Whether it’s MMA or boxing, injuries happen and happen often. As was the case a month or so ago, both Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard were forced pull out of their anticipated rubber match for UFC 130. Considering the absence of both participants, there was no last minute replacement that could’ve truly saved the promotion. The fight, simply put, was dead and the show had to settle for Jackson vs. Hamil as the main event.
However, that’s not always the case when only one guy drops out of a fight. If match-makers do their jobs appropriately with given resources and their availability, interesting things may play out.
Dating back to the first scrap between a young Georges St. Pierre vs. BJ Penn back in UFC 58, cirumstances were already interesting. St. Pierre had lost to then champion Matt Hughes in UFC 50 and Penn, who was making his return to the UFC had already scored a stoppage win over Hughes in UFC 46. The two were signed to fight for the number one contender spot.
St. Pierre went on to narrowly outpoint ‘the Prodigy’ to earn a title shot, but suffered an injury which delayed his crack at the title. Penn received a shot instead and faced Hughes for the title on UFC 63. Penn lost and GSP later came back to defeat Hughes via stoppage. The three would later go on to fighter each other once more. In the end, we saw a round-robin between three all-time greats and legends. It wasn’t so bad after all.
When Cain Velasquez humbled Brock Lesnar to lift the heavyweight title at UFC 121, experts and fan acknowledged that we finally have a big complete package sort of a heavyweight champion.
Junior Dos Santos on the other hand, was just another guy waiting in line, who many perceived as the ‘other’ top contender at the time. It was a no-brainer for the two to meet, and it was only a matter of time.
But of course, Velasquez suffered an injury while training, which postponed this much-talked showdown until further notice. No worries though… because fighters move on, and carry on fighting new fights. Re-enter Brock Lesnar, we thought we had a suitable replacement. The solution was simple; sit on opposite sides of the coaching gig for the Ultimate Fighter 13 and then later fight each other.
As the promotion of Lesnar vs. Santos began, pundits begun to analyze the potential outcome, it was a choice of sheer strength or pure knockout power. Which would you prefer; an overzealous and explosive series of double-leg takedowns or a cool yet disciplined style which includes a set of tight defense and vicious striking? This was a perfect interim fight, if there ever was one.
And then it came…another buzz-kill. Lesnar dropped out of the contest due to another case of diverticulitis, a disease that not only stalled his career for nearly a year, but one which in its course throughout threatened his life.
Stepping in as the new replacement to complete this heavyweight title eliminator equation, Shane Carwin was given a chance for his own redemption. After nearly decapitating the monstrous then heavyweight king, Lesnar, the former Division-II wrestling champion from Colardo ran out of gas in the second round and succumbed to a powerful arm triangle choke in his first title bid. Carwin was plagued by a multitude of issues concerning legal matters and also injuries that prohibited his return to the cage. They say inactivity is a killer in all sports but in MMA, if the timing is right, it could very well turn out to be a wonderful fortune.
Also, given the styles, we just might have a more aesthetically pleasing fight between two vicious strikers as opposed to a possible clinch-fest. Carwin, despite his extensive wrestling pedigree, is anything but gun-shy, shown in his explosiveness and relentlessness against the likes of Frank Mir, Gabriel Gonzaga and even during his losing efforts against Lesnar.
Dos Santos, who is unbeaten in the UFC, is a proven puncher himself, demonstrated in his frightening knockouts and stoppage wins against a respectable tally which included Crocop, Gabriel Gonzaga, and Gilbert Yvel, and Fabricio Werdum. The last we saw of JDS was against the charismatic Roy Nelson, in a bout which he easily won with superior striking and unbendable takedown defense.
So fans, experts, message boarders and casual spectators and bar-goers, don’t blink. Come Saturday night in Vancouver, we have a shoot-out. And perhaps, it’s a beginning of another possible round-robin.
UNDERCARD
ESPN’s on-studio analyst and former lightweight contender Kenny Florian makes his debut at 145 pounds against Diego Nunes in attempt to earn his title shot in the recently added featherweight division. Florian, whose last bout was a disappointing decision loss to current top contender Gray Maynard, will hope to bounce back with a win and look forward to a possible showdown against the pound-for-pound great, Jose Aldo.
In a battle of great Brazilian jujitsu and American wrestling, middleweights Demian Maia is set to fight former Division-I champion Mark Munoz. Maia, a BJJ specialist will probably approach his usual technical ground game method, while Munoz will hope to utilize his strong takedown defense and much improved striking for his tricky opponent.
Also on the card, American Dave Herman will be up against Norway’s Jon Olav Einmo. Lightweights in action are Donald Cerrone and Vagner Rocha. Spike TV will televise the non-PPV portion of the undercard, including Sam Stout vs. Yves Edwards and Jesse Bongfeldt vs. Chris Weidman. Fans can also catch the preliminary card on Facebook.
RANDOM NOTES FROM AC
This past weekend saw the super middleweight title tilt between Carl Froch and Glen Johnson at the Boardwalk Hall Ball Room in Atlantic City, NJ. While this marked the return of Glen Johnson to Atlantic City since downing Hugo Pineda back in January of 2008, this was also the return of yours truly since the November of 2008. This was only my second fight coverage since (first was in my hometown of Fairfax, VA back in November of last year) ‘08, and it was great to see the old gang and also witness some new blood. Move aside Marc Abrams and young Yano. The real Mr. AC is back!
Speaking of the fight itself, I thought the 42 year-old Johnson fought the best fight he could, but Froch was just too fast, too busy, too tough, and just better. Still, the King of Miami is one of the toughest fighters I’ve ever seen and his ability to create excitement in the ring has gone well underappreciated. Much respect to the future hall of famer. As for Froch, I think he’s earned the respect of many since his gutty effort against Mikkel Kessler in Denmark. The Cobra is now slated to enter the final championship of the super middleweight tournament against Andre Ward. Stylistically, I think his ability to backpedal and throw long, rangy combinations will pose some serious issues for Ward. The way Ward dips below the waist line can create some openings for Froch’s oddly angled uppercuts and I would not be surprised at all if the Brit comes out victorious.
PARIS HAS NO LOVE FOR ROGER
During the weekend, the French Open was also underway. Needless to say, it was great to see my man Roger Federer end the crazy streak of Novak Djokovic to reach another grand slam final. Initially, I had hoped for Djokovic to win, considering his chances (based on their last four outings) of denying Rafael Nadal of his sixth title in Paris. While it was sad to see the aging Federer lose to Nadal again (0-3 this year, 0-4 in French Open, and 8-17 total), I’ve come to accept the possibility of Nadal one day reaching or surpassing the greatness that of Roger Federer. The level of game these guys are playing today are just unbelievable. Also throw Djokovic and Andy Murray in the mix; this truly is a remarkable era of tennis. Wimbledon ought to bring something special later this month and July.
MIAMI-DALLAS THOUGHTS
When Wade, LeBron, and Bosh edged out Dirk and Co. in game 3, I thought the Heat might have sealed the deal. Or at least it gave me that impression going into remainder of the series.. But serious nerves started to kick in after the loss on Tuesday. I, for one, am worried that the momentum swing is not only in favor of Dallas, but LeBron James may just be finished for this series. Scoring just 8 points in game 4 (while averaging 20+ throughout the playoffs), it was akin to seeing Mike Jones trying to finish out the fight vs. Jesus Soto Karass after punching himself out in the second round. Granted, that was boxing and this is basketball, but James looks like the guy who shot his load in the Chicago series. Hopefully I’m wrong, and it’s still plausible that Miami closes out the series before game 7…I gotta’ hand it to Dirk Nowitzki though. He’s as tough as they come and if anyone deserves the championship from Dallas, it’s the German-based PF who’s been with the franchise since he first started in the league, not Jason Kidd. But I can’t lie, I’m a big supporter of LeBron and D-Wade, and even with all this flopping and complaining, I’m still on the wagon. Viva Miami!
