Bleacher Report - Articles by Devin Fratus

UFC: Five Divisions, Five Dream Fights

Devin Fratus — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 19:38:06 -0400

While I enjoy a title fight just as much as the next guy, I have always found myself more drawn to fights created out of hunger, pride, or grudge.

I have spent quite some time over the past few days mulling over what I feel are the best possible non-title fights that the UFC can produce for each division. I took into account such important factors as title implications, level of excitement, and a fighter's popularity amongst fans. Following these guidelines I have come up with what I feel are the best possible non-title fights that can be contested in all five weight classes.

Lightweight(155 lbs.)- Mac Danzig (18-4-1) vs. Nate Diaz (9-2)

Honestly, a few weeks ago, I would have said Kenny Florian vs. Roger Huerta, two of the most exciting fighters in an already dynamic division, but it would appear that Joe Silva beat me to the punch on that one and penciled in the two for UFC 87 on August 9.

My choice, however, is just as intriguing. While both of these young fighters are quite some time away from challenging for the title, I would not be at all surprised if either Danzig or Diaz were adorned with the lightweight gold in the future.

Despite glaring differences in appearance and speech, Diaz slurs as if drinking since noon and Danzig enunciates each word with zen-like focus, the two are similar on multiple levels. Both are TUF winners, Diaz the winner of season five, Danzig six, well versed in jiu-jitsu, favoring chokes above all, and fight out of California, Danzig from L.A. and Diaz from Stockton. But there is one key similarity that made me dub this potential bout a dream fight.

While on the MMA proving ground/reality show/psychological experiment known as UFC's The Ultimate Fighter I noticed that both are, aside from irritable and short-fused, convinced that they are the next big thing and will fight anyone who says otherwise. Throw some gloves on the two and we have ourselves a classic western showdown where one of the two might even state, "This Octagon ain't big enough for the two of us."

Welterweight(170 lbs.)- Thiago Alves (15-3) vs. Diego Sanchez (19-2)

This was admittedly a tough one to call. Alves, to me, was a no-brainer coming off consecutive TKOs of Karo Parisyan and future hall of famer, Matt Hughes. But when considering an opponent it was up in the air between long-time rivals Diego Sanchez and Josh Koscheck. Both own losses to the participants in August's Welterweight championship, Sanchez to Fitch and Koscheck to St. Pierre, and I may have been inclined to pick "Kos", but at the TUF 7 finale Sanchez reminded us why he is known as the "Nightmare".

The Sanchez we saw at the finale was focused, calm, and precise; and should this fight ever take place, that's the Sanchez who needs to touch gloves with the "Pitbull". Not the Sanchez who gets jittery and anxious in marquee match-ups and loses decisions he could have won were he not swinging for the fences.

This match is highly interesting because it would pit a knockout artist against a ground tactician who has convinced himself, and is convincing many others, that he can turn the lights out just as effectively. The question is if Sanchez would try and stand with Alves or would he keep things safe on the ground where he has five wins and Thiago can only claim two losses.

The winner of such a bout would be ripe for a title shot.

Middleweight(185 lbs.) - Rich Franklin (23-3) vs. Dan Henderson (22-7)

This is the only of the five theoretical bouts that has little or no implications towards the belt that is gathering dust in Anderson Silva's closet while he is out hunting down another. This is also the potential fight that made me consider this whole list.

"Ace" vs. "Hendo", it just sounds right, like it was meant to be. The former PRIDE fighter truly fights for pride.

Dana White has been more than generous to Henderson, making his first two fights back in the UFC title fights. I say, now, if you want more fights Dan, you gotta earn 'em. Where is the Henderson that edged out Minotaurs and knocked out Axe Murderers.

Both fighters are more than likely on the back nine of their careers, Franklin is 33 and Henderson, 37. The younger Franklin is coming off a TKO win of Travis Lutter, proving that he's still got some TNT tucked in those gloves. Franklin may never get a shot at Silva again, having been TKO'd by him twice, the more recent effort considerably more valiant than the former.

I don't know if this matchup is anywhere in Joe Silva's mind, but if it is, it alone would be worth the $40 PPV fee.

Side Note: I strongly considered Rousimar Palhares vs. Demian Maia, both have displayed impressive skills on the ground but not everyone can appreciate jiu-jitsu displays, even great ones. Also, neither have truly proven themself in the UFC quite yet.

Light Heavyweight(205 lbs.) - Lyoto Machida (13-0) vs. Wanderlei Silva(32-8-1)

What do you do when you have someone who you're pretty sure might be one of the best fighters in the world, but you can't really tell because he somehow manages to win while throwing a fifth of the punches as his opponent? Solution: Lock him in a steel cage with an absolute psycho who will completely and utterly massacre him if he dosen't fight back.

For some time, Lyoto Machida has chosen to sit back and wait for his opponent to open the door for him and invite him to deliver a point-scoring blow while his own doors remain air-tight. If he were to use that strategy against Wanderlei Silva then those doors would simply be hacked to bits by the "Axe Murderer" who has a tendency to invite himself in. If there is anyone who can bring out the "Dragon" in Machida, it's Silva.

This fight is plain and simple. Old-school vs. new-school. Legend vs. hopeful. Put up or go down. Winner fights for gold.

Heavyweight(265 lbs.) - Cheick Kongo (11-4-1) vs. Fabricio Werdum (11-3-1)

Fun fact: there are heavyweights not named Lesnar, Slice, or Emilianenko. I know, crazy, right? Well, here's another one for ya! If given the chance, Cheick Kongo will become the dominant force in the heavyweight division. That sort of thing tends to happen when your game runs the world's most dangerous striker out of town.

He may have lost most recently to Heath Herring, a fight I failed to witness, but the scorecard said it was a split decision, so at least one person feels he won the fight. Besides, Kongo is one scary dude and has the look to be the poster boy of the UFC.

I'll admit it, I am rather partial to members of Chute Boxe. But "Vai Cavalo's" outing against Andrei Arlovski in his UFC debut looked more like S--t Boxe. In case you fell asleep, Arlovski won the decision and was compelled to apologize to the crowd for how horrendous the fight was. But since then, Werdum has TKO'd Gabriel Gonzaga and Brandon Vera, in the first round no less, putting him well on the road to the belt.

Kongo has heavy hands and has put them to good use, earning himself seven TKO or KO wins. As stated before, Werdum's last two wins came by way of TKO, a stark contrast to his six submission wins. So we are left to wonder, would Werdum's well-roundedness overcome Kongo's one area of expertise he has been training since five years old?

There you have it, UFC 89: Devin's Delight. Well maybe not quite, but any one of those bouts on a fightcard would be sure to turn heads away from the glimmering gold. Let's just hope Joe Silva checks out the Bleacher Report from time to time.

MMA in Prime Time: Right Network, Right Time, Wrong Promotion

Devin Fratus — Tue, 20 May 2008 12:10:31 -0400

MMA's checklist for its live network television premiere on CBS:

Time-slot likely to draw substantial amounts of viewers? - Check.
Leading network with prestigious sports coverage? - Check.
Fight promotion well-equipped to consistently deliver buzz-worthy bouts? -...

EXC has had a silver platter placed in front of them, and on it lies the chance to become the leading promotors in MMA. But it's a big dish, and I'm not convinced that EXC's stomach is quite big enough to handle it.

Allow me to start off by stating how glad I am to see this on CBS. I've suffered through enough games on ABC interrupted by ads for made-for-TV movies based on Oprah's latest book club addition and games on FOX marred by the utter stupidity that manages to dribble out of the mouths of Joe Buck and Tim McCarver.

While the NBA Playoffs will be airing at the same time, EXC Saturday Night Fights is sure to draw a good amount of viewers, and the main card fights are likely to fall around halftime of the basketball game. But what does EXC really have to offer? An internet icon, an American Gladiator, and a handful of fighters related to MMA legends.

One thing that concerns me is the title of the show, "Saturday Night Fights." As in, more than one. I don't see how this will happen, with consistently exciting bouts, unless Robbie Lawler and Kala Kolohe Hose have a best-of-seven series, Tito Ortiz signs on and does the same with "Ninja" Rua, or Kimbo Slice starts taking on three lightweights at a time. After that, I'd rather watch Phil Baroni and Frank Shamrock battle it out on MTV's "Yo Momma."

New viewers might be drawn by the likes of Kimbo Slice and Gina Carano, and will likely be enticed when they see them both demolish their opponents. But anyone who has watched MMA and has spent a couple hundred dollars on pay-per-views will immediately recognize the apparent fact that whoever is lining up fights for the MMA's biggest night to date is scared to put up any fight without a definite outcome.

If I were James Thompson (Kimbo's opponent for next Saturday) then I would pack up my gear and leave EXC with some dignity, rather than essentially step in the cage with a proven striker and get paid to suffer the worst knockout of my career in record time. This kid is risking long-term brain damage for a paycheck.

When a budding heavyweight is knocked out in the first round, two fights in a row no less, he is on thin ice with his promotion. But apparently, EXC sees him as the ideal person to main event the most pivotal fight card in MMA history.

There is, however, something to say for playing it safe. Case in point—Liddell vs. Jackson, UFC 71. The weeks leading up to the light-heavyweight title fight was filled with interviews and cameos for the UFC poster boy. It would seem that UFC was primed to take the nation by storm, and introduce MMA to the popular kids table in the cafeteria.

But when the intrigued masses tuned in they must have been somewhat disappointed to see the man they have been told "has dynamite in his hands" get put down by the first glancing blow he received from some guy who wore lots of bling and howled like a wolf. Thus, MMA was left to eat lunch at the reject's table with hockey and Arena Football, waiting for another chance.

But this level of pussyfooting is downright inexcusable in my opinion. Alas, I am sure that hoards of friends will come up to me on Sunday and ask me if I saw Kimbo obliterate some British dude ,and I will only be able to reply, "yes, but I could've told you that on Friday"

UFC 84: Facelift for the Light Heavyweight Division

Devin Fratus — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:14:52 -0400

On May 24, UFC 84 will broadcast live from Las Vegas and the main event will feature a lightweight title fight between B.J. Penn and Sean Sherk. While that is sure to be an exciting fight, many fight fans will tune in to witness the most explosive gathering of 205-lb. fights ever to be featured on a single UFC card.

The first light heavyweight bout will feature two former PRIDE fighters still looking for their first UFC win. Rameau Sokoudjo (4-2-0) will take on Kazuhiro Nakamura (11-7-0).

Joe Silva and Dana White had high hopes for these two impressive imports, but those hopes were promptly dashed by Lyoto Machida.

Many critics behold Sokoudjo as one of the top 205-pounders, but he has yet to prevail inside the octagon.

The witty Nakamura made a name for himself by going the distance with the likes of Antonio Nogueria and "Shogun" Rua.

This fight is sure to be a clash of styles with "The African Assassin" who likes to strike from the clinch and "Kaz" who prefers to go for takedowns and uses his conditioning to earn decision victories.

Next up is undefeated Thiago Silva (12-0-0) vs. UFC newcomer Antonio "Samuray" Mendes (14-2-0). Mendes has not lost a fight since March of 2004.

I truly believe that this fight has the potential to steal the show. All three of Silva's UFC wins have come by way of TKO and Mendes has three TKOs of his own in addition to three KO wins, one of which took place just thirty seconds into the bout.

Though both fighters originate from Brazil, the fight will be a clash of Silva's American Top Team and Mendes' lesser-known European Top Team—a combination of thai boxe and vale tudo fighting styles.

Do not to miss this fight—if their records foreshadow anything, we are likely to see an early knockout.

Third on the card for the light heavyweights is Wilson Gouveia (10-4-0) against another UFC newcomer, Goran Reljic (7-0-0). This fight should prove to be a rare 205-lb. ground battle.

Both fighters have earned black belts in Brazilian jiu-jistu but have earned TKO wins, two for Gouveia in the UFC.

Gouveia's only UFC loss came in a decision against fellow UFC 84 fighter, Keith Jardine. Since then, he has won four fights, finishing his opponent in the second round or earlier.

Reljic will be fighting in the U.S. for the first time. His previous fights have all taken place in Europe, mostly in his home country of Croatia.

Some may favor the younger Reljic in this fight, but as we have seen with the likes of the formerly undefeated Tomasz Drwal and fellow Croatian Mirko Cro Cop—success over seas does not equal success here in America.

The next light heavyweight showdown could prove to be the most impactful fight of the night.

If Lyoto Machida (12-0-0) can remain undefeated and overcome former champ Tito Ortiz (15-5-1), the repercussions will be huge for both fighters.

If Machida wins, then he may be one fight away from title contention, and Ortiz will have gone three fights without a win. He will then be left scrambling to prove his worth to Dana White and compel him to re-sign him as this will be the final fight on his current contract.

Machida's inability to finish and produce exciting fights formerly kept him from being signed to big bouts. That came to an abrupt halt when he submitted the largely hyped Rameau Sokoudjo.

As of late, Ortiz has been given the role of proving ground for up and coming fighters—most recently in his three-round battle ending in a draw with Rashad Evans. A win could also put Ortiz back in the title hunt.

One thing is for sure, if the "Huntington Beach Bad Boy" fails to come out with a win, it may be a while until he gets some meaningful competition again.

Perhaps the celeb girlfriend plague that has afflicted Tony Romo and Tom Brady is what's ailing Ortiz, who has been spending his time with porn starlet Jenna Jameson.

The last of the 205-lb. battles is the most interesting of the night as Keith Jardine (13-3-1) will take on former PRIDE champion, Wanderlei Silva (31-8-1). Jardine has the most to gain in this fight, while Silva has the most to lose.

Jardine is no stranger to the underdog role—playing such a role in his fights with Forrest Griffin and Chuck Liddell, both of which he won by TKO and split decision, respectively.

A win against another elite fighter like Silva would most likely catapult "The Dean of Mean" into a title bout against the winner of the July 5 Rampage-Griffin showdown.

Many questioned Jardine's rank amongst the 205-pounders when he was TKO'd by Houston Alexander in just forty-eight seconds, a possible result of Jardine's underestimation of the then newcomer.

But, Jardine has proved that, when focused, he can hang with the best fighters the sport has to offer.

Now we turn to the plight of Wanderlei Silva.

"The Axe Murderer" is now on a three-loss skid, losing to Cro Cop, Dan Henderson, then Liddell. A fourth loss would lead many to question if the 31-year-old is beginning to feel the effects of consistently fighting three to five times a year.

Much excitement and anticipation followed the re-signing of Silva to the UFC, but the buzz was killed when he lost a unanimous decision to "The Iceman".

Plain and simple, Silva needs a victory to remain amongst the elite light heavyweights.

On paper, this fight looks to end in a sure-fire knockout. However, the same was said for both fighters' most recent bouts with Chuck Liddell—both ending in a decision.

Never the less, with Jardine's herky-jerky style of heavy hands and heavier kicks against Silva's sometimes unpredictable but always exciting Chute Boxe teachings, this fight is all but guaranteed to be one of the most explosive fights of the year to date.

UFC 84 is likely to change the landscape of the 205-lb. division for a long time to come. With the potential to propel fighters into title contention and put the careers of once great fighters in jeopardy, this PPV is well worth the $40 ordering fee.

UFC 84: Five Reasons To Bet on Travis Lutter

Devin Fratus — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:15:17 -0400

At UFC 84 this Saturday, Travis Lutter (12-4-0) will take on Rich Franklin (22-3-0). I'm willing to bet the majority of you will bet on Franklin. But before you place your wager, let me give you five reasons to show some love for the underdog.

1. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Franklin has none. Lutter has almost too much. Kimuras, key-locks, guillotines, triangles, you name it and Lutter has probably beaten someone with it. When you train with the Shamrock family in the Lion's Den, chances are you're going to pick up some ground game.

Lutter has a black belt in BJJ and also runs his own gym centered on teaching BJJ. Herer's one last testament to his ground game. At UFC 67, Anderson Silva, regarded by many as the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world, was reluctant to roll with him.

2. Knockout Power

Now, I know most of you are thinking, "What the hell is this kid talking about?", but trust me it's there. Don't believe me, ask Marvin Eastman. On second thought, he probably dosen't remember.

But you can ask anyone who watched UFC 50 and witnessed the most boring first round ever, followed by a one-punch second round.

3. He Has Nothing To Lose

If you saw a 35-year-old man get knocked out by Rich Franklin, would you think any less of him? What if you saw a 35-year-old man submit Rich Franklin? You would probably think Franklin is washed up and that this guy is the most bad-ass middle-aged man you have ever seen.

After failing to make weight for his UFC 67 title fight against Silva, Lutter can only go up from here and a win against the former champ would send him through the stratosphere.

4. You Gotta Love the Nickname...

...if not only for the reason that he looks like the least menacing person in the sport, (I personally think he looks like Toby from The Office). But you do get the vibe that somewhere deep under that calm exterior is a deranged psycho with bad intentions.

If Lutter wants to defeat Franklin in Montreal, we are going to have to see the reemergence of "The Serial Killer."

5. Franklin Just Isn't the Same

Coming off only his second loss in the UFC, the former middleweight champion is a different fighter, mentally at least. Franklin now knows that he cannot beat Anderson Silva, and it just seems that he has lost that drive he once had to stay on top.

I predict Franklin will not be in it, mentally, against Lutter and we have all seen what can happen when Rich isn't in the right state of mind. The case in point was at UFC 64 where it took Anderson Silva just three minutes to TKO the then-champ.

There you have it: five reasons to bet on Lutter. But please, don't come to me when you gamble away your kid's tuition fund on my word.

New Class, New Start; Mac Danzig Makes His PPV Debut Against Bocek

Devin Fratus — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:48:42 -0400

With names like St. Pierre, Bisping, and Franklin being thrown around in Montreal on Saturday it might be easy to overlook the preliminary bouts. But one lightweight prelim is sure to garner some attention as it will pit TUF 6 winner Mac Danzig against relative UFC newcomer, 5-1 Mark Bocek in a lightweight showdown of submission specialists.

Danzig mad a name for himself as a welterweight under the tutelage of two-time welterweight champion Matt Hughes on TUF 6: Team Serra vs. Team Hughes. He dispensed of all his opponents via submission, all in two rounds or fewer, all with a rear naked choke with the exception of an excellent triangle choke secured around the neck of Joe Scarola. In fact, eight of Danzig's seventeen professional wins have come by way of rear naked choke and one by way of triangle choke.

An MMA veteran in his own right, Danzig has already seen more pro fights than the likes of B.J. Penn and opposing TUF coach and UFC 83 main event title defender, Matt Serra. Danzig has amassed an overall record of seventeen wins, four losses, and one draw. Known mostly for his work in the welterweight division, the versatile Danzig became the 155 lb. Gladiator Challenge champion in a bloody battle against Nick Ertl (8-6-0). The battle ended with a TKO (doctor stoppage) but not before the mat and Danzig were both painted red with Ertl's blood. On the sixth season of the Ultimate Fighter, Danzig became known for his humanitarian habits, vegan lifestyle, and short temper. Often squabbling with housemates, he seemed rarely happy but when it came to fight time he appeared oddly at peace, composing his own "ugly poetry" with his striking and jiu-jitsu. Danzig hopes to translate that impressive style to his bout with Mark Bocek.

Mark Bocek (5-1-0), like Danzig, has won the majority of his fights with quick submissions. His most recent victory came in a unanimous decision at UFC 79 against Douglas Evans (5-3-0). The fiery-haired lightweight's only blemish on his record is a first-round TKO loss to Frankie Edgar (8-1-0) and hopes to keep it that way. A good showing against the heavily favored Danzig would certainly catch the attention of fight fans and, not to mention, Joe Silva. The 26-year-old Canadian is known for his Brazillian jiu-jitsu and trains with the Nova Uniao team along with impressive UFC middleweight, Thales Leites(12-1-0).

UFC 83 will be live from Bocek's home country of Canada for the first time ever and will display a welterweight championship bout and a plethora of impressive middleweight bouts. But we are asked to not forget about the little guys, which won't be hard, when millions witness what is sure to be a lightweight submission shootout.