Dansby’s Dirt: UFC 104 Post-Fight Wrap-Up
The following entry was written by BSN Assistant Vice President and Kickboxer Stuart Dansby.
BSN is the official nutritional supplement provider of the UFC.
To read more of Dansby’s Dirt, go to BSNOnline.net.
UFC 104 Post-Fight Wrap-Up
Well my predictions were pretty accurate for UFC 104: Machida vs. Shogun. I went 5 of 6 (yes there were more fights than that on the card but I was too lazy to pick them all). The only one that I got wrong was the guy I interviewed right before his fight. Eric “Red” Schafer lost by decisions to Ryan “Darth” Bader. Helluva fight though, for both men. However, I’m sure I wasn’t his only pre-fight interview, so I am not taking any “bad luck interview” blame here.
You all know the results of the fights that were of interest and you probably all know the controversies. Not everything went as planned this last Saturday. Well at least not for everyone… “If he bleeds then he must be human.” Although like 70% of the MMA community I called the winner of the Machida-Rua fight correctly, I don’t feel for a moment like I got this one right. Mauricio “Shogun” Rua was all that and a bottle of ENDORUSH as he frustrated, kicked, and punched the undefeated and seemingly unhittable, unhurtable Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida. All three judges scored it as a victory for the still-unbeaten champion Machida, but no doubt the MMA world was set back on its feet as finally someone has figured out how to hurt this guy and deal with his electrifying speed and deft elusiveness. This was, more than anything, two world-class badasses in one of the most intriguing chess matches that you’ll ever witness. Argue, debate, pontificate all you want about who won and who should have won. It doesn’t matter. Machida is still the champion today, and more importantly, Dana White, who is the ultimate MMA/UFC fan, has already declared that both of these men will fight each other again before they fight anyone else. So look forward to the rematch, MMA fans. This will be a true clash of physical titans and master strategists. Look for Machida to figure out how to combat those so-effective leg kicks of “Shogun.” Look for “Shogun” to be very aware that Machida will adjust his game. How they figure it out, what they do to adapt to each other’s strength and weakness… well, we will have to wait. But I have a feeling it will be more spectacular than the first fight. Machida will come with much pride and perhaps even emotion, as many are saying that he did not deserve to win. This pride… this emotion… this quest to prove that he’s worthy of the proclamation “The Machida Era” may prove the inspiration necessary to devastate “Shogun,” or it may prove to be his demise. Wait… just wait… ah hell I can’t wait. Let’s have them fight this Saturday.
Okay, and how long are you people going to doubt Cain Velasquez? He just overwhelmed, trounced, badgered and frustrated a top-level and highly-experienced MMA heavyweight in Ben Rothwell. Simply put, Cain made all of Ben’s offensive and defensive attempts look futile. The only critique I have of Mr. Velasquez is that he needs to hit harder, because those punches just aren’t Lesnar-like.
Anthony Johnson is the real deal! Okay, he didn’t make weight, and at 6′2″ he may just be too big to fight at 170. He came in 6 lbs overweight. So if he makes weight, does he knock out Yoshiyuki Yoshida in 48 seconds of the first round as opposed to 41 seconds? This is a guy with an 8-2 record and 4 of his victories are first-round knockouts! Look for the UFC to put a major challenge in front of him next. This guy is just fun to watch… even though it’s for short increments.
Joe Stevenson just keeps getting better and looks to contend for the title once again. His overall skill level has improved with time and shows no major weakness, and his focus is at a peak. Truly impressive.
Pat Barry just keeps looking like a beast as long as he’s on his feet. Actually, he even had a few moments where he looked good on the ground Saturday night. He just simply dismantled another excellent striker in the 6′4″ Antoni Hardonk by TKO in the second round. Barry at 5′9″ is somewhat of an aberration in the heavyweight division, but personally I just love watching a guy with that much skill and that much power as a striker. It’s truly a thing of beauty.
Thanks for reading and supporting. Have a powerful day!
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