UFC 115: Liddell Franklin Hangover

Some thoughts while I recover from my UFC 115 hangover...

- Rich Franklin was the latest fighter charge up the hhadoken punch and knock Chuck Liddell back to 1996.

- Rich Franklin hasn't knocked someone out since 2005. He knocked out Liddell with a broken arm. Franklin is left handed and finished Liddell with a short right hook. And that's why we say that Liddell's chin has become a warm gooey pile of ectoplasm.

- Since 2007 Liddell is 1-5 with four "was he just run over by a train?" knockout losses.

- Joe Rogan, Mike Goldberg and Dana White all seemed eager to establish the  "Chuck will retire" narrative. Then again, this happened after UFC 97 and I wouldn't be surprised if they go to the Liddell vs. Ortiz well as a farewell fight for "The Iceman" in a year.

- Got to love how Dana, Chuck and company went bananas at Tito Ortiz for saying that Liddell needed an "intervention" only to read a plethora of stories this week saying how Chuck is training seriously and has changed his "lifestyle" (psst that's a code word for getting sloppy drunk). Hell, Joe Rogan hyped Liddell on Spike saying, "he hasn’t had a drop to drink in 9 months." Nice.

- When Pat Barry landed those two right hands against Mirko "Cro Cop" causing his face to swell up like Augustus Gloop it felt like it was going to be a long night for "Cro Cop" fanboys. But then something strange happened. Filipovic responded to adversity, came back and actually took Barry down even winning by submission. Then again, Barry broke his right hand after that second punch, which essentially took away his best weapon. But just like the U.S. national soccer team, beggars can't be choosers!

- With all the man love between Pat Barry and Mirko Filipovic the two should star in a Judd Apatow "bromance" film.

- This was Filipovic's last fight on his current UFC contract. Zuffa was probably going to re-sign him for the upcoming German card anyways but look for

- Pat Barry's hand and Mirko Filipovic's face is a great example of what really happens when you punch someone in the face. You break your hand and they break their face. Sort of a push of brokenness...

- Ben Rothwell defeats Gilbert Yvel. Luckily we didn't have to hear a bunch of Zuffa lies hype about Yvel like we had to at UFC 109. Now he can be quietly cut and Rothwell can fight Mirko in Germany later this year (health permitting of course).

- That sound you heard? That was everyone jumping off the Paulo Thiago bandwagon.

- Seriously, Thiago has talent but needs A LOT of work. All of his fights have highlighted how technically deficient his striking is and for a guy who supposedly is a great BJJ practitioner he hasn't submitted anyone in the UFC or really come close to sniffing a solid choke. Update: Totally forgot that Thiago submitted Swick after he knocked him down with a counter. Luckily, Paulo can always go back to shooting at drug lords in Brazil...

- Kampmann is a fighter that can put masterful performances at times to only be overwhelmed by fighters charging him down throwing crazy punches. Instead of a "deer in headlights" call it a "Kampmann in headlights" problem.

- At time Carlos Condit's nickname of "The Natural Born Killer" is pitch perfect and the final round against Rory MacDonald was one of those moments. Now, if Condit could stop a takedown he might be able to go somewhere.

- What were you doing when you were 20 years old? Getting drunk while playing Mario Kart on your N64 before trolling for girls? Well, Rory MacDonald was kicking ass in the UFC. Makes your post-teen life seem less valuable, eh?

- Rory MacDonald may have been bloodied and beaten but his performance places him in the coveted "hot prospect" zone. Think of it like the Studio 55 in 70's without all the coke.

- The commentary in the first round of Dunham-Griffin was focused solely on the fact that these guys were from the same camp (in reality they were only partners for several months). It was almost like it was a political ad against the AKA and Greg Jackson guys.

- When in the hell did Tyson Griffin become a midget? Seriously, Dunham looked to be a NBA power forward guarding a middle schooler.

- Great win for Dunham and now he's instantly in the mix at 155lbs. Would love to see him fight Takanori Gomi on a Fight Night card next... Call me Joe Silva will do lunch.

- Tony Weeks meet Douglas Crosby. Please have a beer together before never judging a fight again.

- Poor Mac Danzig. At least he attempted to absolve referee Yves Lavigne of any wrong doing.

- Poor Yves Lavigne. While he clearly screwed up I can see why he stopped the fight as Danzig's arm appeared limp. Besides, it's not like insurance for the fight card wasn't a major hurdle for the city of Vancouver to overcome so it's not hard to envision a scenario where there would be extra pressure to protect the fighters and by extension the city.

SBN coverage of UFC 115: Liddell vs. Franklin