Bleacher Report - Articles by David K

The Unofficial Bleacher Report Red Carpet: The Quarterly MMA Awards

David K — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 06:25:21 -0400

The sport of mixed martial arts has been plagued with a series of unfortunate events as of late. Kimo’s alleged death and subsequent resurgence, Alistair’s lingering hand injury, and Josh Barnett’s appetite for anabolic steroids have left the MMA blogosphere buzzing with trepidation.

In a stark contrast of news, B/R’s MMA section has, and still houses some of the best MMA contributors. As we proceed to the second half of an already delightful year, let us recognize some of the posts that, over the last quarter, have helped morph B/R into one of the best sites for MMA commentary.

In light of the recent ESPY Awards, we shall take a stroll on the proverbial red carpet.

MOST HUMOROUS PIECE

Flyin’ Hawaiian’s article, Redemption? Why Anderson Silva is to blame for lackluster performance, is the winner in this category. Partaking in the swarm of criticism that ensued from Anderson Silva’s latest win, Flyin’s witty comments and illustrative gifs are guaranteed to extract a smile at the very least, regardless of one’s stance on the issue.

The implied MMA audience could also experience an encore effect with his latest: A little humor for the MMA fan’s soul.

MOST ENGAGING PIECE

Few can match the eloquence, passion and conviction in Dorothy Willis’s writings. Often illustrated with telling life principles and experiences, it is difficult to remain indifferent to an article by Dee.

As a result, Grandma’s comment threads often become a hot bed for converging and diverging minds alike. Start giving Rashad Evans some respect before Granny goes off on you adequately wins this trophy.

BEST INTERVIEW

B/R MMA has seen a host of astounding interviews, with some of the biggest names in MMA. Brian Oswald’s Enter the dragon: Lyoto Machida UFC 98 exclusive, is triumphant in this category.

It is a great conversation with the newly crowned light heavyweight champion, who at the time, was just days removed from facing the then undefeated champion, and possibly reestablishing Karate as a prevalent martial art.

BEST COMMENTATOR

Along with the thoughtfully crafted articles, the discussions are an integral aspect of the B/R experience. Irish Mike D rules the MMA comment threads with an iron keyboard. Never one to shy away from a candid assessment, Mike’s insightful, yet entertaining comments are always a welcomed-and sometimes expected-addition to a wide variety of topics.

If there ever were a community leader for that section, Mike D would make a solid candidate for the position. He also happens to be a terrific writer.

FUNNIEST COMMENT THREAD

As previously mentioned, B/R would not be the same without the great discussions we all partake in. Often times, the post is just as gratifying as the resulting comments. A great illustration to this point is THE MMA DAILY SCRAP’s post, Picking Ben Saunders over Mike Swick cost me a hook-up.

Fueled by DAILY SCRAP’s unique blend of informative MMA blogs and pop culture, the ensuing comments happen to be one of the most entertaining in recent memory.

BEST NEWCOMER

The community has witnessed a steady rise in talented contributors over the last couple of months, and E. Spencer Kyte is proving to be the most poised newcomer.

In just under a month, Spencer has been active with 41 quality posts in the MMA section, landing in the top 20 spot in the process. Fedor Emelianenko: supremely talented, surprisingly unknown is more than worth the read, and Spencer, hopefully, will keep making great contributions to the section.

BEST COVERAGE OF JAPANESE MMA

MMA is a vast industry spanning across the globe. Although a hot bed for the sport, Japan’s MMA scene is relatively marginalized in the United States. In B/R however, Aki Kuwabara has offered some of the best coverage one could hope for.

Lyoto Machida and Joe Warren: contrasting styles, winning ways is a gem, and a pleasure to read. The MMA fan could also take a refreshing trip down memory lane with another post of his, A moment in MMA history: Pride 2005 Middleweight Grand Prix Final

MOST ORIGINAL WRITER

Few are as original and challenging as Joseph Lupoli. Joe “The Pope” often offers unique perspectives on the sport, notably on the fighting formats and the judging system in MMA.

His writings, notably Holy Armbar Bruce Lee, and Get rid of the multiple rounds in MMA raise thought provoking issues in modern MMA. An army veteran with over 25 years of martial arts experience, Joseph greatly contributes to the diversity of topics in the community.

MOST INSIGHTFUL ARTICLE

D. Miller is one of the most insightful and thorough writers in the MMA community. He is a compelling wordsmith, who engages in a wide variety of topics that are sure to educate, engage, and, at times, entertain readers.

Ignore Dana White: the right opponent is keeping Jones out of the octagon is one such piece that warrants a read, and the trophy in this category.

MOST CREATIVE PREVIEW

Flying Knee’s UFC 100 Tips/Predictions is a visually rewarding article that is as concise as it is thorough. His subsequent previews for upcoming MMA events will certainly find an established and appreciative audience.

Voila! The preceding suggestions only represent one account of some articles that immensely enhanced the site’s visibility, and likely assisted aspiring writers in honing their penning skills. This list does not, by any means, constitute the entirety of the valued contributors in this section.

That is where you come in, fellow creatures. Share some of your most memorable reads; breed other categories away; share your valued posts, from established and newer subscribers alike. Remind us why this site is home to some of the best writers in the industry.

Let us celebrate the quality that is increasingly inherent to the MMA community on B/R!

Could Georges St-Pierre Represent MMA the Way Michael Jordan Has Basketball?

David K — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:09:43 -0400

The 2009 NBA Finals have recently come to an end, with the LA Lakers besting the Orlando Magic in five games. The series’ star, Kobe Bryant, was heralded by many as the rightful heir to Michael Jordan’s throne—before he could legally purchase a drink.

MJ’s illustrious career was crucially important to basketball’s peak in popularity.

With the significant additions of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird as a launching pad, Jordan transcended the sport, and became a cultural icon. To legions of fans worldwide, his name is synonymous with the sport of basketball.

Babe Ruth may hold a similar distinction in baseball, Pele in soccer, and, perhaps, Ali in boxing.

Sports fandom always longs for exceptional athletes who best define and represent their respective sport. That very need is no less rampant in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), as evidenced by the frequent and hotly debated pound-for-pound lists.

It would be precariously bold to attempt a comparison of the largely different sports at this time. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that MMA is quite possibly on the verge of a major burst in prevalence. For the third consecutive year, mixed martial artists are featured alongside boxers in the ESPY Awards’ Best Fighter category.

Never before have we borne witness to athletes with a wider array of skills. The prolific cross-training in boxing, Thai boxing, wrestling, judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu among other arts, has induced an acute level of competition in the cage, or ring.

Acknowledging the present day dominant champions is a logical step in determining the best representatives of the sport, as it inches towards mainstream legitimacy.

Fedor Emelianenko, Anderson Silva, and Georges St-Pierre (GSP) are currently the consensus best in MMA. They consistently leave viewers and opponents reeling from superior demonstrations of steadfastness, technique, and strategy.

Claiming a Jordan-esque stature however, goes beyond a pound-for-pound best appellation. It encompasses criteria such as talent, popularity, performance at the pinnacle of the sport, and marketability.

Fedor’s mastery of sambo and judo makes him one of the fiercest competitors in MMA. This Russian terminator usually makes his adversaries wish for the cinematic android—as they pray to the referee for salvation.

In a highly competitive sport, the fact that "the Emperor" hasn’t lost in 30 fights is a true testament to his determination and supremacy. Or is it not?

Jordan may never have become the icon he is had he not competed in the NBA. In MMA, the premier stage is unequivocally thought to be the octagon in the UFC. Rightfully so or not, Fedor’s relative lack of exposure can greatly be attributed to him not competing in the UFC.

Anderson Silva, on the other hand, has been the UFC middleweight champion since 2006, and his supremacy in that division is unquestionable.

“When I see the things that [Silva] does, I realize how much I have to learn in this sport”, said UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar. As impressive as "the Spider’s" “ballets of violence” are, he remarkably happens to be one of the least hit fighters in MMA.

Unfortunately, the most lethal striker in the sport is yet to be a consistent major draw for pay-per-view buys in the UFC. Between Anderson Silva and superstardom likely stands an unforgiving language barrier—especially in the realm of marketing.

In comparison to his pound-for-pound contemporaries, Georges St-Pierre is widely viewed as the prototypical fighter. MMA legend Frank Shamrock perhaps said it best, in an Apr. 2009 interview with BleacherReport.com’s Brian Oswald.

“We are in the midst of an evolution in the sport…Georges St-Pierre is the perfect example. The evolution of the athlete and the evolution of the art go hand in hand.”

That synergy has allowed GSP to seamlessly execute mixed martial arts clinics against the very best welterweights in the world.

Interestingly, St-Pierre’s commanding presence is noticeable far beyond his octagon prowess. Marketability is of the utmost significance to any athlete's career, and GSP seems to endorse that philosophy just as extensively as Jordan does Nike sneakers.

He was highly instrumental in drawing the largest UFC live attendance at the time, when the promotion first treaded north to Montreal, Canada, in Apr. 2008.

Shortly after a Best Fighter nomination for the ESPY Awards last summer, the Canadian star was the first mixed martial artist to sign with CAA Sports—an agency that represents the likes of Derek Jeter, David Beckham, and LeBron James—in October of last year.

“Beyond being a fierce competitor and a tremendously skilled fighter, Georges St-Pierre’s class, integrity, and humility also make him a terrific ambassador for the sport," said co-head of CAA Sports, Howard Nuchow.

The implications of this strategic alliance could be monumental for St-Pierre—and mixed martial arts as a whole—specifically in terms of endorsement deals and general exposure.

To cap off an exceptional year, Georges was overwhelmingly named Canadian Athlete of the Year in 2008, becoming the first MMA fighter to capture the impressive title in the yearly vote held by Rogers Sportsnet; a great tribute to the sport’s legitimacy.

St-Pierre is off to a terrific start this year. Akin to HBO’s 24/7 series, the UFC’s first ever primetime show on Spike TV—which featured his mega-fight with BJ Penn—likely subjected GSP’s fan base to an exponential growth.

Even more impressive, Georges joined an outstanding list of athletes, by participating in Gatorade’s latest "G" campaign in March. As recently reported by Espn.com's Jake Rossen, St-Pierre is in full display for the campaign, in the latest issue of Rolling Stone.

Another milestone in the sport’s authenticity, and a confirmation of Georges’ broad allure.

One of St-Pierre’s most relatable attributes may be his perceived vulnerability. In fact, his uncharacteristic attempts at showmanship—i.e. “I am not impressed by your performance.”—often resemble scenes from a casting tape. Fittingly so perhaps, as the image-conscious athlete is, at times, reminiscent of what his childhood idol, Jean-Claude Van Damme, has failed to remain: a Hollywood star.

In a sport replete with hardened “tough guy” personas, St-Pierre’s refreshing demeanor appeals to the masses, while his progressive blend of fighting arts and athleticism are vastly celebrated by sports enthusiasts.

“That kid is such a home run for sponsors,” said UFC President, Dana White, in a Jan. 2008 news conference.

MMA’s de facto commissioner’s statement has since been validated, and the 28-year-old athlete looks to further enhance his profile at the heavily promoted UFC 100, on Jul. 11. He will take on another pound-for-pound entrant in Thiago Alves.

Pioneers such as Royce Gracie, Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, Tito Ortiz, BJ Penn, Matt Hughes, Forrest Griffin, and Gina Carano have all effected the sport’s growth a great deal. With their contributions as a platform, Georges St-Pierre may just be the total package needed to spearhead MMA’s "rush" to mainstream embrace.

It may not be long before many begin to echo (former UFC light heavyweight champion) Quinton "Rampage" Jackson’s sentiments on wanting to be “like GSP.”

TUFest: The Ultimate Fighter's Ten Brightest Alumni

David K — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:06:40 -0400

Another chapter in the Ultimate Fighter series will come to a close this Saturday, Jun. 20, as two additional contestants will join a growing list of Ultimate Fighter champions. As we wait for that moment, let’s examine the merits of the show by electing the most influential fighters from seasons past.

While the indicated UFC records matter, it is worth noting that a fighter’s impact on the sport is equally as paramount as their wins and losses.

Forrest Griffin: 7-3

The lack of the obligatory moniker aside, he is as tough as they come. Forrest is the original Ultimate Fighter winner, and the poster boy for the popular series. His fistic duel with Stephan Bonnar on the season finale was coined “the most important fight in UFC history” by UFC President Dana White.

Forrest was also the second fighter from the show to win a title, when he defeated then champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson at UFC 86. He subsequently lost the belt to season two's winner, Rashad Evans, at UFC 92. Despite that, he will likely remain the most influential Ultimate Fighter alumnus for a while.

Forrest is back from in-fight injuries, with a book and a stern test at UFC 101, when he takes on Anderson Silva, one of the best fighters in the world. A victory would place him back in title contention in the light heavyweight division and further solidify his place in UFC lore.

Rashad Evans: 8-1-1

Rashad Evans became the third fighter from the show to capture UFC gold when he beat Forrest Griffin at UFC 92. While you could make the argument that Rashad should be ranked first because he beat Forrest, he does not possess the appeal of the latter.

Still, Rashad has been relevant. After winning the second season of The Ultimate Fighter, Evans became the only contestant to have won all of his fights en route to a title, minus his draw with MMA legend Tito Ortiz. During that run, Rashad captured another win over a Ultimate Fighter contestant in Stephan Bonnar.

Rashad will coach season ten of the show, opposite Quinton Jackson, which will give him the chance to get back in title contention if he can beat “Rampage” after the show. Perhaps, the opportunity will also allow the reserved Evans to better connect with fans.

Kenny Florian: 9-2

Florian is another original cast member. Competing as a middleweight, he defeated Chris Leben before losing to Diego Sanchez in the finals. He is ranked above Diego for several reasons.

For starters, Florian will be the second Ultimate Fighter graduate, after Matt Serra, to twice contest for a title when he takes on lightweight champion BJ Penn at UFC 101. Ever the ambassador for the sport, Kenny is also a regular panelist on ESPN.com’s MMA Live show, which airs every Thursday.

Much Like Griffin, Florian has been able to transcend the sport and find an appeal outside of the octagon. If Florian can pull off the upset at UFC 101, it would send his stock into the stratosphere, and he would be favored to win a potential rematch with Diego Sanchez.

Diego Sanchez: 9-2

Diego was a proud 17-0 fighter, before conceding back-to-back split decisions to Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch. Never one to be deterred, Diego brought his “nightmarish” pace to the lightweight division.

Having defeated season two winner Joe Stevenson in his lightweight debut, Diego will take on the frantic Clay Guida on the season nine's finale this Saturday, in a bout that may be more appropriate for the Fourth of July. A win for Diego would have title shot implications, or at least a fight against the loser of the upcoming Penn vs. Florian championship fight.

Should Sanchez end up facing Florian, fans will be treated to a rematch of their first Ultimate Fighter Finale bout, and Diego would have a chance to, later, become one of only four Ultimate Fighter contestants to taste UFC gold.

Michael Bisping: 7-1

This polarizing fighter was the light heavyweight division winner of season three. Bisping’s popularity has since skyrocketed, and he is a coach on season nine. He will battle opposing coach, and MMA legend, Dan Henderson at UFC 100.

A win over Henderson would be the tipping point Bisping needs to be considered a great fighter, and could propel him to the front of a crowded middleweight line vying for Anderson Silva’s belt. If that is the case, the UFC will surely look to fill a British soccer stadium.

Bisping’s only loss is a split decision to former light heavyweight champion, Rashad Evans.

Mike Swick: 9-1

Mike Swick went 5-0 as a middleweight, before running into a much bigger Yushin Okami. After the decision loss, Swick dropped down to the welterweight division, where he has compiled a four-fight win streak. It’s hard to believe Swick started out on season one as a light heavyweight, losing to Stephan Bonnar in the semi-finals.

Swick is coming off a UFC 99 win over season six alumnus, Ben Saunders, and has likely earned a top contender status. He could be next on a growing list of Ultimate Fighter fighters to earn a title shot.

Josh Koscheck: 10-4

He has been the busiest of all, fighting fourteen times since his stint on the show's first installment. Koscheck lost in the semi-finals to Diego Sanchez, only to exact revenge at UFC 69.

The win earned him a fight with George St. Pierre to determine the No. 1 contender at the time, though he took a unanimous loss at UFC 74.

Having suffered an upset in his latest outing, Josh looks to welcome MMA veteran Frank Trigg back to the octagon at UFC 103; and a win will be critical to Koscheck moving forward in the welterweight division.

Gray Maynard (5-0-1)

Gray Maynard lost to season five winner Nate Diaz in the semi-finals of the show. In his first UFC fight, which took place on the season five finale, Maynard was involved in a rare double KO, and the no contest ruling results in the single blemish on his professional record.

“The Bully” is a solid contender in the lightweight division. His undefeated UFC run lands him in this spot, instead of Nate Diaz, even though they both have a promising career in the UFC.

Matt Hamill: 6-2

Keith Jardine, with a 6-4 record, or Stephan Bonnar, who has a 5-4 record, could quite possibly fill in here. Despite their mediocre records, both have fought the toughest opponents the light heavyweight division has to offer. The nod goes to Matt Hamill, though.

Hamill was on season three. His sustained injuries that prematurely sidelined him at an early stage of the competition. Hamill did get a crack at the season three winner, Michael Bisping, at UFC 75, narrowly losing in one of the more controversial decisions in UFC history. A rematch was in order for UFC 78, but Hamill withdrew due to knee surgery.

Hamill’s other loss is to friend, and former training partner, Rich Franklin, at UFC 88. He has an upcoming, pivotal fight against Brandon Vera at UFC 102. The bout will go a long way in determining Matt Hamill’s contender status in the UFC light heavyweight division.

Patrick Cote (4-5)

Every list needs a dark horse and, as such, Cote will be mentioned in lieu of graduates such as Diaz, Davis, Serra, and Grove.

Patrick was on season four, which involved fighters who had previously enjoyed limited success in the UFC. Coming into the show with a 0-3 record, he made it to the finals, but lost to season winner Travis Lutter.

Now a less than stellar 0-4, the Canadian diligently compiled four consecutives wins, including a victory over season three's winner Kendal Grove. The run earned Cote the shot at Anderson Silva’s title that had previously eluded him.

At UFC 90, a tough Cote fought Silva to an unprecedented third round from the UFC champion. Unfortunately, he suffered a serious knee injury that brought his title dreams to a screeching halt.

Cote is currently recovering and eyes an October return to the octagon. Look for the heavy-handed striker to be back in the middleweight mix, possibly—hopefully—in a stand-up war against Wanderlei Silva.

There you have it: the top 10 fighters to come from The Ultimate Fighter!

The first five seasons have, seemingly, produced the best fighters. That may be the result of a longer time frame for growth, or the fact that these fighters simply were the better prospects.

Only Mac Danzig accounts for season six, while season seven winner Amir Sadollah has been marred with injuries and runner up C.B. Dollaway has yet to blossom.

In time, Ryan Bader and Krzysztof Soszynski could quite possibly make an excellent account of season eight. Will season nine finalist DeMarques Johnson along with Nick Osipczak prevail in the UFC?

And if all that weren't enough,The Ultimate Fighter 10 will soon air; and the Kimbo Slice era might just be resuscitated.

A Viewer's Candid Perspective On UFC 98

David K — Tue, 26 May 2009 20:14:15 -0400

I am off to a Memorial Day bash, and I elatedly anticipate a terrific evening. I collect three delectable platters, some alcohol, and five additional bodies along the way.

This could potentially turn into a horrific night, comsidering whom and what I just picked up. I am cautiously optimistic and elect to remain sober.

The superb showing from the Pittsburgh Penguins out of the way, I am ready to move on to some professional fighting—in an octagon, without helmets. UFC 98 is on.

There are 10 spectators. On second thought there are eight inebriated, blood thirsty hooligans and two mixed martial arts connoisseurs. I am convinced I am part of the latter few.

Frank Edgar and Sean Sherk enter the arena. This fight seems fairly easy to predict. Sherk will undoubtedly win. “The smaller guy takes it,” proclaims Darin. I can’t help but wonder what a payday this will turn out to be.

Darin has never watched an MMA fight, nor has he practiced any fighting art.

He knows as much about the fighters as I know quantum mechanics.

His reasoning: “Edgar is better groomed.”

The fight unfolds, and Sherk is on the losing end of a deliberate boxing bout. He somehow believes he is a terrific counter striker. Sherk is caught in a deep guillotine choke. He is saved by the bell, but has clearly lost the fight.

Darin has beginner’s luck, and I am down $20. I have four more chances to get it right, as Dan Miller and Chael Sonnen get in the octagon. I boldly bet on the former, and Darin opts to cheer for Sonnen.

His rationale: “Dan has too hairy of a chest.”

Dan is on his back and resorts to being a contortionist, but his aggressor is unyielding.

“Chael is not trying to improve his position,” says Joe Rogan. I count on him attempting to do just that. It is Miller’s only aspiration to an escape or a submission victory.

Twenty seconds left until the final bell. “Unless Chael suffers a stroke, he wins the fight,” proclaims Rogan. I am thinking a triangle choke will suffice, but I am not that lucky, and neither is Miller.

I am down $40, and through parting ways with my disposable income. However, I firmly believe that “Professor X” will get the job done.

Drew McFedries quickly reminds me of the unpredictability of this sport. A powerful right hand and a flurry of punches later, Xavier Foupa-Pokam is dropped just as fast as the $60 I have now lost.

I am astounded, and Darin is in a drunken euphoria. Our host is proudly boasting a Team Hughes Army T-shirt, and Darin bets on Matt Hughes. I am confident in Matt Serra’s fists.

They clash and Hughes appears to be hurt, though Serra is unable to make the most of it. Serra ends up on his back and Hughes attempts a failed rear naked choke. This is a great first round.

Serra is taken down in the second round. The fight grows stale and they are stood up…and again. “This expletive is content just laying on you” screams Serra’s corner.

I could not agree more.

The third round begins and Serra is wrestled to the mat. Hughes is not improving his position and Serra is happy to be back on his feet.

Hughes goes for another takedown but finds himself on his back. The fight ends and Hughes is proclaimed the victor. Serra is down only one point across the board, though the same can’t be said for my bank account.

We are set for the main event and my last chance at redemption.

Machida walks toward the octagon. He exudes a quiet confidence, as usual. Evans walks in, bouncing and grinning. He is not as calm as he normally is. He might be extremely nervous, or just very excited to defend his belt.

“Ma…chida, Ma…chida,” scream Julie and Jenny. I am amused and inquire about the chant. They answer with “his name just sounds so cool.” Darin takes to Machida.

His explanation: “Rashad’s shorts are too tight.”

The first round begins and Evans circles to his left for what seems to be an eternity. Machida is the aggressor; he keeps Evans at bay with left kicks. They are both wary of each other’s abilities.

Machida’s strikes seem unpredictable. Suddenly, a body kick and a well-timed punch connect, and Evans is down. Machida swarms in, though Evans quickly recovers and gets to his feet. Evans is behind on the scorecards—nothing new there.

“You are doing well” says a corner man. “Do this in the second round, he is going to come into your game,” they add. I understand some Portuguese, but I am glad they are translating.

I am thinking Evans will remain patient.

Round two commences and Machida grows confident. He launches four strikes and Evans counters with three, all in about two seconds. There’s a tense atmosphere. This fight could be over in the blink of an eye.

The two strategists inspire me to be evasive. I can’t stick around if I am wrong on five predictions, so I am already planning an exit strategy just in case.

They are now within striking range of each other. Evans is busier with his body movement, and Machida tries to adjust his stance accordingly. This is a true chess match, and I am savoring every bit of it.

Evans steps in, and Machida connects. Two strikes later, Evans is down.

I am waiting for him to bounce back, but he doesn’t seem to recover. He is pinned against the cage. “The Dragon” furiously punches away, and he connects on most attempts.

I am hoping Machida pulls a “Forrest Griffin” and backs away. He doesn’t. Evans is barely standing. He attempts to move forward. What a display of heart! He suddenly collapses, and the fight is over.

My stupefaction is punctuated by the drop of my jaw. I am still unclear as to what exactly just occurred. I am observing the replay. Evans leans in with disregard to Machida’s striking range, and Machida explodes with his lethal left hand.

A closer look suggests Evans may have been trying to lure Machida into standing exchanges, so he could take his unsuspecting foe to the mat. Evans fell right into a trap and that minute mistake at the summit of MMA prompted a swift and decisive finish.

It turns out “The Dragon” had a sweet tooth. Machida’s timing was impeccable, and his strikes were some of the sharpest I have seen from him. His technique was flawless, and only the Machida Karate practitioners could tell me otherwise.

I notice that Dana White looks relieved. He just dodged a main event snooze.

Machida delivers an impassioned, yet comical speech. He is a great champion. Evans is just as graceful in defeat. He is a proud fighter, and displayed the heart of a champion.

The dust settles. I have just witnessed the best tactical battle in years, for a championship bout in the Light Heavyweight division.

I have also been dealt a healthy dose of humility at a costly $100 (I wish they were pesos). It is a stiff reminder of my usual stance on gambling.

Above all, I have gained a valuable insight on the art of PUI: Predicting Under the Influence.

The Bleacher Report Poll On UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida

David K — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:17:05 -0400

UFC 98 features a matchup of two undefeated fighters at the pinnacle of the sport. Light Heavyweight Champion “Sugar” Rashad Evans (18-0-1) and number one contender Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida (14-0) will square off on the main event.

In a feature I recently posted was a poll that sought out your votes for the potential winner of that bout. The statistical relevance here is a long shot from a Gallup poll, but I will pretend that the results matter just as much...because I can.

Poll Summary:

Evans Machida

DECISION	4	2
TKO/KO/SUB	8	13
TOTAL	12	15

It’s imperative that I share this small anecdote before I continue.

A physicist, a chemist, and an economist were stranded on an island. They had little more than their wits and cans of tuna at their disposal.

While the chemist and the physicist shared elaborate theories on how to open the cans, the economist did what economists do best. He simply assumed he had a can opener and proceeded to feast.

The point is that today I feel like an economist, and I am going to assume that I am more knowledgeable than most of the voters. My dueling pistols and I are coming at the 15 of you.

Let’s delve into the fighters.

Lyoto has been very impressive in the UFC. He has managed to win all of his fights while remaining relatively unscathed. He has shown an affinity to countering strikes, and has set a tremendous precedent for Karate-based mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters.

He stands wide, tilts his head back, keeps his arms in front of him, and has yet to be significantly threatened on his feet. He is patient, calculated, and precise with his strikes. In addition, “The Dragon” is a good grappler, with a black belt in Brazilian Jujitsu.

Machida has remained a complex riddle in the UFC. He is viewed by many as a true martial artist, and all would agree that Lyoto is a well-rounded mixed martial artist.

The champion, however, has claims to similar qualities. Rashad has evolved from a wrestler into a well-rounded mixed martial artist as well. He possesses good grappling skills, and his boxing has greatly improved.

Much like the challenger, Evans is strategic, patient, and prefers countering strikes. They are both great at timing and exploiting a frustrated opponent’s faux pas.

While Machida has impressed in his contests, Rashad has arguably faced more elite opponents. Some may contest a few of his wins, but it is difficult to refute his propensity to hold his own against great opponents.

In that fact lays a potential advantage for the champion. While he has not fought a striker as elusive as Machida, Rashad has been involved in bigger fights, against top competitors with a wider distribution of skills. Lyoto has yet to face a well-rounded fighter of the champion’s caliber in the UFC.

Styles make fights, and in this case, “Sugar” has the style to at least match “The Dragon.” I don’t foresee any advantage on the ground from either man, but I believe the former has an added tool. That little extra is movement, specifically as it relates to boxing.

Machida moves fast and his body movements are linear. He moves forward, backward, left, right, and diagonally. What he doesn’t often move is his head, and his chin is usually kept up high; though none in the UFC have exposed it to date.

It would take a striker with great footwork to exploit that flaw; someone who is explosive, has great timing, and closes a mean distance. Rashad possesses all of these attributes, and he displays great head movement.

This implies that Rashad will be harder to hit than Machida’s previous opponents. Moreover, his fast hands will likely find a mark on their linear target. I can picture a well-timed straight punch or an overhand, especially if head coach Greg Jackson has a say in the matter.

The unpredictable nature of MMA fights renders any attempted prediction a grand task. Still I have assumed, and then argued, so I must conclude.

Voila! I predict a finish by Rashad Evans, probably a TKO. I hardly need to be an economist for this call, because I have Bruce Lee on my side.

“To beat a martial artist that’s been training for 15 years, all you need to do is box and wrestle for a year, and he’s yours.”

I highly recommend caffeine, lest you miss an exciting finish because you snoozed. That said, I expect a technical and entertaining contest despite their respective defensive styles. So I would urge you to not blink.

Now it’s your turn to pretend you have a crystal ball for UFC 98 on May 23. Better yet, assume you were a dreadlock-sporting Jamaican lady...with a set of cards.

Here’s to sharing elaborate theories, with one assumption too many!

Rashad Evans: Is It Sweet To Be "Sugar"?

David K — Fri, 08 May 2009 01:16:15 -0400

“People still don’t believe in me and that’s the best part about it” said the affable “Sugar” Rashad Evans (18-0-1), in his habitual laid back demeanor.

A couple of weeks removed from his May 23rd title defense against Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida (14-0), the undefeated UFC Light Heavyweight Champion finds himself playing the underdog yet again. This time though, he has embraced the part and admittedly thrives on it.

Four years ago, Rashad appeared to be but a showboating wrestler, whose said boring style called for nothing short of annihilation at the hands of the much larger Brad Imes in The Ultimate Fighter 2 finale.

That did not happen, as what ensued was a battle that saw a great display of heart and raw talent by the future champion. A swarm of criticism has seemingly followed him long after his successful stint on the show, despite going 7-0-1 in a steady climb to the top of the ultra talented Light Heavyweight Division.

After two victories over Sam Hoger and Stephan Bonnar by way of the judges’ decision, Evans was heavily antagonized for having boring and non-fulfilling fights.

He emphatically answered back with four decisive finishes in his next six fights, including a pair of highlight reel knockouts over Sean Salmon and UFC superstar Chuck Liddell. A rather impressive feat by any standards as Evans displayed paroxysms of greatness in his title quest.

Consistently facing tough opponents, fans and pundits alike witnessed the evolution of Rashad as a mixed martial artist, both physically and mentally.

The vicious head kick knockout of Sean Salmon served as a reminder that he was past being just a wrestler, and his most recent victories over then champion Forrest Griffin and former champion Liddell affirmed that “sugar” had made considerable strides in the sweet science. But the confident champion takes little credit for his success.

“I think the turning point for me was when I went to Team (Greg) Jackson … we have a great team; Keith Jardine, Nathan Marquardt, Joey Villasenor and Georges St.Pierre … and the result is championships titles,” said the humble Evans.

While his kickboxer-wrestler arsenal is nothing to sneeze at, Rashad has also proven to be a terrific cerebral fighter.

From a nonchalant and non committal stance to taunting his opponents in the octagon, Evans has shown he had the ability to command an emotional response or a costly lapse in judgement from his adversaries, a fighting acumen his future opponent (Lyoto) has also displayed in the octagon.

Unfortunately for Evans, his bravado in the cage has also managed to stir an emotional response from many viewers, and the champion has been coined a show boater.

But the pleasant Rashad is undaunted by those comments and offers a relatively rational explanation: “it’s not me it’s the character,” he proclaims with a giggle; “when ‘Sugar’ comes out he does that…and ‘Sugar’ is sweet.”

Not to be confused with the more reserved Rashad Evans as he calmly states: “Rashad is a laid back guy ‘Sugar’ likes to go out there and have a lot of fun.”

Amidst the rise to fame and the criticism, two constants have remained in the unsolved equation that is Evans’s near perfect MMA record; he has a knack for ridiculing betting lines, and yes, Rashad Evans is here to stay.

Nonetheless, the champion finds himself the underdog in his upcoming match-up with Lyoto Machida. Then again, as “Sugar” so eloquently puts it, “I can’t remember a fight when I went into the fight and I was supposed to be the favorite.”

For the full interviews, see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?=QbAZsvYu7j8

and www.ufc.com