411 MMA Fact or Fiction 01.13.10: Lesnar's Future, Penn at Welterweight, UFC Piracy & MORE!

Posted by Jeremy Lambert on 01.13.2010

Will Brock Lesnar fight in 2010? Should BJ Penn move up to Welterweight? Will Quinton Jackson flop in the A-Team movie? 411 writers Todd Bergman and Samer Kadi debate those topics and more in this weeks edition of 411 MMA Fact or Fiction.

After back to back nights of fights, things slow down in the MMA world until the end of the month.

To debate the fallout of both shows and news from around the MMA world this week we have the return of the one and only Todd Bergman. His opponent is the master of the Rear Naked Column, he is Samer Kadi.

In the words of John McCarthy…LET'S GET IT ON!

1. BJ Penn at Welterweight is more interesting than a potential fight with Frankie Edgar/Gray Maynard

Todd Bergman: FICTION. I've gone back and forth on this one. The only reason for Penn to go to the Welterweight division is so that he could compete for a title, and, let's face it, his last chance at that title wasn't very interesting. There wouldn't be much sense in Penn going up in weight for a showdown with someone like Thiago Alves. Sure, the prospect of the showdown is cool but it has zero value for Penn. While a showdown with either Maynard or Edgar might be one-sided, I still think that Penn is more interesting at Lightweight. Sometimes title matches against lesser-known fighters become things of legend, much like Penn's title victory over Matt Hughes or even Carlos Newton upsetting Pat Miletich back in the day.

Samer Kadi: FACT. At first, I thought this would be a no brainer. But after reading Todd's answer, I must say he brings up some great points. BJ Penn's appeal at welterweight takes a strong hit due to the fact that Georges St. Pierre is the champion and he's already beaten Penn twice. And I also agree with Todd that BJ at lightweight is a more interesting fighter (he's flat out a much better fighter). With that said, the question is about a potential bout with Edgar/Maynard. And even though I think this is a fight that should happen, I would much rather see Penn at welterweight fighting the likes of Koscheck, Alves or Fitch. I have no doubt Penn would wipe the floor with Edgar/Maynard, so a fight with a top welterweight is much more appealing simply because it would more competitive. But on the long run, I think BJ should remain at lightweight where he belongs.

SCORE: 0 for 1.

2. The rumored/announced fight you're most looking forward to in 2010 is Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Cain Velasquez.

Todd Bergman: FICTION. While that fight is decent, I'm really looking forward to Frank Mir vs. Shane Carwin at UFC 111 in New Jersey. The fight is for the dreaded Interim Heavyweight Title, but what that really means is that the winner gets Brock Lesnar at some point during the upcoming year. Both Nog and Velasquez are essentially fighting for a shot in line while Carwin and Mir are fighting for a title and a potential giant payday. Outside of that fight there are also great match ups such as: Jake Shields vs. Dan Henderson, Fedor vs. Werdum, Silva vs. Belfort, and the Shogun/Machida rematch. All of these have a bigger feel than Nog vs. Velasquez. Hell, I'll even go out on a limb and say that more people are looking forward to Wandy vs. Bisping on that card than the actual main event.

Samer Kadi: FICTION. I was initially about to go fact, as I've been drooling over this fight since it was initially announced for UFC 108. This is a phenomenal fight in the UFC heavyweight division and these two should match up really well with Cain's wrestling going against Nog's BJJ. I'm actually looking forward for this one more than Mir/Carwin for the interim title. But two fights Todd mentioned - and one that he didn't - have to get the nod ahead of this bout: Anderson Silva will take on his most dangerous challenger in years in the middleweight division when he squares off against Vitor Belfort. Also, the Machida-Shogun rematch is a fight everyone has been asking for the moment the decision was announced, and it would be fascinating to see how both fighters approach the bout the second time around. And finally, the all but confirmed Aldo-Faber match up for the WEC featherweight title should be rather fantastic.

SCORE: 1 for 2.

3. Internet pirates have no effect on UFC business.

Todd Bergman: FICTION. This is a pretty slippery slope to be walking on for the UFC. No matter what way they approach this matter, they are going to look like the bad guys. Does the UFC lose potential PPV revenue by bars and little Jimmy down the street posting this on the internet? Of course they do, and as a business they have the right to administer the charges that can be brought forth in the ways of legal action against these clearly illegal acts. However, this can work both ways. There is no possible way that the UFC can actually shut down all of these pirated feeds. Moreover, to try and do so would actually cost the UFC more money than what they could potentially lose by people watching the fights illegally. I've never personally watched a pirated version before but from what I hear most of the feeds lag and constantly freeze up or even get shut down mid-broadcast, so it's not something that would interest me to check out. At the end of the day, the UFC is a business and businesses are all about making money. And if you haven't learned by now, you don't mess with anybody's money. This is why the internet is equally the greatest and the most evil thing in the world.

Samer Kadi: FICTION. Do internet pirates have an effect on the UFC's business? Of course they do, how can anyone say otherwise? People who may have otherwise bought the PPV are instead watching it on the internet for free. But is said effect really significant? I don't think so. Most people want to have the most enjoyable experience watching the PPV, and they will naturally choose to watch it on their TV, even if it costs them 50 bucks. Plus, UFC PPV's are often watched in groups, and I highly doubt nine or ten people would stay glued to a lap top for three hours. The only to go is to order the PPV like everyone else. So yes, while internet pirates do exist and they're certainly affecting the UFC's business, they do so to a very minimal extent.

SCORE: 2 for 3.

Video Intermission



4. Donald Cerrone will defeat Ben Henderson in their rematch.

Samer Kadi: FICTION. Donald Cerrone may very well be the most exciting fighter in the entire lightweight division, which is saying a lot. The man is undoubtedly very skilled: He has good kickboxing and great submissions. However, his one glaring weakness remains his takedown defense. If Ben Henderson decides to take the fight to the ground, he will be able to. Their first fight was very close, and you could argue that Cerrone won. But in a rematch, I believe Henderson will make the necessary adjustments and win more decisively. Cerrone's biggest success in the fight came with his submissions from the bottom, and we saw just how difficult it was to submit Henderson. I think Henderson will avoid them a little bit easier this time around, and will control Cerrone from the top. I'm not writing Cerrone off, as despite his lack of takedown defense, he's great in the scrambles and always stands a chance of landing a submission off of them.

Todd Bergman:FICTION Samer made a great point about Cerrone's takedown defense, but the real deciding factor in the match will be Cerrone's mental status. It always seems as though Cowboy gets frustrated and then throws illegal blows or just takes himself right out of his game plan. Cerrone nearly had Bendo submitted numerous times in their fight, but in the end, Cerrone's inability to stick to a game plan cost him dearly as he wouldn't relax and he began forcing his abilities. Bendo appears to be a slightly less intimidating version of Big Nog in that he always seems like he's getting his ass beaten and then POW he steals the fight away.

SCORE: 3 for 4.



5. You expect Brock Lesnar to fight in 2010.

Samer Kadi: FACT. By all accounts, Brock is getting better. In fact, in a recent interview, Randy Couture said he talked to Brock and he expects him to return in the spring. And while I think that may be a tad too soon, I do believe Brock will be ready come next fall. The biggest fear remains the potential need for a "major surgery", but recent reports say this is unlikely. Even if healed, Brock will need time to regain all the weight he lost, get back in the gym and work on his conditioning as he's been away from a while. If there was ever a good time to fight Brock Lesnar, it's on his first fight back.

Todd Bergman:FACT As I clearly stated above, the winner of Carwin vs. Mir will be fighting Lesnar sometime before the end of 2010. Most fans that have been following the Lesnar story know everything that has been said, and it appears that he will be back, so there really isn't much more to say about it. Ultimately, MMA's most hated and most popular fighter will definitely be back in 2010 to raise hell, and I suppose lay on his wife post-fight.

SCORE: 4 for 5.

6. Quinton Jackson will be a flop in the A-Team movie.

Samer Kadi: FICTION. I don't see why really. I have no doubt "Rampage" will be a natural in this role. When he's not calling a guy "titties" 10000 times, Quinton is a very funny guy. Repeatedly he's mentioned his love for B. A. Baracus so I have no doubt he will give it his all. The role seems to fit him perfectly and if the film does good business – as it should – there's no reason to suggest why Jackson wouldn't be one of its brightest spots. Mr. T was the highlight of the original A-Team, and while Rampage will not enjoy the same amount of success, he should do just fine.

Todd Bergman:FICTION Outside of the rare nerd who is bitching about Jackson saying "homie" in the A-Team trailer, this endeavor will be full of win for Rampage. Also keep in mind that it's an action movie, so the majority of the flick is going to be about explosions and showing Jessica Biel and Bradley Cooper half-naked. B.A. was a big part of the original TV show, but his dialogue usually consisted of one-liners and amazing things that were gold-plated. I will be watching this film in theatres on its opening weekend and I'm sure that I will enjoy it. However, they'd better have to knock out B.A. when they put him on a plane or my opinion could turn south on this movie really fast. Anyway, this will be a great thing for Rampage and will only lead to more crossover appeal for MMA and more publicity for his upcoming showdown with Rashad. Do you think that Rashad is going to watch this movie?

SCORE: 5 for 6.

Todd and Samer are certainly no Diaz and Maynard but good friends can still have good fights.

Come back next week as two more MMA writers debate the latest MMA news in 411 MMA Fact or Fiction.

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