MMA Analytics 03.24.08: Weekend Roundup
Posted by Leland Roling on 03.24.2008
We'll analyze Friday's ShoXC card along with an inside look at a new DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix participant, EliteXC/CBS matchups, and whether or not Golden Boy Promotions will be a player in the mixed martial arts scene. All of that and more in this edition of MMA Analytics.
This weekend didn't feature a major UFC event or a plethora of MMA action, so I'll touch on some of the news that broke during the weekend along with some thoughts on the smaller mixed martial arts events that took place. Specifically, EliteXC's Challenger Series, ShoXC, held an event on Friday night with Muay Thai legend Malapeit taking on Thomas "Wildman" Denny in the headliner. The week also featured EliteXC/CBS matchups, DREAM.2 news, and the possibility of Golden Boy and Affliction making a big splash in the MMA scene. Let's take an in-depth look at the news and results from last week's action.
ShoXC: Thomas "Wildman" Denny dominates Malapeit, ends in controversy
The "minor leagues" of ProElite's flagship promotion, EliteXC, held an event this weekend that featured a classic matchup of a renowned Muay Thai striker in Malapeit against an able submission wrestler in Thomas "Wildman" Denny. Although the betting lines for the fight made this battle look rather even, Denny proved that there isn't room for one-dimensional fighters in mixed martial arts. The "Wildman" absolutely dominated Malapeit early in the fight with takedowns and crushing elbow strikes. Malapeit successfully escaped a quick rear naked choke attempt early, but he was still unsuccessful in stopping Denny's aggressiveness.
Later in the round, Malapeit was able to get to his feet after escaping a full mount. Denny shot for another takedown, and Malapeit answered the shot with stiff elbows to the back of Denny's head that immediately incapacitated him. The fight was ruled a disqualification win for Thomas "Wildman" Denny due to the illegal strikes, but it was likely that Denny would have potentially finished the fight on the ground. His domination was likely a wakeup call for Malapeit.
Malapeit needs a ground game, or at least some way of defending the takedown well enough to put strikes into opponents that can quickly end the fight. If he allows his opponents to continually shoot at his hips and take him down at will, he won't be successful in this sport. We learned that great champion Muay Thai skills alone won't last long in an MMA matchup without other skills to compliment them.
In other action, Conor Heun went to war with Chute Box phenom Marlon Mathias. The matchup provided the crowd with some great standup exchanges, but ultimately became a Conor Heun clinic on the floor with Heun landing strikes while in top control. Mathias gassed late in the fight, and it may have been the huge difference. Mathias had a distinct advantage on his feet, but he was overpowered on the ground significantly over the course of the fight. Heun took the decision, despite possibly having a broken jaw for most of the fight as he hinted toward that during the post-fight interview. Regardless, it was a great performance for Heun, and we should look forward to seeing who he is matched up with next.
Mark Oshiro provided the fireworks of the evening. In his featherweight clash with undefeated Chris Cariaso, he landed a heavy right hook that knocked Cariaso out after Oshiro escaped full mount early in the round. Oshiro improved to 10-1 with the win and likely will have some added hype with the exposure. He is definitely a guy that should be on the radar, and could be a great pickup for a promotion like the WEC after his contract is up.
Aaron Rosa took on Jaime Fletcher in a fight that should have been a solid win for Rosa. Unfortunately for Rosa, his gameplan was to battle under his abilities in the standup game. Although he had the reach and height advantage in the fight, he didn't take advantage of either. Knees were non-existent in the clinch, and he was clearly outclassed on his feet by Fletcher's standup. At one point, Fletcher caught Rosa and nearly ended the fight on the ground. Rosa was able to recover, but overall, it was a poor performance for Aaron Rosa.
Shane Del Rosario crushed the Gabriel Gonzaga look-a-like in Analu Brash via some impressive ground and pound tactics. Brash was physically a bigger and larger opponent, yet Rosario used some timely leg kicks to trip up Brash. Once on the ground, Rosario completely dominated Brash. Brash's guard was in place, but he had no transition abilities to counter Rosario's position. A solid win for Rosario against a physically stronger opponent.
Overall, it was a fairly successful event for EliteXC. The fans got some show stopping performances from Mark Oshiro and Shane Del Rosario, but also a great war between Conor Heun and Marlon Mathias. The main event didn't pan out as we had hoped, but we at least saw some of the upcoming talent for the promotion that could see some time in EliteXC on the big stage.
Other news this week...
EliteXC confirmed one of their matchups for the CBS/EliteXC Saturday Night Fights on May 31. "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler will take on hard hitting former UFC fighter Scott Smith in a battle for the EliteXC Middleweight title. It should provide a fantastic knockout ending for fans tuning in for the event on CBS, and as we all know, the casual fanbase will be glued to the television for those types of bouts. Great matchmaking by EliteXC, especially for such a high profile event on a national network.
DREAM added some news related to their Middleweight Grand Prix this week with Kazushi Sakuraba dropping out due to a scab on his knee that seems to keep bleeding, and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza. Souza is a renowned grappler sporting a 7-1 mixed martial arts record. He has some unbelievable potential to be something great in a division that doesn't feature a ton of up-and-coming talent right now. It'll be interesting to see how Souza stacks up against the Japanese talent in the Grand Prix. He'll be up against names like Masakatsu Funaki, Yoon Dong Sik, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Minowaman, Denis Kang, Shungo Oyama, Kin Taiei, and Kiyoshi Tamura. We could see him jump into the top 10 if he happens to have a successful run in the Grand Prix.
Lastly, Golden Boy and Affliction have been in the rumor mill recently as potential suitors for the now free-agent Fedor Emelianenko. I'm not completely positive where the news is sourcing from, but I do believe that Golden Boy has a long way to go. Although they have some solid backing, ties to HBO, and the name of Oscar De La Hoya connected to itself, do they really stand a chance? To be perfectly honest, I won't jump on the bandwagon until I see some divisions filled with talent. M-1 Global will likely continue to fall after the Fedor debacle, and Golden Boy could see the same fate. Entering the game as a high profile promotion is tough when one promotion, the UFC, controls most of the best fighters in the world. They could make a decent Heavyweight division, but can that continually sell enough events to make a good profit? I don't think it can.
Check it out...
Check out ShoXC's upcoming events if you can. There is some solid talent in the promotion, and it gives fans of the sport a look at the up-and-coming talent that could someday be a force in the MMA world. EliteXC will also be featured on CBS on May 31 with some big battles set for the event's main card. Smith vs. Lawler will be a dynamite striking battle, and Kimbo Slice and Gina Carano are both rumored to be on the card as well.
April 29, 2008 – DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix will feature some of the best Middleweights in the world. By then, HDNet may actually have television rights to broadcast the event from Japan. If so, it's a MUST-SEE for fans of the sport. You won't be disappointed.
you know I wish the ref's would show some consistency in mma rules. I see guys getting hit in the back of the head all the time. Several warnning's later (if they get any warrnings) they are still fighting. Malepit did hit denny in the back of the head. But so has so has lesner, so has liddel, so has just about any mma fighter out there. They get warned, if they continue to do so they take a point. I hate to question denny's heart but denny laid it on thick after the ref stopped them and after the fight saying "I'm fine look at him, I could go right now!" as the crowd boo's he changes his tune somewhat "I cant turn my head how can I fight" as he turns his head. I dont blame denny if you have a win and bad refing take advantage and get your win but dont play it up like a jerk. And honestly its a crappy way to get a win in the first place. Plus the ref failed to mention to the doctor he had 5 min. to recover. Why is dean still a referee? Any way figured since noone is pointing these things out or even bringing it up here. I figured someone should. If the sport is going forward and the fighters get increasingly talented and knowlegable shouldnt we ask the same thing of the referees and judging. Also I've always hated that rule, no downward elbows, it completly favors wrestlers and takes away most defenses for the shoot unless you sprawl. If you dont shoot right and get hit in the back of the head thats your fault. Period! ofcourse I miss the good ol days when you didnt have rounds and all that. Hicksing frame of mind I agree completly with him. Now its not who is the best fighter always, its who knows the judging and rules and can use them better. But hey even so theres nothing else I'd rather watch. Cant wait till this weekend be safe!
Posted By: J (Guest) on March 24, 2008 at 01:59 PM
