UFC 85 Honors

The UFC has released the winners of the post fight bonuses for UFC 85.

Thiago Alves, Kevin Burns, Matt Wiman and Thiago Tavares received performance-based awards worth $50,000 each for their efforts Saturday at UFC 85: Bedlam in London.

As if upsetting future Hall of Famer Matt Hughes wasn't enough, Alves won the "Knockout of the Night" award for his flying knee that ended the night of the UFC's most dominant former welterweight champion.

The "Submission of the Night" went to UFC newcomer Kevin Burns, who stepped in as a little-known fighter out of the Midwest in place of the injured Ryo Chonan. Proving that mixed martial arts is more than just grappling, Burns, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Blue Belt, tapped out Roan Carneiro, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, with a triangle choke.

Despite being on the undercard, Wiman and Tavares fought a technical ground battle before letting their hands fly for an incredible finish that saw Wiman leaving Tavares out cold courtesy of a right cross. The "Fight of the Night" was strong enough to air on the pay-per-view directly after the main event.

Not only did that knee end Hughes' night, it also ended the storied career of the most dominate welterweight fighter in the history of the UFC. Hughes will fight again, and as I've stated will most likely deliver a beating to Matt Serra, but it wont be the Hughes we used to know.

End Of An Era

Like it or not, (and just for the record I dont) Matt Hughes appears to be done. At the very least, his best days are certainly behind him. After being dominated by Thiago Alves this last weekend at UFC 85, there appears to be only one interesting matchup in his storied career.

To say Hughes was dominated is actually an understatement. Most glaring in this one was the fact that the skills that made Hughes so dominate, were rendered completely ineffective. Hughes made a career out of smashing his opponent to the canvas with a big slam, then pounding out a win. In his recent loses, and even in his one victory over Chris Lytle, he looked somewhat confused in the cage.

Despite these recent losses, I expect his matchup with Matt Serra will be one of the highest selling pay per views this year. Much bad blood was built up when the two were coaches on The Ultimate Fighter and their hatred for each other is no secret. I believe Matt Serra was a fluke champion who caught GSP with a lucky punch. GSP proved as much by destroying Serra in their rematch. Serra hasn't beaten anyone in his career yet he runs his mouth like he is the greatest fighter ever.

Regardless of the outcome, its time for Hughes to hang it up. Too often in professional sports we see atheletes hang on too long. Older fighters like Randy Couture are an exception to the rule. At 34 years old Hughes has had 49 professional fights. On the other hand at 45 years old, Couture only has 24 professional bouts. The punishment that a fighters body takes has much more to do with longevity than age does. It appears that the multitude of fights that Hughes has been in is taking its toll. After he destroys Serra, the best thing for Hughes to do would be to grab the mic from Joe Rogan and announce his retirement, cementing his legacy as the greatest welterweight in the histroy of the UFC.

Fight Odds For UFC 85 Bedlam

Here are fight odds for the main card fights as listed by bestfightodds.com.

UFC 85 - Bedlam

Sorry for the delay in posting my predictions. To be quite honest, only 2 fights on the card are remotely interesting to me. The juggling of the card due to injury has been disappointing. I understand that this is beyond anyone's control, but it sure makes it hard to build momentum towards a fight. Without further delay....

Fabricio "Vai Cavalo" Werdum 10-3-1 vs. Brandon "The Truth" Vera 8-1

There are so many reasons to pick Vera in this fight. The only blemish on his record is a decision loss to former UFC heavyweight champ Tim Sylvia. Vera is an explsive fighter posting 6 of his 8 wins via knockout. Verdum however is a brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt who holds a win over current UFC heavyweight champ Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Vera at one time was the heir apparent to the heavyweight crown and he should continue on that track in this one. Expect this to be a fantastic fight.

Prediction: Vera by stoppage, 2nd round

Nate "The Great" Marquardt 29-7-1 vs. Thales Leites 12-1

Marquardt is an impressive 5-1 in UFC competition, his only loss coming to the current champ Anderson Silva. Marquardt is an all around talented fighter with the cardio to go the distance. Thales Leites is on a 3 fight win streak but has yet to fight a top named opponent. He definately appears to have the advantage on the ground if he can get it there.

Prediction: Marquardt by unanimous decision.

Marcus "The Irish Hand Grenade" Davis 19-4 vs. Mike "Quick" Swick 11-2
This one is my pick for fight of the night. Davis is a heavy puncher who seems comfortable, standing or on the ground. Swick is an all around fighter who likes to throw. Despite the fact that his last 5 fights were by decision or submission, expect Swick to keep it standing. This is set up to be a very explosive fight. Davis is on a 6 fight win streak, dont expect it to end here.

Prediciton: Davis by knockout, 1st round

Michael "The Count" Bisping 16-1 vs, Jason "Dooms" Day 17-5

Yawn. Bisping is going to kill Day. You cant help but feel like Dana White decided to throw a fresh steak (Day) into the ring for the hometown savage (Bisping) to devour in front of the crowd. I dont see how Day stays competitive.This one will end quickly.

Prediction: Bisping by knockout, 1st round.

And now for the (*sigh*) main event

Matt Hughes 43-6 vs. Thiago "Pit Bull" Alves 20-4

Dont get me wrong, Im a huge Matt Hughes fan. I just happen to think his best fights are behind him. If it werent for injuries, this fight would not even have happened let alone be put down as the top billing. Hughes is on his way out and his last real marketable fight is vs. Matt Serra especially having been beaten by twice by current champ Geroges St. Pierre. Alves has heavy hands and Hughes only real chance is to take this to the ground. Alves is nowhere near the wrestler that Hughes is. I see Hughes taking this fight to the ground and pounding out a win.

Prediciton: Hughes by TKO, 2nd round.

While there could be some interesting fights on this card, I just dont see it as being an exciting pay per view. Hopefully the Cane vs. Lambert fight makes it to the live show. Cane is a real nut job and is going to play the role as a great villian in the UFC. Trust me, you will love to hate this guy.

Mike Dolce Speaks Out About TUF

In a recent interview with MMAWeekly.comMike Dolce had some interesting things to say about his experience on The Ultimate Fighter.

At the risk of pissing a bunch of people off, I’m going to tell you.



Personally, I knew something was seriously wrong with this production when, as a sequestered, professional athlete in the midst of a major sporting event, I could not obtain a free range chicken breast for almost 48 hours of repeated requests, but a bottle of tequila, a half rack of beer and a funnel could be delivered in twenty minutes at any time of day or night with a single belligerent phone call. All under the guise of trying to determine just who was The Ultimate Fighter…the epitome of professional athletics.



To me The Ultimate Fighter is a term that should be reserved for a gentleman-athlete who stands above his peers, not just in his ability to perform within the confines of competition, but within the confines of civility and life.

Now while I agree with Dolce' statements and believe his blog is well written, I have a problem with his shock in the matter. A quick glance at any season of TUF and you know to expect a few things...

1. Drunken behavior
2. Destruction of property
3. Fisticuffs in the house

I'm not sure why Dolce was shocked. Tuf isn't about finding the next great fighter. Obviously the UFC benefits when guys like Forrest, Rashad Evans, Joe Stephenson, and Michael Bisping emerge from the shows. But if the six previous seasons have taught us anything its that the show is there to get ratings and not necessarily to produce great fights. The funny thing is, and nobody ever mentions this, but why does the UFC get a pass for this type of thing when most writers, (even yours truly come to think of it), blasted Elite XC for their dancing girls and over the top entrances? What is the difference? Does one cast any more or any less of a negative outlook over the other?

For the most part, the UFC has done a better job this season of focusing on the fights and showing much less of the antics in the house. Yet because of this, many are calling it the most boring season yet.

Make up your minds fellas, which way do you want it?

Rothwell To Fight Arlovski

Ben Rothwell now has an opponent for the Affliction Banned event.

Rothwell's long rumored opponent was formally announced today as former UFC heavyweight champion Andrei Arlovski, who phoned in to speak with Donald Trump during the Affliction press conference held at the Trump Tower in New York City.

This is an intriguing match up. Rothwell, a dominate fighter in the IFL can really put his name on the map with a win over a top ranked heavyweight. This PPV event should be very entertaining.

Tito Ortiz Radio Interview

Tito Ortiz was a guest on the BJ Shea Morning Experience on 99.9 KISW Rock in Seattle. Unfortunately, the hosts of the show know nothing about MMA and did not ask a single question regarding his past with the UFC or his future plans. He talked about his new book, "This Is Gonna Hurt, The Life Of A Mixed Martial Arts Champion", his girlfriend Jenna Jameson, and his support of our U.S. Troops.

The full interview can be heard here.