UFC on FX 6 Results: Questions Answered and Lessons Learned

Matt Roberts/Getty Images

UFC on FX 6 (which served as the finale for the UFC's The Ultimate Fighter: Smashes) is over.

Ross Pearson proved he was the better man against George Sotiropoulos and Robert Whittaker and Norman Parke proved that they were the Ultimate Fighters in their respective weight classes this season. 

Although the card was pretty banal, there were other fights throughout the night that taught lessons and answered lingering questions.

What did the MMA world learn?

Read and find out.

Events Feel Weird Without Bruce Buffer

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Did you notice something...off about UFC on FX 6?

I did: Bruce Buffer wasn't announcing the entrances and whatnot. Due to his announcing obligations for the The Ultimate Fighter 16 Finale in Las Vegas, Buffer couldn't announce at Australia's UFC on FX 6.

While Joe Martinez—the man who was the announcer for the now-defunct WEC—didn't do a poor job, it was just different.

We've grown so accustomed to the sound of Bruce Buffer, when it was taken away UFC on FX 6 just didn't quite feel like a UFC event.

Non-fighters like Buffer are part of the UFC's production/character/image/whatever you choose to call it, if one of those people is taken away, it seems like part of the UFC's personality is too.

There Needs to Be Certain Definitive Processes for Groin Shots

Matt Roberts/Getty Images

The referee in the bout between Ben Alloway and Manuel Rodriguez mistakenly called the fight due to a groin shot. 

Had he not been allowed to correct his error and give Rodriguez the allot five minutes to recover that he's entitled to by the Unified Rules, Rodriguez would've been given an unjustified loss. 

Of course, it turned out that Rodriguez lost anyway, but it's the principal of the matter: The officials should know what and what not to do.

The Martial Butterfly Effect

Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Anderson Silva used a front kick to the face in order to subdue Vitor Belfort. 

Ben Alloway used a front kick to the face in order to subdue Manuel Rodriguez. 

When a technique that was previously discarded is "discovered" again, the sport evolves and changes.

When Silva "resurrected" the front kick against Belfort, MMA listened, and so did Ben Alloway. 

What one MMA fighter learns and practices, influences all other fighters and the sport itself. It's a martial butterfly effect.

Joey Beltran vs. Igor Pokrajac Wasn't Boring

Ethan Miller/Getty Images

Joey Beltran's grappling-laden win over Igor Pokrajac wasn't the fight that fans expected.

People wanted a back-and-forth slugfest reminiscent of Stephan Bonnar vs. Forrest Griffin I. 

Parts of the fight were like that, sure, but other parts saw a tough, grinding clinch battle takeover. 

It was a fun and tactical fight. 

In MMA, there is no such thing as a boring fight, only fans who don't appreciate all aspects of the sport.

Chad Mendes Isn't a KO-Machine.

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Don't make a big deal about Chad Mendes' KO of Yaotzin Meza. This was one of the worst mismatches in recent UFC history. 

Meza didn't belong in the cage with Mendes and it was proven by the brutal finish. 

When Mendes knocks out a top-tier opponent in such a way, then we can celebrate.

Hector Lombard Is Good, but We Don't Know If He's Great

Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Hector Lombard's debut in the UFC against Tim Boetsch was lackluster for sure. He didn't look like the unstoppable juggernaut that he appeared to be in Bellator. 

However, Lombard has redeemed himself against Rousimar Palhares, disposing of the Brazilian leg-lock phenom at 3:38 in the first round. 

Lombard was never in any danger throughout the fight, he dominated Palhares from pillar to post. 

The win is great, but we can't use the same adjective about Lombard until he gets another quality win or two.

TUF: Smashes Didn't Produce Any Superstars

Matt Roberts/Getty Images

Norman Parke and Robert Whittaker—the lightweight and welterweight winners of TUF:Smashes, respectively—are good fighters, but just good. 

It's highly likely that neither man will ever contest for a title in the UFC.

In the "Superbowl of MMA," that is the UFC, fighters like them are just the second and third stringers, unfortunately. 

George Sotiropoulos' Time May Be over

Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

George Sotiropoulos is 35-years-old and is somewhat limited as a mixed martial artist. His striking is only adequate and, while his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is good, his ability to get the fight to the mat via wrestling is lacking. 

If he was 10 years younger, Sotiropoulos could correct these deficiencies. But at age 35 with that skill-set, his days are numbered.

 

Follow @MattSaccaro