UFC 91: Will Florian VS Stevenson Steal The Show?

There is a ton of hype and deep interest surrounding next months' Heavyweight Championship event UFC 91.

One of the greatest fighters in the history of the UFC will once again challenge the mountain of odds stacked against him.  He will step into the Octagon with a younger, faster, stronger behemoth of a man called Brock Lesnar.

The questions about this match, and the answers to those questions, are endless.  One question not being asked is this.  How come no one is talking about KenFlo VS Joe Daddy?

Sure a title is on the line and that is something to talk about.  Especially with this fight.  There is a lot happening afterwards in the HW division, and the outcome effects it all. 

The bottom line is this though.  That title fight includes a guy who has fought a total of three times and even if he wins the title, may lose it shortly there after to a more experienced fighter.  The other guy hasn't fought in the Octagon in over a year.  How important could that title have been to him for him to have walked away from it so long ago? 

Is Randys' heart really in this, does Brock really deserve this title shot being that the true UFC Heavyweight champion (IMHO) Big Nog is on hold filming a reality show?  Those are questions for another article.

One thing is for sure.  There are two light weight fighters ready to go to war.  Two very well seasoned athletes capable of putting up fight of the night if not fight of the year if things play out in their favor. 

KenFlo has essentially locked in a title shot against BJ Penn.  Due to ulterior motives though, Penn has pushed the pause button on the LW title.  For good reason one might add, but this has put KenFlos' ascent on hold as well.  It is no surprise he stepped up and took this fight while he waits.  He is a warrior, and wants to fight, no matter the spoils of war.

Joe Daddy is a great talent in the LW division.  He was subjected to one of the bloodiest matches seen in the UFC in a long time, if not ever.  He showed true grit in that fight.  He is a soldier capable of heart and desire unlike any other.  A true talent.  A grinder.  He too would like to re-establish himself as a contender to the throne.  Especially being that the man who most recently defeated him may vacate his throne, depending on how the whole Penn-GSP thing plays out.

The point being made here is simple.  While everyone is fantasising and predicting what will happen in the big hype fight of the night.  No one is talking much about what will surely be one of the best fights of the night, with more implications in a much more stacked division.  There is a very strong chance the HW Championship match could amount to a snooze fest, riddled with lay and pray tactics, less than exciting action.  Tactical, successful, but boring none the less. 

Rest assured the Florian-Stevenson will be anything but boring.  There is no doubt these two are coming to showcase their undeniable skill against eachothers will. 

Ask yourself this, if you had to pick one fight off the card, one fight to entertain yourself for your hard earned dollars.  Who would you pick?  An old timer, who walked away from his prestigious title, who hasn't fought in over a year due to contract disputes and the like.  A legend yes, but in the end, his time is coming, age has a way of doing that. 

Would you choose the fight that pits him against an amateur, a freak of nature whom the UFC had to make new custom gloves for, a guy who has fought less times in MMA than kids that make the TUF series as up and comers, kids who may never get a shot in the UFC much less a title shot?

Or would you rather watch a fight between two seasoned warriors?  Two guys who have either earned their way into the fight game or at least are young enought to still be relevant now and for years to come?  That is to say Brock is not seasoned, and Randy will not be relevant for much longer.

If Randy wins, how many fights are left in him?  What if Brock wins, does he have enough talent to remain the champ against the top level talent awaiting him in his division?

KenFlo and JoeDaddy are and will be forces to be reckoned with for the long term, in any capacity.  The smart money is on their fight outclassing the headliner.  They should not be so heavily overshadowed by it.  That is all that is being said here.

Sure the title fight may be great, but it is a bit of a sideshow honestly.  The UFC already has a true HW champ in Nog, who has been paying dues while the real champ has been focusing on leaving his title behind.  Going so far as to hire attorneys and going to war with the UFC to do so.  There are better challengers to the throne who have paid more dues to earn that shot than Brock, guys like Werdum and yes even Mir.

In the end watch for the little guys to put on the real show.  Count on them to really entertain us come UFC 91.  This prediction could be totally off, the big guys may truly impress and dazzle us.  Just don't forget there are many other fights going on that night, and the one between Kenny and Joe has the potential to be the best overall.

Do not lose sight of the small time fighters just because the UFC has told you that this fight between two heavyweights is the one to see.  It will be fun to watch no doubt, and who knows how it will turn out. 

These other fighters deserve just as much recognition though.  Keep your eye on them, because someday when the big guys are gone or dropped in ranks to hone their craft, more than likely these little guys will be headlining a card and the big guys may happen to be the under cards.