MMA Stomping Grounds: UFC 96 slightly less than intriguing - Mixed martial arts: UFC news, analysis, opinions, Q&As, video

Is anyone else a little down about UFC 96? The UFC usually puts together some solid shows in Ohio, but this one is lacking all around.

The main event was supposed to be a fight between Rashad Evans and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson for the light heavyweight championship. That fight is interesting enough to sell a PPV. The current main event, Jackson vs. Keith Jardine (Evans wasn’t ready to fight again just yet), is not. Jardine has looked good at times (and bad at times, most notably in losses to Houston Alexander and Wanderlei Silva) and this will be an interesting fight, but it’s just not a main event-caliber matchup.

The co-main event of Shane Carwin vs. Gabriel Gonzaga is another intriguing fight, but it’s not enough for co-main event status. It’s a good fight, but it’s not going to do much to sell the PPV. I like the Brandon Vera-Mike Patt fight on the undercard and Ohio native Matt Hamill is in action against Mark Munoz, which could be mildly entertaining. Still, in tough economic times, that’s a tough decision to plunk down 50 bucks. It may be a good one to catch at a sports bar.

For as much as Dana White likes to say he makes big fights the fans want to see every month, this one is lacking a little bit. I’m not thrilled about UFC 97 either, although I think it’s worth a buy to see Anderson Silva in action again and to see Chuck Liddell take on Mauricio Rua, among others.

Comments

I agree 100% Mark. I'm battling with myself about whether or not to get it and I'm a big Rampage fan. It seems like usually when they have a main event that isn't a title fight or doesn't drum up a ton of interest, they do a co-main event or have lots of good undercards. For this one, I see a few fighters that I like, but they are fighting guys I've never heard of (which doesn't neccessarily mean anything...I'm an MMA fan, but certainly not a guru by any means). I agree though, very disappointing. Take Rampage out of the equation and there'd be NO WAY I'd even consider ordering it.

Posted by: Nick Sadaka | February 25, 2009 4:49 PM

Silva is always fun to see.. I don't know if anyone can beat him in his way class, he should just try for 2 belts, I'm sure he can hold them... And lyotta. Machida should have a shot for the tittle, he will stay with a perfec record for a while..

Posted by: steve tapias | February 25, 2009 5:50 PM

cool to see someone other than me think the same thing. i wrote something exactly like this a few days ago.

rashad isn't well liked, but a title fight makes it harder to call and event lackluster. stupid rashad for not wanting to fight.

Posted by: Garrett Bailey | February 25, 2009 7:00 PM

Yeah, I think you're right, UFC 96 should have some good fights and decent match ups, but it lacks the big fights that hard core fans want to see. It kinda feels like an appetizer to hold the fans over before 97 and eventually 100. I am, however, looking forward to the Shogun Liddell fight.

But it seems like with so many popular fighters out there, it is getting harder and harder for the UFC to appease fans every month with multiple big fights. Even UFC 93 was frowned on because it only had one dream fight headlining it. I think fans are spoiled from ultra fight cards like UFC 92. But who can blame them? That card was amazing.

Posted by: Blandon | February 26, 2009 3:35 PM

Silva isn't gonna try for 2 belts he recently stated he just wants to defend the MW belt and have big fights whether it be in the MW or LH divisons. He also said Lyoto Machida is on his team and Lyoto is the top contender in the LH division so he will take fights in 205 against whoever the fights want to see but he doesn't care about the belt. ufc 100 will pwn, 96 is a let down, 97 will be better still not great and actually the rest of them are just ok, 100 is the one to buy

Posted by: boby | February 26, 2009 9:05 PM

Does anyone know if there are any MMA events scheduled Live for the Orlando area anytime in the near future?

Posted by: Dom | February 27, 2009 3:59 PM