Music to listen to: Youth by Matisyahu
Lessons learned from UFC on Fox 11
-Older dogs can learn new tricks in the evolution game. When you think of Fabricio Werdum, the first thoughts that come to mind usually relate to him being a solid pro, beating Fedor and having one of the best ground games in the history of the heavyweight division. Elite striker doesn’t come to mind but his dominating victory over Travis Browne last Saturday has to be mentioned.
Since his loss to Alistair Overeem in June 2011 under the Strikeforce promotion, Werdum has returned to the UFC and won four consecutive fights against guys who had better striking on paper. However, the Brazilian has evolved his fighting and been able to transfer power into his strikes. While he can still get submissions in, as evidence of his victory over Antonio Rogrigo Nogueira last June by armbar, the improvements in standup have been impressive to see. Werdum is now throwing punch and kick combinations that would have seemed not likely less than two years ago. He now gets the chance to fight Cain Velasquez for the title later this year.
-Travis Browne will still be a contender. This was only Browne’s second loss and there are some positives to be taken from it. I thought he showed toughness in taking Werdum’s punishment and had solid ground defense, something we weren’t about coming into the fight. The heavyweight division has several intriguing matchups for the Hawaiian especially the loser of the upcoming Junior Dos Santos/Stipe Miocic battle in May.
-The Miesha Tate/Liz Carmouche fight showed that technique can beat strength…barely. The first round saw Carmouche dominating the pace and dictating the fight. However, Tate was able to use her superior ground attack over the last two rounds to earn the decision. The third round was even more telling as Tate got Carmouche’s back several times for rear naked choke submission attempts. Carmouche literally ripped apart Tate’s grip in an impressive feat of strength. A Tate/Sarah Kaufman rematch would be in line since both of them, along with Carmouche for that matter, have all lost to Ronda Rousey and need to sort out the top contender spot.
-Donald Cerrone is one tough hombre. He was getting dominated for the majority of the first round in the fight against Edson Barbosa who is a tough S.O.B. himself. However, Cerrone hit a left jab, stunned Barbosa, got the back and earned the rear naked choke submission.
Cerrone wants a title shot against Anthony Pettis when the champ gets healthy. That would be a fine fight but there’s another one I want to see more…
-Can we please book Cerrone vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov? The Russian had an impressive win over Rafael dos Anjos on Saturday as well. This fight accomplished several things. First, we get to see if Cerrone can hold off a younger competitor and keep himself high in the pecking order for a title shot. Also, Nurmagomedov has emerged as the hottest prospect in the lightweight division and maybe in all of the UFC with an undefeated record and an impressive arsenal of skills. However, the resume could use some building and a Cerrone victory could do that. Win that fight and I wouldn’t be mad at a title fight for him down the line.
-If Yoel Palacio was a few years younger, I’d be more confident in his title chances. Another impressive victory for Palacio on Saturday, this one over Brad Tavares. The Cuban may be the strongest fighter in the middleweight division and has the best throws you could hope for. He’s a fun prospect and doesn’t turn you off too much with his “Soldier of God” moniker, which can often happen to a religious fighter. While writing this, I’m looking at the landscape of the division and its not as deep as you would think. If Palacio seasons himself and gets another win or two, this time next year he may get a title shot after all.
Quick preview of UFC 172 main events:
Jon Jones vs. Glover Teixeira: The last time we saw Jones, he was in my Fight of 2013, a close decision victory over Alex Gustafsson back in September. He returns to face Teixeria who hasn’t lost in close to 10 years. The last defeat came to Ed Herman back in 2005. Since coming to the UFC in May 2012, Teixeira has shown tremendous talent but takes a major step up in class against Jones. The champion’s reach advantages were negated by Gustafsson but are gained back against the challenger. I expect Jones to pick Teixeira apart and earn another decision victory.
Phil Davis vs. Anthony Johnson: If you went into a laboratory and tried to create the perfect light heavyweight physically, Davis and Johnson would be right there as the prototype. Its a return to the UFC for Johnson who last fought in the promotion back in January 2012. Rumble has found a comfortable weight class to compete in and looked good during his stint in the World Series of Fighting, earning three victories. If Davis sticks to a wrestlng game plan and uses his superior size advantage, he should earn a close decision.
Those are my thoughts, what are yours?
The Sports Inquirer 
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