The MMA News Report 09.05.07

Posted by Morgan Marx on 09.05.2007

Numerous updates on who is and isn’t fighting at Fight Night 11, when the likes of Silva, St-Pierre and Couture will appear next, who Marcus Davis really wants (in the cage, I don’t know much about the man personally), and an in-depth look at UFC 75, set to air free on Spike.

INTRODUCTION

We have a bunch of smaller news updates this week to go along with a rather in-depth look at the main card for this Saturday's UFC 75. Do you all enjoy the fight card previews I run the weeks prior to major events? I know there are a lot of previews out there on the Internets, so I try to offer a version I'd personally most like to read. As always, let me know what you think.


MAILBAG/RANT TIME

Nothing is bothering me this week, so let's get to the reader's question.

The Reader's Question: Should Mirko Filipovic win this Saturday at UFC 75, is he the most deserving heavyweight (currently on the UFC roster) to be pitted against Randy Couture next February?


NEWS

With no dominant news stories out there, we're going to quickly run down all the odds and ends stories making the rounds. We've got injury updates, schedule updates, and the latest rants from Dana White.

News Quick Hits


Liddell v. Silva Could Happen This Year In an interview with CBS Sports, UFC president Dana White was asked about the possibility of the elusive Chuck Liddell v. Wanderlei Silva megafight happening this year. While White wouldn't speak in definites, her did mention that a December 29th date was a possibility. Such a fight would be dependent on Liddell escaping from his upcoming bout with Keith Jardine both victorious and unscathed. Either a loss or an injury would delay the showdown with Silva until next year.
Sources: CBS Sports

St-Pierre Forced to Wait Elsewhere in the same interview, White did confirm that Georges St-Pierre, fresh off a dominant win over Josh Koscheck, won't fight again before a welterweight title shot against the winner of the upcoming Matt Hughes v. Matt Serra match. While fans of GSP might resent the extra off time, they will be pleased to know White confirmed that the fight would take place in Canada. Considering the reactions Canadian fighters St-Pierre and Patrick Cote received in Nevada, it's safe to assume GSP might benefit from the largest home crowd support the UFC has seen. Both Hughes and Serra would enter the event as huge heels in the eyes of the fans. A St-Pierre victory celebration would be amazing to witness.
.Sources: CBS Sports

Swick Out, Hazelett In, but Quarry v. Sell Televised In a series of connected stories, UFC Junkie has confirmed that Dustin Hazelett will replace Mike Swick in a fight against Jonathan Goulet set for UFC Fight Night 11. Reports had originally pegged Swick to face off against middleweight Chris Leban, but the fight didn't come to fruition. Swick was to make his debut at welterweight against the veteran Goulet. Instead, it will be Hazelett looking to rack up a 3rd straight win in the UFC.

The switch also effects middleweights Pete Sell and Nate Quarry. The loss of Swick's name recognition bumps the Goulet v. Hazelett fight off the televised portion of the event. The rematch between Quarry and Sell will take its place alongside other televised fights, including Kenny Florian v. Din Thomas and the official debut of TUF 5 winner Nate Diaz.
Sources: UFCJunkie

Marcus Davis Calls Out Gomi? I feel semi-obligated to support rising UFC welterweight Marcus Davis. We both share Irish roots and both call New England home. I have been very impressed with his post-TUF run and his evolving MMA skills. The one complaint that can be levied at Davis is the quality of the opposition he has faced. Apparently, Davis aims to fix that issue. In an interview with UFC Junkie, Davis responded to a question about future opponents in this slightly improbable manner:

I've already said I want to fight (Takanori) Gomi. I have offered to meet him at a catch-weight of 165 lbs. if we can make the fight. That's the fight I want.

You have to give Davis credit for calling out such a talented opponent. Gomi is widely considered the top lightweight in the world, and frequently cracks pound-for-pound top 10 rankings. Davis, though on a 9-fight win streak, hasn't fought anyone close to Gomi's talent level. Rumors persist that Gomi will eschew the UFC altogether, but I can't imagine a fight with Davis would be high on his priority list even if he does sign. Let's see Davis take on a Josh Burkman, a Karo Parisyan, or a Diego Sanchez before he sets his sights on one of the best in the world.
Sources: UFCJunkie

Joe Lauzon Returns to the Octagon One of the favored competitors from TUF 5, Joe Lauzon, is set to return to the cage at UFC 78 in Newark, NJ. The Fight Network is reporting that Lauzon, who recently relocated to Hawaii to train MMA full-time with BJ Penn, will face off against UFC newcomer Jason Reinhardt. Reinhardt, an MFS Elite fighter, holds an eye-opening record of 18-0 with 14 of those victories coming by submission. However, he hasn't faced anyone of note, so a fight against an experienced UFC competitor will be a tough test. Lauzon was one of the most likable participants in the UFC reality show, and also comes from the Boston area, meaning I have to champion his cause. Let's go Joe! Objectively of course…
Sources: The Fight Network

Good News for Dallas, Expected News for Couture In an update for the Houston Chronicle's MMA coverage, Steve Sievert is reporting that Dallas is the next Texas' target for the UFC. UFC 69, which took place in Houston, drew the largest gate in the history of the venue. Dallas has joined a list of American cities (including Chicago) that the UFC intends to expand into in 2008. Sievert also confirmed that UFC heavyweight champion Randy Couture would be out roughly 6 weeks due to a broken forearm suffered in his victory over Gabriel Gonzaga. The injury and recuperation time means Couture will likely defend his title next at the UFC's big February event Super Bowl weekend. Am I allowed to say that? I'm always wary of copyright issues and the NFL…
Sources: Houston Chronicle


COMMENTARY


With two free MMA events this week, I was tempted to cover both. But while this Wednesday's WEC event on VS TV offers up two title fights, I really wanted to delve into UFC 75. The night offers a slew of intriguing match-ups including the first ever Pride/UFC title unification match. I would definitely recommend checking out the WEC show, and I'll probably offer some comments on the event next week. For now, onto UFC 75.

UFC 75 Main Card
Houston Alexander v. Alessio Sakara: Alexander proved many a prediction wrong with his destruction of Keith Jardine at UFC 71. He also exposed a gaping hole in the coverage of MMA, which is still in an embryonic state. Though the most popular "fight finders" listed Alexander as having only 8 fights on his professional record, Alexander stated after the fact that he's had over 100 amateur fights in his career. That situation makes it difficult to rate Alexander properly. We don't know if he has any semblance of a submission game, we can't accurately rate his wrestling ability, and we don't know how good his cardio is (though he does have a 5 round decision victory to his name). Thankfully for Alexander, most of those questions won't affect his fight with Italian boxer Alessio Sakara. Sakara, sporting a 2-2 UFC record, is being brought in to stand and trade with Alexander. The UFC is counting on an explosive fight that ends with a KO, preferably won by Alexander, the owner of a shiny new UFC contract.

The best case scenario for Alexander finds him replicating Drew McFedries gameplan and out slugging Sakara. Alexander has heavy hands and ridiculous uppercuts. However, I think Sakara has a great chance at defeating Alexander. Unlike Keith Jardine, Sakara knows what kind of a fighter Alexander is. The element of surprise is gone. Also, Sakara is coming into the fight hungry. A loss would likely be the last UFC appearance for Sakara. While Jardine entered his fight feeling overconfident and disappointed to be facing an unknown fighter, Sakara won't make the same mental mistakes. I think the more technically proficient striker wins by KO. Which probably means Alexander will reveal an amazing jiu jitsu game. Sigh…
Prediction: Sakara by KO.

Marcus Davis v. Paul Taylor: I'm having almost as much trouble accurately rating Marcus Davis as I am Roger Huerta. Like Huerta, Davis has put together an impressive win streak (9 fights, both in and out of the UFC) and has revealed an ever-evolving fight game that includes a surprising number of submission victories. And just when I thought Davis might be too in love with the BJJ, he unleashed a brutal display of striking to KO Jason Tan. Still, Davis hasn't fought a top challenger in the 170 division. While wins over aging vets (Pete Spratt, Shonie Carter) and UFC newcomers are nice, they don't demonstrate that Davis is ready to mix it up in the most talented weight class around. And I don't know if a victory over Paul Taylor will either.

Taylor debuted the same night as Davis' last victory. He has an impressive record (8 wins, 1 loss) and has displayed a good striking game. Having fought in the UFC before, Taylor has done away with the first fight jitters that effect many UFC newcomers. Still, while this should add up to a competitive fight, I don't think Taylor will have enough on his feet or on the ground to truly trouble Davis. Davis is a strong, physically imposing 170. Should Davis win in an impressive fashion, the UFC would be wise to up his competition. Davis is 34, there isn't really a future to build to. It's time for Davis to face someone on his level, maybe a Josh Burkman, so we can find out if he's ready to actually face the top 5 welterweights.
Prediction: Marcus Davis by Unanimous Decision.

Mirko Filipovic v. Cheik Kongo: Is Cheik Congo a heavyweight title contender? Or is he another handpicked opponent for Cro Cop to KO? That's the big question, and until the fight goes down, we can't really be sure. While I wouldn't go as far as describing the Kongo fight as a lay-up for Filipovic, it's obvious the UFC wanted their prized striker to face a favorable match-up in his return to the octagon. Kongo definitely has some positives heading into the fight. He is a large, very athletic heavyweight. He is from Paris and has a history of fighting in Holland (so the travel/time difference shouldn't bother him). He has displayed some good striking, especially the ability to mix knees and fists. It's safe to say Kongo will be a more difficult challenge than Filipovic's first UFC victim, Eddie Sanchez.

However, the advantage clearly goes to Cro Cop. While Kongo is large, Cro Cop has fought (and destroyed) bigger men (Josh Barnett comes to mind). While Kongo is a good striker, he's nowhere near Cro Cop's level. The knees that repeatedly injured Christian Wellisch probably won't come into play against Filipovic (I can't see Mirko shooting for a take down). This could be a pure kickboxing match, and Cro Cop has the edge. The only question is whether Filipovic has recovered from the devastating KO he succumbed to last time out. In interviews Filipovic has sounded good, he's adapted his training to improve his game in the cage, and he seems determined to make up for the Gonzaga loss. Also, the last time Cro Cop lost via KO came at the fist of Kevin Randleman. Filipovic then went on to win 7 in a row before facing Fedor. I think the real Mirko Filipovic should show up, meaning Kongo is in for a long (or short) night.
Prediction: Filipovic by TKO.

Matt Hamill v. Michael Bisping: The worst case scenario for Bisping would have been for him to take this fight lightly, come in overconfident, and end up on his back for 3 rounds, ultimately losing a decision to a clearly inferior fighter. Thankfully, the bad blood between the two men and the constant reminders that this could be a trap fight seem to have put Bisping in the right frame of mind. This will be a tough test for the British fighter. There will be a ton of pressure fighting in front of a partisan crowd. While he's fighting a one-dimensional fighter, that one dimension (superior wrestling) can sometimes be enough to win a decision. And a win won't improve Bisping's standings in a tough light heavyweight division.

All of that could spell an upset for Hamill. I don't see it though. Bisping already had his upset scare against Sinosic, and showed he could take a strike and rebound for a win. Hamill still has not improved in the other areas of MMA enough to be considered well rounded. His striking is competent at best, utterly sloppy at worse. He also hasn't fought a challenger the caliber of Bisping yet since the end of TUF. Bisping has innumerably more ways to win the fight, both standing and on the ground. Hamill's best bet is lay and pray, and it's not an unforeseeable option. Bisping has stated that he plans to utilize kicks, which could open him up to a single-leg takedown. However, I think it plays out like a homelessman's version of the GSP v. Hughes fight, with Bisping breaking down the one-dimensional Hamill.
Prediction: Bisping by TKO.

Light Heavyweight Unification Fight: Quinton Jackson (c) v. Dan Henderson (c): This could be the most even fight we've had this year. Both Rampage and Hollywood bring a wealth of experience and talent to the cage. Rampage has rededicated himself to training and has seemed more confident and in control. Henderson always comes into a fight in the best shape this side of Randy Couture. Rampage hasn't overextended himself following his huge upset of Chuck Liddell and hasn't seemed to let the nightlife get to him. Henderson has fought in the UFC before and fought in front of huge crowds, meaning the transition to the cage and to a UFC audience shouldn't phase him in the least. They're virtually even in most measurable.

Still, I think the edge goes to Jackson. He is a natural light heavyweight, as opposed to Henderson, a true middleweight. Jackson's technical striking is often overlooked. The counter punch that floored Liddell was a great example of Rampage's striking ability. While Henderson is known for his looping right, I think Jackson has the edge in pure boxing. Plus, Jackson dismantled Liddell easy enough, and Liddell's right is probably better than Henderson's.

The fighter's wrestling ability is probably even. While Henderson has an edge in ability, Jackson probably has an edge in strength (although Henderson has been slamming larger men for many years, so it's probably close). Henderson probably won't be submitting Rampage, and vice versa (Jackson hasn't won by a real submission since 2001). While Jackson has lost by KO to both Wanderlei Silva and Mauricio Rua, both of the Brazilians are far more dynamic strikers than Henderson. Henderson probably won't use the knees that gave Jackson fits against Silva. There are a lot of probablys in this fight.

I think Jackson will look to keep things on his feet. Jackson defeated Kevin Randleman, who might be a better pure wrestler than Henderson. Jackson defeated Liddell, who is definitely a better striker than Henderson. With his better boxing and the training he put in for the Liddell fight, he should be equipped to handle whatever punches Henderson throws at him. I think it will be a close fight that goes the distance, much like Jackson's victory over Matt Lindland. In fact, with Jackson's size advantage and Henderson's skill set, this could be a mirror image of the Jackson v. Lindland fight. I don't think anyone can predict a winner with certain accuracy, but I'm leaning toward Rampage. Probably.
Prediction: Jackson by Split Decision.


CONCLUSION

Again, enjoy this week's shows. Don't forget, the WEC event airs free on the VS (Versus, or however you spell it) network Wednesday night, while UFC 75 airs via tape delay on Saturday night on Spike. Be careful on Saturday if you're checking the various MMA sites, as many will be updating the action live, well ahead of the broadcast time. Take care and keep reading.