Quote of the Day: Josh Rosenthal Was “Slow on the Trigger” During Munoz/Weidman

(A replay of the Munoz/Weidman ending in all its gory glory for those of you who missed it.) 

Right before he kinda sorta announced his pending retirement from the sport during the UFC on FOUEL TV post-fight show, Stephan Bonnar made the audacious claim that referee Josh Rosenthal should be fined and/or suspended for his late stoppage during the Mark Munoz/Chris Weidman fight. After Weidman landed some 12 or 13 unanswered shots on a helpless Munoz, I briefly thought that we were witnessing the first death in the promotion’s history, and my immediate reaction was almost that of agreement. Almost. 

Because, although it is hard to deny that Rosenthal dropped the ball Wednesday night, the stoppage was likely considered even worse because it was a revered official like Rosenthal who made it. This wasn’t Steve Mazzagati calling an eye poke a TKO or Kim Winslow letting Jan Finney return from the dead only to be killed once more. This was Josh freakin’ Rosenthal, a man who had not only made our top five referees list a couple years ago, but had easily climbed up it a few spots in the time since. This was a man who had, as GritandMettle’s Darren Jensen put it, “reffed Shogun vs Hendo perfectly” — the same goes for his excellent job in the first round of Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin’s UFC 116 heavyweight title fight. What we’re saying is, this isn’t an everyday occurrence for the guy. Hell, can anyone even remember an instance in recent memory that Rosenthal has even come close to screwing up (Faber/Mizugaki maybe)?

In retrospect, Bonnar’s assessment was a little harsh, but Rosenthal was still willing to admit that he shit the bed, so to speak, when he appeared on SiriusXM’s “Tapout Radio Show”.

Check out a few snippets from the interview after the jump.


(A replay of the Munoz/Weidman ending in all its gory glory for those of you who missed it.) 

Right before he kinda sorta announced his pending retirement from the sport during the UFC on FOUEL TV post-fight show, Stephan Bonnar made the audacious claim that referee Josh Rosenthal should be fined and/or suspended for his late stoppage during the Mark Munoz/Chris Weidman fight. After Weidman landed some 12 or 13 unanswered shots on a helpless Munoz, I briefly thought that we were witnessing the first death in the promotion’s history, and my immediate reaction was almost that of agreement. Almost. 

Because, although it is hard to deny that Rosenthal dropped the ball Wednesday night, the stoppage was likely considered even worse because it was a revered official like Rosenthal who made it. This wasn’t Steve Mazzagati calling an eye poke a TKO or Kim Winslow letting Jan Finney return from the dead only to be killed once more. This was Josh freakin’ Rosenthal, a man who had not only made our top five referees list a couple years ago, but had easily climbed up it a few spots in the time since. This was a man who had, as GritandMettle’s Darren Jensen put it, “reffed Shogun vs Hendo perfectly” — the same goes for his excellent job in the first round of Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin’s UFC 116 heavyweight title fight. What we’re saying is, this isn’t an everyday occurrence for the guy. Hell, can anyone even remember an instance in recent memory that Rosenthal has even come close to screwing up (Faber/Mizugaki maybe)?

In retrospect, Bonnar’s assessment was a little harsh, but Rosenthal was still willing to admit that he shit the bed, so to speak, when he appeared on SiriusXM’s “Tapout Radio Show”:

I came home and I watched it, and I was kind of like you know, if I was sitting here, watching this on the couch, I probably would have been talking smack about myself. I always say accountability is a huge part of the sport, and you are accountable for your actions.

As for the stoppage in question, Rosenthal understands that it was a bit on the late side, but is just trying to make sure it never happens again:

 I feel like I was just a little slow on the trigger. I don’t want to see guys take unnecessary punishment. It’s a rough sport. Everyone knows what they sign in for, but it’s a millisecond-basis game. You’re making choices right there on the spot, and in the heat of the moment, I felt like I was seeing some stuff. In hindsight, I have to step my game up and make sure I’m on point for the next guys.

So what do you guys and gals think? Should Rosenthal be punished for failing to save Munoz when he was clearly out? Or does his one misstep pale in comparison to the blunders made by far lesser referees?

J. Jones

Michael Bisping Literally Cannot Decide Who He Wants to Call Out Next, Chooses Chris Weidman This Time


(*dial tone* Alcohol affects the memory.) 

Newton’s third law of motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Over the past few months, everyone from Tim Boetsch to Alan Belcher to Brian Stann have called out soft-spoken middleweight Michael Bisping, and we honestly can’t understand why. The man is a kind, yet misunderstood human being with great taste in music who has never come off as anything but respectful for as long as we’ve known him. As it goes in prison, they always seem to pick on the nice guy who doesn’t really belong there.

Recently, however, it appears that Bisping has had enough, and has turned the tables on the bullies that simply wont let him be, threatening to kick not only Stann’s ass, but calling out Hector Lombard (sort of), then Anderson Silva, and now Chris Weidman as well. Apparently fed up with all of the “respect” Weidman was receiving for “finishing” a fight against a “top” contender, Bisping took to Twitter to vent his frustrations:

Weidman looked great last night. But no1 contender? If that’s the case I want to fight him and prove I’m the number 1 contender. Let’s do it.

Now, we understand that Bisping may very well think that he’s the number one contender, despite the fact that his last win against a top or even upper-tier middleweight dates back to, you know, never, but this is getting a little redundant at this point, is it not?


(*dial tone* Alcohol affects the memory.) 

Newton’s third law of motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Over the past few months, everyone from Tim Boetsch to Alan Belcher to Brian Stann have called out soft-spoken middleweight Michael Bisping, and we honestly can’t understand why. The man is a kind, yet misunderstood human being with great taste in music who has never come off as anything but respectful for as long as we’ve known him. As it goes in prison, they always seem to pick on the nice guy who doesn’t really belong there.

Recently, however, it appears that Bisping has had enough, and has turned the tables on the bullies that simply wont let him be, threatening to kick not only Stann’s ass, but calling out Hector Lombard (sort of), then Anderson Silva, and now Chris Weidman as well. Apparently fed up with all of the “respect” Weidman was receiving for “finishing” a fight against a “top” contender, Bisping took to Twitter to vent his frustrations:

Weidman looked great last night. But no1 contender? If that’s the case I want to fight him and prove I’m the number 1 contender. Let’s do it.

Now, we understand that Bisping may very well think that he’s the number one contender, despite the fact that his last win against a top or even upper-tier middleweight dates back to, you know, never, but this is getting a little redundant at this point, is it not? Bisping has called out everyone within eyeshot of a title over the past few weeks, and we think we’ve finally gotten to the root of “The Count’s” problems — multiple personality disorder. For each embittered d-bag that lies within his soul, he calls out one fighter, and it appears that even he is beginning to lose track of his preposterous claims. Why else would Bisping be seen giving Silva mad drunken props backstage at UFC 148 just moments before telling Ariel Helwani that he thought Silva’s knee was illegal and that he could do way better against him than Chael Sonnen, a.k.a the last man he lost to?


(Skip to the 47 second mark.) 

Respect: It’s an acquired skill.

To be fair, Bisping also did state that he thought Andy was “amazing,” so perhaps we’re being a little harsh on the Brit, as we are apt to do. But that still doesn’t explain why Bisping had to essentially kick Mark Munoz while he was down in a recent interview with FightersOnly:

And now Chris Weidman is calling me out. Well, he’s on a roll but I don’t think a win over a fat Mark Munoz makes you a contender. Especially when Munoz has bounced into the Octagon like he’s at a Take That concert and with a haircut that looks like Belcher’s tattooist has switched careers. Did that distract him? It distracted me. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. What was it supposed to be, do you know? Everyone’s talking about Weidman today but I tell you what, we were on the same card in January and I had to switch his fight with Maia off. I was trying to warm up backstage and the fight was putting me to sleep. I wanted to get hyped up and it was like watching paint dry. He looked good last night – or did Munoz look awful?

Jesus Christ, Michael. First off, Weidman did not call you out. He called out Anderson Silva. YOU just called HIM out. And as for his fight with Demian Maia, perhaps you have forgotten that Weidman took the fight on just eleven days notice. It appears we can throw a little early onset dementia into the mix of potential mental diseases Bisping is suffering from as well.

All we’re saying is, if Bisping wants to fight Belcher, Boetsch, or Stann, because they actually did call him out, then he should stick with one of those fights and just shut the hell up. You’d have to be crazy to think he deserves a shot at Anderson, but if he wants to take on Weidman to prove that he does (granted you feel that Weidman is the true #1 contender), then he should simply stick to that theory and shut the hell up. His solution to all of this, of course, is to fight all of these bums in one night:

Yeah it seems like I am the man of the moment right now doesn’t it? That’s fine by me, I’m a professional fighter and I’ve not been busy enough lately to be honest so, I will happily fight all three of them – Stann, Weidman and Belcher can all have it. I’ve got no problem fighting and beating all three of them, either on three consecutive cards or all on one night if they want. Listen, Belcher’s getting on my nerves. He keeps saying he has got the style to beat me – what style? No man with a tattoo like that can talk to anyone about style! He’s been calling me out for a while now so I’d say to him, when you beat someone other than a pure jiu jitsu guy then call me. Brian Stann I respect, fine, I think we are on collision course and we can have that fight. I’ll win. 

They all seem like nice guys, good luck to them – except Belcher, he’s been getting on my nerves so lets not include him [in the good luck wishes] – but I will happily fight them all, no problem. I want to be the champion and I think I am one more win away from a title shot. And any of these guys can be my first defences.

So wait, none of these guys have earned a shot against Silva, but once you become champion (lolz), then they can fight for the title?

J. Jones

The Time-Old Question: Who Is Next for Anderson Silva?

In the wake of Anderson Silva defeating Chael Sonnen at UFC 148, the big question that has emerged is who is next for Silva, and who deserves or has earned his shot?  For the past couple years, Silva and Sonnen have cultured a feud and rivalry tha…

In the wake of Anderson Silva defeating Chael Sonnen at UFC 148, the big question that has emerged is who is next for Silva, and who deserves or has earned his shot? 

For the past couple years, Silva and Sonnen have cultured a feud and rivalry that was very unique and drew a lot of attention. The greatest rematch to date came and went, and “The Spider” still remains king of the hill. But now that he has vanquished his biggest challenge of his career, it resurfaces the question that has followed every Silva fight; who is next for him? 

Normally, it is a question out of bewilderment of the moment, but now with Sonnen defeated twice, the contenders are looking slim for the champ. Yes, there are always up-and-comers, but there are few that have the statistical numbers and promise that make fans feel like they would be viable challengers. 

Essentially, Michael Bisping is the only man still at Middleweight who is yet to fight Anderson Silva. The other contenders jumped over to the UFC ship later on, but since Silva’s intro into the Octagon, Bisping is the only one who has always been there, but has never gotten a title shot. Had Bisping beaten Chael Sonnen when they met, it would have put Bisping on a five-fight winning streak, and most likely a title shot. 

Bisping has had many “fight of the night” awards, but has filled the role of gatekeeper for the past few years. He has had his good runs, but gets stopped short. He has verbally made his case many times, but he is still coming off a loss. 

Had Mark Muñoz won against Weidman, Muñoz would have been very deserving of a title shot. Weidman had other plans, and now he is in a position that could give HIM the opportunity to face Silva. Some feel he needs one more win before facing the Brazilian superstar, but that is all up to opinion.

The only other part of figuring out who might be next is the outcome of UFC 149’s matchup of Hector Lombard vs. Tim Boetsch. If Boetsch wins, you could make an argument for his shot, but like Weidman, he might need one more. If Lombard wins though, a title shot for him will be all but certain. Yes, Lombard will be making his UFC debut with this fight, but it’s hard to ignore 24 victories in a row, and a champion at that. 

You can argue that Lombard still doesn’t deserve it if he wins, but like how Alistair Overeem got his shot, the UFC is not opposed to giving big names from other organizations a title shot after one win in the Octagon. Lombard is the only one who seems like an actual threat, and with a decisive win over Boetsch, he should be next up to try to dethrone Silva. 

LHW fighter Rashad Evans has put his name in the hat, but only the name draws attention and any sort of worthiness toward an immediate title shot. Because more people know Evans than Weidman, it may be better looking on paper, but that fight would come up short when it comes to be deserving or fair. At the end of the day though, the UFC is a business as well. 

Looking at the division under a magnifying glass is fine, but that will yield very little indication of what might be slated for Silva. Everyone has different criteria for what makes someone deserving of a title shot, and with these different contenders making their case from different angles, it will be interesting to see which direction the UFC goes. After UFC 149, we will have a little better understanding of the situation. Until then, Anderson Silva remains supreme. 

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UFC: Chris Weidman Is the Most Well-Rounded Fighter at 185

Chris Weidman bulldozed a juggernaut on Wednesday—Mark Munoz. This warrants attention under MMA’s capricious spotlight. Weidman fights in a division where contenders are sparse. Merited by his thrashing of Munoz, the New Yorker strati…

Chris Weidman bulldozed a juggernaut on Wednesday—Mark Munoz. This warrants attention under MMA’s capricious spotlight.

Weidman fights in a division where contenders are sparse. Merited by his thrashing of Munoz, the New Yorker stratified himself as a threat to snatch Anderson Silva’s long-worn middleweight belt.

Why? Because his game is uniquely adaptable.  

Weidman showcased masterful grappling against Munoz, as he ragdolled the Filipino and sliced through his guard like a katana through a kitten.  

As per UFC.com, “The All-American” matted Munoz twice, passed his guard three times, and attempted two submissions.

Munoz and Weidman both own stellar wrestling pedigrees, adding luster to Weidman’s performance. He did that to a hardened wrestler?

We know Chael Sonnen is the premiere wrestler at 185. Weidman garners comparison to the Oregonian. In fact, the whippersnapper could be a thornier challenge for Anderson Silva than Sonnen. Weidman has more tools.      

The stats howl: Weidman has finished 13 takedowns in the UFC. Conversely, he hasn’t been grounded once. Another blessed fighter holds that same stat: Jon Jones.  

Weidman employs an arsenal of submissions. The blossoming grappler has sunk three foes by way of tap out. He’s latches onto chokes from the clinch, scrambles, and top control with regularity.

He also eludes submissions, verifying the legitimacy of his Brazilin Jiu-Jitsu purple belt under Matt Serra.

Stiff top control seems to be a recipe for success in MMA. Weidman’s top control is infallible: In the UFC, his opponents haven’t advanced position against his control.

Weidman imposes his will with tact and vigor. His use of positional Jiu-Jitsu is a marvel.

Some grapplers are plagued by their ineffectual ground and pound, but Weidman channels Donkey Kong when he barrages grounded opponents. His punches and elbows bring thunder, yet another trait that separates Weidman from the field. 

Many wrestlers wing punches to open up their takedowns, and that’s the extent of their striking game. Not Weidman. He uses clean, effective striking techniques, as evidenced by his elbow strike counter that sent Mark Munoz tumbling towards the canvas. Any doubts of his ability to finish a fight standing were evaporated.

Weidman isn’t immaculate: His clumsy match with Demian Maia showed his gas tank may be shallow. The American did, however, take that fight on short notice.

If Chael Sonnen gave Anderson Silva fits, what can Weidman do? With his youth and skill set handy, Weidman could surely provide worthy opposition to the awe-inspiring champ.   

Honorable mention for well-roundedness at 185: Michael Bisping, Alan Belcher, Hector Lombard, Anderson Silva, and Rich Franklin.  

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UFC on FUEL TV Results: Michael Bisping Rips Belcher, Munoz & Chris Weidman

After Chris Weidman’s dominant win over Mark Munoz at UFC on FUEL TV 4 on Wednesday night, fans, fighters and analysts across the globe truly believe that “The All-American” is ready for a showdown with Anderson Silva. However, don’t color fellow …

After Chris Weidman’s dominant win over Mark Munoz at UFC on FUEL TV 4 on Wednesday night, fans, fighters and analysts across the globe truly believe that “The All-American” is ready for a showdown with Anderson Silva

However, don’t color fellow middleweight contender Michael Bisping impressed. 

In an interview with Fighter’s Only magazine, “The Count” said that although Weidman is undeniably on a hot steak, he has a long way to go before he gets a shot at UFC gold. 

“And now Chris Weidman is calling me out. Well, he’s on a roll but I don’t think a win over a fat Mark Munoz makes you a contender. Especially when Munoz has bounced into the Octagon like he’s at a Take That concert and with a haircut that looks like Belcher’s tattooist has switched careers. Did that distract him? It distracted me. I couldn’t take my eyes off it. What was it supposed to be, do you know?”

Awfully harsh words from someone who is coming off a loss. Bisping won four in a row in the Octagon before dropping a close, slightly disputed decision to two-time title challenger Chael Sonnen at UFC on FOX 2 in January.

Bisping has been rumored to fight Alan Belcher and Brian Stann recently and immediately asked for a bout with Weidman following his victory over Munoz. 

The former “Ultimate Fighter” is very confident that he can beat all three men. 

“…I will happily fight all three of them – Stann, Weidman and Belcher can all have it. I’ve got no problem fighting and beating all three of them, either on three consecutive cards or all on one night if they want.”

The man Bisping has taken the most exception with is Belcher, who he had plenty of choice words for.

“Listen, Belcher’s getting on my nerves. He keeps saying he has got the style to beat me – what style? No man with a tattoo like that can talk to anyone about style! He’s been calling me out for a while now so I’d say to him, when you beat someone other than a pure jiu jitsu guy then call me.”

Weidman, who improved to a still perfect 9-0 Wednesday evening, was not safe from Bisping’s verbal venom either.

“Everyone’s talking about Weidman today but I tell you what, we were on the same card in January and I had to switch his fight with (Demian) Maia off. I was trying to warm up backstage and the fight was putting me to sleep. I wanted to get hyped up and it was like watching paint dry.”

Bisping was originally scheduled to face Maia on the card, but he was bumped up to face Sonnen when Chael’s original opponent, Munoz, withdrew due to an elbow injury. 

While Weidman’s victory over Maia was certainly not his best performance, Bisping fails to mention that the former All-American wrestler at Hofstra University filled in on just 11 days notice, cutting 32 pounds during that short time frame. 

What do you think fight fans, do you think Weidman is ready for a fight with 185-pound juggernaut Anderson Silva or does he need one more signature win over a contender like Michael Bisping?

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UFC on Fuel TV 4 Results: Full Fighter Salaries for Munoz vs Weidman Fight Card

On Wednesday night the UFC presented UFC on Fuel TV 4 from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA. The highlight of the card was Chris Weidman’s dominating win over Mark Munoz in the main event.Weidman’s victory had many—including Weidman himself&…

On Wednesday night the UFC presented UFC on Fuel TV 4 from the HP Pavilion in San Jose, CA. The highlight of the card was Chris Weidman’s dominating win over Mark Munoz in the main event.

Weidman’s victory had many—including Weidman himself—saying that the 9-0 fighter deserves to be the next fighter to face UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva.

In all, 22 fighters competed on the card which was seen live by 4,750 fans and generated an estimated gate of $163,000.

The full fight card salaries are listed below, provided to Bleacher Report by the California Athletic Commission.

 

Salaries

Chris Weidman $44,000 ($22,000 plus $22,000 win bonus) defeats Mark Munoz $42,000.

James Te Huna Roper $28,000  ($14,000 plus $14,000 win bonus) defeats Joey Beltran $15,000

Aaron Simpson $46,000 ($23,000 plus $23,000 win bonus) defeats Kenny Roberston $8,000

Francis Carmont  $20,000 ($10,000 plus $10,000 win bonus) defeats Karlos Vemola $14,000

TJ Dillashaw $20,000 ($10,000 plus $10,000 win bonus) defeats Vaughan Lee $8,000

Rafael Dos Anjos $40,000 ($20,000 plus $20,000 win bonus) defeats Anthony Njokuani $14,000

Alex Caceres $20,000 ($10,000 plus $10, 000 win bonus) defeats Damacio Page $11,000

Chris Cariaso  $20,000 ($10,000 plus $10,000 win bonus) defeats Josh Ferguson $8,000

Andrew Craig  $16,000 ($8, 000 plus $8,000 win bonus) defeats Rafael Franca Natal $12,000

Marcelo Guimaraes $12,000 ($6,000 plus $6,000 win bonus) defeats Dan Stittgen $6,000

Raphael Assuncao $34,000 ($17,000 plus $17,000 win bonus) defeats Issel Tamura $8, 000

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