A Sideways Glance at UFC Fight Night 25

Find great unique MMA style t-shirts & clothing online from Intimidation Clothing!

UFC 135 saw Jake Ellenberger beat Jake Shields in stunning fashion, all starting with a hard knee that went through the latter’s mandible, all the way to the back of his cranium, proving Ellenberger needs to fight the winner of GSP v Condit. Yet that’s not what got me into the event. What got me stoked was Alan ‘The Talent’ Belcher. The reason? In spite of fighters like Aldo, Cruz, GSP, Anderson Silva,   Bones Jones, dos Santos and more, the guy I’d like to fight like is Alan Belcher.

Several things stand out with Belcher, some tangible, some intangible, some superficial, some deep. This is an entertainment sport, where setting yourself apart can raise the paycheck. Belcher does that in spades, in all of the categories above.

Alan Belcher has to be the whitest of the white fighters. He reminds me of Ray Mancini, the boxer from the 80s. Their stark whiteness is as mesmerizing as a perfect tan. In spite of sporting the worst tattoo I’ve ever seen---the bloated, misshapen Johnny Cash on his shoulder----Belcher’s  alabaster skin all but  glows under the lights.

Belcher’s choice of fight shorts are unlike any the other fighters wear. Most fighters wear ones that look like bicycle shorts or board shorts. Belcher’s inspired design  mixes boxing and Muay Thai, and  are a cut above the rest.   And who doesn’t feel good when you’re dressed to the nines? My favorite ones were hot pink, for the sheer intimidation factor alone. And who among you knows that before WWII, pink was considered manly? It was Hitler and the SS that turned that color from what it was to how it is now perceived, by pinning pink triangles to gay concentration camp inmates.

Belcher isn’t the best striker in the UFC, but his kick boxing style, shaped by former world champion kick boxer Duke Roufus,   wields equal power from elbows, fists, knees and shins, and commands respect. Belcher’s  take down defense, as witnessed against a great take down and ground fighter in Jason MacDonald, affords The Talent ample time to punish in the stand-up, and his ground and pound is stellar. Belcher TKOed MacDonald from the guard, which is a very difficult thing to do to anyone,  given the physics and mechanics.

Belcher suffered a retinal tear while training in Brazil last summer, an injury that can do worse than end a career. But it isn’t something that can’t be fixed. Sugar Ray Leonard suffered one, but healed in time to fight and beat Marvelous Marvin Hagler in 1987, a fact that supposedly inspired Belcher in his recovery.  

Belcher’s last loss was a split decision to Akiyama, who subsequently lost to Leben, Bisping and Belfort. You can’t read too much into this, but it is sobering enough to refrain from predicting Belcher getting the belt any time soon. I sure look forward to Belcher continuing to improve, though, and to the fights Dana White and Joe Silva plan for his rise and possible shot at Anderson Silva. As for Belcher, there's a gleam in  that healed eye.

> Check out the selection of UFC apparel & merchandise & MMA fight clothes available online through ProFighting-fans.com!

To check out Renko's hard-boiled thriller, Char Broiled, starring mixed martial artist and Afghan war vet Char Sadao, go to  Xystermma.com  Ten percent of the author's royalties are being donated to charities benefiting fallen heroes.

By Renko Styranka
ProFighting-fans.com Senior MMA Staff Writer