It was an interesting last couple of days to say the least, as I traveled to Las Vegas to cover the Ultimate Fight Night 5 slate and wound up embroiled in a Zuffa vs. Sherdog under card bout.
Anderson Silva had been a rumored target of the UFC’s for quite a while. He wasted little time establishing himself as a legitimate contender for Rich Franklin (Pictures)’s middleweight belt, dismantling reality show favorite Chris Leben (Pictures) in spectacular fashion.
The impressive showing has already created a torrent of anticipation for the eventual showdown between Silva — the “new best fighter ever” — and the healing champ.
As for Leben, it’s back to the drawing board for the charismatic brawler. He is a marketable commodity who was just in a little too deep at this stage of his career. He is a tough young kid who should have no problems bouncing back from his first career stoppage loss.
In the co-main event, The Ultimate Fighter season two winner Rashad Evans (Pictures) looked to improve upon the controversial split decision win he notched over Sam Hogar in his last outing. Standing in his way was the runner up from the inaugural season of TUF, Stephan Bonnar (Pictures).
Evans, a former Michigan State wrestler, used his superior takedown skills to control a slow-paced duel that garnered a hard-fought victory.
It may not have been the most aesthetically-pleasing fight to watch, but Evans did what it took to get past the always-game Bonner. By doing so, Evans may have kept his perfect record intact but he drew the ire of some fans for his deliberate and methodical style.
Despite what my colleague Mike Sloan wrote earlier this week, Bonnar’s loss will not place him at the back of the light heavyweight line, according to reliable sources within the UFC. With the 205-pound title schedule set for the foreseeable future, Bonnar will have the time and opportunity to throw his hat back in the mix.
In other action, Jason Lambert (Pictures) and Jon Fitch (Pictures) made the biggest splashes, both stopping their opponents after falling behind early. These guys have established themselves as contenders within their respective divisions, each by tallying their third stoppage win in as many tries in the Octagon.
I will go out on a limb and say that Fitch will get a UFC title shot within a year. With Karo Parisyan (Pictures) fighting Diego Sanchez (Pictures) in August, one of the guys ahead of him at the moment will no longer be standing in his way. I would guess Fitch would be next in line after the winner of Parisyan and Sanchez depending on what happens with B.J. Penn (Pictures).
Speaking of Penn, after turning down a fight with Sean Sherk (Pictures) for the lightweight title, Penn may have found a reason to cut back down to 155 pounds. He had been sending mixed signals about moving up in weight again, this time to 185 pounds. But a chance to avenge his loss to Jens Pulver (Pictures) at UFC 35 in 2002 may be the only thing that will motivate B.J. to return to the lightweight division.
And as for Lambert, he has been impressive every time out in the UFC. He is a tad undersized at light heavyweight but he has not let that stop him from steamrolling his opposition. He may well be inching himself closer to title contention. A future bout with Alessio Sakara (Pictures) or possibly Keith Jardine (Pictures) may provide a little more information about Lambert’s long term prospects.
Canadian striker Mark Hominick (Pictures)’s majority decision over Jorge Gurgel (Pictures) did not sit well with the fans inside The Joint. Despite the boos the decision was right on. Hominick won the first two rounds whether people liked his style or not. The fight had its moments but in the end looked a lot more like a sparring match than a mixed martial arts fight.
Hominick, a definite title contender after his upset of the consensus uncrowned lightweight champion Yves Edwards (Pictures), stumbled in his last fight when he was upset by Hatsu Hioki (Pictures) at TKO 25.
His win over Jorge Gurgel (Pictures) may have solidified his status as a contender at 155 pounds but the undersized lightweight is still in line behind the likes of Kenny Florian (Pictures), Sean Sherk (Pictures), Spencer Fisher (Pictures), Pulver and Penn (if he actually decides to seek redemption from Pulver).
As many of you already know, Sherdog.com was booted from the UFN weigh-ins on Tuesday afternoon. Well the saga didn’t end there. It seems word of my little confrontation with UFC public relations director Jennifer Wenk spread like wild fire through the Zuffa offices.
Before I elaborate any further, I just want to let everyone know I have absolutely no problem with Wenk’s actions. She, like me, was only trying to do her job. I have no hard feelings and intimated that to Jennifer just before UFN 5 got underway. Her reaction was mixed but as always she was cordial.
As for Sherdog.com ever getting credentialed for UFC events, the jury is still out. Personally, I always felt like it was a family feud that would be sorted out in the end. With this week’s developments, my confidence in that theory has been shaken.
Quick Hits
Georges St. Pierre (Pictures) will finally get his chance for redemption on September 23 when rematches Matt Hughes (Pictures) at the Anaheim Pond for UFC 63.
Chuck Liddell (Pictures) vs. Tito Ortiz (Pictures) II is tentatively scheduled for Super Bowl weekend 2007. This mega-bout hinges on Liddell retaining his title when he rematches Renato Sobral (Pictures) in August, and Ortiz taking out arch-rival Ken Shamrock (Pictures) on July 8.
UFC middleweight champ Rich Franklin (Pictures) hopes to make his return to the cage on October 14, when UFC 64 is set for the Mandalay Bay Arena. It is not known whether his first fight back will be with newly anointed UFC legend (on the Internet anyway) Anderson Silva or another opponent.
Coming off a long hiatus, Zuffa may want to let Franklin knock a little ring rust off before tangling with “The Spider.” They may also want to keep Silva active and get him another fight to help build for the eventual title showdown.
Justin Levens (Pictures) told me he was retiring following his knockout loss to Jorge Santiago (Pictures). It was Levens third consecutive defeat after opening his career with seven victories.