UFC 76 recap: Ice Age over?
2007 will be remembered as a year of upsets in UFC, and UFC 76 only continued the trend. But, despite upsets becoming more and more commonplace in the promotion, there's no denying that last night's two major upsets were still stunning and both leave the UFC light heavyweight division in turmoil.
Shogun's debut ruined by vastly improved Griffin
I've never really bought into the Forrest Griffin hype machine, especially in a strong UFC light heavyweight division. I've always believed that his popularity had more to do with timing and his role as TUF 1 champ than anything he has ever done in the Octagon. In fact, before UFC 76, Griffin's most notable performance was a close loss to a rusty and not completely healthy Tito Ortiz in 2006.
But, I have noted improvement in Griffin's game in 2007. First, he showed great poise and Octagon control in his victory over Hector Ramirez earlier this year. And last night against Mauricio Rua, Griffin showed even more weapons in his arsenal. Primarily a brawler when he entered UFC, Griffin now looks quite comfortable on the ground and how fitting was it for him to end a fight he was doing quite well in with a rear nake choke?
This is clearly a turning point in Griffin's career, and given how he has performed this year and how his game has improved, I am finally willing to say that Griffin has entered the top tier of UFC fighters. Finally, I believe his popularity and hype might actually match his game.
Rua, on the other hand, is the latest of PRIDE's superstars to struggle in their cage debuts. Rua looked considerably smaller than Griffin and had gassed by the middle of the second round. Rua never looked like he was in control of the fight, which is stunning for a fighter widely considered close to the top of the world light heavyweight rankings.
PRIDE vs. UFC
So, what does this defeat mean for Rua and all the fighters coming over from PRIDE?
I think it has become quite clear this year that fighting in UFC takes some getting used to. There are subtle but significant rules differences between PRIDE and UFC; there are very substantial tactical differences between fighting in a ring versus fighting in a cage; and PRIDE encouraged a very different style and pace of fighting than that seen in UFC.
With that said, that doesn't necessarily mean fighters in UFC are better or that fighters in PRIDE are overrated. That analysis can only be made years from now, with more data in hand to truly make such assertions. However, clearly in the current climate of MMA, rankings are fairly meaningless.
We are in such a state of flux in MMA, with the sport experiencing newfound popularity, with more and more athletes entering the sport and with the realignment of promotional power that we simply need to allow things to sort themselves out in the cage.
I believe that Mirko Cro Cop's struggles, Rua's lackluster debut, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's near loss to Heath Herring in his debut, and Herring's own loss in his UFC debut have shown us that any fighter entering UFC should be treated as a rookie and should be made to prove himself in the cage before garnering big-money contracts. And, this includes Fedor Emelianenko. After all, why should we believe things will be any different with him?
Some fighters, like Quinton Jackson, have made the transition quite nicely but others, like Cro Cop, may never adjust to the cage or to the UFC fight game. And at this point, all bets are off as to what Wanderlei Silva will do in his debut in December.
Liddell loses again
One thing I think we can say for sure is that Chuck Liddell won't be fighting Silva in December. Liddell may have done enough to win round one last night against Keith Jardine, but after that it was all Jardine, including a knockdown of "The Iceman" in the second round. While I've called Jardine the poor man's Chuck Liddell in the past, and his herky-jerky movements are surely unconventional, "The Dean of Mean" appeared very comfortable against Liddell and not at all intimidated by a man who used to strike fear in his opponents even before stepping into the Octagon.
Is this the end of the road for Liddell? It's hard to tell. There have always been whispers about Liddell's partying and training habits. But, until his loss to Jackson, those rumors were simply dismissed as examples of Liddell being Liddell. Now that he has lost two fights in a row, I'm sure the questions will only grow louder -- does Liddell now care more about being a "rock star" and less about being a top-tier fighter? Only Liddell can answer these questions -- by performing in the cage.
Another question is, who should Liddell fight next? Clearly, he is not main event worthy anymore, and he certainly won't fight a top-tier fighter anytime soon. But, what about a rising star (albeit one that many find boring to watch) like Lyoto Machida? Machida is unbeaten in UFC and a convincing win over Liddell would certainly validate him as a top-level fighter. For Liddell, on the other hand, a win over Machida could be the beginning of his comeback.
TUF's best night yet
TUF alums have had some nice performances in the past, but the victories of Griffin and Jardine on the same night in back-to-back fights has gone a long way to legitimize the show and the fighters that come out of it. No longer can TUF be seen as providing fans with only lower-tier fighters -- instead, we now see that with some time and seasoning, TUF fighters can be just as good as those believed to be the best in the world. TUF can be a proving grounds that serves as step one in a future title holder's career. Never in the past would I have thought that a TUF fighter could possibly challenge for the light heavyweight title as early as 2008.
Thoughts on future UFC matches
Last night's outcomes have turned the light heavyweight division on its head. So, given those results, let me play Joe Silva for a moment and tell you who I'd like to see fight next (note that I would really like to see Dan Henderson drop down to middleweight and unify the middlweight title against Anderson Silva, so I haven't included Henderson in this list):
- Wanderlei Silva's debut in UFC should come against Houston Alexander
- Chuck Liddell should face Lyoto Machida next
- Shogun should face Keith Jardine next
- Quinton Jackson's next title defense should come against (gasp) Forrest Griffin
Kevin Richardson has been a fan of mixed martial arts competition ever since UFC 3, when 600-pound sumo wrestler Emmanuel Yarborough was beaten by Keith Hackney. Kevin will cover the world of MMA — in Baltimore, nationally and internationally. He plans to take readers into the locker rooms and MMA schools, where they'll hear from local fighters and trainers. If you have a news tip or suggestions for the blog, please 
Comments
You haven't watched enough films if you don't understand why Fedor Emelianenko is different.
Honestly, besides his one strike miracles, I have not seen an impressive Cro-cop (aka Mirko Flipovich) fight aside from the Fedor brawl. The Fedor v. Cro-cop extravaganza did give me respect for Cro-cop, but I've never before or since seen him that viscious.
Im not really a Fedor fan as much as I am an appreciator. He takes tough to another level though.
Posted by: Josh the Stampede | September 23, 2007 11:02 PM
This is the best analysis of the fallout from 76 that I have read yet. I have thought the same thing about PRIDE fighters being given mid or low level opponents to acclimate them to the octagon.
Posted by: ThePlague | September 23, 2007 11:06 PM
Why does every reporter tell us that a fighter is over if they lose? Chuck is used to fighting 5 rounds, not 3. That can make a big difference when it comes to points.
"With that said, that doesn't necessarily mean fighters in UFC are better or that fighters in PRIDE are overrated".
Your a fool! How many Pride fighters have fallen to UFC fighters? Most of them. 2 just on the fight card last night!
To say it is a change of rules, or a cage, that is stupid. I'm a fighter and when you fight, changes like that shouldn't matter that much. A fighter is still a fighter, even if they are fighting in a cage, ring or the streets.
So YES, the UFC has the best fighters on Earth. And NO chuck is not down forever.
Posted by: Russ | September 24, 2007 2:35 AM
I somewhat agree with the future fight pics. I believe that Griffin is the only light heavyweight contender with a win streak going on worthy for a title shot. However, I think Liddell -vs- Alexander would be a more exciting match, and one with less damaging results for either fighter regardless of the outcome. Also, if Hendo doesn't drop down weight, I could see him welcoming Silva into the octagon for their rubber match.
Posted by: Roger G. | September 24, 2007 7:25 AM
Good analysis, but I see it like this. If you step into a ring you understand it is more than "kill the bad guy". Hopefully you also consider all the strategies, including the ring size/shape, length of rounds, number of rounds, opponents strengths, etc. And obviously you train accordingly. So aside from the idea that Pride fighters need to adjust I agree with your analysis, otherwise you are suggesting that Pride fighters were/are a little cognitively delayed.
Posted by: Drew | September 24, 2007 9:43 AM
gggh
Posted by: tomo | September 24, 2007 9:53 AM
Thats just the begining of dean of means rin of brutality next fighter up step ya skillz up
Posted by: Death Phantom | September 24, 2007 11:50 AM
I really think that Houston Alexander and Forrest Griffin should fight next for the right to a shot at Jackson...just my opinion...
Posted by: Dave Brown | September 24, 2007 12:04 PM
The "DEAN OF MEAN" should fight W. Silva then the winner fight R. Jackson which will be interesting because it will be a redemption fight for Jackson, if he can pull it off. U Faber vs S. Sherk WEC vs UFC, I know D. White will have to think about that one but boy it would be a sell out. I have every single UFC tape "THE BEGINING" TO 75. God bless you guys D. White, ZUFFA, staff and fighters. You people are the best and I don't know what it would be like without you. You have spoiled us with your well put together fights. Thank You.
Posted by: Dino Gomez | September 24, 2007 1:01 PM
tomo wrote "Thats just the begining of dean of means rin of brutality next fighter up step ya skillz up"
How do you respond to that? Somebody needs to stop eating paint.
Posted by: Jason | September 24, 2007 2:26 PM
I would honestly like to see Houston Alexander take on Rampage Jackson. I also want to see Anderson Silva fight Rickson Gracie from Pride. I also want to see Randy Couture fight Fedor Emelianenko.
What are your thoughts?
Posted by: Ari Waldman | September 24, 2007 3:35 PM
I'll no longer read any of your blogs. Rampage vs Griffen? Jardine vs Rua? You've lost all credibility in my book.
Posted by: The Dean | September 24, 2007 9:43 PM
The Dean,
Please don't leave me. I was so beginning to enjoy our abusive relationship. Dare I say, I was beginning to crave your insults?
But, I think it's better for both of us that you leave, so we can both move on. And please take your "Griffen" with you.
Thank you for your time.
Toodles...
Posted by: Pramit | September 24, 2007 9:55 PM
One of the many things that sets Fedor apart (aside from even Couture calling him the best in the world) is the fact that he is a 3 time world Sambo champion and has dominated in every kind of different fight organization he's ever fought in. He's not just a Pride fighter, he's got credentials in everything. If anyone has ever had the respect of he entire fight world (go ahead and take a pole) it's Fedor.
Posted by: jameson | September 24, 2007 11:37 PM
My Thoughts on Future Picks,
1) I disagree with you for givin Griffin the title shot, when he was smashed by Jardine.
2) I couldnt see Jardine given the title shot, because he was smashed by houston alexander.
3) I could see houston alexander being given the title shot.
3) I agree Pride fighters need to be treated as a newcomer as for UFC, and there fore need to work their way up.
Posted by: John "The Don" Johnson | September 24, 2007 11:58 PM
These threads are great for a laugh. Shogun was bent out of shape and looked appaling in his debut. A blind man could have seen that. He obviously did not take Griffin seriously and paid for it. Why did he gas early in round two, don't ask me?? It was his big chance to shine in the U.S and he blew it. But Hua will be back mark my words....I would not like to be fighting hiom next. Liddell is overrated.....FULL STOP. Silva would beat him if they fought especially now with his confidence shot. Fedor is the only truly great heavy W in the world. Randy is a super champ but he's no Fedor, and come on guys he's 44 for gods sake. Randy vs. Fedor is not a good idea, although I don't think Fedor would badly hurt him on principle.
Tito vs Alexander maybe?? I do hope Henderson drops to middle W though. Peace guys
Posted by: LongJohnSilver | September 25, 2007 8:45 AM
GREAT DREAM FIGHTS
RAMPAGE VS COUTURE
ORTIS VS FRANKLIN
HUGHES VS KARO P.
GSP VS FITCH
LIDDELL VS CROCOP
KENFLOW VS PENN
Posted by: MASACRE | September 25, 2007 2:16 PM
I think houston is getting the title shot
Guy has some heavy hands and is gonna open up danas eyes
Posted by: TapOut | September 25, 2007 2:47 PM
I've been following Pramit's reviews for a while and I got to say the reviews are improving as fast as the sport of MMA. This is the best one yet - perfectly relevent, perfectly respectful about inherent uncertainty in the sport, and perspicuous.
Posted by: Derek | September 25, 2007 4:37 PM
The Real Deal:
Randy vs Fedor
and Houston Alexander vs Rampage.
I will pay good money to see thoses.
Posted by: Felix Veiga | September 25, 2007 7:59 PM
Fedor in the UFC? Mate, that's a bloody beauty. I just hope no one will lay shit on him just because he's Russian. I dunno, Yank audiences seem to put crap on any fighter who's not a Yank. But yeah, I wanna see him beat Couture.
Posted by: Viking | September 25, 2007 8:00 PM
how bout:
Evan Tanner vs Jason MacDonald
Gsp vs Diaz
Couture vs Arlovski
Fedor vs the winner of Silvia vs Vera
Shogun vs Bisping
Griffin vs Ortiz #2 or either one vs
Henderson
Rampage vs Alexander and Liddel vs Cro Cop , those both sound like good fights and it looks like it is gonna be Jardine vs Silva
Anyway thats just a few i thought would be exciting to watch.....
Posted by: Drew | September 25, 2007 10:57 PM