UFC on FOX 2: Questions Answered and Lessons Learned

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The UFC's second FOX outing is over. Rashad Evans has defeated Phil Davis and the "real" middleweight champion Chael Sonnen unconvincingly triumphed over Michael Bisping.

There were other fights and occurrences throughout the broadcast that answered a lingering question or taught the MMA world a vital lesson.

What were these fights and happenings, and what did they teach? Read and find out!

Strikeforce Heavyweights Weren't a Joke

Lavar Johnson was on a different level than Joey Beltran. His striking was more technical and far more powerful; he even managed to put the famously iron-chinned Beltran away via KO!

This proves that Strikeforce wasn't exactly the "B-league" of MMA. It's fighters had and have legitimate talent.

The UFC Is Finally Doing the Right Thing with Charles Oliveira

Photo courtesy UFC.com

When Brazilian prospect Charles Oliveira burst onto the UFC lightweight scene, he was the next big thing...until the UFC pushed him into deep waters too quickly and he lost to Jim Miller and Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone.

Thankfully, it seems that the UFC isn't making the same mistake with Oliveira at featherweight, putting him against a less-dangerous opponent in Eric Wisely that the Brazilian was able to defeat with ease.

FOX May Not Know Best When It Comes to the UFC's Image

Did you see those awful, lame robots that are on the NFL broadcasts? "Cleatus" they call him.

Those things don't belong on UFC events. Enough said.

George Roop Is a Journeyman—At Best

Photo courtesy MMAjunkie.com

George Roop hasn't won more than two fights in a row since 2007 and is 2-4-1 in his last seven fights.

Some might say his victory over Chan Sung Jung makes Roop a great fighter, but, in reality, he's an average fighter at best and isn't UFC caliber.

If the featherweight division wasn't so thin, he'd likely be out of a job by now.

Conditioning Is the Greatest Technique

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Jon-Olav Einemo is, on paper, a better grappler than Mike Russow but when push came to shove, Russow out-grappled the Norwegian.

Why?

In part because Einemo's conditioning was way below par. His technique and abilities may have been better than Russow's, but it's conditioning that counts for the most, as indicated by Russow's decision victory.

An Exciting Loser Is Still a Loser

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Becoming "exciting" cost Nik Lentz a victory.

Lentz took tons a heat for being a "boring" or "lay-and-pray" type fighter; one who just used his wrestling to grind out a decision.

He attempted to remove that stigma from his name by engaging in a barn-burning scrap with Evan Dunham but Lentz was fighting out of his element. He was battered and the doctor eventually ended the fight.

Lentz was exciting, but an exciting loser is still just a loser.

Chris Weidman Is the Future of Middlweight

Chris Weidman convincingly beat one of the world's greatest grapplers Demian Maia on only 11 days notice.

Can you imagine what he would've done if he had a full camp?

Weidman is the future at middleweight; there's no one he can't beat.

Sonnen Was Overrated or Bisping Was Underrated

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Chael Sonnen arguably lost to Michael Bisping.

Sonnen looked depleted throughout the fight and his wrestling didn't look all that impressive save for the third round.

Bisping looked much better, and even managed to take Sonnen down at one point in the fight.

Either Sonnen was way overrated, or Bisping was way underrated (or both).

Rashad Evans Was the Better MMA-Wrestler and Fighter

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The biggest question heading into Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis was who would the better MMA-wrestler be.

Evans proved that without a doubt, it was him.

Evans took Davis to the mat on numerous occasions and had him in the crucifix position several times throughout the fight.

In addition, he proved that he was the better overall MMA fighter by not only beating Davis in the grappling but also the striking as well.

Fans Will Still Need to Learn More About MMA

UFC on FOX 2 wasn't the epic night of fights the UFC hoped it would be; Dana White must be mightily disappointed.

In fact, it was relatively dull, especially when you consider that it was likely the first time many people have seen the UFC!

Perhaps the common man still needs to learn about MMA, or maybe even MMA needs to become more accessible, more "casual fan"-friendly?

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