411 MMA Fact or Fiction 06.25.08: Anderson Silva Making a Mistake, Diego Sanchez Back to Form, Jesse Taylor's UFC Future, MORE!!!

Posted by Bren Oliver on 06.25.2008

Did Ultimate Fighter Finale mark Evan Tanner's final appearance in the UFC? Will "Fight Night 14" hurt the PPV numbers for "Affliction: Banned"? Is the UFC Middleweight Champion short-changing himself with an abbreviated camp? Is TUF 7 the weakest cast to date? 411Mania MMA Writers Dustin James and John Curry debate these topics and more in this week's edition of Fact or Fiction!

Welcome to the MMA Zone's midweekly mash-up of opinion - "Fact or Fiction"! Before getting into the column, I want to send my congratulations out to former 411 MMA head-honcho Caleb Newby. "Newbs", who many long-time readers no doubt remember, has recently joined the team over at Sherdog! I predict big things for him over there and I'm not just saying that because he's a jolly giant...

Given the high number of Mixed Martial Arts events this past month, and an equally-packed July ahead of us, the newswire has been working harder than a handyman in the Ultimate Fighter mansion. If one of your favorite hot topics has yet to make the cut, rest assured we'll do our best to get to it at some point in the near future. As the FoF doors are always open to you folks out in cyberspace, you are more than welcome to suggest a topic or two via email for possible use at some point down the road. Speaking of my affection for you bold band of MMA-loving brothers, if the thought of participating in a future "Fact or Fiction" doesn't scare you, let your interest be known by sending an email to "[e-mail]" with your "fact" or "fiction" thoughts on the following topic:


"It was a mistake for EliteXC to pull Nick Diaz from the DREAM 5 card (against "Mach" Sakurai) to instead have him face Thomas Denny at the second "Saturday Night Fights" event on CBS."


Moving forward to this week's platter o' pinion, two of 411Mania's MMA writers have cooked up a delicious sampler featuring their thoughts on the "Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale", the Las Vegas rampage of "Koko the Monkey", and a double-dose of feelings on "Fight Night 14". First up is the pound-for-pound best poster of 411Mania official rankings, Dustin James (no relation to the UFC groupie from "King of Queens"). Dustin was originally scheduled to face 411Mania denmother, Larry Csonka, but unfortunately Csonka ran into a bout of tonsillitis. It's still a mystery as to whether his reasoning was a legit medical condition, an excuse to eat more ice cream, or a way to avoid taking on the D-James powerhouse!!! I'll be expecting my $20 in the mail shortly, Dustin. Stepping into Larry's shoes is a guy you can find interviewing fighters, predicting Amir Sadollah as TUF 7 Champion very early in the season, getting choked out by professional Mixed Martial Artists with a smile on his face, or writing his column - "The Ground and Pound - yes, I'm talking about none other than John Curry. Had enough introduction? I thought so...

Fellow 411Mania columnists...are you ready? Then, America, with an enlarged heart and an empty skull, I say unto you the words of my Uncle...


ALLEZ FACT OR FICTION!!!!!!!


1. The UFC's July 19th "Fight Night" will have a negative impact on the success of Affliction's debut PPV (which is also also on 7/19).


John Curry: FICTION. The reason I say fiction is twofold. First of all, I think a majority of people who will purchase the Affliction pay-per-view have a DVR or some sort of TIVO system and will do the same thing I am doing which is watch the Affliction event and record the UFC's show. Second reason is simple as well. There is no pay-per-view event in recent memory that is as stacked as the Affliction show. The only thing on the UFC's card that interests me is the Silva fight but that is all. I think many of the true MMA fans would rather see Fedor's US debut against Sylvia than Silva vs. Irvin.


Dustin James: FICTION. Look, the bottom line here is this. Hardcore MMA fans with no DVR will tune into Affliction on PPV. Why? Because it's an all-around fantastic show. You have the #1 heavyweight fighter in the world, Fedor Emelianenko FINALLY fighting a fellow top 10 heavyweight fighter who also happens to be a former UFC heavyweight champion. That alone sells me. But then you go ahead and add Andrei Arlovski vs. Ben Rothwell, Josh Barnett vs. Pedro Rizzo, plus Matt FREAKING Lindland...and I'm drooling at the mouth. Sorry, but Hermes Franca vs. Frankie Edgar & Anderson Silva vs. James Irvin doesn't sound as good to me. MMA fans with DVR's are the lucky ones (like myself) because I will just watch the Affliction PPV and top it off with a little UFC to end the night. In the long run this could end up hurting the UFC more than Affliction. In my opinion this is a show that isn't needed and Anderson Silva should be on PPV's because people will pay money to see him.


SCORE: 1 for 1. Can't say I disagree with any of your points. Like Silva and Vera's dip into Light Heavyweight, I get the feeling "Fight Night 14" is also an experiment on the part of the UFC. They're going to be able to gauge how well an event on Spike draws against one of the most-anticipated events of all time, which I feel will be an interesting indicator of how many "hardcore" fans there are in comparison to people who use the term "ultimate fighting" to describe Mixed Martial Arts.


2. It was a mistake for Anderson Silva to take a fight at Light Heavyweight without allowing himself a full training camp.


John Curry: FACT. 100% "fact". First of all, he isn't fighting a tomato can in "The Sandman". While I understand that Silva comes in shape all the time, a move up a weight class is not a walk in the park. While I think he will win the fight easily, there is always the potential for something to happen.


Dustin James: FICTION. He's Anderson Silva! He only needs a week to get himself ready to kick your ass. Right now, he has over a month. I'm sure he has been in the gym training his ass off, and now knowing that he has a fight coming up in a month he can turn it up a bit.


SCORE: 1 for 2. Actually, I believe Silva may have been on vacation when he was first approached with the idea of competing on July 19th. Were the fight against a lesser opponent than Irvin I might feel "The Spider" was doing the right thing by being a company man and fighting at "Fight Night 14", but "The Sandman" packs a lot of power and, while his striking is not as dynamic as Silva's, Irvin has a well-rounded arsenal of kicks, punches, and knees. While I think Anderson Silva should win the bout, and I expect his skill in the clinch to be the difference-maker, I'm not completely comfortable with the idea of him debuting at Light Heavyweight on short notice.


3. After blowing his opportunity to compete in the TUF 7 Finale, Jesse Taylor will never again fight for the UFC.


John Curry: FICTION. While I think he needs some real help before he fights ANYWHERE again, the UFC has left the door open for his return. I can see the UFC doing some kind of road to redemption thing with him but it would definitely be on thin ice if he does return.


Dustin James: FICTION. And I say "fiction" because I just saw a Jesse Taylor interview where he said that Dana White mentioned that he could get another chance in the UFC if he can clean himself up. Taylor mentioned that he has cut alcohol out of his life, so maybe there's a chance he cleans himself up pretty quickly and calls up Dana? There were a lot of disappointed Taylor fans when they saw the footage of his drunken rampage on TUF. Now he needs to stay sober and concentrate on his career. It's pretty clear he's one of those guy's who can't handle his alcohol, or as I like to call them "Bren Olivers"~! (THUMBS UP!)


SCORE: 2 for 3. Look, Dustin, I had a few too many vermouth-on-the-rocks and I could have sworn the palm tree in that hotel lobby was Giselle Bundchen. Must I live the night down forever?


---SWITCH!!!---


4. The Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale will mark Evan Tanner's final appearance inside the Octagon.


Dustin James: FICTION. At least I hope it's fiction. Tanner didn't look horrible in his loss against Kendall Grove at the Ultimate Fighter finale. Perhaps his beard did, but his fighting looked alright. Tanner is a credible name and a UFC veteran who doesn't need to headline cards, but can always help give credibility to any fighter who defeats him. I see no harm in keeping him on the roster, unless Tanner would like to leave that is.


John Curry: FICTION. It will mark the last time we see Tanner and his beard in a UFC Octagon. There just always seems to be something about fighters that show they never know when to stop. Look I picked Tanner to win over Grove. Someone had to give him something but when I saw him come out and look like he didn't want to be there and didn't even know where he was supposed to go in the cage I realized he knew this was his last UFC fight. With that said, the money from another up and coming group is going to be huge, looking at you YAMMA.


SCORE: 3 for 4. Tsk, tsk Mr. Curry. "The Octagon" is trademarked by the UFC. I did not say an Octagon. Even Matthew Riddle's haircut thought your answer was in bad taste. Grove beat Tanner up, which is a bad sign for everyone's favorite transient/fighter, but the fans seemed to be into him and in that regard I see Dana White giving him one more shot in the UFC. I feel fairly confident Tanner could run through 3/4 of the Ultimate Fighter 7 cast, so if a few of them are going to be allowed to hang around, why not a former UFC Middleweight Champion who fans love?


5. Diego Sanchez has shown he is again ready to face upper-echelon talent in the UFC's Welterweight Division.


Dustin James: FACT. Diego looked like his old self in his fight against Luigi at the Ultimate Fighter 7 Finale. I would have personally have liked to have seen Diego finish the fight quicker, but I wasn't at all disappointed with how it turned out in the end. I think Diego is ready to show the world that he is ready to face the best the UFC has to offer, whether it be in the Welterweight or Lightweight division.


John Curry: FICTION. I say "fiction" for one reason only - I don't think he ever stopped being ready for the upper echelon talent in the UFC. Now we will just take him a little more serious when we see him fight again.


SCORE: 3 for 5. Anyone else with me when I say it's time for "Koscheck vs. Sanchez III"? Both fighters need the win, as they're in similar positions in the UFC Welterweight Division, and each holds a victory over the other. If not "Kos", I'd love to see Diego step into the cage against Mike Swick or Marcus Davis. I feel his style would match up well against either when it comes to putting on an entertaining fight and beating Swick or Davis would help further his ascension in the 170-pound group.


6. Featuring a record low number of fighters on the finale and a season champion with no professional experience prior to the show, the Ultimate Fighter Season 7 should be considered the weakest crop of talent in series' history.


Dustin James: FACT. This is a damn good question, and I thought the only way to answer it would be too look at the guys who are considered the top fighters on their seasons. First off, you have season 1 which is EASILY the best with Forrest Griffin, Diego Sanchez, Josh Koscheck, Kenny Florian, Chris Leben, Mike Swick, Stephan Bonnar, and Nate Quarry. Then you have season 2 which had Joe Stevenson, Marcus Davis, Keith Jardine, and Rashad Evans. Not bad, but not anywhere as good as season 1. Then there's season 3, you have Kendall Grove, Michael Bisping, Matt Hamill, and Ed Herman. Easily the weakest of the bunch thus far......BUT we are only halfway done!

Along comes season 4. You have Matt Serra, Travis Lutter, Rich Clementi, Scott Smith, Patrick Cote, and Chris Lytle. Not great, but better then season 3. Then comes season 5. You have Gray Maynard, Joe Lauzon, Nate Diaz, and maybe Cole Miller/Corey Hill/Manvel??? This is easily the weakest crop thus far. BUT, then came season 6. One word, YUCK. Outside of Mac Danzig, you had Tommy Speer, Matt Arroyo, & War Machine? Season 6 walks away with the weakest crop of fighters thus far.... until this season came along. Who are going to be considered the big stars from this go round of the Ultimate Fighter? Amir? CB Dollaway? Jesse Taylor?!?! Can Amir really defeat the UFC's top competition or did he just walk through a bunch of nobodies? As of right now, I'd take Mac Danzig over any of the fighter's who competed on this season of the Ultimate Fighter.


John Curry FICTION 110% "fiction"! What is the purpose of this show? It's to bring up and coming fighters who wouldn't normally be able to make it into the UFC's vision to show that they are deserving of being a UFC fighter. Hell this season had the best story of any, that's right, ANY, of the previous TUF's. More than Matt Serra's win, this showed the purpose of the show. Amir came in with a 0-0 MMA record and walked out TUF 7 champion by FINISHING all of his opponents. This is the point of the show and anyone who thinks that the guys on the show should all have 12-2 records or something do not truly understand the premise of the show.


SCORE: 3 for 6. My feeling is the talent has declined from season to season due to the plethora of options out there for fighters when compared to the barren wasteland predating Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar acting as proverbial "Johnny Appleseeds" where MMA's popularity is concerned. I think Curry hit the nail on the head when it comes to what the show should be about, and the UFC simply can't sign as many guys as they used to, so gone are the days of the promotion signing 5-8 fighters who turn out to be studs in the Octagon.


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Join us next week when two more participants take a look at Lorenzo Fertitta's increased involvement in the UFC, the Strikeforce Lightweight Championship situation, Kim Couture's gutsy professional debut, and other issues lingering out there in the Mixed Martial Arts' world ...