UFC 102 fallout
UFC 102 was an interesting show, to say the least. Some incredible knockouts and some interesting changes in several different weight classes and we got one of the better main event bouts in some time.
Antonio Nogueira may have handled Randy Couture at times but it was a hell of a fight and Couture impressed, especially since he was able to hang in there and make it interesting. You really can’t count him out. There were at least five times during the fight that I leaned over to someone I was watching with and said “that’s it, he’s not getting back up from this,” and he did.
I’m surprised to see Couture signed a new six-fight deal though, especially at his age, but I’m definitely looking forward to watching him fight again. I’d like to see him move down to light heavyweight, at least for a few fights. I think pairing him with Frank Mir at heavyweight could be intriguing as well. The guy will always be a draw, no doubt about that.
AP photo
And perhaps the most important part of UFC 102 was having Jardine knocked out of the co-main event status by Thiago Silva. He’s a fine fighter but he’s not co-headlining material, at least not when the roster at light heavyweight is as deep as it is.
What did everyone else think about UFC 102?
Comments
The contract renewal with Couture surprised me as well, just because of his age, but you're right: he can draw a crowd.
His submission defense was phenomenal and he grimly hung in there, but Nog definitely earned that one.
Posted by: Scott | August 31, 2009 11:30 AM
I was the same way, several saying "That's it!" just to see him get back to his feet. Pretty amazing performance. The best part for me was seeing Ed Herman get his butt kicked (even before the knee injury).
What was Silva doing while he was standing over Jardine after he knocked him out? I was the ref even push him away.
Posted by: Jeffrey McMillan | August 31, 2009 12:09 PM
After Gonzaga vs. Tuscherer, i think that gonzaga needs to be kicked out of ufc, and issued a year ban from NSAC
Posted by: FrankM | August 31, 2009 1:30 PM
The six-fight contract for Randy Couture doesn't mean he's actually going to fight another six fights. Basically it's just a guarantee that he will finish his career in the UFC and not go fight in another organization.
Plus, there really aren't even six more compelling fights for him in the UFC heavyweight division, and I can't imagine he'll want to drop down to LHW and get smashed by those guys. That leaves him to fight Kongo, Carwin, Velasquez, Duffee, Dos Santos, Herring? None of those sound too exciting.
Posted by: GregM | September 1, 2009 12:30 PM
Frank what happened in the Gonzaga fight? I might've been drinking during UFC 102.
Posted by: Corey | September 1, 2009 2:25 PM
Couture was fantastic in that fight, i found him great dedicated fighter in that show.
Posted by: MMA Gym | September 17, 2009 2:58 AM