So, who looked more impressive tonight, folks? Well, that really depends on what you happen to be judging. UFC on Fox 4 offered up two excellent light heavyweight display but for very different reasons “Shogun” put on a much more exciting, …
So, who looked more impressive tonight, folks? Well, that really depends on what you happen to be judging. UFC on Fox 4 offered up two excellent light heavyweight display but for very different reasons
“Shogun” put on a much more exciting, gutsy performance against Brandon Vera. He could scarcely have put any more into the fight, as a demonstration of how much he wants another shot at the light heavyweight title.
On the other hand, Machida was his usual methodical self. He looked utterly at ease out there, completely outclassing Ryan Bader. In fact, it looked like he was toying with the former Arizona Sun Devil at times.
With all that said, Joe Rogan called it right when he said that Machida was the more impressive performer. He looked dominant against an extremely dangerous opponent.
In contrast, Rua’s bout was compelling largely because he gassed out early. His lack of cardio evened up the striking exchanges—Vera actually bested him on the feet.
To an extent, the same thing happened against Dan Henderson. “Shogun” has a habit of hitting a wall within the first few minutes of a fight, and somehow gutting his way through the remainder of the contest. If he took the time to get in shape, he would be even more formidable. A drop to 185 pounds—which is really where he belongs—would force him to improve his conditioning.
But more than tonight’s performances, the deciding factor may well have been their respective showings against Jones last year.
Rua looked extremely rusty against “Bones” last March, trudging forward and lunging at the would-be champion with telegraphed haymakers. He was comprehensively outstruck and outgrappled by the former Greco national champion.
Machida’s bout with Jones was in stark contrast to “Shogun’s” lacklustre effort. “The Dragon” arguably took the first round during their encounter last year, which is better than anyone has done since Stephan Bonnar took a young Jon Jones into deep waters.
Of course, all of this is based on the assumption that “Bones” will roll over Dan Henderson—a dangerous assumption to make. Should “Hendo” do the unthinkable, we may be deprived of the rematch we would all like to see.
However, the UFC appear to be playing the odds, banking on a Jones win. As a result, awarding Machida the shot is absolutely the correct decision and is the most compelling matchup they could possibly make for the current light heavyweight king.
Shogun Rua got the win, but it likely wasn’t enough to earn him a rematch with Jon Jones. Brandon Vera came into this fight as a serious underdog, but he proved he can hang with the best in the division in a grueling four-round war. Vera got rock…
Shogun Rua got the win, but it likely wasn’t enough to earn him a rematch with Jon Jones.
Brandon Vera came into this fight as a serious underdog, but he proved he can hang with the best in the division in a grueling four-round war.
Vera got rocked by a ton of shots and somehow found a way to keep on coming forward time and time again, but eventually, Rua’s onslaught was just a bit too much and “The Truth” was knocked unconscious in the fourth round.
What We’ll Remember About This Fight
Shogun really needed to impress if he wanted to earn the title fight against Jones, as LyotoMachida made a strong case for himself in the co-main event against Ryan Bader.
Instead of coming out and making a statement, Shogun came out strong and ended up gassing himself out early in the fight, giving Vera a chance to have some success of his own.
What We Learned About Rua
He’s still one of the best in the world, but the wars are starting to take their toll on Shogun’s body.
Shogun looked a bit slow and a bit reluctant to trade with Vera on the feet, and he allowed Vera, a fighter who he normally would have destroyed, to earn himself some points.
What We Learned About Vera
Brandon Vera has talent, but he has even more heart.
Shogun rocked “The Truth” with a ton of hard shots throughout the fight, but Vera just kept on slugging away and he ended up landing some serious offense against Rua.
Vera won’t be fighting for a title anytime soon, but he just proved he deserves his spot in the UFC and that he can hang with almost anyone in the division.
What’s Next for Rua
Machida is getting the next shot at Jon Jones, so Shogun is left in a bit of a tough spot.
Shogun is still right on the outside of the title picture, so a fight against hot prospect Alexander Gustafsson makes a ton of sense and could provide another title contender at 205.
What’s Next for Vera
Vera looked more impressive than most people thought possible against Shogun, but he still walked away with the loss and he won’t be fighting another top contender anytime soon.
Still, there’s an opponent waiting out there that Vera desperately wants to get his hands on.
Thiago Silva defeated Vera by decision at UFC 125, but the fight was changed to a no-contest after Silva failed a post-fight drug test.
Since then, Vera has campaigned for a rematch against Silva, and after his performance against Rua, he’ll likely get him.
I’ve got an idea: Instead of obsessing about who really deserves the next shot at the light-heavyweight title, let’s just kick back tonight and enjoy some free fights on FOX, two of which happen to feature former 205-pound champions (both Brazilian) facing off against hungry contenders (both American). Throw in a lightweight feature between Joe Lauzon and comeback kid Jamie Varner, and Mike Swick‘s first Octagon appearance in two-and-a-half years, and you’ve got a lineup that should hopefully take some of the sting off that $55 you blew on UFC 149.
The UFC on FOX: Shogun vs. Vera main card kicks off at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, and our man Elias Cepeda will be guiding you through the play-by-play after the jump. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and give us the play-by-play for your own lives in the comments section.
I’ve got an idea: Instead of obsessing about who really deserves the next shot at the light-heavyweight title, let’s just kick back tonight and enjoy some free fights on FOX, two of which happen to feature former 205-pound champions (both Brazilian) facing off against hungry contenders (both American). Throw in a lightweight feature between Joe Lauzon and comeback kid Jamie Varner, and Mike Swick‘s first Octagon appearance in two-and-a-half years, and you’ve got a lineup that should hopefully take some of the sting off that $55 you blew on UFC 149.
The UFC on FOX: Shogun vs. Vera main card kicks off at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, and our man Elias Cepeda will be guiding you through the play-by-play after the jump. Refresh the page every few minutes for all the latest, and give us the play-by-play for your own lives in the comments section.
We’re live, taters!
Well-written intro accompanied by highlights from the card’s main event fighters. The silky smooth voice of Ving Rhames narrating certainly helps, just sayin’…
Mike Swick Vs. DeMarques Johnson
Johnson is a tough out for anyone at welterweight, and we’re stoked to see Swick for the first time in two years. Impossible to know how to call this one, but we don’t have to wait much longer now to see how it plays out.
I’d forgotten how many commercials take place during these free network events. Twenty minutes into the telecast, we’re finally on to the fighter introductions. Let’s get it on.
Rd 1
Johnson looks relaxed. He’s too relaxed. He moves his chin from a down position to more upright and Swick lands a big right hand to the jaw, buckling Johnson. They clinch briefly and are again in free striking range.
Swick with another big right hand that hurts Johnson. Now another, and another. Johnson isn’t going down without a fight, though, and takes Swick down with a little over 3:30 left. Swick in full guard against the cage, Johnson working elbows to the face. Swick is controlling Johnson’s posture well, preventing the TUF 9 finalist from posturing up and getting leverage to land big shots.
Swick gets up to his feet and lands two big shots to the dome of Johnson. Johnson fires back and hurts Swick with a right hand. Swick gets turned away but gets back in the pocket and throws punches and knees.
Johnson gets another takedown, takes Swick’s back and now is in the mount with a little over 1:30 left. Johnson takes the back again as Swick turns over. Swick is trying but having no success getting back up to his feet. Swick turns in and gets a half guard. Johnson lands an elbow and then locks in a D’arce choke on Swick with under a minute left. Johnson appears to have the choke locked in but then lets it go.
Swick gets his full guard with twenty seconds left. Johnson with a left elbow to Swick’s head and a punch to the right side of Swick’s body. The round ends.
Rd 2
Swick popped up to his feet right away at the end of the last round. Johnson smiles at Swick from across the cage. They touch gloves and get to rocking again. Swick lands a right hand, Johnson lands his own. Johnson throws a leg kick, Swick grabs the kick and takes Johnson down.
Straight away, Swick lands a huge right hand to the downed Johnson and knocks him out, just like that. The first shot put Johnson’s lights out, but Swick was so quick that he got two more in the face of Johnson before referee Herb Dean reaches the action and stops it.
Mike Swick with the second round KO win.
Joe Lauzon vs. Jamie Varner
This card is full of matchups that appear too close to call on paper. And you know what, this writer happens to feel that, skill-wise, the night’s main event between Mauricio “Shogun” Rua and Brandon Vera is in that category as well. I know, I’m in the minority. Anyway, we can all agree that this lightweight bout is a great one. Will Varner continue his rise back to the top or will Lauzon get back on a road to a title shot after losing his last one?
Lauzon might have a slight edge on the ground, but will he be able to get the fight there on his terms against the strong wrestler, Varner? And if they stay on the feet, who’s striking will be better? Both men love to box, so we might be in for a treat.
Rd 1
Lots of feinting from both men before Varner gets off with a couple of missing punches to the head and body. Varner throws another hard right hand to the head. Lauzon blocks it but it had power. Varner now attacking the body with hooks. He’s landing.
Varner lands a right kick to the body, and then a leftkick to the leg. Varner lands a huge left hand that rocks Lauzon. Lauzon gets back in the pocket and continues to stalk Varner. Varner is still the one to get off first in the exchanges.
Not anymore. Lauzon gets off first this time, forces Varner to shoot. Lauzon stuffs it, lands a knee to the head. Lauzon’s hands are low as he stalks but now he’s firing first. Varner circles away nicely though to stay out of danger. Varner with another body kick. Varner with a glancing right hand to Lauzon’s head. Varner throws big punches but Lauzon blocks them. Joe fires back and backs Varner up, hurting him, then half attempting his own takedown. Varner doesn’t let it happen. Lauzon is landing three times the head shots as Varner is. Varner may be tiring. He took the fight on short notice.
Lauzon lands a clean right hand with under a minute left. Jamie clips and drops Lauzon. Lauzon threatens with an arm bar from his open guard right away but Varner defends. Varner looks to pass, Joe turtles up. Varner with knees to the body as he has a front head lock on Lauzon.
The horn sounds, the two get to their feet and embrace before returning to their respective corners.
Rd 2
Varner with an inside leg kick, then an outside round house to Lauzon’s lead leg. Varner now firing hard with punches but Lauzon covers up well. Lauzon checks a leg kick, Varner throws another one that goes throw to the back leg and nearly sweeps Lauzon.
Varner with a one-two combo, the over hand right gets to the top of Lauzon’s head. Varner clips Lauzon again with a right and stuns him. Joe goes for a single leg, Varner goes for the guillotine choke. Joe passes to the full mount, then takes Varner’s back. Varner stands up and gets Joe off of his back from the standing position.
They are both up on their feet again, striking. Varner not slowing down, throwing lots of punches to the head and body. Lauzon with a nice jab. Varner goes back to the body with punches. Lauzon lands four hooks to the head of Varner, takes Varner down, gets side control. Varner turns to his back, Joe fires punches to the head of Varner. Varner manages to get back up to his feet. Joe stays on him in the clinch, pressing him against the cage with a minute left.
Varner goes for a take down, he’s tired, though. They fall to the floor but Joe gets on top of Varner. Joe gets his back, then takes the mount, then goes for an arm triangle position with twenty seconds left. With time running out, Joe goes for an arm bar, doesn’t get it, loses position and Varner lands elbows to the head as the horn sounds.
Rd 3
They embrace as the round starts. Joe stalking Varner again. Varner realizes that he started the round without a mouth piece. The action is stopped so he can get it. Nuts.
Varner biding his time but throwing mean when he musters the energy to throw. Lauzon shoots for a double leg take down, but Varner sprawls expertly. He separates, Joe lands a jab. Varner shoots for a takedown, and lands it. Varner in a half butterfly guard of Lauzon.
Lauzon reverses position and gets back up to his feet. Varner throwing hard, lands an uppercut on Joe. Varner cocks back and throws a big right hand. Joe with another jab. Varner teeing off on Joe with punches and elbows, but Joe covers up and blocks. Varner gets the take down, Joe reverses, then gets rolled but locks on a triangle choke.
Joe gets the tap out via triangle choke in the third round. As Mike Goldberg says – Joe now has 22 wins, all by stoppage.
Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader
Rd 1
Machida with his typical chin up, legs-wide stance. Bader feinting, swinging, missing. Bader taking his time, though, and not going crazy. Bader lands a leg kick, Lyoto lands a left body kick.
Two and a half minutes left. Machida lands a knee, then throws a left body kick as Bader throws a punch. Lyoto is blocked, Bader misses. Bader rushes in with punches, Machida keeps is distance while backing up.
Machida with another body kick and then an attempted over hand elbow strike. Machida lands a snapping jab that tags Bader. Bader comes in, Machida cuts an angle to his right and fires a body kick. Bader throws a left hook then gets into the clinch.
Machida breaks free and then throws a front kick to the body. Bader lands a lunging jab. The round horn sounds.
Rd 2
Ryan feinting hard at the start of the round. Machida doing weird hand movement stuff to get Bader distracted, as he is prone to do. Bader rushes in once more and Machida swiftly knocks the TUF winner out with a short right hook.
“I feel very well…it was a great performance. I want to say, The Dragon is back!” Machida getting his English on during his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan.
Lyoto Machida back on the winning track with a second round KO over Ryan Bader. Will that be “impressive” enough for Machida to get another crack at champion Jon Jones? I guess that’s up to “Shogun” and Vera, up next.
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Brandon Vera
Rd 1
Vera with a big rear body kick on Rua. Rua shoots and scores a take down on the much larger Vera. As Rogan observantly points out, Vera has had the most difficulty when he’s been put on his back and ground down.
Rua working to pass Vera’s half guard. Rua almost passes the half guard but Vera recomposes. Rua keeps working and passes the guard to side control with three minutes left. Rua switches his hips from side control, Vera turns in and tries to get to his feet. Vera wall-walks and gets to the feet. Rua presses Vera against the cage in the clinch and then dives low for a single leg attempt. Vera pulls a guillotine choke and works it from his open guard.
Rua is out! He fires an elbow strike and is in Vera’s full guard. Rua immediately works to pass guard again. He gets to half guard and begins to fire punches to the head of Vera. Vera’s got a half butterfly guard and tries to lift Rua up in the air. Rua passes to side control again with just under a minute left. Rua takes the mount, Vera turns and gives up his back and Rua takes his back!
Rua has both hooks in with thirty seconds left. Shogun has an over-under grop, then gives it up to throw light punches and hammer fists. Vera does not let Rua flatten out his hips and the round ends with Rua face down, on Vera’s back.
Rd 2
Vera throws a kick but Shogun responds with huge punches to Vera’s head, rocking Vera. Vera backs up against the cage, takes more shots, then knees. Vera fires back with a left elbow to Rua’s head. Vera has been hurt but he’s not giving up, with four minutes left in the round.
Vera lands a a straight left punch to Rua’s head. Vera with a right hook to the head, then a left kick to the body, then a front stomp kick to Rua’s lead knee. Vera slips aright hand from Rua then lands a huge left hand of his own. Rua responds with a cross that hurts Vera. Rua gets Vera in a Thai plum clinch control and throws lots of knees. Vera blocks well but is on the defensive. He falls to his knees, is turtled up as Shogun throws big punches.
Vera gets to his feet and clips Rua on the chin! Rua with a right hand. Rua with another right hand! Vera with an elbow. Rua lands another right hand and presses Vera against the cage. Vera turns him around and has over-under control on Rua, with his head pressed against Rua’s chin for leverage. Vera lands a slam take down and is in Rua’s half guard with a minute left.
Rua is cut and fatigued after not being able to put Vera away with his big shots. Vera looks pretty tired as well, throwing knees to Rua’s body from the half guard. Rua’s half guard is loose but Vera isn’t looking to pass. Ten seconds left and Vera fires elbows to Rua’s head. The horn sounds.
Rd 3
Rua presses Vera against the cage and works for a take down. Vera trying knees from the clinch there. Rua drops down for another take down. Vera defends. They are in free standing range again.
Vera with another front kick to Rua’s knee. Vera with a punch-kick combination going to the head, body and leg. Vera slips a punch from Rua, Rua presses Vera against the cage. Rua has a front head lock and knees Vera to the head.
Vera drops down to his knees to avoid being legally kneed in the head again. Shogun working the front head lock, with Vera’s right leg hooked by his left arm. Rua stands up and tees off on Vera with punches and kicks while pressing down on Vera’s head. Vera gets up to his feet and immediately lands a multiple punch and leg kick combination.
Vera lands another strike combination. Rua lands a big shot to the head. Vera lands a front leg kick, then punches and knees, hurting Rua and forcing him against the cage. Rua responds by taking Vera down. They are in the center of the ring in Vera’s half guard with a minute and a half left. Rua tries to pass the half guard.
Rua nearly in mount, Vera turns away, Rua gets to triple attack position and hammer fists. Vera turns back into Rua, using his half guard. Thirty seconds left and Vera is still using his half guard. Rua mostly pressuring and looking to pass. The round ends with Rua on top in half guard.
Rd 4
Rua with a a big short punch. Shogun presses Vera against the cage and looks for a take down, Vera stuffs him. Rua lands a nice knee to the body and then head of Vera. Vera with his back to the cage, working his own knees to the legs and body of Rua now.
Vera throws a short left elbow followed by a short right elbow to the head of Rua. Rua lands his own big upper cut and presses Vera against the cage again, using his own head control on Vera’s chin, then following up with a left hook to the head. Both men with over under hooks, Vera with his back agaisnt the cage. Vera lands a knee to Rua’s body. Rua backs up and they are free standing with under 1:30. Rua with a straight punch landing, then Vera rocks Rua. Rua stalks and walks Vera down, landing a two punch combo that drops Vera to the mat. Vera is out of it, Rua lands a couple more academic strikes and the referee stops the fight.
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua beats Brandon Vera via 4th round TKO stoppage from strikes on the ground. Who do you think should get the next title shot, nation?
Thanks for partying all night long with us, now go be productive members of society before coming back tomorrow for post-event press conference coverage, analysis and more.
We’re just hours away from UFC on FOX 4, where four men will attempt to become the least impressive light-heavyweight title challenger since Elvis Sinosic by winning in the most impressive manner possible. To paraphrase Jeff Fox, the winner of the upcoming Jones vs. Henderson bout will defend his belt against the winner of tonight’s semantics game. There’s got to be a catch, right?
Of course there is. Even the dimmest MMA fans among us have already interpreted this as a way for Dana White to back out of giving Brandon Vera a title shot if he were to actually defeat Shogun Rua tonight. Shogun is obviously the preferable contender, but just in case he blows this somehow, we’ll shrug it off and put the winner of Machida/Bader in the cage with Jones/Hendo, right? Quite the contrary: This semantics game was designed to give Lyoto Machida a title shot with a victory.
Right now, some of you are screaming “What kind of idiot hack journalist are you, Seth?!” at your screens. First, allow me to welcome you to Cage Potato; you’re obviously new here. Second, let me lay it out for you with four simple reasons after the jump.
We’re just hours away from UFC on FOX 4, where four men will attempt to become the least impressive light-heavyweight title challenger since Elvis Sinosic by winning in the most impressive manner possible. To paraphrase Jeff Fox, the winner of the upcoming Jones vs. Henderson bout will defend his belt against the winner of tonight’s semantics game. There’s got to be a catch, right?
Of course there is. Even the dimmest MMA fans among us have already interpreted this as a way for Dana White to back out of giving Brandon Vera a title shot if he were to actually defeat Mauricio “Shogun” Rua tonight. Shogun is obviously the preferable contender, but just in case he blows this somehow, we’ll shrug it off and put the winner of Machida/Bader in the cage with Jones/Hendo, right? Quite the contrary: This semantics game was designed to give Lyoto Machida a title shot with a victory.
Right now, some of you are screaming “What kind of idiot hack journalist are you, Seth?!” at your screens. First, allow me to welcome you to Cage Potato – you’re obviously new here. Second, let me lay it out for you with four simple reasons.
1.) A victory over Ryan Bader is more impressive than a victory over Vera/Rua. Seriously. Heading into tonight, Ryan Bader is the only fighter out of the four “contenders” who has won two straight fights, having recently defeated Jason Brilz and Rampage Jackson in his last two bouts. Before that he was caught in a fluke guillotine by Tito Ortiz and dominated by Jon Jones (as was everyone else on this list, so that’s understandable), which make up the only two blemishes on his record. He’s the youngest of the four, the most decorated wrestler of the four and is always a game opponent.
The same simply cannot be said for either Brandon Vera or Shogun Rua. Excuse me if it seems like I’m harping on this, but Brandon Vera has not won a meaningful fight since he defeated Frank Mir back in 2006. He’s coming into tonight with a victory over a gift-wrapped Eliot Marshall, yet Vera almost managed to snatch defeat from the bitter jaws of victory and get knocked out in that fight. A victory over Brandon Vera earned Jon Jones a crack at Vladimir Matyushenko. There’s absolutely no reason why a victory over Brandon Vera should earn Shogun Rua a crack at Jon Jones.
As for Shogun? Let’s face it: He’s a thirty year old post-prime PRIDE veteran with bad knees. He hasn’t won back-to-back fights since he beat the mummified versions of Mark Coleman and Chuck Liddell that were on the UFC roster in 2009 (although he arguably should have won three straight). If he loses tonight, he’ll have lost three of his last four fights. I hate to say this, but if Shogun Rua loses tonight, it may be time to move him away from the title picture for good. But then again, “loses” is a bit misleading because…
2.) Vera won’t “win” so much as Shogun will “lose” if the unthinkable happens. It feels strange to argue that the casual fan’s opinion doesn’t matter, because, as I’ve pointed out before, it matters even more than most of us edumacated fans would care to acknowledge. Hell, their lack of interest in these Fox cards is probably what led to this mess in the first place. To the casual fan – who knows nothing of either Brandon Vera or Shogun Rua – a win is a win regardless. Plus Vera actually winning would kind of have that Rocky feel to it, so as long as he is exciting he will have earned a chance to get destroyed in a title fight, right?
There’s just one problem – “The Most Impressive Victory” won’t be determined by an ‘American Idol’ voting system. It will be determined by Dana White, who is anything but a casual fan.
Let’s admit it: If Vera goes out and wins tonight, hardcore fans like ourselves will all be wondering what was wrong with Shogun. And why wouldn’t we? We’ve been following the vicious knockout artist since his days of fighting in Muay Thai smokers in some dude’s house. We know what he’s capable of, and we know that a can like Vera shouldn’t be able to beat him. If he gets submitted, we’ll say that he just got caught; kind of like how we reacted to Werdum submitting Fedor. If he actually gets knocked out, we’ll wonder if Rua should start to consider retirement. We know too much to perceive it any other way.
Besides, if Vera does manage to beat Shogun Rua, it will more than likely be by neutralizing Shogun’s aggressive attack with a “Stick. Move. Wall. Stall. Rinse. Wash. Repeat.” offense. And as much as the casual fan may like a good story, the casual fan absolutely hates this style of fighting. With the turd on a plate that was UFC 149 fresh in his memory, the last thing Dana White wants to do is give a boring fighter a title shot.
3.) Likewise, Rua can’t “impressively” defeat Brandon Vera. I’ll keep this one short, because it’s essentially everything I just said in the last paragraph applied to Shogun instead of Vera. We know how mediocre Brandon Vera has been since 2007. Perceptions, rinse wash repeat joke, you get the idea. The bottom line here is that if Rua goes out and smashes “The Truth,” then, well…yeah. He was fighting a guy who only had a job in the first place because of Thiago Silva’s fake urine shenanigans. If Vera actually stays in this fight, we’ll all be talking about how bad Shogun looked to allow the 2012 Truth to be competitive against him. It’s a lose-lose scenario for Rua, which will make a Lyoto Machida victory look more impressive by default.
4.) Lyoto Machida vs. Jon Jones could give us the satisfying ending to the Anderson Silva vs. Jon Jones super fight we’re looking for. One of the reasons that the UFC has been driving boxing towards extinction was that Dana White wouldn’t allow his best fighters to duck each other. His fighters knew that it was all about protecting the UFC brand, not their own. If the fans wanted to see two guys fight, they either signed a contract to fight or started learning Japanese.
I used the past tense because, let’s face it, all of that is going on between Jon Jones and Anderson Silva. Both men have pretty much cleaned out their divisions, yet a super fight between the two is out of the question. These guys aren’t stupid. They know they’re too valuable to be released from the UFC, yet they can potentially lose all of that value with this proposed fight. It has to be Dana White’s worst nightmare as a promoter, and it can easily turn the fans that were drawn to the sport to avoid fighters ducking fights over to Bellator.
The UFC needs a way to either motivate both men to fight each other or make the fans lose interest in this fight, and Lyoto Machida provides both. Assuming that Jon Jones defeats Dan Henderson (because if he doesn’t, there goes the “I lose marketability” concerns), this sets “Bones” up with a fight against Anderson Silva’s Black House teammate, Lyoto Machida. This keeps some focus on the super fight, but it also keeps fans interested in the current title fight instead of dismissing it. In other words, with Vera/Rua, the fan perspective is “Look at Jones ducking Silva,” but with Machida, the perspective is now “Let’s see how Silva prepares Machida for Jones.”
We’ve seen Anderson Silva get fired up over cocky, disrespectful comments before (Sonnen, anyone?), and we’ve seen Jon Jones make plenty of those. If Jones goes on to defeat Machida again, does anyone honestly rule out the possibility of him calling Black House overrated? Didn’t think so. That could easily be enough to push Anderson Silva past protecting his image and into a fight with the cocky American. Likewise, if Machida actually defeats Bones, we’re no longer even entertaining the Silva vs. Jones discussion. Jon Jones just lost to Anderson Silva’s teammate, Silva has been vocal about not wanting to fight his teammates so we know a title fight between Machida and Jones is out…why do we want to see Silva move up to fight Jones again? The UFC’s best interest is providing fans with a satisfying ending to the Silva vs. Jones super fight, and Jones vs. Machida easily has the best chance of doing this.
So there you have it. Lyoto Machida just has to defeat Ryan Bader to earn a title shot. Assuming that Sensei Seagal has been close by, Machida will probably win the casual fans over with a flashy knockout if he wins. As long as Jon Jones defeats Dan Henderson, Jones will get Machida, Henderson will get the rematch of the decade against Shogun Rua and Brandon Vera will finally get a pink slip. And all will be right in the world.
UFC on FOX 4 kicks off in just a few hours. It will be the fourth outing on network television, and tonight’s event features some great light heavyweight fights. So great in fact that the co-main and main event fighters are all competing for a title…
UFC on FOX 4 kicks off in just a few hours. It will be the fourth outing on network television, and tonight’s event features some great light heavyweight fights. So great in fact that the co-main and main event fighters are all competing for a title shot.
In the main event, Mauricio Rua faces Brandon Vera. Rua is a former light heavyweight champion while Vera has been working his way back to title contention.
In the co-main event, Ryan Bader faces Lyoto Machida. Both have had big wins in the UFC while also suffering some pretty devastating losses.
Main Bouts on Fox:
Mauricio “Shogun” Rua vs. Brandon Vera Lyoto Machida vs. Ryan Bader Joe Lauzon vs. Jamie Varner Mike Swick vs. DaMarques Johnson
Preliminary Bout on Fuel TV:
Cole Miller vs. Nam Phan Phil Davis vs. Wagner Prado Josh Grispi vs. Rani Yahya Phil De Fries vs. Oli Thompson Manny Gamburyan vs. Michihiro Omigawa Ulysses Gomez vs. John Moraga
After a short layoff, the UFC returns tonight with UFC on Fox 4, featuring “Shogun” Rua vs. Brandon Vera.Tonight’s card will feature prelims on Fuel TV as well as the main card live on Fox.For those who’ll be enjoying the fights with a nice cold one to…
After a short layoff, the UFC returns tonight with UFC on Fox 4, featuring “Shogun” Rua vs. Brandon Vera.
Tonight’s card will feature prelims on Fuel TV as well as the main card live on Fox.
For those who’ll be enjoying the fights with a nice cold one tonight, we’ll give you ever better ways to enjoy your drinks as we feature the UFC on Fox 4 drinking game!
So, who looked more impressive tonight, folks? Well, that really depends on what you happen to be judging. UFC on Fox 4 offered up two excellent light heavyweight display but for very different reasons
