The Sprawl 09.25.09: Volume 33 - Rashad's New Opponent, Mayhem-Shields
Posted by Alex Mattis on 09.25.2009
With Rampage now completely out of the equation, Rashad Evans needs on new opponent. On this edition of "The Sprawl" you'll find out just who that opponent should be. Also, thoughts on the Mayhem-Shields showdown set for CBS. Come on in!
Hello all and welcome back to "The Sprawl!" Hope all is well with everyone. What a wild couple of weeks we've had in the UFC with two tremendous fight cards and a TUF season premiere unlike any other. It's been an especially fun time for yours truly as 103 was the first UFC event I have ever attended live. Dana is right when he says the live experience is unlike any other, it was an incredible atmosphere and event. Moving on. One of the biggest topics of discussion in the MMA world right now is the cancellation of the Rampage-Evans fight due to Jackson's acting commitments. On this of "The Sprawl" we'll look at the dilemma at hand and a partial solution to the problem - getting Rashad a new opponent. LET'S GET DOWN TO IT!!!
Since we've last met season 10 of the Ultimate Fighter has kicked off and it promises to be one of the most memorable seasons yet. To no one's surprise the show started with Rampage and Rashad going at it right away; these two won't be going to any Hootie & The Blowfish concerts together. It was everything this season is being hyped to be and this was really going to build a great deal of anticipation around the coaches' fight and turn it into the biggest grudge match of the year. Well that has all been called off so Quinton can go pity sum foo's in Hollywood. That's right, one of the biggest fights of the year dissolved right before the hype snowball started to roll. Rather than sit here and list reasons why it was fucked up for Ramp' to call the fight off, which I could do, this article is going to look at the side of the issue little are talking about... Rashad Evans needs a new opponent. "Sugar" had begun his training and mental preparation and was eagerly awaiting his comeback fight and then it was taken away from him, but knowing Evans he will want to fight as soon as he can. More importantly, with Machida-Shogun on the horizon the UFC needs a big, title contention, light heavyweight fight before the years end. There is only one other name at 205 that should be currently talked about in title contention discussions... Thiago Silva.
"I thought I told you to SHOVEL THE WALK!!!"
At UFC 102 Thiago Silva took out Rashad's teammate and friend Keith Jardine with ease. Seriously, the dude didn't break a sweat. With that win Thiago immediately became relevant at 205 again and showed that he should be viewed as one of the top guys in the division. He showed tremendous footwork, head movement, intelligence, and his ability to end a fight in a split-second. Going into the fight Thiago was a big underdog and most thought Machida had just exposed him as being an over-hyped can-crusher, but the KO win over "The Dean of Mean" showed that Silva isn't going anywhere. When his back was against the wall, he busted out the best performance of his career. Thiago still only had one loss on his impressive record and has gone back to being viewed as that scary dude that was murderin' bitches for thirteen fights in a row but he needs a big fight and big win to get him closer to a rematch with Machida.
Rashad needs a fight like this. Coming back from a title loss a fighter needs to compete against someone who is at the top of the heap. Rashad had that with Rampage but seeing how that's out of the question he needs some other options. The problem for Rashad is that he has beaten almost everyone relevant at 205 and unless he has an interest in downgrading in competition, the options are few - Shogun? Fighting for the title. Vera? Fighting Couture. And possibilities like Matt Hamill, Rich Franklin, or Dan Henderson don't seem like ones the UFC would be interested in. Much like Silva, Rashad only has one blemish on his record and needs to get back to putting top names away in order to meet "The Dragon" in the cage once again.
This fight had been rumored for the cursed UFC 85 event back in the summer of '08 but of course never was seen. In addition to being a fight to determine the pecking order of things at 205 this would be an all-around awesome fight and one that the fans would really buy into. Rashad usually keeps it real in the octagon and when has Thiago Silva been in a boring fight? It would be very intriguing to see how the styles of the two matched up seeing as how Thiago is a much more dangerous fighter than Rampage. The speed of Rashad isn't matched often but if Thiago stuck to the crisp striking that he used to put Keith to sleep the standup game could go to either. If the fight hit the ground we would see if Rashad's wrestling could prevail over Thiago's great BJJ and incredible top game. You can see where I'm going with this; it would be a hell of a fight.
Like I have mentioned, both men have only lost once and it was to the same man (and losing to the god of the division is nothing to be ashamed of). At this point Rashad Evans is the #2 light heavyweight in the world and deserves to fight only the best the UFC has to offer him and Thiago Silva certainly falls into that category. The storyline is already written: Rashad attempting to avenge the KO of his teammate because we all know how 'dem Albuquerque boys roll. All things considered, it seems like it wouldn't make sense not to book this fight. Both men are incredibly tough, incredibly skilled and would really offer an interesting match-up to one another. With the one-shot knockout power both have, and really their ability to finish the fight anywhere, this would be a tremendous fight for the UFC and the fans. In closing I will say, would the winner of this fight deserve a title shot? Absolutely. Does that mean either of them would fair better against Machida in a rematch? Well... Anderson?
Thanks Anderson.
Strikeforce gets Shields Vs. Mayhem
More news surrounding the October 7th Strikeforce event surfaced recently as the story broke that recently-made enemies Jake Shields and Jason Mayhem Miller will face off for the Strikeforce Middleweight Championship at the CBS event in just a few weeks. This is just what this card needs. Jake Shields is the 2nd most talented fighter that Strikeforce has under their banner so I understand their desire to put him in every event they can. Mayhem has always been a favorite of the hardcore fans and with his newfound popularity from his MTV show he brings a new marketability to this fight. The shit talk has already begun between these two as Mayhem has vowed to "beat the piss" out of Shields. Jake has just promised to keep shit real like all them Cesar Gracie fuckers do. This promises to be interesting as neither are ever dull. Shields proved with his last victory, over Robbie Lawler, that he is no joke and truly one of the best in the world but is middleweight where he belongs? Miller has always been a game opponent and has never given anyone an easy victory but will his focus on his new project prove to be detrimental? These are questions that are going to be answered come the 7th of October in what should be a tremendous clash.
Well, that's all for me this week.
This Week's Top 5: Bill Murray Movies
5. Lost In Translation
4. Ghostbusters
3. What About Bob?
2. Caddyshack
1. Groundhog Day
Remember feedback, as always, is welcome at slash_632@hotmail.com or directly below. Don't be shy, leave your top 5!
