UFC 100 fallout ... time to sign Fedor
The fallout for UFC 100 may be even more interesting than the actual night of fights. While there are plenty of questions left from the undercard that will be debated and discussed in the coming weeks (what’s next for Mark Coleman and Jon Jones has to be at the top of that list) but most of the postfight discussion centered on Brock Lesnar, which is a shame.
I say that not because of his post-fight antics. In Lesnar’s mind he was back in the WWE, cutting a promo as the heel. The reality is more complicated than that and Lesnar isn’t nearly as bad a guy as he’s trying to appear. Sure, fans hate him now. But this whole thing isn’t nearly as bad as some are trying to make it out to be. Dana White shut him down fairly effectively and we won’t see this in the future. Lesnar’s WWE background made him a huge draw in the UFC and brought many new people to the sport. That’s a good thing. This is one of the few negatives that comes with bringing a Brock Lesnar to the sport. It’s still worth it in the end. Anyone who complains about Brock’s trash talking sounds like the aging broadcasting vet that whine about touchdown celebrations in the NFL. Get over it.
The reason Lesnar taking center stage is a shame is because Georges St. Pierre should be the talk of the night. He’s simply a freak. The welterweight division is much deeper than the UFC’s middleweight division and St. Pierre’s streak has been more impressive than Anderson Silva’s, yet GSP still has to fight to earn the respect he’s due. This was a huge test for GSP and he cruised. There’s no one left for him in the welterweight division that will be much of a challenge. Jon Fitch is next in line and I don’t think too many fans are clamoring for that bout.
Hopefully, what’s next for GSP is Anderson Silva. Silva has to take care of Forrest Griffin at UFC 101, which isn’t guaranteed, but a Silva-GSP superfight would be the best MMA fans have seen in a long time. Dana White has been talking about this fight since December and it would shock me if they don’t make it after UFC 101.
The next biggest fight the UFC can put together is Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brock Lesnar. The time is right. Randy Couture vs. Fedor wouldn’t have been nearly as big as Lesnar- Fedor. Fedor’s contract is up after the August 1 fight with Josh Barnett and moving to the UFC to fight a detested opponent is a brilliant move for Fedor. If he’s looking to make a name for himself stateside (among the casual fan that’s just hopping on the UFC bandwagon), what better way to do it than by destroying the man MMA fans have quickly grown to hate?
Lesnar probably poses more problems for Fedor than anyone currently in the UFC’s heavyweight division, but those problems are offset by the numerous question marks surrounding Lesnar. There are still so many holes in his game that are offset by his tremendous size and wrestling ability. The way he neutralized Frank Mir (who came into that fight with plenty of questions of his own) by lying on top of him and pulverizing his face was impressive, especially when some thought Mir would destroy Lesnar. Instead, he barely mounted much of an attack.
With Mir ruled ineffective and with Lesnar already sporting a win over Couture, the list of challengers is fairly weak. Shane Carwin would be an interesting match with Lesnar, and the winner of the Carwin vs. Cain Velasquez bout will likely be Plan B for Lesnar if White can’t sign Fedor. Still, Carwin wouldn’t be able to keep the fight standing and Velasquez won’t be able to outwrestle the monster.
Dana White claims the UFC will get Fedor and will get him soon. That’s exciting news. Of course, I was excited the first time I sat in a UFC news conference and heard Dana White say that. More than two years ago.
There are several elite fighters outside of the UFC. Jake Shields comes to mind, along with a number of lightweights. No omission is bigger than Fedor, arguably the greatest fighter in the history of the sport. The UFC’s heavyweight division is thin but adding the Last Emperor is the key to rebuilding it. The rest of the pieces of the MMA puzzle will come together after that but the key for the UFC is to sign the only heavyweight that can make Brock Lesnar the massive underdog.
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
nice post! i think dana will be signing fedor if he beats barnett. so we are probably going to see lesnar vs fedor very soon... i dont think i could pick a winner from that fight though. fedor would probably have to keep it off the ground and try to ko brock for the victory. this bout seems almost prophetic.. it was written!! :P
Posted by: kk | July 13, 2009 8:12 AM
I beleive Lesnar will do the same to Fedor as he did Mir.
The divison is not stacked enough for Brock.
Posted by: frankwhite | July 13, 2009 8:53 AM
I think Dana White is bluffing. He won't compromise any more than he otherwise would on Fedor. Dana White wants Brock to win everything and doesn't need an unknown Russian with no interest in generating marketing hype ruining his plan. I don't necessarily believe Fedor is not interested in money because there are of course sums of money we could think about which would interest anyone - Fedor could simply give it all to his town, team mates, management, his local orthodox church and keep everyone happy. On another note, Brock's a beast but who's he beaten? Mir was never that good and it's 1-1 in fights anyway. Couture's MMA win/loss record is quite frankly crap for someone hyped so much.
Posted by: Chris | July 13, 2009 9:04 AM
it wasnt brock´s fault. he just reacted to the preassure of hitting the las vegas boy, and the redneck booing from the crowd.
Fedor is not a god, dont forget CAIN, CARWIN, CROCOP, OVERHEEM, AND now BOBBY LASHLEY!!!
WAKE UP
Posted by: gringo | July 13, 2009 9:27 AM
he is not god but he is the last emperor. the man has been fighting for years and has never been out fought.and he isnt unknown. if you dont know fedor then you dont really know mma. and if you think brock can beat him your just another person jumping on the brock bandwagon.
Posted by: matt | July 13, 2009 11:00 AM
Fedor would be a great match, but if I am to pick a winner, I'd say Lesnar. I have him as much the next guy, but truth of the matter is that, he is enormous and has unmatched power, which compensates for his lack of skill in other areas. There isn't much anybody, even Fedor, can do once Brock is mounted on you. Mir was hopelessly helpless on saturday. It was painful to watch it. These fighters need to forget whatever game plans they had before and start from scratch to take on Brock. Hopefully someone can put Lesnar where he belongs.
Posted by: m26k9 | July 13, 2009 11:01 AM
it seems to me that BJJ exists to show how a smaller, weaker opponent familiar with BJJ can defeat a larger, stronger opponent who is not. Lesnar is the test subject for that concept. his next fight should be against a Gracie. which ever one has the knowledge and youth to take him on. Royce is probably retired at this point, but i'm sure somewhere in that family tree, there is an opponent for Lesnar.
Posted by: not Dana White | July 13, 2009 11:05 AM
brock is a huge guy... and he is just as fast as any guy he is going to be fighting and probably a safe to say strong as well. he is a good fighter(not the best but he doesn't make stupid mistakes often and it seems as if he's learn each fight)and its pretty hard to hurt a guy that big. i dont see anyone beating him for a while. fedor is like a russian freak and has beat the crap out of a lot of big guys but i think brock would be his biggest challenge yet, and not one to be taked lightly. who's is going to win!?.. i dont have a cristal ball but i wouldn't be surprized to wee fedor ko'd in the middle of the octangon. then again i think it would be pretty sweet to see brock get laid out because he's pretty big haha
Posted by: james | July 13, 2009 12:18 PM
Fedor is not "unknown" as gringo said, if you don't know Fedor than you don't know MMA. On top of that how can someone bash on Couture? They call him the Natural for a reason, he was/is the prototype for every fighter that is a champion out there right now. And on top of all that, there is still Cro Cop that is not fighting in the UFC at this moment who seems to stand a chance against Lesnar. I've also heard a lot about Bobby Lashley, but as another WWE star turned MMA fighter like Lesnar, I'll hold off on betting on him until I see him get a few more wins under my belt. And I hate Lesnar just as much as everyone else. What an @$$!
Posted by: On the Side | July 13, 2009 1:09 PM
fedor may get in or may not. it doesnt matter. lesner is over rated. no real skill. i will be the one 2 take him down
Posted by: vinny | July 13, 2009 1:33 PM
It's a nice post except for the comment about being an "aging broadcasting vet". I am 28 and also a fighter. This sport still is not sanctioned in many states including my own. When the Heavyweight Champion flips off millions of viewers and downs leading sponsors, it only adds fuel to the fire and bad press that this sport does not need. I will "get over it" when the sport is truly accepted and sanctioned in every state. Until then the fighters need to act professionally.
Posted by: Josh Borden | July 13, 2009 2:01 PM
Lesnar has never seen anyone who can fight like Fedor. He faught Coture after his prime and he faught Herring who everyone beats. Fedor is way out of Lesnar's league. He hasn't faught anyone who can punch as hard as Fedor or has the skill on the mat. As soon as the fight gets on the ground, Fedor will throw a rear naked or an arm bar on Lesnar faster than he can imagine. Can't wait for him to shut Lesnar up
Posted by: donfather | July 13, 2009 2:08 PM
Fedor vs Lesnar would be a great match, i would pay good money to see that. Although i do think Fedor would win, brock is still an amatuer at this game. He makes those stupid little mistakes and Fedor would catch them before lesnar even makes the mistake, thats how skilled fedor is. But there is no doubt that Fedors experience and russian training and skill vs Lesnars power would be a great match
Posted by: Clark | July 13, 2009 2:11 PM
i'd like to see fedor ko brock like he did tim sylvia. Just walk in Boom, Boom
Posted by: riffmasta | July 13, 2009 3:10 PM
It would be a great match and trust me, Brock won't show off to Fedor as he did against Mir. There's always respect when facing a guy like Fedor. If you look at Brock's match with Randy Couture, Brock didn't really show stupid antics.
Don't be surprised though if you see Brock on his back. Fedor is strong himself. He lifted Heath Herring in the air when Herring was at 260. Fedor has excellent balance, so it'll be a good match. My money on Fedor.
Posted by: Mr. Kennedy | July 13, 2009 4:09 PM
lol, i don't care where the fight takes place, on the ground? standing up? in an alley? Fedor will crush Lesnar!! Fedor would not and will not lay there and take the punishment that Mir did in rd 1. Not saying Mir wasn't trying, it just didnt look to convincing if he was. My pick would be Fedor TKO 1st round 3rd minute!! mark it down!!!
Posted by: blake | July 13, 2009 4:48 PM
I think Fedor is probably the best fighter EVER, so calm cool and collected. NEVER showboats! It did look like he was loosing to Arlovski until he got that one good punch in. lol Reguardless, he would destroy anyone against him until he get's a little older. Let Lesnar fight Lashley or whoever for a few years so that he can get better and really give Fedor a challenge! His only loss was because a doctor called it from a deep cut!
Posted by: MMA Promoter | July 13, 2009 5:21 PM
Great Post. I think Lesnar is a nightmare for everyone but Fedor. I just think he has the ability and training to cause Brock to be poisitons that aren't favorable, assuming it goes to the ground. If it stays standing Lesnar will wake up the next day
Posted by: richR@R.COM | July 13, 2009 8:38 PM
Most of you people have never heard of Fedor, let alone have seen him fight. Before you make ignorant comments you need to go watch him. In the words of Randy Couture, the very night Lesnar beat him, he said Fedor would tear him(lesnar) up. I agree 100%. Fedor would be way to much for lesnar to handle.
Posted by: MMAMAN | July 13, 2009 9:31 PM
Brock may be a beast but believe me that Fedor has fought guys just as freakish as Lesnar. Fedor has been doing this since he was a kid, and for the Russian Army. He operates on total instinct...He utilizes the power of thinking without thinking. I take Fedor in a 1st Round KO.
Posted by: Brian | July 13, 2009 9:33 PM
Maybe I just need to get over myself - but I really hope the HW division is not going to become a place where the tatic is take em down, lay on top of em with your huge weight and frame and then punch them in the face, wash and repeat for your next fight.
For me MMA is what its called 'Mixed Martial Arts' - I want to see Judo throws, Muay Thai Clinchs, Skilled Boxing.
Posted by: luke | July 14, 2009 3:47 AM
Brock is a freak of nature, he's amazingly strong.
Fedor has never thought in a cage - this issue is chronically under-stressed when talking about former Pride fighters entering the Octagon. The clinch espacielly is very different than in a ring.
Fedor will win.
But only in our dreams coz this fight is never gonna happen - thanks Dana! Maybe it's time someone clued him in that the word Sport is not the same as the word Profit...?
Posted by: avner | July 14, 2009 4:59 AM
"only in our dreams coz this fight is never gonna happen - thanks Dana!"
Agreed.
Posted by: Philotus | July 14, 2009 5:14 PM
For the people that said Fedor has no way to defend against brock lesnar's size, obviously you haven't followed MMA from the early days when there were no weight divisions.
Watch the Hong Man Choi fight. Fedor fought a Korean or Chinese kickboxer that was literally almost 2 feet taller than him, and at least 130lbs+ heavier than him.
You think Fedor is worried about Lesnars size or strength? Those things literally mean nothing to Fedor.
Oh, and Lesnar didn't destroy Mir. He pinned him to the ground, pinned one arm, and threw punches and hammers until he landed half of one enough to daze Mir. Remember when they stood up? Mir connected a knee and an elbow? LOL Lesnar is such garbage. If i was Fedor, I'd feel insulted that people were even putting my name, my legacy, in the same category as the likes of Brock Lesnar.
It amazes me how stupid people are.
Posted by: Blake | July 15, 2009 10:30 AM
Here's a solution: Lesner should sign with Affliction Entertainment.
Zuffa has proven to be nothing more than a cancer on the sport. Why should anyone sign with them?
armed.vox.com
Posted by: d | July 16, 2009 7:18 PM
dont count out josh barnett.i think josh and fedor are the 2 best fighters in the world
Posted by: Gregg | July 16, 2009 8:31 PM
When in doubt about a fighters ability go to the odds makers who make their living posting wagers on who will win or lose. I believe one company already has Fedor favored to win over Brock by a sizable margin in anticipation that Fedor is signed with the UFC. I have watched all of Fedor's fights and all of Brocks MMA fights. With most fights that Fedor had against a larger opponent he was able to use full body leverage to prevent take downs and in those cases when he was taken down by a larger opponent he was able to spring out or apply a submission. Brock is indeed an explosive super heavy weight but able to be controlled as Couture did in his fight with Lesnar minus the lucky KO. Statistically I will break down how I see the scenarios
Fedor breaking away from any smothering GnP by Lesnar before the bell rings between rounds 90%
Fedor lasting a full round under a ground and pound by Lesnar 90%
Fedor being KO'd by Lesnar 3%
Fedor doctor stoppage due to cut 15%
Fedor submitting Lesnar 80%
Fedor knocking out Lesnar 75%
Fedor winning by UD 75%
Lesnar gassing out by the fifth round 80%
Posted by: Brent | July 16, 2009 11:33 PM