Tuesday Morning Quarterback: UFC 114 Surprises, Disappoints

By Elton "Hobbie" Hobson

For the UFC's first mega event of 2010, buoyed up by a massive fan expo and billed as “The Biggest Grudge Match in MMA history” (#2-4 were the Tito/Shamrock maulings, right Dana?) fan reaction seems to be a resounding “meh”.

Which is not only surprising, it's a downright shame, because I thought the event was entertaining top to bottom and provided one surprise outcome after another. If we needed reminding that MMA is a sport where “anything can happen”, this event certainly and emphatically provided it.

Be it John Hathaway meeting Diego Sanchez's “YES!” with a resounding “NO!”, Jason Brilz almost submitting a Nogueria brother, or Mike Russow pulling off a comeback that would make Rocky Balboa and Hulk Hogan drop their jaws in disbelief, UFC 114 proved that fights aren't fought in sports books, or between prognosticating sports pundits, but inside a cage. And once that cage door slams shut – yes, anything can happen.

Here are the biggest stories coming off of “Rampage vs. Evans”, which of course means we're starting with

Rashad Evans wins the battle, but did he lose the war?

In the “Primetime” series building up to the Rashad Evans vs. Rampage Jackson showdown (which was excellent, by the way, and I highly encourage anyone reading this to check it out) I felt there was one major letdown.

For two episodes, “Suga” Rashad is shown purchasing a Snuggie for his opponent, “so he'll be nice and warm when I knock him out”. We see him buy it, talk it up multiple times, then package it up and mail it to Rampage. We all knew where it was going, what was going to happen. Rampage would open said package in the final episode of the show, get angry, spout more comical trash talk, and casual fans the world over would delight in WWE style histronics. Sounds good to me.

Only not. Hyped up over the first two episodes, the “Snuggie” storyline was dropped entirely in the final episode, much to everyone's (ok, only my) chagrin. Turns out the Snuggie Rashad got Rampage was, well, himself.

For the thousands of fans tuning in to see some “Black on Black crime” (don't be surprised to see the PPV buyrate up around the 900,000 mark) Rashad's grinding, wrestling based offense wasn't exactly what the doctor ordered. Fans have accused Rashad of forgoing all his trash talk promises to take a play it safe, grind it out decision. Boo that man! Boooo! Boooooo!

But wait a second – didn't Rashad catch Rampage with a cracking shot only second into the fight, one that sent the “A-Team” star reeling? To me, it was this punch that set the tempo for the fight. Only seconds in, and Rampage became tentative, knowing “Suga” had the power to hurt him. He never really got going after that. Rashad stuck to a safe game plan, but let's be honest – anyone expecting him to do differently was kidding themselves. Rashad is a very well rounded fighter, but his base is his wrestling and he used to to effectively control the bigger, stronger Jackson for the whole fight.

Rampage's big moment came in Round 3, when he caught Rashad coming in and hurt him. He rained ground and pound down on Evans, but Rashad held on – or rather, Rampage failed to pull the trigger and put him away. In his last two fights now, Rashad has controlled the first two rounds with his wrestling, only to get put on queer street in the 3rd frame – and survive when his opponents lay off the gas pedal.

For Rashad, it was a solid victory that puts him in line for a title shot vs. Maurico Rua down the line. Say what you want about the Michigan State Spartan – he's boring, cocky, one-dimensional, whatever – there's no denying he is as mentally strong as they come. He put in the work, overcame a serious setback, and earned every bit of that victory. Haters gonna hate – which seems like what most of the UFC 114 criticism is anyways.

As for Jackson, well, he didn't look bad – but he didn't really look good, either. With the exception of that 3rd round, he never really clicked into gear and let Rashad control the pace of the fight. Here's hoping it was just ring rust and that he'll come back in more dominant fashion in his next outing – though my gut tells me that if “A-Team” does well at the box office, that will be the end of Rampage's fighting career.

World...meet Jason Brilz

Hoh. Lee. Crap.

Seriously, that was my reaction to the Brilz/Little Nog scrap that ended up nabbing “Fight of the Night” honors at 114. Originally slated to face fan favorite Forrest Griffin (in what was already being called a blowout for Nogueria), the TUF 1 winner fell out due to an injury and was replaced short notice by Brilz, a fighter with a respectable record but little to no casual fan recognition. As far as most fans and pundits were concerned, they might as well have brought a red carpet into the Octagon for Nogueria to walk over.

By the time Rogerio was turning purple in Brilz's guillotine attempt, I think everyone's jaw had just about hit the floor.

What a great, great fight for Brilz – truly a “star-making” performance. On short notice, the former All-American collegiate wrestler and assistant wrestling coach at the University of Nebraska came in, took the fight to Nogueria's world on the mat, and gave the vaunted BJJ black belt all he could handle. This was the kind of fight I love because it was 90% grappling, yet was fun, back and forth, and never dull. No one was stalling in this match, or playing for position. Fights like this prove mainly BJJ affairs can be as entertaining as pure slugfests.

So Nogueria takes a split decision and is showered with boos (which I can't stand, by the way – what did Nogueria do to deserve jeers except fight his heart out for 15 minutes? It's not his fault the judges don't agree with your drunk ass). Not to go against the mob, but I had it 29-28 Nogueria on my scorecard, giving him rounds 1 and 3. But it was close enough that ANY decision would have aroused fan anger.

Besides, there were no losers in this fight. Brilz's stock went up TREMENDOUSLY in defeat and he'll be back against an elite opponent soon (and with a full camp under his belt, which should help him do even better). I think the UFC should try to rebook the Griffin/Nogueria fight for later this year, and give Brilz the winner of Jardine/Hamill, or even Jon Jones on a Versus card down the line.

Todd “The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy” Duffee

Before this fight, newest UFC hype monster Todd Duffee was very frank about his own position in the HW division, calling himself “the most over hyped fighter” at 265 lbs.

Guess he was right, huh?

Ok, that's not really fair. For two and a half rounds, Duffee was showing the kind of skills and athleticism that has made him one of the most talked about up and comers in the game today. Crisp boxing, great movement, lightning speed and solid take-down defense – Duffee looked like the real deal. Then he blinked, lost focus for a moment, zigged when he should have zagged – whatever you wanna call it.

Boom. Mike Russow puts his lights out, capping one of the biggest comebacks in MMA history not featuring Rodrigo Nogueria. He then tore his shirt, flexed his muscles for the crowd, and left the ring to “Real American”. It was that surreal.

I personally don't think it's time to write off Duffee yet. With some poise, and a little more work defensively, he could still be a major force. He's young, has lots of time to improve, and should be brought up and developed slowly. Give him Stefan Struve, or even the Cro-Cop/Pat Berry winner if you really want to test his kickboxing.

As for Russow, he's in an awkward sport, as “take punishment for 12 minutes unending and then land a hail Mary shot” isn't exactly the best fight strategy. Still, the dude is tough as a $4 steak (thanks, Jim Ross) and deserves a chance at a featured bout. Him vs. “Big Country” Roy Nelson on a Spike TV Fight Night card would be epic. Admit it.

Meet the new “Just Bleed!” Guy

Wondering who the weird, grimacing man in the picture above is? Wonder know longer - he is the most intense UFC fan on the planet (surprise!)

C'mon, everyone knows who the “Just Bleed!” dude is (if you don't Google it and prepare to be amazed). This past Saturday, we met the successor to his ridiculous, utterly over the top crown.

As a dude who can't get more then a wisp of chest hair going, suffice to say I am in awe. Forget getting laid – chest hair imprints are the way of the future! Long live “UFC Hair!” dude!