There are times when being an MMA fan is awesome.Like this past Saturday, at a sold-out (I think) Air Canada Centre, when Little Nog crumpled Tito Ortiz with that knee and every Brazilian within 50 feet of me (and there were more than you’d think…
Like this past Saturday, at a sold-out (I think) Air Canada Centre, when Little Nog crumpled Tito Ortiz with that knee and every Brazilian within 50 feet of me (and there were more than you’d think) exploded.
Or when Frank Mir made the impossible happen in just a few minutes, breaking “Minotauro’s” arm and dropping around 15,000 jaws in unison (said Brazilians included).
Or when Lyoto Machida stumbled Jon Jones in the first round of their fight and you thought maybe, just maybe, he was going to be the guy.
Or even, hard as it was, when “The Korean Zombie” knocked out hometown hero Mark Hominick in the time it takes you to read this sentence. Man, that was a hard one to stomach. Fun fact: the top three fastest KOs in UFC history have all been delivered to Canadians. We are truly a polite people, not bred for violence and bloodsport. Just don’t mention it to that Georges guy.
Yes indeed, there are times when being an MMA fan is just awesome.
Then there are times when it blows harder than that storm George Clooney got caught in that one time when he was rocking the crazy beard. Times like when you go online, still buzzing from a night of awesome fights and arena beers and see the topic of conversation has shifted, as always, to b*tching about Greg Jackson.
In case you’re not up on MMA fans latest contribution to Team Jackson’s complaint box, I’ll fill you in.
Post UFC 140 main event, Jackson instructed a victorious Jones to “check on” the recently choked out Machida in order to “get himself some fans.” To some MMA fans, this is further proof that Jackson is phony. Or uncaring. Or calculating. Or something. It’s hard to tell with these guys.
Let me reiterate in case you were skimming: Jackson is in hot water with fans because he instructed his fighter to check on his opponent. Yes indeed, these are strange times we are living in.
The issue here is the language Jackson used. “Get yourself some fans.” Sounds slightly cynical, right? If only he had said, “Check on Lyoto because it is our solemn duty as martial artists to check on our opponents after we cause them to flop to the mat like a carp,” we wouldn’t be in this situation now.
Folks, Jackson needn’t concern himself with Machida’s well-being. That’s the ringside doctor’s job. That’s the referee’s job. That’s the athletic commission’s job. That’s the job of Machida’s cornermen.
Jackson is paid (and quite well, I’d imagine) to offer counsel, training and advice to Jones. That’s his job. That’s why he’s collecting a cheque.
What his job is not, however, is to be a constant beacon of Bushido bon mots, nor to dispense advice based on the internet MMA fan’s definition of a “true martial artist.” He’s a professional who is there to advise his client. He did that, and offered a young fighter sage advice in a charged moment. And yet the haterade flows like cheap beer at a frat party.
And besides, why are all you guys getting so hung up on “going to check” on someone? I mean seriously now, what difference does it make? I know Jones once stopped a mugger and all, but if Machida were seriously injured as a result of Jones’ choke, what difference would his “checking on” him really make?
For that matter, what does “checking on” a fighter really do, except take up space that EMTs or commission officials should be in?
And for what? A token gesture at best, designed to show fans what a good guy you really are. Old sensitive you, who just strangled a man until he blacked out, but had the good manners and decency to go over and pat his unmoving form a few times. Maybe you asked “are you alright?” to his unresponsive face before being shooed away by the officals. What a paragon of virtue you are. I want to be just like you when I grow up.
Jackson told Jones to check on Machida to “get some fans”? Folks, everyone checks on their opponent to “get some fans.” Or, more accurately, to keep their existing fans—Jackson modified the advice in Jones’ case in light of his (well-nigh inexplicable) plummeting popularity.
Or do you seriously expect me to believe that, in an ideal scenario, fighter X went over to check on fighter Y because, if he discovered something was wrong, he planned to immediately jump into action, give said fighter CPR, and set his broken arm in a makeshift sling made out of a jock strap?
The real shame is there are so many things to talk about coming off of this past Saturday’s UFC 140. It may have been the best card of the year, and provided headline news with every fight on the PPV card. Except for Ebersole vs. Patrick, of course, where the only real news is that Ebersole’s chest hair now has corporate sponsorship.
Instead, we’re back to bitching about Jackson.
Only it’s tired now. It’s sad. It’s not even “so bad it’s good.” You guys were more fun when you had greasegates and nipple twisting to b*tch about.
Anyone who’s followed MMA news recently knows what a PR sh*tstorm the UFC has been navigating (or not, to go by some folks) these last couple of days. Rape jokes. More rape jokes. Penn State jokes. Moral indignation and outrage. Miguel Torres …
Anyone who’s followed MMA news recently knows what a PR sh*tstorm the UFC has been navigating (or not, to go by some folks) these last couple of days.
Rape jokes. More rape jokes. Penn State jokes. Moral indignation and outrage. Miguel Torres getting fired because of said indignation and outrage. More outrage over Torres getting fired—and so it goes.
Oh, and some guy named “Georges” something got injured. I don’t think that’s important right now though…
Back to the scandal!
The latest UFC fighter with a possible PR problem is Dan Henderson. Recently, no less a reputable news outlet than TMZ.com “outed” Hendo for leaving a club recently with his friend, Detroit Tigers pitcher Brad Penny. Oh, and two smokin’ chicks on his arm.
Now, I’m guessing you, like most, had one of two reactions to this picture:
Reaction 1: Oh, Dan, aren’t you a married man? Why are you leaving a club with two women? What about the high moral standards set by your employer, the UFC? Why won’t you think of the children?!
Reaction 2: Awwwww yeah.
Actually, I lied before: No one had the first reaction. There isn’t any “controversy” around this story, except that it forced Dan to go public with his divorce, which he had been keeping from the public for the sake of his kids.
Pointless photo of no real news value that only serve to embarrass children? Take a bow, TMZ.
Okay, so there’s no scandal here. As I looked at this photo, however, I couldn’t help but think how utterly appropriate it was as an “end-of-the-year summation” of the 2011 that Dan Henderson has had.
I remember watching Hendo face Anderson Silva way back in early 2008. When Anderson submitted Dan in the second round, making it look as easy as he always does, it looked like the end for ol’ Dan. I remember more than a few people saying Henderson was officially “done” as an elite-level fighter. I remember no one speaking up to dispute that assertion.
Admit it: At that time, you were probably thinking the same thing.
Then there was Mike Bisping and a UFC 100 KO that has become a part of legend. Before that fight, Dan Henderson was the MMA legend you were always explaining to your friends: Who he was, where he had fought, and why he was someone to care about.
After that punch, you never had to explain again.
And then, just like that, Dana White let him go. Oh, it wasn’t a “firing,” not in the same sense that Dana White “fired” Miguel Torres recently for joking about rape on Twitter.
Fun fact: When Dana referred to that one anonymous source in a Sherdog story as a “f*ggot” way back when, he meant a bundle of sticks. Just clarifying. We don’t want anyone to get the impression the UFC isn’t all about family values here.
No, Dan and Dana just disagreed on contract details. Dan figured he was the kick-ass rock star that just KO’ed Mike Bisping into next year. Dana figured he was an overpaid old guy who had already lost both his UFC title fights.
So away Dan went to Strikeforce at the “peak” of his popularity. People hailed the move as the “signing of the century,” and Dan got a headlining fight on network television. This was his moment.
Twenty-five minutes underneath Jake Shields later, and Dan was, once again, “done.” I’m not exaggerating here when I say that a solid 95 percent of the MMA fan base was throwing dirt on Hendo’s grave by the time the bell rung against Shields. He looked slow, tired and, at times, almost helpless off his back. He looked old.
If Dan had walked away then, would anyone have really blamed him? It was hardly his best performance, and besides—what else did he have to prove?
Thank God he didn’t.
In the last calendar year, Hendo has gone 4-0, with three of those wins coming via a crushing KO. Two of them were over legit MMA icons. One was for a world title, and the other just so happens to be the current front-runner for “Fight of the Year.”
As of right now, Hendo is once again “back.” But to even type that sentence now just feels silly and even shortsighted. He was “back” when he KO’ed Wanderlei and he was “back” when he KO’ed Bisping and he was “back” when he won the Strikeforce belt and now, once again, he’s “back” after going through hell with Shogun Rua.
Like the unstoppable, never-say-die zombie that he is, Hendo waited for his third (at least) career resurrection to put forth his best-ever effort. I’d argue that the streak he’s had this past year represents the pinnacle of his career, in terms of in-cage success, strong performances and fan (and financial) recognition.
Going undefeated, KO’ing Fedor, snagging a belt and winning the “Fight of the Year.” That’s a hell of a year, folks.
And it ends, as it should, with Hendo looking like the man himself, walking out of a club with his MLB pitcher buddy and two gorgeous women he’ll get to…uh…work on his cardio with.
Dan Henderson is the man. We already knew that.
I just hope we remember it the next time he’s “done.”
By all rights, what I should be writing right now is something along the lines of “UFC makes much-anticipated return to Toronto for huge world title fight!”Yeah, that would be a nice story. And it’s certainly what I expected I would b…
By all rights, what I should be writing right now is something along the lines of “UFC makes much-anticipated return to Toronto for huge world title fight!”
Yeah, that would be a nice story. And it’s certainly what I expected I would be writing even a month ago.
Yet this UFC has the feeling of ordering a pizza from Dominos: Even if it hasn’t arrived yet, you can’t shake the feeling that you’re about to be disappointed.
Apparently, tickets are still available less than a week before the fight. For any UFC event, that’s a troubling sign. For a major world title fight featuring the breakthrough star of 2011, it’s even worse. And for a return card to the “Mecca of MMA,” well, it’s downright bad.
Blame the recession. Blame the fatigued fanbase trying to keep up with so many events. Blame Jon Jones, who hasn’t “turned it on” for this fight like he did against Shogun and Rampage. Blame Machida, for not being Rashad Evans. Blame Dana White. Blame Joe Silva. Blame Canada!
Personally, I blame bad timing. It’s a simple rule of promotion that if you want to sell out an event in Toronto, don’t have it in December, when the Toronto Maple Leafs are playing hockey.
Have it, like UFC 129, in April during the playoffs, when the Toronto Maple Leafs are playing golf (just kidding, Leafs fans. You know I love you. This is your year, baby!).
I thought UFC 140 was an interesting card even before the addition of Jones vs. Machida “clinched the deal” so to speak. To go by some critics, however, what we’re getting is a forgone conclusion of a title match, preceded by a bunch of over the hill guys fighting for sentimental sake. Oh, and Hominick vs. “Korean Zombie,” which should rock.
But back to the point. The main card at UFC 140 features fights that could have big implications on the future of the UFC for some time. Like it or not, a handful of the sport’s true greats could be looking at an “end of the line” scenario that night in Toronto. No, I don’t mean retirement, just ejection from the title picture—possibly forever.
What’s on the line at UFC 140? I’ll break down the main card fights, the consequences if either fighter won and what the fight means in the vaunted “bigger picture”.
First up: a fight that I absolutely love, and at the same time, loathe.
Mark Hominick vs. Chan Sung Jung
I know I’ve complained about this before elsewhere, but I just don’t like the matchmaking in this fight. Featherweight is still a new division, and it doesn’t have a long list of marketable title contenders for champ Jose Aldo. I’d argue that outside Aldo (and the possibly irrelevant Kenny Florian), these guys are the two most popular fighters at Featherweight.
So rather than build them up into stars separately, they’re being fed to each other at a time when a loss could derail either man’s title aspirations quite seriously.
On the other hand: The fight rocks, both guys match up well and both guys bring it. I see Hominick picking Jung apart on the feet to take the decision, but I wouldn’t be surprised with any outcome in this one.
If Hominick Wins: Is it too early to put him back in a title fight? My instincts say yes, but then again, who else is there for Jose Aldo? The champ faces Chad Mendes next in Brazil, but after that, it’s not exactly clear who he’d face next. Hatsu Hioki? Dustin Poirier? Both good choices, but lacking the “name value” of Hominick, especially in a rematch with Aldo. Remember that their first fight is not only considered a classic; it’s also the most Aldo has been pushed since winning the title.
There’s history there, and a convincing win from Hominick could see him jumped to the front of the line for Jose Aldo, especially if the fight is in Canada, where it would likely do big business.
Jung, a well-known guy and a favorite of UFC management, would likely not be cut from the promotion in defeat.
If Jung Wins: A new, bona fide star will have been born at Featherweight (if he wasn’t one already). However, I don’t see Chan jumping into a title fight with a win the same way Hominick would. He’s 1-2 in his last three, including a vicious headkick KO loss. Even a “convincing” win probably wouldn’t be enough to actually convince fans (and Joe Silva) that he’s ready for a beast like Aldo.
Still, the future is bright for Jung if he wins, and it opens up a range of possibilities for him in 2012. A fight with the likes of Erik Koch or the aforementioned Dustin Poirier would be guaranteed fun.
Hominick, possibly the most marketable fighter in Canada behind GSP, would be safe from a firing in defeat.
Claude Patrick vs. Brian Ebersole
Originally slated as Rory MacDonald vs. Brian Ebersole, this fight would have been an interesting clash of a surging young contender and an extremely seasoned vet with some momentum of his own. With MacDonald scratched from the fight, I fear Claude Patrick has too steep a mountain to climb in his hometown.
I remember feeling the same way about the Sean Pierson vs. Jake Ellenberger fight at UFC 129, and my concerns unfortunately were spot on.
Ebersole is a beast. Remember when he beat the beejesus out of Chris Lytle, who beat the beejesus out of Dan Hardy, who went five rounds with GS freakin’ P? Yeah, don’t be fooled by the strange choice of chest hair-styling.
If Ebersole Wins: He’ll officially become the best fighter you’ve never heard of. At that point, he’ll have a record of 49-14-1-1. Jeremy Horn-esque is the record of Brian Ebersole, Joe. He’ll be riding a 10-fight winning streak and be 3-0 in the UFC. In short, it’s time to step Ebersole up into the division’s top 10. Fights with Martin Kampmann, Diego Sanchez or Paulo Thiago are a logical next step.
This being only his first loss, “The Prince” would undoubtedly be given another shot inside the Octagon.
If Patrick Wins: Does he vault ahead of fellow Canuck Rory MacDonald in the welterweight rankings? I say no, but there would be a fair number of people who’d disagree with me, especially if it was an emphatic victory.
Patrick would likely find himself in a similar situation to Ebersole if he won, and would start getting offered fights towards the top of the division. Thiago Alves would be a good next step to test Patrick’s offensive grappling. If he was really feeling sadistic, he could challenge Jake Ellenberger to take revenge for his teammate Pierson.
Tito Ortiz vs. Little Nogueira
Let’s dispense with the unpleasant facts right up front, shall we? Combined, these guys are 71 years old. They are both coming off dominant, one-sided losses to “athletic” wrestlers who dominated them in a “game has past me by” kind of way. Both guys are riding out what could charitably be called “rough patches” in their respective careers.
Yet this fight matters, if only for the simple reason that one MMA legend will get to keep being relevant to the title picture, and one won’t. One way or another, a formerly great fighter will have to face no longer being elite after Saturday night.
If Tito Wins: He buys himself one more year of big fights, media attention, large paydays and everything else that comes with being “The Huntington Beach Bad Boy”…erm…I mean “The People’s Champ.”
Sidebar: What? “The People’s Champ”? Really. “Let me tell you what you’re feeling…actually, it doesn’t matter what you’re feeling, Renato Bablu!”
If Ortiz wins, I say match him up with Stephan Bonnar. It would be a good clash of old versus…not quite as old, and would be a good test and a good name for Bonnar at this point. Also, Bonnar needs to face a strong wrestler to erase the sitgma of that whole “losing to Mark Coleman in 2009” thing.
Sad to say, but if Nogueira loses, he could very well be cut in today’s “sucks if you’re not Dan Hardy” MMA climate.
If Little Nog Wins: The UFC loses a legend and a “name” in Tito, but gets the chance to possibly build another one with Nogueria. Sure, us hardcore fans know Nog is a legend, but to Joe Average fan, I don’t think he’s viewed quite the same way a Tito Ortiz or Randy Couture is.
Should Nog win, I think the ideal scenario for him would be exciting, “name” fighters who could build his profile further with American fans. Guys like Rich Franklin or Forrest Griffin come to mind as opponents who could interest fans, guarantee a fun fight, and provide a solid stylistic challenge for Little Nog.
If he loses here, Tito Ortiz is getting bounced; whether or not he retires is another matter entirely. Someone get Ken Shamrock’s number on speed dial!
Man, am I pumped for this fight. Maybe even moreso than the main event, though I’m weird like that. Their first fight was a coming out party for the “new” Frank Mir and created a whole lot of fan debate that really hasn’t abated since. Was Nogueria hobbled by staph infection? Did he fight at 100 percent? Or is he just making excuses for getting dominated by Frank?
This fight will (hopefully) go a long way towards answering those questions, assuming both men are healthy.
If Mir Wins: Somewhere, somehow, Brock Lesnar will take notice. A Frank Mir win here pretty much guarantees we’re going to see Mir vs. Lesnar 3, even if Brock loses to Overeem at the end of the month. Count on it. There’s simply too much money on the table for the UFC to walk away from the trilogy, especially if Mir uses his post-fight mic time to stir the Brock-pot once again.
In the event of a Mir win, I don’t think Nogueria will be cut; he’s still a huge draw in Brazil, which the UFC is clearly hoping to continue expansion into. But it’s a possibility, and a sad one at that.
If Big Nog Wins: Pride Never Dies! A Big Nog win allows the elder (I think, by a minute or two) Nogueria brother to continue on in the division’s upper echelon. In fact, having starched rising prospect Brendan Schaub and avenged his loss to Frank Mir back-to-back, Nog would find himself in the best position he’s been in since besting Tim Sylvia for the interim HW title.
Call me crazy, but I’d love to see a Nogueria vs. Roy Nelson fight should Nog win.
Frank Mir is a darling of the UFC brass and rising a nice little win streak. He’s not going anywhere.
Jon Jones vs. Lyoto Machida: LHW Championship
Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve really dug certain aspects of this fight’s promotion. Look up the 30-second spot for UFC 140 on YouTube. The add focuses on martial arts, the amazing moves we’ve seen both men pull off and the meeting of technical masters that this fight will surely be. That’s a few chops above the “guaranteed knockouts, he’ll know he’s been in a fight, into pieces!” style of the UFC’s usual fight promotion.
If Jones Wins: Than he caps off the single greatest year anyone has ever had in MMA. Seriously, I feel pretty confident saying that. Beating Ryan Bader, Shogun Rua, Rampage Jackson and Lyoto Machida—and winning the belt—all in one year is an astonishing feat. If Jon Jones wins, then he can be as cocky and arrogant as he damn well pleases; he’ll have pretty much earned it. Should he win, I’d like to see him fight…oh what’s his name again…oh yeah…Rashad something.
If Machida Wins: Da Dragun is Da Shameeon! If Lyoto wins, expect it to rain cats and dogs in the MMA world while we all get a repeated schooling of the old mantra “anything can happen in MMA.” Depending on the circumstances of his win, there’s a chance Machida could face an immediate rematch with Jones, but more than likely, it’s the Evans/Davis winner who will challenge for the strap next. Though does anyone else think Hendo vs. Machida would be a seriously fun fight?
I’m not going to lie: Like a few other people, I am damn excited for Michael Bisping vs. Jason “Mayhem” Miller.I remember what a big deal it was to watch the BJ Penn/Jens Pulver fight on free TV, way back in that forgotten time known …
I’m not going to lie: Like a few other people, I am damn excited for Michael Bisping vs. Jason “Mayhem” Miller.
I remember what a big deal it was to watch the BJ Penn/Jens Pulver fight on free TV, way back in that forgotten time known as 2007. Even if the once-hyped rematch had lost some of its lustre, it still felt like a “big fight” we were getting on free TV. It was also very fitting to have the season finale end with the battle of the coaches rather than having to pay for the fight a month later.
In short, having the coaches fight on the finale is like drinking beer in the shower: It might not happen very often, but it just feels right.
And it’s even more fitting when you consider that this is the swan song of “The Ultimate Fighter” on Spike TV. If you want to go out “with a bang,” then there may be no better way than having a fight like this drop the curtain. Mayhem vs. Bisping is a PPV caliber fight—hell, in today’s PPV climate, it could very well headline a card with Sean McCorkle vs. Mike Russow as co-main.
So be thankful and all that. TUF finales on Spike are old hat at this point, comfortable and familiar, like a pair of well-worn sweatpants with the crotch worn out. Once they move onto FX, well, who knows what we’ll be getting?
What we’re getting tonight—in addition to the bantam and featherweight finals—is an interesting middleweight clash with a lot of question marks.
Jason “Mayhem” Miller hasn’t fought in the UFC since April of 2005. He lost that night, against some guy named “Georges” something. He hasn’t fought, period, in over a year. His last win of any note was over Tim Kennedy in 2007, unless you count submitting Sakuraba’s ghost as a “win of note.”
He may be more known today as the host of “Bully Beatdown” than for any of his fighting accolades.And Bisping? He’s riding an impressive three-fight winning streak. Unfortunately, when you ask the average schmuck walking the street, the name “Bisping” is likely most associated with spitting on Jorge, getting robbed against Hamill and, oh yeah, getting Hendo’d.
Who’s got the edge? Let’s break it down category by category, starting with…
Wrestling
This is a tricky concept when applied to MMA, and it’s even trickier when applied to these two gents. Jason Miller comes from a Team Quest background but has always been more of a BJJ man. And Bisping? He’s British—nuff’ said.
And yet both men possess what I would consider to be solid wrestling skills. Bisping can look foolish in the wrestling department sometimes—like when he lunged for takedowns against Hendo or got footswept against Wanderlei.
Yet he also has turned in some solid wrestling, managing to (mostly) stifle Rashad Evans, and control solid grapplers Denis Kang and Dan Miller. As a wrestler, Bisping is a bit like a coffee from McDonald’s—you never know if you’re getting a nice beverage or a cup of p*ss.
Funnily enough, Mayhem is in kind of a similar boat. He’s a guy not known for his wrestling skills, yet he has turned in some very good performances in the wrestling department. Remember when he picked up Jake Shields and slammed him like a ragdoll? Even GSP himself couldn’t take down Jake as authoritatively as Miller did.
So who takes this one? Well, like so many categories , it’s pretty damn close.
Though many out there may disagree, I give the edge in the wrestling department to Mayhem. He’s shown solid work in the clinch, solid takedown defense and a good shot when he chooses to use it. Bisping has many of those tools as well, but not as many, and not quite as polished. Mayhem’s Team Quest background gives him the edge over the Brit.Advantage: Miller
BJJ/Grappling/Submissions
Yet another arbitrary distinction in MMA, forced upon me, if I’m honest, by you damn casual fans. Most people who watch (and write about) MMA break down grappling into “wrestling”—that is, offensive and defensive takedowns—and “BJJ/Grappling”, namely mat acumen and submission skills.
Really, it’s pretty hard to separate wrestling from BJJ in the context of modern MMA, but what the hell? You guys want it, you guys got it.
And again, we have a real close horse race here. The initial inclination is to pick Mayhem, a BJJ black belt with a majority of his wins via submission. But Bisping is no slouch on the mat, even if he doesn’t have a highlight reel of submission victories to his credit.
But effective grappling is more than slick subs, and Bisping has well-rounded skills to his credit. He’s underrated off his back, able to shut down even top-level grapplers like Denis Kang. He’s got good submission defense and has survived close calls against Charles McCarthy and Wanderlei Silva (fun fact: Both those guys have BJJ blackbelts. Weird, I know).
He’s never actually submitted anyone in the UFC, but then again, neither has Miller.
Mayhem may be one of the most underrated BJJ players in the game today. Yeah, that’s the kind of broad, sweeping statement that usually sends up the “I’m a tool” flag for readers, but hear me out. Who else has gone the distance with both “Jacare” Souza and Jake Shields almost entirely on the mat and not only survived, but held their own?
Sure, “Jacare” turned him into six different kinds of human pretzel, but he couldn’t tap him, which speaks volumes about Miller’s submission skills. And Miller had Shields in a full-on, sunk in rear naked choke before Jake was saved by the bell. Those are two impressive accolades you won’t get just by reading Jason Miller’s Wikipedia page.Who takes this one? Once again, I’m going to (possibly) rile some feathers and say Miller. He’s the more credentialed BJJ player, has the better defensive skills and has proven submission finishing ability.
Advantage: Miller
Standup
For all you angry Brits out there, don’t worry—“The Count”, down by two in my arbitrary, irrelevant comparison, comes roaring back in this category.
Hey, don’t get me wrong, Mayhem isn’t chopped liver on the feet. He has functional standup skills, mixes it up well and has a solid chin that can eat a few punches. He’s not the most economical mover on the feet, but he doesn’t have to be. Usually, Miller is looking to take his opponent to the floor.
Bisping, on the other hand, is a top-level striker in the middleweight division. Yes, I said “top-level striker” and “Mike Bisping” in the same sentence. Yes, I fully realize this is the chap who got “H-Bombed” in the single greatest KO in the history of ever.
Still, consider this: It took Hendo five times as long to knock out Michael Bisping as it did to knock out Fedor Emelianenko. Keep that in mind next time you harangue Bisping for getting Falcon Punched out of his boots at UFC 100.
That aberration aside, Bisping has looked solid on the feet, especially as of late. People complain about him “being on his bike” and having “pillow fists”, but the facts just don’t match that premise. Bisping has an 80 percent finishing rate over his career, and since he doesn’t have many submissions, well, those “pillow fists” must be good for something.Punches in bunches is the name of the game for Bisping, and it’s a style that’s served him very well.
In his last seven fights, Bisping has faced someone who could be considered a good striker (Ok, maybe not Dan Miller. But he’s an all-round badass, so he makes the list). With the exception of Hendo, he wasn’t outstruck by any of them.
Ok, he got outstruck by Wandy. And Denis Kang.
Still, my point remains: in a heads-up comparison with Jason Miller, Bisping has the better hands on paper. Rule Britannia!
It’s simple. Both men are highly confident. Both men are accomplished showmen. Both men have experience fighting all over the world. Both men have won fights they should have lost, and given away fights they should have had. In the “mental game” department, it’s a stalemate.
As far as game planning, it’s Team Wolfslair vs…wherever Miller trains now (Kings MMA, according to the internets). Again, as far as I’m concerned, it’s a toss-up.
Which leaves cardio as the only deciding marker. Both guys have good cardio, but the edge here has to go to Bisping. Love him or hate him, he shows up ready to go each and every time…except this time, where Bisping initially missed weight on his first attempt and could have kneecapped his cardio as a result.
If you’re Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney, you really do have every reason in the world to be smiling a big ol’ grin right about now.Your upstart MMA promotion—which most experts predicted would be dead within a year—is continuing for…
If you’re Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney, you really do have every reason in the world to be smiling a big ol’ grin right about now.
Your upstart MMA promotion—which most experts predicted would be dead within a year—is continuing forward into year four of operations.
Among a veritable graveyard of MMA promotions that have tried to co-exist with the UFC, Bellator is the only one Dana White hasn’t added to his tombstone yet. You have survived some shaky TV deals (to say the least) to finally land in the loving arms of Viacom. You have survived constant rumors of imminent financial doom. You have survived some downright scary live gate numbers.
And, like that old Sinatra song, you did it your way—and brought tournaments back into the discussion in “mainstream” MMA.
So congratulations to you. Unfortunately, Bellator still has a few things on its plate to deal with. It might not be 99 problems, but there are still some serious obstacles facing the not-so-upstart promotion.
Here, in no particular order, are the five biggest problems that have Rebney reaching for the Advil (and the Jack Daniels to wash it down), starting with…
Maybe it’s because I didn’t get much sleep last night. Maybe it’s because I skipped breakfast this morning. Maybe it’s because I’m on my third cup of coffee. Or maybe, just maybe, I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin…
Maybe it’s because I didn’t get much sleep last night. Maybe it’s because I skipped breakfast this morning. Maybe it’s because I’m on my third cup of coffee. Or maybe, just maybe, I picked the wrong week to stop sniffin’ glue.
For some reason, I’m feeling crazy this morning. Really crazy. Just how crazy are we talking?
Check this out: Dana White should take M-1 Global up on their “Fedor vs. Velasquez” offer—with a twist, that is.
First off, if you don’t know: Executive director of M-1 Global Evgeni Kogan recently tweeted Dana White with the suggestion that Fedor Emelianenko fight Cain Velasquez in a co-promoted stadium show in Russia. The basis for making this request is that Fedor just drew big live-gate numbers for his fight with Jeff Monson in Russia, proving there is a demand for “The Last Emperor” inside his home country.
Makes sense, right?
Well no, actually, it doesn’t. Not at first glance, anyways.
M-1 somehow figured that a slow, plodding decision over Jeff Monson was just the sort of leverage they needed to make the UFC interested in Fedor again. You know, after the three straight crushing defeats, the strong-arm negotiation tactics, the badmouthing in the press, the constant contract renegotiations, the hand-picked opponents and all the other things that have made M-1 such a joy to watch these last few years.
Remember when Dana called M-1 management “those crazy Russians”? Yeah, history really came down on one side of that one, didn’t it?
Dana’s response to this offer was predictable: “Hell no!” And really, that’s an understandable position after the years of migraines Vadim Finkelstein and friends have caused the UFC president. To go by most fans, what Dana should do the next time Vadim calls is pick up the phone and just laugh, slowly and maniacally, until Vadim hangs up.
But hold on a second. If nothing else, Dana White (and the Fertitta brothers) has proven he is a man who puts business above all else. Just look at the bridge he eventually mended with Tito Ortiz, a man he once came close to fighting himself. Their ability to put business over personal matters has reaped huge financial rewards for both men.
If Dana is really that shrewd a business man (and I think he is), he should recognize that a unique opportunity exists here. That’s because, for one rare moment, M-1 Global actually has a valid point: Fedor Emelianenko’s name is still enough to fill a stadium in Russia, recent losses and all. No other brand name in MMA—even the hallowed powerhouse of the UFC—can safely make that claim.
Dana should take Kogan and M-1 up on their offer, but with a twist.
M-1 wants Fedor versus Cain, which is, to put it nicely, not going to f*cking happen. Cain’s a bigger name than Fedor (stateside, anyways), higher ranked, and let’s be honest—recent loss aside, he’d likely smash Fedor in a fight that would prove nothing. M-1’s asking for this fight, after Cain’s recent loss on network TV, is craven promoter-speak at its finest.
Dana should present them a counter-offer. Same stadium show in Russia. Same big payday. Same stoic Russian guy with the beer belly standing in one corner.
And in the other corner?
Why, the winner of the Strikeforce HW Grand Prix, of course!
It would be perfect. The HW Grand Prix has lost most of it’s luster after the acquisition of Strikeforce by the UFC, the departure from the tourney of Ubereem, and the first-round collapse of the aforementioned Fedor. Really, there’s next to nothing riding on the outcome of what was once billed as “the biggest tournament in MMA history.”
So give it this. Make the winner of this fight the man who’s going to Russia for a stadium superfight with Fedor.
Because really, what the hell else are Josh Barnett or Daniel Cormier going to do with their time? After they win the GP, they won’t be able to challenge for the Strikeforce title (Overeem took it with him to the UFC) and will thus sit in limbo on Showtime until the inevitable shuttering of Strikeforce’s doors.
And then what? They move to the UFC and become just another heavyweight contender? Is that what all the hype, expense and effort on the Strikeforce GP REALLY went into building? Just another guy?
So send the winner to fight Fedor. Either man would be the PERFECT opponent for a Russian stadium show opposite Emelianenko, far better and more appropriate than Cain Velasquez. If it’s Barnett, we get a “senior’s circuit” fight that harkens back to Pride’s glory days. If it’s Cormier, it’s the all-American Olympian going to Russia to battle their national hero. It’s Rocky 4, only better, real and Apollo Creed doesn’t have to die.
In short, it makes a certain kind of sense. And I think Dana White should do it.
There are times when being an MMA fan is awesome.