CM Punk Post UFC 203 Loss

The Evolution of CM Punk

Good stuff as CM Punk trains for his first career MMA fight.

Alistair Overeem on CM Punk

Two of my favorites here, but clearly Overeem is not expecting much out of CM Punk. Either way, I'm definitely watching/buying UFC 203 on September 10th.

Mark Hunt KOs Frank Mir

Yikes. Mir does not look great.

Fights to make after sorting through the carnage of UFC 196

It's been over a week since UFC 196 so I know we're late the game here. I have a full time job, so don't give me shit.

That being said, I feel like every journalist, blogger, and fan boy under the sun has written a recap and given their hot take on what the fuck happened. So I won't bore you with a traditional recap, nor will I spend this entire blog pontificating about how much money the UFC lost or why or why not McGregor and Holm should've taken the fights they did.

Did the UFC lose out on some massive PPV blockbusters? Of course they did. Had McGregor won it would've added even more allure to a showdown with RDA for the 155-lb strap or set up an even bigger fight with Robbie Lawler at UFC 200 for the 170-lb belt. For Holm, the rematch with Rousey was always the big money fight. Problem is, no one knew when Rousey was coming back. So yea, those are out the window after the massive upsets, but I actually think it positions the UFC even better b/c it's opened up and entirely new set of fights that bring a whole new level of intrigue and theater to the game. Here's my list of the fights I want to see coming out of last weekend's card - within each, you'll also get a sense of where my head is at for future matchups and how these help build for that:

Conor McGregor vs. Jose Aldo 2
After losing his test at 170, the logical thing for McGregor to do is return home to 145 and defend his belt. It gives him a chance to reassert himself as the king and fire back up the hype train on his way to another history-making fight.

With apologies to Frankie Edgar, who is incredibly deserving of a fight against McGregor, he's just not a big enough draw for the casual fan. For hardcore fans like myself and Keefe, we would LOVE a McGregor-Edgar fight to see how Frankie's movement, volume, chin, and wrestling match up against the 145-lb champ. But half the world saw McGregor dribbling Aldo's head on the canvas back in December, and a rematch against the former champ, who held the title for 10 FUCKING YEARS, is big money.

Should McGregor win, it sets up another move up in weight to 155. Should he lose, we have ourselves a trilogy fight that will be incredibly important for McGregor and the UFC.

Rafael dos Anjos vs. Nate Diaz 2
These two fought back in December 2014. Diaz hadn't fought in a year and RDA was coming off two stoppage wins over Jason High and former champ Ben Henderson. RDA won a decision and went on to take the belt from Anthony Pettis in his next fight. This is as good a time as any to book the rematch as both men are at peak status - Diaz coming off the huge stoppage of McGregor on less than two weeks notice, and RDA has won five straight including his recent 1st round stoppage over the tough Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone.

I love this fight for two reasons: 1) both guys are extremely marketable right now for the reasons listed above and 2) it becomes an elimination fight of sorts for the winner should McGregor take care of business against Aldo as I proposed above. Imagine the money they'd make if both McGregor and Diaz win - Diaz defending the strap as McGregor moves up and they fight at 155 vs. the 170-lb limit from UFC 196. And if both guys don't win? So what - there's still a lot to be gained in terms of matches to make from there. But if you aren't making fights with potential match-ups in mind, I don't know what the fuck you're doing.

Miesha Tate vs. Holly Holm 2
These two need to mix it up again. Holm was likely winning that fight but Tate's grappling in the 2nd had people on the edge of their seats, and her comeback win in the 5th was incredible, especially without it ended watching Holm punching the very thing she ran out of: air.

A lot of people are talking about the trilogy with Rousey, but I think this would be a mistake for a few reasons: 1) Rousey has dominated Tate is their previous two fights; 2) Rousey was talking about not coming back until end of this year - suddenly she's chomping at the bit w/ Tate as the champ because of my first point which seems so fucking disingenuous to me; and 3) I still think Holm-Rousey 2 is the bigger fight, but for the title. Holm can beat Tate with a better game plan - read: don't get taken down in the 5th round up 3-1 on the cards again - and set up the blockbuster rematch. Plus, keeping Rousey on the sidelines a bit longer while we wait for the results of this rematch makes us long even more. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Don't you ever forget that.


In terms of when these happen, I'd love to see them all on the UFC 200 card in July. They want it to be huge, and putting these three title fights on one card would do the trick. And all of the participants should be cleared and able to get in a full camp by then. The variable in all this is Robbie Lawler. He's not booked for UFC 197, 198, or 199. MacDonald and Thompson fight in June, so you can count those guys out. Thus, you have to assume they're either talking with Condit about a rematch or trying to lure GSP out of retirement to headline 200 which would be massive. But I also don't think they'd want to stack the card with four title fights.

That being said, I do think if you make the first two fights noted above, they have to be on the same card. It helps align camps for a future fight and being able to build/promote that fight throughout the night and via post-fight interviews would be good for business. Plus McGregor is built for that UFC 200 card. So that drops the Tate/Holm fight out, which they could have a main or co-main in August. I think UFC 198 in May, as a co-main to Werdum-Miocic could be too quick of a turnaround, and UFC 199 in June already has two title fights with Rockhold-Weidman 2 and Cruz-Faber 3.

So that's where I'm at. We've got a great lineup of UFC events over the next few months and still a lot to be sorted out with some of the big names mentioned above. Should be fun to see how it all shakes out. And don't forget Hunt vs. Mir this weekend - both guys are pretty far back in the title picture at this point, but Hunt always brings the thunder and Mir showed his ability to take out a big puncher in his fight against Todd Duffee, so I'm expecting fireworks in this one. Prediction: Hunt via manslaughter due to punch.

Bellator September 19th Card

Bellator just announced their primary bouts for their September 19th card in San Jose, California.

Main Event:
Liam McGeary (champ) vs. Tito Ortiz for Light Heavyweight Title

4-man Light Heavyweight Tournament (match ups TBD)
King Mo Lawal
Emanuel Newton
Phil Davis
Linton Vassell

Both the semifinals and finals will take part on the same night.

They also will have some kickboxing on the card.

Bellator MMA President Scott Coker

Rich Keefe sits down with Bellator MMA President Scott Coker to talk Ken Shamrock vs. Kimbo Slice, Tito Ortiz, and the future of Bellator.

Rich Keefe with Tito Ortiz

I talked with Bellator Light Heavyweight (former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion) Tito Ortiz leading up to Bellator's Unfinished Business (Ken Shamrock - Kimbo Slice). I asked him about that fight, his relationship with Shamrock, his future in Bellator, and what fight would he tell someone to watch who had never seen a Tito Ortiz fight.

My prediction on who Tito will fight next?

1. Fedor (he's in St. Louis, could come out of retirement)
2. Liam McGeary (current Bellator Light Heavyweight Champ)
3. King Mo
4. Phil Davis
Last. Tito vs. Shamrock IV

CM Punk Joins the UFC

I'm a CM Punk fan. I'm a UFC fan. (I'm still a reluctant WWE fan.)  So needless to say I am wildly intrigued by this move.   We've known Punk was interested in MMA for awhile based on his attendance at a few events and his relationship with a number of fighters and trainers including Rener Gracie.  But Punk as a fighter?  Well it's happening in 2015. 

News came out last night at UFC 181 that CM Punk signed a multi-fight deal with the company. He also did a 20 minute interview with Ariel Helwani (Google that, solid stuff). 

I know the immediate reaction by many will be "He's going to get killed."  "Does he know this is real?" Etc. etc.  But he's not stupid.  And neither is the UFC.  I do question if they are struggling with PPV numbers and with the loss of Brock Lesnar (more on him in a minute) and the long lay off of Georges St. Pierre and Anderson Silva, they're just trying to add a popular figure.  

Is it a publicity stunt a la Kimbo Slice?  To be fair Dana White put Kimbo through the reality show before his chance in the octagon and he's not nearly as popular, however a guy who many felt didn't belong and turns out they were right. 

I think Punk is different.  And maybe that's the fan in me talking, but his training in ju jitsu and knowledge/passion for the sport gives him a leg up (in my mind) over a dude who beat the shit out of guys in his back yard. 

Punk has seen countless fights and knows what those fighters go through leading up to and during the fight.  He won't be surprised and he won't be expecting to land a one-punch KO (see Slice, Kimbo). 

As optimistic as I am, there are still a number of questions and concerns.  CM Punk is 36 years old. He has never had a mixed martial arts fight and his first will be at the highest level.  That's like you playing your first football game in the NFL.  

He's listed at 6'2, 218 pounds.  (Where I found it.)  Of course Ultimate Warrior was from Parts Unknown so...

What division will he be in?  He mentioned in his interview with Helwani it might be Middleweight (185) but didn't rule out Welterweight (170). 

For those not familiar with MMA but may recognize names...

Middleweights include: Chris Weidman (champ), Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort. 

Welterweights include: Robbie Lawler (champ), Johny Hendricks, Georges St. Pierre. 

He's obviously not fighting those guys anytime soon (perhaps ever).  Who does he fight?  Do they throw tomato cans at him for awhile?  Are they looking to protect him?  

He will be a big name and help with pay-per-views. He told Helwani that his first fight would definitely be on a PPV (UFC sprinkles in free fights on FOX channels as well.) But he's here for PPVs.  

How long can you have him fight bums?  Probably a little while, assuming he wins. If he goes 0-2, 0-3 he's probably done. Although the UFC emphasizes wins, they also demand entertaining fights.  If he loses a thrilling fight by decision that could keep him around we well. 

Good news is the UFC is not revolving around him.  Not to keep bringing up Kimbo Slice but we all remember EliteXC and all the eggs they put in the Kimbo basket.  Well a loss on free TV to Seth Petruzelli (who was an injury replacement for Ken Shamrock) all but shut down the company.   Again, this won't be an issue with Punk.  Good gamble by the UFC and great challenge for Punk.  

So he's old, inexperienced, and uncertain of weight class.  What about others who have gone from the WWF/WWE to the UFC?

Brock Lesnar (5-3, UFC)

Far and away the most success for a wrestler turned mixed-martial-artist. He was a dominate collegiate wrestler which made the transition smooth.  In fact almost all the best guys in the UFC are exceptional wrestlers or ju jitsu practitioners.  Lesnar was at one time the UFC Heavyweight Champ, but lost his last 2 fights in brutal fashion and returned to the WWE.  Rumors swirl of a possible UFC return however.  

Bam Bam Bigelow (0-1)

The late great Bam Bam Bigelow had one career MMA bout.  He got choked out by the legend Kimo Leopoldo in the 1st round. He was 35 at the time. 

Bart Gunn (1-1)

One half the Smoking Guns took his success from "Brawl for it All" (forget the Butterbean fight, he doesn't remember it and neither should you) and had two MMA bouts.  He beat Cabbage Correira via TKO (cut) in 2006 and followed that up with a loss to Ikuhisa "The Punk" Minowa by decision at Pride Bushido 13 (I have the DVD, need to go back watch that one.)

Bobby Lashley (12-2)

Lashley, another elite college wrestler, has had MMA success.  He has not faced the level of competition that Brock Lesnar has, in fact all 14 of his fights have been outside the UFC. He had some bouts in Strikeforce and is currently signed to Bellator.  He's taking this smart and not going after the biggest names right away. If he continues to win a move to the UFC makes sense. 

Batista (1-0)

All due respect to something called Vince Lucero, Batista had one MMA fight where he picked up a 1st round TKO win. He was 43 at the time.  This counts I guess.  

Obviously a mixed bag here.  Lesnar and Lashley have made that transition and looked good doing it.  The others?  Not as much.  The big challenge for Punk is coming from the wrestling world while not having that elite wrestling skill.  He has his work cut out for him.  

I'll be rooting for him and I'll be watching. Say what you want, but you have to respect a guy for getting in there.  I hope he does well, and who can difinivedly say he won't?  I haven't seen him train and neither have you.  Be skeptic all you want but I'm not going to rule him out.  

UFC 174 Results

MAIN CARD:

• Demetrious Johnson def. Ali Bagautinov via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
• Rory MacDonald def. Tyron Woodley via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Ryan Bader def. Rafael Cavalcante via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Andrei Arlovski def. Brendan Schaub via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Ovince Saint Preux def. Ryan Jimmo via verbal submission (kimura) – Round 2, 2:10. 

UNDERCARD:

• Kiichi Kunimoto def. Daniel Sarafian via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:52
• Valerie Letourneau def. Elizabeth Phillips via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
• Yves Jabouin def. Mike Easton via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
• Tae Hyun Bang def. Kajan Johnson via knockout (punch) – Round 3, 2:01
• Michinori Tanaka def. Roland Delorme via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Jason Saggo def. Josh Shockley via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 4:57

How about Andrei Arlovski being back in the UFC for the first time since 2008.  The fight was not anything special and he may not have deserved the win but hey, he's back.  Check out some of the other places he's fought in the meantime, you may have seen him in a parking lot or bar you frequent. But good for him. Always liked him. 

Not the best card going in and not the best card going out.  Lots of decisions.  Only a couple of Top 10 guys.  

Thanks to MMAJunkie.com for the official results. 

Bellator 120 Results

Main card:
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson def. King Mo Lawal via unanimous decision
Will Brooks def. Michael Chandler via split decision
Tito Ortiz def. Alexander Shlemenko via submission (arm-triangle choke) (R1, 2:27)
Alexander Volkov def. Blagoi Ivanov via submission (rear-naked choke) (2nd, 1:08) 
Michael Page def. Ricky Rainey via first-round KO (4:29)

Undercard: 
Cheick Kongo def. Eric Smith via second-round TKO (4:35)
Marcin Held def. Nate Jolly via submission (armbar) (R1, 4:20)
Fabricio Guerreiro def. Shahbulat Shamhalaev via submission (kimura) (R1, 3:29)
Goiti Yamauchi def. Mike Richman via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Austin Lyons def. Zach Underwood via technical unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Mike Wessel def. Justin Fraziervia first-round TKO (4:28) 
Ben Brewer def. Andy Uhrich via second-round KO (2:40)
Codie Shuffield def. Anthony Lemon via submission (rear-naked choke) (2nd, 2:15)
Brian Hall def. Cortez Phelia via third-round KO (0:24)

Thanks to MMA Fighting for the Full Results. 

Your middleweight champ loses in a light heavyweight fight to a guy with 1 other win since 2006... In the 1st round. Probably not ideal.  

No Eddie Alvarez hurt the card and then his replacement defeats Chandler.  Not ideal.  

Dana White, who said he was watching boxing last night, enjoyed the whole thing I'm sure. 

Anderson Silva's Leg

WARNING: Graphic Pictures Below

Brutal night for Anderson Silva as he snaps his leg in the 2nd round of his title fight against champion Chris Weidman.   This could spell the end for the greatest fighter I have ever seen.  

I went back and forth all week long and ultimately thought The Spider would get this win to set up a trilogy fight. But it was not to be.  He got dominated in the 1st round.  He looked better in the 2nd before snapping his leg in disgusting fashion. 

Here are a few intense pictures. 

UFC 164 Recap

Some big fights took place last night in Milwaukee at UFC 164. Chad Mendes and Ben Rothwell got wins but lets focus on the two big ones. 

Josh Barnett returned to the UFC after being away from the company since 2002. He scored a 1st round TKO victory over former Heavyweight champ Frank Mir.  This is huge for the division.  Throw Barnett's name in the top mix with Velasquez and Dos Santos.  Hell even Travis Browne who crushed Alistair Overeem allows for some great potential match ups with the big boys. 

The main event saw the rematch between Lightweight champ Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis, where it was the champ looking to overcome a loss in the WEC, a notable loss for how it happened.  (Pettis' crazy run up the cage kick to the face.)

Henderson started out all well and good but ultimately on the ground Pettis grabbed an arm and would have snapped in half.  Worst of all for Benson, he verbal tapped.  Is there anything worse?  Don't get me wrong Henderson is one of the best in the world and would kick my ass blah blah but verbal tap?  Yikes.  Wonder if he just said "uncle."

Great night of fights and don't blink but there are more coming this Wednesday on Fox Sports 1, headlined by Ryan Bader vs. Glover Teixeira. 

UFC Montage That Won't Quit

Following the undercard on Saturday night they had some time to kill at the TD Garden, so the UFC unleashed this bad boy and the crowd went nuts.  The video was shot back at UFC 144 in Japan, but it's the same sweet action.  Don't worry about the Blair Witch camera work early on.

UFC Shines In Boston Return

The UFC was back in Boston last night and the 13-fight card did not dissapoint. Dana White had said this was the best free TV event the company had ever put together.  And I think he was right. 

UFC 75 was the best free card (with Rampage vs Henderson (champion vs champion), the controversial Bisping win over Hamill and Cro Cop falling to Kongo). 

But short of a title fight, UFC Fight Night 26 had all the makings for a memorable, long talked about card and it lived up to the hype. 

(My view for the fights below)

When the UFC first came to Boston it was back in August of 2010. There were some real big names: Randy Couture, B.J. Penn, Frankie Edgar, Gray Maynard, and Kenny Florian. 

It was a good night, but not great. Couture fought boxer James Toney in a very rare "freak match" in the Dana White Era UFC. 

Maynard was boring in a win over Florian, and Edgar controlled Penn for 5 rounds in the main event title fight. Again good but not memorable like last night. 

The early fights at UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen (on Fox Sports 1) were solid and the crowd turned out early. Cold Miller lost a crap decision to Manny Gamburyan, Michael "Mayday" McDonald and Brad Pickett put on the fight of the night and crowd went bonkers for Conor McGregor... And that was all BEFORE the 6-fight main event. 

(McGregor with Joe Rogan after his decision win. BELOW. He apologized for not finishing the fight and said he hurt his knee.)

The biggest disappointment of the night was local guy Joe Lauzon losing to Michael Johnson. Not Lauzon's best night but it was Johnson's to be sure. 

John "Doomsday" Howard made sure the Mass fighters didn't go winless. The Dorchester native took a split decision win over Uriah Hall.  Howard was the biggest underdog on the card (+365), but Dana was not thrilled with all the high 5s the two fighters were dishing out during the fight. He said post fight that Hall doesn't have what it takes to fight in the UFC. 

HORRIBLE!!!!!!! The high 5 fight of the night WTF

— Dana White (@danawhite) August 18, 2013

Matt Brown made up for it with a 29 second KO victory over Mike Pyle.  Brown went on to say that Pyle is better than GSP, so...

Urijah Faber got a nice win over a tough Iuri Alcantara.  Faber dominates non-title fights, we'll see what happens next for him. 

Then it was time for the co-main event. 

Alistair Overeem vs. Travis Browne

Two Top 10 Heavyweights put on a hell of a show. Overeem beat the crap out of Browne for 2 solid minutes, many refs would have stopped the fight. But Browne just took it and waiting for Reem to tire. He did. When the former Strikeforce and Dream champ lowered his hands, Browne began with an assault of kicks to the head, ultimately landing one before finishing him off with hammer fists to the skull. 

Best win of Browne's career.  Another brutal loss for Overeem. 

At this point the UFC was playing with house money. 12 fights down with the vast majority being very entertaining. 

But it was time for Mauricio "Shogun" Rua vs. Chael Sonnen.  

Sonnen took down Shogun immediately and you started to wonder if this was going to be a slow, control from the top, methodical fight. But before anyone could get too upset, Chael pulled off a submission victory, his best career win. 

Awesome night of fights. 

Lots of questions jump out: does Matt Brown or Travis Browne get a title shot soon?  Will Faber face Mayday? What's next for Overeem and Shogun?  What weight class will Sonnen's next fight be?

But we do know the answer to the most important question. The UFC WILL be back in Boston. 

UFC Fight Night Picks

The UFC returns to Boston tonight for UFC Fight Night 26. Here we go...

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua over Chael Sonnen

Alistair Overeem over Travis Browne

Urijah Faber over Yuri Alcantara

Mike Pyle over Matt Brown

John Howard (+325) over Uriah Hall

Joe Lauzon over Michael Johnson

Looking forward to seeing this card in person.  And if you can't make it to the TD Garden watch it for free on FOX Sports 1 (channel 925 on Comcast in Boston)

Inside The Cage with Georges St. Pierre

Keefe had a chance to talk with UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre prior to UFC 162. His phone sucked, but there was still some good stuff in there.

UFC Title Fights

Announcement day in the UFC, clearly up some of the title fight questions.  Here is what we know now...

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

Champ Jon Jones vs. Alexander Gustaffson - UFC 165, September 21, Toronto


HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION

Champ Cain Velasquez vs. Junior Dos Santos - UFC 166, October 19, Houston


WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION

Champ Georges St. Pierre vs. Johny Hendricks - UFC 167, November 16, Las Vegas


Other match ups that have been set.

MIDDLEWEIGHT: Anderson Silva vs. Chris Weidman (UFC 162, July 6)

LIGHTWEIGHT: Benson Henderson vs. T.J. Grant (UFC 164, August 31)

FEATHERWEIGHT: Jose Aldo vs. Anthony Pettis (UFC 163, August 3)

FLYWEIGHT: Demetrious Johnson vs. John Moraga (UFC on Fox 8, July 27)

The UFC's Return To Boston Should Be Worth The Wait

The UFC is coming back to the Boston nearly 3 years to the day from when it made its debut in the city with UFC 118.  The return show will also mark the first on the Fox Sports 1 channel.  So it will be free for the world to see, and for the Boston area fans paying the money to go see it live at the TD Garden, it looks like it won't disappoint.

Here is what the UFC on Fox Sports 1 1: Shogun vs. Sonnen card looks like as of right now.

SATURDAY, AUGUST, 17.

MAIN CARD (Fox Sports 1, 8 p.m. ET):

Mauricio "Shogun" Rua* vs. Chael Sonnen*

Alistair Overeem* vs. Travis Browne

Urijah Faber* vs.Yuri Alcantara 

Thiago Alves vs. Matt Brown

Uriah Hall vs. Nick Ring

Michael Johnson vs. Joe Lauzon

PRELIMINARY CARD:

Michael McDonald vs. Brad Pickett

Mike Brown vs. Akira Corassani

Conor McGregor vs. Andy Ogle

Diego Brandao vs. Daniel Pineda

Cody Donovan vs. Ovince St. Preux

Ramsey Nijem vs. James Vick

*Top 10 Fighter in Division

Sign me up for this one.

The Rich Keefe Project Podcast: UFC 160