By Alan Conceicao

White v. Ortiz (and oh yeah Machida):

As someone who wants the sport to grow instead of receeding and eventually being considered a joke, Tito Ortiz winning is basically the most important thing that could happen to help that along. Tito winning, leaving, and going anywhere gives someone the biggest draw in MMA history, and there’s nothing Dana can do about it other than bitch and moan. The hope from my perspective is that it allows for a future where promoters actually work together and independent sanctioning bodies (or better yet, one major body) are able to keep the sport moving forward, learning from all the mistakes that boxing has made and giving the world an exciting product that is ultimately healthier for the competitors.

Dana is the number one obstacle in the way of that progression, and as far as he’d tell you, having 2 major promotions in Japan that don’t talk to each other and god knows how many in the US (UFC/WEC, Elite XC, Adrenaline, Affliction, etc) is good for you, because, hey, do you really want to see Gomi/Penn II or Couture/Fedor instead of Mir/Noguiera? Hey, who cares if this sorta payscale could cause the entire sport to implode somewhere down the line? Let’s all just mention “branding” and “Vince McMahon” and pretend we understand actual competitive sports!

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by Dave Walsh

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Wanderlei Silva is a name that used to strike fear into the hearts of competitors across the world just a few mere years ago. With absolute brutal dissections of some of the top competition in Japan there was never a doubt about Wanderlei Silva being the king of the 205 division. Quite honestly, after a few chinks in his armor, he looked unstoppable. He took apart everybody that PRIDE had to offer up to him, and sometimes he destroyed them multiple times; fighters like Hidehiko Yoshida twice, Quinton “Rampage” Jackson twice, and arguably PRIDE’s biggest star Kazushi Sakuraba a staggering and scary 3 times. He also defeated Japanese darling Kiyoshi Tamura and ventured up in weight quite a few times putting forth a valiant fight against Mark Hunt and absolutely annihilating the heavyweight toughman Kazuyuki Fujita.

It is fair to say that even amidst of the usual cries of PRIDE fighters being overrated, this fighter being better, this fighter who beat this fighter that beat whomever, Wanderlei Silva was the Axe Murderer. He lived up to his nickname in every way possible. If he knocked you out, it was scary. There wasn’t a question of how impartial the ref was, or if there should have been a few more seconds, you always felt like Wanderlei wasn’t going to leave any questions unanswered. But slowly he began to deteriorate, losing that vicious streak and the devil-may-care attitude that led to so many of his highlight reel knockouts. When Ricardo Arona pulled off that decision win over Wanderlei the questions started, then a while later he went up against the heavyweight threat Mirko Cro Cop and had his head kicked off. From there we saw Dan Henderson knock him out and both him and Chuck Liddell sit back and try not to get knocked out against each other.

I almost feel like I need to re-educate people on Wanderlei Silva, what he once was, and the threat that he could be again if he can pull himself together, as his past few years have done a good job of making him look weak and like he should simply retire.

Then there is Keith Jardine. Keith Jardine is what felt like your standard King of the Cage fighter who got on The Ultimate Fighter and became a star in UFC. Jardine’s record is nowhere near the “Who’s who” list that Silva has, but he does have a few aces in his cap, such as wins over Rampage’s next challenger, Forrest Griffin, and former UFC Lightheavyweight Champion, Chuck Liddell. But of course, with that comes a decision loss to Stephan Bonnar and a really embarrassing, quick knock out by Houston Alexander, whose appearances of late have just proven him to be an extremely spotty fighter.

The argument is that the win over Liddell was really close as well as Liddell was going through his coke, bitches and not training phase after losing the belt to Rampage. While really, Liddell did have quite a rough spot there, and we aren’t even sure if that rough spot is over, that doesn’t take away from the fact that Jardine did actually beat the man that looked unstoppable for a few years. On top of that, the loss to Bonnar has been written off by many as a really bad decision, something that I can agree with for the most part. It was a close decision, and Jardine could have easily taken the decision if it were different judges.

So this fight proves interesting in a few ways; the first being that both men have something to prove. Jardine is looking to prove that his win over Liddell wasn’t a fluke, that he won’t simply be fed to other fighters, that he belongs up on top. Wanderlei is out to prove that he is still the Axe Murderer, a fighter that can destroy anything and anybody in his path with his vicious knees, punches and kicks. On top of that we have two stand up fighters who have shown to be weak against other stand up fighters who like them are aggressive and looking for a quick and fantastic knockout.

You have to think if Wanderlei can’t pull off the win here, the talks of retirement will flare up again, and that he might actually do it. You also have to think that if Jardine can’t pull off the win over Wanderlei his chances of being seen as a serious, top level competitor in the UFC are over. Both have a lot to lose tonight, and hopefully they lay it all on the line.

I’m in a real hurry so I just want to post this here before the event to make it official.

This week I have actually put money down in the REAL WORLD on the outcome of tonights UFC. It’s only £5 and I;m not expecting to win but it’ll keep things interesting, even moreso. I have placed the money on an accumulator featuring the following fighters at the odds stated.

Yoshiyuki Yoshida @ 1.66
Shane Carwin @ 1.57
Dong-Hyun Kim @ 1.30
Rich Clementi @ 1.44
Rousimar Palhares @ 2.10
BJ Penn @ 1.40
Thiago Silva @ 1.10

This works out at 149/10, 15.9 or +1490 depending on your gambling language. I haven’t had time work out where I stand in this competition, but good ol’ Kawajiri won for me last week so I know I have at least $50. I shall place that on the above accumulator here too.

I’ll work out where Farrow and I stand at some in the next day or two.

Last Week

No winners
Two losers - (£55)
Total profit / loss = (£55)

Starting balance - £1,028.00
Balance carried forward - £973.00

Why do they always have to let you down. Junior “the Sh*tter” Witter. I’ve stuck up for you, I’ve watched all your fights, even the very boring ones. The one time I lay money on you, you let me down. Well, we’re done. When some idiot says you’re a rubbish boxer, I will no longer defend you. Timothy Bradley put a good performance in but Witter let himself down and cost me money.

On the other bet, I should have gone for Nakamura. I backed Jung slightly against my better judgement and I was made to pay. Oh well, can’t win them all.

Worse still, I sat on my hands last week when I just knew Gianluca Branco, out at something like 3.5, would beat Colin Lynes. £50 on that and I’d have been a very happy man.

This Week:

KEITH JARDINE vs. Wanderlei Silva - Pinnacle Sports - £33 @ +156 (2.56)

It’s a fight which divides opinion but when he can get into a fight and fight at his pace, Jardine is very difficult to beat. Wanderlei hasn’t looked the same guy and while I hate writing people off, it’s difficult to see him fighting aggressively to generate the pressure to pull Jardine out of his comfort zone. If Jardine respects Silva and fights the smart fight, I can see him beating Wandy and for positive odds, I think it’s worth a punt.

LYOTO MACHIDA vs. Tito Ortiz - Betfair - £40 @ 1.52 (-191)

I am stuck on this one. I am backing Machida but in the back of my mind there are doubts. Part of me says that Tito is somewhat of a relic; ground and pound from within the guard, relying on distant takedowns, losing the few little things that seperated him from the rest. However, you can’t stop thinking he still has a little of the magic. So I drunk a few jars and thought about it a lot and came to the conclusion that competition has moved on. You can’t get away with beating Elvis Sinosic or beefed-up middleweights nowadays and Lyoto is the (dull) future.

Summary:

JARDINE - £33 @ +156 on Pinnacle Sports
MACHIDA - £40 @ 1.52 on Betfair

Current Balance - £973.00
Potential profit - £72.28
Potential loss - (£73)

This Saturday kicks off an incredible run of excellent weekend shows that lasts all the way until August. It includes eight consecutive weekends starting on the 24th. Wow.

Saturday May 24th, UFC 84- PPV

LW Title: B.J. Penn vs. Sean Sherk
Lyoto Machida vs. Tito Ortiz
Keith Jardine vs. Wanderlei Silva
Thiago Silva vs. Antonio Mendes
Wilson Gouveia vs. Goran Reljic
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou vs. Kazuhiro Nakamura
Yoshiyuki Yoshida vs. Jon Koppenhaver
Rousimar Palhares vs. Ivan Salaverry
Shane Carwin vs. Christian Wellisch
Dong-hyun Kim vs. Jason Tan
Terry Etim vs. Rich Clementi

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Discuss this article in the Total MMA forums

So, is anybody else watching this anymore? The people of my daily acquaintance who generally keep up with the world of MMA seem to have lost interest in this season of The Ultimate Fighter (they are all like “uh, missed it, I guess”) but apparently it’s not just them; it’s all kinds. MMA Payout recently posted this ratings analysis of the seven TUF seasons through seven episodes. And despite Dana White’s insistence earlier this year that “The ratings for the Ultimate Fighter have been fucking awesome,” they’ve been steadily declining each seasons since the third, with season seven being the worst of the lot.

Which is too bad, because this is actually pretty good. Remember last week when Amir “pulled off a stunning comeback” against Gerald Harris? Remember just last week when Patrick lost to Cale and talked back to Forrest? And Rampage got all worked up? With the promise that next week (that is to say this week) he would get even more worked up? I’m in! Are you?

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With Zuffa’s latest ill-titled PPV offering fast approaching, it’s time for a thorough analysis of the bouts on offer this weekend.  The card is one I expect to have, at best, limited appeal to the casual viewer.  Neither Penn nor Sherk, the putative headliners, is renown as a draw.  The only man on the card who has any drawing history, Tito Ortiz, is third from the top and fighting someone who appeals only to hardcore fans.  Make that “a few hardcore fans”.  There are a pile of guys even most hardcore fans haven’t heard of.  That said, there are some intriguing matchups in store. 

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UFC 84 has a huge main card, with top fighters battling it out, and compelling storylines to boot. But if you take a look at the undercard there are some pretty interesting stories as well. Let’s take a look at five big ones.

1. The next “Next Big Thing”?

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Mohegan Sun is a hotel/casino roughly in no man’s land Connecticut, which is about where you would think the US government would throw Native Americans after destroying their culture and killing most of them. It would probably come to the surprise of many decades later that it was a very good place to put a casino that would draw both from New York City and the Boston area. It would also likely surprise those early American empire builders that a sport like MMA could exist and be televised around the world, and that an arena in that same locale would be the center for the sport in New England rather than other similarly sized arenas in Hartford, Bridgeport, Springfield, Worcester, Boston, or Providence. And yet, that’s exactly how its turned out.

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I am feeling awfully rough and for God knows what reason I got up to watch Sengoku at 8am. Live results shall go here.

1. Satoru Kitaoka vs. Ian Schaffa

Kitaoka won by armbar within a minute or two. Nothing else to say. Schaffa looked rubbish.

2. Mike Pyle vs. Dan Hornbuckle

God, the battle has already started before they enter the ring. They are duking it out to see who can have the worst fucking entrance music possible.

Pyle won via triangle in the first round.

Our very own BILL THOMPSON rates Hornbuckle as a prospect but he got outworked in every aspect of the game here pretty much. DH looks to have a good takedown but Pyle’s boxing looked pretty slick and his jiu-jitsu was far superior. Nice finish to the fight. I’ve just checked and Hornbuckle was 15-1 coming into that fight which surprises me.

3. Eiji Mitsuoka vs. Kwang Hee Lee

TURN THE MUSIC OFF. If HDNet was carrying this show they’d have to dub their own tunes not out of copyright fear but just to try and retain some credibility. I like Mitsuoka though so I shall persevere.

Also, whilst we’re not talking Scott Ferrall levels of ring announcer, the microphone guy is pretty terrible. No idea why Japanese companies would be so keen to appoint a random yank.

Another first round finish. Mitsuoka won by rear naked choke. I believe there was some hype surrounding Lee coming into this fight but he didn’t show anything of note. Eiji took him down after coming off slightly poorer when standing and controlled it from there. Lee struggled to keep him from passing to side but once he did he soon took the back and IT WAS ALL OVER to quote Goldberg.

4. Yuki Sasaki vs. Jorge Santiago

Not long until RandleMAN now…

Good first round. Sasaki looked a little scared of the much bigger Jorge when standing. he eventually decided to just run at him and hold him hopefully which led to a takedown. He got the back, secured the body triangle and his arm underneath Jorge’s chin. I’ve no idea how he didn’t finish the fight. They stood up again and Jorge looked better but still rather sloppy.

Whilst I didn’t expect him to be steamrolled, I picked Jorge to win this fight but he’s losing two rounds to nil at the moment. Sasaki is controlling it with his submission game and again I’ve no idea how he hasn’t finished the fight yet. He had a nice arm triangle and was about to sink in an armbar just at the bell went for the end of the round.

I take it all back. Well, almost. Santiago finished with a sweet armbar in the start of the third. Sasaki had his chances and only has himself to blame really. Sunglasses for everyone!

5. Yoshihiro Nakao vs. Big Jim York

I just want your extra time and your…

KISS!

I shall forever associate Tom Jones with people kissing Heath Herring from now on.

I think Nakao is one of those things that only people in Japan understand. He is absolutely HORRID though and I don’t want to see him fight ever again. He’s shaking his arse and generally running away from combat in this. I fear another two rounds of the same. I don’t care who wins or loses, please just finigh the fight someone.

Hey, they listened to me. Nakao came out, went for the takedown and used the punch to the face technique to knock down York as he was blocking it. Obligatory hammerfists follow and the ref stops it. RANDLEMAN IS NEXT! He will not let me down like last fight.

Intermission. Crowd is announced as 9,268.

6. Kevin Randleman vs. Ryo Kawamura

This is the sort of fight that I should hate because it’s a dominating LHW taking on an under-experieced native middlweight but I’ll let them off if it means a nice win for Rand.

Odd first round. KR won it but he never really looked finishing or anyting close despite having some prety dominating positions in the corner. Just a display in not losing really from Kawamura who isn’t offering any offence.

Rounds two and three are pretty similar in the sense that Kawamura lost his fear and started to believe he could actually win the fight. There were times when he was actually stalking Randleman which was a slightly bizarre sight given the size difference. He had much better stand up generally and some nice high kicks although nothing too damaging. This was mixed in with various takedowns from the Randle which will probably win him the fight.

Yep, unanimous decision. Kawamura looked much better in losing here than he did in winning at the first Sengoku. KR was not at his best but he is still a better man than you or I.

Interesting post-fight speech where he says he thinks he should have lost the fight and that Kawamura deserves a rematch. He starts chanting “ONE MORE TIME”. The crowd seemed so reluctant to join in with the chanting but eventually they were too polite and gave in.

7. Roger Gracie vs. Yuki Kondo

To the surprise of nobody, Roger submitted Yuki in the first round. His grappling game is scary despite the fact that he pretty much doesn’t use ground and pound at all. Very impressive display although against a hugely undersized opponent.

Looks like they might run Roger-Yoshida at some point judging by the post mtch festivities. Bunch of flowers means IT’S ON MOTHERFUCKER.

8. Josh Barnett vs. Jeff Monson

Pretty dull fight to be fair with both men looking reluctant to exchange. Possibly because they made a point of saying how good friends they are. You could say they shouldn’t have agreed to fight if it was going to be an issue but there you go.

Barnett has won the first with low kicks and takedown defence. Monson hasn’t really done anything though.

I was just in the middle of saying how unless the referee breaks it up that Monson will stay on top forever as he is so hard to shift, when Barnett casually jumped back to his feet. More active round but I would sat Barnett edged it and is currently 2-0 up in that sense.

Third round is more of the same. Josh is winning the stand up and negating what little offence is being offered by Monson. This is more like sparring than an actual fight and the fans doen’t seem impressed although obviously they’re not booing the shit out of it. Monson is a hard guy to finish and Barnett showed improved kicks and knees but there’s no need to go out of your way to see this. Which is a good way to summise the whole card actually.

Barnett win the unanimous decision.