Intelligently Defending 12.18.08: An Intelligently Defending Christmas List

Posted by Ken Kobel on 12.18.2008

After a year away, Intelligently Defending is back on 411mania. So what is on the Christmas List this year?

It's been awhile since an Intelligently Defending column was on 411mania – but, after a years hiatus I'm ready to rock.

For my first column back, I thought I would share a letter I sent to the North Pole a few weeks ago.

Dear Santa,

I sent you one of these last year to mixed results. In some cases you came through, but other times you left me hanging. Well, I was extra good this year – so you need to hook a brother up. OK?

For Christmas I want:

1) St. Pierre vs. Penn at UFC 94 to live up to the hype

Are you as pumped for this one as I am, big guy?

The UFC labeled Couture vs. Lesnar ‘the biggest fight in UFC history,' but make no mistake about it: GSP vs. Penn is bigger. It may not do the same PPV numbers, but there is much more on the line.

We have two of the world's best, and most popular, fighters in their primes looking to cement their legacies. The first fight had a controversial finish and the score will finally be settled.

The hype is going to be through the roof. The UFC already had a media tour and now a series of primetime specials are on the way. With all this buzz, it would be great for the sport if these two men delivered a classic.

So in other words, let B.J. last a few rounds before GSP delivers the inevitable beat down…

2) Jake Shields in the UFC

There weren't a ton of them, but when EliteXC went out of business some solid free agents became available. None would be a better signing for the UFC than Jake Shields.

Have you ever heard of this guy, Santa?

He has been flying under the radar, but for years now he has been considered one of the best welterweights in the world. His grappling is top-notch and he hasn't lost since 2004, rolling off 11 straight wins. Its time he tested himself against the UFC welterweight division. I can see the match-ups now: Shields vs. Fitch, Shields vs. Karo, Shields vs. Hazelett. I like the sounds of those.

It needs to happen.

3) Yushin Okami vs. Dean Lister to get televised at UFC 92

Just a few months ago, Yushin Okami was scheduled to fight Anderson Silva for the Middleweight Title at UFC 90 when an injury forced him to withdraw and sent him to the sideline. So does he get a well-publicized fight for his return? Nah, he gets stuck on a prelim fight against the dangerous, BJJ ace Dean Lister at UFC 92.

Between these two guys, their UFC record is 10-2 and how their fight gets prelim status while C.B. Dollaway and Cheick Kongo get the main card is beyond me. Talk about getting no respect, huh?

It seems like Okami has never really gotten the credit he deserves in the UFC. Even with a win over Lister, he still may not get his title shot thanks to an influx of middleweight contenders like Demian Maia and Michael Bisping.

In any event, Okami/Lister is a good one – so if you could somehow get some quick finishes on the main card, it would be appreciated.

4) Rich Franklin to re-invent his career at light-heavyweight

Remember when Rich was a poster boy for the UFC? He was destroying everyone put in front of him and it looked like he would hold onto the middleweight title for a long time. And just like that, Anderson Silva came along and rearranged his face… twice.

Now Rich has gone back to the light-heavyweight division and I'm asking you to get him to stay there and find success.

Rich is a great guy for the sport – he's well-spoken, humble and, as he puts it, will throw hands with anyone. Forgotten in his defeats to Silva was how good and exciting a fighter Franklin is: he is 24-3 and has only been to two decisions.

Who knows if he would ever become champion at 205lbs, but he would no doubt be another huge name in the most stacked division on the planet. Who wouldn't get excited for fights like Franklin vs. Evans or Franklin vs. Wanderlei? Hell, Rich is already giving fans a dream fight in the division when he takes on Dan Henderson at UFC 93.

5) A quick recovery for Corey Hill

I know things are busy in your neck of the woods these days, but did you manage to catch Fight For The Troops?

Corey Hill snapped his leg like a twig when he threw a kick. It was bad, real bad – the type of thing that you show your friends on YouTube just to freak them out.

In fact, there are a lot of people who need to recover after that brutal night. Brandon Wolff got about 50 straight knees to the head, Nate Loughran injured his ribs, Razak Al-Hassan had his elbow pop, Jonathan Goulet was knocked silly and Yoshiyuki Yoshida went stiff as a board when he got dropped.

Don't get me wrong, it was an entertaining night of fights – but, it reminded us all how dangerous this sport can be. So some help keeping everyone safe in 2009 would be great…

I know you're a big fan of MMA – so here's hoping you come through this year.

Best,
Ken

So what is at the top of everyone else's MMA Christmas List?

- Its great to be back and be sure to check out the Intelligently Defending blog at www.IntelligentlyDefending.com . It's armchair fighting at its finest.