Women Inside the Octagon Now a Real Possibility

With Ronda Rousey’s recent dismantling of Julia Budd, “The Arm Collector” displayed the thrill that women’s MMA has to offer. Because she and her female colleagues continue to put on such great performances, Zuffa finds itself in an interesting situation. With the UFC and Strikeforce coexisting despite an imbalance of talent between the two organizations, there are many options. With so much focus being placed on the future of Strikeforce in terms of the UFC, a polarization of outcomes has become the norm: Either Strikeforce will merge into the UFC, or it will dissipate on it’s own. But there is a scenario involving these fighters with tons of potential that lies in the middle ground. Although Dana White has said that women’s MMA is not a deep enough talent pool to create an entire division, this does not mean that women won’t fight in the UFC.

Regardless if UFC fans like women’s MMA or not, there are a number of big draw fights that currently lie within the realm of Strikeforce’s female talent pool. Cris “Cyborg” Santos, Meisha Tate, Ronda Rousey, Alexis Davis, and Greg Jackson fighter Gina Carano are some of the worlds top female mixed martial artists. They have all proven through years of exciting fights what kind of entertainment women’s MMA is capable of. While Strikeforce has been the beneficiary of this successful market, this will continue to be the most exposure that women’s MMA will get, and as big fights present themselves there lies the possibility that these female warriors will graduate to MMA’s biggest stage.
                           
The UFC does not have to create an entire women’s division in order to bring their version of MMA into the octagon. With such a concentrated group of exciting and big name fighters, they will continue to fight in Strikeforce, but every once in a while a big fight deserving of MMA’s highest platform t formulates. Ronda Rousey fighting Miesha Tate, or Gina Carano against Alexis Davis are just two possible examples of what women’s MMA could offer the to UFC right now. Given the UFC’s expanding fan base, creating fights with some of the world’s best female fighters could be seriously profitable. Making a UFC division full of women would be tough right now, sure. But leaving them in Strikeforce when the UFC has the ability to utilize these matchups for it’s own events isn’t helping Dana White’s promotion out at all. Adding a Miesha Tate, or Cris Cyborg super-fight to a UFC PPV main card could do wonders for the UFC, as well as the rest of women’s MMA. While it is a minimal addition, and a small change in adding women to the octagon, the cards will become slightly more diverse, while adding the entire following of women’s MMA to the UFC’s demographic. Many people tune into Showtime to see the women battle it out in the Strikeforce’s cage, and even more will watch them in the UFC. These fighters are the best they have ever been. They are athletic specimens with explosive and pristine technique, and have been putting on extremely exciting bouts.

Even the portion of fans who are unfamiliar with female fighters will be intrigued to see what they have to offer. This won't be a regular commitment for Dana White, but rather a special presentation. It is simply for the scenario where an opportunity for athletes under the same ownership as the UFC will get a chance to perform under Zuffa’s brightest lights, not only because it will be marketable, but because these are the planet’s top fighters and they deserve it.

UFC 140 Picks and Breakdowns

photo via SBNation

Lyoto Machida is a puzzle. Although not undefeated, The Dragon’s game is as dangerous as ever. He has increased the intensity and widened the variety of his training for this fight with Jones, and looks to be the most prepared he has ever been. There is just one problem. When fighting Jon Jones there is such a small window of opportunity to capitalize on his weak spots and implement any type of strategy. Jones has an unprecedented finish rate as his last decision (win) was against Stephan Bonnar in 2009, and with good reason. The kid relentlessly evolves, and the ingredient of his coach Greg Jackson continues to make Jones that much more developed and unpredictable. Although Machida stylistically is the biggest threat to Jones’ throne at this point in time, the champion gives his opponents such a miniscule chance to execute any part of their game plan. He constantly keeps the fight within his control with his reaching strikes, dominating takedown defense, and wildly unpredictable elbows. This forces fighters to go on the defense and veer away from tactics that hold the highest prospect of victory. Machida will try to counter Bones, as he always does, and may land a few good shots, but Jones is too much of a dominating presence for Machida to handle. The real damage will come from the champion, in a second successful title defense.

Pick: Jones via Submission Round 3

Rematches are a great way to gauge the strength of a fighter’s mentality. Seeing if Frank Mir will be as hungry to finish Noguiera as he was the first time around will be telling of where exactly Mir is in his decorated career. Rodrigo looked solid, and resilient in his last win over Brendan Schaub in Brazil. He took a number of big shots, and stayed on his feet to keep throwing, in turn earning a knockout. This was impressive, but Frank Mir is more of a rounded and experienced fighter than the young TUF alum. Mir has a ground game that must never be slept on, and even though Noguiera has great takedown defense, Mir can bring the clinch game into effect to get the canvas warfare started. Either way, Mir has an edge over the Pride Legend in almost every aspect of this matchup. Mir will win the stand up, and end up earning a stoppage victory on the ground.

Pick: Mir via TKO Round 3

Tito Ortiz hung in the fight with Rashad Evans at UFC 133 longer than many people expected him to before he was defeated. Now the positive “People’s Champion” version of Ortiz looks to get back into the win column, and doesn’t necessarily have his hands full. Lil Nog has been a gatekeeper for the UFC for quite some time now, but given that Ortiz has a more developed striking game than Phil Davis who struggled when trading with Nogueira, Tito should be able to win this fight. If not by stoppage, Tito will get the better of the strikes, and beat Noguiera into a possible retirement loss.

Pick: Ortiz via Unanimous Decision

Brian Ebersole will face Claude Patrick (an injury replacement for Rory MacDonald). Ebersole has continued to impress fans in his young UFC stint. His jiu jitsu is a serious threat, and this does not only refer to his ability to submit opponents. His ground game is tight, and has relentless submission defense (refer to Dennis Hallman fight). He is also an exhausting fighter to finish on the feet, with his granite chin, and enduring will. In his fight with highly ranked Hector Lombard, Ebersole cut the Brazilian wide open with a short elbow, then proceeded to take a wicked beating from one of the sport’s fiercest strikers, finally going down in the fourth. Ebersole outclasses Patrick in every aspect of this fight, and he has the definite edge.

Pick: Ebersole via TKO Round 2

The way that Mark Hominick exposed a fighter who many were claiming to be the next best thing, validated this Canadian’s heart and will. He fought Jose Aldo, and left it all inside the octagon, overwhelmingly winning the fifth round and nearly the belt. The machine has slick standup, and has a quick shot to go with it. Hominick also is an exceptional practitioner of ground and pound, and given that Jung is best with off his back, The Korean Zombie will have too much to overcome in order to win this fight.

Pick: Hominick via Unanimous Decision

Three Implications of The Ultimate Finale 14

photo courtesy of www.LasVegasSun.com

1. There is tidal wave of talent about to hit the 135 and 145 pound divisions:

The lightning quick finishes by the season 14 winners tonight were simply the icing on the cake of this season. Often times people will get excited about two or maybe three fighters on the UFC’s reality show (Shamar Bailey, Michael Johnson, Kimbo Slice to name a few). The talent and the level of ability that every single fighter in the season 14 house possessed set a new standard for future TUF contestants, as this cast took big step in the right direction for the UFC. Now after a season chalked full of wildly entertaining fights, all the bantam and featherweights in the UFC have a young savage little bunch of pure talent on their hands.

2. People will never be satisfied with the referee’s stoppages:

MMA is a sport that requires knowledge of the game to understand the intricacies of each fight, and in turn why fights end when they do. Unfortunately there are times when fights are stopped and people, unsure of what caused the stoppages, get upset. Sure, there are fights like at UFC 139 when Tom Lawler was unconscious for a good five seconds before the fight was ended, or when Frank Mir held the leg lock on Lesnar while Brock tapped five times before Mazzagatti intervened.  But what about when John Dodson was pulled off T.J. Dillishaw tonight when the Alpha Male bantamweight was seriously rocked? This stoppage drew serious controversy, yet appeared to be an obvious one. One left hand/forearm dropped T.J. and then another big shot sent him straight to his back. He was rocked, stopped defending himself briefly, and the fight was stopped. Even though T.J. grabbed hold of Dodson’s leg after the stoppage occurred, the knee jerk reaction of a downed fighter grabbing whatever he can in no way means that he is okay to continue. Recall Jake Shields going for a single leg against referee Kevin Mulholland after being knocked out by Jake Ellenberger. Clearly the ability to grab hold of a leg is in no way an indication that a fighter is suited to continue. The bottom line is that no matter how foggy, or how crystal clear some fights end, people may never agree on the quality of some stoppages.

3. Michael Bisping beats another mediocre opponent, in unimpressive fashion:

It is hard to take anything away from a fighter who has racked up so many wins in such a tough division as Bisping has. The British import has continued to prove himself as a top-level fighter. But really, when has he made you jump out of your seat? Beating Rivera was a big win in an anticipated fight for the Brit as was the win over Akiyama. Jason Miller is a great fighter and the way he submitted Sakuraba, nearly finished Shields, and hung with GSP for three tough rounds are all testaments to his talent. Whether Rogan’s theory of “Adrenaline Dump” was correct, or if Miller peaked too early, or even if the ring rust ate away at his cardio, the bottom line is that Mayhem didn’t come to fight, which makes Bisping’s victory tonight as unimpressive as ever.

MMA Sucka and Streetmade TUF 14 Finale Breakdowns

UFC 139: Mixed martial artist set the bar for professional athletes

MMA is a game that stands alone for many reasons. In today’s world of sports, competition often gets diluted with the many regulations and team-based structures. In its introspective temperament, MMA is the purest form of competition. The extreme nature of MMA is so incredibly intricate with so many disciplines involved beneath the violent crust.

Two athletes stand toe-to-toe using nothing but their own highly conditioned body en route to victory. Mixed Martial Artist are required to work harder than most athletes simply because their own well-being depends on the invested effort. These raw athletes push through gruesome training camps, challenging their mental and physical limits in hand-to-hand combat. Every once in a while two athletes will step into the cage and put on a brilliant display of fighting propelled by undying heart and soul. This happened on Saturday.

MMA history was made at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California Saturday night as UFC 139 delivered a night of unforgettable fights. The main event between Mauricio Rua and Dan Henderson shed light on the fact that a truly different breed of athletes is what makes the sport of MMA so special. These two light heavyweight legends clashing for a 25-minute melee redefined the saying “leaving it all out there”. The exhausting battle of back and forth willpower kept the crowd breathless and on their feet, while Henderson and Rua shed blood, sweat, and tears that painted the octagon floor. As soon as one fighter appeared to be inches from finishing the fight, the other would rise from the brink of defeat with his last dying breath and reverse the momentum. Shogun had already proved his toughness with the many wars through out your career, but at no point in his life was he able to conquer such adversity. With the ecstatic 13,000 fans on their feet for this epic fight, at certain moments the chants of “USA! USA” and stark pandemonium revitalized the wobbly light heavyweight warriors.

When the fight ended, people were trying to regain their consciousness, left completely indifferent with who had actually won the fight. There seems to be a correlation with the ability to overcome pain and the fear of it, to the ability to give everything a person has inside them every time. The heart possessed by these two Mixed Martial Artists created something that no other sport is capable of. It wasn’t the result, but the journey that two men had forged in front of the MMA world that will be engraved in history. 

UFC 139 Picks and Breakdowns

Danny Castillo vs. Shamar Bailey:

Shamar Bailey is a tough fighter who can take a punch, and he proved just that in his last scrap with Evan Dunham. Bailey was very relaxed and focused when I spoke with him this morning. Facing Danny Castillo will bring the young lightweight a serious test, but with the wrestling skill and solid chin, Bailey will be able to grind out a win.

Bailey by Unanimous Decision

Seth Bacynzski vs. Matt Brown:

Matt Brown has proved his toughness ever since his days on The Ultimate Fighter. He has solid striking and is very well rounded. Seth Bacyznski is also a TUF alum, yet Brown will be the superior fighter and win decisively.

Brown by (T)KO round 2

Rafael Dos Anjos vs. Gleison Tibau:

The veteran UFC lightweight Tibau is facing a younger Brazilian in Dos Anjos. With an impressive knockout over George Sotiropoulos at UFC 132, Dos Anjos proved his stand up is no joke. In addition, Dos Anjos has solid ground game and he will use it to finish Tibau after knocking him down.

Dos Anjos by Submission round 2

Alex Soto vs. Michael McDonald:

Michael McDonald showed some fight of the night action when he went to a victorious decision with Edwin Figueroa. Mayday has great footwork with an athletic base and great hands. His game is too developed for the undefeated Alex Soto.

McDonald by Unanimous Decision

Tom Lawler vs. Chris Weidman:

Tom Lawler is coming off a long layoff since his win over Patrick Cote at UFC 121 as he looks to take down the wrestler Weidman. Chris Weidman has great takedowns, and solid jiu jitsu, yet has less experience than Lawler. Both of these middleweights are well rounded, but the experience of "Filthy" Tom Lawler will give him an edge.

Lawler by Submission round 3 (SOTN)

Jason Brillz vs. Ryan Bader:

Ryan Bader is one of a number of fighters on this card with his back up against the wall. In this must win scenario, Bader will begin with his striking, but will most definitely resort to his background skill of wrestling if he is not initially successful. Jason Brillz looked lean at weigh ins, but his chin was a serious problem when he lost to Vladimir Matushenko, and Bader has power in his hands.

Bader by (T)KO round 1 (KOTN)

Kyle Kingsbury vs. Stephan Bonnar:

Stephan Bonnar is coming off a long layoff and is facing a true scrapper in Kyle Kingsbury. This may very well be fight of the night, but seeing how quick and efficient Bonnar is with his striking will determine how he will fare against the younger Kingsbu. Then again, Stephan can take a punch.

Bonnar by Split Decision

Martin Kampman vs. Rick Story:

Rick Story, who got a little chippy at weigh ins is an explosive and strong young fighter. He has brute strength that was able to manipulate veteran Thiago Alves, and can hurt you with his hands. Although Martin Kampman is accurate and crisp with his strikes, he is facing a must win scenario and Story is too much for "The Hitman" to handle.

Story by (T)KO round 3

Urijah Faber vs. Brian Bowles:

The two WEC decorated veterans are just part of this star studded UFC 139 cast. Bowles and Faber are similarly tough and well rounded fighters. This fight has experience on both ends, and could really go either way. Faber is itching to get his trilogy with Cruz, and has a bad taste in his mouth after UFC 132. Faber will use his excellent striking and forward attack to win a close decision over Brian Bowles.

Faber by Split Decision

Cung Le vs. Wanderlei Silva:

In his first UFC bout, Cung Le has a lot of hype behind him. The former Strikeforce Middleweight champion has striking that resembles that of Machida, and is facing someone with a complete opposing style. Silva will run at Le like a mad man, but Le is used to this and will keep Silva at bay and pick him apart for three rounds.

Le by Unanimous Decision (FOTN)

Mauricio Shogun Rua vs. Dan Henderson:

Shogun looked great in his win over Forrest Griffin, and is hungry for another title shot, but before he gets it, Henderson represents a grueling test. Hendo has huge power in his strikes, and will finish anybody he connects with. In addition, the California Native's Greco Roman background bar none and once he starts outwrestling his opponents, they lose all sight of a game plan in trying to survive. Shogun will start off with solid striking, but Henderson will end up wearing Rua down and later knocking him out.

Henderson by (T)KO round 3

All Picks:

Bailey

Brown

McDonald

Lawler

Bader

Bonnar

Story

Faber

Le

Henderson