In the weeks and days leading up to UFC 67, a benchmark event for Zuffa, the vast majority of fans and “those in the know” expected a fireworks extravaganza that would put Independence Day to shame.
When it was all said and done and after the smoke and sulfurous odor cleared out of the Mandalay Bay Events Center, it can be argued that the proverbial pyrotechnics display was sabotaged. It seemed like somehow all the good stuff was stolen and replaced with those cheesy and lame sulfur snakes.
Most readers of this column, or at least those who tend to use only a quarter of their brain power, will demand my firing as I’m being far too critical of the UFC and their latest event.
In reality UFC 67 was a solid card. It’s just a shame that two of the three marquee fights — “Cro Cop”-Sanchez, “Rampage”-Eastman, Silva-Lutter — didn’t exactly live up to pre-fight hype or hopes.
Granted the trifecta of
Mirko Filipovic (Pictures),
Anderson Silva and
Quinton Jackson (Pictures) were victorious. All three international superstars scored solid victories inside the Octagon and each elicited choruses of cheers from the near sold-out arena. But that’s not to say that the three steamrolled their foes in such fashion that even the most stubborn mixed martial arts fan would have to wipe drool off his or her chin.
Were their victories impactful and entertaining? Yes. But were they the type of conclusive endings that would flood UFC highlight reels or fill space on the next installment of
Ultimate Knockouts? Not exactly and that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Before the countless piles of absolutely senseless and moronic e-mails enter my inbox, I suggest you readers calm down, take a few deep breaths and for once, open your mind just a smidgeon; you might actually learn something.
Anderson Silva had a much tougher time with challenger
Travis Lutter (Pictures) than many expected, but still he wasn’t in any real danger of losing for the first time inside the UFC.
The majority of fans and media folk felt Lutter stood very little chance of toppling the UFC middleweight champion and even though he lost, Lutter proved that he can compete with the sport’s elite.
Lutter’s continual takedown attempts prevented Silva from landing any of his dangerous strikes and after a few failed shots, the Texan finally got the Brazilian down. From there, Lutter scored takedown after takedown, which was rather surprising considering how splendid of a fighter Silva is and how solid his sprawl has been.
Lutter claimed beforehand that Silva wouldn’t be able to survive his brilliant jiu-jitsu, but Silva scoffed and promised that he’d prove to have the better submission game.
Anybody who watched the fight knows that Lutter — the BJJ expert — eventually tapped to a fighter known primarily for his Muay Thai striking and takedown defense, not exactly the sort of debilitating conclusion most expected.
The tapout of Lutter due to elbows after threatening with a triangle choke was more impressive than probably anything Silva could have done. Most people tend to forget how gifted Silva is in the grand scheme of things because he usually ends his contests with a
punch-uation mark, not a submission coupled with strikes.
The victory over Lutter was the third submission win of Silva’s splendid career (they have all come via strikes). In victory Saturday night, Silva proved that he can do it all by toppling a pure grappler at his own game.
I got the sense early on that Silva realized he’d have a difficult time in landing clean, damaging strikes to the defensive Lutter. Though Silva tried everything he could to stay on his feet, he appeared willing to fight off of his back when he knew he couldn’t sprawl away. It seemed while the aggressive Lutter was in his guard, Silva thought:
Oh well, I can’t knock him out yet; I’ll just beat him with my jiu-jitsu.
Silva was so calm, so stoic while repeatedly being taken to the mat. And even when Lutter scored the full-mount and tried raining down dozens of strikes, Silva was too relaxed for Lutter to prevail.
There truly is no other middleweight currently under contract with the UFC who stands much of a chance at snatching Silva’s title from him. Nobody can match his striking — not even close. Nobody at 185 has enough submission or grappling proficiency to unnerve him, either.
Nathan Marquardt (Pictures) might have the tools to press the issue against Silva but I just don’t see him winning. Unless Zuffa signs
Dan Henderson (Pictures) or
Matt Lindland (Pictures), there isn’t anyone who will topple Silva for a long time.
Many fans that either saw UFC 67 live in person or purchased it on pay-per-view witnessed Mirko “Cro Cop” for the first time. Pre-fight talk hyping up his mythical striking ability had relative MMA newcomers salivating for the brutal knockout. But it never materialized.
“Cro Cop” did, indeed, score a first round stoppage, but it wasn’t the sort of brain-jarring knockout everybody outside of
Eddie Sanchez's inner circle coveted.
For the most part, the reason the Croat heavyweight didn’t decapitate his opponent is directly related to Sanchez’s reluctance to stand and trade. (Who would blame him?)
There have already been a few people on the various forums complaining about how “Cro Cop” didn’t impress them because of the lack of a brutal knockout, but people like that need to swallow some Nytol. It’ll come in due time.
Sanchez fought better than expected and even though he was stopped in the opening round, kudos must be given to him for myriad reasons. For starters, Sanchez is a relative novice. In only his ninth fight he was given the opportunity to fight a man who is regarded worldwide as the No. 2 heavyweight in the game. It was Sanchez’s inexperience that cost him against “Cro Cop” and he looked overwhelmed. That said, Sanchez didn’t crumble in the spotlight and hung tough as long as he could. He alone prevented a looping highlight reel knockout.
As for “Cro Cop” it’s just a matter of time before he challenges for the heavyweight title against the lurching
Tim Sylvia (Pictures) (sorry, guys,
Randy Couture (Pictures) will not beat Timmy).
As it stands right now, I’ve only come across a handful of people who think Sylvia will prevail — let alone give him a shot of winning.
Sure Mirko is the second baddest heavyweight on earth, but there are several factors why Sylvia has a better chance of retaining his title against “Cro Cop” than he does of losing it. I’ll get to them once the fight becomes official, which will occur after “Cro Cop” takes out his opponent in Manchester, England in April.
For a fighter who admitted to being more nervous before a fight than ever before,
Quinton Jackson (Pictures) sure looked sensational. The fans in attendance booed several times for a lack of action, but to me it was unwarranted. (Well, it’s usually always unwarranted thanks to the brilliant and respectful American fight fans.)
“Rampage” scored the best knockout of the night (sorry
Terry Martin (Pictures)) and avenged one of the few losses on his pro ledger. Up to that point, the action inside the cage was thrilling, as each fighter took turns landing clean strikes.
Jackson freely admitted that he is not quite ready for UFC light heavyweight champion
Chuck Liddell (Pictures), and seemed to be more or less himself after the event. The Memphis native has the potential to make a ton of cash in the UFC and he is hands down one of the most marketable fighters in Dana White’s stable.
His win over
Marvin Eastman (Pictures) was actually a perfect way to debut in the Octagon, as it showed how good he really is. Like “Cro Cop,” this was the first time many UFC fans got to see Rampage in action, and after watching him rake Eastman with three powerful right uppercuts to eventually knock him out, I’m willing to bet the “Rampage” bandwagon is 10 times the size of his street soldier G-ride.
Mirko Filipovic (Pictures) and
Anderson Silva are without question the two finest strikers in the sport. To end the debate, Silva is the better striker. Yes, “Cro Cop” sports the greater kicking ability and lands more damaging strikes, but Silva is the better all-around striker.
Both men are deadly accurate with their attacks and “Cro Cop” might have a slight edge in relative punching power. But Silva is quicker and he picks apart opponents by choosing smarter attacks.
He has a better jab and throws more fluid combos. While “Cro Cop” utilizes his expert hands and feet, Silva implements not only the same two weapons, he sports crippling knees and solid elbows. Silva also has a much fiercer clinch. Sometimes I wonder if Filipovic even has one.
When debating a topic such as this, one must look beyond just the raw power and instead look at the big picture and overall ability of both. Silva is the best striker in mixed martial arts. Filipovic is second.
While
Roger Huerta (Pictures)’s victory seemed a bit suspicious, or at least strange, he’s obviously someone to keep an eye out for. I’d still like to know if
John Halverson (Pictures) suffered a broken shoulder or if he was playing possum. …
UFC president Dana White was pretty irate, to say the least, about
Travis Lutter (Pictures) failing to make weight. With Lutter losing to
Anderson Silva coupled with the fact that he isn’t as marketable as other fighters, I’m wondering if he’ll be booted from the Zuffa roster. I hope not — Lutter’s a good guy. …
I haven’t yet watched UFC 67 on tape so I can’t comment on how Joe Rogan seemed to “get yelled at” by someone off camera for mentioning “PRIDE.” …
The best way to listen to crickets is to ask “Cro Cop” to talk about his fight. It was absolutely classic to see Rogan search for comments when he asked the heavyweight to take fans through the fight. …
I wonder if the Ultimate Warrior would be able to break Rampage’s chain the same way he broke Hercules Hernandez’s many moons ago. …
It’s a bit too early to start labeling
Terry Martin (Pictures) the next middleweight champion, but a 14-second knockout sure looks good on a résumé. …
Let’s hope that the unfortunate string of idiocy ends with UFC 67, meaning that I certainly hope no fighter from this card fails a post-fight urinalysis. I’m sick and tired of hearing reports of so-and-so failing a drug test. …
I’m torn between which fight I can’t wait to see more: Filipovic-Arlovski; Filipovic-Sylvia; or Krazy Horse-Flava Flav.
Hit me up at www.myspace.com/sherdogsloan
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