Last night’s TUF fight played out how I sadly imagined the whole season’s worth of fights to happen.
Big dudes with no stamina. It’s like the UFC HW division pre-2006 all over again. Watching Wes Shivers rest with his hands on his hips and knees made me feel like he’d kicked me in the nizzuts. They both rolled over after the fight, like they’d just gone through a Gracie/Sakuraba style all-nighter.
“All I can say is: I got tired and I lost the fight.”
It’s only episode 2, and I’m already disillusioned with the talent this season (more than past seasons). I still have Roy Nelson going all the way. There isn’t a person in the house that can hang with him. It’s almost not fair to have him in there. What we have instead, is a bunch of guys who don’t need to eat healthy or take care of their bodies in any way. If they did, most of them would be “too small” to fight at HW, and then they’d have to *gasp* fight at LHW. Being big ain’t enough. Ask this guy:
In light of Rampage’s recent “retirement” talk, there’s almost no reason to watch the show. What do you have to say for your self, UFC?
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According to his post on Rampage-Jackson.com, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson has decided to retire from MMA… for the foreseeable future.
Don’t do it!
First off, you still have to fight Rashad. You REALLY have to fight Rashad. Imagine, for the rest of your life, you’ll have to listen to Rashad talking about how scared you are. 
Scared! Of Rashad Evans?! Outrageous!
Second… The A-Team!? I’ve heard of cashing in, but did you see the Dukes of Hazzard movie? Me neither! And I don’t plan on seeing the A-Team movie… sorry ‘Page!
Third… have you seen Randy Couture’s movies? ME NEITHER!
We all understand that you’re pissed at Dana White. No one likes him. For realz. But pro athletes never make a good transition to film. At least not a sustainable one. (Except Reggie Jackson in Baseketball.)
Listen. Just watch this… watch and remember…
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4 for 5 in my main card predictions this weekend. Not bad at all if I do say so myself. But what happens next? On a card with very few (if any) title ramifications, was it a complete waste?
Let’s start with MY BOY Vitor Belfort. Total domination over a former champ. Is he ready for Anderson? I don’t think so. He’s got to prove himself a little further against ACTUAL MW contenders. Henderson, Marquardt, Bisping (HAHA! wooo… just kidding). Throwing him in with Anderson has a huge downside in that if he loses, he becomes Rich Franklin. What a waste of some big fight potential. Dana White is already looking to set it up. I’m hoping Anderson surgery will keep him off the shelf long enough to keep Vitor active. Rich Franklin: “He’s got fast hands… so what?” Shazam!
Mirko, Mirko, where have you gone Mr. Cro Cop? In fairness, I don’t think Mirko did that poorly. I also don’t think dos Santos did that well until the final frame. All in all a slow, unexciting bout with a very strange ending. Retirement for Filipovic? I think it may be time. What’s left for him in any org? A few showcase fights? He’s rich and famous, and has almost done it all. Sounds like he agrees… +1 for the most awkward interview of Joe Rogan’s career. “UFC is the boss……………………..whatever they want!”
Kos with another great win. Sorry Twinkletoes. When your opponent is standing over you, holding your head with one hand and pummeling you with the other, you lost. Good effort, not enough. Give Koscheck Matt Hughes. Why not? I’d like to see it.
How about Efrain Escudaro living up to post TUF expectations? Great fight over a great opponent. Cole Miller needs to keep his mofo hands up. Efrain needs another challenge. Whatchyoo got 155?
Post 103 cut predictions: Cro Cop, Emerson, Franca (maybe for the hair alone. zing!)
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Less than 8 hours away from the return of one of my favies fighters of all time… at least to the UFC. And a better opponent he couldn’t have. Let’s take a minute to break it down, at least as it relates to what I think, and as such, what you have to read since it’s my site. Bam!
Rich Franklin vs. Vitor Belfort
This will be a totally biased slant on the this fight. Vitor Belfort is in the middle of a resurgence that is equal parts hunger and experience. Rich Franklin is winding down his storied career (it would seem). Let’s not pretend that Rich doesn’t have the pull to push towards –if not directly at- a title fight at 205. Instead, he’s taking showcase fights. While he’s not as far down the slope as Liddell was, he’s not dominating anyone now-a-days. I’ll eat my hat if Vitor doesn’t put Rich out.
Belfort via piston punches, Rd 2
Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic vs. Junior Dos Santos
I’m still confused as to what Cro Cop is doing back in the UFC. No one was asking for it. And now he’s co-main eventing? I don’t get it. Huge name for Junior, and another huge win. There’s really no reason to think that Cro Cop is back to form. I’m pumped to watch Junior again… this guy is exciting and talented and will most likely kill Cro Cop. Also, since when did we all stop not even listing Cro Cop’s last name? Any who…
Dos Santos by tiger uppercut or pretzel twist. Take your pick, Rd 2
Martin Kampmann vs. Paul Daley
Kampmann’s head and arm choke on Drew McFedries is probably one of my favorite submissions in recent memory. Otherwise, I’m not sure he’s on the same level with Mike Swick. Swick would have owned him… Daley will be a little closer. I can’t get excited about this fight, so I’ll just call Kampmann wins it.
Kampmann by dutch oven, Rd 2
Josh Koscheck vs. Twinkletoes
Kos will fight any one they give him… good for him. He has the chance to beat a legend and will most likely do it. Trigg’s a “charismatic” fighter whose claim to fame was 2 sound drubbing’s at the hands of future HOF’er Matt Hughes. Kos won’t be a champ anytime soon, but he’s a hell of a fighter. If he can stick to his jab, and fall back on his wrestling, he should take a pretty commanding decision.
Koscheck by decision, Rd 2
Tyson Griffin vs. Hermes Franca
I’m calling this SotN (snooze of the night). I’m also calling it for Griffin. He’s all but un-stoppable. Hermes is on the downside (noticing a theme?). Griffin will wrestle Franca to the ground and pin him 1,2,3.
Griffin by wet blanket, Rd. 2
If it weren’t for Vitor’s return, this would be a total pass. Who goes anywhere, win or lose, after this? Belfort has a few fights to go before MW title contention, but a win over Ace would be a pretty big jump though. He win’s and he get Henderson, Maia, or Mardquardt (whoever isn’t already in a title fight). I’m very excited to see where he goes from here. GO VITOR (not WAR Vitor… that is silly).
How right will I be? What do you think? Leave a comment, sucka!
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What an GREAT night of fights! I’m usually not very interested in UFNs, since they save the top tier talent for the PPVs, but UFN19 was 
probably the best UFN of all time!
Quick Impressions:
-I’m not impressed by Melvin Guillard. Period. Yeah he can punch, and yeah he’s athletic… anything else? It would seem not. On the flip side, I don’t get Diaz boxing. I thought, for a minute there, Nate was going to break into a slap/flail/spaz punch windmill. Watching him strike, it makes we wonder how he survived the streets of Stockton. I doubt the BJJ came in handy. But I DO get Diaz jitz… and I love it. He’s got one of the best active guards in the game, and I’d like to see him put together a better stand-up strategy.
-Any one else surprised that Tim Credeur is not only fighting in the UFC, but doing a damn good job? After watching him on TUF, he just seemed like a sad sack with extremely limited skills. His fight with Quarry could have gone either way, and if it weren’t for those bombs, Tim had the fight won. Nate Quarry was a pretty big step up in competition, but he proved that he belongs there.
-I am sad to see Roger Huerta go. He’s calm an poised in the ring, and throws ALL kinds of punches. Here’s hoping his movie career doesn’t pan out. Also, Gray Maynard took a step up in my book. At least, if he continues this way. He showed that he can stand and bang, but didn’t get away from his wrestling. BUT he didn’t lay and pray. He stayed active, and worked his GnP. He’s no match for BJ though…
-I’m still waiting on Carlos Condit. He was the top in the WEC, which was so lacking for talent that Zuffa pulled it. He does have heart, but it will only take him so far. Ellenberger was a beast for, oh say, 4 minutes. Imagine what he can do with proper notice? I hope to see him back soon.
TUF 10
OK, so all of the Kimbo Slice BS aside, I’m cautious about this season. I’m thinking Roy Nelson should take it all, but heavyweights in general don’t interest me. I’ll wait to see what else they got, because right now, I don’t see much.
What do you think? Was UFN 19 the best one yet? Is TUF 10 just setting us up to watch a bunch of chubby manchildren gas out during every fight? Leave a comment!
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