On paper, the UFC’s second screening on FOX was set to blow the debut show, last November, out of the water in the entertainment stakes. The debut show featured just one bout that ended up lasting only 64 seconds, albeit an explosive 64 seconds. Despite lasting 50 times longer, UFC on FOX 2 lacked any real explosion across the 3 featured bouts.
By Fergus Ryan
UFC on FOX 2 had substance as there were ‘#1 contender’ eliminators in both the middleweight and light-heavyweight divisions. It had attitude with Michael Bisping, Rashad Evans and of course Chael Sonnen – some of the most competitive talkers in the UFC. And though he came in on only 11 days notice and was little-known prior to squaring off against Demian Maia, Chris Weidman offered the ‘Rocky’ – everything stacked against him – element to the card. It should have been an epic UFC event.
Like anything that is overly anticipated the actual event fell short in meeting the hype. You couldn’t fault the fighters for their honest endeavour. But you couldn’t help but feel they were as concerned about not losing as they were about winning. Particularly Rashad Evans, who failed to capitalise on Phil Davis’ long and laboured striking style to push for a finish. Sonnen took the fight to Bisping for much of their 3-rounder and deserved victory (though it took me two viewings to be sure). Though it was an extremely close fight Sonnen himself figured he shaved it “…he landed and bunch of punches, I landed a bunch of punches… but there were five takedowns and I took’em all, there was one mount and I took that and there was one guard pass and I took it.” Sonnen was humble in victory and went on to admit: “if I would have lost that fight I wouldn’t be complaining”. Even the ‘Peoples Champ’ knew it was close.
Bisping guarantees a title fight soon.
In the post-fight presser Bisping was adamant he will fight for the title soon and you can’t really argue with him. Sonnen advances to fight Anderson Silva in Brazil during the summer but who’s after that for the champion? A victory for Sonnen In Brazil is the only outcome that could necessitate a rematch straight-away. Mark Munoz can put his hand up as he was scheduled to fight Sonnen. Stann, Maia and Okami would have been previously considered but all have losses to scratch before being relevant again. After that there’s only Bisping (12-4 since he won the TUF 3 final in 2006). In losing a decision on Saturday, Bisping did more than most expected of him, including Sonnen. Sonnen expected to “run right through Bisping like I did to other opponents”. But many, including UFC president Dana White, felt Bisping won the fight. A contender eliminator with Mark Munoz may happen as a result of scheduling for the champion but would be very unfair for Bisping. He’s earned his title shot.
Is Jones that good or was Evans that bad?
Former training partners Jon Jones and Rashad Evans were supposed to square off at UFC 133 in August 2011 after Evans’ acrimonious split from Jacksons MMA. Since then, both fighters have been side-lined with injuries forcing the other to take a different opponent and further delaying their bout. Both have gone 2-0 since then and both have lost only once in their entire MMA careers. The two will finally square off at UFC 145 in Atlanta, Georgia. It will be Jones’ third defence making him the longest running light-heavyweight champion since Chuck Liddell (4 defences between 2005 and 2007). After splitting with Jacksons, Evans began training with Imperial Athletics in Florida better known as the ‘Blackzilians’. He has long been considered the number one contender in the division but looked underwhelming in victory against Phil Davis last Saturday. So much so that the initial odds for their April clash has Jones a 6 to 1 favourite. To put that in perspective Nick Diaz is favoured to beat Carlos Condit but only at odds of just under 2 to 1. Evans maintains he knows how to beat Jones but based on the odds no-one believes him.
Fergus Ryan, February 2012
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