UFC 119 – What was the point?

My apologies for not having posted in a while. As you may or may not know, I own TheCageDoor.net, so I've been a bit consumed with several task that have required my full attention.  Enough about me, let's talk about UFC 119.

Before I get to my list of observations, I have just one question. What wast the point of UFC 119?  I remember the good ol' days when a UFC PPV had meaning.  When champions were decided and match-ups were made to set up future title fights.  In the case UFC 119 was pointless, unless the point was to weed out a bunch of fighters who no longer deserved an opportunity to fight in the UFC (and to make the fans pay for the privilege of seeing that take place).  I think (and lets hope) that UFC 119 was the exception and note the norm.  For the most part, Zuffa does a great job of giving us our monies worth, but UFC 119 missed the mark.

Sean Sherk has naked pictures of Cecil Peoples

Just after the fight ended, I turned to Joe [Trevino] and said, "It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see Sherk retire right there in the ring."  He looked that bad. So imagine my surprise when they announced he had won a split decision. Sherk lost that fight...badly. I don't know what fight Peoples and Trowbridge were watching but it wasn't even close, and it definitely wasn't a split decision in Sherk's favor.

Melvin Guillard needed to do more

I understand that it's better to win ugly than to not win at all, but I think Melvin needed a few more exciting and flashy wins to really hold the attention of the powers that be in the UFC. I think it was a bad match-up for him style wise and he did the best he could do with it.  I just think this might have added a few more rungs on the ladder that he'll have to climb to the top. Instead of getting Sherk next, don't be surprised if he has to fight Thiago Taverez.

CroCop is done, again

I think people forgot that CroCop was one loss away from being cut by the UFC in his last fight. Was this the one? I'm not sure, I read some where that he had it put into his contract that he couldn't be cut if he lost. Pretty smart move on his part, but who does he fight now?  Who ever he fights, it should be on an under-card because he's not the same fighter he used to be. He also needs to fix the "tell" he has. If you have a chance to go back and watch he fight, you'll notice that CroCop slightly raises his lead leg before he strikes.

Mir has a long way to go

It took him 2+ boring rounds to finish a fighter well past his prime. How bad was it for Mir? So bad that even though he had the only knockout of the night, he did not get knockout of the night honors (or money). Needless to say, D-Dub (Dana White) and Zuffa are not fond of Mir right now.

I am officially a Meathead

Matt Mitrione is fun to root for.  I don't think he'll ever be a top tier heavyweight, but that doesn't mean he won't get a title shot.  I think everybody knows that if he can continue to get the fans behind him, he'll get a shot at a title.  How can you NOT like a dude who fires his agent on national TV.   Check out this great interview he did with Ariel Helwani.  I must say I was stunned when he said that he made $5,000 in sponsorship money.  I know guys here in Houston who get more than that for their local, non-televised fights.