Tag: UFC on FX 1

UFC on FX 1 Results: What’s Next for Lightweight Jim Miller?

When Jim Miller’s seven-fight win streak came to an end at the hands of former WEC champion Benson Henderson in August, it was clear that something was wrong with the New Jersey native. As it turns out, the lightweight fighter was battling a kidn…

When Jim Miller’s seven-fight win streak came to an end at the hands of former WEC champion Benson Henderson in August, it was clear that something was wrong with the New Jersey native.

As it turns out, the lightweight fighter was battling a kidney ailment that sapped him of his energy during the fight.  Never the type to make excuses, Miller chose not to reveal his prior health problems until the week of his next bout against explosive striker Melvin Guillard.

Once the cage door shut in his bout with Guillard, Miller showed why he was always in title talk prior to the loss against Henderson.  Guillard attacked repeatedly with flying knees and a barrage of strikes, even dropping Miller to the canvas at one point.  But Miller persevered and exhibited why he’s never been finished in his career.

When Guillard again went for a flying knee, Miller took the fight to the ground and made quick work of him.  An effortless transition to Guillard’s back led to the fight-ending rear-naked choke.

Back on the winning track, Miller’s next opponent needs to be another fighter who can put him back into title contention.  While flashy fighters like Edson Barboza, Nate Diaz or Donald Cerrone may seem like good opponents, they’re hardly the caliber of fighter to test Miller.

Miller’s next opponent en route to a crack at the 155-pound title should be either the winner of the rumored Gray Maynard-Clay Guida fight (as Maynard is one of only three men to defeat Miller) or former lightweight champ Sean Sherk.

With doubts about Sherk’s health, the Maynard-Guida winner is the ideal matchup for the relentless Miller, as both fighters possess strong grappling that can test Miller’s will.  A win over either of them would prove yet again that Miller is worthy of title talk in the lightweight division.

 

Rob Tatum is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. You can also find Rob’s work at TheMMACorner.com.  For anything related to MMA, Follow @RobTatumMMA.

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UFC on FX Results: Questions Answered and Lessons Learned

The UFC’s FX debut is in the books. Jim Miller quickly submitted Melvin Guillard and Josh Neer choked Muay Thai phenom Duane “Bang” Ludwig unconscious.There were other fights and happenings throughout the night that answered lingering questions the MMA…

The UFC’s FX debut is in the books. Jim Miller quickly submitted Melvin Guillard and Josh Neer choked Muay Thai phenom Duane “Bang” Ludwig unconscious.

There were other fights and happenings throughout the night that answered lingering questions the MMA world had, and taught an important lesson or two.

What were these circumstances and what did they show us? Read and find out!

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UFC on FX: What’s Next for the Winners and Losers?

The inaugural UFC event on FX got off to a great start, and main event fighters Jim Miller and Melvin Guillard battled to get back into lightweight contention.Both were coming off losses, and both had extensive win streaks previously. The fight didn’t …

The inaugural UFC event on FX got off to a great start, and main event fighters Jim Miller and Melvin Guillard battled to get back into lightweight contention.

Both were coming off losses, and both had extensive win streaks previously. The fight didn’t last too long, but it did establish another top contender in the most stacked division.

In the co-main event, Josh “The Dentist” Neer and Duane “Bang” Ludwig fought in an anticipated welterweight fight.

Other main card fighters included Pat Barry, Mike Easton and Christian Morecraft. This is what’s next for the winners and losers.

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Wait, What? 5 Weird Things That Happened at UFC on FX 1

Weird stuff? Sometimes it happens, even in the UFC’s Octagon. In the last 18 years we’ve seen main eventers go to the hospital after slipping backstage, a superstar tell the world he was going to mount his wife and two dudes get in a fist fight after t…

Weird stuff? Sometimes it happens, even in the UFC’s Octagon. In the last 18 years we’ve seen main eventers go to the hospital after slipping backstage, a superstar tell the world he was going to mount his wife and two dudes get in a fist fight after the show—at the hospital.

I admit nothing that strange happened tonight. But some odd stuff did go down. Let’s take a look at five things that blew my mind about the UFC’s debut on FX.

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UFC on FX 1 Results: What’s Next for Melvin Guillard

UFC on FX 1 is in the books, and looking good early in the fight, Melvin Guillard was on the receiving end of a rear-naked choke to Jim Miller.Guillard showed great takedown wrestling defense and striking early in the fight, but Miller was ab…

UFC on FX 1 is in the books, and looking good early in the fight, Melvin Guillard was on the receiving end of a rear-naked choke to Jim Miller.

Guillard showed great takedown wrestling defense and striking early in the fight, but Miller was able to take Guillard’s back and pull off the submission. 

Guillard has now lost his second straight fight by rear-naked choke. 

Aside from the two straight losses, Guillard recently left Greg Jackson’s camp in order to train with the Blackzilians. 

Perhaps this was not the best time for Guillard to change camps, especially since he held Jackson in such high regard. 

Despite being one of the most experienced and athletic lightweights in MMA today, Guillard has often struggled in big fights and against submission experts. 

What Guillard needs to focus on when he goes back to training is his submission defense. 

Nine of his 10 losses have come by submission.

Guillard may also need to refocus himself so he can come back strong after two straight losses. 

As far as future opponents go, Guillard could take on former teammates Donald Cerrone and Clay Guida who are both coming off of losses. 

Fights with Sam Stout, who also lost in his last bout, and a returning Sean Sherk could also be good fights for Guillard. 

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UFC on FX 1 Results: What We Learned from Duane Ludwig vs. Josh Neer

Grizzled veterans Duane Ludwig and Josh Neer were featured in the co-main event of the UFC on FX broadcast.  Both fighters have had multiple stints with the promotion, at both lightweight and their current weight class of welterweight. Ludwig may …

Grizzled veterans Duane Ludwig and Josh Neer were featured in the co-main event of the UFC on FX broadcast.  Both fighters have had multiple stints with the promotion, at both lightweight and their current weight class of welterweight.

Ludwig may very well be the most technical Muay Thai striker in MMA, having competed around the globe in both MMA and kickboxing.  In addition to his recent career resurgence at 170 pounds, the UFC corrected a prior injustice, handing Ludwig the promotion’s official fastest knockout record for his destruction of Jonathan Goulet at UFC Fight Night 3.

For Neer, his inconsistencies spelled the end of prior stint in the Octagon.  The hard-nosed veteran frequently showcased a propensity to get dragged into fire fights, which produced highlight-reel wins, but also a number of bad losses.

 

What We’ll Remember about This Fight

Despite getting pummeled on the feet, Neer used his strong submission game to finish off the striking specialist Ludwig.  Ludwig connected repeatedly with counterstrikes and knees to the body, hurting Neer more than once.  However, once Neer got the fight to the mat, Ludwig was in trouble.  As Ludwig worked to get back to his feet, Neer applied a slick guillotine and put Ludwig to sleep before Ludwig could even tap.

 

What We Learned about Josh Neer

Neer once again showed why he’s had a long career; his chin.  The veteran fighter absorbed a barrage from Ludwig from the opening bell, but continued to move forward.  When he realized he was outclassed on the feet, Neer transitioned to a perfect guillotine and proved why he was given a second chance with the promotion.

 

What We Learned about Duane Ludwig

Ludwig exhibited the striking technique that has led him to victory in so many bouts.  Unfortunately for the man known as “Bang,” his expert Muay Thai technique is no use on the ground.  With the sixth submission loss of his career, Ludwig’s ground game is still a work in progress. 

 

What’s Next for Neer

With his second straight win, Neer is a tough test for anyone in the 170-pound division.  A matchup with another longtime veteran, Brian Ebersole, would gauge which competitor is ready for a title run.

 

What’s Next for Ludwig

At this point in his career, it’s safe to say that Ludwig isn’t competing to challenge for the title.  He’s in it because he loves the sport and likes to put on a show.  A fight with former title challenger Dan Hardy would produce fireworks.

 

Rob Tatum is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. You can also find Rob’s work at TheMMACorner.com.  For anything related to MMA, Follow @RobTatumMMA.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com