Enough talk: Action! UFC 101 & WEC 42
Posted by Alan Conceicao on August 4th, 2009
After weeks of idle speculation about fights that are or aren’t happening, we’ve all lost track of a grand weekend that we’re closing in on: Two huge fights in Philly plus perhaps the best bantams in the world going at it. Enough talk about Fedor, damnit; Let’s talk about fights. And these are good ones.
Obviously, there focus should be on the main event first and foremost of UFC 101: BJ Penn makes his first defense of his title in almost one year by fighting former challenger Kenny Florian. Florian’s made a name for himself rolling through much of the lightweight midcard and has now arrived (sans needing to avenge the Sherk defeat) at the door step to greatness. The problem is the gatekeeper: BJ Penn is still among the best pound for pound fighters alive. Period. While Florian has been able to overcome previous athletic fighters with his excellent technique, many are betting on Penn underestimating Florian following his loss at 170 to George St. Pierre and subsequent firestorm. Just don’t bet on a guy to lose due to another’s mental errors unless you’ve got nothing physical riding on it. While Florian could catch BJ early, he’s not really an elite striker and BJ is so far and above everyone at 155 on the mat, its barely worth discussing.
Now, the undercard at UFC 101 is nothing to write home about, really; Amir Sadollah barely matters now after his absence. Who knows what Almedia still means in ‘09? But the second of the two main events is solid as concrete and worth the price of admission alone. In a 3 rounder, Forrest Griffin, former 205lb consensus champ, fights Anderson Silva, current 185lb consensus champ. Without question, its the toughest fight of Anderson’s career. However, for Forrest, its less certain. With wins over Rampage and Shogun, he’s clearly a force at 205, and a huge one at that for the weight. Anderson once held the 167lb title in Shooto: Hard to believe, huh? While successful at 205 when he’s fought there, he’s never come close to fighting someone the level of Forrest (closest comparison: Alex Stiebling. Yikes.) much less the size. Griffin will probably try to grind out Silva against the cage, utilizing his physical advantages to sap Silva of his will. Silva, meanwhile, will try and juke and move while throwing wildly accurate kicks and punches. Its a much closer fight than the lines say.
WEC 42 has an equally mediocre undercard, but that comes with a caveat: You aren’t paying to see it. And so when a fight like Brian Bowles challenge to Miguel Torres’ crown is on top, you shouldn’t bitch much. Bowles may be 7-0, but he has wins over 4 high level competitors at the weight, each impressively. He is, in effect, by far the best competition for Torres, some people’s dark horse for best pound for pound fighter in the sport. However, Torres looked beatable at times against the otherwise untested Mizugaki in his last WEC appearance, and Bowles unquestionably possesses the power to put any man down at the weight, while Torres is clearly capable of being hit. This is as competitive as a title fight gets in 2009, and for it to be on free TV just makes it all the more worthwhile. So please; ignore the empty seats at The Joint. You did it the previous times there, right? Sit back, enjoy the fights, and let the biz rest.