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UFC 138 Results: Can Thiago Alves Make Another Title Run?

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.

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UFC 138: What’s Next for the Main Card Winners

The UFC went to the LG Arena for UFC 138 in Birmingham, England, and it featured a main event between middleweight power-punchers Mark Munoz and Chris Leben, who were fighting for a potential shot at the title.In the co-main event, Renan Barao fought W…

In the co-main event, Renan Barao fought WEC standout and hometown fighter Brad Pickett. The winner is in line to face the UFC bantamweight champion sometime next year.

Other main card bouts include Terry Etim vs. Edward Faaloloto, Anthony Perosh vs. Cyrille Diabate and Thiago Alves vs. Papy Abedi.

This is what’s next for the main card winners.

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UFC 138 Results: What We Learned from Terry Etim vs. Edward Faaloloto

Tonight’s UFC 138 event took place before a ruckus crowd at the LG Arena in Birmingham, England.Kicking off the event was a lightweight match featuring the return of former contender Terry Etim as he took on Edward Faaloloto after the Br…

Tonight’s UFC 138 event took place before a ruckus crowd at the LG Arena in Birmingham, England.

Kicking off the event was a lightweight match featuring the return of former contender Terry Etim as he took on Edward Faaloloto after the Brit was on the receiving end of a 19-month stint sidelined due to injury.

What we’ll remember about this fight:

Etim wasted little time in finishing off Faaloloto. In just a matter of seconds, the Brit capitalized on a mistake made by the inexperienced five-fight veteran when he submitted him in just 17 seconds. It’s one of the fastest submission victories inside the Octagon and was also far and above the quickest finish of the evening.

After a not-so aesthetically pleasing preliminary card, safe for the surging Che Mills, Etim helped regain the momentum of the event.

What we learned about Terry Etim:

We’ve always known Etim was as talented as they come. He’s diverse and as well-rounded as they come. Though he held a decided advantage on the feet, Etim never hesitated in cinching in the guillotine choke. It’s a hit-or-miss move for most fighters, as they shy away from the hold in order to maintain position, though Etim threw caution to the wind and it paid off well.

The Brit deftly shook off any ring rust, and he did so before a large crowd before his fellow countryman.

What we learned about Edward Faaloloto:

Too much too soon. Faaloloto made his Octagon debut on heels of a two-fight win streak in only two tries as a professional. A 2-0 record doesn’t exactly scream “UFC worthy,” and now, we see why. Faaloloto was thrown into the shark tank, and it proved to be too much too soon for the inexperienced Hawaiian.

What’s next for Terry Etim:

Once a top contender in the division, Etim took the first step he needed for his comeback trail to the upper echelon of the 155-pound class. He couldn’t show much in his return, but the little bit he did would indicate that the well-versed Team Kaoban product is confident, and that’s dangerous for anyone.

What’s next for Edward Faaloloto:

This is the last we’ve seen the Hawaiian in the Octagon, at least for a long while. Now, Faaloloto leaves the organization on the heels of a three-fight skid, having suffering consecutive defeats against the likes of former WEC contender Anthony Njokuani, TUF finalist Michael Johnson and now Etim—all tough customers for anyone, let alone a 2-0 fighter entering the UFC. Too much too soon.

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UFC 138 Results: Renan Barao and the Top 10 Bantamweights in the UFC

On Saturday night—afternoon for people in the US—UFC 138 went down in Birmingham, England.This card had little hype behind it, but as we have learned by this point, the most underhyped cards sometimes deliver the biggest fireworks.This card…

On Saturday night—afternoon for people in the US—UFC 138 went down in Birmingham, England.

This card had little hype behind it, but as we have learned by this point, the most underhyped cards sometimes deliver the biggest fireworks.

This card was no different, as all five main card bouts ended in 10 minutes or less.

In the Barao-Pickett fight, Renan Barao made a huge statement to the entire bantamweight division, as he submitted Pickett in the first round.

Barao is likely the top contender who has not already faced Dominick Cruz, and with one or two more wins he could face off against the champ.

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UFC 138 Live Results and Commentary

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It’s time for UFC 138 on Spike TV, and we’re here because we’re here. Get it, that works because…you know what, just Google it if you don’t get it. We can’t give you all of the answers, after all. Weekend editor Seth Falvo is handling tonight’s liveblog duties, so let’s just get it started. Hit “refresh” early and often.

Who has two thumbs and can’t wait for our liveblog? This guy! Props: MMAJunkie.com

Tonight marks the UFC’s first time experimenting with five round non-title main event fights. Joe Rogan doesn’t appear to think that tonight’s main event, Leben vs. Munoz, will go the full five rounds. Do you think he’s right about that? Resist the urge to Google the results before answering that.

Terry Etim vs. Edward Faaloloto

Round One: They touch gloves, and begin swinging. Terry throws a spinning back kick, and Edward Faaloloto shoots for a takedown. Etim catches Edward in a tight guillotine, and gets the tap. Wow. Terry Etim def. Edward Faaloloto via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 0:17

UFC 138: Mark Munoz Handled Himself Poorly and Doesn’t Deserve a Title Shot

At UFC 138, Mark Munoz beat Chris Leben by a TKO due to a cut over Leben’s left eye. It was a competitive fight for the first round, but Munoz started to edge away in the second round.I have no problem with the fight or the way that Munoz fought. He’s …

At UFC 138, Mark Munoz beat Chris Leben by a TKO due to a cut over Leben’s left eye. It was a competitive fight for the first round, but Munoz started to edge away in the second round.

I have no problem with the fight or the way that Munoz fought. He’s a good fighter, and showed it in the ring.

I think if it had gone to the third round, it still would have been competitive. Chris Leben is tough as nails, and is a guy to never count out. He’s a brawler who can finish a fight in any round. I wish the fight had made it to Round 3.

The problem that I have with Munoz is the way that he handled himself after the fight.

Munoz was in his corner after the second round getting ready for the third, and the fight got called. As soon as it did, he started jumping around and yelling, excited because of the stoppage. I think it was because he knew he still had a hard time ahead with Leben in the other corner.

Celebrating a submission or a big knockout is fine. Celebrating a decision victory is fine too. Celebrating a doctor stoppage is wrong.

Munoz should have had more respect for Leben and the way that the fight ended. He threw a lucky punch that just happened to cause a fight ending cut. The punch and the way that it was set up took skill, but the fact that it caused a cut was pure luck.

In the post-fight interview, Munoz was ecstatic about his victory, and continued to talk about all of the skills that he has. Then he talked about how he wants a title shot and also thinks he deserves it.

If Munoz pulled off the decision, the interview would have been justified. After a stoppage due to a cut, I don’t think that it was.

Munoz is a good fighter, and will most likely get a title shot eventually. It shouldn’t be now though.

This wasn’t a fight that testified to his skill and fighting ability. This is not a convincing win that I think should be rewarded with a chance for UFC gold.

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