As a fan of mixed martial arts, I admit I am a purist. I remember sitting down as a teenager with my dad and brother watching the very first UFC 1. I love the sport and catch as much action on television as I can. As I see it, the more successful promotions out there, the better for the MMA fan.
Joe Soto Is A Champion, Not A Prospect
So here’s my gripe.
All the supposed MMA fans and bloggers are out here cursing over not getting see the bouts they want to see. I’ve never seen this level of strife like this before online. We want Fedor vs Lesnar. We want BJ vs Aoki. Blah. Blah. Blah. There is a reason why we aren’t getting these fights. Because Dana White and Zuffa are blocking them from happening.
It is important to remember that the UFC is just a promotion, they are not a league. Their champions are actually paper champions, not real champions. Champions are crowned by sanctioning bodies, not the Don King of MMA. White has taken the purity of UFC 1 and turned the UFC into biggest sports entertainment rival to WWE.
What irks me most are bloggers and MMA columnists that push this drivel that a fighter can only earn his stripes by fighting under the Zuffa banner, either UFC or WEC. In a column I ran across yesterday on BleacherReport.com by correspondent Ken Foss, he pastes Bellator’s current champion Joe Soto as a prospect and that “Because Bellator has slumbered, Joe Soto’s stock has stagnated. Even so, he’s still arguably the top prospect at 145 pounds, and it’s only a matter of time before we see this 22-year-old beating up on WEC featherweights.”
BleacherReport’s Foss goes right for the jugular on Bellator, diminishing their accomplishments and asserting that Soto has made a mistake in fighting for them instead of WEC. As pointed out in a response comment to the story, Joe Soto was the highest paid featherweight fighter in the world in 2009. Needless to say, it impossible to be a prospect when you made more money than anyone else at your weight class.
Foss then tries to compare a salary paid to a failed NFL player to try and back up his point while sticking to his guns that Soto isn’t the best until he fights in WEC. Too bad that correlation makes no freaking sense at all since fighter pay is tied to success in the cage and NFL players get their first contract before they ever take the field and its based on their draft order.
It’s this kind of naivete that really hurts the sport. Bellator is one the bright spots in MMA. Guys like Foss, who hase probably never watched any of Bellator’s fight cards or attended one of their events are instantly experts that Bellator is bush league and piss all over it. In their minds, you are nothing until you kiss Dana White’s ring.
In my opinion, kudos to Joe Soto for controlling his fighting destiny and bucking the ranks. Bellator is primed for a great second season and Soto is the man to watch. And I’ll put my money down right now that next year, Foss will be eating his words, because money talks and bullshit walks. Bellator pays more and they will get the better fighters in the long run at featherweight.
Benson Henderson (11-1) scored a guillotine choke submission to unify the title with a victory over Jamie Varner (16-3). Henderson, coming off an electrifying victory over Donald Cerrone to earn the interim belt, adapted his style to caution and patience, refusing to be overly aggressive against Varner. His game plan paid off as he surprised Varner with a guillotine choke that quickly ended the fight in the third round.
Varner, returning to action after multiple injuries kept him on the shelf for 11 months looked rusty and slow throughout the fight. Henderson was able to easily dodge his boxing blows and lulled Varner to sleep and pulled him in to his clutches. The loss sends Varner back down the contender list to work his way back up.
Here is the play-by-play breakdown of the fight:
Round 1
Henderson Unifies WEC Lightweight Belt
The fighters feel each other out, with Henderson showing tentativeness. Varner goes for the takedown and gets it. Henderson goes for a knee bar, but gives up on it as Varner lands blows to body. Varner gains a front headlock and then tries for guillotine choke in standing position along cage wall. Varner lands a knee to the head, bringing Henderson to his knees. Varner continues to land knee blows. Referee stands the fighters up. Henderson lands a kick to body. Varner walks back to a neutral corner and Henderson bull rushes. The fighters scramble and both gain body locks along the cage wall. Henderson lands an overhand right and the bell sounds.
Solid and definitive round for Varner.
Round 2
Varner opens the round with a wild flying knee that misses and Henderson counters with his own knee to the body. Varner lands a leg kick which drops Henderson, but Henderson pops up quickly. Varner lunges and eats a combination. Henderson lands a left kick to the body. Henderson lands again with a kick to the body and Varner misses with a roundhouse kick to head. Another kick landed by Henderson. Varner catches a Henderson kick attempt to head and throws him to canvas. Henderson pops back up. Varner charges and lands a combination of body shots. Fighters clinch. Varner lands hammerfists to Henderson’s face as Henderson works of the cage wall. Henderson work of cage as bell sounds.
Close round that could go either way. Give it to Varner as Henderson still is tentative in the cage
Round 3
Varner charges Henderson and gains clinch along cage wall. Clinch is broken. Leg kick landed by Henderson. Varner lands kick to head, and follow that up with another which Henderson blocks. Varner goes for a body tackle and Henderson lands a knee as he comes in. Varner’s head drops and Henderson jumps on the opening, cinching a guillotine and crawling up Varner’s body to lock his legs. Varner quickly taps out to end the fight.
Result
Henderson by guillotine choke submission at 2:41
With the victory, a rematch of Henderson vs Cerrone should be soon in the making. Most cageside observers gave Cerrone the nod in a very close fight, but the final judges gave Henderson the fight which setup the unification bout with Varner.
With the first fight a finalist for Fight of the Year in 2009, a re-match will be even more exciting with so much more on the line.
Urijah Faber (23-3) returned to the cage in the co-featured match at WEC 46 and scored a thrilling submission victory in the closing seconds of the third round over Raphael Assuncao (14-2). Faber, sidelined for seven month after suffering a broken hand in his championship bout loss to former WEC champion Mike Brown. Fighting in front of his hometown fans in Sacramento, Faber put on an exciting display of technique in a defintive victory.
Faber Victorious In Return
Here is the play-by-play call of the bout:
Round 1
Faber scores first with a leg kick. Assuncao misses with a superman punch and grabs a clinch to back Faber into the cage wall. Assuncao has double underhooks, but Faber is able to work his way out of the clinch. Faber runs forward and misses with an overhand right. Assuncao grabs another clinch and pushes Faber into the wall again. Assuncao lands a few blows to the head and lets Faber off the cage wall. Faber comes forward and lands an overhand right and backs Assuncao into the cage wall. Back to the center, Faber lands a left uppercut. Faber lunges forward and loses his balance. Faber lunges forward again, Assuncao catches double underhooks again and pushes Faber into the cage wall. Faber breaks the clinch and the fighters exchange wildly. Faber lands a left uppercut on the chin. Faber goes for a flying knee, but Assuncao defends and counters with strikes.
Close round that goes to Assuncao. Faber was the aggressor, but his sloppiness cost him round.
Round 2
The fighters circle each other, with Faber scoring a takedown. Assuncao catches an arm bar during the takedown attempt, but Faber breaks the submission attempt. Assuncao has guard, but Faber is actively striking. Faber cinches a guillotine choke, but Assuncao counters submission attempt by rolling out. Fighters back to their feet. Assuncao lunges forward with lower leg kick and is caught flush by an overhand right. Assuncao is floored, Faber pounces, but Assuncao catches another arm bar. Faber break the submission and Assuncao take guard. Assuncao scores nice elbows from the bottom as Faber is conservative on top. Assuncao attempts a ogoplata, but Faber strikes Assuncao in face hard to break lock. Faber grabs sidelock along cage wall, but Assuncao breaks free as bell sounds
Clear round for Faber. Great strikes and clean scoring along with some great defense.
Round 3
Faber starts the round with a powerful single leg takedown. Assuncao scrambles and is back on his feet. Assuncao goes for a single leg, but Faber hits a whizzer to defend. Faber goes for kick to head and Assuncao sweeps his leg. Faber pops back up quickly and lands an overhand right that floors Assuncao. Faber pounces, but Assuncao claims guard. Faber is unable to break guard, but Assuncao moves for an escape with time dwindling. Faber grabs his back, gets his hooks in and cinches the rear naked choke. Assuncao fights it off for a short period but has to tapout.
Result
Faber by rear naked choke submission at 3:49 of the third round.
After the bout, post-fight interviews in the ring shed some light on Faber future dance card, as current WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo came in for a promo. It appears that Aldo/Faber is likely the next feature title bout for these two fighters.
Given the electricity the fighters display, this could be fight of the year in MMA.
Former Olympic wrestler Kamal Shalorus (6-0-1) won a unanimous decision over Dave Jansen (14-1) in a battle of unbeaten fighters in a WEC 46 undercard matchup. Shalorus, an Iranian born fighter, dominated the bout for most of the fight, displaying a significant power advantage a neutralizing Jansen’s strength in wrestling. The fight was unexpectedly a standup affair despite both fighter’s wrestling background.
Shalorus Wins Battle of Undefeateds
Here is the play-by-play call of the bout:
Round 1
Jansen strikes first with a sharp kick to the body to start the round action. The fighters trade punches withansen getting the best of the exchange. Shalorus catches Jansen with a hard right to the head. Jansen goes for a takedown but Shalorus defends nicely. The fighters exchange blows to the head again, this time Shalorus getting the better of the exchange. Jansen goes for another takedown, Shalorus gets a front headlock and Jansen pulls out to get back to his feet. Jansen come in firing blows and Shalorus takes a body lock to the mat. Jansen scrambles back to his feet. The fighters exchange blows again. Jansen now has a cut above his left eye. Shalorus connects as Jansen comes in face first, buckling Jansen to his knee. Jansen recovers quickly, but Shalorus lands another left to the chin, buckling Jansen to his knee again. Jansen rebounds back to his feet with blood flowing heavier as the round comes to an end.
Round goes to Shalarous given his closing of the round
Round 2
The fighters meet in the middle and circle one another. The fighters exchange again with Shalorus getting the better of the exchange. Jansen plunges in again and takes another shot to the head from Shalorus. Another flurry with Shalorus getting the better of the exchange. Jansen comes forward again and Shalorus grabs a lock for a takedown. Jensen scrambles back to his feet. Jansen lands a knee to the midsection. Jansen lands a hard right that shakes Shalorus, but Shalorus regains his legs and fends of Jansen’s attack. Jensen again catches another shot on the chin from Shalorus as he drives in. Jansen now has a cut on the middle of his forehead. Jansen goes for a takedown as the round comes to an end.
Close round that goes to Jansen.
Round 3
Shalorus comes out firing with a combination to the head of Jansen. Another takedown attempt by Jansen that Shalorus stops with a front headlock. Jansen lands a kick to midsection and eats a right from Shalorus that floors him. Jansen pops back up quickly to his feet as Shalorus lets him back up. Shalorus lands a leg kick that buckles Jansen’s knee. Jansen eats another left as he goes in for another unsuccessful takedown attempt. Shalarus grabs another body lock and takes Jansen down. Shalorus lets Jansen back to his feet. Jansen lands a nice knee to the side of Shalorus’ head. Shalorus grabs a single leg for a takedown. Shalorus has Jensen pinned against the cage wall but is unable to score. Jansen works to a standup, but Shalorus holds on as the bell sounds.
Clear round that goes to a dominating Shalorus.
Result
Shalorus by unanimous decision with scores of 30-27, 30-27, and 29-28.
Kamal Shalorus put on an impressive showing in his second bout with the WEC. He showed impressive strength and conditioning as he pushed forward constantly for 15 minutes. Dave Jansen was an undefeated fighter, provide Shalorus a huge notch on his belt.
Shalorus looks primed a for a solid future in the WEC, although he has some improvements he needs to make in his standup. He consistently telegraphed his strikes throughout the bout with Jansen, lowering his head each time he threw leather. Against the top-tier fighters in WEC lightweight class, that telegraphing will result in a quick knockout for his opponent if he cannot improve his offensive stance.
Former WEC Featherweight Champion Mike Brown (23-5) scored a submission victory over Anthony Morrison (15-8) at 1:54 of the first round on the undercard of WEC 46. The victory by Brown returns him to winning column after a disappointing loss to current WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo. Brown delivered as less the stellar outing against Aldo, showing a lack of speed and quickness as Aldo dominated the bout before earning a TKO.
Mike Brown Scores KO
Here is the play-by-play call of the bout:
Round 1
The fighters meet in the middle and feel each other out. Morrison connects with a few kicks to the body with follow up combination punches to the head. Brown goes for the takedown, backing Morrison to the cage wall. Brown brings Morrison to the canvas and takes full mount. Brown begins raining down punches, but Morrison defends well. Morrison works back to guard and Brown begins to land blows again, this time to the body. Morrison scrambles to his base and Brown takes his back, cinching in a rear naked choke. The lock is tight and Morrison taps out quickly.
Result
Brown by rear naked choke submission at 1:54 of the first round.
Obviously, Brown’s management team sought out some raw meat to chew on in Morrison. It was important that Brown bounce back strong from a very solid defeat. A smart strategy to get the fight back in a good rhythm.
With the victory, Brown inserts himself back into the featherweight contender conversation with a dominating victory. Brown will probably need two or three more wins before he gets an opportunity for a rematch against Jose Aldo.
Another year has come and gone with MMA broadening it fan base while moving closer to mainstream acceptance in the sports marketplace. UFC hosted it 100th major event, Strikeforce brought Fedor to CBS and Bellator came out of nowhere to deliver some of the best fights all year. It was a year of milestone and big fights.
Here are this year’s awards winners:
Fighter of The Year
Fighter Of The Year
Lyoto Machida (UFC)
2009 was the Year of The Dragon, as Machida laid claim to the title of best light heavyweight in the world. All he did was dispatch two previously undefeated fighters in Thiago Silva to earn a title and Rashad Evans to win the UFC championship belt. He then fought a tightly contested matchup versus former Pride champion Mauricio Rua and earned a controversial unanimous decision. Machida recently underwent surgery on his hand, but a rematch versus Rua is on the schedule for early 2010
Fight Of The Year
Donald Cerrone vs. Benson Henderson (WEC 43)
Unquestionably the best display of mixed martial arts skills in any fight this year amongst top-tier fighters. While other may point to Sanchez vs Guida or Melendez vs Thomson as their pick, those bouts were merely street fights in a cage. Albeit entertaining, they are not representative of true MMA skill sets. The Cerrone/Henderson was a back and forth war between the athlete (Henderson) and the technician (Cerrone). Henderson would be the aggressor and land his shots and get his takedown, then Cerrone would turn the tied with his great defense and submission moves. It was every MMA fans true delight to watch this match and most cannot wait for the rematch of this tightly contested fight.
Knockout of the Year – Dan Horbuckle vs Akihiro Gone (Sengoku)
This was a tough decision, as there were some fantastic knockouts in 2009. UFC’s Dan Henderson’s drilling of Michael Bisping was one of the best punches delivered in a long-time. Bellator’s Yahir Reyes’ spinning backfist of Estevan Payan rates high purely based on the sound of the crack of that hit. In the end, you gotta give the kudos to Dan Hornbuckle for his leg kick to the head of Akhiro Gono. Rarely do you see a guy knocked cold from a leg kick like the one delivered by Hornbuckle. When you watch the super slow motion replay of the kick, you really feel Gono’s pain.
Submission of The Year – Toby Imada vs. Jorge Masvidal (Bellator)
The was the easiest to pick, simply because MMA has never seen such a move applied in its history. Imada had everything thrown at him but the kitchen sink by Jorge Masvidal. Imada never quit and Masvidal let his cockiness supercede sensibility. Masvidal lifted Imada off the ground for a slam, and in the process got himself choked unconscious while standing on his feet. It wasn’t just the submission of the year, it was the greatness submission of all time.
Breakthrough Fighter Of The Year
Breakthrough Fighter
Jose Aldo (WEC)
Jose Aldo was a relative unknown to most MMA fans to start the year, just another featherweight in the stacked WEC. His body of work was questionable as well, having fought mostly guys that had many losses on their records. He caught the attention of fans with his highlight reel flying double-knee knockout of top contender Cub Swanson and followed that up with a dominant victory over WEC champion Mike Brown. While’s Aldo longevity at the top is still questioned by many industry observers, his rise in 2009 from a preliminary bout fighter to close out 2008 to champion.
