MMA Update
11-10-2009
MMA Talent- UFC supporters often point out that the UFC is the premier MMA organization in the world and the talent everywhere else is inferior. No doubt the UFC has the most talent top to bottom but they do not horde the talent say as the NFL, NBA or MLB does. Each NFL teams roster has the best talent at every position that no other league can compete with. MLB and the NBA are similar but there is talent overseas that can at least make a roster. The same applies to MMA only at a greater level. There are elite fighters in every weight class that are ranked in the top ten but do not compete in the UFC. No doubt the UFC is the best but don’t close your eyes on the sport. Widen your horizons by watching Strikeforce, Dream and Sengoku to name a few.
Strikeforce- The Fabricio Werdum vs. Antonio Silva fight was a very good battle between two elite heavyweights. Werdum, who when in great shape is one of the best, out pointed Silva and looked very good in doing so. Werdum is clamoring for a shot against Fedor. Gegard Mousasi defeated Sokoudjou in the 2nd round and is quickly becoming one of the best light heavyweights in the world. Jake Shields defeated Jason Miller in a tough battle that was a boring affair with neither fighter doing any damage. Shields needs to work on his stand up. Shields is now the Middleweight Champion who may have his first defense against Cung Le providing Le defeats Scott Smith. Fedor Emelianenko defeated Brett Rogers in impressive fashion knocking out him out in the 2nd round. Rogers broke Fedor’s nose in the beginning of the fight but in typical Fedor fashion, he kept his composure and took care of Rogers. Regardless of what UFC apologists, Dana White and media outlets state, Fedor is simply the greatest the sport has ever known and there is no close 2nd. Hopefully this sets up Alistair Overeem vs. Fedor in the near future for the Stikeforce Heavyweight Title.
Complete Strikeforce: Fedor vs Rogers fight results
Bellator- The Bellator Fighting Championship has somewhat flown under the radar but is quickly becoming a force in the world of MMA. In 2010, Bellator will be aired live on Fox Sports Net and replayed late night on NBC in addition to airings on Telemundo. CEO Bjorn Rebney spoke about Bellator’s TV contract and his philosophy in an interview with ProFighting-Fans.
UFC- UFC 105 and UFC 106 are scheduled on back to back weekends which continues a busy month for MMA fans. At UFC 105, fans get another chance to view a legend when Randy Couture drops down to 205 lbs to face Brandon Vera. The event will air free on Spike TV. The following weekend will feature Tito Ortiz, who will make his long awaited return to the UFC, vs. Forrest Griffin in a rematch. In the 1st bout at UFC 59, Ortiz defeated Griffin via a controversial split decision. Ortiz has been out of action since UFC 84 in May of 2008 and will have a lot to prove. The same determination will apply to Griffin who looks not only to avenge the loss to Ortiz but bounce back from an embarrassing loss to Anderson Silva at UFC 101. For previews of both events and live results visit www.profighting-fans.com
Boxing- The big Miguel Cotto vs. Manny Pacquiao bout is this weekend on PPV. Our friends at Pro Boxing Fans have their Pacquiao vs Cotto predictions and will feature Pacquiao vs Cotto round by round results on Saturday night. To help prepare fans for the event read an interview with legendary boxing trainer Freddie Roach.
Scott Dryden
Editor-in-Chief, www.profighting-fans.com