Joe Ferraro

Showdown had a chance to talk to MMA fans and they gave him their thoughts on UFC 89.

I was very impressed with the diversity of the Canadian MMA fans that turned out for a Chuck Liddell seminar in Toronto on Sunday.

I spoke with teenagers, seniors, men and women, and they all gave me their thoughts on the bouts from UFC 89 that took place the day before.

For Michael Bisping, the consensus was that it wasn't his most exciting fight, but his strategy was a smart one. I agree, as Bisping executed a smart game plan being patient with his exchanges and avoiding getting into a brawl with Chris Leben. Is he ready for Anderson Silva? Not yet, and he will be the first one to tell you. For now, he will await the winner of Dan Henderson and Rich Franklin, as one of these two fighters is rumoured to be the opposing coach on Season 9 of The Ultimate Fighter. Bisping was announced as one of the coaches as the UFC will be showcasing a Team U.S. vs Team U.K. format. (Note to Dana White: Season 10 should feature Team Canada vs. whomever you like, especially if you want to set up a trilogy for GSP and B.J. Penn.)

There were also a handful of fans who wanted to discuss the Keith Jardine-Brandon Vera fight. The way I saw it, Jardine fought a strategic battle that frustrated Vera, who was once considered a serious threat to not only become a heavyweight champ, but also a light-heavyweight one. Vera was the next big thing, but since his contract dispute and one-year layoff, he has not looked like the same fighter that would go into the Octagon and just crush his opponents. He is fighting far too tentatively and is losing in the process. I'd like to see him fight Sokoudjou next as both of these guys are floating on thin ice and are desperately need to put on a good show.

Jardine nas now beaten Vera, Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin, the current UFC light-heavyweight champ. His options are numerous right now but most guys whom he could fight are tentatively scheduled for battle. Lyoto Machida is taking on Thiago Silva. Quinton Jackson is fighting Wanderlei Silva. Shogun Rua is scheduled to face Mark Coleman while teammate Rashad Evans is going to go toe-to-toe with Griffin. Does he schedule a rematch with Liddell? Does he fight the winner of any of the aforementioned bouts (minus Evans) or do all of us hope the UFC signs Ricardo (The Brazilian Tiger) Arona, who has been out of commission since Pride folded yet is still ranked in the Top 20 and a force to be reckoned with?

As for Sokoudjou, many fans gave me a hard time for picking him to lose versus Luiz Arthur Cane, as they thought I was losing my mind. When the referee stepped in to halt the bout on Saturday, it confirmed my belief that Sokoudjou is not ready to fight at an elite level just yet. He has the skills, he just needs to build the cardio and stamina to trade with the upper echelon of the division. I believe if he can pace himself throughout the fight, not be so explosive in everything he launches then his gas tank will not deplete as quickly as it did Saturday night. As I mentioned earlier, a fight vs. Vera would be a good one for both guys.

I'd like to see Cane take on the loser of the Henderson-Franklin bout. It would be a great test for him, while others would see it as a rebound fight for the other. Personally, I don't see Cane as a rebound fight for anyone.

As for some of the other fighters on the card, many of us were impressed by Shane Carwin, albeit his victory over Neil Wain was considered by many, a given. If Carwin can work diligently on his footwork and boxing, he will be a force in the division. I say this because he is able to use his wrestling at will and take people down to the ground whenever he chooses. Eventually, he will meet someone that will be able to stuff his takedowns, so his striking better be ready to go as a "Plan B." But until someone can stop his takedowns, look for Carwin to continue his undefeated streak.

I liked Marcus Davis' performance against Paul Kelly as well as Chris Lytle's fight of the night vs. Paul Taylor. Lytle called out Davis and wants to fight him in Ireland. Makes for an interesting bout but I'm not sure that the UFC will put that fight on. Jim Miller and Dan Hardy were also victorious and these are two guys who have extremely bright futures in the lightweight and welterweight divisions, respectively.

In closing, Canadian Sam Stout lost another hard-fought decision to Terry Etim. It's very difficult to say where Stout goes from here, but something has to give as he is now 2-4 in the UFC. He trains with some of the best fighters in the world at his Adrenaline MMA gym in London, Ont., as well as Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas. If fighters are figuring out that Stout is strictly going to stand and trade with them, he is going to have to do the same thing I discussed with Liddell: start switching up the game plan, insert some surprise takedowns and groundwork or risk the fact that his UFC career is coming to an end.