Affliction: Day of Reckoning, Five Things I Learned

Affliction's second PPV is in the history books, and it was a nice follow up to their first outing. The fights were entertaining, The visuals were better, and they have Fedor. Enough said. On that note, here are five things I learned watching Affliction: Day of Reckoning.

1) There is no such thing as a "Baby Fedor."

I don't want to say that Sidelnikov was defeated because of his nickname, but he was defeated because of his nickname. Whose bright idea was it to call this guy "Baby Fedor" anyway? Just because Fedor trains him and he has the same hands down stance doesn't mean he is Fedor.

Fedor is Fedor. There is no comparing anyone to him or calling anyone the next Fedor.

2) Tito has found his calling after fighting.

If Tito wants to stop fighting now, he has my blessing. I thought he did a nice job as a color commentator. I think with time and more training, he could be even better. He has been around MMA as long as anyone in the game, and has never seen a microphone that wasn't calling to him.

His interviewing skills need a little work, but that can definitely be improved upon with time. This was the first time since Pride closed I wasn't really irritated by a non-UFC announcing crew. The lone exception would be that Scott Ferrall guy. He was absolutely horrible.

3) The novelty with Sokoudjou has worn off.

I don't care if he knocked out Arona and Little Nog in Pride. I don't care that he used to wear that cool Predator mask. I don't care that he trains with team Qwest.

If he can't knock you out in the first minute or so in the fight, then he loses. He has now lost three out of his last four. I don't want to see him on any fight card I paid money for until he gets some wins.

4) Josh Barnett is not the man to beat Fedor.

Josh Barnett is good. In fact, he is very good. He is easily one of the top five heavyweights in the world. He has decent enough standup, good wrestling, and excellent jiu-jitsu. What he doesn't have, in my opinion, is what it takes to beat Fedor.

I think Fedor is better standing, and better on the ground. Barnett is significantly bigger than Fedor, if that matters any. Maybe he can find a way to stay on top of Fedor and use that weight somehow to wear him down? Or maybe he gets knocked out or choked out like everyone else.

5) One mistake against Fedor is one too many.

Watching the first minute of this fight you got the feeling an upset was brewing. Ok, maybe you didn't, but I surely did. Arlovski was showing the full arsenal of standup in this one. Great low kicks, body punching, jabs, straights and a pretty solid front kick.

What he did next defies all logic. He went for a flying knee. I repeat a flying knee. Against Fedor. A flying knee. Where in any gameplan for beating Fedor is a flying knee included? If your answer was nowhere, you would be correct.

You simply do not leave your feet against Fedor. You do not get careless against Fedor. In fact, if you get him hurt, you do not even pounce on him, you stay composed, and stick to your gameplan.

I cannot believe no one told Arlovski in his entire training camp that he should expect to get the better of Fedor in the standup. He should have expected early success. He should have been told to maintain his composure, keep the fight standing, keep his defense tight, and not to try anything risky or stupid.

The flying knee shouldn't have been in the gameplan. It couldn't have been. I refuse to believe it.

I am gonna go to sleep tonight and tell myself that Arlovski temporarily got excited, thought he had Fedor hurt, and forgot that it was Fedor for just a second. That second was all it took to send Arlovski on to a new sport.

The only good thing Arlovski can take away from this fight is knowing that when and if he can secure a bout with one of the Klitschko brothers, flying knees will not be allowed.