Due to technical difficulties this did not get up on Monday. However, there doesn’t really need to be a set day for comprehensive analysis. It’s time to lay out my thoughts and opinions on some of the latest happenings in the fighting realm. So huddle all together and let’s begin three rounds of logical assertion.
Round One: Gilbert Melendez and Benson Henderson
“El Nino” should be the UFC Lightweight Champion. How and why those judges scored it a split decision for Benson Henderson is beyond me. I definitely had Gilbert winning rounds one, two and five, and I know many agree with me. This is the second time that Henderson has won a very controversial decision. Back at UFC 150 Henderson survived what should have been a Frankie Edgar win, but instead the judges saw it as a split decision for Bendo. Don’t get me wrong, a win is a win, but when people start talking about Henderson being the best lightweight of all time, many fans will put an * beside his name. I don’t want to use the word robbery when discussing the Melendez loss last Saturday, but for some reason the judges keep giving points, rounds and wins to Bendo when they shouldn’t.
What in the blue hell was Henderson thinking by proposing to his girlfriend in the cage? That was one of the cheesiest moments in UFC history. Seriously, I have a real problem with people proposing at sporting events. Not only that, that proud and sweet moment will forever be replayed with boos in the background – Not a great soundtrack to when you are proposing to your lady. The San Jose crowd in the Shark Tank were all in disbelief that Benson had won. I’m not one to rain on someone’s parade, wait yeah I am, but it didn’t seem to work. Congrats?
In the end, Benson Henderson is still the champ, but to call him the greatest lightweight is premature. BJ Penn is still the greatest of all time. The UFC should be looking for a rematch between Bendo and Melendez; however, we will be stuck with the winner of TJ Grant vs. Gray Maynard at UFC 160 getting the next shot (yawn). It will also be interesting to see how Anthony Pettis does against Jose Aldo in August, because you know he is owed a 155lbs title shot too and to be honest, that should be Henderson’s next fight if it is not a rematch with Melendez. Meanwhile it’s back to the drawing board for Gilbert, and let’s hope that he doesn’t have to wait a while before fighting again. It would be good to get him back into the cage sooner than later, to give him a chance to work his way back to a title that was taken from him by incompetent judging.
Round Two: Boston
I was glued to my television and Twitter last week when the shit went down in Boston. I have been transfixed on the whole story because it was like a real life movie that was being played in front of our very eyes. Thankfully the police, FBI, Feds etc… all worked as one cohesive group to put the puzzle pieces together and helped a City that was in chaos. Boston Strong is the motto and even though I hate the Boston Bruins, I put aside my trivial hockey rivalry and showed my support for a community that was rocked by something heinous. Both those terrorizing little shits deserve to be dead. Yet, you can’t help to wonder what went through their minds as they acted upon their Islamic extremist acts. Who does that? How does one mentally change their minds so radically to kill innocent people?
Although this is not MMA related, it’s a subject that is on a lot people’s minds. Good on UFC President Dana White for making plans on donating money to the victims and their families.
“I have a hard time talking about this in public because if I really do talk about it, I’m going to come off like a psycho,” said White. “I’ve really limited talking about it, but I’m going to Boston on Saturday. After [UFC 159], I’m jumping on a plane and flying to Boston, and I’m actually going to go visit some people that were affected by this horrible event.”
“The story that gets me is the mother that was crossing the finish line and the 8-year-old that was killed and the 6-year-old that lost her leg by a couple of f—ing cowards.”
“I’m going to go to Boston and write some checks. I don’t even know how I’m going to do it or what I’m going to do, but I’m going. I want to go. I’m going next weekend.”
Round Three: UFC on FOX 8 Main Event
This week the UFC announced that the Main Event for UFC on FOX 8 in Seattle is going to be Demetrious Johnson vs. John Moraga for the UFC Flyweight Title. This is obviously a great opportunity for Johnson to fight in his hometown. The problem is many are wondering, “who is John Moraga, and why does he get a title shot?” No disrespect to Moraga who is on a seven fight-winning streak, but this is a top-tier flyweight that has been hidden way down at the bottom of prelims for his only two UFC fights. Again, I’m not saying that Moraga doesn’t deserve a shot, what I find rather odd is if the UFC knew they had a possible number one contender for the flyweight title, why haven’t they showcased Moraga on a main card of an FX or Fuel event?
This is the inherent problem with the flyweight division. There is an obvious lack of depth. There was plenty of opportunity for the UFC to showcase some flyweight talent, so fans could see some of the top contenders fight on TV. It’s just odd to see a guy who was buried on the Facebook prelims, all of a sudden get a Main Event slot and a chance to fight for a title. Many casual fans will have no idea who Moraga is and although the UFC will do their best to promote the fight, it’s too bad there was no real build up for a contender. It all seems kind of rushed like they are saying, “we don’t really have anyone else, so come on down you’re the next contestant.”
UFC on FOX 8 will go down on July 27 from the KeyArena in Seattle, Washington. Another big name fight announced for the card is Jake Ellenberger taking on Rory MacDonald.
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You can listen to Trevor on MMASucka Radio heard weekly on MMASucka.com and Sportsnet.ca. Follow him on Twitter @tdueckMMA
