Earlier this week, the UFC’s award-winning media rankings (officially known as the “UFC Rankings presented by RAM“) expanded from a list of the top 10 contenders in each division to a list of the top 15 contenders in each division. So why is this important? It’s not. Nothing about the UFC rankings is important in any way whatsoever. But the timing is awfully convenient.
It would seem silly to put on a #1 contender match between the current #2 welterweight contender and a guy with (NR) next to his name. And so, the UFC arbitrarily expanded their rankings to include the top 15 contenders in each division — and that, my friends, is why Tyron Woodley is now officially ranked at #11.
In related news, Scott Jorgensen is currently ranked as the #12 flyweight contender in the UFC, despite a lifetime record of 0-1 at 125 pounds, and Chael Sonnen is still ranked higher at light-heavyweight than he is at middleweight. Don’t even get us started.
(Photo via Getty)
Earlier this week, the UFC’s award-winning media rankings (officially known as the “UFC Rankings presented by RAM“) expanded from a list of the top 10 contenders in each division to a list of the top 15 contenders in each division. So why is this important? It’s not. Nothing about the UFC rankings is important in any way whatsoever. But the timing is awfully convenient.
It would seem silly to put on a #1 contender match between the current #2 welterweight contender and a guy with (NR) next to his name. And so, the UFC arbitrarily expanded their rankings to include the top 15 contenders in each division — and that, my friends, is why Tyron Woodley is now officially ranked at #11.
In related news, Scott Jorgensen is currently ranked as the #12 flyweight contender in the UFC, despite a lifetime record of 0-1 at 125 pounds, and Chael Sonnen is still ranked higher at light-heavyweight than he is at middleweight. Don’t even get us started.
UFC 171 features an Undisputed UFC Welterweight Championship bout without Georges St. Pierre for the first time since 2006.
Johny Hendricks will take on Robbie Lawler in the evening’s main event. Stylistically, it looks to be an explosive title bout wi…
UFC 171 features an Undisputed UFC Welterweight Championship bout without Georges St. Pierre for the first time since 2006.
Johny Hendricks will take on Robbie Lawler in the evening’s main event. Stylistically, it looks to be an explosive title bout with two heavy-handed fighters who love to strike.
Hendricks nearly captured the title back at UFC 167. A controversial decision went to the longtime champion, GSP, and Hendricks could not believe it. His opponent at UFC 171 also fought at UFC 167.
Lawler looked phenomenal in a split-decision win over the highly touted Rory MacDonald. The improbable title run started with a knockout over Josh Koscheck, and now could conclude by hoisting gold nearly 12 years after his UFC debut.
The title is up for grabs, and this is an early look at the non-GSP title matchup.
The Ultimate Fighter season 17 winner Kelvin Gastelum was supposed to fight Court McGee at UFC on FOX 9 earlier this month, but was forced to withdraw due to a torn PCL.
Now, in a report by MMA Underground user and NBC sports radio host Gator Choke, it…
The Ultimate Fighter season 17 winner Kelvin Gastelum was supposed to fight Court McGee at UFC on FOX 9 earlier this month, but was forced to withdraw due to a torn PCL.
Now, in a report by MMA Underground user and NBC sports radio host Gator Choke, it appears that Gastelum will return to action opposite welterweight juggernaut Rick Story at UFC 171.
The bout will presumably be featured on the pay-per-view main card which is shaping up to be a great one with a welterweight championship showdown between Johny Hendricks and Robbie Lawler serving as the headliner.
This will be Gastelum‘s second appearance at 170 pounds, as he finished veteran Brian Melancon via first-round submission back in August in his divisional debut.
When the final second ticked off the clock in the main event of UFC 167, Johny Hendricks felt his heart start pounding. In his mind, he had just accomplished what few believed he could: defeat the long-reigning welterweight king Georges St-Pierre.
It w…
When the final second ticked off the clock in the main event of UFC 167, Johny Hendricks felt his heart start pounding. In his mind, he had just accomplished what few believed he could: defeat the long-reigning welterweight king Georges St-Pierre.
It was that strange ethereal moment in an athlete’s life when a dream he had chased and sacrificed for started to materialize. As Hendricks waited for the official announcement, he stood wide-eyed and anxious. He was ready for those 12 pounds of gold to be strapped around his waist and his time as the UFC’s welterweight champion to begin.
But that’s not how it played out, and the championship belt has been on his mind ever since.
To much debate and commotion, St-Pierre took the split-decision victory on the judges’ scorecards. The former two-time national champion wrestler from Oklahoma State University—despite shock and disbelief—has been forced to accept that he came up short in the biggest opportunity of his career. While his performance on Nov. 16 was considered by many to be enough to dethrone the champion, two of the judges gave the fight to St. Pierre, and that was all it took for a loss—only the second of Hendricks’ career.
And that is the definitive element of the situation. Hendricks can believe he won the fight all he wants, and swarms of fans can agree with him, but he still had to exit the Octagon in Las Vegas without the welterweight title.
That has him fired up.
“After the fight it never felt like a loss,” Hendricks told Bleacher Report. “I know that it was a loss, and now I’m 15-2, which sucks, but usually after certain things you sort of know what you can do to make it better. You have big things to improve on. This one, we are going to improve on some things going forward, but realistically there aren’t a lot of things we could have done differently.
“I spoke with Marc Laimon today about the things we are going to change going into this next fight, but there isn’t too much we can look at the last fight and say we could have done differently. Everybody is human, and everybody has their own thoughts. You just have to live with them, and what we’ve focused on isn’t the negative, but the things we can make positive. We look at what we can take out of that situation that will make our camp that much better. That is what we are focusing on.”
While setbacks in a high-pressure moment can force some athletes into a state of doubt, Hendricks is a gamer through and through. All he wants is that welterweight strap, and he’s determined to do whatever it takes to get it.
With St-Pierre throwing the immediate rematch and the trajectory of the 170-pound crown into limbo with the uncertainty of his career in the aftermath of the fight, “Bigg Rigg” could have endured a long waiting period until things shook out.
Fortunately for the Team TakeDown staple, St-Pierre’s decision to vacate the title came quickly, and now Hendricks can set about moving onto the next step. On the heels of the pound-for-pound great’s announcement that he would be stepping away from the fight game indefinitely, UFC president Dana White revealed that Hendricks would face fellow heavy-handed slugger Robbie Lawler for the vacant welterweight title at UFC 171 on March 15 in Dallas.
He was on a family vacation at Disney World when everything was set in motion, and the “happiest place on Earth” took on a new meaning for the bearded powerhouse. While another title shot is an opportunity for Hendricks to realize his dream of being a champion, the Texas venue is the icing on the cake.
“Disney World was tough because you do a lot of walking, but it was worth it,” Hendricks said. “To see the smiles on the faces of my kids and the memories that we made makes it all worth it. That means everything. To see the smiles on the faces of my two oldest girls Abri and Adli when they saw the Magic Kingdom; I wouldn’t change anything in the world for that.
“I was very stoked when I was told about the fight. It’s pretty amazing that Zuffa and Mr. White are giving me another shot at it. It’s very humbling, and I’m not going to let this one slip by. There are some things we could change on the last one, but we are going to do everything in our power to make sure they say my name at the end of this fight. And to know that it’s in Dallas, I’m super-stoked about that. It’s great to be able to fight in Dallas, but to be the main event for a fight card in Dallas is an honor in itself.
“I was very relieved it all moved quickly,” he added in regard to St-Pierre’s decision. “I’m very thankful that GSP came back quickly because he could have taken two months to do this and come up with his decision. But he did it quickly, and now we can move forward. I’m very grateful for that.”
With the title fight now set for UFC 171, Lawler will become the recipient of Hendricks’ focus for the next three months. The former Elite XC champion put on one of the year’s best runs, as the resurgent veteran notched three impressive victories in 2013—all against gritty competition.
The American Top Team product knocked out Josh Koscheck in his long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 157 in February and then crumbled journeyman Bobby Voelker at UFC on Fox 8 in July. While those wins built a buzz around the Iowa-based fighter, it was his victory over highly touted prospect-turned-contender Rory MacDonald at UFC 167 that put him on the doorstep of a title shot.
While Hendricks and Lawler possess numerous strengths in their respective games, the matchup in Dallas will feature two of the most prolific power punchers to ever compete in the welterweight division.
“I’m trying to think, but I really don’t know,” Hendricks said. “I see myself as a power puncher, but for some reason I can never sell myself that I’m one of the elite. Does that make sense? I’ll downplay myself before I compliment myself. I know [Lawler] is very talented. I know he has some power in his hands, and that’s what makes this fight exciting. Who is going to touch who and who is going to counter the other’s power? That’s what we have figure out. I’m happy to have coaches I have on my side, and they are already figuring out great ways we can win this fight. And we’ll move forward from there.
“I’m hungry for every fight I go into. Every fight I go in thinking I’m 0-0 and I’m fighting for my livelihood. We are very blessed to be in the organization like the UFC. I want to make sure I do everything I can and lay it all on the line in each fight—not only to make the fans happy—but to make sure the Fertitta brothers and Mr. White are happy with me. That’s my goal. If I can keep everybody happy, I’m doing my job. Not only is my job to put on a good show, but to win fights in the process. That’s what I strive for.
“I can’t wait for this fight,” he added. “I’m super-excited. I just start laughing and smiling when I think about fighting in Texas. And it’s even better because it will be for a belt. I’m super-appreciative and very excited to have this opportunity.”
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
As some promoters would have you believe, UFC 168: Silva vs. Weidman 2 is the biggest event in UFC history. It’s so stacked, in fact, that some unnamed executives at Zuffa decided to raise the price of the card $5, in a one-time-only mini-gouge. (Dana White’s explanation for this? “Cuz.” Ladies and gentlemen, your UFC president.)
The price bump carries the implication that UFC 168 is not just a great pay-per-view event, it’s more valuable than every single UFC show that came before it. But is it? Let’s take a quick look at the pay-per-view lineup — i.e., the five fights they’re asking you to pay for:
Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva (for UFC middleweight title) Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate (for women’s bantamweight title) Josh Barnett vs. Travis Browne (HW) Jim Miller vs. Fabricio Camoes (LW) Dustin Poirier vs. Diego Brandao (FW)
To me, we’re talking about three big fights. The shocking ending of Silva vs. Weidman 1 gives their rematch a great narrative (horrible marketing aside), and it’s safe to say that most UFC fans are curious to see how the sequel will turn out. Rousey vs. Tate is compelling simply because allRonda Rousey appearances are compelling, but there’s nothing to suggest that her second meeting with Miesha won’t end in another first-round armbar. And Barnett vs. Browne? Yep, I’m on board for that.
Beyond that, we have two solid contender fights that you could find on any other UFC main card. This kind of arrangement would place UFC 168 in line with past mega-shows like UFC 92 and UFC 100, which also followed the “two huge fights, one really good fight, two pretty decent fights” format. The difference is, the UFC never tried to jack up the prices of those shows, and there’s a reason for that. In 2008-2009, a UFC card with two big-name title fights was a special occasion. These days, it’s a ultra-rare fluke — and this might be the last time you see it.
(Yeah, and…?)
As some promoters would have you believe, UFC 168: Silva vs. Weidman 2 is the biggest event in UFC history. It’s so stacked, in fact, that some unnamed executives at Zuffa decided to raise the price of the card $5, in a one-time-only mini-gouge. (Dana White’s explanation for this? “Cuz.” Ladies and gentlemen, your UFC president.)
The price bump carries the implication that UFC 168 is not just a great pay-per-view event, it’s more valuable than every single UFC show that came before it. But is it? Let’s take a quick look at the pay-per-view lineup — i.e., the five fights they’re asking you to pay for:
Chris Weidman vs. Anderson Silva (for UFC middleweight title) Ronda Rousey vs. Miesha Tate (for women’s bantamweight title) Josh Barnett vs. Travis Browne (HW) Jim Miller vs. Fabricio Camoes (LW) Dustin Poirier vs. Diego Brandao (FW)
To me, we’re talking about three big fights. The shocking ending of Silva vs. Weidman 1 gives their rematch a great narrative (horrible marketing aside), and it’s safe to say that most UFC fans are curious to see how the sequel will turn out. Rousey vs. Tate is compelling simply because allRonda Rousey appearances are compelling, but there’s nothing to suggest that her second meeting with Miesha won’t end in another first-round armbar. And Barnett vs. Browne? Yep, I’m on board for that.
Beyond that, we have two solid contender fights that you could find on any other UFC main card. This kind of arrangement would place UFC 168 in line with past mega-shows like UFC 92 and UFC 100, which also followed the “two huge fights, one really good fight, two pretty decent fights” format. The difference is, the UFC never tried to jack up the prices of those shows, and there’s a reason for that. In 2008-2009, a UFC card with two big-name title fights was a special occasion. These days, it’s a ultra-rare fluke — and this might be the last time you see it.
My interpretation of UFC 168′s five-dollar price-bump is simple: The UFC has no idea when it will be able to put on another blockbuster event, and the promotion is trying to cash in while it can. Next year will be marked by the absences of former PPV king Georges St. Pierre as well as currently-injured champions Cain Velasquez and Anthony Pettis. But despite the reduced star power on its roster, the UFC will have even more main event spots to fill on its ever-growingbroadcast schedule. The idea of stacking two title fights on one card is a luxury that Zuffa can no longer afford.
When the UFC announced Johny Hendricks vs. Robbie Lawler for UFC 171, Dana White originally stated that the welterweight title fight would be on the same card as Jon Jones vs. Glover Teixeira. But plans changed (again!), and the date and venue of Jones/Teixeira are TBA once more. Clearly, the UFC realized that putting on two PPV events that do 300k buys each is better than one that does 500k — especially as the promotion struggles to find strong headliners for its pay-per-view shows, which will be a bigger challenge than ever in 2014.
(Semi-related rant: On this week’s episode of the CME, Ben Fowlkes floated the idea of having the UFC’s vacant welterweight title be decided by a four-man single-night tournament. Would any UFC fan in the world argue with that idea? The UFC may have buried multi-fight tournaments in the interest of turning MMA into a modern sport, but if it wants to regain some of the fading interest among its fans, the promotion should start giving people more of what hooked them on MMA in the first place. Namely, crazy shit.)
So, is UFC 168 a great lineup? Sure it is. (I guess now I can break kayfabe and admit that I was half-trolling with this article’s headline.) Is UFC 168 the greatest lineup in UFC history? Of course it isn’t — and if you were a UFC fan five years ago, it’s nothing you haven’t seen before. But hey, you might as well enjoy it while you still can.
But earlier today, the UFC found an opponent for Condit, and it’s…Tyron Woodley? Huh. We’re not saying that the guy doesn’t deserve the opportunity, considering that he just beat the brakes off of Josh Koscheck and everybody else in the division is either booked or injured. Maybe now we can stop pretending that the UFC’s official rankings mean jack-shit, since they always seem to fly out the window as soon as it’s time to find a warm body. (Though I’ll bet you a nickel Woodley magically appears in the top ten the next time the rankings are updated. Seriously. Just watch.)
According to Dana White, Woodley texted him “15 times a day” when Matt Brown pulled out of his scheduled UFC on FOX 9 match against Condit, but of course, DW digs fighters who step up. “There are guys like (Woodley) that are out there,” White said. “Those are the guys I want to deal with. Those are the guys I want to hear from. I love Tyron Woodley. I love it.”
As MMAJunkie reports, the winner of Condit vs. Woodley is likely to get the winner of Hendricks vs. Lawler, which means that theoretically, MMA dinosaur Robbie Lawler could be defending his UFC welterweight title against currently-“unranked” Tyron Woodley sometime next summer. What a country.
(Woodley might not be in the top ten, but he was definitely the people’s champion that night. / Photo via Getty)
But earlier today, the UFC found an opponent for Condit, and it’s…Tyron Woodley? Huh. We’re not saying that the guy doesn’t deserve the opportunity, considering that he just beat the brakes off of Josh Koscheck and everybody else in the division is either booked or injured. Maybe now we can stop pretending that the UFC’s official rankings mean jack-shit, since they always seem to fly out the window as soon as it’s time to find a warm body. (Though I’ll bet you a nickel Woodley magically appears in the top ten the next time the rankings are updated. Seriously. Just watch.)
According to Dana White, Woodley texted him “15 times a day” when Matt Brown pulled out of his scheduled UFC on FOX 9 match against Condit, but of course, DW digs fighters who step up. “There are guys like (Woodley) that are out there,” White said. “Those are the guys I want to deal with. Those are the guys I want to hear from. I love Tyron Woodley. I love it.”
As MMAJunkie reports, the winner of Condit vs. Woodley is likely to get the winner of Hendricks vs. Lawler, which means that theoretically, MMA dinosaur Robbie Lawler could be defending his UFC welterweight title against currently-”unranked” Tyron Woodley sometime next summer. What a country.
When the final second ticked off the clock in the main event of UFC 167, 
