UFC 134 Roundtable: Silva's Streak, Schaub's Rise, Upsets and More

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Anderson Silva's hand is raised after win.Ah, Brazil. A single mention of the country conjures up images of beaches, partying, and thongs. But Dennis Hallman jokes aside, it also reminds many of fighting. As the birthplace of mixed martial arts, Brazil has been an all too infrequent stop on the UFC's traveling road show.

Saturday night's UFC 134 is the promotion's first time back home in nearly 13 years, but they're bringing their big guns to Rio, including the longest-reigning champion in UFC history, middleweight kingpin Anderson Silva.

To kick off fight week, Ben Fowlkes and I take a look at some of this weekend's pressing storylines in our UFC 134 roundtable.

1. Be honest: do you give Yushin Okami any chance against Anderson Silva? How, specifically, do you see this fight ending?

Fowlkes: I give Okami somewhere between 'almost zero' and 'very little' chance. On paper, he's a big, powerful middleweight who can pursue the Chael Sonnen strategy of takedowns and perfunctory (though not especially damaging) ground-and-pound. But once they get in the cage, I don't see him being able to keep that up for very long before Silva stings him with something. I'd like his chances a lot better if the fight was scheduled for three rounds rather than five. I'd like his chances even better if every round didn't start on the feet. But alas.

I think Silva rocks Okami with a knee from the clinch in the third round and finishes with strikes on the ground.
-- Mike Chiappetta
I think Okami roughs Silva up in the first round, and maybe even the second. Somewhere in round three, however, Silva's going to get fed up. That's when he'll crush poor Okami with a combo move straight out of a video game, and of course Steven Seagal will later take credit for the whole thing.

Will the champ then be carried through the streets of Rio by an adoring crowd, thereby scuttling the hopes for a decent post-fight press conference and leaving us foreign reporters no choice but to join the mob, caipirinhas in hand? Maybe. Hopefully.

Chiappetta: I think he has a legitimate chance to pull the upset. Call me crazy, but I think his takedowns are good enough to put Silva's back to the mat, and his top control is strong enough to keep him there and stay out of trouble. Let's remember that Okami's never been submitted in his career.

But I do think his chances of winning are solely dependent on taking Silva down and making it a grind. Even though Okami hasn't been stopped on strikes since 2003, his striking game isn't advanced enough to hang with Silva for 25 minutes. On the ground, it's a different story. The trick is that Okami has to commit just enough to his striking to put doubt in Silva's mind about what he's doing, then initiate the clinch and put him on the mat before getting in trouble. That's a tough proposition to pull off once, let alone five times. I think Silva rocks Okami with a knee from the clinch in the third round and finishes with strikes on the ground.



2. Every fight on the main card features a Brazilian taking on a non-Brazilian. Since this is the UFC's much publicized return to Brazil for the first time since 1998, how much of a difference do you think the passionate hometown fans can possibly make?

Chiappetta: Never discount a real hometown advantage and the emotion that comes with it. For evidence, let's think back just a few months to UFC 129, when 55,000 rabid fans -- mostly Canadians -- filled the Rogers Centre in Toronto. Ten Canadians fought, going 6-4, headlined by Georges St-Pierre's win over Jake Shields.

But even the locals that lost had some inspired moments. Think back to Mark Hominick's fifth-round rally against Jose Aldo. There's definitely extra inspiration when the fans mobilize behind you. Brazilian fans are known for their passion, and they'll be behind their guys with fire. Crowd energy can also work the opposite way, as the guy on enemy territory might find it hard to find his focus in the eye of a storm.

In the end, talent does usually win as emotion can only take you so far. But every now and then, a little push from the crowd makes a difference.

Fowlkes: In my experience, where hometown advantage makes the biggest difference is in fights that go the distance. Face it, many MMA judges are half-blind to begin with. If the crowd goes wild whenever a Brazilian lands a blow and sits on its hands when his opponent lands three, that could easily turn a borderline incompetent judge into a downright senile one. If I'm one of the Americans facing a Brazilian in Rio, I'm doing my best to make sure the scorecards don't come into play.

In my experience, where hometown advantage makes the biggest difference is in fights that go the distance.
-- Ben Fowlkes
Other than that, it's all the little stuff on fight week that irks the foreigner. When you don't speak the language, any foray outside your hotel room can feel exhausting. You can't get the food you usually eat, can't get around as easily. Plus you've got a nice little 11- or 12-hour flight to give other people's germs a chance to hitch a ride on your already weakened immune system, and all just a few days before you begin your weight cut. What could go wrong?

But you know something? The Brazilians have done it long enough. They've gone through the headache of the visa application and the annoyance of communicating entirely through translators and/or hand gestures. They've played on our turf, in front of our crowds. Don't they deserve to kick back at home for one event and show the locals what they've been up to in America all this time?

3. Excluding the main event, who on this card has the best chance to fight for a title? Assuming that person wins in Rio, how far from the shot do you think they are?

Fowlkes: Forrest Griffin probably has the best shot of earning a title shot, but I think Brendan Schaub is more likely to actually get one first. Sadly for FoGriff, that's just how the divisions stack up right now. At light heavyweight there are more challengers "in the mix," as Dana White would say, and the line forms behind Rashad Evans. At heavyweight there are fewer overall contenders available, especially with Brock Lesnar still out, so Schaub might get the nod just out of a lack of other options.

That said, Schaub will first need to beat someone closer to his prime. All these legends of the sport look impressive on the old resume, but we all know he's catching these guys well past their expiration dates. If he beats Nogueira and then crushes someone his own age before the year is out, Schaub could conceivably get a shot at the winner of the Cain Velasquez-Junior dos Santos fight by next spring. Whether he's actually ready for that fight, well, that's a question for another roundtable.

Chiappetta: I agree that Schaub probably has the clearest path to the title, so I'll audible a bit and answer who has the best chance not just to fight for the title, but win it. For me, it's Edson Barboza.

The 25-year-old has an advanced striking game and is reportedly diligent in improving his wrestling and jiu-jitsu. As he stands now, he's already a next-level prospect that should be on everyone's radar as a future top 5 lightweight. If he continues to progress, he has the tools to be a champion. But at this stage, he's still a good two years away.

4. More likely upset: Forrest Griffin over Mauricio "Shogun" Rua, or Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira over Brendan Schaub?

Chiappetta: I'm going to say Griffin, for a couple of reasons. First of all, he's already beaten Rua once before, so we know he can do it. Sure, the first time around Rua was fighting injured and ran out of gas, but Griffin's already road-mapped the route to victory against him. Second, Griffin has a built-in size advantage and a ground game that can give Rua fits if he's able to take it down again. Griffin fights smart, and if Rua isn't 100 percent, he can make the rematch look like a carbon copy of the first fight between them.

Nogueira is certainly capable of beating Schaub, but it's hard to pick him after an 18-month layoff. Fighting is about rhythm and timing, and months away affect that more than anything. Schaub has also proven himself to be a big puncher, and Nogueira's reduced ability to take a big shot works against him, too.

Fowlkes: Griffin all the way. I give Nogueira very little chance against Schaub, mostly for the reasons you already outlined. He may be 35, but with the career he's had he's got a body that seems like it's pushing 50. You don't take that much time off and have that much of a physical overhaul at his age without paying a price for it. For Big Nog, that price is going to be decreased mobility and possibly weakened cardio, neither of which he can afford against a young whipper-snapper like Schaub.

Griffin, on the other hand, really shouldn't be such an underdog. As you point out, he's bigger than Rua. More durable, too. If you want to beat "Shogun" (and you aren't Jon Jones), you need to be able to weather the storm early on. Taking a beating and still coming hard is Griffin's whole deal, so I wouldn't rule him out by any means. At least, as long as he doesn't let it go to the judges.

 

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Source: http://mmafighting.com/2011/08/23/ufc-134-roundtable/

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Win Streak History, but Ricco Rodriguez Vows 'I'm Not Done'

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UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- After a personal best 12-fight win streak was snapped at Bellator 48, Ricco Rodriguez simply asked for another chance.

The former UFC heavyweight champion never got his game plan going and was knocked out by debuting Seth Petruzelli in the first-round of their fight. Rodriguez made no excuses for the loss, crediting Petruzelli for his execution in the cage.

And despite the loss, Rodriguez vowed that we haven't seen the last of him on the major MMA scene.

"I have to go back to the drawing board, but I'm not done," he said. "I'm definitely going to come back. Hopefully, Bellator gives me another opportunity."

Rodriguez's representatives were reportedly going to ask to have him included in the upcoming Bellator heavyweight tournament, which is slated to begin in early October.

Petruzelli knocked Rodriguez out with a step-back right hook that was similar to the punch that he used to floor Kimbo Slice. Against Rodriguez, he needed a few ground strikes to finish the fight off, but the stoppage win was all the more impressive when you consider Rodriguez hadn't been TKO'd since Tim Sylvia captured the UFC belt from him in February 2003.

"He hits hard," Rodriguez said.

But Rodriguez promised to get back on the horse. After all, this is a guy who many figured was done a long time ago, yet he managed to put his demons behind him and put together an impressive winning streak that got him to Bellator. While that stretch of success is history now, he says he has the tools to recover and rebuild.

"This is a tough job," Rodriguez said. "Every fighter can get knocked out, every fighter can get subbed. It's a fight. It's a way of life. You have to pick up the pieces when you're down. When you're up, you're up. But even when you're at the top of the mountain, everyone's trying to knock you down."

 

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Source: http://mmafighting.com/2011/08/21/win-streak-over-but-ricco-rodriguez-vows-im-not-done/

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Win Streak History, but Ricco Rodriguez Vows 'I'm Not Done'

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UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- After a personal best 12-fight win streak was snapped at Bellator 48, Ricco Rodriguez simply asked for another chance.

The former UFC heavyweight champion never got his game plan going and was knocked out by debuting Seth Petruzelli in the first-round of their fight. Rodriguez made no excuses for the loss, crediting Petruzelli for his execution in the cage.

And despite the loss, Rodriguez vowed that we haven't seen the last of him on the major MMA scene.

"I have to go back to the drawing board, but I'm not done," he said. "I'm definitely going to come back. Hopefully, Bellator gives me another opportunity."

Rodriguez's representatives were reportedly going to ask to have him included in the upcoming Bellator heavyweight tournament, which is slated to begin in early October.

Petruzelli knocked Rodriguez out with a step-back right hook that was similar to the punch that he used to floor Kimbo Slice. Against Rodriguez, he needed a few ground strikes to finish the fight off, but the stoppage win was all the more impressive when you consider Rodriguez hadn't been TKO'd since Tim Sylvia captured the UFC belt from him in February 2003.

"He hits hard," Rodriguez said.

But Rodriguez promised to get back on the horse. After all, this is a guy who many figured was done a long time ago, yet he managed to put his demons behind him and put together an impressive winning streak that got him to Bellator. While that stretch of success is history now, he says he has the tools to recover and rebuild.

"This is a tough job," Rodriguez said. "Every fighter can get knocked out, every fighter can get subbed. It's a fight. It's a way of life. You have to pick up the pieces when you're down. When you're up, you're up. But even when you're at the top of the mountain, everyone's trying to knock you down."

 

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Source: http://mmafighting.com/2011/08/21/win-streak-over-but-ricco-rodriguez-vows-im-not-done/

Joe Lauzon Mo Lawal Ruthless Robbie Lawler Eric Lawson

Royce Gracie wants one more crack at Matt Hughes

With the MMA community’s focus planted squarely on Brazil for the UFC?s historic return this weekend to the sport?s birthplace, one of the men who helped bring Mixed Martial Arts to mainstream attention is speaking out in hopes of possibly reeling in the one that got away at some point in the near future. Royce [...]

Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2011/08/22/royce-gracie-wants-one-more-crack-at-matt-hughes/

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Royce Gracie wants one more crack at Matt Hughes

With the MMA community’s focus planted squarely on Brazil for the UFC?s historic return this weekend to the sport?s birthplace, one of the men who helped bring Mixed Martial Arts to mainstream attention is speaking out in hopes of possibly reeling in the one that got away at some point in the near future. Royce [...]

Source: http://fiveouncesofpain.com/2011/08/22/royce-gracie-wants-one-more-crack-at-matt-hughes/

Josh Hendricks Ed Herman Heath Herring Branden Lee Hinkle

Kimbo Slice spectacular in boxing debut with 17-second knockout

Kimbo Slice built his reputation on the streets by destroying his opponents with a ferocious attack. Because of takedowns and grappling, it didn't quite work out for Kimbo in mixed martial arts. Saturday night he went back to his roots, albeit wearing the heavy gloves on instead of going bare-knuckled and scored a vicious 17-second knockout in his professional boxing debut at Buffalo Run Casino in Miami, Oklahoma.

"It's like second nature for me. I'm comfortable here. I found a home here," said Slice (1-0) of his crossover to boxing.

The 37-year-old also knows he has a lot to learn and didn't want to get too excited about the win.

"I can't give myself a good grade because my movements were a little shady. I felt like I didn't really connect the way I wanted to. I still have a lot of learning to do. I'm a baby, taking baby steps," said Kimbo.

Check out the raw video shot from the crowd in Oklahoma. Kimbo took out James Wade with a brutal uppercut. Wade was out cold balancing on the ropes.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/Kimbo-Slice-spectacular-in-boxing-debut-with-17-?urn=mma-wp5835

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UFC reportedly has deal with FOX; Network has big press conference announcement set for Thursday

The rumor merry-go-round continues to twirl with regards to the UFC and a new television deal.

First it was the Wall Street Journal reporting that Zuffa (parent company to the UFC) was closing in on a deal with Comcast/NBC. Now Sport Business Daily says FOX has stepped up to grab the mixed martial arts giant in a package that could be worth as much as $90 million per year.

In what would represent a major push into the mainstream for the UFC, Fox has agreed to a deal that will see the broadcast channel air as many as four MMA events per year, according to several sources. The multiyear deal would mark the first time the UFC will have consistent airtime on a broadcast network. Fox execs refused to comment on the deal, but sources with knowledge of the negotiations said bidding had gone as high as $90M per year. The Fox deal is believed to be for seven or eight years.

UPDATE: John Ourand from SBJ tweeted that FOX has a major announcement on the way later this week.


UFC president Dana White wouldn't confirm the deal to MMAjunkie.

"You guys will know when we have a TV deal," said White.

White appeared with Yahoo! Sports' Kevin Iole on Friday's "MMA Insiders" on ESPNRadio1100/98.9 FM in Las Vegas.

"We do not have a deal. We're out there talking to everybody. When you're out there talking to everybody there's going to be lots of rumors," White said (19:10 mark). "In a perfect world, what would really work out great is if you could be on CBS and FOX and Comcast/NBC. Just like the NFL is. That would be the perfect world, but this sport has a lot of room to grow."

White has been very selective over the years with the UFC's programming partners.

"I will not do a dumb deal. We're not going to do a deal that doesn't make sense. We could've been the first mixed martial arts on network television, but none of the deals made sense," White said. "And as you saw all those guys [that were on network TV like EliteXC on CBS] ended up going out of business."

The UFC has been looking for a multi-platform deal. The promotion would like programming on network TV and several cable channels. Currently, it's running live fights and additional programming with preview shows and past fights on Spike and Versus. That will change in a deal with FOX.

As part of the deal, most of the weekly programming that UFC has on Versus and Spike TV will move to FX starting in January. That includes several fight cards, plus shows like the reality series "The Ultimate Fighter." Fox-owned Fuel also will wind up with some UFC content. But rumors that Fox will rebrand Fuel as a UFC channel are not true, sources said. Fox was attracted to UFC programming, which has produced some of the highest viewership figures ­-- and most attractive demos --­ on Versus and Spike TV.

According to SBJ, Viacom-owned Spike dropped out of the bidding because of lagging numbers:

The UFC's talks with Viacom-owned Spike ended before that. Sources said Spike ultimately passed over concern that its UFC shoulder programming stopped growing. Shows like "Unleashed," "Knockouts" and "Countdown" averaged 1 million viewers in '05. This year, they are averaging 492,000. Spike holds the rights to UFC library programming through '12, including old fights and shoulder programming such as "UFC Unleashed."

The most recent live event on Versus actually trended up at UFC on Versus 5.

UFC's Sunday night event in Milwaukee on Versus also drew 766,000 viewers from 9:00-11:09pm ET, marking the net's most-viewed program for the week ending August 14. That figure is up 3% from 744,000 viewers for the last UFC event on Versus on June 26.

Source: http://sports.yahoo.com/mma/blog/cagewriter/post/UFC-reportedly-has-deal-with-FOX-Network-has-bi?urn=mma-wp5963

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