The MMA News Report 03.26.08
Posted by Morgan Marx on 03.26.2008
News on additions to the IFL and Elite XC, subtractions from Strikeforce and potential UFC fights. Plus, a look at key issues for Wednesday’s WEC card in this week’s edition of the MMA News Report!
INTRODUCTION
Back again, with more news and opinion. We've got several big shows in the next week or so (WEC, Strikeforce, and UFC Fight Night) so there's plenty to talk about. Which is nice, what with this being an MMA column devoted to actual shows (as opposed to financial rumors or hot ring girls (I think I'm in the wrong racket)).
MAILBAG/RANT TIME
The Reader's Question: Does Kurt Angle carry any appeal in the MMA world, what with his age and injuries?
NEWS LEG KICKS
IFL Adds UFC Prospect + Vet
Contrary to rumors, Jim Miller will not be making his UFC debut on the undercard of Fight Night 13. Instead, the talented lightweight will step in for Deividas Taurosevicius to take on Bart Palaszewski in the IFL (and yes, my spell check just spit the bit). Miller is notable for a sparkling 10-1 record, with the lone loss coming to Frankie Edgar. Miller would have made a great addition to the talented UFC 155 division, so the IFL really benefits from his addition.
Elsewhere, former UFC competitor Jason Black has also been added to the IFL's April 4 card. Black dropped two tough fights in the UFC, including a submission loss to Thiago Tavares in which Black was thoroughly dominated. Black will face Emyr Bussade in a match that will find Black heavier than the 155 pounds he fought at in the UFC. Hopefully, the change in weight classes and organizations spells success for Black.
The April 4 IFL show emanates from New Jersey and will air on HDNet.
Sources:IFL.com
Shields v. Fickett Canceled
In a blow to this Saturday's Strikeforce card, Jake Shields has been forced to withdraw from his welterweight title fight with UFC veteran Drew Fickett. According to CombatLifestyle.com, Shields cited a back injury suffered in training as the cause for pulling out. No replacement has been named, and with the proximity of the event, one has to assume that Fickett will not be appearing on the card.
Strikeforce's show airs this Saturday night on Showtime. Frank Shamrock will face Cung Le in the main event. Shields' fight with Fickett was intriguing for hardcore fans and anyone questioning how Shields would fare in the stacked UFC welterweight division. Had Shields blown through Fickett, a solid fighter, his reputation would only have grown as a top 5 welterweight worldwide.
Sam Caplan of ProElite.com has confirmed that Phil Baroni will take on Murilo "Ninja" Rua at Elite XC's first CBS show. Elite XC is scheduled to debut on the network May 31.
It's safe to say, as his record creeps to the .500 mark, that Baroni will never be an elite fighter. Despite his bluster and showmanship, Baroni has never capitalized on opportunities to advance up the middleweight rankings. Recently, Baroni dropped a tough fight against nemesis Frank Shamrock, tested positive for a banned substance, served a six month suspension, and then lost to Kala Hose in ICON via 5th round TKO.
However, Baroni remains an entertaining fighter, and so long as CBS manages to muffle any F-bombs that might be unleashed, a fight with Rua definitely makes Elite XC's show more enticing. Rua hasn't quite lived up to expectations either, dropping the Elite XC 185 title to Robbie Lawler in just his first defense. Hopefully, one of the two will emerge as a legitimate contender to face Lawler (or Scott Smith) somewhere down the road.
TheFightNetwork is reporting that Patrick Cote and Ricardo Almeida will square off in a fight to determine potential challengers for Anderson Silva's middleweight crown. Cote, the heavy-handed striker, has announced that he will be competing at UFC 86. Almeida, fresh off an impressive re-debut in the UFC, has emerged as a likely opponent. The fight is an interesting clash of styles, with Cote's superior stand-up matching Almeida's outstanding jiu jitsu. Cote dropped the TUF 4 title to Travis Lutter by submission, and unless Cote has vastly improved his ground game, he may face the same fate against Almeida.
Elsewhere, MMAJunkie is reporting that Dustin Hazelett and Josh Burkman may clash in a battle of welterweights at TUF 7 finale. If confirmed, that fight would join the likely main event welterweight battle of Diego Sanchez v. Luigi Fioravanti. Both fights are somewhat intriguing, if not spectacular. Some have criticized the Sanchez v. Fioravanti pairing, but I think it's a good test for Sanchez. Fioravanti is well rounded and performed well against possible welterweight title contender Jon Fitch before losing via submission. At top form, Sanchez will be expected to tear through Fioravanti.
Hazelett opened eyes against Josh Koscheck in a recent entertaining battle. Burkman has not advanced into the welterweight top 10, dropping fights to the likes of Parisyan, Fitch, and Swick. Hazelett might be favored, but Burkman's power will give him a definite chance.
1) Will the WEC draw without its headliners? When Paulo Filho withdrew (then redrew…then withdrew again) from the main event for tonight's show, the WEC was left with its weakest card in quite awhile. Filho provides a draw for hardcore fans, one the WEC augments with more homegrown stars like Urijah Faber, Carlos Condit, and Rob McCullough. Now, Light Heavyweight Champion Doug Marshall is left to main event the card. Marshall clearly falls below the aforementioned fighters in terms of Q rating. In fact, challenger Brian Stann is not only favored to win their title fight, but carries a much bigger profile in media circles thanks to his back story.
To separate itself from both the UFC's shadow and from the various second tier MMA organizations, the WEC must prove that it can generate interest even with a less than stellar card. Looking at the card, there are still reasons to be excited for the event. The main event should be a stand-up battle between two big hitters, one that shouldn't go the distance. Several fighters will be trying to make a positive impression in their first televised appearance, hopefully meaning fast-paced, thrilling fights. While Filho would definitely add to the star power of the event, his absence shouldn't excuse the WEC for a plodding show. Instead, the WEC needs to make good on this opportunity to showcase what the organization is about.
2) The spotlight is on larger weight classes Building on the previous point, the WEC is showcasing middleweights and above much more heavily on this card. Most of the above mentioned stars belong to the 170 pound weight class and lower. The WEC has set itself apart from the UFC by highlighting the lightweights, featherweights, and even bantamweights. Can someone in the 185 – 205 range emerge as a true star?
The obvious candidate is the winner of the title fight. Fans haven't quite embraced Doug Marshall as readily as Carlos Condit. He's still an unproven fighter with some dubious losses. Stann, on the other hand, is still green. While he's got the look and the style to become a true star, he has to prove that he can handle a step up in competition.
It's obvious that there are more talented fighters at the lighter weights, making it easier for the WEC to develop a deep roster at 155 and lower. They only have one highly regarded fighter over 170 pounds (Filho) and they desperately need someone else to step up. Whether it's Marshall, Stann, or someone like Bryan Baker (see below), they just need someone to galvanize the upper weight divisions.
3) Will Bryan Baker emerge as a credible middleweight? It's generally assumed that a fighter stepping in on short notice is at a disadvantage when it comes to their opponent. However, we've seen fighters like Tim Boetsch and Anthony Johnson spring surprising upsets in their UFC debuts on short notice. Can Baker pull off something similar against Chael Sonnen?
In retrospect, Sonnen's dominant 9 minutes 55 seconds against Filho isn't quite as impressive. Mix issues with cutting weight to the personal problems Filho is experiencing, and now we know why the Brazilian hasn't looked like the top 3 middleweight he supposedly is. Sonnen, meanwhile, is the same talented-but-not-amazing fighter he was before the Filho fight. If Baker is a legitimate prospect, there's no reason he can't handle Sonnen.
Sonnen has spent many months preparing for Filho for successive fights. Baker is much taller and brings a much different skill set into this fight than Filho. Most of Sonnen's losses have come to superior submission fighters, something Baker is not. However, he's well rounded, powerful, and may have the wrestling/judo background to hang with Sonnen. If Sonnen isn't 100% motivated for the fight, "The Beast" could capture the win.
4) Is Ed Ratcliff a contender at 155? He's got the nickname (9MM), he's got the buzz (spinning back hook kicks will do that), and now he has a chance to really make a name for himself. Ed Ratcliff might pick up where Rob McCullough left off as a devastating lightweight striker. Add in good takedowns and great ground and pound, and Ratcliff might be one of the next challengers for Jamie Varner's 155 title.
However, he has to get by Marcus Hicks first, and that isn't a foregone conclusion. Hicks is a solid, well-rounded fighter on equal standing with Ratcliff when it comes to experience. While Ratcliff is definitely the bigger name (and the younger fighter), neither man is a prohibitive favorite.
Both Ratcliff and Hicks have dispatched consecutive WEC opponents in their favored fashion (Ratcliff via TKO, Hicks submission). Whichever fighter wins will set himself apart from the pack and potentially make a run at title contention.
Picks
Marshall over Stann, TKO
Baker over Sonnen, Decision
Ratcliff over Hicks, TKO
McKenzie over Cantwell, TKO
Avena over Miura, Decision
Larson over Alessio, Submission
CONCLUSION
Thanks for reading, enjoy the WEC show. Next week it's news and a look at the stacked UFC Fight Night card.
