Legends of the Fall

First let me begin by apologizing for no post yesterday, a friend from Sweden was visiting. But we did watch UFC 85: Bedlam in Swedish (it wasn't as repetitive as Goldie and Joe). Unfortunately it appears the end has come for welterweight legend Matt Hughes. Besides looking shrimpish compared to Thiago Alves it appears the sport has passed him by. Matt Hughes lost by TKO in the second round and Thiago Alves has catapulted to likely number one contender. Hughes isn't the first legend to continue competing when the sport has passed him by. Ronaldo caused Brazil to play a man down in the most recent World Cup. Bjorn Borg returned to tennis only to fail miserably. Ali boxed just one more time only to receive brain damage from stubbornly refusing to quit. Michael Jordan joined the Wizards to destroy Kwame Brown's psyche then ruin the team. Royce Gracie was the first MMA legend the sport had noticeably passed by. Ironically the man who showed us this, is now the object of time's cruel fate.

In the co-main event Michael Bisping won again. But honestly his career is equal in free loading to Diego Sanchez or anyone with the last name of 'Daily' in Chicago politics.

Mike Swick proved to large for Marcus Davis to handle and won an unanimous decision. By far the most exciting main card fight but extremely disappointing to the fight of the night hype that was leveled upon it (we were part of that).

Brandon Vera lost to Fabricio Werdum and will soon drop to LHW. Vera is simply not big enough to truly contend with larger opponents that easily control his body.

The most bizarre fight of the night was between Nate Marquardt and Thales Leites. This fight went the distance but contained two point deductions to Nate Marquardt. One extremely legitimate when Marquardt's knee struck Thales' skull while he was still on the ground. The second for strikes to the head, Nate responded to referee Herb Dean with a, "you have got to be kidding me." That coupled with Cecil Peoples as a judge spelled impending doom for Marquardt who clearly controlled the action for the three rounds. But the two point deductions cost him the fight, hopefully he gets a rematch but there may not be a lot of fan outcry (I mean come on! do you really want to see that again?).

Overall we went 2-3, not a productive night. In our defense picking against a legend is tough. Add in all the point deductions and we feel justified in claiming a wash. Overall a decent nights of fights.