Author: Rob Goldberg

UFC 153: Anderson Silva Should Take on Jon Jones After Latest Win

UFC President Dana White must do whatever he can to set up a match between Anderson Silva and Jon Jones.Silva is coming off an easy victory over Stephen Bonnar in UFC 153. He finished the match in the first round via TKO, extending his record for the m…

UFC President Dana White must do whatever he can to set up a match between Anderson Silva and Jon Jones.

Silva is coming off an easy victory over Stephen Bonnar in UFC 153. He finished the match in the first round via TKO, extending his record for the most consecutive wins in UFC history.

He has thoroughly dominated his division and the entire sport over his career, winning 33 of his 37 career matches. At age 37, he does not have much more to prove, but there are still a couple of fights that would keep fans excited.

In the middleweight division, he could defend his title against up-and-comer Chris Weidman. However, it is more likely that fight would end up being The Spider’s 11th-straight title defense. Instead, his next fight should be a little more ambitious.

Light heavyweight champ Jon Jones is going through the same issues as Silva at this point in his career. Neither competitor can find someone at his level to even create a challenge.

Jones has a 17-1 record in his four-year career and his only loss was by disqualification. Since then, he has won eight straight matches, only one of which went the distance. In his last fight, he had the submission of the night with an Americana over Vitor Belfort. 

With this streak, he is moving up the list of the greatest fighters of all time. Defeating a living legend would go a long way in securing his legacy.

A bout between Silva and Jones would instantly be one of the most anticipated events in the history of the sport. These are the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the world, according to ESPN’s rankings, and the sales of the pay-per-view would go through the roof.

After a number of stale main events and weak fight cards, this matchup could instantly boost the sport’s reputation.

Unfortunately, neither competitor would be required to take part in a bout of this magnitude. They are in separate weight classes and do not have to prove anything to anyone. Still, this would be a great opportunity to raise their profiles to an even higher level.

Boxing fans have been waiting for a marquee battle between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao for years now. There is a tremendous opportunity to help the sport by having its two best competitors in the ring at the same time.

Hopefully, UFC does not make the same mistake and miss out on the chance for something great.

 

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UFC 152 Prelims: Predicting Winners for Each Fight on FX

Before Jon Jones defends his light heavyweight title against Vitor Belfort in the main event of UFC 152, there are a number of great fights to keep fans excited.People that do not want to spend money on the pay-per-view will be more than satisfied with…

Before Jon Jones defends his light heavyweight title against Vitor Belfort in the main event of UFC 152, there are a number of great fights to keep fans excited.

People that do not want to spend money on the pay-per-view will be more than satisfied with the preliminary card on FX. There are four bouts across four weight classes that have competitors looking for their big break.

While there are no titles on the line in these matches, the fighters will work hard to add a win to their records.

 

Igor Pokrajac vs. Vinny Magalhaes 

Each of these fighters could be contenders in the light heavyweight division. They have both shown that they can stay with top talent, and with the right game plan, they can come out victorious.

Magalhaes has especially been on a hot streak lately, winning his last five bouts. He is a submission specialist, with seven of his nine victories coming by tap out. Pokrajac has had impressive wins over Fabio Maldonado and Krzysztof Soszynski over the past year, but it will be difficult to defend his opponent’s tough holds.

Prediction: Magalhaes wins by submission

 

T.J. Grant vs. Evan Dunham

Grant has only recently started competing in the lightweight division has fared well with a 2-0 record. He has shown he has the endurance to go the distance if necessary, but his inability to finish off opponents could hurt in this competitive bout.

Dunham is a Jiu-Jitsu specialist who is solid both on his feet and on the mat. He has been more consistent in his career and should be able to use his experience to come out victorious.

Prediction: Dunham wins by decision

 

Sean Pierson vs. Lance Benoist

This is a classic matchup between youth and experience. Pierson has been competing in the sport since 1999 and has had various success. Conversely, Benoist has only competed in six MMA events, only two of which were in the UFC.

Still, the youngster has shown plenty of potential in his young career. He is coming off his first career loss against Seth Baczynski, but it was a close bout that ended in a split decision.

If he learns from his mistakes, Benoist could be one of the better competitors throughout UFC.

Prediction: Benoist wins by decision

 

Jimy Hettes vs. Marcus Brimage

Hettes is new to UFC, but he is on the path towards being a contender in the featherweight division. He is undefeated in his 10-bout career and won his first nine by submission. 

His only weakness is his inexperience, but Brimage does not have enough to counter. Hettes should be able to continue his domination of the sport as he uses this match as a stepping-stone to greater things.

Prediction: Hettes wins by submission

 

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UFC 152 Start Time: When and Where to Catch Every Fight on the Card

Finally, the best UFC fighters in the world will be competing on the biggest stage in the sport.It seems like forever since fans have been able to see a marquee UFC event. After UFC 151 became the first canceled pay-per-view in league history, fans wer…

Finally, the best UFC fighters in the world will be competing on the biggest stage in the sport.

It seems like forever since fans have been able to see a marquee UFC event. After UFC 151 became the first canceled pay-per-view in league history, fans were left waiting another few weeks to see Jon Jones and others compete.

The good news is that the wait is finally over as UFC 152 makes its way into homes and bars around the country. Here is all the information you need to enjoy the highly anticipated event.

 

Where: Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Canada

When: Saturday, Sept. 22

Start time: Facebook Prelims at 6:45 p.m. ET, FX Prelims at 8 p.m. ET, Main Event at 10 p.m. ET

Live Stream: UFC on Facebook, UFC 152 Main Event (for purchase)

 

Fight Card:

Main Card (PPV)
Light Heavyweight Jon Jones vs. Vitor Belfort
Flyweight Joseph Benavidez vs. Demetrious Johnson
Middleweight Michael Bisping vs. Brian Stann
Light Heavyweight Matt Hamill vs. Roger Hollett
Featherweight Cub Swanson vs. Charles Oliveira
Preliminary Card (FX)
Light Heavyweight Igor Pokrajac vs. Vinny Magalhaes
Lightweight TJ Grant vs. Evan Dunham
Welterweight Sean Pierson vs. Lance Benoist
Featherweight Jimy Hettes vs. Marcus Brimage
Preliminary Card (Facebook)
Welterweight Seth Baczynski vs. Simeon Thoresen
Bantamweight Mitch Gagnon vs. Walel Watson
Welterweight Kyle Noke vs. Charlie Brenneman

Matches to Watch

Brian Stann vs. Michael Bisping

While there is no title on the line, this might end up being one of the best fights of the night. Both competitors have been impressive since beginning their middleweight careers and are working their way up the rankings to get that title shot.

Bisping recently missed his chance when he lost by decision to Chael Sonnen. Similarly, Sonnen is the only person to defeat Stann in his last five fights.

Although Bisping might have better technique, Stann is more likely to go for the knockout. The former Marine has won nine of his 12 fights by knockout and would like to do it again in front of the international audience.

 

Joseph Benavidez vs. Demetrious Johnson

The battle for the first flyweight championship in UFC history ought to be a good one. Each competitor needed to win a semifinal match in order to have the right to compete for the title.

Johnson needed two matches and a favorable decision in order to get past Ian McCall, while Benavidez knocked out Yasuhiro Urushitani 11 seconds in the second round of their bout.

Neither fighter was able to get past Dominick Cruz for the bantamweight title, but they should both fare better in the lower weight class. Regardless of who wins, it will likely be an entertaining match that should go the distance. 

 

Jon Jones vs Vitor Belfort

It seems most UFC fans are on the “anti-Jon Jones bandwagon” after his decision not to fight Chael Sonnen forced Dana White to cancel UFC 151. Unfortunately, all of the fans in the world will not be able to stop the dominant run that Jones is on.

The New York native has gone through every contender in the light heavyweight division and defeated them easily. His only career loss was due to disqualification. 

Belfort is a veteran fighter that has had a solid career, but it will take a superhuman effort for him to come out on top against the champion.

At least fans will able to see one of the best pound-for-pound fighters do what he does best.

 

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UFC 152: Fans Have Been Robbed of Great Main Event

The only reason UFC 152 is better than its predecessor is because UFC 151 never took place.This obviously makes the upcoming fight card infinitely better and fans are excited to finally see some of the best athletes in the world compete in some high pr…

The only reason UFC 152 is better than its predecessor is because UFC 151 never took place.

This obviously makes the upcoming fight card infinitely better and fans are excited to finally see some of the best athletes in the world compete in some high profile bouts. However, this event will not be one for the ages.

UFC 152 features two co-main events. The first of the two is the final for the inaugural flyweight championship between Joseph Benavidez and Demetrious Johnson. Each competitor had to win a semifinal round to reach this point. 

Unfortunately, these are two marginally successful fighters who moved to the lighter class because they failed at bantamweight, both losing to Dominick Cruz. 

In the more high-profile main event, Jon Jones will defend his light heavyweight title against Vitor Belfort. This is where the fight card comes up short.

Jones has proven in his short time in UFC that he is already one of the best ever to compete. Belfort has shown a lot throughout his career, but he will not last long in this title shot.

Oddsmaker Joey Oddessa told MMAjunkie.com, “You can’t make the line high enough for Jones vs. Belfort.” He set an opening line at -1300, although it has dropped to -800, according to Bovada. This is still enough to consider the champ an overwhelming favorite.

Even Belfort himself knows that it will be an uphill battle. He told UFC Tonight (via MMAJunkie.com), “Here I am with 35 years old, 17 years into my career, fighting the best fighter of all-time, in the history of the UFC.”

He goes on to say that he will “put up a fight,” but it seems more like admiration of his opponent, rather than someone who he expects to win in the coming days.

Jones was initially scheduled to face Dan Henderson at UFC 151, but an injury forced Henderson out of the fight. When the champion refused to face Chael Sonnen, the entire event was canceled. 

Either of these competitors would be a step up from Belfort. The former light heavyweight champ struggled after he lost his rematch against Randy Couture. This forced him into the middleweight division, where he has had some success, but it will not continue once he moves back up a weight class.

It is possible there is no one available that would present a real challenge to Jon Jones. Almost everyone who has tried has been knocked out or was forced to submit. Still, this is about providing fans with the best possible show.

Belfort is an all-or-nothing fighter, so the match should end quickly. Meanwhile, fans that spend the money on the pay-per-view will be left waiting until the next great UFC match.

 

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UFC 153: Fans Should Be Disappointed with Latest Fight Card Adjustments

There have been a few changes to the fight card of UFC 153, and the people that are hurt the most are the fans.Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was set to face Glover Teixeira in what might have been the legend’s last fight ever. Unfortunately, an injury forc…

There have been a few changes to the fight card of UFC 153, and the people that are hurt the most are the fans.

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson was set to face Glover Teixeira in what might have been the legend’s last fight ever. Unfortunately, an injury forced Jackson out of the event. The same happened to Jose Aldo, who was supposed to defend his featherweight title against Frankie Edgar.

As a replacement, Anderson Silva will take on Stephan Bonnar in a matchup of veteran fighters, according to UFC.com. In addition, Fabio Maldonado will replace Jackson in the bout against Teixeira, and there will be an additional fight between Minotauro Nogueira and Dave Herman.

UFC President Dana White seemed excited about the recent changes to the card in USA Today:

This is old-school UFC. A card is in jeopardy, but guys that are world champions and superstars stepped up and jumped in and saved the card. This is why the fans love this sport and why we went on a 12-year run without canceling an event.

Unfortunately, that run ended with UFC 151, when an injured Dan Henderson could not be replaced and Jon Jones did not want to fight Chael Sonnen. 

Obviously, a substitute card is better than no card at all, but it further highlights the problems with the current UFC format.

The new slate of matches features some big names, but the fights themselves are unlikely to be exciting. Silva and Bonnar are both over the age of 35, and even moving up a weight class should not stop the Spider from easily defeating Bonnar. Nogueira is also past his prime, losing three of his last five bouts.

Ben Fowlkes of MMAJunkie.com blamed the lack of depth on the card for the cancellation of UFC 151: 

Boxing is all about the main event whereas the UFC has succeeded in part by selling us on a complete fight card. Or at least, it’s done that in the past. Whether due to circumstances or an overstretched roster, it didn’t do it here, and it paid the price when the worst-case scenario reared its menacing head. 

This same type of problem came up for UFC 153. While a group responded by replacing the injured fighters, it is not who fans want to see.

A better situation for the sport might be for there to be fewer pay-per-view events per year and load them up with better competitors, and in turn, better bouts. That way, one injury would not derail the entire event.

In a money-driven world, this is unlikely, but the fans are the ones who keep the sport going. If fight cards keep dramatically changing at the last minute, the sport will not have too many fans left.

 

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Henderson vs. Edgar 2: Controversial Decision Is Good for UFC

Although the final result of the fight between Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar did not please everyone, this controversy will help UFC in the long run.The two lightweight competitors faced each other in UFC 150 in a highly anticipated rematch. In th…

Although the final result of the fight between Benson Henderson and Frankie Edgar did not please everyone, this controversy will help UFC in the long run.

The two lightweight competitors faced each other in UFC 150 in a highly anticipated rematch. In the first installment, Henderson won by decision in a very close match. This time was no different, as it took a split decision for the champ to retain his title.

Both times, however, controversy followed the decision. Yahoo writer Kevin Iole said his card gave Edgar the win in the most recent match by a score of 49-46. The fans at the Pepsi Center also were not happy with the judges’ call.

Regardless of who you believe won, it was definitely an incredibly close match. FightMetrics lists Edgar as having the advantage of strikes landed by a margin of 70-65, with significant strikes only separated by four. However, the same site gives Henderson a one-point edge in its Total Performance Rating.

While fans love to see knockouts and submissions, this type of finish is more likely to get people talking. As a growing league, UFC will not become mainstream until people continue to talk about matches long after they finish.

In an interview with Mashable’s Greg Ferenstein, UFC CEO Dana White discussed the importance of social networking in this sport.

Some fights are going to be the best fights you’ve ever seen, and some are going to suck. And I think you’re better off to go out and talk about why the fight sucked and you know, be honest about it. You’re not going to fool anybody.

It is the same theory as the old saying, “bad press is better than no press.” If fans are arguing who won a title fight from a pay-per-view, the people who missed it will feel out of the loop. They will then make sure they do not miss the next big match.

College football is one of the most popular sports in America despite the fact there is almost always controversy over the national champion at the end of the season. The truth is that sports fans enjoy arguing. Any time they can debate a ruling of some sport, it only increases popularity.

According to Yahoo, ratings for the recent FOX 4 UFC event were up from the previous FOX 3, despite going against the Olympics. This is a good sign as the league tries to continue to gain a bigger profile in America.

Fans might be upset at the controversial result from the matchup between Henderson and Edgar, but there are more marquee events that they can turn to and hope for a different finish.

As long as people watch, it does not really matter who wins.

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