Showdown on UFC 152: A legend is born

The Ultimate Fighting Championship’s third foray in Toronto has come and gone, leaving us with a lot to ponder and even more to digest. From near upsets to fighters taking big steps, let’s examine what happened both inside and what may be happening outside the Octagon following UFC 152.

Jon Jones: The Legend

On April 18, 2009, during our UFC 97 preview show in Montreal (shortly after his win over Stephan Bonnar), I was scorned for calling Jon Jones the future of the 205-pound division, and a soon to be champ. Every time I would mention or forecast that I believed he would not only be champion, but one of the greatest of all time I got hate mail and ripped on Twitter. When I mentioned after he won the title vs. Shogun that he would clean out the division and one day move to heavyweight, many virtually spit on me with their venomous attacks. To wit, I could only smile, stay silent, and say to myself “just wait and see.”

Jones, whether you adore him or despise him, is a legend at just 25 years old. His victory over Vitor Belfort this past Saturday night proved to another portion of the doubting populous that he is one of the sport’s pound-for-pound best. I was approximately 15 feet away when Vitor sunk in that armbar. I saw the pop/twitch in Jones’ arm. I thought it was over — broken arm, elbow capsule, tendons, nerve damage, etc. Jones had met his match, that is, until the champion showed a resolve that only a few men have and that the vast majority of us mortal men do not even realize, we can only dream we had that type of heart.

Of the ten men who have held the title previous to him, four are retired (Frank Shamrock, Tito Ortiz, Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell) and Jones has now defeated five of the six former light-heavyweight champions who are still active in MMA. There is only one left, Forrest Griffin, but the odds of that bout happening are slim to none. Never say never, but it would be interesting to see it take place. Either Jon could claim he defeated (nearly) all before him or Forrest could always state that he was the only former champ Jonny did not beat during his reign as the division’s kingpin.

Flyweight’s Impressed

I originally thought it was because I was close enough to see the action within arms distance. Perhaps it was because those at home could not appreciate the sheer speed and precision both Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez were executing in the Octagon. Maybe it wasn’t translating well on pay-per-view. I then thought perhaps those booing in the arena simply could not see what I was seeing. Then, like a Jones case of growing up, I quickly realize and have all but given up on the notion that the battle I have had with the pathetic ignorance amongst many in the MMA fanbase simply cannot be won. I tap. It’s over, you win.

I continue to see it, hear it and read it first hand. Alcohol is often the ingredient that spurns the idiot minority into a delusional majority. While it sickened my stomach to hear the boos during the title fight, it was magnified when I saw Benavidez’ bruised and battered face at the post-fight press conference. That man did whatever he could to defeat his opponent, and had the purple and red marks to prove it. But the man who won the bout was simply too much. Too fast, to elusive, and on this night, a tad bit smarter.

I was in sheer awe at how fast they could move and part of me was puzzled at the reaction inside the arena, but it was then when I had the epiphany and realized the fight with these clowns will be no more. I was prepared to voice my displeasure but gave in. I had enough, that is, until the post-fight press conference, where an even more frustrated UFC president Dana White spoke to the masses. “Let me tell you what. If you didn’t like that flyweight fight, please, I’m begging you, don’t ever buy another UFC pay-per-view again. Don’t ever buy another one. I don’t want your money.”

He continued. “You’re a moron, you don’t like fighting and you don’t appreciate great talent or heart if you didn’t like that flyweight fight.”

And then he proceeded with the facts. “I wasn’t surprised; I was horrified by the booing … And guess what? In every fight you see in the UFC, two guys aren’t going to run at each other and just start swinging like mad men. These two guys have worked their entire lives to get to this point, and it’s a five-round title fight. If they can get the knockout and submission real quick, sure they’re going to go for it, but if the guys are so talented? You have now the world champion and the second-best guy in the world. It’s just insane. It drives me crazy.”

Miscellaneous Musings

— Michael Bisping’s win over Brian Stann moves him one inch closer to a title shot vs. Anderson Silva. I asked Dana if they would entertain doing it in England, but he did not respond. Instead, he gave me a familiar look that I’ve seen countless times before. Seems I may be onto something.

— You can officially add Cub Swanson to the mix at featherweight. He joins the list that includes Frankie Edgar, Chan Sung Jung and Erik Koch among others in the division’s upper echelon of talent. I asked and he said he was down for a rematch with Jose Aldo Jr. At this rate, he’s one fight away.

— Canadians go three for four: TJ Grant is officially a contender at 155 pounds. Sean Pierson has incredible heart, after surviving a late onslaught by Lance Benoist, while Mitch Gagnon is a sheer destroyer at 135 pounds. That perofmance over Walel Watson was something to behold. Remember the name, give him time, and he will definitely shine.

To address some of your thoughts…

— I believe the bout between Kyle Noke and Charlie Brenneman was stopped early, but I see why Dan Miragliotta did it.

— One fighter should be tested for PED’s as his body transformation seemed odd.

— One fighter may have received a TRT exemption and I will endeavour to find out who it is.

— Yes, there is a power struggle forthcoming in the industry. A prominent fighter may be seeking new management soon, which could cause a tidal wave of talent moving away from this company. One fan said “it’s Karma,” but I disagreed. Now, I can see why. Stay tuned.