I've been putting this off for a while. This is where keeping this journal/blog becomes more work than fun. To tell it like it is, I compete, but I don't follow the sport. I never have. I train and focus a thousand percent when I have a fight signed, but when I don't, I'm busy with other adventures. I don't check up on MMA online. I don't read any magazines, and I watch very, very few of the shows. That isn't meant disrespectfully in any way to the sport, and to the fans. It just never has been my thing. I'm usually fully focused on what I'm doing, and if I'm not competing, I'm paying attention to something else. That's the way it's been with any sport in which I've been involved(wrestling, pole vaulting, BMX racing, snowboarding, surfing, cycling, football, bowling, mountain biking, surfing, skydiving, scuba diving, etc, etc). I'm better at playing the game, than watching the game.
I'm not going to try to give a professional, fight by fight, play by play breakdown of the fights in UFC 87. There are plenty of guys who know what they're talking about, that are doing a great job of that. You'll be disappointed reading this if that's what you're expecting. This opening will probably be longer than what I have to say on the fights.
Kenny Florian. I'm impressed with Kenny everytime I see him. I did watch some of the first season of The Ultimate Fighter show. I don't remember that I cared for him too much then. It was easy to feel a little resentful of the guys. I had put in so many years earning my place in MMA, in the UFC, and suddenly there were a bunch of these young guys getting an quick and easy road into the Octagon. I paid attention to some of the guys, kind of kept track of what they did, how they did in the sport after the show. A lot of the guys took that amazing opportunity they had for granted. They let the little bit of notoriety and fame go to their heads. I've always been impressed with Kenny and Forrest among others, because it seemed they didn't let it get out of control, they worked their asses off to take full advantage of all the opportunities they had. I respect that. And Kenny, he doesn't really look the part. I couldn't say he has a really intimidating look about him, but he always brings it in the ring. He's a workman. I respect that.
Heath Herring took on a big challenge. Lesnar is inexperienced, but he has some solid positioning, and he's looks freaky strong. I respect that Heath kept battling all the way to the end.
GSP looked smooth to me. I was really liking some of his transistions for the feet, the tie up or scramble, to the takedown. Some of those were smooth as silk. I watched him, taking mental notes of some things he does that I want to add to my game. That match was an educational one for me.
UFC 86
There are fighters that are just plan scary, ones that have the capacity, that have those moments of incredibly explosive raw and powerful athleticism. Combine that with solid technique, and the destruction of an opponent can take only a fraction of a second. That's Quinton Rampage Jackson.
Then you've got The Ironman, those fighters who aren't amazingly graceful athletes, who aren't going to blow you away with beautifully excuted techniques. They are just steady, heavy, in your face. Hard to hurt, hard to stop, they are just going to keep coming at you. That's Forrest Griffin.
I really enjoyed that fight.
Anderson Silva is in a class by himself. What can be said that hasn't been said already? I gave him credit when he first came into the UFC, and when he became champion. He earned it. I expected him to falter, to fade after a fight or two. It happens. A fighter burns to be champion, struggles, pushes himself to the limits to get there,.....and then what? The fire seems to slowly go away, the desire burns less intense, and fresh, hungry fighters rise up. Not with Silva. I give him much respect for his endurance, for his staying power, for his steadiness. He seems to only get hungrier, and get better with each fight. He's taken on and easily beaten fighters that I thought he would struggle against, tthat I thought would beat him. He has a golden touch right now. And as important as anything else, he has maintained a very humble, respectful, professional, and sportsmanlike attitude. Like Forrest, he's a great representative of the best of the sport Much respect for both from me.
