The Premiere Edition of Loser Leaves Town: UFC 125 Edition

Welcome to a new feature I'm trying out called Loser Leaves Town where we look at fighters who's jobs are basically on the line at UFC 125. With Dana White and Zuffa being chop-happy and the mandate that entertainment precedes all, this should provide for some interesting things. 

Brandon Vera - Brandon Vera has lost two in a row, one to Randy Couture and a demolition by Jon Jones. On the strength of losing three in a row, he could be cut. He will also have lost 4 out of his last 6 fights. This fight is booked as if the intent was to provide Thiago Silva with a "gimme" but someone who still has name value. Brandon Vera, who was once a bright prospect in two division, has primarily turned out to be a product of mainly hype (with a couple key wins). Uncle Dana never forgets and Brandon Vera and the UFC had a bad contract dispute back when. Ultimately, the UFC isn't afraid of losing Vera as his name isn't a draw and he wouldn't be much value to Strikeforce as a name (he would have value in filling out the weak LHW division). Vera is also 33 and is, at best, a mid-level LHW in the most stacked division the UFC has.

Jeremy Stephens - Maybe this is wishful thinking, I don't know. I do know this would be two in a row and 4 out of his last 6. He committed a cardinal sin against Melvin Guillard, he talked a bunch of shit and lost. Not only did he lose, but it was a "boring fight". Dana White HATES that. Lil' Heathen fights that style Dana White loves which is STANDANDBANGRRRR, but the UFC 155 division just doubled with the acquisition of the WEC. A lot of 155ers are fighting for their jobs. If he gets finished or goes down in boring decision, he could get the ax. He's young, go out there and pick up some wins and he'll be right back in the mix. 

Marcus Davis - That makes this fight a S.C. Michaelson Official "Loser Leaves Town" match. Marcus Davis with a loss with be 4 out of his last 5. He just left the WW division and is now in the most overcrowded division in the UFC. He can't go down to 145. His value as a name for expanding into Europe is all but gone as the UFC has developed a stronghold in the UK and feels comfortable in giving them consistently shitty cards. The lone fight he won was against Jonathan Goulet who is out of the UFC. I definitely see the loser of this fight getting cut. 

Phil Baroni - I like Philbert Baloney. I loved he and Mark Coleman and Coleman's dad taking on all of Juiced Boxe when they got jumped in the ring by Wand and the rest of the goons. That showed heart. Hell, Baroni's shown heart a lot in his career. I think that might be his biggest talent is his heart. Unfortunately, he's a career .500 fighter with cardio problems. I just don't think the UFC is going to have room for him if he loses this fight. 

Of course, any fighter who puts on a "boring" fight is subject to getting at the whims of the upper management of the UFC. Hopefully, everyone keeps their job, but in today's world, that don't seem possible. 

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SBN coverage of UFC 125: Resolution