You are currently browsing the daily archive for September 8, 2008.
Wow.
That’s pretty much all I can say about last week in the world of MMA.
1st, I’ll give a brief run-down of the winners and losers at this weekend’s pay-per-view, UFC 88:Breakthrough.
-Ryo Chonan def. Roan Carneiro via Split Decision after 3 Rounds.
-Jason MacDonald def. Jason Lambert via Submission (rear naked choke) at 1:20 of Round 2.
-Tim Boetsch def. Michael Patt via TKO (strikes) at 2:03 of Round 1.
-Kurt Pellegrino def. Thiago Tavares via Unanimous Decision after 3 Rounds.
-Dong Hyun Kim def. Matt Brown via Split Decision after 3 Rounds.
-Nate Marquardt def. Martin Kampmann via KO (strikes) at 1:22 of Round 1.
-Dan Henderson def. Rousimar Palhares via Unanimous Decision after 3 Rounds.
-Rich Franklin def. Matt Hamill via KO (body kick) at 0:39 of Round 3.
-Rashad Evans def. Chuck Liddell via KO (punch) at 1:49 of Round 1.
I’ll be the first to admit, I didn’t watch all of the fights Saturday night. Just like most of you, at the end of the day, I want to be entertained, and I also have favorites, and with not many guys I go out of the way to see fight on that night’s card, I skimmed through it.
I did, however, notice some things of importance.
- Rashad Evans is not just a wrestler. Like the current UFC Light-Heavyweight Champion and Evans’ next opponent (as confirmed at the press conference after the PPV by UFC President Dana White) Forrest Griffin, Evans has evolved as a fighter and increased his skill set in a matter of years. I did not see a stand up knockout victory for Evans as a possible scenario for his fight with Liddell.
- Dana White was right about Rich Franklin. Franklin, an original 205 fighter, who went down and won the 185 lb title before losing twice to Anderson Silva, is probably the #1 185 fighter in the world, but the problem is the best fighter in the world PERIOD is in his weight class. Should Franklin decide to stay at 205 (GREAT idea, IMO), he’s definitely going to be in the pack for a title shot with one more quality win.
- It’s damn near pointless to be a 185 lb. fighter if Anderson Silva stays at 185. A couple of top-tier 185 lb fighters fought Saturday night, including two of the top 5 in Rich Franklin and Dan Henderson, and a top 20 guy in Nate Marquardt. All coming out of Saturday with wins, despite Franklin fighting at 205, one would wonder who’s going to get the shot at Anderson Silva. The answer is, who cares? Does it even matter? My opinion, and the opinion of many others, experts included, is that the guy with the best shot to beat Silva is GSP, the current 170 lb. champion. Frankline and Henderson have both taken their ass-kickings (I didn’t say losses because along with being losses, the fights weren’t even close) from Silva, and no offense to Marquardt, but he’s not on Silva’s level. So call it the Middleweight division if you like, but from now on, until Anderson Silva gets old or dies, the 185 division will officially be referred to as Purgatory.
As far as what will be the after-effects of UFC 88, Dana White has already confirmed that Rashad Evans has earned a shot at the UFC light-heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin, more than likely to take place in December for the UFC’s year-end show.
Both Griffin and Evans are former TUF champions (Griffin season 1; Evans season 2) and have expanded their skill sets. Evans has become a more well-rounded fighter, adding impressive striking to his repertoire that already includes world-class wrestling. Griffin, probably most well-known for his slugfest win over Stephan Bonnar to earn him the TUF Title, has definitely become more technically sound with his striking, learning that he doesn’t always need to trade punches to win a fight.
As far as the fates of some of the other winners, I think most immediate questions come to Dan Henderson and Rich Franklin. Both guys can fight at 185 and 205, and as I’ve already stated, there’s no point in going that 185 route, that is, if they are in search of a title. If they wanted to just keep getting paid, both guys could stay at 185, demolish every other fighter, and make sure they were the #1 and #2 contenders for all time. However, I think both men want to be champion, so as far as that goes, I definitely see both fighting at 205.
Franklin, more of real 205 fighter than Henderson, who probably looks more natural at 185, is probably in the top 5 as far as UFC light-heavyweights go, so with a good quality win in his next fight, he could definitely make a case for a title shot.
Lastly, in what might be the BIGGEST news of last week, Randy “the Natural” Couture has “returned” to the UFC to defend his Heavyweight championship against none other than Brock Lesnar. This was confirmed by both fighters’ camps and the UFC last week in the days leading up to UFC 88. Obviously with their being 2 heavyweight champions in the UFC now (Couture, the champion, and Nogueira, the interim champion), the winner of the Couture/Lesnar fight will fight the winner of the Nogueira/Mir fight to unify the championship.
That’s all for today, I’m worn down, but tomorrow I’ll continue evaluating the Light Heavyweight situation, as well as further discussing the Randy Couture return to the UFC.
Until tomorrow… I leave you with this.
Tiger fans,
Today I have a full belly.
I had a big, large and not so delicious supper. Do you guys know what was on the menu? How about some crow. Or how about my left foot?
That’s right. Reggie Bush made me eat both and more yesterday, willing the Saints to a 24-20 win against Tampa Bay with 8 catches and 112 yards.
The two teams went back and forth and threw lefts and rights at one another for 3 quarters before the Saints landed the final body blow with 7:38 to play on Bush’s 42-yard touchdown reception.
Like I always say, if you want play-by-play analysis, go to ESPN or CNNSI. But here are 5 things I took from the game for the Saints (some good and some bad).
1. Penalty Box – The only time the Saints ever got stopped was when they stopped themselves. They showed today they are a GOOD team. If they clean up the penalties, they can maybe be an elite team.
2. Shockey addition . . . worth it – How many times yesterday did Shockey make a big catch when the Saints needed a play on a third and six? With Bush, Colston and the others, he is a weapon.
3. Deuce? – Why did the Saints choose to keep a $10M+ guy on their roster if he can not play? I expect Deuce to probably be placed on IR soon, because people tell me he has reinjured his knee.
4. Ed Orgeron – The Saints defensive line is beastly all of a sudden. The players are the same, so what is different? Ed Orgeron. LSU fans remember him as the psycho Ole Miss coach. But this guy is a hell of a position coach.
5. Jason David – Did he even play? I didn’t see him out there at all. Somebody is in the dog house.
_________________________________
The next big story out there is Tom Brady, who left in the first quarter of the Patriots’ 17-10 win against the Chiefs and is reportedly out for the season with a Torn ACL.
In 15 minutes, one team went from being a Superbowl contender to having their season ended. That’s just the way the NFL is. In 1 moment you have it all. The next you have nothing.
With Brady out, the Jets are the new favorites in the AFC East in my mind with the Bills running stride for stride with the Pats and Jets, too.
___________________________________
I stole this from a message board. But instead of doing my Top 10 list today, I will do a Top 12 . . . as each Monday from now on, I will give you a poll of my SEC rankings.
Here is this week.
1. Florida
2. Georgia
3. Auburn
4. LSU
5. Alabama
6. Vanderbilt – (yes, Vanderbilt. They look very, very good through two games).
7. South Carolina
8. Tennessee
9. Ole Miss
10. Kentucky
11. Mississippi State
12. Arkansas
____________________________
I have no real LSU news to report today, except that LSU coach Les Miles and LSU AD Joe Alleva will update the media tomorrow around noon as to the status of the LSU football facilities and of the location of Saturday’s game with North Texas.
I have been told that LSU officials will try like heck to do anything they can to play the game in Baton Rouge, but with mother nature lurking, it is not fully in their control.
It will be interesting to see if LSU has an “Ohio State” hangover with Auburn lurking and a sub-par North Texas team on the schedule.
________________________________
Headlines:
Serena Williams wins third US Open - Serena is where she belongs: On the top and at No. 1 in the world.
Delhomme TD on last play beats Chargers - Game of the week and early nominee for game of the year. What a finish.
Haskins does at 78 - It’s a shame most people only know who Haskins is from a movie. But this guy is a real basketball legend and will be missed.
YouTube Video of the Day:
Boom.
Have a good Monday, people!
