On the Merge of Greatness: UFC and WEC make History

And then, there was one.

2010 has been a banner year for the sport of MMA, with continued expansion into domestic and international markets for the UFC, massive upsets, title fights that have literally changed the landscape over multiple weight classes, some of the best fights the sport has seen in years, and an Emperor dethroned.

And in spite of all that, this may very well be the biggest news of the year.

Come January 1st of 2011, WEC will officially merge with the UFC, absorbing the lightweight class and finally giving a massive national platform for the featherweight and bantamweight divisions.

Mark my words, nothing but good can come of this. In fact, I suspect this will dramatically improve UFC and the Zuffa organization. I have long been a proponent of the WEC owning the title of most entertaining MMA promotion. I rarely find myself bored with any of their cards, and they have turned out consistently fun action in the form of ultra-competitive fights. Maybe it has something to do with the lighter weight classes being more aggressive at that size, but if you have seen the product, you cannot deny how enjoyable the majority of cards are.

Rather than continue to gush ad nauseum, it's probably best if I structure my thoughts a little. With that said, here are ten reasons why the UFC-WEC merger will be of genuine benefit to mixed martial arts.

1. Exposure for the lighter weight classes. Guys like Jose Aldo, Urijah Faber, and Miguel Torres deserve a spotlight to bask in. These guys have put on some damn impressive performances, and it's a shame that only a handful of the WEC luminaries have had the chance to shine on pay-per-view as of this year. And unfortunately, for marketing purposes, that wasn't even with the WEC brand name. Now to have those names finally compete in the UFC, the gold standard for the sport of mixed martial arts... it honestly sends chills down my spine. I can't help but grin when I hear the term, "Jose Aldo, UFC featherweight champion." It rolls off the tongue so easily, and it feels oh, so right. Especially considering his status as a top pound-for-pound fighter. A guy like that deserves the same platform as his teammate, Anderson Silva. And you'd better believe that once he debuts, he will shine for a whole new audience. This segues into...

2. Improved UFC fight cards. Despite having the five main weight classes, there have been a lot of UFC events that have suffered from a lack of a top tier main event. Mir vs. Cro Cop was widely reviled as a stinker of a main event even before it aired. And before that, when it was Mir-Nogueira II, it still received a lukewarm reception. Adding in some top tier names from the lower weight classes will give these cards a boost of star power, add some exciting fights to the mix, and incorporate additional title matches to be held. What's not to like about that?

3. A richer lightweight division. Now that Frankie Edgar has bested BJ Penn twice, Penn is already moving up in weight to fight Matt Hughes. If he begins to flirt with 170 lbs. again, this is detrimental for the division, as BJ is a draw. Edgar is an undeniable talent, but unproven as a selling point. However, with the right amount of exposure, there are lots of lightweights from the WEC to help bolster the division. This is nothing new. Carlos Condit and Chael Sonnen have both put on great performances in the Octagon in recent months. Let us not forget Condit is the final WEC welterweight champion, and Sonnen should rightfully be the WEC middleweight champion after his second fight with the bizarre Paulo Filho. Dissolving those weight classes was the beginning, perhaps. But it has added some fresh blood to already stacked divisions. The lightweight division will probably experience a similar surge.

4. One division, one champion, one momentous occasion. Going hand-in-hand with the third bullet on this list is the announcement that the winner of the WEC lightweight championship match between Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis will face the winner of the UFC lightweight championship match between Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. This is great for so many reasons. For one thing, it simplifies the entire weight class by proclaiming one champion to defend against all. Additionally, the thought of a unification bout of any sort has tremendous implications. The last time this sport saw two titles merged was when Dan Henderson put the Pride middleweight title on the line against Anderson Silva. Cliche as it may sound, events like this are truly historic, and add an extra layer of prestige to the victor's spoils.

5. New life into TUF. The Ultimate Fighter has had its ups and downs over the last few seasons. With the UFC-WEC merger, opening up the show's platform for lighter weight classes makes for some interesting scenarios. I read one commentator who thought that a season of bantamweights featuring Urijah Faber and Miguel Torres would be a good idea. I love this concept, and it makes a potential title contender fight between the too much more appealing, and a lot easier to sell with a season's worth of hype behind it for newcomers.

6. This is better for the fighters. A fighters' life is a hard one. Your paychecks are determined by your fights, and with WEC only putting on seven or eight cards a year to the UFC's roughly twenty or so (between PPV's, fight nights and TUF finales), WEC's finest will now have more opportunities to earn steady pay. I like this, because it's such a motivator for hungry fighters. Especially guys who want the world to know who they are. It's a wonderful thing from both a financial and visibility perspective. Not only that, with the added benefit of PPV revenues, these same fighters are bound to receive bigger paydays, and that's a positive thing for them and the business.

7. New names for the casual fans to get excited about. MMA die hards are familiar with Jose Aldo and Urijah Faber. These are not new faces. However, to the casual fan who saunters over to Buffalo Wild Wings to watch a big-time fight like a Lesnar-Velasquez or Silva-Sonnen, odds are there's a healthy percentage of people who don't know those two names. Why? Because unless they happen to catch a random card or "WrekCage" on Versus, they've probably never seen or heard of WEC. There was a lot of fear over WEC's future this year when Versus was struggling to maintain its network distribution. With no shortage of talented fighters, there are now more opportunities to convert casual fans into devoted ones. This is good for the longevity of the business.

8. The competition officially needs to step it up. Strikeforce has done a fairly lackluster job of competing with the UFC, despite having some incredibly talented fighters on its roster. However, to be successful in the MMA game when there's a name that big really requires you to put your best foot forward every single time. While there have been some good showings by Strikeforce, there have been some monstrous duds, too. Now with more excitement buzzing around the Zuffa fighting family, the heat is on for Strikeforce, Bellator and other promotions to do more than just "get by." Additionally, this may also increase the allure for non-Zuffa contracted fighters to do what Jake Shields did: make the switch. Sure, Fedor will probably never convert. But Allstair Overeem, Jacare Souza, possibly even Dan Henderson may raise an eyebrow with this news and reconsider their options.

9. A bigger bargaining chip for the lighter weight classes. Now being the premier sports organization for the featherweight and bantamweight divisions, UFC and Zuffa have more stroke than ever to go after some of the hottest talent overseas in those weight classes. If you view Sherdog.com's divisional rankings, you'll notice a lot of unfamiliar names to American audiences in these classes. But now with more money being poured into each division, the probability for further international talent acquisitions--and thus, more exciting fights--just grew tenfold.

10. MMA is now even further from boxing's greatest pitfall. In boxing, the oft-referenced "alphabet soup" of titles has become less comical and more tragic as the years have gone on. There are simply too many names and too many weight classes to truly understand or appreciate the talent of the respective champions. Title mergers hardly mean anything at this point, as no one really cares much. And that is what the sport has done to itself by allowing multiple sanctioning bodies to have such control over the flow of the sport. Dana White has been dead set against co-promotion with anyone, M1 Global or otherwise. While it may be a little monopolistic of him, it also preserves the integrity of the sports titles and prevents the sweet science's downfall from ever happening to MMA. By assimilating all Zuffa promotions under one roof, this merger has pushed the sport one step away from going the route of boxing. There's a reason WAMMA never worked out, and why Fedor Emelianenko never trotted that belt out much after Affliction died an ugly, agonizing death. Dana White has long argued that until names like Fedor compete in the Octagon and make it there, they can never be considered the best. Well, guess what? That's no longer opinion, it's fact. UFC as a promotion now lays claim to the absolute best in every weight class except flyweight. And I wouldn't put it past them to expand even further into that division as well. The long and short of it is, there will never be any confusion from January 1st forward as to who the best names in MMA are. Because they'll be under one roof, far from the taints of co-promoters and sanctioned-yet-unauthorized bodies.

This is one of the most significant days the sport has seen since Griffin vs. Bonnar, and the ramifications will be felt far and wide. It's a great day for the sport, and as a fan, you can't help but be excited for what's to come next.

Brock and a Hard Place: Evaluating Lesnar After UFC 121

At the end of the monumental UFC 116, following Brock Lesnar’s shocking second round comeback victory, a shot of Cain Velasquez sitting in the audience was shown. True to form, his stoic face revealed little emotion or reaction to the fight that had just occurred. He looked more to be taking it all in. After watching his performance this past Saturday night, I tend to think he was formulating his game plan.

A game plan that played off of the gaping holes in Brock Lesnar’s game.

Despite his near-mythic status courtesy of the UFC hype machine (as is Dana White’s job, so we can’t hold it against him), Lesnar’s last two title defenses have exposed some massive weaknesses. Cain Velasquez just happened to be the first guy to formulate a plan of attack that exploited them.

Let’s get Brock’s strengths out of the way.

1. He’s a monster. This guy is a physical specimen to be sure. His presence in the cage is doubtlessly imposing as there’s not a single heavyweight besides Shane Carwin whose mass matches his. Additionally, he has the power to match that physique, and having a wrestler’s work ethic works tremendously in his favor as far as his ability to maintain that strength. Between his fights at UFC 100 and UFC 116, he looked as if he lost no muscle mass despite his fight with diverticulitis and subsequent surgery.

2. He’s got a great shot. Lesnar has some of the most effective takedowns this side of GSP. And once he has you on the ground, it’s not exactly easy to move your hips beneath nearly 300 lbs. of Viking meat. Once he has you there, he can do whatever he wants. This normally consists of blunt force trauma to the skull in the form of straight shots and hammer fists.

We’ve all been aware of this since his first UFC bout against Frank Mir, however.

Much has been made of Lesnar’s progress in the sport. However, odds are much more will be made in the coming weeks and months of the areas he needs desperately to grow in if he wants to sit atop the heavyweight rankings once again.

1. He needs to work on his striking. Ever since his highlight reel punch that sent Heath Herring tumbling across the mat, Brock Lesnar has not had a single punch that has registered in the public consciousness. Sure, when he gets into the game of ground and pound, he’s a beast. But his stand-up is suspect at best. We’ve never seen him cleanly win a striking exchange.

2. His defense is lacking. Going hand in hand with good boxing is efficient head movement. Brock has been rocked hard in two consecutive fights now, and we’ve seen him crumble. Despite his mock punches to his own chin following his last successful defense, being able to take a punch doesn’t make him impervious. Nor does it mean he should allow himself to absorb punishment. Those tactics are only recommended if you have the scientifically proven concrete chin of a Diaz brother.

3. If he’s on his back, he’s lost. Brock recently boasted he should have his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by now. If that were the case, Cain Velasquez would not have been able to so swiftly pass his guard. With a simple push of the knees, Cain was able to pass and transition into a knee-on-belly position that accentuated the damage already inflicted. Granted, being against the cage didn’t help his cause. But being able to do nothing more than cover your face won’t always get you out of a jam.

4. Does he really know submissions? OK. He got an arm triangle on Carwin. But if you look closely, it was really more of an “arm rhombus.” The hold was not applied correctly (with the hand of the arm around the neck clasped to the biceps of the opposing arm, as is typical in BJJ or Sambo). Brock was able to get the submission by virtue of his huge arms and efficient use of position. But this submission is tailor-made for wrestlers who work well from top. Randy Couture illustrated that just one month later against James Toney. I sincerely doubt Brock would be able to get an armbar from that same mount.

What am I getting at?

I'm getting at the fact that has become crystal clear: Lesnar is not infallible in the Octagon. He is a fierce competitor and no question, tough to beat. But Cain Velasquez perfectly executed a game plan founded on technique over size and strength, even managing to beat Lesnar at his five-star wrestling game within that plan.

Lesnar is still new to the MMA game. There is no taking away from his ability, and how much he has grown. You don't beat guys like Randy Couture, Frank Mir or Shane Carwin on sheer luck. However, that being said, if Lesnar truly wants to sit atop the mountain with his Viking beard and golden axe to accompany the gold beld he so recently held, he will need to evaluate those four points listed above and work damn hard to make sure he corrects them.

One thing Cain Velasquez proved is a point that Brock himself has been driving home consistently: the heavyweight landscape is changing. Gone are the days where it was Fedor Emelianenko reigning supreme with everybody else falling short. Heavyweights are evolving at a rapid fire pace, becoming more than just brutish bruisers, but truly incorporating technique and finesse into their games. Velasquez may indeed be the archetype of the modern heavyweight, as his combination of precision striking and wrestling acumen make him dangerous. In all hoensty, I am looking forward to his bout with Junior dos Santos more than a Lesnar-dos Santos fight, just because of the potential for more varied combat.

Fedor has already been toppled by the modern heavyweight. Brock can somewhat be excused for his relative inexperience to both the Last Emperor and the newly crowned champion. If he wants to proclaim himself as the "toughest S.O.B. around," his best bet is to vary his training and expand upon his wrestling base. Otherwise, this won't be the last time we see him flailing beneath a torrent of fists.

But it might be the last time we see him in the reverse position as alpha male aggressor.

Sonnen's Swan Song?

The news of Chael Sonnen's drug test failure for UFC 117 has set the MMA community on fire with coverage and speculation. Every major news outlet has picked up the story, and questions have quickly arisen about Sonnen's punishment, the likelihood of his rematch with Anderson Silva, and his overall future.

The only two people who are completely mum on the topic right now are Sonnen himself and Dana White, whose Twitter feed has not been updated since 5:00 PM Saturday. No doubt White is working with the CSAC to determine the appropriate punishment. Odds are he's also been in touch with Ed Silva to solve the riddle of who will fight Anderson Silva next.

There's a lot to this story, but it is worth trying to melt down to a few key points:

1. Chael Sonnen should not be granted a rematch. The most likely scenario is that Sonnen will be suspended for a 6 months to a year, based on prior cases in which PED's were detected. He can try and appeal, but one way or another, he's going to be suspended. For one thing, there is currently a bevvy of worthy challengers for White and Ed Silva to consider. Vitor Belfort vs. Yushin Okami has already been pegged as the fight to determine the next #1 contender to the middleweight crown; the winner could just as easily move right into the next fight with Anderson Silva. If Zuffa wants to keep the winter deadline, Nate Marquardt could be moved into the top spot following his win over Rousimar Palhares. Keep in mind Marquardt's only loss in his last five fights was to Sonnen.

But even discounting the number of potential challengers, let's say Sonnen went the last couple minutes of UFC 117 without being submitted. He would have won the fight, and upon this revelation, he would have been stripped of the title with his suspension, and a new fight would have to be set up to determine the champion. This precedent was set with Sean Sherk in 2007.

I didn't agree with Sherk getting an automatic title shot once his suspension was over, and I don't agree with the notion that Sonnen might get a shot when he is again eligible to fight. Especially given the fact his spectacular performance at UFC 117 can now be called into question. Sonnen should have to get at least one more fight under his belt before he can get a shot for the title again. Speaking of that performance...

2. UFC 117 paints Anderson Silva in an even better light. From the outset of the first round, I could sense something was off about Silva, and his performance caught everyone's attention for how out of place it was. As it turned out, his rib was injured prior to the fight and cracked some time in the first round. He endured through another three and a half rounds of punishment before slapping on the triangle choke and winning in a shocking come-from-behind victory.

But now with the added factor of Sonnen's apparent PED use, Silva's ability to withstand those four and half rounds and still be able to come out on top is all the more impressive. His opponent had an unfair advantage going in, unbeknown to all but Sonnen himself, and Silva still pulled the rabbit out of his hat. While it does not necessarily his two-year on-and-off dance routine in the Octagon, he does deserve credit for being a true champion in this instance.

Unfortunately, this also possibly explains how Sonnen was the only man in UFC history to dominate Anderson Silva. But even so...

3. Sonnen will not be fired from the UFC. There has been an immediate call from fans to can Chael Sonnen for this offense. Many fans on Twitter and various message boards have rightfully expressed anger, especially after the "Summer of Sonnen" where no MMA fan could walk ten feet without being obliged to a trademark Chael Sonnen sound bite. However, look at the facts. Sean Sherk, Tim Sylvia and Chris Leben were all caught using PED's in high profile, main event fights. Not a one of them was fired for it. In fact, two of them remain gainfully employed. Does this situation bode differently because of how huge the fight was? Perhaps. But the likelihood of Chael Sonnen being fired for this is about as thin as M-1 Global's credibility. Especially considering this is his first offense. It is still a grievous offense, but it is not as though the man has a proven track record of trying to cheat the system.

But the fans have clearly spoken. And the message is clear...

4. Chael Sonnen's reputation is in the toilet. Maybe if he had been less vocal and boisterous, this wouldn't taste as sour. Even last week, he was quoted as making outlandish statements about Georges St-Pierre and Brock Lesnar for no apparent reason other than to get attention. He was even quoted as speculating that he would be a coach on the next season of The Ultimate Fighter. Sonnen made a name for himself this summer by creating controversy and not shying away from ridiculous statements. He boasted about how he would take the fight to Anderson Silva, and true to his word, he did just that.

That's about the only time you'll find me, or anyone using the word "true" in the same sentence with his name again.

Sonnen stated after losing to Anderson Silva that he was "heartbroken." He bemoaned his track record of always coming up second. He has waxed poetic about being at his father's deathbed and promising the man that someday, he would become an MMA champion.

All of that is shot to hell now. Keep in mind, this is the same man who claims he never tapped to Paulo Filho's armbar in WEC. The same man who, for a split second, tried to convince Josh Rosenthal that he didn't tap out to Anderson Silva's miraculous triangle choke at UFC 117. And now, the same man who has been caught red-handed. He has entered Josh Barnett territory, which is not where anybody wants to be.

More than anything else, his reputation is shot with MMA fans. Few will be willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, myself included. It is difficult to cheer for the man to begin with given his ego, and this will do nothing to ingratiate himself with the public.

He has no one to blame but himself. And for the first time in almost a year, Chael Sonnen has no comment. Would you?

Lastly...

5. The legacy of UFC 117 remains uncertain. It is too soon to tell how the main event will be regarded in the future. It was still a great fight, but there is a taint to it now on one side of the cage. Perhaps this controversy will elevate the reigning champion in the eyes of the public even more. Perhaps the fight will take a seat next to the elephant in the living room as the pundits say, "we don't want to mention that one." No one knows for sure, and it will be a long time before anyone can be 100% certain about this fight's place in history. And honestly, right now, that should be the last thing on anyone's mind.

This is a messy situation. One in which the best outcome possible is simply the lesser of all evils. No one truly wins in this. Even Ed Soares has stated that no one in his camp, Silva included, is jubilant at this revelation. Their names are attached to that epic battle, too. You can understand why they would want the fight to remain pure, even if it makes Silva's win more impressive.

The biggest loser is not even Sonnen himself. As I mentioned, he is responsible for his actions and should be held accountable as such. The biggest losers are the MMA fans who bore witness to this great fight and labeled it an instant classic. These are the same fans who all called for an immediate rematch that will not be happening now. The same fans who saw such greatness in this fight, they wanted to see if these two men could do it one more time and still thrill to such heights.

Those fans are out of luck, tragically. And rest assured, they will not be shy in letting Chael Sonnen know their discontent the next time he walks out to a cage.

Does the Prodigal Son Return?

Back in April, I had several friends over my place to watch UFC 112. During a long conversation that diverted us from the fight on air at the time, I returned my attention to the screen and something registered after several rounds of back and forth between myself and my guests.

I remember making the following announcement between the third and fourth rounds: "Guys, I don't know if you've noticed, but Frankie Edgar is winning..."

For someone who, at the time, was watching casually and not with my usual focused intent, that's what it looked like to me. It was close for sure. But Edgar looked faster, more aggressive, always moving... BJ Penn did not look as sharp.

He certainly didn't look like the BJ Penn of the prior eight months. Furthermore, it looked nothing like the BJ Penn of 155 lbs. Having seen every Penn fight since my interest in MMA began, I was stunned to see him look so off. Granted, he was decimated by Georges St-Pierre, but at that weight class, and with that size difference, I wasn't surprised. I didn't think anyone would be able to unseat him as champion.

I was clearly wrong.

In watching the April fight a second time, I saw it was very, very close. But I still gave it to Edgar as much as I gave the first encounter between Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Rua to Shogun. I didn't think he blew BJ out of the water... not by a long shot. But he definitely won in my eyes.

After the fight, Penn's camp said he was fighting a sinus infection, competing on antibiotics. I did my best to give them the benefit of the doubt, but after "Greasegate," I was somewhat dubious of this claim. Though it would explain how a typically dominant Prodigy could look so lackluster. So going into Saturday night, I expected Penn to come out with a fire under his ass, ready to reclaim his crown.

What all of us saw was something much less than the Prodigy. I'm not sure what it was. But I'm beginning to think it's the real BJ Penn. The man that's left when the fanfare and tough talk is stripped away. I gotta believe this is what we're seeing.

Nothing can ever be taken away from BJ's raw talent. However, his conditioning has long been called into question. Along with his heart. Let's not forget this is the man who once left the UFC and MMA altogether when he felt he no longer wished to fight. This is the man who sought excuses for his last two losses to GSP and Edgar.

I suspect this is the guy who looked outright lost after the second round of this Saturday's rematch.

I believe Penn is tremendously gifted as a fighter. But I question his heart. I think back to just last month when Brock Lesnar was getting obliterated by Shane Carwin, then managed to come back by the skin of his teeth and won after a dismal 10-8 round. I think back to earlier this month when Anderson Silva had been dissected by Chael Sonnen for four straight rounds and pulled out a miracle submission with just minutes to spare. I think back even further to Minotauro Nogueira's third round magic guillotine against Tim Sylvia. Or Matt Hughes' unexpected escape from Frank Trigg's choke a couple years before that.

These are the things that, in my opinion, make for great fighters and memorable champions. Fedor Emelianenko was once notorious for these comebacks. No one can question the heart of these individuals.

I believe BJ Penn is more naturally talented than Frankie Edgar. But Edgar is a much harder worker, much more naturally hungry. Much more intense in his demeanor in the cage. And this makes me want to cheer for him more as a fan.

I believe Penn was vastly over-matched against his 155 lb. opponents from 2007 to April of this year. It explains why he blew past everyone not named Georges St-Pierre until he faced Edgar. And now, he has to be questioning his own viability in this sport.

I'm not sure where BJ goes from here. If he rematches with Kenny Florian, he will probably be victorious. Other possible fights remain against the likes of Takanori Gomi and maybe even George Sotiropoulos if the latter can notch another win on his record.

But that depends on if he wants it badly enough. He's lost twice in a row to Edgar now. One time, he lost convincingly. Should he climb up the ladder to face Edgar or Gray Maynard, he is likely to have massive doubts going in. If he moves up to 170, he has a stacked division to contend with, and another massive hurdle in GSP, who has also defeated him twice.

It is a difficult choice to make. I certainly don't see him dropping to 145, I don't think his body could take it. Welterweight seems like a probable move, one that he has considered for a time according to most reports. But I don't think he'd fair well in that weight class under the current conditions.

I think the best move for BJ is to heavily consider what is best for him next... and to make sure whatever he decides, he goes about it with the utmost seriousness and dedication.

BJ can be the best. He can make a comeback and reclaim his title of best lightweight in the world. The question is, does he want that? Already videos have emerged stating he's looking to return to the cage soon. That's great, but at this point, we have no idea which BJ is gonna show up... the guy who backs up his boasts, or the guy we saw last weekend.

Sweet Silence: Why the Debate was Over before UFC 118

Although tonight's main event at UFC 118 will feature a rematch after the somewhat controversial Frankie Edgar vs. BJ Penn title fight from Abu Dhabi, it seems that most eyes are concentrated on the co-main event. A fight that brings years of comparison and debate to a head. A fight that embodies the spirit of the argument itself -- MMA vs. Boxing.

Many eyes will be on Randy Couture vs. James Toney, especially those belonging mainstream sports writers and pundits from both sides of the divide. James Toney has been extremely vocal about his desire to KO Couture and make a statement about the more dominant sport. His interviews have been brash and boastful enough to make even Chael Sonnen blush. Couture comes to the fight with his same soft-spoken demeanor and unwavering confidence. He has said little with regard to the sport vs. sport debate, and he doesn't need to. His stance is that he has a job to do, and that job is to win.

James Toney is a great talent in the boxing ring. His pugilistic career spans 20 years, and at a 72-6-3-2 record, he has walked away with a raised hand in nearly 87% of his fights. That doesn't come by accident. In a sport where anyone has a puncher's chance (See Serra vs. GSP), he has the opportunity to KO Couture. He has the chance to make the statement he things he will.

And none of that matters, because Toney's odds of winning are about as good as the chance of an Art Jimmerson comeback.

This is not a one-dimensional sport. By that, I mean there is so much more to it than striking. I understand there are variant boxing styles. There are power strikers, technical strikers, multiple stances, it is a complex and dignified sport. I can't take that away from the sport. However, while the fight itself hearkens back to the style vs. style days of the earliest UFC events, much has changed about the promotion, and the sport once simply known as NHB (No Holds Barred).

This is not like Royce Gracie's vs. Jimmerson, where it's the Jiu-Jitsu master versus the Golden Gloves champion. MMA has evolved by necessity. To be successful, one must master multiple crafts. Striking, grappling, submissions, clinch work, cage control... it is a more dynamic sport for these reasons.

Boxing has not drastically changed since the early part of the 20th century. While the caliber of athletes to put on the gloves may have escalated, the same principles remain.

That being the case, unless James Toney is a savant, he doesn't have a prayer. And the sport of MMA will forever be a more challenging sport for fighters.

It is perhaps serendipitous that just this week, Kimbo Slice announced his intent to make the jump from the cage to try his hand at boxing. While his street fighting knockouts are well documented, his MMA career is even more notorious for his shoddy ground game.

That is why UFC 118, while it promises to be entertaining, will not ultimately matter in this debate. The truth has been out there for years.

Additionally, from a business perspective, the UFC has had boxing's number for years. Since the rapid ascent of the UFC into the mainstream from the mid-2000's on, the sport of MMA has been eternally compared to the sweet science. It is a fact that UFC owns 8 out of the top 10 sports PPV's annually. One of the other spots belongs to WrestleMania, and the top spot typically belongs to a boxing event, featuring either Manny Paquiao or Floyd Mayweather, both of whom have wrested the box office crown from Oscar De La Hoya.

It is also a fact that boxing will never truly "die." That said, its popularity has faltered dramatically.

Lackluster PPV's. A title scene about as clear as mud. Few recognizable mainstream names. And a superfight that may never happen.

It doesn't matter where this decline began. You could argue it began with Mike Tyson's imprisonment. Or his fight with Evander Holyfield. Or perhaps back even further with Don King's influence. The fact is, boxing is no longer what it once was, and another sport has ascended as the top combat sport. And Zuffa are the kings of the cage between UFC and WEC.

While MMA may forever be linked to boxing because of the spectacle, the venues, the atmosphere, the verdict was delivered a long time ago. All hail the king.

The Fitch Paradox

Joe Silva has a quandary before him, and it weighs 170 lbs.

The welterweight division is a big one for the UFC, but its champion just happens to be Georges St-Pierre. The man who has wrested the title of “world’s most dominant welterweight” from Matt Hughes, and put on dominant performances for the last three years. Oh, and depending in who you ask, he’s also the #1 or #2 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

GSP has just about cleaned out his weight class, and save maybe one or two realistic “fresh” challengers (Jake Shields comes to mind), we’re at the point where his contenders are “reruns.” Guys who already had their chance but came up short. Josh Koscheck is the first to ready “syndication” in this instance. After him, topping this list is AKA teammate Jon Fitch, perhaps the world’s most paradoxical fighter.

Going into UFC 117, the rematch between Fitch and Thiago Alves was initially promoted as a #1 contender’s fight, with the winner getting a second shot at GSP. Despite Fitch’s win, immediately following the fight, White was hesitant to confirm Fitch was the man to face the winner of GSP-Kos 2. It was reminiscent of White’s fuzzy stance on Dan Henderson this time last year. After Henderson KO’d Michael Bisping in convincing fashion, many were under the impression he would be the next to get a crack at Anderson Silva for the middleweight crown. Clearly, that never came to fruition.

But whereas Hendo’s potential shot went up in flames due in part to contractual negotiations, Fitch’s is in limbo because Dana White is painfully aware of one fact: Fitch is boring.

As good a wrestler as Jon Fitch is, he causes audiences more pain than his opponents. After watching him control Ben Saunders for 15 straight minutes in person at UFC 111, I cringe at the thought of seeing him do the same to contenders in an alternate Bizarro World where he’s welterweight champ.

Fitch’s last five fights have had him winning by unanimous decision time and again. In all fairness, 3 out of GSP’s last 4 title defenses have come by way of UD, too. Heck, if BJ Penn’s corner didn’t throw in the towel after the fourth round, odds are that fight would have gone the distance as well. But the fundamental difference between St-Pierre and Fitch is that the incumbent champion does make an effort to finish his opponents. While he predictably takes them down and controls them, he’s always working. Throwing shots, looking for submissions, being active on the ground. Fitch hardly does that. Last Saturday against Thiago Alves, he started looking for a choke late in the third round. But by that point, he hard already cemented his victory by taking Alves down and controlling him every single round.

He’s grueling to watch. And yet his record speaks for itself. Fitch subscribes to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” school of thought, and is unwavering in his methodology. But the fans have long begun to turn on him. In pro wrestling, his fight would be known as the “Popcorn Match;” a match in which the fans are unengaged and use the restrooms or get concessions.

Fitch’s dilemma shows that while you can convincingly win fights, you can’t necessarily win fans. Until he displays more thorough killer instinct, he may be second to GSP, but he will remain lost in fans’ hearts. I don't believe there are many fans out there who would want to see him defending the welterweight title, holding opponents in one place for 25 straight minutes without barely throwing a blow or going for a submission.

In a world where fans want to see Anderson Silva dropping bombs instead of dancing to wins, Fitch will forever be lost in the shuffle. Fans have cooled on him, and it's possible Dana has as well. If Fitch wants that second title shot, I'm of the mind he's going to have to show it more with one more fight. My take is that Jake Shields should be next in line should he defeat Martin Kampmann. Fitch should take the loser of that fight and show some hunger in doing so. Being the #2 in your division isn't enough. Zuffa needs to tout it's champions, which is one of the reasons UFC 112 was borderline disastrous given Anderson Silva's performance. Were it not for Chael Sonnen, UFC 117 would not have broken a million buys, period.

Besides, if Fitch does get another crack at GSP, he should know his wrestling won't do any good. One way or the other, Fitch has his own paradox before him: fight or falter. The choice should be obvious.

The Perfect Storm

Saturday night, the conditions were just right in and outside of the cage for the perfect storm.

You could not ask for a better combination. Hype. Trash talk. A clash of styles. An embattled champion. A brash challengers. A hint of controversy. And a miraculous comeback.

There’s something about this fight that vaguely reminded me of Rocky III, with Rocky Balboa having to redeem himself in the eyes of his critics against Clubber Lange after a string of wins against questionable contenders. Skip the loss to Lange and Mickey’s death, add in a bizarre performance in which Rocky moonwalks in his last title fight, and that is essentially the story of Silva vs. Sonnen.

I, like pretty much everybody else, thought the reign was over. Chael Sonnen not only talked a big game against Anderson Silva, he came in and enacted his game plan to near-perfection. To his credit, I knew he was a legitimate threat (or at least expected him to offer some semblance of a challenge) to Silva’s crown. I didn’t expect him to dominate the champ the way he did.

In the early rounds, I thought Silva was baiting him, trying to tire him out and go for an armbar from the guard. It quickly became apparent that it was actually Sonnen's plan in action. Continuously, he executed precise, stifling takedowns and managed to avert any submission attempts. Silva opened each round trying to gain an advantage as the aggressor, abandoning his standard counterstriking strategy. Sonnen ate a few hard shots, but nevertheless managed to stick to his plan and stuff the champ, inevitably outstriking him nearly 10 to 1.

The stats are incredible. Silva absorbed more strikes in one fight than his in his entire career inside the Octagon.

Between rounds, the look on his face told the story. “I am not only losing… I’m lost.” The look on Sonnen’s face was buttressed by the words of his corner. “It is within grasp.”

Going into the fifth, the outcome was clear: “Silva has lost. Within two days, Sherdog will revise their divisional rankings with Sonnen on top. A day after that, their pound-for-pound rankings will show GSP as the best in the world with Jose Aldo as runner-up. Silva may drop from the list altogether.”

Then at 3:10 in the final round, the outcome changed.

A triangle choke slapped on tight. An attempt at escape. More contortion from the champion. More struggling from the challenger. A brief, Fedor-esque tap on the thigh. Josh Rosenthal’s struggle to break the hold, and then chaos. Silva refused to relinquish, Sonnen denied the tap… and within less than a minute, the replay clearly showed what Rosenthal’s sharp eye caught. And like that, it was over.

But for more than 22 minutes, this hypothetical outcome was the farthest thing from anyone’s mind.

Silva’s victory solidifies him as a champion. No one is talking about his insulting performances against Patrick Cote, Thales Leites or Demian Maia today. He was pushed to the limit, defeated, and did the impossible.

Sonnen’s loss marks him as a marquee fighter. In defeat, he did what no one has been able to do to Silva in his entire career. Despite Silva’s early losses in Pride, he had never been decimated from bell-to-bell. He had never been made to squirm or forced to doubt his stature. Sonnen humbled him for 99% of the fight. He talked he talk and he damn sure walked the walk. He has nothing to be ashamed of in his endeavor. He did what no one else could do in the last four years: make Anderson Silva look human.

Let’s be clear… neither man fought the perfect fight. Holes in both men’s games were glaringly exposed. For Silva, it’s wrestling. He struggled with Dan Henderson for a full round before putting him away, and against a younger, hungrier Chael Sonnen, he was completely outmatched. For Sonnen, it’s submissions. 8 of his 11 losses are by way of submission. That’s approximately 73%. For both men, we already knew these facts. However, they were cracked wide open for the world to see this past Saturday in Oakland.

And despite all that, they have earned our respect.

Despite their initial disrespect (Silva’s to Maia, Sonnen’s to Silva), we are compelled to applaud the efforts of both men.

Despite the fact that Sonnen dominated for 22 minutes and couldn’t win, or the fact that Silva only “owned” ten seconds of the fight, they have captured our imagination. Forget the prolonged hold, the tapping protest, even Silva’s remarks about his ribs. These guys epitomized the beauty of MMA.

The question on many people’s minds is: should there be an instant rematch? I’m torn on this, only because Vitor Belfort was promised a shot in November of last year, and has been waiting patiently since April. On the other hand, Sonnen made a strong case for himself. If he were to be granted an immediate rematch, this would be the third “instant” divisional title rematch in one calendar year (the other two being May’s clash between Shogun and Machida and the upcoming tilt between Edgar and Penn). That has to be some kind of a record, and genuinely speaks to the quality of each division’s contenders.

Everyone was elevated in this match. Not just the fighters, but Joe Silva, who put together a spectacular card and a remarkable main event, and especially Josh Rosenthal. This is the second consecutive title fight he has refereed (the other being last month’s Lesnar-Carwin showdown), and the second in which he made an excellent call that required great observational skills. He deserves to be launched into the upper echelon of active MMA refs along with McCarthy and Dean.

Saturday night, the conditions were just right in and outside of the cage for the perfect storm.

For those of us who watched, we felt blessed just to be caught in the downpour.