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UFC on FX 1 Fight Card: What’s Next for the Winners and Losers?

“UFC on FX 1” was a great event for television, with a majority of its fights (on both the preliminary and main cards) ending in finishes. Now once again, it’s time to ask: what’s next? What does the future hold after another st…

Here’s my answer to just that: a new edition of my “What’s Next for the Winners and Losers” series of articles, now featuring “UFC on FX 1: Guillard vs. Miller.”

Next for Christian Morecraft: It takes two to tango, and Pat Barry’s win against Morecraft was so entertaining because Morecraft was also willing to stand and trade. Morecraft will continue to bounce between the lower and mid-level echelons of the UFC’s Heavyweight division, and I honestly don’t see him getting enough of a losing streak to get the boot. Morecraft is entertaining and can finish opponents, so his fate may lie in becoming the UFC’s premiere lower-to-mid-level gatekeeper.

Next for Pat Barry: Once again, Pat Barry will be given a mid-level opponent to see if he could possibly become a legitimate star. Me, personally? I’m all for a rematch with Cheick Kongo. I think it makes sense at this time, and Barry deserves a chance to see if he can even the score to 1-1.

Next for Mike Easton: I still think Mike Easton can be a star…I guess I’ll just have to shift my timeline a bit. Easton needs a good mid-level gatekeeper to truly test his skills out, and maybe even give him a tough loss that he could learn a lot from. If Easton starts finishing people again, I still think he’ll be rocketed to the top relatively quickly, but if he keeps getting into these hard-fought, three-round wars with relative unknowns, the UFC is going to be hesitant to build him up to main event status.

Next for Josh Neer: Neer has now won six straight, so I think the time is right to give him a legitimate name-value opponent in the UFC. In all honesty, I think Jon Fitch would be a good opponent for Neer at this point in time. Fitch is coming off a supremely humbling loss, and the UFC always seems to put him in a gatekeeper role no matter what Fitch fans like me say. So, this time I’ll face facts and put Fitch into the gatekeeper role myself. Fitch/Neer would be a real proving point for both men since Neer is coming off a big win and Fitch is coming off a big loss.

Next for Melvin Guillard: Guillard needs a rebuilding fight, which means he needs a gatekeeper fight. With two straight losses against Top 10 competition, I think the time is right to move Guillard down a bit and put him against someone rising in the ranks.

Next for Jim Miller: I think Clay Guida would be a perfect opponent for Jim Miller right now. Beating Clay Guida gave Benson Henderson the final push he needed to be both worthy of a title shot and accepted as a legitimate challenger. If Jim Miller beats Clay Guida, it would be a big step forward in giving him the recognition and respect I know he deserves. And of course, if Guida wins, it’d immediately set him right back on the title path. It’s a win-win for everybody and it would probably result in a “Fight of the Year” contender, so I hope it happens.

And that’s what I think, fans and friends.

Oliver Saenz, also known as PdW2kX, is a freelance journalist, opinion columnist, hardcore MMA fan, and lifelong video game nerd. For more news, views, previews and reviews on all things Mixed Martial Arts as well as video games, be sure to visit FightGamesBlog.net.

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UFC on FX 1 Fight Card: Early Reactions from Guillard vs. Miller

Last night the UFC presented its first-ever live Fight Night-type event on the FX network, simply called “UFC on FX 1.”As a first event, it would, of course, have to be good enough to set a benchmark of quality that all other “UFC on FX” shows could be…

Last night the UFC presented its first-ever live Fight Night-type event on the FX network, simply called “UFC on FX 1.”

As a first event, it would, of course, have to be good enough to set a benchmark of quality that all other “UFC on FX” shows could be held up against. Going into the event, I personally noted how important it was to see if this was more of a “Fight Night Live” event or a “UFC on Versus” event.

Now I have my answer: This series has the potential to rival and even surpass the “UFC on Versus” events, and become the definitive UFC experience on television outside of the occasional “UFC on Fox” broadcasts.

Here are the full results as well as my early reactions:

Jim Miller defeats Melvin Guillard by submission (rear naked choke) at 2:04 of Round 1.

Josh Neer defeats Duane Ludwig by submission (guillotine choke) at 3:04 of Round 1.

Mike Easton defeats Jared Papazian by majority decision.

Pat Barry defeats Christian Morecraft by TKO (strikes) at 3:38 of Round 1.

Jorge Rivera defeats Eric Schafer by TKO (strikes) at 1:31 of Round 2.

Khabib Nurmagomedov defeats Kamal Shalorus by submission (rear naked choke) at 2:08 of Round 3.

Charlie Brenneman defeats Daniel Roberts by unanimous decision.

Fabricio Camoes defeats Tommy Hayden by submission (rear-naked-choke) at 4:03 of Round 1.

Daniel Pineda defeats Pat Schilling by submission (rear-naked-choke) at 1:37 of Round 1.

Nick Denis defeats Joseph Sandoval by knockout (elbows) at 0:22 of Round 1.

You guys know by now how I feel about the UFC’s prelims, so let me just say this one more time: It’s action like this that makes me not think twice about naming the prelims my new “dark horse favorite” series even though they’re UFC-branded.

These are fights you need to see, every last one of them, because five out of the six free fights ended in stoppage. Three of those five were first-round stoppages, in fact. It’s starting to become standard fare to go into the prelims not knowing a few faces, recognizing a few faces, and expecting everybody to finish everybody else.

From Nick Denis’ manhandling of Joseph Sandoval to Jorge Riva retiring on a comeback TKO victory, these prelims were simply amazing.

Seeing Pat Barry win and get a big KO again was one of the highlights of the night for me. To be honest, I had the strongest positive reaction of the night when Barry brought the win home. Make no mistake: I want Pat Barry to stay in the UFC as long as he can, because he fights to finish and he’s ridiculously entertaining both inside and out of the cage.

While Mike Easton didn’t deliver the dominant finish I thought he would, he did bring home the win, and I guess that’s all that matters. I can admit that the hype surrounding Easton has cooled a bit after “UFC on FX 1.” He faced a very game opponent and won a very close fight. Hopefully this is a learning experience for Easton.

I didn’t have any strong feelings towards Josh Neer or Duane Ludwig going into this fight, so I honestly don’t have any strong reaction to Josh Neer submitting Duane Ludwig. I’ll say this, though: It was a good fight and a good finish. I’m happy as a UFC fan and wish both men the best.

And in the main event…well, the main event was tough to watch.

I’m happy for Jim Miller, and I’m glad he’s getting back on the right track, because I still think he’s one of the most under-rated Lightweight fighters in the UFC. But it’s just heartbreaking to see Melvin Guillard continue to make the same mistakes he’s always made.

As a fan of the man, I know I should be angry, I should be critical, but right now all I really am is sad. No matter what happens, I wish Melvin Guillard the best and I’ll continue to keep watching him fight.

All in all, the UFC is on quite a role right now. Their first major pay-per-view of 2012 was a fantastic event that set a high benchmark for UFC PPV’s in 2012, and this show did the same thing, except for live television events.

Oliver Saenz, also known as PdW2kX, is a freelance journalist, opinion columnist, hardcore MMA fan, and lifelong video game nerd. For more news, views, previews, and reviews on all things Mixed Martial Arts as well as video games, be sure to visit FightGamesBlog.net.

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Erick Silva DQ Loss to Carlo Prater Not Overturned: Why It’s the Right Call

UFC 142 was a great event, all things considered. Only one major point of controversy surrounded the event: the disqualification of Erick Silva for illegal blows to the back of the head of his opponent, Carlo Prater. Replays added a little clarity to the situation, although I still considered the issue up for debate. Given how quickly and thoroughly Silva handled Prater, and given what the instant replay seemed to show, many feel that the referee’s decision should be overturned. For better or worse we’ve now got some closure on this situation, as it’s been confirmed that the original decision will stand as is. Here are all the details as well as my reaction.

Courtesy of Sherdog, here are some quotes from UFC’s Marc Ratner that explain the situation: “Based on the referee’s verbal warnings and his determination that the blows were intentional and a disqualifying foul, this is not the type of decision that can be reviewed. Therefore the decision stands.”

Normally, the decision would be reviewed under whichever athletic commission the UFC was answering to at the time of their event. As an international event with no athletic commission, figuring out how to handle the Silva/Prater situation fell to Ratner, the UFC’s Vice President of Regulatory Affairs and a former member of the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

I know I’m in the smallest of minorities here, but I actually agree with this decision. Originally I had said that my fandom of Carlo Prater may be playing a role in my judgment of the fight, but enough time has passed from the original airing of UFC 142 that I’ve gotten the chance to replay the fight (all twenty-nine seconds of it) several times.

While I don’t think me being a fan of Carlo Prater has a role in my decision anymore, I do think my original decision stands: if the punch that knocked you out is illegal, your opponent deserves to get disqualified.

I admit that we can all see things differently, and that people definitely see this fight differently than I do. But what I saw with my very own eyes was this: Erick Silva dropping Carlo Prater was legal, the shots where Erick Silva swarmed on Carlo Prater were legal, but the shot that really dropped him, the one where it looked to knock him out cold…that shot looked like the back of the head to me.

It’s the same situation Jon Jones found himself in against Matt Hamill. The damage was already done, the opponent was already gone, but the final blow was against the rules.

I agreed with the decision in that fight, and I agree with the decision in this fight.

I’m not unsympathetic to Erick Silva, though. I think Silva is an incredibly hot prospect with a very bright future. But he made a mistake, and his punishment fit the crime. In my eyes, it really is as simple as that.

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UFC on FX 1 Fight Card: 5 Reasons to Watch "Guillard vs. Miller"

This Friday, January 20, 2012, the UFC will hold its first-ever UFC on FX event, featuring top lightweights Melvin Guillard and Jim Miller in the main event.Also, a pair of well-respected and well-traveled veterans battle it out in the co-main event as…

This Friday, January 20, 2012, the UFC will hold its first-ever UFC on FX event, featuring top lightweights Melvin Guillard and Jim Miller in the main event.

Also, a pair of well-respected and well-traveled veterans battle it out in the co-main event as Josh Neer takes on Duane Ludwig.

Still, some fans may be asking themselves, “What are the best reasons to check out this card?” Here’s my answer to that—five reasons to watch UFC on FX 1: Guillard vs. Miller.

5. The Free Preliminary Card Features Names Like Jorge Rivera, Kamal Shalorus and Charlie Brenneman

Once again, the UFC’s preliminary cards are set to deliver a stacked mini-event filled with good, free fights. I’ve been campaigning to get people to notice these prelims for quite some time now, and with how good they’ve been lately, I’m thinking that that’s one trend that will continue throughout the year.

No matter who you are, as long as you’ve got the time and the channel, you absolutely shouldn’t pass up six free fights featuring good fighters.

4. Mike Easton Has the Makings of a Real Bantamweight Prospect

In the here and now, I think you could make a case for Dominick Cruz being one of the most dominant champions in the UFC.

Cruz has already beaten the only man who’s ever defeated him, and he’s 19-1 overall. So who’s left for him to face?

Maybe it’ll be Mike Easton by the end of the year or the start of 2013. Easton is currently riding high with an overall record of 11-1 with six of those eleven wins by stoppage. His fight on this card should be a good indicator of just how big of a star Easton could possibly be.

3. Duane Ludwig vs. Josh Neer Is a Respectable Co-Main Event

I won’t lie, fans and friends. I have no strong feelings about either of these fighters.

Let me be clear, though—that doesn’t mean I don’t like them. I’m just not a fan in particular, although I certainly respect both men as well-traveled, grizzled veterans.

I don’t think this will end in spectacular fashion (and if it does I’ll be more than happy to eat some humble pie) but I do think that we’ll be in for a good three-round war in this co-main event.

2. Pat Barry Fights Christian Morecraft? Definitely a “Blink and You’ll Miss It” Fight

This is honestly the fight I’m looking forward to the most, aside from the main event.

Christian Morecraft isn’t an elite heavyweight, but he’s a good all-rounder, and he seems to be improving steadily.

And how can you not love Pat Barry? Barry comes to either finish or get finished, and I’m 90-percent certain that somebody is getting badly KTFO’d in this fight.

That always makes for an entertaining few minutes.

And the number-one reason to watch “UFC on FX 1” is…

1. The Main Event, Of Course

When Melvin Guillard lost to Joe Lauzon in under 50 seconds, my heart broke. I’ve always been a fan of Guillard, and now that he’s a veteran of more than 40 fights spread across almost nine years, I just don’t know how many more times he can enter into this kind of “rebuilding” phase.

I also felt pretty sad when Jim Miller lost to Ben Henderson, because Jim Miller is a big dark-horse favorite of mine.

This is one fight in which I’ll probably feel disheartened no matter who wins, but this is also one fight that I can’t wait to see happen, because I know how awesome these two can be when they’re at their best.

Depending on how it goes, this could be our first strong contender for “Sleeper Hit of the Year.”

Oliver Saenz, also known as PdW2kX, is a freelance journalist, opinion columnist, hardcore MMA fan, and lifelong video-game nerd. For more news, views, previews and reviews on all things Mixed Martial Arts as well as video games, be sure to visit FightGamesBlog.net.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

UFC 142: Jose Aldo Takes My ‘Best Performance of the Night’ Award

It’s that time once again: another major MMA event has come and gone, and it’s time for my unofficial “Best Performance of the Night” award.People are already talking a whole lot about UFC 142, likely because it gave fans a whol…

It’s that time once again: another major MMA event has come and gone, and it’s time for my unofficial “Best Performance of the Night” award.

People are already talking a whole lot about UFC 142, likely because it gave fans a whole lot of “can’t-miss” moments. But one of them stood out above the rest—here’s why Jose Aldo’s thrilling first-round, last-second TKO win over Chad Mendes took home “Best Performance of the Night.”

Let’s begin as we always do, fans and friends: by putting the situation into context.

Coming into his third defense of his UFC featherweight championship, Jose Aldo was still regarded as the top featherweight in the world and even a top-five pound-for-pound athlete.

Of all the WEC fighters that would transition from the blue cage to the Octagon, it was Jose Aldo that entered the UFC with the most hype and fanfare.

He would go on to beat both Mark Hominick and Kenny Florian via decision, two tough opponents who honestly exposed some weaknesses in Aldo and fought him for five hard-hitting, grinding rounds.

Aldo’s opponent this time around would be Chad Mendes, an unbeaten prospect seen by many as not only a worthwhile and legitimate opponent for the seemingly-unbeatable Aldo, but also one of the best lighter-weight wrestlers in the world.

Mendes entered UFC 142 with a perfect record of 11-0, having won four times in the WEC and twice in the UFC to earn his shot at the championship.

We all know how it ended: after defending another takedown, Aldo turned, caught Mendes with a knee and finished him with one second left in the first round. He then sprinted out of the cage and went into the crowd, causing mass pandemonium and one of the most memorable post-fight celebrations I’ve ever seen.

But in my honest opinion, that’s not why Jose Aldo gets my “BPOTN” award.

He gets it because of one very simple fact: Jose Aldo faced the best wrestler in his division, and he defended every single takedown—and he made it look easy.

That, my friends, is the Jose Aldo I’m used to seeing. That’s the Jose Aldo that you’d look at and say, “That is one scary, scary man.”

In beating Chad Mendes in dramatic fashion, Jose Aldo now seems to have fully found his groove in the UFC. Like all great champions, Aldo took the experience he learned from several tough wars and now seems poised to go on an epic run that could rival and even surpass his reign of dominance in the WEC.

Even though he was a champion defending his championship, Jose Aldo still put his division on notice at UFC 142. He was good in the UFC before, great even, but now it honestly feels like we’re on the verge of a new era.

Jose Aldo, the real Jose Aldo, the monster Jose Aldo, the killer Jose Aldo, has finally arrived in the UFC, ladies and gentlemen.

Be afraid. Be very, very afraid.

All things considered, giving Jose Aldo my “BPOTN” award for his performance at UFC 142 was an easy choice.

Oliver Saenz, also known as PdW2kX, is a freelance journalist, opinion columnist, hardcore MMA fan and lifelong video-game nerd. For more news, views, previews and reviews on all things Mixed Martial Arts as well as video games, be sure to visit FightGamesBlog.net.

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UFC 142 Fight Card: Predictions for the Winners and Losers

UFC 142 was a thrilling event from start to finish. All five main pay-per-view fights ended via stoppage, and the free preliminary action on both Facebook and FX saw several notable finishes as well as a few hard-hitting three-round wars.Now, once agai…

Now, once again, it’s time to ask: What’s next? What does the future hold after the UFC’s Brazilian fighters once again reigned supreme in their home country? Here’s my answer to just that: a new edition of my “What’s Next for the Winners and Losers” series of articles, now featuring UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes.

Next for Edson Barboza: The one lightweight that stands out in my mind right now is Melvin Guillard. Guillard is once again in a rebuilding phase after recently seeing a great win streak come to a heartbreaking end, and I think you could make a legitimate claim that Barboza has done enough to earn a shot at top-division status. Guillard would play the gatekeeper in this fight, which is a good role for him right now as he attempts to put the pieces back together and make another attempt to get to the title.

Next for Erick Silva/Carlo Prater: Each other, which is why I’m grouping them together. I can’t see the future, only predict it, so I’m unsure if Erick Silva will challenge the ruling of this fight. If he does, it’s likely to get overturned and ruled a “No Contest,” so that means this rematch probably wouldn’t happen.

But even if that ends up being the case, I’d still like to see Carlo Prater back in the UFC. I think a rematch would fully vindicate Silva if he won, and if Prater won he’d be able to say that he beat Silva legitimately.

Next for Rousimar Palhares: I think Alan Belcher would be a very interesting opponent for Rousimar Palhares. Belcher is on a three-fight win streak and recently returned to action after an injury that nearly cost him his career.

Palhares, meanwhile, continues to be a perplexing conundrum in the UFC’s middleweight division. Where does Palhares really stand amongst the middleweight elite? I think a fight with Alan Belcher would add a lot of clarity to both fighters’ situations as they continue to navigate the waters between decent and top competition.

Next for Vitor Belfort: As I said before, I think Belfort will fight at least one more time, while the winner of the upcoming Chael Sonnen/Mark Munoz fight fights Anderson Silva for the championship. In terms of opponents, I think any of the following fighters would make a good final test for Vitor Belfort as he readies for his rematch: Rousimar Palhares, Cung Le, Wanderlei Silva, Michael Bisping, Chris Leben, Yushin Okami and Brian Stann.

Next for Jose Aldo: I’ll be honest, I can’t really think of anyone right now, so I’ll make some general predictions for Aldo’s 2012. First off, I think Aldo is going to start finishing people again now that he’s tasted the thrill of finishing an opponent inside the Octagon. I believe Jose Aldo’s 2012 may just be his best year yet. I believe Jose Aldo has the potential to be the Anderson Silva of his division. After stepping out of the bandwagon for this one fight, my feet are now firmly planted right back in.

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