Let’s be honest with each other for a second. Consider this a circle of trust. Now, we all love the technique and speed of the little guys. We can all appreciate the intricacies behind the whirlwind of movement, and how 25 minutes of battle can pass without either man seemingly breaking a sweat.
But seriously, after watching two surreal bloodbaths, one savage champion, and 21 minutes and 50 seconds of pure, unadulterated pay-per-view violence, let’s just agree — there’s nothing like the heavyweights.
UFC 146 was everything is should’ve been, and even days later, it’s hard to forget the spectacle we just witnessed. Yes the card would have been better with Alistair Overeem, and yes Vitor Belfort’s broken hand and Arianny Celeste’s early morning adventure may have stolen a bit of the thunder, but in a time when everything seems to be going wrong, Saturday night was the perfect pick-me-up to remind us just how much fun this sport can be.
In fact, why stop now? Let’s just make this an annual event. After all, UFC 146 left the train station at half-strength. Can you imagine a 2013 heavyweight extravaganza featuring the likes of JDS, Mir and Cain, plus Overeem, Shane Carwin, Daniel Cormier, and Josh Barnett? Would anyone seriously object to that? Aren’t Lorenzo and Dana absolutely crazy if they don’t ride this semi-accidental cash cow all the way to the bank? I’m excited already.
6 MUST-READ STORIES
UFC 146: Dos Santos vs. Mir. With all this talk of heavyweights, it’s only natural for us to bust out our all-you-can-eat UFC 146 buffet, complete with results, post-fight press conference video, bonuses, post-fight interviews, reaction from the pros, exclusive photos and video highlights of Junior dos Santos vs. Frank Mir and Cain Velasquez vs. Antonio Silva.
Weekend fight results. Catch up on the rest of a busy weekend in combat sports with fight results for TUF Live, Bellator 70 and K-1 Rising 2012/Glory World Series Finals, along with fight video of Mirko Cro Cop vs. Loren Javier Jorge.
Brock Lesnar return hinted. Retired UFC star Brock Lesnar was spotted in attendance at UFC 146, prompting widespread speculation about his potential comeback. Later, UFC President Dana White revealed he would be meeting Lesnar following Saturday night’s fights.
Vitor Belfort out of UFC 147. UFC middleweight Vitor Belfort suffered a broken hand in training, leading to his removal from UFC 147’s headlining match opposite Wanderlei Silva.
Mayhem Miller released from UFC. Jason “Mayhem” Miller was released from the UFC after exploding backstage in the aftermath of his UFC 146 loss to C.B. Dollaway. Dana White later referred to the outburst as “crazy s***.”
Arianny Celeste arrested. UFC Octagon girl Arianny Celeste was arrested and taken into the Clark County Detention Center early Saturday morning on charges of domestic abuse. Celeste was released later Saturday afternoon and was present during the UFC 146 pay-per-view.
MEDIA STEW
Did you know Big Nog took part in his own heavyweight pageantry this weekend? Though this one involved a lot less face punching, and a lot more shiny shirts and shimmering pants. (HT: Iron Forges Iron)
If Dave Herman didn’t fear the power of the dwarf beard before Saturday night, he probably did after it ripped off $70k from his scalp.
Dana White joined our own Ariel Helwani after the dust settled to breakdown Junior dos Santos‘ future, the possibility of him fighting a Klitschko brother, and the likelihood of Cain-JDS II being the next UFC heavyweight championship headliner.
By the way, there was another heavyweight championship this weekend — Cole Konrad vs. Eric Prindle at Bellator 70. Like their behemoth brethren, these two didn’t last long.
In case you’re wondering why Vitor Belfort pulled out of UFC 147, he tweeted out the damage through the magic of the internet, along with a message Google vaguely translates to, “Can not sleep thinking about what happened. I am very sad very sad that I will know more come back strong.”
(via Twitter)
POST-FIGHT REVERIES
I would like to thank all of you guys for your support one more time we get the victory. Thank you very much
— juniorcigano (@junior_cigano) May 27, 2012
Consolation prize:) thank you for all the support , I will be back twitter.com/thefrankmir/st…
— Frank Mir UFC (@thefrankmir) May 27, 2012
If Brock needs someone to fight @danawhite @lorenzofertitta and Joe, I am ready, plus fans of @ufc want and wwe #fb
— Roy Nelson (@roynelsonmma) May 27, 2012
Wow last night still hasn’t sunk in, its so surreal. I want to thank @ufc & all the Mma fans out there 4 making last night possible. Thank u
— Jamie Varner (@jamievarner) May 27, 2012
PROFESSIONAL POT STIRRING
So after watching this #ufc…if your top 4 isn’t JDS, Overeem, @dc_mma, and myself in some order then you’re clueless.
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) May 27, 2012
And either Cormier and I would be #ufc heavyweight champs. #ufc #ufc146 #stirringthrpot
— Josh Barnett (@JoshLBarnett) May 27, 2012
COURTESY OF THE OUTLAW
Look at this MOFO! Holy BLEEEP!! twitter.com/DUANEBANGCOM/s…
— Duane Ludwig (@DUANEBANGCOM) May 27, 2012
THE MOMENT WE COULD HAVE HAD
Sure would be nice if I could actually pick my own walk out song. Looks like its gonna be a surprise to me too.
— Dave Herman (@davehermanmma) May 26, 2012
If the circle of life is good enough for the king of pride rock why can’t it be good enough for me? Elton John is the man.
— Dave Herman (@davehermanmma) May 26, 2012
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Announced over the weekend (Friday, May 25, 2012 – Sunday, May 27, 2012):
– TUF Live Finale: Michael Chiesa (7-0) vs. Al Iaquinta (5-1-1)
– TUF Live Finale: Jonathan Brookins (13-4) vs. Charles Oliveira (15-2, 1 NC)
– TUF Live Finale: Max Holloway (4-1) vs. Pat Schilling (5-1)
– Bellator 73: Pat Curran (17-4) vs. Patricio Freire (17-1)
FANPOST OF THE DAY
Today’s Fanpost of the Day comes courtesy of SSreporters, who does some fine number crunching to give you: Junior Dos Santos’ Worst UFC Win is Stefan Struve
No no no no no this is not a jab at Struve … although if it was he’s probably cut above his left eye. But he is a focal point in this post. With Junior Dos Santos’ starching of Frank Mir last night, the world #1 heavyweight has added to arguably one of the best resumes in the sport if not one of the greatest resumes for an entire UFC career. Here are his 9 UFC opponents and their Bloody Elbow/USA Today rankings at the time of their fight:
UFC 90 – vs. Fabricio Werdum (Rank at the time: #5; Current Rank: #5)
UFC 95 – vs. Stefan Struve (Rank at the time: NR; Current Rank: #19)
UFC 103 – vs. Mirko Cro-Cop (Rank at the time: #15; Current Rank: NR) –
UFC 108 – vs. Gilbert Yvel (Rank at the time: #22; Current Rank: NR)
UFC on VS – vs. Gabriel Gonzaga (Rank at the time: #13; Current Rank: NR)
UFC 117 – vs. Roy Nelson (Rank at the time: #18; Current Rank: #14)
UFC 131 – vs. Shane Carwin (Rank at the time: #5; Current Rank: #7)
UFC on FOX – vs. Cain Velasquez (Rank at the time: #1; Current Rank: #2)
UFC 146 – vs. Frank Mir (Current Rank: #4)
…
What makes Dos Santos’ rise to the heavyweight summit so incredible is that he started his UFC career by fighting and KOing a top 5 heavyweight and never had a substantial drop in competition. At no point in time has he ever been brought up the traditional way like many other of the recent contenders. Cain Velasquez fought Denis Stojnic and Jake O’Brien, Shane Carwin had stalwarts like Christian Wellisch and Neil Wain to play with before getting matched with the big boys.
Found something perfect for the Morning Report? Just hit me on Twitter @shaunalshatti and we’ll include it in tomorrow’s post.