The Sports Inquirer

by E. Marcel Pourtout, Editor

Music to listen to: The Orange Peel DJ Mix by Found Atlantis

Here’s what we learned from UFC on Fox 12 last Saturday:

-Robbie Lawler needs an extended vacation before facing Johny Hendricks. Lawler is on the hottest streak of his career, culminating with a decisive decision over Matt Brown in the main event. However, it was also the winner’s third fight in four months, two of which went to decision.

The Lawler/Brown fight went as expected. Lawler had superior striking when keeping distance and had solid takedown defense. He was even able to get Brown down on some takedown attempts himself. Brown used his superior reach advantage and did solid damage in the clinch.

The only clean round victory for Brown came in the second round while the rest were for Lawler.

We’re now going to see Lawler/Hendricks 2 and if its being targeted for January 2015 that would be preferred. However, with the increased frequency of fight cards and lack of major pay-per-view draws in the UFC, this title fight will most likely happen earlier.

-Anthony Johnson is a contender for the light heavyweight crown. Three years ago, it looked like Johnson would never compete in the UFC again. He struggled greatly to make weight multiple times and creating embarrassment for his camp and the UFC. After finding a comfortable division at light heavy, Johnson has revived his career, dominating Antonio Rogerio Nogueira at the fight with a first-round TKO.

With Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier battling for the title in September, Johnson looks likely to be one victory away from fighting the winner of that contest. Some have suggested Johnson face Glover Teixeira next, I’d like to see Johnson face Alex Gustafsson later this year with the winner fighting for the crown in early 2015.

-The second-generation of MMA fighters all need to retire. BJ Penn, Rich Franklin, both Nogueira brothers, Dan Henderson, Anderson Silva, Shogun Rua and others from their generation need to end their careers right now. I respect each one greatly for their careers and contributions to the sport but its time to move on. I have no interest in seeing any of them fight in any capacity.

-Dennis Bermudez and Bobby Green may be UFC champions in 2016. I called Johny Hendricks, Jon Jones and Cain Velasquez becoming UFC champions two years before each of them were even given title bouts. I’ve said the same thing about Gustafsson and Nate Diaz which hasn’t happen so I’m not always accurate.

However, after seeing Bermudez defeat Clay Guida in impressive fashion on Saturday, I’m throwing my hat in the ring on the New York native being a major player in the featherweight division in 2016, maybe sooner.

Green may get a title shot later due to the depth of the lightweight division but the win over Josh Thompson showed some solid skills. Green took the fight on short notice but impressed in the decision victory and extended his winning streak to eight matches.