Keith "the Dean of Mean" Jardine Winning Ugly

Until reading comments regarding Keith Jardine in response to an article on the Bleacher Report, I didn't realize that he was not well liked in the world of MMA.

He does sport a primitive and very fierce demeanor, which I suppose is off-putting to a lot of civilized people.

But this being MMA I would have thought fans here would have a greater understanding of the sport and the importance of maintaining a "distinct image."

If I were Jardine's grandmother, I would certainly be after him to do a better job in trimming his chin hair more evenly. I do think it is helpful in separating him from the rest of the bald fighters though. Even those with facial hair do not appear as menacing, at least in my opinion. Because the color is so light it may tend to make him look more like he is in his forties than his thirties, however.

Facial hair aside, most of the complaints which are voiced concern the "Dean's" raggedly uneven, herky-jerky fighting style.

It is clear that Jardine was no early devotee to ballet. Not many young boys are subjected to the dance style, although there was a period during my life when I recall a famous ballerina being brought in to "teach" a football team some techniques in grace and balance.

Where he learned his style really is not as important as is noting that particularly against some noted MMA stars, his style has been very successful in preventing his opponents to get into a rhythm that will allow him to defeat them.

No gliding, or smooth transitions. At times it is almost painful to watch.

So what? He knows how to work his style to his advantage, on the occasions he has been able to fully utilize it. That would mean discounting his quick losses to Houston Alexander and Wanderlei Silva, who prevented him from getting into his game with rapid and devastating knockouts.

When Keith is the one who is striking he is certainly able to hit his mark with great affect and does have the necessary knockout power to fell his opponent.

His leg strikes are also efficient as evidenced by the huge welts that soon discolor his opponent's legs and, as with Chuck Liddell, the sides.

Hearing the leg strikes hit often brings a loud "ouch, that had to hurt" comment from Joe Rogan who then quickly describes in detail the damage being done.

Chuck Liddell did not survive the Dean's op-art artistry and at times, accordingly, Jardine has stood on the brink of a shot at the championship.

Does he deserve a title shot?

Absolutely!

You cannot deprive a fighter of a title chance just because he has a habit of winning ugly.

In the end it still counts!