Author: Nathan McCarter

UFC 152: How the Oddsmakers Got It All Wrong

UFC 152 was an underdog’s paradise.Eight of the 12 fights ended up in upsets. At least by the oddmakers’ lines.Jon Jones and Michael Bisping were able to hold court, but both had their scares as well. Vitor Belfort nearly ended the reign of the dominan…

UFC 152 was an underdog’s paradise.

Eight of the 12 fights ended up in upsets. At least by the oddmakers‘ lines.

Jon Jones and Michael Bisping were able to hold court, but both had their scares as well. Vitor Belfort nearly ended the reign of the dominant champion in the first round, and Brian Stann put up a tough test for Bisping.

MMA continues to be a hard fight to place an accurate line on. With four-ounce gloves, anything can happen inside the Octagon.

 

Kyle Noke vs. Charlie Brenneman

Betting Odds: Brenneman (-235) over Noke (+185) at www.bovada.lv

Noke made short work of Brenneman and made some fans pretty good coin. A couple good punches, and it was all over for Brenneman.

 

Mitch Gagnon vs. Walel Watson

Betting Odds: Watson (-190) over Gagnon (+155) at www.bovada.lv

Another quick preliminary fight. Watson sunk in the rear naked choke and provided the second upset of the night. Albeit a mild upset.

 

Marcus Brimage vs. Jimy Hettes

Betting Odds: Hettes (-500) over Brimage (+350) at www.bovada.lv

The biggest upset of the night.

Brimage was always a live dog. He has shown his abilities since he was on The Ultimate Fighter, and coming in at +350 was a bit of an injustice.

The featherweight took it to Hettes and picked up a unanimous decision victory over the hot prospect.

 

Sean Pierson vs. Lance Benoist

Betting Odds: Benoist (-210) over Pierson (+170) at www.bovada.lv

Pierson outpointed Benoist for the decision upset on the FX broadcast. This was one of the more questionable lines of the night.

Pierson and Benoist have a common UFC victory over Matt Riddle, but beyond that, it was Pierson who held the advantages on paper. A longer UFC tenure, fighting against better competition and had momentum coming off a victory.

A close fight that should have been a pick ’em ended up as good value for bettors.

 

TJ Grant vs. Evan Dunham

Betting Odds: Dunham (-150) over Grant (+120) at www.bovada.lv

Grant, a slight underdog, managed to topple one of the biggest prospects at lightweight to keep his 155-pound record unblemished.

The victory instantly puts Grant on the list of fighters to watch in the lightweight division.

 

Vinny Magalhaes vs. Igor Pokrajac

Betting Odds: Pokrajac (-170) over Magalhaes (+140) at www.bovada.lv

The former The Ultimate Fighter Finale participant made his UFC return to a slick armbar finish over Pokrajac.

Pokrajac made the mistake of taking the fight where Magalhaes had the biggest advantage. By taking him down to the mat, he swung the odds firmly in to Magalhaes‘ favor and gave a few people a nice addition to their bank accounts.

Most would have thought he would keep it standing, but a bad decision is a solid one for those who saw value in Magalhaes.

 

Cub Swanson vs. Charles Oliveira

Betting Odds: Oliveira (-250) over Swanson (+195) at www.bovada.lv

Swanson is now a title contender at featherweight.

Both individuals were seeking their third consecutive wins and were coming off impressive performances, and it would be Swanson who kept that streak going.

The powerful featherweight clubbed his way past Oliveira and moves forward in his quest to fight for the championship.

The oddsmakers‘ mistake was not having Swanson as the underdog, but having him at nearly 2:1 after his string of knockouts. The line should have been much closer entering the evening.

 

Demetrious Johnson vs. Joseph Benavidez

Betting Odds: Benavidez (-265) over Johnson (+205) at www.bovada.lv

Mighty Mouse being a 2:1 underdog was some of the best value on the entire card. A poor choice from the oddsmakers.

Yes, Benavidez was very impressive in the semifinals, but Johnson beat one of the very best flyweights over the course of two fights in Ian McCall. Benavidez had to sit on the sidelines while they competed and stayed active.

When a fight is this close, it is baffling to see Johnson sitting at +205 on the books. However, for the degenerate gamblers out there, it makes for enticing bets that can pay off in a big way.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 152 Results: Was the First Flyweight Title Fight a Success or a Failure?

“Let me tell you what: If you didn’t like that flyweight fight, please, I’m begging you, don’t ever buy another UFC pay-per-view again,” he said. “Don’t ever buy another one. I don’t want your money. You’re a moron, you don’t like fighting and yo…

“Let me tell you what: If you didn’t like that flyweight fight, please, I’m begging you, don’t ever buy another UFC pay-per-view again,” he said. “Don’t ever buy another one. I don’t want your money. You’re a moron, you don’t like fighting and you don’t appreciate great talent or heart if you didn’t like that flyweight fight.”

Those were Dana White‘s thoughts at the post-fight press conference. The Toronto crowd did not seem to appreciate the action inside the cage for the first ever UFC Flyweight title fight, but do they hold the popular opinion?

In spite of the live crowd reaction, the championship fight between Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez was a success.

The flyweight title fight showcased why this division is so exciting. The top two ranked fighters in the division went toe-to-toe for 25 minutes.

Benavidez and Johnson showcased their well-rounded skill sets against one another, and left everything in the center of the Octagon for the fans. Perhaps the poor reaction from the live crowd had to do with the previous spectacular finishes, but even if so, they should recognize the talents of the flyweight elite.

Rarely are we treated to five rounds of extraordinary title fight action. These two magnificent fighters were able to deliver just that. Both men are incredibly tough to finish, and there is no shame for either fighter that they were unable to do that.

The two title contenders were able to show what the flyweights are able to do. Proficient striking, excellent grappling, and all at a breakneck speed.

Fans who enjoy technique over violence should enjoy the flyweights. That is not to say they are not capable of finishing a fight. Benavidez showed his knockout power in the tournament semi-finals. Yet, at the elite levels when fighters are closely matched, it is a hard objective to complete.

Both men are hard to hit and submit. It turns championship fights into point contests. On Saturday night, Johnson got the better end of that, and was able to outpoint Benavidez for the title.

Competitive fights are exciting. The back and forth action brings out the best in each fighter.

The flyweight title fight was able to give that to us at UFC 152.

I would be able to understand the plight of those in attendance if it were five rounds of stalling or 25 minutes of inaction, but that is the exact opposite of what Benavidez and Johnson brought in the cage. The lighter weights have consistently shown their excitement in the Octagon. It is time for fans to get on board.

The title fight was great. The flyweights will continue to deliver as the division grows.

Even the fans that booed in Toronto will soon find it hard to make the argument that the little guys don’t deliver constant action.

Benavidez and Johnson delivered at UFC 152, and that made the UFC Flyweight Championship battle a success.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 152: Power Ranking the Stoppages from Every Match

UFC 152 came to the Air Canada Centre and put on a show.16,800 piled in to witness two UFC title fights: Jon Jones defended his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Vitor Belfort, and Demetrious Johnson put together a great performance to win the…

UFC 152 came to the Air Canada Centre and put on a show.

16,800 piled in to witness two UFC title fights: Jon Jones defended his UFC Light Heavyweight Championship against Vitor Belfort, and Demetrious Johnson put together a great performance to win the UFC Flyweight Championship by unanimous decision.

The night was filled with action.

12 fights gave the crowd more than their money’s worth.

UFC 152 saw half of the fights finished by knockout or submission, and here are how they stack up against one another.

Begin Slideshow

Michael Bisping vs. Anderson Silva: Why This Is the Fight to Make

Michael Bisping did what he needed to do at UFC 152 with a victory over Brian Stann. Now it is time for the 33-year-old contender to get his shot at the pound-for-pound king. Bisping’s victory is the first since falling to Chael Sonnen in January in a …

Michael Bisping did what he needed to do at UFC 152 with a victory over Brian Stann. Now it is time for the 33-year-old contender to get his shot at the pound-for-pound king.

Bisping‘s victory is the first since falling to Chael Sonnen in January in a contentious decision. So why does that make him the top contender? Title fights are more than about who is atop the rankings.

When looking at the UFC’s middleweight roster only two names stick out for the next shot: Chris Weidman and Bisping. Weidman wants the title shot, and he has a credible argument for receiving it. However, despite his outstanding knockout of Mark Munoz he is not particularly well known.

The New Yorker is 9-0 in his young career and has only recently taken the step up in competition. Bisping has been fighting the best of the best for years, and has paid his dues for a crack at Anderson Silva‘s gold.

Since dropping to middleweight in 2008 Bisping has only been on the losing side three times. The infamous knockout at the hands of Dan Henderson and two very close decision losses. He has toppled then likes of Chris Leben, Dan Miller, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Jorge Rivera, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, and now Stann.

What may be more important is that Bisping is known by the casual fanbase and is able to sell a fight with his words. Sonnen has laid out the blueprint.

MMA is a sport, and in a perfect world all that would matter in sports is winning. But the UFC is a business, and as a business the bottom line is an important factor in their decision making process.

A pay-per-view fight between Silva and Bisping would do exponentially better than one headlined by Silva and Weidman. The build-up would also do much better. Bisping knows how to work a crowd.

The potential challenger could make the paying customer want to drop $60 to watch the champion knock him out. It is almost always more profitable to be the heel in combat sports, and Bisping has shown that quality throughout his career.

Recently, Bisping went on MMAWeekly.com Radio and explained why Weidman does not deserve the next title shot:

Chris Weidman, I think he’s overhyped as well. Up until the point when he fought Demian Maia I had never heard of Chris Weidman before in my life because he had been fighting bums on the undercard. Then he fights Demian Maia and I had to turn the TV off in my dressing room because it was the most boring fight I’ve ever seen in my life.

He continued:

Upon that he fights Mark Munoz, and yeah he beats him, but if I remember right the crowd booed unbelievably throughout the first round because he just laid on him. Then he knocked him out with an elbow, but that’s due to the fact that Mark Munoz came in out of shape, unfocused, and looking like he was at a rock concert and not a UFC fight.

Title fights are comprised of exciting fighters who can sell a fight. Bisping is proven in both of those categories. Weidman is still working his way up.

Bisping has paid his dues. He deserves the next title shot against Anderson Silva.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 152 Fight Card: Will Jon Jones End His Run at LHW as the Best of All Time?

Spoiler: Jon Jones already is the greatest light heavyweight of all time. In the pantheon of the 205-pound division there are four other names that rise to the top: Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, Tito Oritz and Wanderlei Silva. Jones has surpassed them …

Spoiler: Jon Jones already is the greatest light heavyweight of all time.

In the pantheon of the 205-pound division there are four other names that rise to the top: Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, Tito Oritz and Wanderlei Silva. Jones has surpassed them all at the tender age of 25.

Legacies are built in championship fights. No other light heavyweight enters the discussion in this regard.

Couture’s legacy is not built solely on the light heavyweight division. His legacy is about finding success between the light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. While it is impressive, it eliminates him from the discussion based solely on the 205-pound division.

Liddell and Silva both suffer from the same questions about strength of competition. Undoubtedly both men were incredible fighters in their day, but both had questionable title defenses. Do wins over Kiyoshi Tamura, Hiromitsu Kanehara or Jeremy Horn hold a lot of weight? No.

That leaves Ortiz as Jones’ biggest competition, since Ortiz is the holder of the UFC record for light heavyweight title defenses. Much like Liddell and Silva the level of competition is questionable. However, it was a different time way back at the turn of the 21st century.

Now look at Jones and see what he has accomplished in his short UFC career.

He dominated Stephan Bonnar at UFC 94, submitted Jake O’Brien at UFC 100 and was on the wrong end of a unfortunate DQ when he destroyed Matt Hamill.

After the performance against Hamill he was given a few more tests before going for the gold. All were dominant performances.

At UFC 128, six weeks after choking out previously undefeated Ryan Bader, he stepped in against Mauricio “Shogun” Rua for a shot at the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Questions if he was ready for the spotlight arose, and were quickly wiped away with one of the most systematic dismantlings in title fight history.

The “Bones Era” had officially begun.

He has already defended the championship three times. Quinton “Rampage” Jackson, Lyoto Machida and Rashad Evans have had little to nothing to offer the young champion. From Ryan Bader to Rashad Evans those five fights, five impressive and dominant wins, all took place over the course of one calendar year.

His dynamic skill set is ahead of the historic field. He is multi-dimensional, athletic and only becoming more dangerous as he matures. When Jones meets Vitor Belfort at UFC 152 he will defend his title for the fourth time, tying Liddell for second all-time. That puts Ortiz’s record in Jones’ crosshairs.

No one has faced the quality of competition in consecutive fights that Jones has fought inside the cage. Jones’ talent and astonishing performances skyrocketed him past every other light heavyweight in history.

Others may hold more importance to growth of the division and the sport in general, but based on talent and performance no one holds a candle to Jones.

The 25-year-old talent will only begin to put distance between himself and everyone else. When trying to describe him one begins to run out of superlatives. Jones is that good.

He is the greatest light heavyweight ever.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 152 Fight Card: Which Fighter Has the Most to Gain?

UFC 152 will be a big night for many fighters who step inside the Octagon at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday night. Which fighter stands to gain the most in Toronto? “The All-American” Brian Stann. Sure, Vitor Belfort has the golden opportunity of fi…

UFC 152 will be a big night for many fighters who step inside the Octagon at the Air Canada Centre on Saturday night.

Which fighter stands to gain the most in Toronto? “The All-American” Brian Stann.

Sure, Vitor Belfort has the golden opportunity of fighting for the UFC Light Heavyweight crown, and Demetrious Johnson & Joseph Benavidez will contend for the first-ever Flyweight Champion, but they are already where they want to be.

Those fighters are fighting for UFC gold. Brian Stann has the opportunity to put himself right with the elite.

Stann has gone 4-2 since 2010, but is 4-1 in the middleweight division. His only loss came at the hands of former contender Chael Sonnen in the fall of 2011. After picking up a knockout victory over Alessio Sakara in Sweden, Stann finds himself in another big middleweight fight at UFC 152.

Even though Michael Bisping is coming off of a loss to Sonnen himself, he is still in title contention. Make no mistake that the victor of this fight will be thrust back in to the title discussion. Stann knows how close he is to getting a shot at Anderson Silva and told MMAWeekly.com that it will take another win or two to earn that right:

“It’s just because of the depth of the division. If the division wasn’t that deep then I could get away with doing that. I could get away with saying, ‘hey, I just beat Michael Bisping; one of the very best in the world. I want my shot.’ But you’ve got the Weidmans, you’ve got the Boetschs, you’ve got the Alan Belchers all out there, and I think we’ve got a little mini tournament set up. So it’s going to take another one or two wins for each guy to justify a shot against the greatest of all time.”

When looking for the next challenger for Silva the UFC brass will not only look at wins. They will look at marketable fighters, and there is none more marketable than Stann.

The former Marine continues to blossom under the bright lights of the UFC in and out of the Octagon.

He finds himself representing the company on the FOX networks in the booth. He is eloquent when he speaks and puts the sport’s best foot forward on its biggest stages.

He is the perfect clean cut fighter to stand opposite Silva on a poster. The fight would sell. That is just as big as being on a multiple fight winning streak.

The next middleweight title fight will not be until 2013. All middleweights will need one more scrap before challenging Silva, but a win over Bisping will elevate Stann in to the upper echelon of the division.

Being put up against the pound-for-pound greatest fighter on the planet is the biggest prize. Few have the opportunity to say they have challenged the best ever. Stann is almost to that point in his career.

Coming out the winner at UFC 152 can make Stann‘s fighting career.

If Stann pulls off the upset in Toronto expect to hear his name pop up in discussions about who will be the next challenger for the UFC middleweight crown. That positions him as the man with the most to gain at the Air Canada Centre.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com