My response, "Who cares?"
When I hear Dana White say "Ninety Nice point nice percent of the time these guys always deliver..." I cannot help buy roll my eyes. Yes, they always try to deliver, but there have been some seriously brutal events as of late. Hence why the UFC hardly ever sells out in the United States, but that's a story for another day.
For the first time in I don't even know how many events the UFC put on a card that left me smiling from start to finish. Every fight on the main card (and the Lawlor/Doerksen filler) was fantastic! Congrats to them; specifically, Joe Silva.
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From my perspective none of the results were at all surprising, including the way Mauricio "Shogun" Rua finished off Lyoto Machida. I felt he clearly won the first fight, and now that question has been answered for good.
It seems to me Karate has a difficult time when backpedaling. If anyone watched the BJ Penn/Machida fight from years ago it was apparent how you should tackle such an opponent. Using the overhand right, Rua did just that. I thought Rashad Evans would attempt the same thing, and I'm thinking Greg Jackson is probably thinking today there's a better method than moving side to side (No offense, GJ, you know I think you're the shit).
I've always had this soft spot for Shogun because years ago, after he fought Forrest Griffin, I stepped out onto the balcony of my hotel room to have a smoke. While leaning over the railing I heard what sounded like sobbing, so I leaned out a bit further, and peaked into the room next to me. There was Shogun, sitting on his bed crying, with his wife consoling him. I felt terrible having seen him in that moment.
My entire floor was filled with Brazilians, most of them accompanying him. A few minutes later I saw him in the hallway, tears wiped away, putting on the best version of himself for his family and friends. He wanted them all to feel good, and not be upset for him. I had seen him breakdown with my own eyes, the way few others probably have, and it made me an immediate fan.
After his last fight with Machida I approached him, put my hand on his shoulder and said, "Pick your head up. You won that fight." One of his teammates came over and thanked me. I've always had a very good feeling about the type of person he is, and was glad to see him win this time.
For the first time in his career he wears a major belt. In my opinion, the biggest belt in the toughest division.
No disrespect to Machida either, for he has always been classy and cordial. But we all have our favorites.
Maybe now the UFC will start promoting these Brazilians?
Lets not get crazy...
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Cheers to Alan Belcher. Finally, he's figuring it out.
After Alan fought Ed Herman I asked Duke Roufus in the locker room, "Is your boy serious? He wants everything to be on a highlight reel! He can crush these guys!"
Duke just said, "The guy likes the show."
It seems Alan is now realizing it's great to have these exciting battles, but the risks associated with looking good, and putting on a show need to be outweighed by the need to make money. You have to win fights to get paid. The UFC can tell you over and over, "put on a good show, and you'll be rewarded for it." Maybe that night you will be rewarded for it, but the long term rewards of winning CLEARLY have more value than putting on a show. I can name a lot of guys always have great fights, and put on shows. Do you think they're contending for a title in the next few months?
Georges St-Pierre isn't the most exciting fighter, but he wins. Period. The end. Every fighter should mimic what he does as far as executing a game plan to get the win.
Anyway...Congratulations to Alan Belcher, a man who somehow has larger calves than Shawn Thompkins.
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Now for the award we've all been waiting for. The first ever KOSCAR, given to the man more deserving then any other in recent years: Josh Koscheck.
Before we go bashing Josh Koscheck for his "acting" after Paul Daley's knee missed his head, and before we reflect upon his similar antics in his fight against Anthony Johnson, lets give this guy a little credit here. He knows full well what kind of shit he's going to take for doing what he does, but quite frankly, he doesn't care! And why should he? He wins.
This is a business, one where fighters have short shelf lives. In this case what was on the line for Koscheck was ENORMOUS! A shot to fight for the UFC Welterweight Championship, and the opportunity to be a coach on the The Ultimate Fighter reality show are too huge not to take advantage of everything presented. Koscheck was smart enough, and quick enough, to point out Daley's attempted illegal strike. Granted, it didn't connect, but who cares? What Koscheck did worked, so well you won't even see Daley again in the UFC.
Basically Daley shot a bullet and missed, but had Koscheck not acted the way he had maybe the Ref does nothing, and Daley possibly attempts it again later, or tries something else illegal. No one knows for sure, but I know Koscheck was smart in doing what he did, and clearly rattled Daley going forward. For anyone to even suggest that "Koscheck is a pussy" or something retarded like that, rethink that line of reasoning, for he gets into a cage and fights the world's best. There are no pussies in this sport.
Today, Josh Koscheck is relaxing, laughing, getting prepared for a very bright future. Paul Daley is probably somewhere in England, making phone calls to Cage Rage...
Josh Koscheck may just be the smartest man in MMA right now.
Even with that said, still, the "KOSCAR" for BEST ACTOR IN A MIXED MARTIAL ARTS FIGHT goes to...well...you guessed it...
Who will be next?
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On a sidenote, I'd like to tip my hat to the people of Montreal for taking me to the top of the Mountain of Irony. I've been there so many times, but never in Canada.
When you were booing Josh Koscheck for ground and pound I couldn't help think of whether you do the same when you watch St-Pierre.
Yeah, that's the irony.
I still love your city more than any in North America, but come on Habitants, call a spade a spade.
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