By Warren Piece (warrenpiece@mmaratings.net)
Welcome to the first installment of our new “In a Nutsack” event summaries where yours truly will be posting brief event overviews while you all await Nicholas “You Deserve It” Bailey’s more in-depth coverage. So be on the lookout for that.
UFC 93 was a mediocre show. The first of many upcoming UFC PPVs headlined by non-title fights (see the ludicrous, but free Sanchez vs. Stevenson Main Event set for UFC 95 and the much more interesting Jackson vs. Jardine Main Event set for UFC 96).
The televised portion of UFC 93 was kicked-off by the heavily self-hyped Lytle vs. Davis bout. Marcus took this bout via split decision. It was a good scrap, but did not live up to the “instant classic” status both fighters were hoping for. This loss will most likely put Chris on the bench for a while or even earn him a pink slip, while the win will probably land Davis in the exact position he was in prior to the fight.
The second fight of the night featured Denis Kang vs. Alan Belcher. Kang looked terrific from all angles throughout the fight, but got caught in a strong guillotine choke (the UFC’s official sub of the night) near the end of Round 2. I find this to be a very disappointing turn of events for the UFC’s Middleweight division, as I (and in all probability, everyone at the UFC) was hopeful that Kang would come in, dominate and make a credible run at A. Silva for the title.
The third fight of the night did not deserve to be the third fight of the night. That aside, Rousimar Palhares defeated Jeremy Horn via unanimous decision. Surprise, sur-fucking-prise! Horn’s done. My crystal balls say we will see Belcher vs. Palhares in the near future.
The Co-Main Event between Mark Coleman and “Shogun” Rua is my pick for fight of the night regardless of the fact that both fighters looked absolutely horrible! Neither guy had any cardio. I suppose “The Hammer” can use his age (44) as an excuse for his gasage, but Rua (27) has no obvious excuse. I loved this fight, mostly, for the history behind it (and that Coleman came out to “Back in Black”…badass). In the end, “Shogun” earned the W via TKO in the third. The fight was stopped by the ref (bad ref!) with only 24 seconds left in the match. Coleman could have taken a beating for the remaining time and would have been fine. Quote of the night goes to my wife who called Rua’s big, arguably fight-ending uppercut, “Music to my eyes.” She’s Brazilian. Coleman called for the rubber match in his post-fight Roganview. I say give it to them. After their performances tonight, I think it’s safe to say that neither of these guys stand a chance against anyone at the top of the 205 heap.
The Main Event featured Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson. The sole purpose of this fight was to determine who will join Mike Bisping as TUF 9’s other coach (US vs. UK). That man is “Hendo”, who won the fight via split decision. I thought Franklin had it, but it was very close. So, I assume Dan will go back down to 185 to eventually fight Bisping for the number one contender spot to then face Silva who, in a likelihood, will still be the champ at that point. Unless Bisping defeats “Hendo” in their bout (unlikely), we will see Silva vs. Henderson 2. Whoop Dee Freakin’ Doo! Perhaps the UFC should just dissolve the Middleweight division.
I have to agree with warren that franklin won the fight. Here’s the problem I have: this fight along with many others was very close and oh most impossible to judge in only three rounds. Is the 5 rounds for championship fights a ufc rule or a governing bodies? I would love to know. It makes sense to me to have championship fights as well as top tier fighters fight the five rounds. I’m sick of seeing these to close to call fights going to the judges. The difference in pay and also opportunity is to great between the winner and the loser. The scoring system needs to be changed. This is not boxing. Why is the same scoring used? It also seems to me that the judges have no idea what they are watching. Even though I thought rich won the fight, he only won the last two rounds. No way did he win the first, yet one of the judges had him winning all three rounds. How’s that possible? The sport is so new still that changing some of the way it run should not be that hard. The scoring as well as # of rounds for certain fights should be first on the list.
Update: Shogun will face Liddell at UFC 97; http://mmamania.com/2009/01/18/ufc-97-chuck-the-iceman-liddell-vs-mauricio-shogun-rua/
I dig the idea of all PPV Main Events being 5-rounders regardless of whether or not they are for a title. Think that makes sense.
5 rounders are for belts, sadly. NSAC and CSAC (the two that matter) wont be likely to go for it. i had the same idea for TUF…since it’s for a “title” of sorts (the Ultimate Fighter) maybe they could pull it for that.
as for “Numbered” events, maybe they could do it by giving out a trophy or some shit for the event?
Are you aware of the AC’s reservations against extending 5 round fights to non-title bouts? I’m curious.
i honestly don’t know. it’s the same thing in boxing, they only allow title fights to go 12 rounds or whatever it is now.
i think they just oughta call more things title fights. the TUF title, the UFC 93 champ, whatever. it’s a good idea.
I have to agree with warren that franklin won the fight. Here's the problem I have: this fight along with many others was very close and oh most impossible to judge in only three rounds. Is the 5 rounds for championship fights a ufc rule or a governing bodies? I would love to know. It makes sense to me to have championship fights as well as top tier fighters fight the five rounds. I'm sick of seeing these to close to call fights going to the judges. The difference in pay and also opportunity is to great between the winner and the loser. The scoring system needs to be changed. This is not boxing. Why is the same scoring used? It also seems to me that the judges have no idea what they are watching. Even though I thought rich won the fight, he only won the last two rounds. No way did he win the first, yet one of the judges had him winning all three rounds. How's that possible? The sport is so new still that changing some of the way it run should not be that hard. The scoring as well as # of rounds for certain fights should be first on the list.