A Fan's View from his Couch: UFC 99 Recap
I told you that this card was going to be one that was like that annoying team that ended up winning you over with guts and grit rather than super power - it wasn't quite that, but more like the mildly attractive girl that steals your heart by always being in your face and giving you attention!
Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva (catchweight 195 lbs.)
A common psychological theory can explain this fight easily - a man is more afraid to fail than he is joyed to succeed. Silva was afraid to let his hands go and engage with Rich, while Franklin simply attacked the "Axe Murderer" and added another shot of jack to his punch drunk face. Although I don't think that Franklin is quite ready to battle the upper echelon of the 205-pound weight class he definitely deserves a chance to prove himself against a higher-tier competitor. How sweet would it be to see him face a mentally-prepared Brandon Vera? The answer, Freaking Sweet!
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Cheick Kongo vs. Cain Velasquez
OOPS! Guess Kongo isn't the wrecking machine I thought he was and Cain is obviously light years ahead of his 6-0 record. I haven't seen a worse beat down for 15 minutes since the "greasers" took out the "socs" is The Outsiders. Velasquez may be the one man with the speed and power combination needed to take out the human tractor that is Brock Lesner (assuming Mir doesn't go home with one of his limbs in tow). Cain's steamrolling over the often-confused and befuddled Kongo had my and the collective jaws of my friends on the ground as our pre-fight talk was about whether the physical monster that is Cheick Kongo could handle Lesner. Now I guess we need to ask can the physical monster that is Lesner handle the anomaly that is Cain Velasquez?
Mike Swick vs. Ben Saunders
Wow! Swick never stops amazing me, he has the ability to lean his body out to such slight proportions, but still finds a place to hide dynamite in his biceps. Poor Ben Saunders didn't have a chance against the stronger, faster and more experienced "Quick." Let's cut to the chase and ponder the notion of setting up an old fashion WWE type triangle match between AKA teammates. Swick versus Koscheck versus Fitch - in a round robin style competition for the next opportunity to fight GSP. But that will never happen, so I guess it's Mike's turn to take a shot at the Canadian Kingpin, assuming St-Pierre can handle Thiago Alves at UFC 100.
As for the rest of the UFC 99 results:
- Marcus Davis may finally realize he is American with the German fans all backing the victorious Hardy.
- Who cares about Cro Cop he was worthless before this fight and now goes to DREAM to continue living his life in relative obscurity.
- Spencer Fisher may still someday have a say in the top 5 of the lightweight division.
- The Paul's continue to fight as though longevity means nothing to them and all they care about is putting on a good show. (pssss don't let them know that, I love seeing their beatdowns)
- It's the time we have all been waiting for, lets start talking UFC 100!
By Greg Vorse
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer
A Fan's View from his Couch