Hyden's Take
HYDEN BLOG: Random Thoughts About UFC 152, Strikeforce Cancellation
Sep 26, 2012 - 12:00:40 PM HYDEN BLOG: Random Thoughts About UFC 152, Strikeforce Cancellation

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By: Frank Hyden, MMATorch contributor

Jon Jones beat Vitor Belfort in the co-main event of UFC 152 this past week. It was an impressive showing by Jones, and though few would consider Belfort an elite fighter, he's still dangerous. The other co-main event at UFC 152 saw Demetrious Johnson beat Joseph Benavidez by split decision to become the first UFC Flyweight Champion. Both fights were very exciting, and it was a pretty good card overall. With the numbers of shows the UFC runs these days, it's rare to see two title fights in one night.

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At UFC 152 Michael Bisping defeated Brian Stann. It was a nice victory that showed that Bisping is trying to improve his game. It wasn't a great victory, though, because Stann is still fairly limited in what he can do in the cage. I do think that Bisping is likely one more victory away from a title shot, but the problem is that he would be facing Anderson Silva. Bisping hasn't done one thing in any of his fights that makes me think that he could beat Silva. Still, if he earns the shot, he deserves it. It's highly unlikely, but Bisping might be able to pull off the upset.

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Cub Swanson had a great knockout of Charles Oliveira at UFC 152. It was kind of funny because Swanson hit Oliveira with a nice overhand and then Oliveira stood there for a second before falling to the mat. It was one of those delayed reactions that almost looks like a flop in basketball or soccer. Swanson could have smashed him again but he held off, showing good sportsmanship.

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At the press conference following UFC 152 Dana White said that they would consider Jon Jones vs. Chael Sonnen if enough fans want it. Who wants to see that? Legitimately? Even if that was a rhetorical question, I'll answer it. Chael Sonnen fans are the only ones who would want to see that fight happen now. Sonnen can have a title shot if he earns it. Let's at least see what Sonnen does against Forrest Griffin in December.

Dana admitted that a lot of people think that Sonnen talks his way into title shots, but, "You know that guy's going to show up to win." That's kind of a facepalm moment there because I'm kind of under the impression that every fighter shows up trying to win. Does anyone show up to lose? That's like that old joke, "I found my keys, they were in the last place I looked." I would sure hope so because why the hell would you keep looking after you already found them?

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News has also come out that Strikeforce has canceled their upcoming fight card after Gilbert Melendez, who was in the main event, had to withdraw due to injury. This is the second Zuffa card to be canceled recently due to a weak undercard. This Strikeforce cancellation isn't anywhere nearly as bad as the UFC cancellation, though. For one, there are not a lot of legitimate headliners in Strikeforce. However, the biggest reason it's not as bad is that this was a Showtime card. Obviously Showtime is a premium channel that you have to pay extra for, but I doubt there's many people out there who subscribe to Showtime solely to watch Strikeforce events.

The UFC event that was cancelled was a pay-per-view event that you had to pay $50-$60 for. By canceling it, the UFC is basically saying that you were paying that $50-$60 for one fight. In the case of the Strikeforce cancellation, you're also only getting one quality fight, but you're not shelling out a bunch of money just to see it.


Comments and suggestions can be e-mailed to me at hydenfrank@gmail.com