So this is how Bob Uecker felt. The cheap seats, bastion of craned necks, $5 beers, and, as it turns out, Sherdog.com editors. Welcome to your MMA coverage UFC style, where the fights can’t be seen except by monitor and the fighters can’t be reached except by sheer luck.
Anyhow, we’re doing our best to bring you the sort of coverage you’ve come to expect from Sherdog.com and, as your e-mails prove, it’s well worth the crink in the neck.
In the latest edition of J.G.’s mailbag, we delve into the aftermath of Sanchez-Diaz, look ahead to tomorrow’s UFC 56 title fights and ruminate on where lovable Matt Lindland (Pictures) will be Saturday. Last but not least, a note on the appropriately dubbed (if I do say so myself) Credentialgate.
Where Does Sanchez-Diaz Rank?
Man, you had some high praise for Diego’s fight against Diaz. You really think it was as good as Barrera vs. Morales? I kinda get the analogy, but those guys are champions. Sanchez and Diaz are just making names for themselves.
Don’t get me wrong it was a graet fight. Just not a championship fight is all. Anyhow, let me ask a question. As far as ground fights, where do you place that one. Obviously pretty high but you think it was the best? — Leon Schwartz, Miami
True, it wasn’t for any belt (not that that matters these days … more on that later) but Sanchez-Diaz was a terrific fight. Compared to the level of other fighters on the under card, it was obvious that these two guys were on par with the world’s best at 170. That’s not to say either man could challenge Matt Hughes (Pictures) at the moment, but their skill, determination and ring savvy were enough for me to feel comfortable making a statement comparing their effort to Barrera-Morales.
As far as where this bout ranks amongst the all-time ground wars. Boy, that’s a great question. Off the top of my head, virtually any Sakuraba contest qualifies. Most apparent are Sakuraba-Vernon White (Pictures) and Sakuraba-Carlos Newton (Pictures). While the Shonie Carter (Pictures)-Matt Serra (Pictures) bout is most remembered for its spinning back fist finish, there was some hellish mat work in that one. Heath Herring (Pictures)’s PRIDE title fight against Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (Pictures) certainly qualifies. Less exciting, but no less impressive, was Randy Couture (Pictures)’s ownership of Tito Ortiz (Pictures). And just about anything ZST belongs in this discussion. (If you haven’t seen ZST, get yourself a tape. Masakazu Imanari (Pictures) by himself is worthy of this answer.)
Diaz Can Win Rematch
Holy smokes that was a great fight. You were totally right with the Bararra v. Morales comments. Those guys never stopped moving on the floor. And Diego surprised me I thought for sure Diaz would tear through him but Diego never stopped and he was in control the entire fight.
Even though my boy Diaz lost, he still fought awesome. Yeah, like he said, he shouldn’t have fought off his back. He should have put Diego on his back. If they rematch like you said they should (I totally agree because Nick would win) it will be a totally different fight. No way Diego keeps Nick on his back like that again. I mean, if Nick fights off the takedowns like he can and gets on top, it’s over. How do you see the rematch? — No Name Given
Reminded me somewhat, though this is a stretch, of the Fedor-Nogueira fights. When all things are equal, the fighter inside the guard can strike downwards and that’s usually enough to earn win. With a 10-point must scoring system and judges who, if nothing else, can recognize dominant position, that’ll win a fight almost every time. (Even in SHOOTO you see the fighter with the top position in the guard win decisions almost every time.)
For Diaz to openly recognize what lost him the fight indicates to me that he knew he didn’t do enough to win. I can’t say enough about his candidness after the fight. I wish all fighters (or interview subjects for that matter) were like that.
As far as a rematch goes, it’s a tough fight for Diaz. Again, let me make the Fedor-Nogueira parallel (in style only). Diaz isn’t the most powerful welterweight in the world, and his style clearly does not mesh with someone as aggressive and as submission-versed as Sanchez. Can he win a rematch? Sure. But he’ll need box Sanchez to do it and considering how fast his shots were, I’m not sure anyone outside of Matt Hughes (Pictures) or Sean Sherk (Pictures) can stop him from going to the mat.
Winner or Whiner?
Diaz is the biggest whiner I’ve ever heard. How can he say “The Nightmare” was all greased up!! He’s just making excuses because he got his ass kicked! Why didn’t you guys talk to Diego? He was the star that night, not anyone else you interviewed. — Clay Edwards
There are a few reasons we didn’t reach Diego. The first has to do with UFC’s asinine media policy. This notion that we can still come to UFC events and cover them like we’ve done in the past is hardly the case. We’ll do our best — as we’re attempting to do with UFC 56 — but the UFC has effectively changed the way MMA dedicated media can and will cover them. And I’m sure that’s the way they want it. A decision like this isn’t made without something coming as a result (I don’t mean Greg Savage’s rage).
The second stems from the fact that Diego was forced to the hospital after the fight. Calls were made. But by the time he’d returned to the hotel it was very late and we just couldn't manage some time with him.
The fact that we haven’t heard from him regarding Diaz’s claims, however, is inexcusable. And the responsibility of that one falls on my shoulders.
Crocodile Tears
What’s this crap about you watching from the standing room only? And why do you put that in yoru article like anyone would care? Boo hoo. Stop whining. You sound like Nick Diaz (Pictures). — No Name Given
Thanks for the empathy — not that we’re looking for it. Yeah, well, we covered the TUF finale (along with Full Contact Fighter) from the standing-room only area in the balcony of The Joint at the Hard Rock. Hardly the best circumstances to work under, but it turned out all right.
It was actually an interesting experience. Good to be amongst the fans, and realize that there’s still some serious ignorance about mixed martial arts floating around out there. During the final three fights, I chatted it up with a couple of brothers from Dallas who, as the night wore on, fancied the idea of promoting MMA and making millions of dollars. They said they were former high school wrestlers and, with each passing fight, their interest in MMA grew because they began to recognize a lot of what they were seeing. You’d be surprised by the number of “he’s killing that guy” or “why can’t he just head butt him” comments I heard, though.