Tag: Ricardo Lamas

Four-Man Tournament Could Clear Up Foggy Featherweight Title Picture

It is an interesting time for the UFC featherweight division.
Champion Jose Aldo is coming off a successful title defense over Chan Sung Jung at UFC 163 on Aug. 3, but a broken foot suffered by the Brazilian phenom in the opening round of the fight wil…

It is an interesting time for the UFC featherweight division.

Champion Jose Aldo is coming off a successful title defense over Chan Sung Jung at UFC 163 on Aug. 3, but a broken foot suffered by the Brazilian phenom in the opening round of the fight will push him to the sidelines for the rest of the year and possibly the early portion of 2014.

While a belt holder being out of action is never good for a division, Aldo’s injury will keep the 145-pound weight class—a division which has become one of the hottest under the UFC banner—from truly launching into rarefied air.

At the current time, four potential title contenders are all looking for their opportunities as the championship picture develops. Ricardo Lamas, Chad Mendes, Cub Swanson and Frankie Edgar have all thrown their respective hats into the ring in an attempt to carve out the title status at 145-pounds.

Lamas and Swanson are both on tremendous winning streaks, with “The Bully” collecting four straight and “Killer Cub” notching five consecutive. The last time Swanson lost inside the Octagon, it came by way of an arm triangle choke handed out by Lamas, which would keep the 30-year-old Chicagoland native ahead of the Jackson’s MMA fighter in the bigger picture.

Mendes and Edgar have both had title opportunities in the past two years, with “The Answer” being just one fight removed from his bout with Aldo. The Toms River-native picked up his first win as a featherweight over Charles Oliveira at UFC 162 in July. Mendes, on the other hand, has been on a three-fight tear since coming up short in his championship bid, as he’s collected three consecutive knockout victories.

Of the fighters in the upper tier of the featherweight division, only Mendes has a bout on the upcoming schedule as he will square-off with former lightweight contender turned featherweight Clay Guida at UFC 164 on Aug. 31. 

Once Mendes versus Guida is decided, it would set up the perfect scenario for the UFC to insert a four-man tournament to sort out who gets the next shot at Aldo’s crown.

The Tournament Format is Practical and Fan-Friendly in Some Cases

Tournaments have played a crucial and memorable role in the history of MMA. From the early days of the UFC to the golden era of Pride, tournaments of all shapes and sizes have been instrumental in promotion’s rising to prominence and putting their superstars on display.

That being said, tournaments can also serve to be a detriment in the greater picture for a promotion. Bellator has made the format it’s business model from the company’s inception, and while it has served to establish champions, the down side comes in the lack of activity those champions are forced to endure while the next season’s tournament plays out.

Bellator has attempted to hasten the process by instituting a “Summer Series”—which appears to be a solid move in the right direction—but shorter tournaments are no equivalent to the beauty of a divisional title picture in full swing.

In my opinion, there is nothing better in mixed martial arts than watching a champion attempt to hold onto his/her title, while a pack of talented contenders rise and fall on the climb. Granted, recent examples of title opportunities being given to fighters coming off losses, or not ever having competed in a weight class for that matter, tend to sour those particular scenarios, but the “earned” far outweigh the “given” and that is enough to keep sanity intact for the most part.

With the current dilemma in the UFC featherweight division, a four-man tournament would make absolute sense. The promotion used the format to determine the title holder when they instituted the flyweight division, and bringing it back would be a perfect way to not only determine the next featherweight title challenger, but bring interest to the division in the process.

The featherweight collective has come a long way in a short amount of time, and with Lamas, Swanson, Edgar and Mendes/Guida stepping in to a four-man tournament, the fan recognition for the 145-pound weight class could potentially reach new heights. Edgar is already an established fan-favorite and Swanson is well on his way with the series of brutal knockouts he’s collected on his road to contention.

Mendes and Lamas may not be household names as of yet, but both have the potential to have bright futures at the top of the featherweight division. If Guida defeats Mendes in Milwaukee, he would be a great addition to a tournament as the Chicago-native has been one of the UFC’s most recognizable stars for the past several years.

With Edgar and Swanson just having competed at UFC 162 back in July, and Mendes and Guida set to square-off in three weeks, every fighter involved in a potential tournament would be on a similar timeline. Lamas was originally slated to face the “Korean Zombie” on the UFC 162 as well, but Jung being pulled out to face Aldo eventually forced him off the card entirely.

Having all fighters involved on the same time line and injury free, would set the table for the opening round of a featherweight tournament. The UFC could place the first round on one card and the finals on another card three months later to determine who will be the next challenger to Aldo’s title.

What better solution is there than four top-ranked featherweights putting it all on the line in a winner-take-all format?

 

 

 

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Ricardo Lamas: “I’ve Earned the Title Shot and It’s My Turn to Fight Aldo”

Title shots in the UFC can be tricky business, and Ricardo Lamas is certainly familiar with the process.
The surging featherweight has been on a blistering tear since dropping down into 145-pound waters and has racked up victories over a collection of …

Title shots in the UFC can be tricky business, and Ricardo Lamas is certainly familiar with the process.

The surging featherweight has been on a blistering tear since dropping down into 145-pound waters and has racked up victories over a collection of the division’s best. “The Bully” scored an impressive knockout over Matt Grice in his divisional debut back in 2011 and has gone up to pick up wins over top-ranked fighters the likes of Cub Swanson, Hatsu Hioki and Erik Koch.

The 31-year-old Chicagoland native dismantled Koch in his most recent showing at UFC on Fox 6 back in January, and the victory appeared to have him knocking on the door of a title opportunity. But while Lamas has been ultra-impressive inside of the cage, his luck outside has been anything but.

After his potential title shot against Jose Aldo was given to lightweight star Anthony Pettis, Lamas decided to keep the dice rolling and accepted a bout with Chan Sung Jung at UFC 162. While the fight against the “Korean Zombie” was never made an official title eliminator by the UFC, the bout had all the makings of being exactly that.

Nevertheless, in an unfortunate turn of events, Pettis suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw from the bout with Aldo, and insult was added to injury when the UFC tapped Jung to step in to the fight. Where Lamas had been on a tremendous roll, the 26-year-old Jung had been on the sidelines for over a year recovering from a shoulder injury.

With no other top-ranked featherweights available, Lamas was removed from the UFC 162 fight card entirely and forced to watch a title opportunity he believed he had earned be given to Jung.

The scenario and circumstances at hand have obviously created frustration for Lamas, and after Aldo successfully defended his title on Saturday night against Jung at UFC 163, the featherweight contender went on the offensive.

Lamas posted a video via Twitter announcing his official campaign for the next title opportunity and has no plans of letting his foot off the gas pedal.

“The title is what I want,” Lamas told Bleacher Report. “I just want the chance to go after what I’ve earned. That is the reason we are all here in this sport. We all want to be world champs and be the best in our weight class. 

“I want the UFC to see there is a lot of fan support for me out there, especially in Chicago where I am from. They want to see me get what I’ve earned and that is what I’m going for.”

While Lamas is making his case for the next title opportunity, he is certainly not alone in the quest to get the next opportunity.

Over the past year, the featherweight division has risen to become one of the most competitive divisions under the UFC banner. In addition to the Team Top Notch fighter, top-ranked ranked featherweights Cub Swanson, Chad Mendes and Frankie Edgar are all aiming at the top spot as well.

Of the four fighters hovering in the division’s championship tier, Lamas is the only one of the group who has not had the opportunity to face the young Brazilian phenom.

Where he believes his work inside the cage should be enough to earn him the opportunity, he also believes the chance to get a fresh challenge in the Octagon with the pound-for-pound great should also be a factor to be considered. 

“I think it’s a clear picture right now,” Lamas said. “Cub [Swanson] has been on a roll, but I have a win over Cub. I would understand if would have lost after being him, but since then I have beaten two guys who were supposed to fight for the title. Out of the three other guys in my weight class people are talking about which are Cub, Frankie [Edgar], and Chad [Mendes], I’m the only one who hasn’t had the chance to fight Aldo yet.

“All three of those guys have fought Aldo already. Let’s get some new blood in there. I’m a guy who want back down from anyone inside the cage and I will bring the fight right to him. I just want to fight him and see how I stack up against the best in the world. I’ve earned the title shot and it’s my turn to fight Aldo.”

While Lamas has been forced to play the waiting game over the past several months, if he wants his next step to be a title shot, he may have to wait a bit longer.

In the aftermath of Aldo’s victory over Jung at UFC 163, the 26-year-old champion revealed he had broken his foot midway through the opening round. The official medical information is yet to be released, but it is highly likely Aldo will need additional recovery time before he entertains the idea of taking another bout.

In addition to the injury, there is also the possibility of Aldo moving up to compete in the lightweight division. The featherweight champion has spoken about potentially moving up a weight class to fight for the 155-pound title, and if this were to happen, the time frame on a potential title shot for Lamas would also be extended.

That being said, Lamas is aware of the variables in play but isn’t wavering from his stance. He wants to be declared as the legitimate No.1 contender in the featherweight division and isn’t taking no for an answer.

“There are a lot of factors,” Lamas said. “I heard that Jose Aldo said he would move up to 155 pounds if the UFC wanted him to and we are going to have to wait to see what happens. If that does end up being the case, and Aldo goes up or he’s hurt for awhile, then let’s do an interim title fight. I’m up there at the top and just want the chance to get what I’ve earned.

“Watching the card at UFC 162 and then the fight between Aldo and ‘Korean Zombie,’ I felt like it should have been me in there fighting for the title. It’s frustrating but I’m going to get there. I’m not stopping until I get there. I’m knocking on the door and if they don’t opening it up I’m going to kick it in.”

 

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Ricardo Lamas: ‘I’ve Earned the Title Shot and It’s My Turn to Fight Aldo’

Title shots in the UFC can be tricky business, and Ricardo Lamas is certainly familiar with the process.
The surging featherweight has been on a blistering tear since dropping down into 145-pound waters and has racked up victories over a collection of …

Title shots in the UFC can be tricky business, and Ricardo Lamas is certainly familiar with the process.

The surging featherweight has been on a blistering tear since dropping down into 145-pound waters and has racked up victories over a collection of the division’s best. “The Bully” scored an impressive knockout over Matt Grice in his divisional debut back in 2011 and has gone up to pick up wins over top-ranked fighters the likes of Cub Swanson, Hatsu Hioki and Erik Koch.

The 31-year-old Chicagoland native dismantled Koch in his most recent showing at UFC on Fox 6 back in January, and the victory appeared to have him knocking on the door of a title opportunity. But while Lamas has been ultra-impressive inside of the cage, his luck outside has been anything but.

After his potential title shot against Jose Aldo was given to lightweight star Anthony Pettis, Lamas decided to keep the dice rolling and accepted a bout with Chan Sung Jung at UFC 162. While the fight against the “Korean Zombie” was never made an official title eliminator by the UFC, the bout had all the makings of being exactly that.

Nevertheless, in an unfortunate turn of events, Pettis suffered an injury and was forced to withdraw from the bout with Aldo, and insult was added to injury when the UFC tapped Jung to step in to the fight. Where Lamas had been on a tremendous roll, the 26-year-old Jung had been on the sidelines for over a year recovering from a shoulder injury.

With no other top-ranked featherweights available, Lamas was removed from the UFC 162 fight card entirely and forced to watch a title opportunity he believed he had earned be given to Jung.

The scenario and circumstances at hand have obviously created frustration for Lamas, and after Aldo successfully defended his title on Saturday night against Jung at UFC 163, the featherweight contender went on the offensive.

Lamas posted a video via Twitter announcing his official campaign for the next title opportunity and has no plans of letting his foot off the gas pedal.

“The title is what I want,” Lamas told Bleacher Report. “I just want the chance to go after what I’ve earned. That is the reason we are all here in this sport. We all want to be world champs and be the best in our weight class. 

“I want the UFC to see there is a lot of fan support for me out there, especially in Chicago where I am from. They want to see me get what I’ve earned and that is what I’m going for.”

While Lamas is making his case for the next title opportunity, he is certainly not alone in the quest to get the next opportunity.

Over the past year, the featherweight division has risen to become one of the most competitive divisions under the UFC banner. In addition to the Team Top Notch fighter, top-ranked ranked featherweights Cub Swanson, Chad Mendes and Frankie Edgar are all aiming at the top spot as well.

Of the four fighters hovering in the division’s championship tier, Lamas is the only one of the group who has not had the opportunity to face the young Brazilian phenom.

Where he believes his work inside the cage should be enough to earn him the opportunity, he also believes the chance to get a fresh challenge in the Octagon with the pound-for-pound great should also be a factor to be considered. 

“I think it’s a clear picture right now,” Lamas said. “Cub [Swanson] has been on a roll, but I have a win over Cub. I would understand if would have lost after being him, but since then I have beaten two guys who were supposed to fight for the title. Out of the three other guys in my weight class people are talking about which are Cub, Frankie [Edgar], and Chad [Mendes], I’m the only one who hasn’t had the chance to fight Aldo yet.

“All three of those guys have fought Aldo already. Let’s get some new blood in there. I’m a guy who want back down from anyone inside the cage and I will bring the fight right to him. I just want to fight him and see how I stack up against the best in the world. I’ve earned the title shot and it’s my turn to fight Aldo.”

While Lamas has been forced to play the waiting game over the past several months, if he wants his next step to be a title shot, he may have to wait a bit longer.

In the aftermath of Aldo’s victory over Jung at UFC 163, the 26-year-old champion revealed he had broken his foot midway through the opening round. The official medical information is yet to be released, but it is highly likely Aldo will need additional recovery time before he entertains the idea of taking another bout.

In addition to the injury, there is also the possibility of Aldo moving up to compete in the lightweight division. The featherweight champion has spoken about potentially moving up a weight class to fight for the 155-pound title, and if this were to happen, the time frame on a potential title shot for Lamas would also be extended.

That being said, Lamas is aware of the variables in play but isn’t wavering from his stance. He wants to be declared as the legitimate No.1 contender in the featherweight division and isn’t taking no for an answer.

“There are a lot of factors,” Lamas said. “I heard that Jose Aldo said he would move up to 155 pounds if the UFC wanted him to and we are going to have to wait to see what happens. If that does end up being the case, and Aldo goes up or he’s hurt for awhile, then let’s do an interim title fight. I’m up there at the top and just want the chance to get what I’ve earned.

“Watching the card at UFC 162 and then the fight between Aldo and ‘Korean Zombie,’ I felt like it should have been me in there fighting for the title. It’s frustrating but I’m going to get there. I’m not stopping until I get there. I’m knocking on the door and if they don’t opening it up I’m going to kick it in.”

 

Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Ricardo Lamas on Earning a Title Shot: ‘I Did It Already, I Think I Did Enough’

Ricardo Lamas will watch UFC 163: Aldo vs. The Korean Zombie this weekend knowing in his heart that it should be him fighting in the main event.
Lamas is rated as one of the top featherweights in the sport, and many believe he should have been in line …

Ricardo Lamas will watch UFC 163: Aldo vs. The Korean Zombie this weekend knowing in his heart that it should be him fighting in the main event.

Lamas is rated as one of the top featherweights in the sport, and many believe he should have been in line for a title shot already.

He was passed over first in favor of former lightweight contender Anthony Pettis, who cut in front of him when he offered to face Aldo while dropping to 145 pounds for the first time.

When Pettis suffered an injury forcing him out of the fight, Chan Sung Jung (aka The Korean Zombie) was chosen by the UFC as his replacement.

Needless to say, Lamas was frustrated beyond words that he didn’t get the shot. 

So with no fight on the horizon currently scheduled, Lamas says in this interview with Bleacher Report that he will happily face whoever the UFC puts on front of him, but when it comes to a featherweight title shot he’s already earned the status as the true No. 1 contender.

“I don’t think I have to do anything,” Lamas said. “I did it already. I beat two guys who were supposed to fight for the title. I think I did enough.”

In the interview, Lamas also gives his pick for the upcoming fight between Aldo and Jung and tells how an upset might be in order this weekend in Brazil.

Check out this interview with Ricardo Lamas to hear that and more.

 

 

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

The UFC Featherweight Ladder: Ranking the Division’s Worthiest Challengers


(Pictured above: Barry “Sarge” Walters, the schizophrenic UFC fan who can often be seen running onstage during weigh-ins. / Photo via Getty)

By Alex Giardini

Unlike some weight-classes we won’t mention, the UFC featherweight division is currently loaded with dangerous contenders, any of whom could be a serious title threat in the future. At UFC 163 (August 3rd, Rio de Janeiro), divisional ruler Jose Aldo defends his belt against fan-favorite “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung, and as long as an immediate rematch isn’t booked, there will be a feeding frenzy of 145-pounders trying to make their case as the true #1 contender. So who’s worthiest of the next title shot? Let’s put aside the phony UFC rankings and business-driven matchmaking and break down where each featherweight contender really stands in the pecking order.

Ricardo Lamas
(Photo via Esther Lin/MMAFighting)

Lamas is the obvious frontrunner to be next in line but why is he being overlooked? The fact that Jung got the title shot over Lamas after their UFC 162 bout was canceled raised a few eyebrows in itself. Lamas, who hasn’t lost in over a year and a half, has blazed through his opposition in the UFC including men on this very list, and despite demolishing a highly-regarded prospect in Erik Koch back in January, his immediate future is unknown. Lamas has a devastating striking game — including some flashy and dangerous kicks — which gives him the ability to end a fight at any moment. He also has a quality wrestling pedigree, alongside a brown belt in jiu-jitsu, and his ground and pound is murderous; woe to anyone in the division who finds himself on the bottom of Lamas’s elbows and power strikes.

It’s relatively strange that Lamas was skipped in line for a title shot but maybe the UFC feels Aldo’s competition should come with a familiar face. Jung is no slouch, finishing all three opponents thus far in his UFC career, but Lamas also has an equally impressive track record in the company – undefeated in four bouts with previous stoppages over Cub Swanson, Matt Grice. The aforementioned brutalizing of Erik Koch was a major reason to include him in the mix, as Koch was a highly-touted prospect who was already paving his way to a title shot before he met “The Bully.” With Conor McGregor and Cub Swanson angling for fights with the Chicago-born fighter, his next move is up in the air, but maybe he’ll remain quiet until August 3rd to see how everything pans out.


(Pictured above: Barry “Sarge” Walters, the schizophrenic UFC fan who can often be seen running onstage during weigh-ins. / Photo via Getty)

By Alex Giardini

Unlike some weight-classes we won’t mention, the UFC featherweight division is currently loaded with dangerous contenders, any of whom could be a serious title threat in the future. At UFC 163 (August 3rd, Rio de Janeiro), divisional ruler Jose Aldo defends his belt against fan-favorite “The Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung, and as long as an immediate rematch isn’t booked, there will be a feeding frenzy of 145-pounders trying to make their case as the true #1 contender. So who’s worthiest of the next title shot? Let’s put aside the phony UFC rankings and business-driven matchmaking and break down where each featherweight contender really stands in the pecking order.

Ricardo Lamas

(Photo via Esther Lin/MMAFighting)

Lamas is the obvious frontrunner to be next in line but why is he being overlooked? The fact that Jung got the title shot over Lamas after their UFC 162 bout was canceled raised a few eyebrows in itself. Lamas, who hasn’t lost in over a year and a half, has blazed through his opposition in the UFC including men on this very list, and despite demolishing a highly-regarded prospect in Erik Koch back in January, his immediate future is unknown. Lamas has a devastating striking game — including some flashy and dangerous kicks — which gives him the ability to end a fight at any moment. He also has a quality wrestling pedigree, alongside a brown belt in jiu-jitsu, and his ground and pound is murderous; woe to anyone in the division who finds himself on the bottom of Lamas’s elbows and power strikes.

It’s relatively strange that Lamas was skipped in line for a title shot but maybe the UFC feels Aldo’s competition should come with a familiar face. Jung is no slouch, finishing all three opponents thus far in his UFC career, but Lamas also has an equally impressive track record in the company – undefeated in four bouts with previous stoppages over Cub Swanson, Matt Grice. The aforementioned brutalizing of Erik Koch was a major reason to include him in the mix, as Koch was a highly-touted prospect who was already paving his way to a title shot before he met “The Bully.” With Conor McGregor and Cub Swanson angling for fights with the Chicago-born fighter, his next move is up in the air, but maybe he’ll remain quiet until August 3rd to see how everything pans out.

Frankie Edgar

(Photo via Getty Images)

Maybe because Edgar is used to razor-thin decisions, it was fitting that the New Jersey native pushed Aldo as far as anyone did thus far in the Brazilian’s championship tenure. Physically incapable of having a boring fight, Edgar’s pace was a bad matchup for Aldo in the championship rounds – he was able to take the champion down and didn’t look as exhausted as his counterpart. With his win over Charles Oliveira at UFC 162, Edgar looks posed to make a statement in the division, and it’s inevitable he will get another shot. His star power is unmatched for a non title-holder, and it would be a crime if Edgar is slotted anywhere under the co-main event for the rest of his career. Edgar’s drop to featherweight grants the division with an abundance of possibilities for his next bout – putting him against almost any other 145′er (especially the ones on this list) would create a compelling, main event-worthy fight.

Edgar’s gutsy first performance against “Scarface” has already earned him the right to a future rematch, and the thought of Edgar scrapping with Jung is salivating, to say the least. The dilemma that surrounds Edgar is that he may catch the ‘‘Urijah Faber title bug,’’ which means he constantly gets title shots no matter how the previous ones pan out. But Edgar was a champion not too long ago, and although Faber was the kingpin of the WEC in his time, Edgar was ranked as the top pound-for-pound fighter when he was the champion, not only due to his skill but his immeasurable heart — plus, he actually won some of those UFC title fights.

Since Edgar is currently 1-1 in the featherweight division, he’ll need another fight to climb back up the ladder. With a victory, he can leave no doubt in anyone’s mind that he’s title-bound yet again.

Cub Swanson

(Photo via MMAFighting)

The Albuquerque, New Mexico-based featherweight has had an inspiring comeback in the UFC — after going 5-3 in the WEC, he lost his UFC debut against Ricardo Lamas but has summoned a storm in the division with five straight victories including stoppages over Ross Pearson, Charles Oliveira and Dennis Siver. Greg Jackson thinks Swanson did enough with his win two weeks ago to be granted the next title shot, and his dazzling displays of speed, intensity and work on the ground has proven he could hang with the best in the division. Swanson would like to get revenge from that bitter WEC 41 fight against Aldo back in 2009 when he got his eye socket obliterated by the current champion’s knees. He would be keen on showcasing his abilities against Aldo for real this time, since seven seconds was surely not enough.

Even if you’re a firm doubter of the MMA math, Swanson lost to three men in the past three years that are on this list — Ricardo Lamas, Chad Mendes and Jose Aldo — so it might be tough for the UFC brass to jump him ahead of any of those guys. But Swanson looks like a fighter reborn, and if it’s true that “everyone has a comeback,” Swanson’s previous efforts should not weigh so heavily on the possibility of a title fight. Out of six UFC appearances, he has earned two Knockout of the Night bonuses as well as a Fight of the Night honors two weeks ago. He could be the fan favorite for a title shot this very moment and if the UFC feels he has done enough to earn the shot, we’d have no problem with that.

Swanson’s name has been appearing besides the likes Ricardo Lamas, Frankie Edgar and the winner of Aldo/Jung when talking about his next fight. His recent track record has him at the forefront above anyone on this list in terms of accomplishments, but beating a fellow contender before a championship fight would really set his position in stone.

The winner of Clay Guida vs. Chad Mendes at UFC 164

(Photo via MMAWeekly)

The self-proclaimed ”Big Lebowski addict” has always been an exciting fighter to watch, but Guida’s recent performances against Anthony Pettis and Hatsui Hioki were tedious displays of lay and pray, and have turned him from crowd-favorite to UFC villain. Minus the highly entertaining war he had with Benson Henderson, we’ve seen Guida borrow a play off Kalib Starnes’ clipboard against Gray Maynard in a main event snoozer last summer, and play it extremely safe during Anthony Pettis’s Octagon debut in mid-2011.

Guida is still a recognizable figure among fans and is extremely likable, but the notion of him never being in a boring fight is somewhat gone. He has been in the UFC since 2006, and his 10-7 record sums it up if you’re wondering why he has never earned a title shot.

Meanwhile, Chad Mendes’s capability to finish fights and his constant title aspirations could have him on the top of anyone’s list. Mendes had some good moments against Jose Aldo during their title fight at UFC 142, but the way “Scarface” ended the fight left no doubt in anyone’s mind. Still, it was a learning experience that was necessary for his career, and Mendes has bounced back a better fighter because of it.

Mendes’s immense frame is an undeniable advantage at featherweight, since he is one of the stronger competitors in the division. If there is one criticism about Mendes, it’s that his past three fights were mismatches – against Cody McKenzie, Yaotzin Meza and Darren Elkins – even though that last one looked good on paper. Still, you can’t argue with the results: three first-round finishes in his last three fights, none of them exceeding two minutes.

It wouldn’t be a bad idea if the winner of this fight waited until beating one more opponent before they are thrown in the Octagon against the champion. That is unless one of them scores a spectacular knockout. Unfortunately, this fight has “decision” written all over it.

Nik Lentz

(Photo via Getty Images)

It’s safe to say that Lentz had some forgettable performances in his UFC career. (It’s pretty hard to remember fights that you slept through.) Lentz has been in the UFC for a little under four years now, facing some stiff competition from the likes of Evan Dunham, Charles Oliveira and Mark Bocek. Although he dropped a decision to Bocek, suffered a doctor’s stoppage TKO against Dunham, and was illegally kneed in the head by Oliveira, which turned that original loss into a no contest, Lentz had won Fight of The Night honors for two of those fights and is currently riding a three-fight win streak. Lentz’s comfort with his striking game is increasing, and he’s slowly losing his reputation as the boring wrestler who grinds you against the cage for fifteen minutes. He has the style and will to have a good fight with almost anyone in the division. In terms of his popularity, that’s what needs work — in twelve fights, he’s never appeared on the main card…not even once. His fights have been televised, but it’s the boring ones really stuck out — his stinker with Andre Winner could have been the worst televised fight in the world since William Shatner against a demonic Ninja Turtle. But if Lentz can sneak onto a main card fight and secure another finish, that could have the UFC brass (and the fans) finally considering him as a worthy challenger.

Final Analysis…

The only reasonable decision that could be made is if Lamas gets a title shot against the winner of Aldo vs. “Zombie.” The lack of attention being paid to him as of late in terms of getting recognition and another fight is odd, but perhaps the UFC already has him penciled in to be the next challenger.

Edgar and Swanson should trade blows, not only because it would be one hell of an exciting clash, but it would also facilitate the next steps at the top of the division — have the winners of those respective fights meet, and why not have the losers meet as well? Either way, the UFC’s business model will probably decide this for us, and although they have let us down before, any of these three men would be worth considering. The champion has already beaten three out of these six men (ironically, those three men would probably be the managerial and fan favorites for Aldo’s hypothetical next title defense) but if Jung walks away with the upset in Rio de Janeiro in convincing fashion, the division is blown wide open with numerous possibilities. Whether or not Aldo retains his title or “Zombie” shocks the world, there won’t be boring or unimpressive matchmaking when it comes to title bouts for quite a while at one-forty-five.

UFC Featherweight Division Dealing with Positive Problems

When 2012 came to a close, the UFC featherweight division looked poised for a breakthrough. While other deep and talented divisions receive a greater share of the spotlight, the 145-pound ranks appeared ready to make their presence felt in 2013, and th…

When 2012 came to a close, the UFC featherweight division looked poised for a breakthrough.

While other deep and talented divisions receive a greater share of the spotlight, the 145-pound ranks appeared ready to make their presence felt in 2013, and through the first six months of the year, that is exactly what they’ve done.

Once an under-appreciated collection of talent brought over from the WEC, the featherweight division has become a can’t-miss attraction under the UFC banner, with standout performances being delivered on the regular.

In addition to champion Jose Aldo, Cub Swanson, Ricardo Lamas, Chad Mendes and former lightweight champion Frankie Edgar have created a heated divisional race—one that is on pace with the heavy hitters the likes of the light heavyweight and welterweight divisions.

But with heavily contested title action, there are going to be bumps along the way, and while the featherweight division certainly has a few problems at hand, they are not necessary bad problems to have.

 

A Crowded Title Picture

In the aftermath of UFC on Fox 6 back in January, Ricardo Lamas appeared to be sitting on the front porch of a title shot. “The Bully” had just obliterated former No. 1 contender Erik Koch during their tilt in Chicago and the lane for Lamas to get a championship opportunity seemed wide open.

That was until top lightweight Anthony Pettis decided to make a play for Aldo’s title, and Lamas suddenly found himself skipped over and waiting on the sidelines.

Nevertheless, the 30-year-old Chicagoland native wasn’t looking to wait around for things to get more convoluted and decided to take a bout against Chan Sung Jung at UFC 162. The bout was slated as the co-main event on a stacked summer card and had the potential to determine the next contender to the featherweight crown.

But just as Pettis threw a wrench in the works in January, “Showtime” would ultimately create another wrinkle in Lamas’ plan in late June. After a knee injury forced Pettis out of the bout with Aldo at UFC 163, the UFC tapped Jung to replace the former WEC lightweight champion, leaving Lamas without a dance partner in Las Vegas.

This series of events is undoubtedly frustrating for Lamas, as he is once again pushed aside and without a clear road to contention in front of him. 

In the mean time, Cub Swanson has absolutely made the most of the disorder in the championship tier. While the Aldo/Pettis/Lamas shuffle has been going on, “Killer Cub” has picked up two impressive victories and boosted his running total to five straight.

The Jackson’s MMA-trained fighter has never looked better. The Palm Springs native has finished four out of the five opponents he has faced over this stretch, and the fashion in which he is putting people away has bolstered his momentum with the UFC’s passionate fanbase.

While his last defeat came at the hands of Lamas at UFC on Fox 1 back in November of 2011, the current version of machine Swanson is displaying, mixed with the time Lamas has been out of the picture, has the 29-year-old running neck and neck for title contention.

As far as title talk is concerned, it would be impossible to talk about top featherweights without mentioning Chad Mendes. The Team Alpha Male staple has been on a blistering tear since suffering a setback against Aldo at UFC 142 in January of 2012. “Money” has put away three consecutive opponents, all by way of brutal stoppage, and every one of them coming early in the opening frame.

The reignited momentum certainly has Mendes charging back towards the featherweight throne, but he is set to face a serious test in his next bout against Clay Guida at UFC 164. Should the former No. 1 contender defeat “The Carpenter” and pick up his fourth consecutive victory, he will join Swanson and Lamas as fighters who have a strong argument for a title opportunity.

The final position in the upper tier at the current time belongs to Frankie Edgar. The former lightweight champion recently put the brakes on a three-fight losing skid by edging out Charles Oliveira at UFC 162 in Las Vegas.

While “The Answer” was most certainly in a slump, the caliber of opponent he suffered losses to did minimal damage to his stock. Coming up short in two hard fought losses to Benson Henderson and coming out on the wrong end of a split-decision against Jose Aldo kept Edgar’s pulse alive in his new weight class.

Nevertheless, the Toms River native earning the victory over Oliveira thrust him directly back into the title picture at 145 pounds. The biggest downside where Edgar is concerned will come in his recent track record in comparison to his peers in the title race. Having one win in his last four outings will make it difficult for him to stick around on the title radar should he suffer another setback.

That being said, the four fighters waiting for a title shot will make things interesting in the second half of the year in the featherweight division. Any way the UFC decides to divvy up the matchups will work, because all carry tremendous weight and each fighter has heavy stakes on the line. 

 

The Variables

Having so much talent in the upper tier would be enough for the featherweight division to stand on, but what makes the weight class so interesting is the collection of fighters scrapping their way towards the top.

Former lightweight Nik Lentz has found new life in his career at 145 pounds and is quickly making his way up to elite status as a featherweight. “The Carny” has collected three consecutive victories since making the drop down to 145 pounds and has looked impressive in doing so. While Lentz has been shunned in the past for his grinding style and failure to produce exciting fights, every outing in the featherweight fold has been action packed. 

With increased confidence in his abilities and a bit of momentum at his back, Lentz is poised to make a strong run in his new weight class. 

Clay Guida is in a similar situation. He left the lightweight division after being pushed out of the title picture for the foreseeable future and attempted to start a new run at featherweight. Guida made good on his debut in the weight class by edging out Hatsu Hioki at UFC on Fox 6 and will have a huge opportunity to climb the ladder when he faces Chad Mendes at UFC 164.

If the Jackson’s MMA fighter can derail the Mendes train in Milwaukee, he will automatically cement himself in the upper tier at 145 pounds. Then again, if Guida doesn’t have the answer to what Mendes brings to the table, any hopes the veteran has for a potential title shot will vanish.

Finally, with all the focus put on the title in the featherweight division, champion Jose Aldo holds a substantial piece of the puzzle. The Brazilian phenom has been one of the UFC’s most dominant title-holders and will be looking to keep his reign alive when he faces Chan Sung Jung at UFC 163 on August 3.

While Aldo is the favorite going into the bout with the “Korean Zombie,” there are bigger questions lingering on the horizon. “Junior’s” wishes to jump up and compete for the lightweight title are no secret, and should he decide to make that move following UFC 163, that would throw an even crazier spin on the title picture at 145 pounds.

This situation could create a scenario where there is a vacated title, and the top four fighters in the division lock up in an unofficial tournament to determine who will compete for the gold. Then again, Aldo could put his plans to make the jump on hold for the time being, and a No. 1 contender would still have to be determined somewhere along the way.

There are plenty of interesting scenarios, potential matchups and possible paths for the division to take in the second half of the year, and this is what ultimately makes the UFC featherweight show the division to keep your eyes on in 2013.

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