UFC 132 Quick Picks

If ever there was a card that hearkened back to the days of the WEC, this is it. Of course the main event plays a large part of that, as Faber was a huge part of the organization and Cruz was its Bantamweight champion when the UFC absorbtion took place. There are other connections found throughout as well. Co-main eventer Chris Leben fought twice in the WEC (prior to Zuffa ownership) and Carlos Condit was the WEC Welterweight Champion when that division was merged into the UFC. On the undercard, which has seemingly become the home for most of the WEC imports, we find former Bantamweight Champion and contender Brian Bowles and Takeya Mizugaki, respectively. Former WEC Lightweights Shane Roller and Anthony Njokuani will also be taking part in separate bouts on the undercard.

Will all this imported flavour from the blue cage make for the second exciting UFC card in a week, or are in we for more of the lacklustre cards we’ve been seeing recently? Perhaps more importantly, how the fans receive all of these newer names will determine when we next see a Bantamweight or Featherweight fight in a headlining role in the UFC.

July in Japan

The struggles of Japanese MMA have been well-documented over recent months and years, so there is no need to rehash all of the negatives that have been associated with the Far East MMA scene recently.

Even through all the darkness, the Japanese MMA scene has come back to life a bit over the past few months, and July is no exception. The Japanese BW Grand Prix had a successful opening event, which set up the best possible final DREAM could have hoped for. With the two most well-known fighters in the field – Masakazu Imanari and Hideo Tokoro – ending up deciding the DREAM BW Grand Prix Champion, the promotion will maximize whatever interest is out there. However, the Grand Prix final is but a small taste of the action taking place in Japan over the course of the month. Continue reading to see what other Asian delicacies are on tap.

Why Dominick Cruz Will Remain Bantamweight Champion

This weekend the UFC will have its first card headlined by a Bantamweight fight. Not surprisingly, one of the participants in the main event is former WEC poster boy, and the most recognizable sub-155 fighter in the world, Urijah Faber. However, as good a champion as Faber would make both in- and outside of the cage, I don’t expect him to walk out of the octagon victorious Saturday night.

Faber has had a great career, including a win over Cruz in the midst of his 13-fight streak, and he still has much left to offer the Bantamweight division. However, despite that previous victory over Cruz, I’m not convinced Faber has much to offer the champion in this bout.

What To Watch For This Weekend

To me, this weekend is about as good as it gets as far as MMA goes. Sure the big fights are fun, and they have all the anticipation behind them, but how often does that actually translate into a better fight? Give me three stellar cards on consecutive nights and I’m a happy man.

I espouse regional MMA at pretty much every opportunity, and while these cards are a leap above the average regional card, they often bring the same feel of fighters trying to prove themselves rather than playing it safe. Bellator has become known for exciting fights and awe-inspiring finishes. Strikeforce Challengers is a proving ground, and under the gaze of Sean Shelby has become a very intriguing product. And the UFC on Versus tends to give the little guys a bit more play (although the televised card features two Heavyweight bouts), and we know that more often than not 155ers and below bring the fun.

So out of this whirlwind of MMA, what should you actually pay attention to, and what can wait for the inevitable Wimbledon rain delays? Here are the 5 most intriguing fights/storylines I’ll be following this weekend:

Why ____ Will Win The Strikeforce GP

Head over to FightLockdown.com to check out an article I contributed to about the Strikeforce GP, and how it’s pretty much up for grabs at this point.

The article can be found HERE.

Also, note that the views expressed in the blurb I wrote up on Sergei are not my actual feelings on the remainder of the tournament. I know that Sergei has the least well-rounded skill set remaining, and likely has the smallest odds of winning, but each fighter had to have someone stick up for them, and I like a challenge.

I want to pick Barnett to win, because I think after he likely subs Kharitonov (do you remember how bad he looked against Monson?), he has the ability to wear down either Overeem or Silva. It’s kind of unfortunate that the final will still only be 3 rounds, because I’d like him even more in a 5 rounder. People forget that because of one highlight reel KO from nearly 10 years ago, that Barnett’s striking is actually pretty damn good, he has the best sub game, and has a ton of big fight experience (although not recently, but that goes for pretty much everybody in this tournament). Also, the dynamic of fans demanding Barnett get a UFC title shot would make Dana White’s head explode, and it would make me laugh. They’d probably try to delay it by having him rematch Overeem (or face him for the first time if Silva ends up in the finals), but that would be foolish. I mean, after Cain/JDS goes down, who is the UFC gonna have to put in a title shot? Schaub? Please.

 

Also be sure to check out the rest of the content over at FightLockdown, there are some other really talented writers over there, including my collaborators on this piece, Jack Barrington and David Anthony. Their MMA Forums also where I hang out and chat, so it can’t be all bad.

Many Are Down On The Strikeforce GP, But Count Me Intrigued

Following Saturday night’s Strikeforce card, I’ve read numerous pieces on the internet talking about how people are no longer interested in watching this tournament play out, and that it doesn’t matter if it comes to a conclusion at all. Personally, I think that talk is ridiculous. The Strikeforce Grand Prix still features four Heavyweights who are among the top 15 in the sport, a collection of talent that is rare when looking at the division. Whomever comes out the victor of the tournament will also be the best challenger for Cain Velasquez or Junior dos Santos, as there is currently nobody in the UFC Heavyweight division who provides an intriguing fight for either. How that equates to something that isn’t worth watching is beyond me.

Moving Past UFC 131

Last night the UFC put on a card which exceeded pretty much all expectations set out for it by MMA fans. It seems like it has been quite a while since the UFC has put on a card that has done just that, despite UFC 129 being a fantastic all-around night with only a lacklustre main event.

If you are reading this and don’t know the results from last night, here’s a quick recap of the main card action:

• Junior dos Santos earned a UFC title shot… again.
• Kenny Florian squeaked by Diego Nunes, and was awarded a title shot against Jose Aldo (notice how I didn’t say “earned” this time).
• Mark Munoz announced his arrival as an elite Middleweight with a very closely contested victory over Demian Maia.
• Dave Herman and John Olav Einemo put on an entertaining fight, but it’s hard to say what to make of it beyond that.
• Donald Cerrone did what he was supposed to do, in beating an entirely overmatched opponent.

Keep reading for more a more detailed breakdown, and what to look for moving forward.