UFC 138 was in Birmingham, England, last night, and if you didn’t watch, then you missed out. The card featured a main event between Mark Munoz and Chris Leben that many expected to be a good fight, but it wasn’t a good enough fight to head…
UFC 138 was in Birmingham, England, last night, and if you didn’t watch, then you missed out. The card featured a main event between Mark Munoz and Chris Leben that many expected to be a good fight, but it wasn’t a good enough fight to headline a pay-per-view.
Usually when a card is on Spike TV, it is looked at as a free card because nobody worth watching is on it. England fans are usually treated to Michael Bisping in the main event, but I think everyone was relieved after Munoz and Leben put on a spectacular show.
Don’t sleep on the UFC and how great a fight card can end up. Here is five reasons why you missed out if you didn’t watch this card.
Thiago Alves looked refreshed against UFC newcomer Papy Abedi, taking a first-round rear-naked choke win for only his second victory in his last five fights.The former welterweight title challenger showed amazing ground-and-pound technique, which set u…
Thiago Alves looked refreshed against UFC newcomer Papy Abedi, taking a first-round rear-naked choke win for only his second victory in his last five fights.
The former welterweight title challenger showed amazing ground-and-pound technique, which set up the submission, the first in his MMA career (unless you count his submission victory via punches over Jason Chambers in November 2004) and is looking to move up the welterweight ladder once again.
A lot of talk has gone on for this division, especially regarding matchups for the top contenders, and Alves showed that he deserves to be in that talk with his performance at UFC 138.
Here are five fighters that Alves could take on next.
It’s time for a reality check: Thiago Alves has a ground game, a good one. And while people love watching him chop down opponents like trees with his leg kicks, or knock them senseless with well-time punches and elbows, it’s time for him to…
It’s time for a reality check: Thiago Alves has a ground game, a good one.
And while people love watching him chop down opponents like trees with his leg kicks, or knock them senseless with well-time punches and elbows, it’s time for him to start using that ground game to get himself some wins.
Coming into his UFC 138 matchup with Papy Abedi, there was talk that the American Top Team product could be cut with a loss. That’s a remarkable fall from grace for a man who isn’t yet thirty and fought Georges St-Pierre for the welterweight title on the biggest card in UFC history in 2009.
Fortunately, he came out and buzz-sawed Abedi, looking incredibly tight on his feet and far more cerebral than he has in recent losses or uninspiring wins. For Alves to fight anywhere other than the top promotion in the world would be ludicrous, as when he’s on he’s as good as anyone in the game.
However part of that talent is utilizing his slick ground game. It’s not something that’s new, he holds a jiu-jitsu brown belt under the legendary Ricardo Liborio and has for a while. but it’s something that’s new to his MMA game.
Too often in the past, Alves has been pulled into fighting out of his comfort area. He’ll have trouble with opponents who keep him off balance with in-between distance, too far to strike powerfully but close enough to get tied up with and held against the cage. Opponents with good wrestling have posed issues, and while his ability to scramble and get up is as good as anyone at 170, the points are already scored against him when the takedown happens, so his efforts to get up seem less impressive.
Thankfully, in a division heavy on guys who will use wrestling to grind away and win in uninteresting fashion, Thiago Alves is there to make things exciting. It’s a very rare thing that he’ll come to the octagon and not put on an enjoyable performance. However, he needs to temper that excitement with success, which he can do by implementing his grappling game more prominently.
When done properly, jiu-jitsu can be exciting. As MMA grows, people become better educated on the nuances of grappling, and appreciate a guy like Demian Maia as much as they do Anderson Silva. Alves has the unique ability to combine a little bit of both, the vaunted striker with the excellent grappler, and do so excitingly while racking up some wins.
For that reason, it becomes clear that he should be using his ground game a little more.
And if that reason isn’t enough for you? Ask Papy Abedi. He can probably be more convincing than I can.
Leading up to the fight, many pundits out there believed that Munoz’s wrestling and clinch game would be a deciding factor, but for most of the first round, Early 90’s Scott Weiland was able to keep Munoz at bay, even managing to secure a couple takedowns of his own. But as the second round got under way, it was clear that Leben was much worse for the wear, throwing increasingly slower and sloppier combinations and allowing “The Filipino Wrecking” Machine to unleash some of the vicious ground-and-pound that has become his M.O. And then, in perhaps the most shocking turn of events in Leben’s career, he quit. Think about that for a second. A man who has earned his reputation from absorbing near Noguerian levels of punishment (I said near) decided that he had had enough. A mad world indeed.
(2 rounds…10 minutes…600 seconds…that is when this fight will end.)
Leading up to the fight, many pundits out there believed that Munoz’s wrestling and clinch game would be a deciding factor, but for most of the first round, Early 90′s Scott Weiland was able to keep Munoz at bay, even managing to secure a couple takedowns of his own. But as the second round got under way, it was clear that Leben was much worse for the wear, throwing increasingly slower and sloppier combinations and allowing “The Filipino Wrecking” Machine to unleash some of the vicious ground-and-pound that has become his M.O. And then, in perhaps the most shocking turn of events in Leben’s career, he quit. Think about that for a second. A man who has earned his reputation from absorbing near Noguerian levels of punishment (I said near) decided that he had had enough. A mad world indeed.
Now, I’m not going to argue over how bad the cut was, or whether or not the doctors would have allowed Leben to continue for that much longer, but I must say that I never thought I would see the day that the granite-skulled TUF 1 alum would go out on anything but his shield. I’m also not going to over analyze the fact that Munoz called out Anderson Silva in his post-fight interview, because I’m pretty sure even Munoz didn’t think that one out. Take a number, bro.
And if, like myself, you were unconvinced that Renan “Barao” was for real, well then kids, sit and listen, sit and listen. Backing up the hype of his 26-1 record, Barao looked like a man possessed in his bantamweight contest with Brad Pickett, unleashing beautiful combinations at every turn before dropping the Brit with a knee and leaping like a goddamn spider monkey into a rear-naked choke to spoil Pickett’s UFC debut in just over 4 minutes of the first round. A disappointing start to Pickett’s UFC career, but I imagine the $70,000 Fight of the Night check he received helped mend some of his wounds.
In other action, Thiago Alves battered UFC newcomer Papy Abedi with strikes before dropping the Swede and securing a first round rear-naked choke victory. I find it kind of funny (I find it kind of sad) that this is the first time we’ve seen Alves utilize the skills that earned him a brown belt in BJJ, but I guess there’s a time and a place for everything. Let’s hope Abedi, on the other hand, gets another chance to showcase his skills inside the octagon, because the man has potential if nothing else.
After more than a year on the shelf since his armbar loss to Rafael Dos Anjos back at UFC 112, Terry Etim showed up bright and early for the daily races, putting away Edward Faaloloto with a guillotine choke in just 17 seconds. Etim walked away with not only the victory, but a $70,000 Submission of the Night award as well. Considering the time it took him to earn it, Etim may have made more money per second than James Toney did when he was schooled by Randy Couture at UFC 118. I’m not going to do the math, because my religion prohibits it on weekends. All hail Zorp.
But even Etim’s victory was not the most impressive of the night. UFC 138 was just as much Che Mills’ coming out party (not that kind) as it was for anyone else. The Gloucester, England native needed just 40 seconds to uncork a Muay Thai ass whooping on Chris Cope that he won’t soon forget. Scratch that, I’m pretty sure Cope won’t remember a damn thing until he sees the fight replay in a couple days. Mills’ brutal series of knees earned him Knockout of the Night honors and household recognition for at least a couple weeks. Not bad for a night’s work. Full results from the event are below.
Mark Munoz def. Chris Leben via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of round two
Renan Barao def. Brad Pickett via submission (rear naked choke) at 4:09 of round one
Thiago Alves def. Papy Abedi via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:32 of round one
Anthony Perosh def. Cyrille Diabate via submission (rear naked choke) at 3:09 of round two
Terry Etim def. Edward Faaloloto via submission (guillotine choke) at 0:17 of round one
John Maguire def. Justin Edwards via unanimous decision
Philip De Fries def. Rob Broughton via unanimous decision Michihiro Omigawa def. Jason Young via unanimous decision
Che Mills def. Chris Cope via TKO (strikes) at 0:40 of round one
Chris Cariaso def. Vaughan Lee via split decision
Thiago Alves has re-emerged in the UFC welterweight division. “The Pitbull” was entering his bout against UFC newcomer Papy Abedi on a two-fight losing streak, thus he was under a lot of pressure to put on a good performance.In addition, Alves fai…
Thiago Alves has re-emerged in the UFC welterweight division.
“The Pitbull” was entering his bout against UFC newcomer Papy Abedi on a two-fight losing streak, thus he was under a lot of pressure to put on a good performance.
In addition, Alves failed to make weight for the third time in his career.
However, the Brazilian seemed to react well under the pressure, as he scored a victory over Abedi after he applied a rear naked choke in the first round.
Despite his history with weight problems, Alves looked in shape and didn’t show any signs of fatigue as he immediately put pressure on his opponent.
Following a vintage performance, Alves proved he can still be a dangerous competitor at 170 pounds.
The main concern is whether Alves can remain consistent or not.
Prior to challenging for the UFC welterweight title, Alves was dominant and a mismatch to almost everyone he faced. However, since his loss to Georges St-Pierre, Alves hasn’t fared well, going 2-2 in has last four bouts.
He will likely have to continue his current streak, and face a formidable opponent in his next bout, to prove he can compete with the elite fighters in the division. At 28-years-old, Alves can still make a another title run.
But even though he might still have to climb through the rankings, Alves is still considered a legitimate title contender.
Thiago Alves looked very impressive in dismantling the highly touted Papy Abedi. Alves showed the killer instinct that had been lacking in his previous fights.Alves has long been considered a top 10 welterweight, but coming off an impressive win, fans …
Thiago Alves looked very impressive in dismantling the highly touted Papy Abedi. Alves showed the killer instinct that had been lacking in his previous fights.
Alves has long been considered a top 10 welterweight, but coming off an impressive win, fans are going to start to ponder another title run from “The Pitbull.”
Alves just defeated a prospect with eight total fights. Should we really be astonished at Alves winning in convincing fashion? That’s what’s supposed to happen.
If Alves would’ve lost, we would be saying how he’s done as a welterweight contender but a win really gives him nothing as far as rankings go.
Alves still hasn’t beaten a top welterweight since Josh Koscheck back in 2008.
When he’s faced one of the better caliber fighters, Alves has found himself on the mat and on the losing side. Against Jon Fitch, he was clearly affected by the weight cut and found himself repeatedly put on the canvas.
Against Georges St-Pierre, he showed some promise with his stand-up, but had no answer for GSP’s takedowns.
Thiago needs to improve his wrestling ability if he wants to make another run at the title.
He’s going to need to defeat the winner of Koscheck/Carlos Condit or Nick Diaz should he lose. All of those men have competent ground games that would test Alves’ talents.
Besides working on his takedown defense, Alves needs to focus on his weight-cutting issues. Previously, he made weight in his fights against John Howard and Rick Story, but failed to make weight for his UFC 138 bout.
If Alves can get his weight issues under control and come into fights in peak physical condition, his strength and speed could be enough to overcome his lack of takedown defense.
Unless Alves can correct his weight issues and his wrestling, don’t expect “The Pitbull” to be fighting for UFC gold in 2012.
It’s time for a reality check: Thiago Alves has a ground game, a good one.
