Intelligently Defending 10.25.07: Where Do The UFC 77 Fighters Go From Here
Posted by Ken Kobel on 10.25.2007
UFC 77 has come and gone. Now it is time for Intelligently Defending to try and figure out where the fighters will go from here.
UFC 77: Hostile Territory is in the books.
As always, here at Intelligently Defending we will now try to sort things out and speculate as to where the main card fighter's careers are heading.
Here we go…
Alan Belcher vs. Kalib Starnes
Alan Belcher, TKO (doctor stoppage), Round 2: "No man, that's skull." Four words you don't want to hear from a doctor.
What is next for Kalib Starnes?: That cut was as nasty as they come. Even before it though, Starnes was losing a fight that many thought he would win. This has been a trend for Starnes since getting off of TUF3 series. It wasn't like people thought he was going to be the next big thing – but many viewed him as at least a solid fighter who could climb the ladder. This hasn't happened. Since being on the reality show he is 2-2 in the UFC – with one of those wins coming over Danny Abbadi. Does that one even count?
After this latest loss he will no doubt be sent to the prelims. Terry Martin would make an interesting opponent and give both fighters a chance to get back on track.
What is next for Alan Belcher?: The Arkansas native is now back over .500 in his UFC career. He has won two in a row after being demolished by Kendall Grove at UFC 69. Belcher is still very young at age 23, and has plenty of potential. His hands are solid and it is now a question of whether or not his ground game can get to where it needs to be.
His next fight will likely come on a main card and be against a solid fighter. Nate Quarry would be an excellent choice of opponent. Both fighters love to trade and have displayed knockout power. It would make a fine opener on a PPV card.
Stephan Bonnar vs. Eric Shafer
Stephan Bonnar, TKO, Round 2: It was close at the start but in the end ‘the American Psycho' outclassed his opponent to pick up a win.
What is next for Eric Shafer?: ‘Ravishing Red' could not have asked for a better position than when he had Bonnar's back in the first round. Eric had both hooks in, but could not seal the deal. His record now drops to 1-2 in the UFC. In all three of his fights he has shown little more than some slick jiu-jitsu. There would seem to be little reason for the UFC to bring Shafer back for another fight. He has not been winning -- worse he has not been exciting the crowds.
The light-heavyweight division is as deep as it gets in the UFC and there isn't room for fighters like Shafer. Unless the UFC needs to fill a prelim spot somewhere down the road, look for Eric to be sharpening his skills elsewhere in his next fight.
What is next for Stephan Bonnar?: It is going to be a long climb back to being a contender – but Stephan continues to make his ascent. Bonnar looked good here after shaking off a sluggish start. He finished Shafer impressively and it should be enough to re-cement himself as a solid fighter. Bonnar fell out of the limelight after his suspension. He was then completely forgotten about as the UFC light-heavyweight division underwent a renaissance that saw the weight-class' go from anemic to one of the UFC's deepest talent pools. When he returned and walked through Mike Nickels at UFC 73, people were reminded that Stephan still had skills. This realization was driven home again when Bonnar defeated Eric Shafer this past Saturday.
Bonnar is now on a win-streak and will likely face stiffer competition in his next bout. Jason Lambert would make a suitable opponent or perhaps Matt Hamill. Either man would test the idea that Stephan can't handle wrestlers.
Alvin Robinson vs. Jorge Gurgel
Alvin Robinson, Decision: The UFC career of Jorge Gurgel continues to disappoint as he catches a beatdown from Alvin Robinson.
What is next for Jorge Gurgel?: Gurgel has never quite lived up to expectations since coming off TUF2. While his UFC record is decent at 2-2, his wins have come against less-than-stellar competition. He also didn't finish either of those fights. Jorge was outmuscled from the second round on in this latest bout. He seemed to be relying too much on his jiu-jitsu and was taking a beating because of it. With each passing fight it becomes clearer than Gurgel will never be a force in the lightweight division. Still, the UFC will continue to bring him back.
His next fight will be on the prelims against any number of bottom-tier lightweights. For some reason Cole Miller comes to mind as a possible opponent.
What is next for Alvin Robinson? ‘The Kid' – who ironically looks like he's 40 years-old – gets a big monkey off of his back by picking up his first UFC win. Robinson was soundly defeated by Kenny Florian back at UFC 73, but this can be forgiven considering how good Kenny has looked as of late. Alvin looked impressive against Gurgel. He showed the same tenacity that he did against Florian -- except this time he was able to dish out some punishment.
Nate Diaz could be a possible opponent for Robinson, although that may be too dangerous a fight for Nate's career. It is more likely that Alvin will fight someone like Jason Black on a prelim.
Tim Sylvia vs. Brandon Vera
Tim Sylvia, Decision: Despite the booing, Tim comes away with a win due to superior striking.
What is next for Brandon Vera?: ‘The Truth' is undefeated no longer. In his first fight against someone who could be considered a top-ten heavyweight Vera failed to show the exciting and aggressive style that brought him into title contention a year ago. Still, it was his first fight in almost a year and rust could have played a part. Is he too small for heavyweight? Or was it the long layoff that caused his performance? We won't know the answer until he fights another heavyweight contender.
Brandon will give it at least one more try against the big-boys before he considers dropping down to light-heavyweight. There are many options for his next fight. Gabriel Gonzaga would be a huge test since Vera would once again be greatly outsized. The bout would give a better picture of whether or not he can handle the larger heavyweights.
What is next for Tim Sylvia?: There are probably about three Tim Sylvia fans left on this planet – but the man gets it done. It may be hard to watch – but he gets it done. He out-boxed Vera and did enough to win. Was he once again fighting not to lose? It appeared so at times, but it doesn't take away from the fact that he now gets another shot at gold.
Nothing short of a miracle return from Randy Couture is going to stop a Sylvia vs. Nogueira bout for the heavyweight title. It won't be easy for the big-man, but if he were to defeat Nog he would become a 3-time heavyweight champion. Not too many fighters in any sport can say that.
Anderson Silva vs. Rich Franklin
Anderson Silva, TKO, Round 2: All the lopsided fun of Silva/Franklin 1, but with an extra three minutes.
What is next for Rich Franklin?: Once again Franklin's nose looked like a ‘c' after fighting Silva. He performed better than he did last time, but that just means he didn't get destroyed inside three minutes. Rich still failed to mount any substantial offense and went down hard. He will not be challenging Anderson again anytime soon.
But talk of retirement???
This was hard to believe. Rich is only 33 years-old and he has dominated everyone he has fought in the UFC middleweight division except one man. Just one! How could talks of retirement even enter his head? Luckily, it seems that these were just unfounded rumors. Franklin still has plenty to accomplish in MMA and even though it will take awhile, he will one day get another title shot. For his next opponent Rich can take on a number of fighters and immediately make it a main card contest. Chris Leben and Patrick Cote are two candidates.
What is next for Anderson Silva?: This man can't be stopped right now. He especially can't be stopped by anyone currently in the UFC middleweight division. The only name that could be considered is Yushin Okami and it appears that the UFC has no intentions of giving someone they view as a boring fighter a title shot.
This leaves only two other fighters that Zuffa currently has under contract that could challenge Anderson. One is current WEC champion Paulo Filho. It still boggles the minds of everyone that the 15-0 Filho got placed in the WEC. He has excellent ground skills and would be a tough match-up for Silva. Unfortunately, it looks like he will be stuck in the minor leagues for awhile longer.
The other fighter is Dan Henderson who still holds the PRIDE 185-pound title. Henderson has the wrestling and the chin to take on Silva. It is the biggest potential fight at 185-pounds in the world. Henderson has been steadfast in his desire to stay at light-heavyweight – but maybe, just maybe, the UFC can throw enough money at him to reconsider. Let us pray that the MMA Gods make it so.
Lord knows they owe us one after Fedor vs. Randy went to hell.
Please send any feedback/questions/beefs to kenkobel1@yahoo.com.
