What we learned from UFC 100

by Zak Woods on Jul 12, 2009 3:46 PM EDT Comment 4 comments

Brock Lesnar Smash!

- Based on the boos plenty of MMA fans don't like Brock Lesnar but there are plenty of casuals and WWE fans more than willing to give Zuffa their money.

- Lesnar's athletic advantage is so great it is very possible that the Lesnar era could last a long time.

- Georges St. Pierre seems extremely tentative about a possible mega-fight with Anderson Silva. Perhaps his brand is more secure as being an unbeatable welterweight champion?

- Once again St. Pierre and Greg Jackson proved the value of a well thought-out and well executed game plan.

- Thiago Alves performance was full of heart but ultimately demonstrated that you need to be well-rounded, and not a specialist, to become a champion.

- Bisping's title shot went up in smoke at UFC 100. "The Count's" failure to avoid Henderson right hand will be proof positive for 's detractors that he is an over-inflated product of the UFC hype machine.

- Bisping's inability to account for Henderson's big right hand calls into question his camp and his training.

- The UFC is having some timing issues recently. UFC 100 was the latest example but UFC 97 also had timing issues as Sam Stout and Matt Wiman fought after the co-main event.

- Jon Fitch proved his resilience in escaping Thiago's early guillotine choke. Fitch proved that he is still at the top of the welterweight division.

- Paulo Thiago is a raw talent but a talent nonetheless and needs some time to develop. Hopefully the UFC gives him that time and doesn't throw him to another shark.

- Alan Belcher is the new Keith Jardine (unlucky for Jardine or Belcher?).

- If you're a conspiracy theorist you will see Akiyama's split decision, namely the 30-27 score, as proof positive that theUFC is protecting their Japanese investment.

- The talent of the most recent seasons of The Ultimate Fighter's is seriously in question. The winner of season six is clearly at the bottom of the lightweight division and with three losses in a row he could be cut. On top of that the ringer from season seven can't stop a submission to save his life (or he phantom taps).

- Mark Coleman has prolonged his career for at least another fight.

- Stephan Bonnar has some serious questions going forward.

- Jon Jones development continues! Will the UFC follow a path similar to Anthony Johnson or will they begin to put Jones against fighters at the edge of the top-ten? Safe money is on the slow path due to Jones' youth.

1 recs | Comment 4 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Some great points but can't agree with all of it

I don’t think GSP is apprehensive at all.
I think going up to 185 lbs is not something you can do on a whim, especially to fight the baddest man alive.
I liked how he was talking about bulking up in preparation. The prospect of an even more jacked GSP is crazy!

You are right about Bisping. He is a fraud, but a useful one in the end. He opened the door for British fighters.

Agree with the Wolfslair comment. Cheick Kongo still hasn’t learned how to stuff a takedown and I don’t think he is going to learn in wrestling-heavy England.

Jon Jones is the man!

by competitionaddict on Jul 12, 2009 5:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Welcome competitionaddict!

I hope you enjoy WKR and thank you for your comments

watchkalibrun.com

by Zak Woods on Jul 12, 2009 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

GSP

needs to move up to 185. Alves was the toughest competition GSP has ever faced in the welterweight division, and GSP put dominated all five rounds. The fighters in this weight class aren’t necessarily weak, but GSP is too good and puts together remarkable game plans that he executes to perfection.

If GSP’s handlers are trying to keep him from moving up, I think it would look bad in the public’s eye because it can be seen as GSP taking the easy route and not wanting to face the toughest competition possible. A fight with Anderson Silva is what everyone wants to see, and I’m not willing to call GSP the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world until he steps in the octagon and takes on Silva.

The decision to have Fitch fight Thiago after the main event was an interesting one, to say the least. It looked like most of the fans had left at that point, but Fitch put on a good show. I personally would have liked to see the Fitch fight immediately after the GSP-Alves fight, but I also thought it was incredible cool to see two championship fights back-to-back.

I agree with you that Bisping’s camp has to be called into question. As I was watching the fight, all I could think was: what is he doing? He was walking right into Henderson’s right hand, and even though Hendo didn’t fully connect in the first round, you had to figure he would at some point. I really would love to know what Bisping — and his camp —was thinking.

The punch that Hendo threw after Bisping was already knocked out was definitely a cheap shot, but I loved it. Bisping was flat-out annoying leading up to the fight, and Hendo wanted to shut him up.

by BruinFanBaby on Jul 12, 2009 8:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

my point about his image is that it makes business since to stay at 170 and keep dominating everyone it isn’t a thin as the middle or heavyweight divisions and GSP is currently becoming the most prominent MMA fighter with MSM sponsors.

Why risk that trend now by moving up for a difficult fight

watchkalibrun.com

by Zak Woods on Jul 12, 2009 9:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs