It's called fastball for a reason, folks. Now let's get to it.
Fedor erases all doubt who the number one heavyweight in the world is: When Fedor was the PRIDE Heavyweight Champion almost everyone? especially this writer?was absolutely convinced that he was the best heavyweight MMA fighter in the world. Along with this, most were pretty sure that he would dispose of his UFC counterparts quite easily.
But then two things happened. First PRIDE fell and Fedor found himself out of work, creating a situation by which he went over two years without fighting a heavyweight contender. Second, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic went over to the UFC and performed very poorly, causing most people's confidence in the former PRIDE organization's heavyweight division to be shaken.
But then came July 19th and Affliction: Banned. If you're still doubting Fedor's greatness after his 36 second destruction of former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Tim Sylvia, something is wrong.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Andrei Arlovski: Yahoo Sports has reported that Fedor's next opponent will be former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski in October. Of course, that will mean that one of MMAFighting.com's former Dream Match Ups will take place. It's a huge bout as Arlovski is one of the most explosive and athletic strikers in the world today.
But here's the question: Is it a better fight than Josh Barnett vs. Fedor would've been? Arlovski is definitely at a disadvantage that Barnett would not have been?certainly not to the same degree, anyway?if this fight goes to the ground.
Food for thought.
Anderson Silva needs some movement: This is to take nothing away from Patrick Cote; he's an extremely tough guy that brings well rounded skills, toughness, heart, and a lot of stand up power to every fight he participates in. Still, when you heard that Silva would be taking him on at UFC 90, did you get excited?
In the end, Cote seems to be at a disadvantage in this fight no matter where it ends up. On his feet, he'll be playing it out against one of the greatest strikers in MMA history and on the ground he's likely to have to defend submission attempt after submission attempt (if he can get the fight to the canvas to begin with). Sure, Cote could come off with a rocket shot. But. . .
Anderson Silva requires some movement. Either the UFC should have Georges St. Pierre move up to fight him or they should have him go up in weight to take on someone like Chuck Liddell or Wanderlei Silva. Now that would bring some anticipation.
Christiane Cyborg vs. Gina Carano: It seems like every time a female fight goes off at an EliteXC event it ends up being one of the more entertaining bouts of the night. That said, most fans haven't really sat with bated breath in anticipation of any of them.
But after Cyborg's performance against Shayna Baszler this past Saturday, that may be changing. Cyborg looks like a brutal striker on her feet?like a female version of Wanderlei Silva. Carano has already proven her stand up mettle.
This is a female fight that many fans would love to see.
Should instant replay be a part of MMA?: After watching Anthony Johnson lose a fight to Kevin Burns due to multiple thumbs in the eye, the most important of which the referee missed, you've got to wonder about this. Instant replay would've rightfully left Johnson in the winner's circle; hell, it would've at least kept him from adding an undeserved loss to his record.
If used in such situations some form of instant replay might be beneficial to the sport. To question judge's decisions or have referee stoppages that didn't have anything to do with a rule- breaking incident be questioned would not be beneficial.
In other words, it all depends on how it might be used.
Kenny Florian vs. Roger Huerta at UFC 87: This fight has the potential to be one of the best of the year. Be sure to catch UFC 87 for this one alone!
The IFL has taught us many things, one which should not be forgotten: Well, the IFL will either completely fold or be purchased. In fact, it looks as if Zuffa may have already acquired the promotion, though this has not been confirmed. Regardless, we must remember one thing from the IFL's fall.
MMA is a sport about individuals. Fans won't buy the team concept.
Anyone else getting a little tired of Forrest Griffin being the underdog?: People still seem to be selling Forrest Griffin short. The bottom line is that the guy has defeated Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson consecutively and is as tough as they come.
Anytime he fights you know that you're going to see the best Forrest Griffin that there is. Now that says something; and the something it says is not that he should continue to be the underdog in all of his fights.
Looking forward to seeing the UFC in Minnesota: The state of Minnesota just seems right for mixed martial arts. Guess is that the place will be rocking when the UFC shows up there next month.
Eddie Alvarez is a guy to watch: Sure, Joachim Hansen won the DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix; and yes, despite being an alternate he fought very well. That said, the fighter that came out of this tournament most impressively, in my opinion, was Eddie Alvarez. This guy has a motor that doesn't stop, is as tough as they come, and has well- rounded skills to boot.
What else is there? Looking forward to seeing what he can do when two fights aren't required on the same night.
Fedor erases all doubt who the number one heavyweight in the world is: When Fedor was the PRIDE Heavyweight Champion almost everyone? especially this writer?was absolutely convinced that he was the best heavyweight MMA fighter in the world. Along with this, most were pretty sure that he would dispose of his UFC counterparts quite easily.
But then two things happened. First PRIDE fell and Fedor found himself out of work, creating a situation by which he went over two years without fighting a heavyweight contender. Second, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic went over to the UFC and performed very poorly, causing most people's confidence in the former PRIDE organization's heavyweight division to be shaken.
But then came July 19th and Affliction: Banned. If you're still doubting Fedor's greatness after his 36 second destruction of former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Tim Sylvia, something is wrong.
Fedor Emelianenko vs. Andrei Arlovski: Yahoo Sports has reported that Fedor's next opponent will be former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski in October. Of course, that will mean that one of MMAFighting.com's former Dream Match Ups will take place. It's a huge bout as Arlovski is one of the most explosive and athletic strikers in the world today.
But here's the question: Is it a better fight than Josh Barnett vs. Fedor would've been? Arlovski is definitely at a disadvantage that Barnett would not have been?certainly not to the same degree, anyway?if this fight goes to the ground.
Food for thought.
Anderson Silva needs some movement: This is to take nothing away from Patrick Cote; he's an extremely tough guy that brings well rounded skills, toughness, heart, and a lot of stand up power to every fight he participates in. Still, when you heard that Silva would be taking him on at UFC 90, did you get excited?
In the end, Cote seems to be at a disadvantage in this fight no matter where it ends up. On his feet, he'll be playing it out against one of the greatest strikers in MMA history and on the ground he's likely to have to defend submission attempt after submission attempt (if he can get the fight to the canvas to begin with). Sure, Cote could come off with a rocket shot. But. . .
Anderson Silva requires some movement. Either the UFC should have Georges St. Pierre move up to fight him or they should have him go up in weight to take on someone like Chuck Liddell or Wanderlei Silva. Now that would bring some anticipation.
Christiane Cyborg vs. Gina Carano: It seems like every time a female fight goes off at an EliteXC event it ends up being one of the more entertaining bouts of the night. That said, most fans haven't really sat with bated breath in anticipation of any of them.
But after Cyborg's performance against Shayna Baszler this past Saturday, that may be changing. Cyborg looks like a brutal striker on her feet?like a female version of Wanderlei Silva. Carano has already proven her stand up mettle.
This is a female fight that many fans would love to see.
Should instant replay be a part of MMA?: After watching Anthony Johnson lose a fight to Kevin Burns due to multiple thumbs in the eye, the most important of which the referee missed, you've got to wonder about this. Instant replay would've rightfully left Johnson in the winner's circle; hell, it would've at least kept him from adding an undeserved loss to his record.
If used in such situations some form of instant replay might be beneficial to the sport. To question judge's decisions or have referee stoppages that didn't have anything to do with a rule- breaking incident be questioned would not be beneficial.
In other words, it all depends on how it might be used.
Kenny Florian vs. Roger Huerta at UFC 87: This fight has the potential to be one of the best of the year. Be sure to catch UFC 87 for this one alone!
The IFL has taught us many things, one which should not be forgotten: Well, the IFL will either completely fold or be purchased. In fact, it looks as if Zuffa may have already acquired the promotion, though this has not been confirmed. Regardless, we must remember one thing from the IFL's fall.
MMA is a sport about individuals. Fans won't buy the team concept.
Anyone else getting a little tired of Forrest Griffin being the underdog?: People still seem to be selling Forrest Griffin short. The bottom line is that the guy has defeated Mauricio "Shogun" Rua and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson consecutively and is as tough as they come.
Anytime he fights you know that you're going to see the best Forrest Griffin that there is. Now that says something; and the something it says is not that he should continue to be the underdog in all of his fights.
Looking forward to seeing the UFC in Minnesota: The state of Minnesota just seems right for mixed martial arts. Guess is that the place will be rocking when the UFC shows up there next month.
Eddie Alvarez is a guy to watch: Sure, Joachim Hansen won the DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix; and yes, despite being an alternate he fought very well. That said, the fighter that came out of this tournament most impressively, in my opinion, was Eddie Alvarez. This guy has a motor that doesn't stop, is as tough as they come, and has well- rounded skills to boot.
What else is there? Looking forward to seeing what he can do when two fights aren't required on the same night.
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Last Month's MMA Fastball: Amir Sadollah has a heart of a champion