While Fight Night 71 may have been a bit of a comedown from the high that last weekend’s cards provided, with 9 of the 12 scheduled fights going the distance, it managed to deliver yet another “Knockout of the Year”-worthy finish in it’s main event, which was probably the craziest sub-one and a half minute fight since Cerrone vs. Guillard.
Both Frank Mir and Todd Duffee came out throwin’ them bungalows early, but it was evident from the start that Mir was enjoying a significant speed advantage over his much younger opponent. Duffee was quite literally lunging into his punches, leaving himself exposed for big counters, and found one just over a minute into the fight in the form of a VICIOUS left hand. Though Mir would declare that “his emotions got the best of him” in his post-fight interview, there’s no arguing with the results.
Mir is now 2-0 since dropping 4 straight between 2012 and 2014. Andrei Arlovski has won three straight in the UFC. Cro Cop just beat the sh*t out of Gabe Gonzaga. Fedor is returning, and oh yeah, Fabricio Werdum is the champ. I think it’s safe to declare 2015 as the year of, as one redditor put it, “The Old School Heavyweight.”
While Fight Night 71 may have been a bit of a comedown from the high that last weekend’s cards provided, with 9 of the 12 scheduled fights going the distance, it managed to deliver yet another “Knockout of the Year”-worthy finish in it’s main event, which was probably the craziest sub-one and a half minute fight since Cerrone vs. Guillard.
Both Frank Mir and Todd Duffee came out throwin’ them bungalows early, but it was evident from the start that Mir was enjoying a significant speed advantage over his much younger opponent. Duffee was quite literally lunging into his punches, leaving himself exposed for big counters, and found one just over a minute into the fight in the form of a VICIOUS left hand. Though Mir would declare that “his emotions got the best of him” in his post-fight interview, there’s no arguing with the results.
Mir is now 2-0 since dropping 4 straight between 2012 and 2014. Andrei Arlovski has won three straight in the UFC. Cro Cop just beat the sh*t out of Gabe Gonzaga. Fedor is returning, and oh yeah, Fabricio Werdum is the champ. We think it’s safe to declare 2015 as the year of, as one redditor put it, “The Old School Heavyweight.”
In the co-main event of the evening, Tony “El Cucuy” Fergusondid work on Josh Thom-son, son. The TUF 13 winner, who has now won six straight fights with 4 finishes, sliced and diced Thomson with elbows throughout the three round affair and nearly finished the former Strikeforce champ with a couple different submissions to boot. It’s a testament to Thomson’s grittiness that he was able to make it the distance, but this might have been the fight that signals his descent from the top of the pack.
Holly Holm is not ready for Ronda Rousey, Nation, and I say that with all due respect. Matched up against Marion Reneau in her sophomore outing, Holm turned in yet another underwhelming performance, chock full of funky kicks that found mostly air and a lot of yelling. Holm is truly the Maria Sharapova of kicking and punching, but against an opponent who offered literally nooffense outside of a couple guard pulls, she still couldn’t pull the trigger. I know the UFC wants to push this Holm vs. Rousey narrative like it’s the next big thing in WMMA, but the winner of Jessica Eye vs. Miesha Tate is a much more interesting matchup, which is saying something, because one of those people has already been beaten by Rousey twice.
The full list of Fight Night 71 results are below.
Main Card
-Frank Mir def. Todd Duffee via first-round KO (1:13)
-Tony Ferguson def. Josh Thomson via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
-Holly Holm def. Marion Reneau via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 29-28)
-Manny Gamburyan def. Scott Jorgensen via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
-Kevin Lee def. James Moontasri via submission (rear-naked choke) (R1, 2:56)
-Alan Jouban def. Matt Dwyer via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-27)
Preliminary Card
-Sam Sicilia def. Yaotzin Meza via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
-Jessica Andrade (#13) def. Sarah Moras via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
-Rani Yahya def. Masanori Kanehara via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
-Sean Strickland def. Igor Araujo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
-Kevin Casey def. Ildemar Alcantara via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
-Lyman Good def. Andrew Craig via second-round TKO (3:37)
As someone who can finish his opponents on the feet and on the ground, lightweight rising contender Tony Ferguson may be one of the most overlooked names in the game today.
His ability to utilize his range and sink in his infamous chokes makes El Cucuy…
As someone who can finish his opponents on the feet and on the ground, lightweight rising contender Tony Ferguson may be one of the most overlooked names in the game today.
His ability to utilize his range and sink in his infamous chokes makes El Cucuy one of the most dangerous outs in the division.
But throughout his lengthy tenure with the UFC, Ferguson has never faced an animal like Josh Thomson before Wednesday night.
Since his arrival onto the promotional scene, The Punk has surely had his ups and downs at 155 pounds, but he remains one of the most well-rounded entities gracing the Top 10. MMA Fighting’s Marc Raimondi is clearly impressed by his work inside the Octagon:
But it was Ferguson who outlasted the veteran Wednesday night by pressuring with crisp strikes, scrambles, submission attempts and blistering front kicks en route to an impressive unanimous-decision victory.
Here is what we learned from the mid-week lightweight tilt:
What We’ll Remember About This Fight
There aren’t many lightweights in the world capable of withstanding the punishment that Thomson endured opposite Ferguson on Wednesday night.
With sensational footwork, angling, front kicks, defensive scrambles and rolls, penetrating elbows and dangerous submission attempts, Thomson was battered beyond comprehension.
His effort is a testament to his will to win and ability to absorb damage to still implement his own offensive outbursts, which included some third-round spinning back fists.
Needless to say, this is the outcome that many people would have pointed to.
Ferguson utilized his reach, timely pressure and scrappy demeanor to ward off a veteran in search of a big victory.
What We Learned AboutThomson
It was a rough go for Thomson this time around, but he’s still one of the most game lightweights in the sport today.
After taking copious amounts of punishment in the first two rounds, The Punk still had the wherewithal to launch spinning back fists and lunging power shots.
Although he was accurate when needed and showcased elite submission defense, Thomson was unable to land in succession.
It prohibited him from hurting Ferguson and warding off the hungry contender’s pressure and persistence.
What We Learned AboutFerguson
Ferguson has now racked off six Octagon victories in a row, which is a streak hard to come by nowadays.
At this point in time, it’s difficult to imagine a scenario where El Cucuy is outmatched at every turn.
He incorporates one of the most well-rounded arsenals in the division, which is evident by his ability to overwhelm Thomson with crisp striking, elbows from guard, defensive scrambles and flying knees.
If we learned anything different about Ferguson in comparison to past performances, it would be his ability to implement his high-level game against Top 10 competition.
What’s Next for Thomson
As a fighter on the back end of his career and riding a three-fight losing streak, it would surprise many people to see Thomson retire.
But considering he’s not being put to sleep like many aging veterans unwilling to hang it up, it’s likely that we see him at least one more time.
He still carries a big name in this sport and can obviously weather any storm thrown his way.
A future matchup opposite rising lightweight contender and featherweight exile Dustin Poirier would be an odds-on favorite to win Fight of the Night.
What’s Next for Ferguson
Ferguson is finally starting to garner the respect and popularity he deserves.
As a guy who has compiled a 9-1 record inside the Octagon, it’s time he finally cracks the Top 10 and earns a fight against a true contender.
A few names come to mind, but the winner of Edson Barboza vs. Paul Felder at UFC on Fox 16 later this month makes the most sense.
Of course, a guy like Eddie Alvarez is always a good choice.
To say Josh Thomson is fired up heading into his bout with Tony Ferguson at Fight Night 71 on Wednesday would be an understatement. It would also be one that requires a bit of clarity as well.
The former Strikeforce lightweight champion turned UFC cont…
To say Josh Thomson is fired up heading into his bout with Tony Ferguson at Fight Night 71 on Wednesday would be an understatement. It would also be one that requires a bit of clarity as well.
The former Strikeforce lightweight champion turned UFC contender is coming off back-to-back split-decision losses that could have very well gone his way.
The Punk came out on the short side of a five-round scrap with Benson Henderson at UFC on Fox 10 back in January 2014, only to follow it up with another razor-thin split on the judges’ scorecards against Bobby Green five months later at UFC on Fox 12 in San Jose, California.
That pair of losses served to push the 36-year-old veteran off the radar for a potential title opportunity—one he was originally slated to get until then-champion Anthony Pettis pulled out of their scheduled bout with an injury.
Nevertheless, the fight game is one where winning matters most, and a two-fight skid in what is arguably the most competitive division under the UFC banner was going to change a few things where his place in the lightweight hierarchy is concerned.
The No. 9-ranked Thomson would need to win a few fights in order to get back into striking distance of a title opportunity, and being a veteran of the sport, that is something the American Kickboxing Academy fighter says he completely understands.
But Thomson wants bigger fights to regain lost ground, and getting lined up against fighters who aren’t in the same ranking tier he exists in is something Thomson isn’t happy with.
“After the fight with Benson [Henderson], I was upset,” Thomson told Bleacher Report. “I lost the title fight I was supposed to get because of that. I was scheduled to fight Anthony Pettis for the title before that, but Pettis backed out. I ended up fighting Benson, which I had to lobby to get. Afterwards, they [the UFC] didn’t want to give me any top-ranked guys. They wanted to give me no-name guys I’d never heard of and who weren’t even ranked in the top 20. I only wanted to fight top guys and I was really upset—especially because I believe I won the fight, and did so with one hand.
“I still feel I did enough to win the fight, and losing the fight cost me a title shot. That for me was a hard one to get over. As far as the Bobby Green fight, I blame myself for that because I wasn’t happy about the situation,” Thomson, who was originally slated to face Michael Johnson, said.
“I get stuck with an opponent who was completely different than the one I was scheduled to fight just two weeks out and I was pretty upset about it,” he added. “I was already unhappy about having to fight Michael Johnson, then had to turn around and fight Bobby Green. It showed in my performance. I just wanted to get through it, get the win and get out of there. Obviously, the judges saw it a different way, so it cost me.”
Despite having lost close fights against Henderson and Green, the California native continued to set his sights on the upper echelon of competition in the lightweight ranks, but back-to-back losses don’t exactly get a fighter high-profile bouts against the division’s top five.
So the road back began.
Unsuccessful in landing the fights he was aiming for, Thomson was still ready to go back to work. He agreed to face jiu-jitsu ace Gilbert Burns at Fight Night 62 in Brazil but was eventually forced out of that bout after suffering an injury in his training camp.
The next challenge to come down the line was the 11th-ranked Ferguson, who has won eight of his nine showings inside the Octagon since winning The Ultimate Fighter 13.
In Thomson’s mind, a victory over Ferguson would do little to bolster his case for a future title shot, whereas Ferguson would have much to gain should he find success in San Diego. That isn’t a picture Thomson is content with, but he seems to have settled for it being the reality of his situation.
“I’ve kind of just moved on and it is what it is,” Thomson said. “I’ve come to the conclusion that they want to give me the Dan Henderson approach and have me fight their up-and-coming guys and take away any chance of me ever fighting for their title.”
Thomson’s comments have struck a nerve with Ferguson. According to MMAJunkie Radio (h/t MMAJunkie), Ferguson has been vocal about what he sees as a lack of motivation from the San Jose-based lightweight heading into their fight.
El Cucuy has dropped several pointed barbs in his direction, none of which seem to concern the veteran.
“It’s all talk to me,” Thomson said. “In the day and age of this sport, all these younger guys feel they have to talk trash to get recognition. The problem is they all try to talk trash like ConorMcGregor and ChaelSonnen, and they all sound stupid. They all talk to try to put themselves in the spotlight and get name recognition, but they all sound dumb. Look, dude, at the end of the day we are going to fight, so there isn’t much that needs to be said.
“I’ve asked for [Donald] Cerrone. I’ve asked for [Rafael] dos Anjos. I’ve asked for Pettis. As soon as Pettis lost and was ready to fight again, saying he wanted to get back in there, I said, ‘Let’s do it.’ Same with Cerrone, but it was made clear I had no chance of getting those fights. Whether Tony Ferguson is upset over me trying to fight top-ranked guys doesn’t matter to me. Any smart businessman, any smart athlete, is going to try to step in there and seize the opportunity. I think he’s more upset he didn’t think of it first.”
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
Jorge Masvidal took a major risk on Sunday when he moved up to welterweight to compete against Cezar Ferreira. The risk paid off when he defeated the Brazilian in the first round via knockout. Now, he’s in a peculiar position as to whether he sho…
Jorge Masvidal took a major risk on Sunday when he moved up to welterweight to compete against Cezar Ferreira. The risk paid off when he defeated the Brazilian in the first round via knockout. Now, he’s in a peculiar position as to whether he should stay at 170 pounds or move back down to welterweight. With that question in mind, here are suggestions for five fights to further Masvidal’s career.
In mixed martial arts, fans and experts alike are trying to find out who is the next star in the sport. Gilbert Burns has been recognized as an individual worth watching by many in the MMA community.
“With three wins by knockout, five wins by sub…
In mixed martial arts, fans and experts alike are trying to find out who is the next star in the sport. Gilbert Burns has been recognized as an individual worth watching by many in the MMA community.
“With three wins by knockout, five wins by submission and an additional win on the judges’ scorecards, Burns has proven that he is a winner in this sport, and that he is definitely someone to watch out for in the near future within the UFC lightweight division,” wrote Adam Martin of MMA Ratings.
Burns had to dig deep to earn that praise, struggling early against Alex Oliveira at UFC Fight Night 62. He needed until the last minute to pull out the win and keep his resume unblemished. Looking forward, here are suggestions for five fights that would make sense for the Brazilian competitor.
There is an art to matchmaking in combat sports.
While some fights come together with natural ease, most bouts come about through a hectic process of evaluation. Several aspects need to be graded on each side of the table before committing to the match…
There is an art to matchmaking in combat sports.
While some fights come together with natural ease, most bouts come about through a hectic process of evaluation. Several aspects need to be graded on each side of the table before committing to the matchup.
Whether or not a fight makes sense in the divisional scheme, timing and making sure both fighters stand to gain similar rewards are the most pressing issues that come to mind. Then, of course, there is the most important aspect of a potential fight: Will both competitors be willing to mix it up and put on a show?
The unfortunate part of the process comes when all of these criteria are met, but the fight fails to deliver. That said, the UFC showcases far more exciting tilts than flat fights these days, which goes to show just how good the matchmakers, Joe Silva and Sean Shelby, are at their jobs.
And because Silva and Shelby are in the midst of mega runs in their particular lanes (Silva makes bouts for fighters 155 pounds and up, Shelby handles featherweight and below in addition to taking care of both of the female divisions), this month’s installment of “Fantasy Matchmaker” came with a bit of extra effort attached.
Typically speaking, there are always a few easy-to-read pairings that simply make sense, just as there are normally a few fighters on the rise who have the possibility of catching big opportunities in their respective divisions.
That said, the matchmaking landscape this month was a bit more difficult to survey. The primary culprits responsible for the static on our monthly gaze into the crystal ball are the stacked lineups for the UFC’s upcoming pay-per-view cards in March, April and May.
Where the organization has dabbled with packing fight cards with talent from top to bottom in the past, the chaotic demands of the UFC’s current schedule have made that a difficult and risky play.
There is a PPV card every month, and in most cases, at least two of the remaining three Saturday nights will have events on one of the Fox channels.
While the docket for April is full with an event slated for every weekend of the month, the UFC went on the lighter side for its agendas in March and May. The reason being each of those month’s PPV events were jam-packed with high-profile names and title fights.
Granted, this weekend’s card in Dallas doesn’t stack up to the murderer’s row of awesomeness on deck for the UFC’s annual Memorial Day weekend offering at UFC 187, but UFC 185 isn’t slacking in the heat department by any means.
Keyboard Kimura’s E. Spencer Kyte recently suggested the UFC may be revamping its PPV model to put heavy focus on quality rather than quantity, and he very well may be on to something.
Therefore, with mega cards on tap in the PPV realm, and additional offerings with the likes of UFC on Fox 15 and Fight Night 66 on deck as well, the majority of the major players up and down the UFC roster are already matched up, or waiting for fights to play out to see what the future holds for them.
Nevertheless, this column is diligent about bringing the goods, or as former light heavyweight champion Rashad Evans is known to say, give our readers that “mind wine” to soak up and get the wheels turning.
Let’s take a look at “UFC Fantasy Matchmaker: March 2015 Edition.”
There are always a fair amount of hypothetical elements that go into creating fantasy matchups, but a trilogy bout between Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir will force the “what if” machine into overdrive.
For one, the former WWE champion, turned UFC champion, turned WWE superstar is still under contract with Vince McMahon, and there is no guarantee The Beast Incarnate will ever return to the realm of unscripted face punching.
The heavyweight mountain’s name has been thrown around quite a bit as of late by UFC President Dana White, and Lesnar even managed to show up at UFC 184 to take in some fights while out in Los Angeles.
Yet, while there is no official word as to whether or not Lesnar will return to compete inside the Octagon, that doesn’t detour the UFC’s passionate fanbase from wanting to see him chucking leather and bull rushing his opposition when the cage door closes.
Simply put: Fans loved to watch Lesnar do his thing, and a lot of those same fans have been holding out hope that the Minnesota native will get the itch to scrap at least one more time.
Should the former heavyweight title holder return to the UFC, there is not a more perfect fight for Lesnar to take other than the one Frank Mir is prepared to give him.
The two-time former heavyweight champion recently broke a nasty four-fight losing skid when he knocked out Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva at Fight Night 61 in Brazil.
In the lead-up to the fight, Mir’s relevance in the heavyweight fold came under fire, as listless performances in his previous four outings left many doubting whether or not the Las Vegas native still had what it takes to be successful at the highest level of MMA.
A sharp left hook to an American Top Team product’s jaw sent Silva crashing to the canvas, where Mir unleashed a series of elbows that forced the referee to jump in and stop the fight.
In doing so, the Nevada native not only picked up his first victory since 2011, but he immediately thrust himself back into a position of relevance in the heavyweight fold.
Immediately following his victory over Silva in Brazil, Mir set about calling for the chance to welcomeLesnar back to the UFC, just as he’d initially welcomed the former standout collegiate wrestler to the promotion at UFC 81 back in 2008.
Mir would get the victory via submission in their first go, but Lesnar thoroughly drubbed him in their rematch at UFC 100.
With the series tied at one apiece, a trilogy fight between Lesnar and Mir would certainly make the most sense of any option available, but then again, that option may never actually materialize any time in the near future.
Brandon Thatch vs. Jordan Mein
When fighters are competing at the highest level of the sport, setbacks are going to happen.
No matter how much talent a competitor possesses, there are so many factors at play in a mixed martial arts bout that any number of things can lead to a fighter taking a trip to the loss column.
In some cases, there is a difference in skill where a particular fighter wasn’t quite ready for the caliber of competition they stepped in to face, just as there are nights where the best version of said fighter simply didn’t show up when it mattered the most.
That said, obstacles and detours come with the territory when slinging leather inside the cage, but it’s how fighters bounce back from adversity that shows what they are truly made of.
Despite being two of the most talented up-and-comers in the deep ranks of the welterweight division, Brandon Thatch and Jordan Mein each suffered some growing pains in their most recent outings.
The 25-year-old Canadian striker had built a bit of momentum coming into his latest bout against ThiagoAlves at UFC 183. Young Gun had notched back-to-back victories inside the Octagon, with his most recent win coming in devastating fashion over seasoned veteran Mike Pyle at Fight Night 49 back in August.
The Alberta, Canada, native made short work out of Quicksand, and Mein appeared to be coming into his own under the bright lights.
That notion was on its way to be further validated against Alves, as Mein got off to a strong start against the American Top Team representative as he took the opening round on the judges’ scorecards.
Yet, the Brazilian powerhouse would turn the tides of the fight with a brutal body kick that crumpled Mein to the canvas, where he secured the victory with a flurry of punches to his wounded opponent.
While the loss to Alves will serve to slow his roll through the welterweight ranks, Mein‘s natural talent and fighting style are not easily dismissed. Every time he steps into the Octagon, Mein is looking to put on a show, and his “take out my opponent or go out on my shield” mentality sets the stage for what would be an action-packed shootout with Thatch.
Since his arrival to the UFC in 2013, Rukus has wasted zero time establishing himself as a versatile fighter when the cage door closes. The Denver native violently steamrolled his first two opponents on the sport’s biggest stage, and he did so in brutal and violent fashion.
The momentum built off of victories over Justin Edwards and veteran Paulo Thiago pushed Thatch up the crowded 170-pound ranks and set the tempo for the surging welterweight’s career to move into the express lane.
Nevertheless, the 29-year-old Colorado-based striker would suffer his first loss in more than six years via a rear-naked choke from Benson Henderson at Fight Night 60.
And while the talent level of the welterweight division doesn’t leave many room for errors in regard to wins and losses, the loss to Smooth could be salvaged with a strong performance in his next fight.
Both Thatch and Mein possess a natural love for the scrap, and a showdown between the two heavy-hitters would be one fight fans could get behind. When the highly competitive nature of the welterweight division is also taken into consideration, a bout that would determine who went up and which fighter was pushed to the back of the line between Thatch and Mein would also be fitting.
Josh Thomson vs. Tony Ferguson
The UFC’s lightweight division is as stacked as they come under the promotional banner.
In addition to a heated title race that is constantly shifting in regard to advantage, the 155-pound weight class is also home to a cast of up-and-coming talent that is looking to break through into the elite tier of the UFC’s “shark tank” division.
While the top 10 rankings in the lightweight fold are coveted positions to occupy, the battle to reach an elevated status in the lightweight division has produced some of the best action to go down inside the Octagon over recent years.
One fighter who has been on a mission to show and prove as of late is Tony Ferguson. Since winning Season 13 of The Ultimate Fighter, El Cucuy has become a force of nature in the lightweight ranks.
The 31-year-old Californian has won all but one of his eight showings inside the Octagon since his time on the reality-based fighting program, and he is currently enjoying one of the hottest winning streaks in the 155-pound collective.
Ferguson has found success in five consecutive showings, with all but one of those wins coming by way of finish. Furthermore, in addition to impressive performances where he’s putting the opposition away, Ferguson has done so against an increasingly more competitive cast of characters with each and every step.
His most recent victory came in impressive fashion against savvy veteran GleisonTibau at UFC 184 back in February, and his win in Los Angeles certainly set the formerTUF winner up for bigger things.
He will need a high-profile opponent in his next outing to keep climbing at a rapid pace, and a bout with Josh Thomson would fit that criteria.
The former Strikeforce lightweight champion has been regarded as one of the best 155-pound fighters in the world for the better part of the past decade. Throughout his career, The Punk has faced a collection of top talent inside the cage, and he has logged some of the most memorable fights to ever take place in the weight class.
The San Jose native made his long-awaited return to the Octagon in 2013 and stamped a triumphant comeback by drubbing former title challenger Nate Diaz via stoppage in the second round.
Thomson’s next two fights would end in controversy, as the AKA staple came out on the business end of back-to-back split-decision losses in bouts with Benson Henderson and Bobby Green, respectively.
While Thomson’s record may reflect a current two-fight skid, that’s not a proper indicator to his current status in the lightweight division.
His bouts with Henderson and Green could have easily gone in his favor, which would have him on a three-fight winning streak and drawing closer to title contention, but back-to-back losses have him hovering on the back end of the divisional top 10.
With Ferguson trying to break into the next level and Thomson determined to regain his traction, a bout between the two scrappy lightweights would be a solid fit in the bigger picture of the lightweight division.
Ferguson has never faced anyone with the experience and skill Thomson possesses, and a matchup between the two would be a great test to see if the surging lightweight is ready for the elite level of competition at 155.
On the flip side, a bout with Ferguson would be a great opportunity for Thomson to prove he still has what it takes to turn back a hungry young fighter and make some ground of his own.
Duane Finley is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
As someone who can finish his opponents on the feet and on the ground, lightweight rising contender Tony Ferguson may be one of the most overlooked names in the game today.