Bleacher Report - Articles by Ben Raven

2009: The Defining Year of the UFC

Ben Raven — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 21:40:35 -0500

The world of MMA has grown so much in the past year, the UFC is the centerpiece of the MMA world. For the UFC and MMA to grow even more in 2009, Dana White and others are going to have to keep up what they are doing, but there are some changes that need to happen for the UFC to grow even more.

Think back two years ago when the idea of MMA being featured on SportsCenter and having an MMA page on ESPN.com was absurd. MMA has grown so much in the public eye, and ESPN and others are catching on to this new scene.

I have been a hardcore UFC fan for five years now, and I have watched it grow so much since then. The reason the UFC has grown so much is because it has had the perfect balance of well-known veterans and new up-and-coming fighters.

It is time for a change when it comes to the usual PPV fight cards that the UFC puts out.

For the UFC to stay as popular as it is now, they need to focus more heavily on the up-and-coming superstars like Forrest Griffin, Rashad Evans, Brock Lesnar, and Frank Mir.

Rashad Evans and Forrest Griffin have now both held the most coveted belt in all of MMA, the UFC light-heavyweight championship. No weight division is as deep, and none puts the big-name fights out on a consistent basis. Forrest and Rashad, of course, are former champions on The Ultimate Fighter, they have shown that these kids on the show can actually fight.

The Ultimate Fighter has brought in a new generation of MMA fans into the spotlight, and the UFC needs to keep these fans and transform them into loyal followers.

The way that the UFC is going to keep these fans and continue to gain more and more, is to keep developing these young fighters and putting them on the big scene for the public to become fully aware of them. As much as I, and every other UFC fan, love Chuck Liddell, Tito Ortiz, Randy Couture, and others it is time to stop putting all the focus on these veterans.

These guys are the reason that the UFC is still around; they are some of the greatest fighters of all time, but it is time to be real. Chuck Liddell is fading fast, Randy Couture just got beat by the young Brock Lesnar, and Tito Ortiz isn't even fighting for a company at all right now!

I have heard rumors about the upcoming event UFC 100, that every title will be on the line. I realize this would be a huge event and by far the most profitable, but the UFC needs to think of it all in the long run. If every title is on the line, then who in the heck is going to fight on UFC 101 and 102, and even 98 and 99?

You cannot sacrifice four major events for one colossal one. Of course, they are called rumors for a reason. I just felt the need to address the issue, because this, in my opinion, would be very bad for the UFC.

What the UFC needs to keep doing is the fights like B.J. Penn Vs. Georges St. Pierre and Rashad Evans Vs. Forrest Griffin. The Rashad and Forrest fight was incredible and the B.J.-Georges fight could be a fight for the ages.

The UFC needs to pit the top young guns against each other, because it has proven to be successful and it will be great for the UFC for many years to come, I know that I would pay for Forrest and Rashad to fight again, and again.

The UFC needs to have another 2008, but bigger and better! The perfect situation for the UFC to cash in on has happened.

You have the possibility of Rashad, Forrest, and Rampage trading the belt back and forth, with many other 205ers on the rise. The best-case scenario has also happened, Brock Lesnar is for real! No one beats Randy Couture for the belt unless they really are the Next Big Thing.

I look forward to the Mir and Lesnar showdown. It is time for the UFC to establish itself as an elite World Sport. They have the media's attention now; it's time to take advantage of it.

Liddell-Evans: Looking Ahead to UFC 85

Ben Raven — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 04:21:35 -0400

This event may not be until June 7th, but this PPV is drawing a lot of buzz. This fight has major implications in the Light Heavyweight division. The main event of the night is Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell facing off against Rashad "Sugar Evans". Both fighters are coming off of huge victories Evans beat Michael Bisping by split decision back at UFC 78 and Liddell just beat Wanderlei Silva back in December.

Evans was the Ultimate Fighter Season Two winner when he defeated Brad Imes in the finale. Rashad has a very nice looking resume with wins over Michael Bisping, Jason Lambert, and Stepan Bonnar, and the draw over Tito Ortiz. The Iceman's resume is historic though, with wins over Ortz (2), Couture (2), Vitor Belfort, Jeremy Horn, and of course most recently over Wanderlei Silva.

Chuck Liddell is a legend for his knockout power. Chuck can knock you out with lefts or rights. He is one of the grittiest, never-say-quit type of fighters to ever walk inside of the octagon and he wants another shot at the belt.

Rashad "Sugar" Evans is a great wrestler, his specialty is his takedowns, and his takedown defense. His takedowns are the reasons he forced a draw with Tito Ortiz, as you may remember Tito grabbed the cage twice in their fight and was docked a point resulting in a draw across all judges score cards.

Evans is one of the up and coming stars in the octagon, and Liddell has been the face of the UFC for a long time now. I see Liddell winning this fight by TKO in Round Two, I think Chuck is going to come into this fight with more to prove than ever before.

If Chuck slips up, so does his possible title shot. Rashad could put himself into the history books with a win here, and could set up an already bright career. You must remember that Evans is still officially undefeated, he is 16-0-1, Evans doesn't want to lose seeing he never has, and Chuck doesn't want to call it quits yet.

Add this all up and you've got yourself the formula to a great fight!

NCAA Tournament Sleeper: Butler

Ben Raven — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 03:40:02 -0400

I would like to know how the 12th Ranked team in the nation with a 29-3 record gets a no. 7 seed.

Are you kidding me?

Just because Butler plays in the Horizon League, it does not mean that they're not capable of a deep March run.

Butler is lead by their back court, with veteran guards A.J Graves, and Mike Green. Mike Green is a do-it-all guard, averaging 14 points, seven rebounds, and six assists a game. A.J Graves is a deadly shooter and a stingy defender.

Butler has played against power conference teams in the season, with wins over Michigan, Ohio State, Virginia Tech, Florida State, and Texas Tech.

The Bulldogs are so versatile they can run, they can slow it down, they can score, and they can defend.

Some people don't like Butler because they are missing a dominant inside game.

I disagree. Both of their starting big men, Matt Howard and Pete Campbell, average double figures in scoring, and with guards like Green and Graves they could make any post player a force.

My outlook for Butler is an Elite Eight run.

I have them getting past Southern Alabama, and then shocking Tennessee. I think Graves and Green will keep Lofton from getting his shot off, which will result in the offense relying on Tyler Smith. Smith is good, but can't carry the whole load.

Watch out for BUTLER!

UFC 79: Liddell, St. Pierre Highlight Great Night

Ben Raven — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 17:55:11 -0500

UFC 79 looked like an amazing card on paper—and by George(s) it was!

The first contest was between two hated bayou boys, with Melvin Guillard losing via rear naked choke. The second contest isn't even worth talking about (yawn).

Let's move on to the fight we've been waiting for for six years now: Chuck "The Iceman" Liddell against the "Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva.

The first minute of the fight saw the two warriors feeling each other out. Wanderlei proved he was quick and determined to get inside, but Chuck had the jab working. There was some nice action to end the round, which Chuck won 10-9.

The second round was brutal, as Wanderlei continuously had Chuck back against the cage, and even had a brief knockdown. But Chuck proved it was his fight to lose, as he dominated the last part of Round Two, badly lacerating Silva's right eyebrow and ending the round with an awkward takedown.

The third and final round started with a tackle from Chuck, who played it safe and smart and nearly ended the fight twice with combos against the cage. In the end, Chuck won a decision from all three judges to prove beyond all doubt that HE IS BACK.

The main event of the evening was the rubber match between Georges St. Pierre and Matt Hughes for the interim Welterweight Title. Hughes won the first contest with an armbar, and GSP won the second with a KO.

Saturday night was all GSP ground game and stand game. He ultimately made Hughes tap with a modified armbar triangle hold.

After the match, GSP said he will not accept the belt until he defeats Matt Serra.

All told, it was a great night. Keep it up, UFC.