What we learned from UFC 102

UFC 102 is over and it is time to weigh the butcher's bill and figure out what we learned from the UFC's foray into the Pacific Northwest,

• Swan songs are nice - But how much gas does Randy really have left in the tank? Apparently a lot, well at least according to Randy as he signed a six-fight contract extension with the UFC. That means Zuffa has Randy locked up until he's 63, well maybe a few years sooner. Perhaps this means "Captain America" will head back to 205lbs.
  
• There be voodoo at work - The MMA Live curse is real and is in full swing as Randy Couture is its latest victim. Out of the six fighters who have appeared on MMA Live as analysts all six have lost their next fight. Soon the MMA Live set will have 'Abandon all hope ye who enter here' engraved on the wall.
  
• Hey, old guys - How good of a main event was Nogueira vs. Couture? It was definitely entertaining as the two men slugged it out to the delight of the crowd but it also felt like the fight was in slow motion. The entire bout felt as if it was on three quarters speed (at best) compared to the other fights last night. While Nogueira pushed himself back towards title contention do you really believe that his performance was strong enough to justify a title shot?
  
• Jiu-Jitsu master? - Demian Maia didn't have enough time to show off his Jiu-Jitsu skill as he was KO'd in twenty-one seconds. I guess this is the reason why we always talk about a punchers chance. 
• Two number one contenders -The middleweight division appears to have two number one contenders now that Nate Marquardt KO'd Demian Maia. WKR was of the school of thought that it would take a spectacular finish for either Marquardt or Maia to leap-frog Dan Henderson towards a title shot. Nate Marquardt gave us that spectacular finish. Who will the UFC pick to fight Anderson Silva? Well if the champion has his say Nate Marquardt and Dan Henderson will have to fight to get a shot at the middleweight belt.
• Techno Viking no more - Keith Jardine's role as gatekeeper became more pronounced with his loss to Thiago Silva. Unfortunately for Keith it came via knockout early in the first round. The questions of durability will once again appear and WKR wouldn't be surprised if we hear layoff whispers surrounding "The Dean of Mean."
  
• Convulsions are totally normal - After Chris Leben was submitted to the point of unconsciousness by Jake Rosholt he began convulsing. Don't worry this is totally normal but not exactly a pleasant thing to witness in your sporting event. Can't wait to read the editorials on this one.
• Damn it Yves! - Poor Yves Lavigne. He was in a difficult position as Jake Rosholt tightened the arm-triangle on Chris Leben. It appeared that Leben tapped and Lavigne went in to stop the fight but then Chris bucked his legs and Lavigne stopped to wait a more few seconds before ending the fight. That apparent tap could have looked like weak punches as Leben tried to buck. Once Lavigne did stop the fight Leben was passed out and started convulsing. Referees need to be decisive but they are worried about being chastised for being too quick (aren't we all?) but that should be irrelevant. The number one goal is the protection of the fighters and referees need to be decisive in order to fulfill that duty.
  
• The truth? Pretty sure you can't handle it. No really you can't. - Brandon Vera looked mediocre in his unanimous decision victory over Krzysztof Soszynski. For Vera, a fighter who once considered a bright prospect, it is sad to see him meddling around the middle of the light heavyweight division.
  
• Jab's are power punches? - Todd Duffee made his debut and made is spectacular. Duffee KO'd Tim Hague in seven seconds. That's faster than Usain Bolt running a hundred meters. How did Duffee claim the record? With a jab, a simple jab. Heavyweight division look out.
  
• Heart over brains - Ed Herman really needed to be done with his fight against Aaron Simpson after the first round. The Oregon native appeared to have badly injured his knee in the first round but like a soldier Ed Herman went out there to fight in round two only to hurt his knee again. It is difficult to concede defeat but perhaps it would have been smart to do so this time.

What did you learn from UFC 102. Let us know.

UFC 102: Couture vs. Nogueira coverage