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UFC Fight Night 31: Tim Kennedy Deserves to Enter Title Picture After KO Win

At UFC Fight Night 31, Tim Kennedy defeated Rafael Natal via a first-round knockout. It was the culmination of what has been a tumultuous past few months, as Kennedy’s original opponent was switched, and his new foe presented an unforeseen challenge.
A…

After dismantling Natal, Kennedy deserves to enter the middleweight title picture.

Kennedy was expected to face Lyoto Machida at Fight for the Troops. Per Brett Okamoto of ESPN, those plans changed when Michael Bisping was forced to pull out of a fight with Mark Munoz due to an eye injury.

UFC proceeded to replace Bisping with Machida, thus placing Kennedy’s fight in a state of uncertainty. Natal accepted the short-notice opportunity to fight and was announced as Kennedy’s opponent for the Nov. 6 show.

Kennedy displayed class when thanking Natal for taking the short-notice fight:

It was a tough situation for both fighters, but that doesn’t take away from the impressive nature of Kennedy’s win.

Kennedy was once a star in Strikeforce. Since joining UFC, he is 2-0 with both a decision and knockout victory. The 34-year-old knocked out Natal at Fight Night 31, and in his company debut, he defeated Roger Gracie in three rounds via unanimous decision.

If that’s not impressive enough for you, he’s doing all of this while serving as a full-time member of the United States Army.

The middleweight championship picture is cloudy behind champion Chris Weidman and No. 1 contender Anderson Silva. There are a number of strong contenders, including Machida, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for another name to emerge.

That’s exactly why Dana White should reschedule the Kennedy vs. Machida match with a title shot on the line.

As previously stated, Kennedy and Machida were supposed to fight at the Nov. 6 show. Instead, they took on different opponents and emerged victorious.

More specifically, both Kennedy and Machida secured first-round knockouts.

With Weidman and Silva set to steal headlines for the next few months, the best option for UFC is to schedule a fight that can determine the next in line. There are other options, but this fight has already been hyped, and it would be senseless to ignore the potential significance this rematch would possess.

If not Machida, then Kennedy deserves a shot at another contender. He’s certainly earned it.

Potential opponents for Kennedy include Vitor Belfort, Ronaldo Souza and Michael Bisping. All are ranked in the top five in the middleweight division, per UFC.com, and each would present Kennedy with the opportunity to prove his legitimacy.

If this event proved anything, it’s that Kennedy deserves that chance.

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Tito Ortiz’S Neck Injury a Devastating Blow for Future of Bellator MMA

On Nov. 2, 2013, Bellator MMA was prepared to host the biggest event in the history of the rising organization. With a card headlined by former UFC fighters and current TNA superstars Tito Ortiz and Quentin Jackson going toe-to-toe, the potential was t…

With Ortiz being forced to pull out of the event with a neck injury, however, the future of Bellator has sustained a devastating blow.

Ortiz and Jackson are the biggest names in the history of Bellator, and even past their respective primes, were expected to draw ratings. Unfortunately, the fight will not happen, as Ortiz has suffered a severe neck injury mere days before the event was expected to be held.

No matter what you may think about Ortiz as a fighter, it’s foolish to blame him for refusing to fight with a fractured neck.

At 38, the likelihood of Ortiz recovering and facing Jackson at a future date is slim.

This all adds up to Bellator losing what would’ve been the biggest draw in the history of the young company. It may not have the draw value of a Jon Jones fight, but the presence of those two men would’ve been an attractive feature.

Now, Bellator is stuck in recovery mode.

PPV Cancelled

As one might imagine, losing the main event to a heavily-promoted card has resulted in Bellator losing potential viewers. Unfortunately for Bellator, it didn’t just lose its top star, but it lost another well-known name to an injury.

Jason Chambers reports that Karo Parisyan will also miss the event.

Even still, that isn’t the biggest loss of the event. That would be the event itself.

Per the official Bellator Twitter feed, the pay-per-view has been canceled and the event will now be held on Spike TV.

Devastating is an understatement.

There are still fights worth talking about, but Bellator was given the chance to rival UFC with a pay-per-view show. Instead, the event was cancelled and Bellator is back to hosting television events while Dana White‘s organization puts together some of the highest-grossing cards in all of athletics.

It may be unfair to compare Bellator to the MMA organization that has ruled the craft since the 1990s, but UFC has set the bar. For all of the hype that it’s received, however, the loss of the pay-per-view is a significant setback.

The question is, how can it recover?

Potential Replacement Opponents

Call me an optimist, but I don’t believe that Bellator‘s future is entirely decided by the loss of the pay-per-view. It’s an unfortunate twist of fate, and it does create an uphill battle, but there’s still time for the company to recover and improve the trajectory of its path to rivaling UFC.

In terms of making a leap toward UFC’s level, however, that opportunity has been lost.

The key moving forward will be for Bellator to maximize the value of the fighters it presently has, and most specifically, finding Rampage Jackson a fight in the near future. His clash with Ortiz would’ve garnered the most headlines, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a strong potential opponent.

According to Dave Meltzer of MMAFighting.com, Muhammed “King Mo” Lawal is willing to fight Jackson on short notice.

“I found out everything today. I told ‘em I’d fight Quinton, too,” said Lawal, who’s slated to rematch Emanuel Newton for an interim strap on the event’s main card. “I think this whole thing is weird.”

Lawal has a fight that’s already scheduled, but a clash between the two is a possibility that’s worth exploring.

Like Jackson, Lawal is a member of TNA Impact Wrestling, which creates the opportunity for an elevated level of promotion and exposure. Both organizations are working with Spike TV, and the opportunity to pit new TNA superstars against one another is promising.

If not Lawal, options truly are limited when it comes to finding a fighter with name value. Bellator is a rising promotion, and without Ortiz and Jackson going toe-to-toe, it will need to trust a relatively unproven commodity’s ability to rise up for a stellar performance.

One way or another, Bellator must act fast to limit the damage done by the loss of Jackson versus Ortiz.

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Machida vs. Munoz Results: The Dragon Enters Title Picture After KO Victory

On UFC Fight Night 30 in Manchester, England on Saturday, Lyoto Machida took down Mark Munoz with a vicious head kick for a knockout victory. With the win, he moved to 20-4-0 and rebounded from a controversial loss to Phil Davis.
More importantly, “The…

More importantly, “The Dragon” entered the middleweight title picture with a win in his first fight at 185 lbs.

He made the move from light heavyweight to middleweight for this fight, taking on a game opponent in Munoz. Just one round in, The Dragon connected with a brutal kick to the head and walked away with a knockout victory.

Machida didn’t lay another strike upon his opponent and ended the bout with class.

It was a pleasant ending to a brutal fight.

In a division that’s ruled by champion Chris Weidman and the legendary Anderson Silva, Machida has some work to do. With three wins in his past four fights, however, The Dragon has enough momentum to become a contender.

Keep in mind that the general consensus was that the judges robbed him against Davis.

Four Straight Strong Performances

For those unfamiliar with him, Machida is a former UFC light heavyweight champion. As previously alluded to, he lost his final fight at 205 lbs to Davis in controversial fashion.

This spurned a series of angry tweets from UFC president Dana White, who claimed that the judges got the decision wrong.

In Machida‘s middleweight debut, he didn’t leave it up to the judges. In response, White had a more pleasant tweet.

One minute and 44 seconds into the fight, Machida made himself at home in his new division.

His victories at light heavyweight may not matter to middleweight pundits, but they are significant. He defeated three quality opponents, and when it was all said and done, he re-established his status as a lethal finisher.

He earned knockout victories over Ryan Bader in August 2012 and Munoz at UFC Fight Night 30 on Saturday. He also took a split-decision win over Dan Henderson in February 2013, giving him a recent signature victory.

If the UFC president said that The Dragon should have won the one fight he lost during that stretch, it’s clear that Machida is in championship-caliber form.

Potential Opponents

Before Machida receives an opportunity to face Silva or Weidman for the UFC Middleweight Championship, he’ll likely receive what would equate to a No. 1 contender’s fight. Notable possible opponents include Vitor Belfort and Ronaldo Souza, who rank No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in the division rankings, per UFC.com.

Both fighters would make for headline-stealing opponents.

Belfort will face Dan Henderson on Nov. 9, 2013, while Souza is coming off a TKO victory over Yushin Okami. Both fighters are in position to battle Machida, as is Henderson, and all of those fights would be main event-caliber bouts.

One way or another, The Dragon deserves the opportunity to fight for a title shot.

Due to his name value, he might face the winner of Weidman vs. Silva. It would be better for him to get more accustomed to fighting at middleweight first, but he has done enough in his UFC career to warrant immediate title consideration.

With his knockout win over Munoz, Machida has officially resumed his career as a championship contender.

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UFC 165 Results: Khabib Nurmagomedov Deserves Title Fight

UFC 165 was one of the most memorable mixed martial arts events of the year. Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson put on an instant classic, Renan Barao recorded a highlight-reel knockout and Brendan Schaub pulled off a D’arce choke to pick up a first-ro…

In the end, no fighter did as much to elevate his career as Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Nurmagomedov defeated Pat Healy via unanimous decision to move to 21-0 overall and 5-0 in the UFC. He may not be the most high-profile fighter in the world, but the 25-year-old lightweight has carved out a resume worth reviewing.

If you ask Nurmagomedov, he’s ready for a lightweight title fight.

Anthony Pettis will face Josh Thomson with the title on the line Dec. 14, 2013.

Nurmagomedov hasn’t yet picked up a signature victory, and that could leave some believing that he’s not yet ready for a title fight. With that being said, the Russian star has been executing strong fights since coming to UFC.

As a result, a title fight should be around the corner.

In 21 career fights, Nurmagomedov has gone 21-0 with seven knockouts, seven submissions and seven victories via decision. In that time, he’s proven capable of going the distance, dominating on the mat or standing up and letting his fists fly.

That type of versatility is exactly what a UFC main event requires.

Both Pettis and Thomson are respected strikers who have the ability to take a fight to the mat and lock in a submission. Thomson proved as much with a TKO win over Nate Diaz in his most recent fight, while Pettis forced Benson Henderson to tap out.

Both fighters are lethal, and each will need a contender who can present a similar dual-threat approach.

Playing Nurmagomedov against either one of these men would create the potential for a fight-of-the-year type of battle. Nurmagomedov knows how to defend against takedown attempts, and when an opponent drops the gloves, he thrives in going on the attack.

After watching Gustafsson take Jones to the limit, the time for the UFC to take chances on rising stars is now.

Since February 2012, the men to contend for the UFC lightweight championship have been Henderson, Frankie Edgar, Diaz, Gilbert Melendez and Pettis. Each of those fighters remains somewhat in the running for another title shot and all could face Pettis or Thomson in the next title fight.

Instead of offering up a blast from the past, the UFC should present a rising star with an opportunity to create a new main event.

Nurmagomedov hasn’t built up the resume of the previously listed fighters, but he’s undefeated with 21 outings under his belt. He’s the type of fresh face that the lightweight division needs to prove the depth that it possesses.

Win, lose or draw, it’d be a welcome change of pace.

Much could change between now and December, but at this current pace, Nurmagomedov deserves a title shot. He’s been dominant during his professional career, and at UFC 165, the Russian star proved that he’s ready for the main card.

Now, the UFC must push him to the main event with a lightweight title fight.

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UFC 165: Alexander Gustafsson Becomes True Star with Showing vs. Jon Jones

UFC 165 was highlighted by the light heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson. As expected, Jones left with the victory, but his exit wasn’t without a few bruises, open gashes and a stretcher to help him out.
In defeat, Gustaf…

In defeat, Gustafsson not only turned heads but became a genuine mixed martial arts star with an inspired performance against Bones Jones.

This was unlike anything we’d ever seen in a Jones fight, as he was beaten, bloodied and even taken down to the mat by Gustafsson. The 26-year-old, who many said was out of his element against the champion, was aggressive and precise, pushing Jones to the limit.

The champion retained via unanimous decision, but Brett Okamoto of ESPN reports that Gustafsson tagged Jones so badly that he had to be stretchered to the hospital:

Gustafsson managed to conduct interviews after the fight, battling through the emotion of a controversial defeat.

Jones is still the best in his division, but don’t confuse him looking human with a lack of preparation. Gustafsson had a plan, executed it and proved that, big name or not, the Swedish star is a fighter who deserves to be in the title picture.

Some would even argue that he should’ve won.

Controversy Is Good

As fate would have it, Twitter erupted with a split reaction to the Jones-Gustafsson decision. While many favored the champion, there were masses of people who believed The Mauler should’ve walked away with a win.

Just ask his peers:

Let’s get one thing straight: This isn’t about whether or not the decision was right or wrong. It’s about respect.

Gustafsson entered last night’s fight as a pure afterthought among the media and fans. He was thought of as Jones’ next opponent to come up short more than he was a contender who could actually upset the untouchable champion.

In the end, he didn’t just touch Jones, he put him in the hospital.

This controversial decision—whether fair or foul—is good for Gustafsson‘s future as a UFC fighter. Not only did The Mauler prove his status as a force to be reckoned with, but he’s earned the respect of fans and fighters across the globe.

In turn, a rematch is the only rational next step.

Inevitable Rematch

If Gustafsson had fought Jones well but collapsed toward the end, the hype would likely surround The Mauler’s future rise up the ranks of the UFC. Instead, Gustafsson fought Jones tough until the end and matched the superstar at every turn.

Carlos Condit summed up the mixed martial arts community’s feelings in one tweet:

I’m still searching for a reason to oppose this.

Gustafsson gave Jones the fight of his life, defending against Bones’ takedown attempts and laying into the champion with ferocious fists. He bloodied the untouchable and, when it was all said and done, did enough to warrant a controversial decision.

That all adds up to a rematch.

Gustafsson did nothing to lose ground in the UFC light heavyweight division, nor did he fall out of the title picture. Instead, Gustafsson became a genuine star in mixed martial arts and thus deserves the opportunity to fight for the title again.

Plain and simple: You don’t penalize a fighter for taking part in the fight of the year—you reward him.

Anthony Pettis certainly knows something about being in classic fights:

With a rematch earned, it’s now on the UFC to present Gustafsson with the opportunity that he clearly deserves. With or without that rematch, victories over Mauricio Rua and Thiago Silva, as well as an outstanding performance against Jones, make one thing clear: Gustafsson is a genuine MMA star.

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Alexander Gustafsson Must End Fight Early to Defeat Jon Jones

On Saturday, Sept. 21, UFC 165 will play host to the Lightheavyweight Championship bout between Jon Jones and Alexander Gustafsson. Both fighters have just one loss on their respective resumes and each has a history of knocking opponents out in swift f…

If Gustafsson is hoping to leave Toronto, Canada with the UFC Lightheavyweight title, he’ll need to stay true to that form and end the fight early.

Gustafsson enters the fight with an overall record of 15-1, having won seven of his eight fights in the UFC. Three of those seven wins have come by knockout and an additional three via submission, with just two of his 16 career bouts going three rounds or longer.

It’s safe to say that Gustafsson knows how to end fights early.

He’s not alone in that distinction, as Jones has ended seven fights before the first round and 11 prior to the second. Not only has he picked up knockout victories in that time, but he’s used a submission maneuver to end things early, as well.

Plain and simple, Jones is dangerous in every sense of the word—just don’t think that it means he’s untouchable.

During his first 13 fights, “Bones” Jones reached the third round just three times. During his past six fights, however, Jones has gone to the third round or further in four separate battles.

The common ending has seen each of Jones’ opponents fall victim to fatigue, and in turn, Jones has pulled out a magnificent finish.

Only one of Jones’ past 10 wins has gone to the judges, with the rest ending via knockout or submission. Of the four most recent fights to go past three rounds, three have been ended by submission and one via technical knockout.

Don’t expect the 26-year-old to show any signs of fatigue since he hasn’t already up to this point.

Jones can beat any opponent at any given moment, but in recent matchups, we’ve learned something new. The longer a fight lasts, the better the champion becomes on the mat.

As you can see below, Jones doesn’t believe Gustafsson has the stamina necessary to prevent him from taking control in this fight, either.

Can we blame him?

In 16 career fights, Gustafsson has reached the third round just twice, with nine ending in the first round. With that being said, Gustafsson has reached the third round in each of his past two matches, earning wins over Mauricio Rua and Thiago Silva.

Unfortunately, three-round fights and five-round title matches are completely different animals.

Gustafsson has drawn praise for his conditioning, but to date, he’s never been forced to put that on display. His quick and powerful hands have ended most fights, and when tasked with defeating Jones, he’ll need to turn to those reliable fists once again.

As the saying goes, why fix what isn’t broken?

If Gustafsson is hoping to win this match, his best chance is to prevent Jones from extending the length of the fight. Once the battle goes to the ground, Jones is all but unstoppable, and he’ll impose his will via strikes or attempted submissions.

Gustafsson has improved his ground game, but to call it comparable to Jones’ would be naive.

If the Swedish star can remain on his feet and be aggressive early, he will have a fighter’s chance at winning the gold. He’s as dangerous a knockout artist as anyone in the mixed martial arts community, and as great as Jones has been, we’ve seen more unpredictable knockouts happen.

It will take a legendary effort, but if Gustafsson is going to stand any chance of striking gold, he’ll need to end things early.

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