Matchmakers have a notoriously difficult job. Much like referees, they go largely unnoticed if they do their role properly, but it is extremely obvious when they get it wrong. However, there are those infrequent moments when they get it perfectly right, handing fight fans up and down the world with those perfect contests that last long in the memory.
2016 was a good year for fights across a number of promotions and divisions. Minus perhaps the heavyweights, the argument can certainly be made that in 2017, we now have the deepest array of fighters across all weight classes in the sport's history.
As a result, some of the match-ups seen last year have been truly spectacular, and the winner of the 'Fight of the Year' will have truly earned it.
Often, the best events come from the card with the least hype. Following the juggernaut that was UFC 205, with its stacked card and three title fights, UFC 206 looked very much like the red-headed step child of the family, especially when the initial headliner, Daniel Cormier vs Anthony Johnson, was cancelled due to injury, leaving an awkwardly-shoehorned interim featherweight title bout as the main event.
Step forward the co-main event and third fight of the card. These were two absolute barnburners, with Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone's picture perfect headkick KO of Matt Brown surprisingly playing second fiddle to the quite ridiculous battle between Cub Swanson and Doo Ho Choi. Though it was touted as a 'fun fight' in the lead-up, few would have expected the 15 minute war that ensued.
Originating from what was considered an ambitious call-out by the Korean Superboy, the fight had been in the works for a while, and was seen as the first real test of Choi's UFC credentials. In the lead-up, most commentators felt that Cub would be one step too far for the youngster, and would ultimately outclass him.
As with most things in the highly unpredictable sport of MMA, they couldn't have been more wrong. While Choi admittedly took a while to warm up, the fight proved to be the very definition of back and forth. Quite honestly, how either of them made it to the final bell with their heads still attached is amazing, such was the power and ferocity of some of the punches thrown. In particular, the Korean Superboy may have one of the best chins in the sport at present, taking an incredible amount of punishment and continuing to survive and throw strikes. I seem to recall one of his countrymen being famous for something similar - Korean Zombie 2.0 anyone?
Perhaps the best thing about the contest, however, is that it demonstrated the best of each of the three main disciplines in MMA, namely kickboxing, wrestling and jiu-jitsu. The feeling throughout was that the fight could be stopped at any moment, with both fighters going through moments of jelly-legged trouble, in addition to submission attempts and battles for positional control. Unsurprisingly, once the crowd caught its breath, it showed its appreciation with a huge standing ovation at the end of the second round.
The real reason that this fight stands out from its competition for this award is that it's the only non-main event contest. Take a look at the list. From Bisping/Silva to Henderson/Chandler, every one of the other fights has benefitted from an enormous amount of promotion as part of the UFC or Bellator's PR machine, meaning that many will have bought their tickets with the express intention of watching the main event. I've seen it first hand at UFC 204 - while Bisping vs Henderson was not by any means an exceptional fight, the atmosphere generated by its significance made it feel all the more entertaining and impressive.
While the Cub/Choi fight received a bit of attention as a main card bout, it was by no means hyped by the UFC, and the fact that it stands out as one of the best fights of the year underlines the quality of the contest itself, rather than benefitting from a more electric atmosphere. There's no doubt that after this fight, both will be in main events in the near future, with Swanson already set to headline against Artem Lobov later this year.
Do you agree with this choice? Let me know your thoughts either in the comments section or on Twitter @TheWeighInMMAChandkler
Showing posts with label 2017. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2017. Show all posts
Saturday, 25 February 2017
Sunday, 5 February 2017
MMA Awards 2017: The Case For... Gegard Mousasi
The rise of MMA outside of the US has led to a cultural explosion of the sport. From Brazilian jiu-jitzu to Japanese karate, there are now a wide range of different but equally valid fighting styles, created from many different jurisdictions.
With the rise of international fighting styles comes the strength in depth of fighting talent outside the US. In a previous post, I already covered one contender for the 'International Fighter of the Year' award at length, putting my case forward for Michael Bisping in the headline category. As such, it's only fair that this post covers someone else, as there have been many accomplishments across the European MMA scene this year.
Fitting firmly into this category is Dutch kick boxer Gegard Mousasi. Arguably one of the most under-rated fighters currently plying his trade in the UFC, Mousasi is also one of the most experienced and active. To put it into perspective, his upcoming fight with Chris Weidman, slated for UFC 210, will be the Dutchman's 50th professional bout, adding to a further 21 fights in kickboxing and boxing. Having been fighting since 2003, that is an average of nearly four fights every year, with an almost unheard of seven fights in 2005 alone.
While it is true that the majority of his fights have come outside of MMA's leading promotion, it remains that Mousasi has rarely been considered as a true title contender, a fact that is baffling when you look at his record. With 41 wins, six losses and two draws, the Dutchman has been on some incredible runs during his career and fought some of the biggest names. Indeed, between November 2006 and December 2009, Mousasi went on a 15-fight win streak, including victories over the likes of Hector Lombard, Evangelista Santos, Melvin Manhoef, Jacare Souza and even heavyweight Mark Hunt. He was also only the second man in history to stop Dan Henderson by strikes, and while three of his six defeats have come during his time in the UFC, there have been many more undeserving recipients of title shots in that time.
2016 was no different in terms of the work rate of Mousasi, recording an unbeaten 4-0 record over the 12 month period. In particular, the Dutchman enjoyed back to back TKO victories over top 10 opponents in the space of six weeks at the back end of the year, first despatching MMA legend Vitor Belfort at UFC 204 in Manchester, before running through Uriah Hall in Belfast to avenge his previous defeat.
When compared to the other fighters on the list, his is comfortably the most impressive record. Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Khabib Nurmagomedov both enjoyed 2-0 records, while Michael Bisping won a title and beat two MMA legends on his way to a 3-0 year. Finally, while Conor McGregor made history with his second round KO of lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez to become the UFC's first double-weight world champion, the fact remains that he was defeated by Nate Diaz at UFC 196, casting a small cloud over the rest of his accomplishments last year.
One criticism that could perhaps be levelled against Mousasi in the past is that his successes in the UFC have been punctuated by defeats, and that he excelled in the 'minor leagues' of Strikeforce and Dream, but has yet to establish himself at the elite level. This year comprehensively rebuffs that statement. While you can't even say it has been Mousasi's most successful year, it is certainly the one where he broke into the upper echelons of the UFC, and the Weidman fight could well be a potential title eliminator.
Mousasi's main problem is that he has been unfortunate enough to find himself in arguably the most stacked division in MMA right now, with any one of the top 10 fighters capable of beating any other. As a result, his quality has yet to fully shine through, and while his under-the-radar demeanour does not garner him the headlines of the likes of McGregor, it seems to be working in the Octagon. 2017 could be the year where he adds the UFC belt to his already bursting cabinet of trophies, and he will be watching the result of the Michael Bisping/Yoel Romero bout with interest.
With the rise of international fighting styles comes the strength in depth of fighting talent outside the US. In a previous post, I already covered one contender for the 'International Fighter of the Year' award at length, putting my case forward for Michael Bisping in the headline category. As such, it's only fair that this post covers someone else, as there have been many accomplishments across the European MMA scene this year.
Fitting firmly into this category is Dutch kick boxer Gegard Mousasi. Arguably one of the most under-rated fighters currently plying his trade in the UFC, Mousasi is also one of the most experienced and active. To put it into perspective, his upcoming fight with Chris Weidman, slated for UFC 210, will be the Dutchman's 50th professional bout, adding to a further 21 fights in kickboxing and boxing. Having been fighting since 2003, that is an average of nearly four fights every year, with an almost unheard of seven fights in 2005 alone.
While it is true that the majority of his fights have come outside of MMA's leading promotion, it remains that Mousasi has rarely been considered as a true title contender, a fact that is baffling when you look at his record. With 41 wins, six losses and two draws, the Dutchman has been on some incredible runs during his career and fought some of the biggest names. Indeed, between November 2006 and December 2009, Mousasi went on a 15-fight win streak, including victories over the likes of Hector Lombard, Evangelista Santos, Melvin Manhoef, Jacare Souza and even heavyweight Mark Hunt. He was also only the second man in history to stop Dan Henderson by strikes, and while three of his six defeats have come during his time in the UFC, there have been many more undeserving recipients of title shots in that time.
2016 was no different in terms of the work rate of Mousasi, recording an unbeaten 4-0 record over the 12 month period. In particular, the Dutchman enjoyed back to back TKO victories over top 10 opponents in the space of six weeks at the back end of the year, first despatching MMA legend Vitor Belfort at UFC 204 in Manchester, before running through Uriah Hall in Belfast to avenge his previous defeat.
When compared to the other fighters on the list, his is comfortably the most impressive record. Joanna Jedrzejczyk and Khabib Nurmagomedov both enjoyed 2-0 records, while Michael Bisping won a title and beat two MMA legends on his way to a 3-0 year. Finally, while Conor McGregor made history with his second round KO of lightweight champion Eddie Alvarez to become the UFC's first double-weight world champion, the fact remains that he was defeated by Nate Diaz at UFC 196, casting a small cloud over the rest of his accomplishments last year.
One criticism that could perhaps be levelled against Mousasi in the past is that his successes in the UFC have been punctuated by defeats, and that he excelled in the 'minor leagues' of Strikeforce and Dream, but has yet to establish himself at the elite level. This year comprehensively rebuffs that statement. While you can't even say it has been Mousasi's most successful year, it is certainly the one where he broke into the upper echelons of the UFC, and the Weidman fight could well be a potential title eliminator.
Mousasi's main problem is that he has been unfortunate enough to find himself in arguably the most stacked division in MMA right now, with any one of the top 10 fighters capable of beating any other. As a result, his quality has yet to fully shine through, and while his under-the-radar demeanour does not garner him the headlines of the likes of McGregor, it seems to be working in the Octagon. 2017 could be the year where he adds the UFC belt to his already bursting cabinet of trophies, and he will be watching the result of the Michael Bisping/Yoel Romero bout with interest.
Sunday, 29 January 2017
An Experience With Conor McGregor - EventCity, Manchester
In just four short years, Conor McGregor has gone from nothing to something to everything. This was the mantra played out loud and clear on the intro package played before the Irishman's typically dramatic and celtic entrance into Manchester's EventCity arena, where he would find himself faced with esteemed MMA journalist Ariel Helwani.
As is to be expected in an event involving the notorious one, the reaction from the crowd was huge. This was my first time seeing him live, and while I have seen a number of pre and post-fight interviews in US have been almost hijacked by Irish fans, there can be no doubt that the reception is similarly euphoric here. His is a personality that seems to transcend sport, with stars in other industries, including Justin Bieber and Paul Pogba, copying that now patented strut on social media.
In an hour-long event that covered both his personal and professional lives, we got to see a lot of the brash McGregor we know and love, but also a more heartfelt and emotional side. Brought out in part by the lines of questioning taken by MMA Fighting's Helwani, this was an interview where it was very apparent we were witnessing the real Conor McGregor, from his relationships with the UFC brass to his passions, life lessons and targets outside of the fight game.
The personal side was very apparent right from the get-go, with the notorious one seemingly blown away by the level of support he received from the Manchester crowd as he entered. As he said, he was 'almost humbled' - almost being the operative word! Nevertheless, as we ventured further into the interview, McGregor did not shy away from answering the personal questions, culminating with the breaking news that he will be having a boy in April, a revelation he said that his girlfriend would kill him for.
Similarly, the Dublin-born fighter was not afraid to share some of his life lessons with the crowd, with a particularly poignant message coming from a fan question about his dream dinner party guests. Prior to his breakthrough into the UFC, it's well known that McGregor 'didn't have a pot to piss in', claiming benefits and living day to day. So now he finds himself at the top of the game, with all the wealth in the world, it was refreshing to hear his answer of 'I don't eat with people I wouldn't starve with', recognising the struggles he has been through to get this place.
Similarly, the Dublin-born fighter was not afraid to share some of his life lessons with the crowd, with a particularly poignant message coming from a fan question about his dream dinner party guests. Prior to his breakthrough into the UFC, it's well known that McGregor 'didn't have a pot to piss in', claiming benefits and living day to day. So now he finds himself at the top of the game, with all the wealth in the world, it was refreshing to hear his answer of 'I don't eat with people I wouldn't starve with', recognising the struggles he has been through to get this place.
Likewise, his passion for the sport of MMA has not changed over the years, but his options certainly have. Last year, he launched McGregor Promotions, and confirmed that he expects 2017 to be the year that sees its first fight card, with the O2 Arena in London already touted as a potential venue. However, he shares an interesting relationship with the promotion with which he became a star. As much as they seem willing to push him to the moon, McGregor also revealed his feelings that a number of barriers have been placed in his way, designed to create a glass ceiling and prevent his popularity usurping that of the company. In particular, the Irishman raised questions around the arbitrary stripping of his featherweight belt, a belt that he says he was never asked to defend, as well as the recent news that the promotion will be creating an interim lightweight title at UFC 209, an announcement that came just two months after McGregor claimed the belt at Madison Square Garden.
The 5,000 fans in Manchester highlight this popularity, and as McGregor perhaps playfully made reference to, he expected there to be more people turning out to watch him speak than there are in Denver watching the UFC's latest Fight Night!
There was nothing playful about his message to the remainder of the UFC roster. After his now iconic apology at UFC 205, it's quite clear the disdain that McGregor has, and he remains insistent that none of the fighters in the featherweight, lightweight or even welterweight divisions could stand with him. Indeed, he regularly referred to the likes of Tony Ferguson, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Jose Aldo and Max Holloway as 'bums', as well as claiming he would slap welterweight champ Tyron Woodley around the Octagon.
As has been reported, McGregor's sights are set a little higher, with a boxing super fight with Floyd Mayweather seemingly inevitable. The Irishman expects the deal to be done before the end of the year, saying he's 'hunting' the top pound for pound boxer. Following a serious offer from Dana White, McGregor says that the fight is heading in the right direction, but there is still some way to go before any decision is made. With the notorious one having the reach and youth advantage, he also has no doubt about the result when it gets there, and also stoked a bit of bad blood between the two, calling Mayweather a 'Malteser with eyeballs', and suggesting that 'Money' remains scared of him.
As for the future, McGregor confessed that he is just chilling, awaiting his next challenge. Certainly the incoming child represents a challenge, and fatherhood is still a strange concept to the 28-year old. However, he already has put in place a long-term goal, and remains convinced that the only person who will be able to break his UFC and MMA records will be his own spawn! As for the sport where he made his name, McGregor insists that 2017 will be a year to remember, both for his new promotions company, and the potential for shares in the UFC. His is a name that will not fade away by a small absence, whether that is to compete in boxing, appear at Wrestlemania, or even take the leading role in a film!
Quite simply, McGregor is, in his own words, the face of the UFC, WWE, boxing, and last night, he was the face of Manchester.
Friday, 27 January 2017
MMA Awards 2017: The Case For... Cody Garbrandt
As breakouts go, coming from unranked to champion of the world in the space of 12 months is about as fairytale as it gets. As we entered 2016, Cody 'No Love' Garbrandt was just another promising UFC bantamweight fighter, travelling largely under the radar behind other young prospects like Thomas Almeida and Aljamain Sterling. Interestingly, at a UFC 199 press conference, then champ Dominick Cruz insisted he knew nothing of the 24-year-old, stating that to him, Garbrandt was just another of the 'young kids on the block'.
Whether that statement was true or not, just six months later at UFC 207, Cruz was being comprehensively out-manoevered by the Alpha Male fighter on the way to a convincing unanimous decision defeat.
This was the end to another picture perfect year for No Love, racking up a 4-0 record during 2016. When compared to the other nominees, only Derrick Lewis can match his record, with Michael 'Venom' Page (3-0), Yair Rodriguez (2-0) both remaining unbeaten during the year. Meanwhile Doo Ho Choi, despite posting a contender for Fight of the Year, could only manage a 1-1 record during 2016, ultimately keeping him out of the running for this award.
So other than his record during the year, why does Garbrandt's rise stand out from his peers? Over the last 12 months, he has announced himself on the world stage on two separate occasions, starching the aforementioned Almeida in his first bout as headliner, before shocking the MMA universe to claim the belt from Cruz on December 30th. In comparison, both Bellator's Page and Rodriguez could only manage a once, with MVP hitting the headlines with his brutal flying knee knockout of Evangelista 'Cyborg' Santos, while Rodriguez also executed a perfect flying technique of his own against Andre Fili at UFC 197.
Doo Ho Choi, the Korean Superboy, stood out for his fight against Cub Swanson, but with it ultimately ending in defeat, perhaps 2017 should be targeted as his breakthrough year. Similarly, Derrick Lewis remains in the mid-card of a rather weak UFC heavyweight division, with his only headline performance an underwhelming 4th round TKO victory against Shamil Abdurakhimov. With Travis Browne slated to be next for 'The Black Beast', next year could prove to be the one that makes his name.
When it comes to Garbrandt's key moments, while the power he displayed to knock out Almeida was impressive, it was the manner of his victory at UFC 207 that solidified him as not just a future star, but one for the present. Anyone who has watched a Dominick Cruz fight knows how elusive he is, and how unpredictable his movement has been in recent bouts, out-thinking both TJ Dillashaw and Urijah Faber to claim and retain the title.
However, when it came to the new Alpha Male prospect, Cruz found himself in an uncomfortable position from the word go. With Garbrandt seemingly unfazed by the high pressure environment, as well as the acrimonious build-up, which many believed would leave him emotional inside the cage, he demonstrated remarkable composure to not just live with the champion, but bamboozle him. His footwork and head movement were second to none, so much so that he was able to drop his hands and spawn a number of GIFs and Anderson Silva comparisons. Such was Garbrandt's success, he was able to dance, complete press-ups and taunt Cruz following a knock-down!
There is no doubt about his fighting technique, but if Garbrandt is lacking in any area, it's charisma on the microphone. Cruz made it perfectly clear in the build-up to UFC 207 that he didn't rate No Love's intelligence, and it's certainly true that in the current trend of sport and entertainment, Garbrandt offers far more inside the Octagon than outside.
But perhaps that isn't a bad thing. While he certainly generates conversations, both in real life and on social media, MVP's brash and cocky attitude also rubs many people up the wrong way. His disdain for opponents even after the event, particularly in the case of Cyborg Santos, whose skull he caved in with his knee, is seen as disrespectful. Likewise, the release of a dance video mocking Ronda Rousey's defeat to Amanda Nunes highlights the distasteful nature of his mental game. Ultimately, it sells fights, but Garbrandt has so far let his talking happen in the cage, and he seems to have done just fine!
Nevertheless, No Love has become one of the most exciting bantamweight fighters of all time, and it will be intriguing to see whether he excels in the role of champion as he did as the underdog. TJ Dillashaw, if that is to be his first defence, will certainly ask questions, but if he stays behind his hammer of a right hand, he will rapidly move from the 'Breakthrough' category to the headline one in no time at all.
Whether that statement was true or not, just six months later at UFC 207, Cruz was being comprehensively out-manoevered by the Alpha Male fighter on the way to a convincing unanimous decision defeat.
This was the end to another picture perfect year for No Love, racking up a 4-0 record during 2016. When compared to the other nominees, only Derrick Lewis can match his record, with Michael 'Venom' Page (3-0), Yair Rodriguez (2-0) both remaining unbeaten during the year. Meanwhile Doo Ho Choi, despite posting a contender for Fight of the Year, could only manage a 1-1 record during 2016, ultimately keeping him out of the running for this award.
So other than his record during the year, why does Garbrandt's rise stand out from his peers? Over the last 12 months, he has announced himself on the world stage on two separate occasions, starching the aforementioned Almeida in his first bout as headliner, before shocking the MMA universe to claim the belt from Cruz on December 30th. In comparison, both Bellator's Page and Rodriguez could only manage a once, with MVP hitting the headlines with his brutal flying knee knockout of Evangelista 'Cyborg' Santos, while Rodriguez also executed a perfect flying technique of his own against Andre Fili at UFC 197.
Doo Ho Choi, the Korean Superboy, stood out for his fight against Cub Swanson, but with it ultimately ending in defeat, perhaps 2017 should be targeted as his breakthrough year. Similarly, Derrick Lewis remains in the mid-card of a rather weak UFC heavyweight division, with his only headline performance an underwhelming 4th round TKO victory against Shamil Abdurakhimov. With Travis Browne slated to be next for 'The Black Beast', next year could prove to be the one that makes his name.
When it comes to Garbrandt's key moments, while the power he displayed to knock out Almeida was impressive, it was the manner of his victory at UFC 207 that solidified him as not just a future star, but one for the present. Anyone who has watched a Dominick Cruz fight knows how elusive he is, and how unpredictable his movement has been in recent bouts, out-thinking both TJ Dillashaw and Urijah Faber to claim and retain the title.
However, when it came to the new Alpha Male prospect, Cruz found himself in an uncomfortable position from the word go. With Garbrandt seemingly unfazed by the high pressure environment, as well as the acrimonious build-up, which many believed would leave him emotional inside the cage, he demonstrated remarkable composure to not just live with the champion, but bamboozle him. His footwork and head movement were second to none, so much so that he was able to drop his hands and spawn a number of GIFs and Anderson Silva comparisons. Such was Garbrandt's success, he was able to dance, complete press-ups and taunt Cruz following a knock-down!
There is no doubt about his fighting technique, but if Garbrandt is lacking in any area, it's charisma on the microphone. Cruz made it perfectly clear in the build-up to UFC 207 that he didn't rate No Love's intelligence, and it's certainly true that in the current trend of sport and entertainment, Garbrandt offers far more inside the Octagon than outside.
But perhaps that isn't a bad thing. While he certainly generates conversations, both in real life and on social media, MVP's brash and cocky attitude also rubs many people up the wrong way. His disdain for opponents even after the event, particularly in the case of Cyborg Santos, whose skull he caved in with his knee, is seen as disrespectful. Likewise, the release of a dance video mocking Ronda Rousey's defeat to Amanda Nunes highlights the distasteful nature of his mental game. Ultimately, it sells fights, but Garbrandt has so far let his talking happen in the cage, and he seems to have done just fine!
Nevertheless, No Love has become one of the most exciting bantamweight fighters of all time, and it will be intriguing to see whether he excels in the role of champion as he did as the underdog. TJ Dillashaw, if that is to be his first defence, will certainly ask questions, but if he stays behind his hammer of a right hand, he will rapidly move from the 'Breakthrough' category to the headline one in no time at all.
Friday, 20 January 2017
MMA Awards 2017: The Case For... Amanda Nunes
The women's bantamweight title has been somewhat of a hot potato during 2016, with the belt changing hands no fewer than three times over the year. However, if you had asked MMA fans to predict who would have been champion as we moved into 2017, Amanda Nunes would not have been at the top of many lists.
However, when it comes to her being named the Female Fighter of the Year, the case for Amanda Nunes is more than strong enough if you only consider the 48 seconds at UFC 207, when she demolished the woman widely considered the greatest female fighter of all time. As Ronda Rousey staggered around the Octagon in the moments proceeding the fight, the illusion was well and truly shattered, and Amanda Nunes' star was solidified. Throw in the fact that she enjoyed a 3-0 record in 2016, claiming the sport's highest prize by beating another MMA legend in Miesha Tate, it's almost embarrassing to consider anyone else.
Nevertheless, we must. In fact, Angela Hill can actually better Nunes' record in 2016, going 4-0 in her run to the top of Invicta's strawweight division. However, when you consider both the calibre of fighters that she has come across this year, as well as the fact that she ended 2015 with back to back losses against top 10 UFC fighters in Rose Namajunas and Tecia Torres, the gloss of that accomplishment slightly wears off. Similarly, the achievements of Angela Lee, the ONE FC's inaugural women's atomweight champion, are not in the same league as those of Nunes, winning just two fights in 2016, albeit in a rapidly rising organisation.
If 2013 was the introduction to women in the UFC, and 2015 was the year of its biggest shock, then 2016 was when the divisions demonstrated their strength in depth. Joanna Jedrzejczyk, peerless in her 2015 run to and then defence of the strawweight title, has certainly noticed that this year. Though she comfortably outpointed Claudia Gadelha in a fight with more than a little bad blood, she found herself more than challenged by fellow Pole Karolina Kowalkiewicz, getting dropped in the fourth round before reclaiming her composure. She maintains the UFC crown, but it is beginning to look a little more uncertain than it did a year ago.
Finally, the introduction of Cris 'Cyborg' Justino to the UFC was a moment many thought would never come. Having cleared out the Invicta Featherweight division, Dana White was at a loss to find her an opponent at 145 lbs, forcing two catchweight bouts against mid-level bantamweight fighters. The inevitable batterings ensued, with the weight cut nearly killing Cyborg in the process. While the announcement of a new featherweight division could lead to a greater challenge for Justino in 2017, her health problems, and a certain case currently with USADA, means that 2016 represents just a step forward in her career, rather than a seminal moment.
Nevertheless, we must. In fact, Angela Hill can actually better Nunes' record in 2016, going 4-0 in her run to the top of Invicta's strawweight division. However, when you consider both the calibre of fighters that she has come across this year, as well as the fact that she ended 2015 with back to back losses against top 10 UFC fighters in Rose Namajunas and Tecia Torres, the gloss of that accomplishment slightly wears off. Similarly, the achievements of Angela Lee, the ONE FC's inaugural women's atomweight champion, are not in the same league as those of Nunes, winning just two fights in 2016, albeit in a rapidly rising organisation.
If 2013 was the introduction to women in the UFC, and 2015 was the year of its biggest shock, then 2016 was when the divisions demonstrated their strength in depth. Joanna Jedrzejczyk, peerless in her 2015 run to and then defence of the strawweight title, has certainly noticed that this year. Though she comfortably outpointed Claudia Gadelha in a fight with more than a little bad blood, she found herself more than challenged by fellow Pole Karolina Kowalkiewicz, getting dropped in the fourth round before reclaiming her composure. She maintains the UFC crown, but it is beginning to look a little more uncertain than it did a year ago.
Finally, the introduction of Cris 'Cyborg' Justino to the UFC was a moment many thought would never come. Having cleared out the Invicta Featherweight division, Dana White was at a loss to find her an opponent at 145 lbs, forcing two catchweight bouts against mid-level bantamweight fighters. The inevitable batterings ensued, with the weight cut nearly killing Cyborg in the process. While the announcement of a new featherweight division could lead to a greater challenge for Justino in 2017, her health problems, and a certain case currently with USADA, means that 2016 represents just a step forward in her career, rather than a seminal moment.
Meanwhile, it has certainly been a transformational year for the 'Lioness'. Taking her performances inside the Octagon aside, the progress she has made in her game across the board has been remarkable. She is now arguably the most well-rounded female fighter in the UFC, or at least closing in rapidly on Jedrzejczyk, possessing some of the most dangerous boxing in the division. She has also demonstrated how adept she is on the mat, using her black belt in jiu-jitzu to claim the title from Tate at the main event of UFC 200.
As a result, her confidence is sky-high, and she's recently said that she feels she can emulate Conor McGregor and hold two UFC belts simultaneously. Eyeing up the winner of the inaugural women's featherweight title fight between Germaine de Randemie and Holly Holm, she firmly believes that either woman would see a fate similar to Ronda Rousey.
For many, her place as the year's best female fighter is beyond doubt, but if she does manage to accomplish what she intends next year, she will solidify herself as one of the greatest ever.
As a result, her confidence is sky-high, and she's recently said that she feels she can emulate Conor McGregor and hold two UFC belts simultaneously. Eyeing up the winner of the inaugural women's featherweight title fight between Germaine de Randemie and Holly Holm, she firmly believes that either woman would see a fate similar to Ronda Rousey.
For many, her place as the year's best female fighter is beyond doubt, but if she does manage to accomplish what she intends next year, she will solidify herself as one of the greatest ever.
Friday, 13 January 2017
MMA Awards 2017: The Case For... Michael Bisping
It's been a busy year for The Count, during
which he has achieved feats the majority of the MMA world thought impossible. I'm sure there are occasions where even he may have felt his dreams were going to elude him, but in typical stoic British fashion, he overcame his hurdles and ends the year atop arguably the most stacked division in the UFC. With the top 10 containing the likes of Romero, Weidman, Rockhold, Jacare, Mousasi, Silva and Whittaker, it's a real murderer's row for any potential champion.
If the state of the division plays in Bisping's favour, it makes it all the more impressive that the Brit won all three of his fights over the course of 2016. And it's not like he was fighting mid-carders. Both Anderson Silva and Dan Henderson are MMA legends, and while the argument could be made that they are perhaps not at the same level that they were in years past, these were the battles that gave him the most trouble. And no matter who you're fighting, a title fight is never easy.
In comparison to the other fighters on the shortlist, both Donald Cerrone and Cody Garbrandt have better records at 4-0, but barring the recent title fight for Cody at UFC 207, the level of competition has been the lower end of the top-10 rather than title contenders. Conor McGregor lost spectacularly to Nate Diaz, and while the fight did take place outside the Irishman's natural weight-class, Diaz is hardly a natural welterweight, and had taken the fight on 10 days' notice. Only Stipe Miocic can match the Brit in terms of both record and level of opponents faced, with Arlovski, Werdum and Overeem all of the highest calibre.
However, it was the way in which Bisping won each of his fights that really sets him apart from his competition. If there is one thing we've learnt about The Count this year, it's that he never does it the easy way. He took his title fight against Rockhold on 11 days' notice, walking straight off a movie set to knock the champion out in the first round. Meanwhile, in both the Silva and Henderson fights, the Brit found himself in deep trouble, only to find the inner strength and resilience to not only fight on, but win on both occasions.
In comparison, Miocic has spent a sum total of eight minutes and nineteen seconds inside the Octagon this year, with none of his fights making it out of the first round. While that is impressive in itself, the heavyweight champ has spent the majority of the time in a dominant position, and despite being clipped by Overeem, has not had to battle through the same adversity as Bisping throughout the year.
The Brit's fighting style has also seen drastic improvement this year, with his now legendary cardio backed up by first class head movement and a left hook that put both Silva and Rockhold on the canvas. In addition, it certainly seems like Bisping has added patience to his game this year. Despite the flailing limbs and antics of Silva designed to distract, Bisping remained calm and composed in the opening rounds, with his only mistake leading to the flying knee that nearly shut his lights off. This same patience has allowed him to mix up his striking and try new techniques, with the switch kick utilised frequently against Henderson a newer move to the arsenal.
There is also the sense that Bisping has had the fight won in the pre-show exchanges, making a name for himself as one of the most notorious trash-talkers in the sport today. While he may not be as charismatic as the original 'Notorious One' McGregor, and perhaps is not as creative with his barbs, there can be little doubt that the Mancunian has a way of getting under his opponent's skin. In the lead up to the Rockhold fight, you could feel the tension and anger radiating off the champion during press engagements, eventually losing his cool with the challenger at the pre-fight conference. With Rockhold emotional and over-confident, Bisping took full advantage to shock the MMA world.
In comparison to the other fighters on the shortlist, both Donald Cerrone and Cody Garbrandt have better records at 4-0, but barring the recent title fight for Cody at UFC 207, the level of competition has been the lower end of the top-10 rather than title contenders. Conor McGregor lost spectacularly to Nate Diaz, and while the fight did take place outside the Irishman's natural weight-class, Diaz is hardly a natural welterweight, and had taken the fight on 10 days' notice. Only Stipe Miocic can match the Brit in terms of both record and level of opponents faced, with Arlovski, Werdum and Overeem all of the highest calibre.
However, it was the way in which Bisping won each of his fights that really sets him apart from his competition. If there is one thing we've learnt about The Count this year, it's that he never does it the easy way. He took his title fight against Rockhold on 11 days' notice, walking straight off a movie set to knock the champion out in the first round. Meanwhile, in both the Silva and Henderson fights, the Brit found himself in deep trouble, only to find the inner strength and resilience to not only fight on, but win on both occasions.
In comparison, Miocic has spent a sum total of eight minutes and nineteen seconds inside the Octagon this year, with none of his fights making it out of the first round. While that is impressive in itself, the heavyweight champ has spent the majority of the time in a dominant position, and despite being clipped by Overeem, has not had to battle through the same adversity as Bisping throughout the year.
The Brit's fighting style has also seen drastic improvement this year, with his now legendary cardio backed up by first class head movement and a left hook that put both Silva and Rockhold on the canvas. In addition, it certainly seems like Bisping has added patience to his game this year. Despite the flailing limbs and antics of Silva designed to distract, Bisping remained calm and composed in the opening rounds, with his only mistake leading to the flying knee that nearly shut his lights off. This same patience has allowed him to mix up his striking and try new techniques, with the switch kick utilised frequently against Henderson a newer move to the arsenal.
There is also the sense that Bisping has had the fight won in the pre-show exchanges, making a name for himself as one of the most notorious trash-talkers in the sport today. While he may not be as charismatic as the original 'Notorious One' McGregor, and perhaps is not as creative with his barbs, there can be little doubt that the Mancunian has a way of getting under his opponent's skin. In the lead up to the Rockhold fight, you could feel the tension and anger radiating off the champion during press engagements, eventually losing his cool with the challenger at the pre-fight conference. With Rockhold emotional and over-confident, Bisping took full advantage to shock the MMA world.
Nevertheless, Matt Hughes famously said "you're not a true champion until you defend your belt". Having campaigned for a revenge rematch against Dan Henderson, who brutally KO'd the Brit at UFC 100, the fact that the bout took place at Bisping's home arena in Manchester added further pressure to that first title fight as champ. While some may argue that home advantage is exactly that, the expectation of the crowd can also be a hindrance. Add in the fact that Bisping had to walk through two H-bombs, and his unanimous decision win was more than a little impressive.
And so, ten years after he entered the Octagon in The Ultimate Fighter, the Brit has beaten the greatest of all time, put an full stop on a bitter and storied rivalry, as well as ending the career of a legend, and claimed UFC gold in his first title fight - and on short notice at that. If that's not deserving of recognition, I'm not sure what is.
As always, share your thoughts with me in the comments section below, or on Twitter @TheWeighInMMA
And so, ten years after he entered the Octagon in The Ultimate Fighter, the Brit has beaten the greatest of all time, put an full stop on a bitter and storied rivalry, as well as ending the career of a legend, and claimed UFC gold in his first title fight - and on short notice at that. If that's not deserving of recognition, I'm not sure what is.
As always, share your thoughts with me in the comments section below, or on Twitter @TheWeighInMMA
Wednesday, 11 January 2017
MMA Awards 2017: The Case For...
At the beginning of a new year, it is always good to take a look back at the accomplishments of the months past. 2016 was another outstanding year of growth for the sport of mixed martial arts. Outside of the cage, we saw an unprecedented $4bn deal for the UFC, bringing in new investment and ideas, Bellator strengthen its ranks with a host of free agent signings including Rory Macdonald, Matt Mitrione, Benson Henderson and Chael Sonnen, and the move towards a unionised fighter association get ever closer.
The year wasn't bad for in-cage action either. Having overturned the corrupt ban on the sport in New York, UFC 205 broke practically every record going, from pay-per-view buys to Conor McGregor becoming the first ever fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously, while Brock Lesnar sensationally returned at UFC 200.
Hosted on March 2nd, predictably in Las Vegas, the Fighters Only World MMA Awards looks to recognise the greatest of the sport each year. Dubbed the 'MMA Oscars', the 22 awards are designed to cover the entire mixed martial arts eco-system, appreciating everyone that makes the sport what it is today.
As a result, categories range from the predictable 'Fighter of the Year' and 'Breakthough Fighter of the Year', to performance related awards, covering the most spectacular ways of finishing a fight, to journalists, personalities, coaches and gyms associated with the sport.
The shortlists for each have been released, and the public have been asked to vote for their winners at the link below:
http://www.worldmmaawards.com/vote/
I have already taken this opportunity, and over the next few weeks, I'll be posting new content every Friday outlining my case for some of the headline awards.
So take a trip to the website above, vote for your favourite, and let me know your thoughts on mine each week, either in the comments here or @TheWeighInMMA on Twitter.
The year wasn't bad for in-cage action either. Having overturned the corrupt ban on the sport in New York, UFC 205 broke practically every record going, from pay-per-view buys to Conor McGregor becoming the first ever fighter to hold two UFC titles simultaneously, while Brock Lesnar sensationally returned at UFC 200.
Hosted on March 2nd, predictably in Las Vegas, the Fighters Only World MMA Awards looks to recognise the greatest of the sport each year. Dubbed the 'MMA Oscars', the 22 awards are designed to cover the entire mixed martial arts eco-system, appreciating everyone that makes the sport what it is today.
As a result, categories range from the predictable 'Fighter of the Year' and 'Breakthough Fighter of the Year', to performance related awards, covering the most spectacular ways of finishing a fight, to journalists, personalities, coaches and gyms associated with the sport.
The shortlists for each have been released, and the public have been asked to vote for their winners at the link below:
http://www.worldmmaawards.com/vote/
I have already taken this opportunity, and over the next few weeks, I'll be posting new content every Friday outlining my case for some of the headline awards.
So take a trip to the website above, vote for your favourite, and let me know your thoughts on mine each week, either in the comments here or @TheWeighInMMA on Twitter.
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