The UFC's recent trip Down Under for UFC 127 produced some decidedly mixed results.
The dust has just about settled from the UFC's recent trip Down Under and while an abundance of storylines are emanating from their second event at the Acer Arena, the overall synopsis from UFC 127 is akin to the Clint Eastwood classic: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
While the movie was released years before I was born, the title resonates a certain theme that many of us can relate to. Let's move along and start with the positives from UFC 127:
The Good
Brian Eberosole - I am the first to admit that his opponent, Chris Lytle, was about as close to a lock in winning that fight as I had ever seen. Eberosole proved otherwise and with his unorthodox style, arrow-shaped chest hair and acute understanding of the dynamics that make up an MMA fight, my hope is that he will have a great run in the UFC's welterweight division. He is, as they say, "good people."
BJ Penn - He once again proved that he can hang with the elite of two divisions. Penn went the distance with the No. 2 welterweight in the world, and some will argue that he beat him -- I am not one of them. While I scored the fight 29-27 for his opponent, Jon Fitch (9-10, 10-9, 10-8), Penn confirmed that he is still one of the best, pound for pound, in MMA. The fact he can compete in two weight classes against elite-level competition is living proof that he should be placed high on everyone's rankings.
Jorge Rivera - Leading up to his bout with Michael Bisping, Rivera turned himself into a promoter and began hyping up his fight with "The Count" through a myriad of online videos that generated far more interest in the bout than anything Michael did, and heck, perhaps even the UFC. All fighters should learn from this model.
Denis Siver - When I first heard that he would be facing George Sotiropoulos, I shook my head in mild disgust over the match-up. Little did I realize that the German would school the Aussie, exposing weaknesses in his game that were not so glaring beforehand.
Alexander Gustafsson - "The Mauler" is 14-1, 3-1 in the UFC, with all three of his wins coming by way of stoppage. He submitted Cyril Diabate and James Te Huna after knocking out Jared Hamman. Finishing in the Octagon is no easy task, and the fact he has three, is endearing to the UFC brass. His only loss has been to Phil Davis, who is on a similar career trajectory to Jon Jones. Not bad for the Swedish prospect. Keep an eye on him.
Zhang Tie Quan - While it will not erase the decision loss to Danny Downes, the Chinese mixed martial artist rebounded well with his guillotine submission of Jason Reinhardt. Quan is exactly what the UFC needs if they want to succeed in the Far East -- more Asian fighters, with experience, solid MMA skills and a name.
Michael Bisping - Based on his actions, the Brit now has a massive bull’s eye on his back, with the likes of Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort and Demian Maia all placing "The Count" on their radar. Like it or not, the business of Bisping just picked up for the UFC. While I'd like to see a rematch vs. Rivera, (I believe the illegal knee played a huge factor in Rivera's ability to compete at 100 percent), an online poll I conducted has the vast majority of fans picking Sonnen as the next man the UFC should place across the Octagon from Bisping.
The Bad
Poor Judging - The broken record continues to play. Until the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC), the various athletic commissions around the globe and, yes, even the UFC take this matter seriously, change will occur at a snail's pace. Every judge that is licensed must undergo a certification process to prove they understand what is going on in an MMA bout. If I can do it, (and it's not even my job,) and pass an ABC recognized course, there is no excuse for those who are tasked with overseeing what is happening inside of a combat platform. These people are directly responsible for a fighter's livelihood. Their decisions are often the difference between some fighters doubling their paycheque. Think about that for a second, how would you like it if incompetence was the reason why you received half-a-pay cheque this week? And your next paycheck won’t be as substantial as it should be?
Bisping breaking the rules twice - Bisping did so not once, but twice. What was glaring to me was the first infraction which should have resulted in a point being taken away. As Rivera was attempting to sweep Bisping, the latter grabbed onto the fence to avoid being swept. That is blatant, and flagrant, and much different than if he had his back against the cage and reacted by grabbing the fence as Bisping was being taken down. That is a mandatory, one-point deduction. The knee Bisping subsequently threw to Rivera's head, was inexcusable. I do concur with Bisping that sometimes, in the heat of battle, you make mistakes, but that is a pretty obvious one that you do not train, and in fact, avoid in training, because it is against the rules.
The hatred for Jon Fitch - It's borderline pathetic. He consistently receives harsh criticism for dominating the division's best. If I had one wish, I would place all of those that call his fight style boring, underneath him, while he is grinding and pounding away a unanimous judge’s decision. I'd like to see them survive when Penn's got their back, or last more than thirty seconds in Penn's guard. I'd like to see them do to Penn, what Fitch did to him in Round 3. I would so enjoy seeing how they would survive against the monster that is Thiago Alves. Or deal with the well-rounded Paulo Thiago or Diego Sanchez. Better yet, take a five-round beating from Georges St-Pierre and still get up the way Jon did at UFC 87. He is one of the world's best - get over it, or go watch K-1.
Sotiropoulos' Wrestling - I overestimated his takedown abilities. I assumed that history would have dictating he would have had a far easier time taking Siver down to the mat. I was wrong, as was the Aussie, who now finds himself staring up the long ladder that is the UFC's lightweight title mix.
Chris Lytle pondering retirement - Please say it ain't so. Lytle underwent knee surgery just weeks before the fight and was obviously not at 100 percent when he entered the Octagon. Word has now come that the veteran is thinking about retirement. My hope is that he does not consider doing so, as he has more than plenty left in his gas tank.
The post-fight press conference - To my fellow peers, what was that? Dana White missing or not, there could have been far more questions asked, and answered.
The ugly
Spit-gate - Bisping marching over to Rivera's corner, while subsequently spitting on them is unacceptable. UFC president Dana White has already stated that he will punish his British poster child, but I wonder how he plans on doing so.
Over the past 12 years, I've drafted and reviewed my fair share of MMA contracts, and I do not recall ever seeing a provision for fines. On the vast majority, I have seen one that speaks to professional conduct and the right to release an athlete should it be proven that he has breached this portion of the agreement, but never a clause that speaks to financial penalization. Whatever the case may be, the UFC and the Commission should reprimand Bisping accordingly.
