Time for another edition of Verbal Submission, this time reviewing UFC 118. It was an interesting event that saw one man cement his status as the top fighter in his division, another fighter hurt his legacy, one man show his potential in two weight classes and James Toney was James Toney. On to my analysis…
Music to listen to: Burn Rubber by The Gap Band
Frankie Edgar is the best lightweight in the world…for now: Edgar’s performance against BJ Penn to retain his UFC lightweight title was dominating. He was able to use his speed and quick hands to keep Penn off balanced with striking. When Penn was able to figure out the timing, Edgar would just use his wresting skills to take the fight to the ground.
We saw the same game plan happen in the first matchup but Edgar was less confident in that contest. In the second fight between the two men, there was no doubt that Edgar was the superior fighter. He is the best lightweight in the UFC but has two men that stand in the way of him claiming the title of best in the world.
The UFC likes to brainwash fans into thinking that it exists in a mixed martial arts vacuum but many of us are too smart for that.
Gilbert Melendez, the Strikeforce lightweight champion, has been on a tear lately and would give Edgar a major fight. Also, look out for current Bellator champion in that division, Eddie Alvarez, to start getting more attention now that he is fighting more in the United States.
I’m on the Alvarez train and think that he’s the top guy in the division but between him, Edgar and Melendez, the discussions are fun for fans. Too bad we will probably not see any of those guys fight each other in the near future.
BJ Penn will be in Strikeforce or fighting in Japan in 12-18 months: I was discussing Saturday night’s events with my friend Andrew and made that declaration. I was trying to sound hyperbolic and make a rash declaration but it makes more sense to me now after thinking about it.
Penn looked uninspired Saturday. I don’t know if it was the weight cut, lack of motivation, an undisclosed injury, issues outside of the cage, but he didn’t look right in the fight. Even when he was being introduced in the cage, he looked like he didn’t want to be there.
Edgar is the better fighter at this stage so that’s not an excuse for the champion’s dominating performance. Its just that Penn has the better physical skills and pedigree than Edgar but got beat soundly.
For Penn, he has to do some serious soul searching. As a fan of his, this reminds me too much of when he left the UFC in 2004 to fight in Japan and fought in different weight classes, looking for challenges. He came back in 2006 and needed his second fight with Jens Pulver at lightweight to motivate him to become the elite fighter we’ve seen for the past three years.
Penn and the UFC have always had a testy relationship and it wouldn’t shock me if he left the organization to pursue different opponents and to “challenge” himself. Strikeforce would be the best vehicle for him to do that.
We’re heading towards Edgar/Maynard 2 and I’m not looking forward to it: Congrats to Greg Maynard for defeating Ken Florian and earning a title shot against Edgar but I want no part of that contest.
Two wrestlers who lack finishing power or submissions, usually fight to draws and had an uninspired matchup the first time around, no thanks.
I see a lot of takedowns and stalling in the matchup. Maybe I’ll warm up to it more when it gets closer to happening but for now, my hopes aren’t up about it.
Randy Couture did what he did but let’s hold off on his light heavyweight title prospects: Like most MMA fans, I respect what Couture has done in the sport and think what he’s doing at his age as a professional athlete is one of the underrated achievements in the history of sports, seriously. I can count on one hand all of the great memories I have of his fights. His battles with Chuck Liddell, the Tito Ortiz fight, his defeat of Tim Sylvia was one of the most exciting moments I’ve had as a fight fan.
He’s not a title contender at heavyweight or light heavyweight.
Couture knows every trick out there but him submitting an overweight and under prepared wrestler doesn’t mean that he’s going to beat Shogun Rua, Lyoto Machida, Rashad Evans, Rampage Jackson and al of the other top light heavyweights. Sure, he may get Rich Franklin or little Nog but that’s the max for him.
James Toney did what he did and hopefully that crap is over: I saw the countdown to UFC 118 show and saw another overweight edition of James Toney and knew that he would get smoked by Couture.
I thought he would lose some more weight but than saw the weight in on Friday and it confirmed my thoughts.
Toney’s extra weight doesn’t hurt him for boxing. Its hinders anybody greatly in MMA.
Nate Diaz intrigues me: I’m not going to lie. I’m a fan of the Diaz brothers. Nick is one of the top fighters in the world when he is focused and doesn’t get distracted by the bullcrap that tends to follow him.
However, I’ve been intrigued by Nate for a long time. He won the Ultimate Fighter as a lightweight and is now doing fights in the welterweight division as well. His victory over Marcus Davis showed that his dexterity and ability to gain submissions still holds true in the heavier weight class.
Nate hinted at returning to the lightweight division and that would be a smart move. Heavier wrestlers in the heavier weight class would hurt him. At lightweight, his weight isn’t an issue and his long reach is an advantage.
Outside of the Edgar and Maynard fold, I can definitely see Nate getting in the cage with someone like Florian to move up the ladder of the lightweight division.
Those are my thoughts, what about yours?
The Sports Inquirer 
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