UFC on Fox 2 is in the books and we now have two title matches in place. We also saw the rise of a new middleweight contender and the arrival of a big fighter.There has been a lot of storylines to emerge from the event, particularly with the two main e…
UFC on Fox 2 is in the books and we now have two title matches in place. We also saw the rise of a new middleweight contender and the arrival of a big fighter.
There has been a lot of storylines to emerge from the event, particularly with the two main event bouts. There was also a story to be told in every fight. Instead of giving a long list of play-by-play commentary, I believe a picture can say more than I can (a picture is worth a 1,000 words, right?).
From the opening prelim to the dominant performance by Rashad Evans, UFC on Fox 2 was littered with great images that tell a story.
At UFC on FOX 2, it was proven that Phil Davis wasn’t on the same level as Rashad Evans. But this doesn’t mean that Davis was pushed too far, too fast.In truth, the timing was just right.Davis had beaten gatekeepers, he had beaten journeymen and he had…
At UFC on FOX 2, it was proven that Phil Davis wasn’t on the same level as Rashad Evans. But this doesn’t mean that Davis was pushed too far, too fast.
In truth, the timing was just right.
Davis had beaten gatekeepers, he had beaten journeymen and he had beat a fringe contender in Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (a.k.a. “Little Nog”).
Thus, the next logical step was putting Davis in against a legit contender, which just happened to be Rashad Evans.
As it turned out, Evans was better than Davis in every department of MMA. Even Davis’ vaunted Penn State wrestling background couldn’t stop him from being beaten down.
But this doesn’t mean he was “rushed.”
For example, look at UFC middleweight Chris Weidman who also fought on FOX.
Weidman has less fights than Davis, took his fight against a contender—Demian Maia—on short notice and still came out on top!
There is no excuse for Davis; he simply got beat and wasn’t good enough. If he doesn’t work to build up his overall MMA game, he’ll never be.
Davis is fighting from a different era, an era where you could excel at wrestling and just be proficient in the other disciplines and have great success.
That doesn’t pass in modern MMA anymore—fighters must be great at everything.
Rashad Evans was great at everything on FOX, Davis wasn’t and that’s why he lost.
Chael Sonnen is one of the most impressive middleweights in MMA. His lackluster performance over Michael Bisping notwithstanding.He’s beaten great fighters, and he’s almost beaten the greatest of all time—Anderson Silva.Thus, the purpose of this …
Chael Sonnen is one of the most impressive middleweights in MMA. His lackluster performance over Michael Bisping notwithstanding.
He’s beaten great fighters, and he’s almost beaten the greatest of all time—Anderson Silva.
Thus, the purpose of this slideshow is to remind fans that Chael Sonnen hasn’t looked as bad as he looked against Bisping.
In fact, he’s looked like a dominant force in prior outings and here are his best performances.
After a razor-thin unanimous decision victory over Michael Bisping in the co-main event of UFC on FOX 2, Chael Sonnen gave another interview that many fans felt should be reserved for the wrestling ring. As color commentator Joe Rogan entered the …
After a razor-thin unanimous decision victory over Michael Bisping in the co-main event of UFC on FOX 2, Chael Sonnen gave another interview that many fans felt should be reserved for the wrestling ring.
As color commentator Joe Rogan entered the cage to ask Sonnen’s thoughts, the always outspoken middleweight had a colorful, and seemingly scripted, response (thanks to Bloody Elbow for the transcription):
Joe Rogan, tonight is not for questions for me, this is your night brother. I want to know how you feel being only inches away from greatness. I want you to tell everybody how it feels. Are you not mesmerized? Do you not have chills going up your spine for the first time on FOX for you to be here in Chael’s octagon on Chael’s channel holding Chael’s microphone interviewing Chael.
While you’re thinking about that, remember this: when you’re the greatest fighter in the world today they’ve got a name for you. They don’t call you a great fighter they call you Chael Sonnen! Beat me if you can.
A video of Sonnen’s post-fight interview can be found here.
However, Bloody Elbow also points out that the reason that Uncle Chael sounded like a professional wrestler in this instance is because he was quoting one.
In a classic interview from August 27, 1975, “Superstar” Billy Graham cut a very similar interview with a very young Vince McMahon, who went on to become the Chairman and CEO of the WWE.
Graham’s bodybuilder physique and outlandish personality influenced the likes of professional wrestlers such as Hulk Hogan, Scott Steiner, Jesse Ventura and Triple H.
The crowning achievement of “The Superstar” in the ring was when he won the then World Wide Wrestling Federation (WWWF) Heavyweight Championship from Bruno Sammartino on April 30, 1977.
Whether or not this means Sonnen’s act is getting old is up for debate, but whatever the case may be, the trash talking middleweight will get his rematch with Anderson Silva this June.
For all his shortcomings and the tough road he has taken to get into the UFC, Cub Swanson has earned his place with the organization. With a spectacular KO of the always-dangerous George Roop, Swanson won his first fight in the UFC and his first fight …
For all his shortcomings and the tough road he has taken to get into the UFC, Cub Swanson has earned his place with the organization. With a spectacular KO of the always-dangerous George Roop, Swanson won his first fight in the UFC and his first fight in over a year.
The Greg Jackson fighter has now staked his claim to being a UFC-level fighter and a featherweight to fear when he is on the opposite side of the Octagon.
Fans will point be quick to point out that neither fighter has won two fights in a row since 2008, with each entering the Octagon going 1-2 in their last three fights. However, when you look closer, it becomes more apparent that each is better than their record.
Swanson went 4-2 with his losses coming to current UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo and former No. 1 contender Chad Mendes before a serious knee injury sidelined him for over a year.
His opponent, George Roop, is the tallest featherweight in the UFC, going 3-2-1 at 145 with his losses coming to former world champion Hatsu Hioki in a close split decision and former title contender Mark Hominick.
Swanson showed that he just needed some time to find his feet after being sidelined for a year and that his loss to Richardo Lamas was more about fatigue than being outclassed.
In his fight against Roop, Swanson showed that his striking and knockout power are something that the division should have to fear. Cub showed a great ability to get inside the long reach of Roop and land big, power punches that turned the tide of the fight.
We all know that Swanson has the skills and backing to win fights. He just needs to find some consistency and build upon his win one at a time.
Last night, former UFC title challenger Demian Maia looked to be half the fighter he once was.At UFC on FOX 2, Maia took on budding contender Chris Weidman, who on just 11 days notice, managed to eek out a decision over the tested veteran, who had an a…
Last night, former UFC title challenger Demian Maia looked to be half the fighter he once was.
At UFC on FOX 2, Maia took on budding contender Chris Weidman, who on just 11 days notice, managed to eek out a decision over the tested veteran, who had an ample amount of time to prepare for such a momentous occasion.
This Brazilian jiu-jitsu whiz first stormed through the Octagon with a 5-0 streak, all victories coming by way of submission.
Now, Maia has gone 3-3 in his last six outings and has failed to finish a fight in nearly three years.
Maia needs to turn a corner here—and soon—otherwise, his career will be in jeopardy.
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