Recap: UFC 96 just OK
UFC 96 was ... fine. That’s the best way to sum it up, fine. The fights were decent, nothing out of the ordinary. We all knew Quinton Jackson would beat Keith Jardine, but Jardine still proved something in the loss. He hung in there and was much tougher than many, including myself, expected. Still, the rest of the card wasn’t too shocking. Matt Hamill impressed with his win and Shane Carwin did the same with his win over Gabriel Gonzaga. Kendall Grove and Brandon Vera both were successful in must-win fights.
The fights were all right, although nothing spectacular. The only real development from the show was that Rampage was officially named the No. 1 contender for the light heavyweight title. Carwin also moved up the heavyweight rankings, but how far remains to be seen.
Of course, the biggest news to come out of this weekend was the announcement of Frank Mir’s injury and the delay of the Brock Lesnar-Mir fight. The two will battle for the heavyweight title at UFC 100 now. Rashad Evans-Quinton Jackson is the new likely main event for UFC 98. I like the addition of Lesnar-Mir for UFC 100 and I can’t wait for Evans-Jackson. Hopefully that will happen at UFC 98 but that would be a very quick turnaround for Jackson.
The fights were all right, although nothing spectacular. The only real development from the show was that Rampage was officially named the No. 1 contender for the light heavyweight title. Carwin also moved up the heavyweight rankings, but how far remains to be seen.
Of course, the biggest news to come out of this weekend was the announcement of Frank Mir’s injury and the delay of the Brock Lesnar-Mir fight. The two will battle for the heavyweight title at UFC 100 now. Rashad Evans-Quinton Jackson is the new likely main event for UFC 98. I like the addition of Lesnar-Mir for UFC 100 and I can’t wait for Evans-Jackson. Hopefully that will happen at UFC 98 but that would be a very quick turnaround for Jackson.
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
Fine? It was a great card and all MMA fans will agree. Every fight was exciting. Do cards need to have Chuck or Brock on them to get approval? Don't sell a card short just cause its not stacked with huge name guys.
Posted by: ziggy | March 9, 2009 12:03 PM
Did you spend $50? If you did and feel like you got your money's worth, then that's good.
A show doesn't need to be stacked, but I didn't think any of the fights were overly tantalizing.
What grade would you give this show, overall?
Posted by: Mark Chalifoux | March 9, 2009 12:10 PM
Just "ok"? It was "fine"? "Nothing out of the ordinary"? What about Pete Sell getting knocked out 2 times in one fight? What about the Hammer's crushing head kick? So Brandon Vera faught an old man and couldn't end it until the 2nd round....But the rest was fantastic! You must be depressed or something....... See a doctor and take some meds.
Posted by: Perry | March 9, 2009 6:20 PM
The fights turned out pretty decent. I went to Columbus and watched it live so I don't know what showed on the PPV and what didn't.
The Rampage fight and maybe two others went to decisions which made for some entertainment. However, I do wish some of the fights like Vera's were against a better caliber of opponent. I don't know about taking meds, but I can go to a local show and watch a bunch of guys that don't belong in a cage punch each other.
I hope this is the last we see of Pete Sell. He belongs on the undercard at Strikeforce or one of the lesser shows. Vera has fought some crap 205ers, its about time for him to put up or shut up. All in all this should have been a Fight Night card.
Posted by: Joshua F | March 10, 2009 4:12 PM
MMA is for losers!
Posted by: Big Hairy | March 10, 2009 4:17 PM