied UFC vet. He’s still young, only has a fistful of Octagon fights under his belt, hasn’t peaked as a striker and is on his way to becoming one of the best grapplers in the sport.
So to shun a guy for doing his job doesn’t seem ethical, let alone practical. The man is as good as they get, doesn’t seem to be slowing up and is as hungry as he was before he turned a nervous night in Las Vegas into the most memorable six minutes of the last decade.
Despite “The Korean Zombie” being unable to attack champion Jose Aldo with his usual consistency, their featherweight championship showdown offered a variety of hot spots for UFC 163 onlookers.
The four-round exchange ended in part because of Chan-Sung…
Despite “The Korean Zombie” being unable to attack champion Jose Aldo with his usual consistency, their featherweight championship showdown offered a variety of hot spots for UFC 163 onlookers.
The four-round exchange ended in part because of Chan-Sung Jung’s separated shoulder, but Aldo had done enough damage prior to the injury to have won the fight if it went to the judges.
But beyond the self-inflicted separation, both fighters displayed world-class discipline, game planning, versatility and focus.
In culmination with their efforts, here are the pivotal moments from last night’s featherweight battle.
Jose Aldo lived up to his billing as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world yet again Saturday night after finishing off the gritty Chan Sung Jung via fourth-round TKO at UFC 163.
It was Aldo’s second career finish in a UFC title fight, …
Jose Aldo lived up to his billing as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world yet again Saturday night after finishing off the gritty Chan Sung Jung via fourth-round TKO at UFC 163.
It was Aldo’s second career finish in a UFC title fight, but one that came to fruition after the “Korean Zombie” blew his own shoulder out while punching.
In any case, Aldo produced another tantalizing performance on the back of blazing speed, raw power, well-rounded ground skills and unmatched athleticism.
Following his fourth straight featherweight title defense, what can we expect next from one of Brazil’s biggest names?
Despite the obvious showstoppers like Jose Aldo and Lyoto Machida, UFC 163 featured other stars in the making.
From heavy-handed flyweights to former The Ultimate Fighter winners, this weekend’s UFC event in Brazil was a coming-out party for some.
So o…
Despite the obvious showstoppers like Jose Aldo and LyotoMachida, UFC 163 featured other stars in the making.
From heavy-handed flyweights to former The Ultimate Fighter winners, this weekend’s UFC event in Brazil was a coming-out party for some.
So on the heels of comeback finishes, swift submissions and one-sided beatdowns, here are three stars from the Jose Aldo vs. Korean Zombie main card.
In what was supposed to be one of the more interesting and exciting featherweight title fights in recent memory, challenger Chan Sung Jung was unable to stifle champion Jose Aldo at UFC 163.
Due in part to Aldo’s overwhelming athleticism, versatility, …
In what was supposed to be one of the more interesting and exciting featherweight title fights in recent memory, challenger Chan Sung Jung was unable to stifle champion Jose Aldo at UFC 163.
Due in part to Aldo’s overwhelming athleticism, versatility, strength and home-crowd advantage, “The Korean Zombie” failed to showcase his usual go-for-broke ways.
But even though the 26-year-old took a small step back in the division, he still holds worth as a top contender moving forward.
There are moments in sports that not only evaporate the very oxygen in our lungs but forever challenge the laws of universal physics.