Week in Review: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
Posted on July 10, 2010, 10:15 AM by Anton GurevichThe Good: UFC 116 Lesnar vs Carwin. Well, not only the good, but The best. Ultimate Fighting Championship promised an entertaining Lesnar vs Carwin event, and it truly delivered. UFC 116 was maybe not the most star-packed card in the Ultimate Fighting Championship history, but it was definitely the best event I can remember since UFC 92.
The event was headlined by Brock Lesnar’s heroic survival against Shane Carwin, Chris Leben’s impressive performance against Yoshihiro Akiyama’s and George Sotiropoulos setting his name in stone of the UFC Lightweight rankings. With so much celebration at UFC 116, the night was a perfect example of what Mixed Martial Arts is all about.
Dana White did not "over-promote" UFC 116 like he did with the lackluster Rampage vs Evans, turning the event into a pleasant surprise. The only thing left now is to prevent from Anderson Silva, Chael Sonnen and other combatants to turn UFC 117 into another "Abu-Dhabi disaster". UFC 116 is definitely last week's "good".
The Bad: Dream Fighting Championship. Alistair Overeem’s absence from the Saitama Super Arena at Dream.15 and the way Dream FC handled this incident, left dust to the other contenders for the "bad" slot in this article. In his official statement, Overeem revealed that he declined to participate at Dream.15 several weeks ago; due to the lack of top-rated opponents Japanese promotion had to offer. Dream boss Keiichi Sasahara later failed to clarify the issue in his interview to MMAFighting.com, saying this:
"...I am not able to tell you, although the two fighters agreed to fight, it happened that these fighters could not fight. It's not because of money, but if the reasons are something that I cannot tell you then you might be able to guess what they would be. Because of that, we are not able to have these two fighters fight."
Whatever happened between the two parties, the only loser from this situation is Dream and Mixed Martial Arts. A successful Japanese Promotion would boost MMA outside UFC to the new heights, but Dream's inability to organize an effective relationship with fighters prevents this from happening (Jake O’brien case is another example).
Dream FC is the best MMA show entertainment-wise, but the lack of fights attractive to the US audience significantly slows its growth. Dream.15 was a terrific event, but there’s still a lot of work to do for Sasahara and his men. Merging with Strikeforce might be the best option for the both parties, and possibly a start of a new era in Mixed Martial Arts.
The Ugly: Dana White's harsh comments after Fedor Emelianenko's defeat reminded me of Tuco telling Blondie exactly how he feels while being dragged to the local Sherif. UFC President went as far as to ESPN to tell everyone “told you”, calling Fedor Emelianenko “fake, phony and a farce”, continuously telling everyone that he is no longer interested in adding Russian legend to the UFC roster.
Of course Dana White has right to speak up his mind, just like everyone else. But there is a thin line between expressing your thoughts to verbally attack a fighter and celebrate on his defeat. Only one month ago Dana White told everyone about Fedor Emelianenko turning into obsession, and how much he wants to sign him. Fedor’s defeat was a huge relief for White, who added insult to injury due to the feeling that he no longer needs “The Last Emperor’.
Yes, a victory over Fedor was a huge achievement for Fabricio Werdum, and an incredible turn of events on the MMA landscape. But I personally think that Fedor Emelianenko deserves at least another chance to defend his throne (especially after 10 years of dominance), before we all start dancing around his failure.
Pictures props: Maria Gatt
Comments
Really don't think that Overeem not on the Dream card is all THAT bad. If that is the worst thing to happen besides Dana insulting Fedor than MMA is having a great week. The congressman saying mma is a fight to the death, that is worse.
*assemblyman
Agreed.
I would like to add something of my own tho... Regardless of what people say, and I am not saying that Dana wasn't harsh, but he didnt go "as far as to ESPN to tell everyone “told you”, calling Fedor Emelianenko “fake, phony and a farce”
Rather he was asked to come as a guest on the show and was ASKED about that exact situation. So he said what he had on his mind. Oh well.
That pretty much explains it, because i doubt he called Sports Nation on ESPN and said "Hey i want yall to interview me and ima talk shit about Fedor alright lets do it." But yea i think the congressman would be the bad, and yall get mad we he talks about Fedor but apparently you dont know promoting, if you own a business you will find out people trash talk your business and say theirs is better its all business people comon.
I still am clueless about Overeem. Can anyone fill me in?
Basically, from what I understand, after many opponents were proposed and never materialized for Overeem at Dream "for various reasons," it finally came down to Ricco Rodriguez. Well Dream promoted the Overeem vs Rodriguez match stating that they had reached a verbal agreement. In the days leading up to the match however, Overeem's camp starting stating that there was never any such agreement and finally Overeem himself said there was never any such agreement. If I am not mistaken either Overeem himself or his camp said that Dream failed to get him a worthy opponent. Ricco Rodriguez stated that he felt that once Overeem and his camp found out that he was on a 7 fight win streak, 4 coming by KO and saw how good of shape he was in now that they backed out because of the potential impact a loss to Ricco would have on Overeem's current image and standing in America. He went on to say that he cannot blame Overeem for protecting his image and not taking the risk because of the amount of work Alistair has put into building his image in SF and America.....
Its kinda true and isnt that pretty much what Overeem and his camp are saying when they say "Dream failed to get him a worthy opponent" I mean if u are not scared of losing then who cares if he is "worthy," just knock him out and get paid... Maybe he didn't wanna end up like Fedor.
Yea I'm with you. Just fight and get paid.
Shouldn't pay too much attention to the media and not all the news like "We Telling it like It is " .imo
Can't say I agree, the main event at 116 was a farce and I for one saw just how horrible Brock Lesnar really is. Didn't think 116 was all that good an event really overall even thou that pathetic main event did let the rest of the show down.
You are an interesting fellow.
You cant honestly say that 116 was completely terrible, just because you hate Brock and the fact that he won, doesnt make that whole PPV terrible, in fact every fight was great on that card even the main event, the Leben/Sexiyama fight = Great
George/Kurt = Great
and the rest of the fights were pretty much KOs or submissions so how could you hate that riddle me that dude i just wana kno???
I have to also comment on how weak your point of view on 116 is. The event was clearly top entertainment.
I partially agree with Krogan. We saw that Lesnar is a farce and will lose to anyone with more than 2 minutes of solid standup in them. (No, Mir and 50 year old Couture do not count as solid standup).
When was the last time in any combat sport where the champion turns around and runs away after being hit in the face once? lol? We saw that Akiyama is also a farce. He lost to Belcher IMO and he lost this one to an 'end-of-life' tier 2 Leben. Bonner/Lytle/Brown ok tier 2 fighters, but not relative to anything as far as title implications.
Overall 116 was ok at best as there were no stellar performances. That slap KO was wicked tho...jumping guard??? (no, not pulling guard) He deserves to be slammed on his head lmao.
*slam KO, not slap KO!
Its interesting that your choice of words for Lesnar was "farce." Wonder if someone is holding a little resentment in response to Dana's ESPN comments..... Well, at least we know why u would say that 116 wasnt an all around great card.
About your turn around and run comments, that is just something that people like you have said so many times that you have started to believe it.... I would suggest re-watching the fight. He is backed up while trying to protect against Carwin's strikes and then at one point he shuffles left, to the SIDE, about 4 feet in attempt to get out of range. Hate to burst your bubble, but I am just calling it how it is. Before you reply and try to say its not true, seriously, re-watch the fight.
I'm glad Overeem didn't fight, as much as I would hve liked to see him fight...he was promised a title on the line and when they took it away I think Overeem made the right decision of not fighting and as for Dana, hes just a prick, how can he say that stuff about Fedor when almost everyone else in the MMA industry considers him one of the best, if Fedor was in the UFC Dana would be kissing his ass
Bob Arum promotions for fighters talked about MMA much worst then Danna said,hes said MMA just bunch of white fag lay on each other...lol
Bob Arum couldnt box his way out of a wet paper bag.
Nice post Anton is this the Good the Bad and the Ugly week in review going to be on a regular basis?
Just to clarify. The comments from New York guy were AFTER I posted this :)
Great article Anton ! and one of my fav movie, sergio Leone's movies rule !
Thanks LD... I also like Paint your Wagon :) It's with Lee Marvin
Long live FEDOR... THE LAST EMPEROR!!!!!!!!!!!