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Georges St.Pierre Steps In For Serra - An MMA Trilogy Awaits

Well, so much for waiting a week to have the messy UFC Welterweight Champion situation rectified. In less that 48 hours, the 170 lbs division went from a December 29th title bout between champion Matt Serra and challenger Matt Hughes, to Serra pulling out and Hughes having no opponent. Next thing you know, our very own Georges St.Pierre will be putting it all on the line and stepping up to force his arch nemesis (again), Matt Hughes.

Both of these fighters are risking a great deal by agreeing to this bout but it is fighters like this that separates true champions from those made out of pulp. The winner of this bout will be crowned the new ‘interm’ welterweight champion, and will battle Serra in 2008 to become the true undisputed champ. While the winner of GSP - Hughes III can look forward to the unification bout, the loser will be left wondering what to do with his career.

Win or lose, I see Hughes with a variety of options all leading to one final goal. Hughes has already stated he only has a few fights left in his career, so if he wins, he gets a shot back at the title he held for years. If he loses to GSP, I see him moving up to the middleweight division and challenging the champion at 185 lbs ( whomever the winner is between Anderson Silva and Dan Henderson early next year ). If Hughes defeats GSP and gets a shot at Serra, win or lose, I see the aforementioned scenario also occurring, minus perhaps a decision by Hughes to retire as the welterweight champion.

As for GSP, it appears the pressure seems to be all on him. He must win this fight because if he loses, he is once again knocked off the pedestal and has to work his way back up to challenge for the title. That means he will have to fight guys like Jon Fitch, or even have a rematch with Karo Parisyan but then again, he may just get his rematch with Matt Serra should Hughes win the unification bout next year. That isn’t so bad for GSP, considering he has been dreaming about a rematch with Serra, since the latter shocked the world in their original bout last April.

Meanwhile, Serra feels as if he is at a crossroads in this scenario, while GSP and Hughes duke it out for the interm title. When asked for his thoughts regarding this newly formed matchup, Serra stated ‘I can’t believe the position this puts me in. I’m actually rooting for Matt Hughes so I can beat his ass’; lest we forget the animosity Serra has built up for GSP post an interview conducted with yours truly on ‘The Showdown’ last summer. That very interview (with GSP’s comments on losing to Serra) spread across MMA internet forums like a forest fire eventually leading to some choice words by Matt Serra in response to the former champions verbiage.

To say I am excited would be an understatement but come December 29th, GSP - Hughes III will be a trilogy for the ages. It is just another great bout added to the already star studded card the UFC has put together to close off 2007. Be sure to tune in to ‘The Showdown’ this Thursday night at 10 pm as I will be contacting GSP to come on air to discuss this very scenario. Let’s see what he and I can stir up for both Hughes and Serra to chomp on. Should be lots of fun.

With yesterday’s news that UFC Welterweight Champion Matt Serra has had to withdraw from his December 29th title bout vs Matt Hughes, the UFC’s Welterweight title and rankings picture is in complete disarray. History has proven that matchmaking in prize fighting never pans out the way it should, what’s truly disturbing about this current scenario are the circumstances behind the parties involved.

First off, we will have to wait until next week to surmise the length of time Serra will miss due to the herniated discs he has suffered during a normal training session. If it’s only a few weeks, then all of the drama surrounding this scenario will be rectified by mid 2008. Based on historical reference regarding other athletes who have suffered the same type of injury, it may not surprise many people that Serra could be out for a minimum of 5-6 months. This will mean the UFC WW championship belt will not grace the octagon in over a year, since changing championship ownership in April of this year.

The second issue in this scenario is Matt Hughes. While the scheduled date of this bout is still about 5 weeks away, Hughes most likely has already commenced his preparation to challenge for the title and could still continue his training for another opponent. This is more than enough time for Hughes to mentally (and physically) prepare a strategy for another fighter. The question here is whether Hughes is willing to still fight on this UFC 79 card and if so, vs who? Looking at it from Hughes’ perspective, he runs the risk of losing, thus removing his name from the title picture. If he does accept to fight somebody else, the names being bandied about as potential opponents are Jon Fitch, Thiago Alves, Josh Koscheck and Diego Sanchez.

Due to personal obligations, Fitch has already stated he will not be in the country and thus will be unable to fight in December. Sanchez is looking to drop down to lightweight, so he is potentially out of the picture as well. Koscheck is coming off a loss but should welcome the opportunity to fight Hughes. A win over Hughes would  quickly move him up the welterweight rankings wihile Alves, (who is coming off ‘Fight of the Night’ accolades vs Chris Lytle during last Satruday’s show) is a potential name who no doubt would take this fight in a heartbeat.

The other person in all of his is former UFC WW champion, Canadian Georges St.Pierre. After his last fight (a victory over Koschek) St.Pierre was promised that his next bout would be a title shot vs the winner of Matt Serra vs Matt Hughes. That fight would have taken place in March or April of 2008 and was scheduled to take place at the Bell Centre in St.Pierre’s hometown of Montreal, Quebec. Will he be willing to fight Hughes on December 29th and run the risk of losing his own shot at title redemption vs Matt Serra, the man who defeated him for the belt? There are those saying that Hughes vs GSP III should happen and to make it for an interm title. I don’t buy it and I don’t want to see it unless it’s for a real title.

The questions continue to swirl regarding this scenario and the next few days will be pivotal in mapping out the future of this jam packed division. Will Matt Hughes still fight on December 29th? Who will his opponent be? What is the severity of Matt Serra’s injury and how long will he be out for? Is Georges St.Pierre going to have to wait even longer than projected to get a shot at the title he lost last April? Stay tuned fight fans, it’s going to be an interesting week to say the least.

UFC 78: Validation went down in Newark, NJ last night and goodness me, was I ever taken for a loop in some of those bouts. It goes without saying that while I generally do fairly well when making my picks, it’s the ones that I do not get right that make me shake my head. But this time, it was one I did get correct that has me looking in the mirror and saying ‘What was I thinking?’

I had the pleasure of watching this bout with UFC Middleweight Sensation Kendall ‘Da Spyder’ Grove, and both of us were watching in awe as time and time again, Michael Bisping made believers out of naysayers, while frustrating Rashad Evans into an unexpected split decision victory. What I thought would be a cake walk for Evans turned out to be a war for the Michigan State University grad and one he will never forget.

Bout by Bout Results

Rashad Evans def. Michael Bisping via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
I firmly believed that Rashad Evans would have his way with Bisping but wow, was I ever mistaken. Bisping obviously did his homework, working his wrestling takedown defence and frustrating Evans during every one of his takedown attempts. To make things even worse for his opponent, Bisping was able to easily defend Evans’ ground and pound efforts while working himself back to his feet after some very strategic hip movements and perfectly executed positional escapes.

When it was all said and done, Bisping narrowly lost a split decision to Evans, proving to everyone that he not only showed that he belongs in the Light Heavyweight division but the underdog status he carried into the octagon (courtesy of many of us in the media) was not only incorrect but flat out wrong.

Thiago Silva def. Houston Alexander via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 3:25
Thiago Silva proved once again that next to the Lightweight division, the UFC’s Light Heavyweight division is stacked with talent and it appears the matchmaking combinations are limitless. With his stunning first round victory over Houston Alexander, a bout many MMA fans had going the other way, Silva has placed himself in the same breath as Keith Jardine, Forrest Griffin, Mauricio Shogun Rua, Rashad Evans, Chuck Liddell and Vanderlai Silva.

In 2008, all of these fighters will have to battle each other to figure out who will be the #1 contender to Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson’s UFC LHW Championship.

Karo Parisyan def. Ryo Chonan via unanimous decision
This was a very technical bout between to great takedown artists who also did not shy away from banging away on their feet. Parisyan landed a variety of double leg takedowns and a sensational judo sweep in the third round, making the task look easy against an opponent who has quite the acumen in the Japanese art himself.

Sadly, it was truely disgusting to hear the fans boo in the third round as both fighters were exhausted as the bout was coming to an end. While Parisyan apologized to the crowd during his post fight interview, it should be those fans who were booing who should be issuing out the apologies.

Ed Herman def. Joe Doerksen via KO (punch) — Round 3, 0:39
It was difficult to see my friend go down like that, but Doerksen should be commended for taking this bout on short notice and nearly pulling it off at the end of the second round. If Doersksen would have been able to set up that triangle choke only five seconds earlier, the end result (arm bar) would have forced Herman to tap out. Lucky time ran out for Herman, who was very close to submitting to Doerksen’s arm bar attempt. It was on so tight that the referee was standing over both fighters ready to halt the bout for fear that Herman was about to have his arm broken.

Thankfully for Herman, Doerksen came out of his corner in the third round exhausted, hands down but willing to go to war. The war started quickly as both fighters started trading bombs but it was Doerksen who left his right hand down giving Herman the avenue he needed to land the finishing blow.

Frank Edgar def. Spencer Fisher via unanimous decision
What do you get when you pit an All American wrestler, who is relentless in his attack against a knockout artist who wants to stand and bang? You get Frankie ‘The Answer’ Edgar dominating Spencer ‘The King’ Fisher in a three round technical war proving once again why the 155 lbs lightweight division is the most exciting division in the sport of Mixed Martial Arts today. With this victory, Edgar climbs the LW ladder and looks for another exciting bout in hopes to get a title shot in a division jam packed with star studded talent.

Joe Lauzon def. Jason Reinhardt via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 1:14
Joe Lauzon put on an MMA clinic against Jason Reinhardt, one that looked like something out of a standard MMA class. Anyone that has ever trained in the sport surely saw this bout as not only something they have practiced dozens of times in the gym, but truly awe inspiring to see it executed with such perfection . If you have yet to see this bout, it is worth an online search or ordering the ppv.

From closing the distance, stuffing his opponent’s takedown offence, then taking the bout down to the ground, Lauzon then executed an exceptional ground and pound setup to take his opponents back, while finishing it off with a perfect rear naked choke.

Undercard Results

• Thiago Alves def. Chris Lytle via TKO (doctor’s stoppage — cut) — Round 2, 5:00
• Marcus Aurelio def. Luke Caudillo via TKO (strikes) — Round 1, 4:29  
• Akihiro Gono def. Tamden McCrory via submission (arm bar) — Round 2, 3:19

UFC 78: Validation goes down tonight in Newark, NJ with some interesting considerations for a few of the combatants. Without further a due, let’s take a look at all of the bouts on this card.

Main Event: Michael Bisping vs Rashad Evans

As I mentioned on Thursday during ‘The Showdown’, as well as on ‘Sportsnet Connected’ last night, I cannot see anything that Michael Bisping can do to Rashad Evans that will garner him a victory in this battle of undefeated light heavyweights. Evans is a better striker, better takedown artist, better ground specialist and his record of victories holds more water than those of Bispings. While Bisping obviously has a puncher’s chance in this bout, I cannot see it happening. This main event has Rashad Evans’ arm raised in victory written all over it .

Thiago Silva vs Houston Alexander

When this bout begins, under no circumstances are you allowed to grab a drink, reach over to grab some popcorn or polish off the last chicken wing on your plate. I am also warning you not to blink. As is common during various long weekend festivities, you do not want to miss the fireworks. These two strikers both pack some serious firepower in their strikes with most experts flipping a coin as to ‘who will knockout who’ in the first round. While this will be the biggest test for each fighters respective careers, I see Houston Alexander winning this fight via KO or TKO late in the second or early in the third round.

 Joe Doerksen vs Ed Herman

I had Joe ‘El Dirte’ Doerksen on the show this past Thursday and we spoke about the short notice in stepping in as a late replacement to take on Ed Herman, as well as what his game plan will be. He was pretty clear that even though his cardio would not be what it should be (due to only having two weeks to train for the fight) he does not see any improvement in Herman’s game since they lost fought in 2004 that poses any serious danger to him in this bout. I concur, and see Doerksen pulling off another submission victory in the third round.

 Ryo Chonan vs Karo Parisyan

I have pegged this fight as my fight of the night simply because Karo ‘The Heat’ Parisyan does not have a neutral or reverse gear and only knows how to move forward. Chonan, a Japanese veteran of the Pride organization has a history of never moving back and will be more than happy to engage Parisyan in the Octagon. I see this fight as another text book MMA bout which will showcase the beautiful techniques this combat sport has evolved into over the years. I believe Parisyan will pull out a judges decision and of course, here’s hoping ‘The Heat’ can pull off one his highlight reel Judo throws on Chonan.

Frank Edgar vs Spencer Fisher

While hometown favourite Frank ‘The Answer’ Edgar is coming into this bout as the underdog vs Spencer ‘The King’ Fisher, I am one of the few people who will pick him to pull off the victory. He is an All-American wrestler who is very difficult to take down to the mat, has very quick hands and generally dictates the pace of his bouts. Mind you, Fisher is a little beast, a knockout artist who’s wrestling is not to be taken lightly. I look for Edgar to ground and pound his way to a judges decision.

Undercard Bouts and Quick Predictions:

• Chris Lytle vs Thiago Alves - Alves by judges decision
• Jason Reinhardt vs Joe Lauzon - Lauzon by TKO in the second round
• Luke Caudillo vs Marcus Aurellio - Aurellio by submission in the second round
• Akhiro Gono vs Tamdan McCrory - Gono by submission in the first round

While much has been made about this Saturday’s UFC main event not being the ‘SUPER FIGHT’ that the vast majority of other Pay Per Views main events have been, I am definetly looking forward to this bout (as well as the rest of the fights on this card).

The main event at UFC 78: Validation will (for the first time) pit two different winners of the UFC’s Ultimate Fighter Reality Series against each other. Season Two winner Rashad Evans (15-0-1) will battle Season Three winner Michael ‘The Count’ Bisping (15-0), in a battle of light heavyweights who are looking to climb the ladder in hopes of getting a title shot in 2008.

On paper, this fight appears to be a battle of two well rounded fighters with similar records who both have a chance at winning via knockout, submission or by decision. But upon further review, I do not necessarily see it this way. This bout has Rashad Evans’ hand raised in victory written all over it.

While ‘The Count’ may be the current UFC posterchild in the United Kingdom, the Lancashire, England native does not match up very well his adversary. Evans, a Michigan State University grad (who had quite the extensive collegiate wresting career) has defeated higher caliber opponents in his carrer and cannot be taken down to the ground. This wrestling experience alone proves to me that Bisping will have next to no chance vs Evans and will be forced to trade bombs.

Evans will control this bout from beginning to end. He will force Bisping to stand and trade and based on my own analytical breakdown or each fighters stand up arsenal, this could be a very short night for ‘The Count’. Evans’ hands, elbows, knees and feet are much faster, crisper and far more precise. We could see another impressive knockout by the American, perhaps a mirror image finish to what he did against Sean Salmon.

Even if this fight should end up on the mat, Evans is a much better wrestler with a submission game that looks for better than Bisping’s. While he has only won one (1) fight via submission, I personally know a few UFC fighters who have trained with Evans and who have told me they are surprised he doesn’t use this part of his game more often.

I see Evans winning this bout via knockout, but based on his ground and pound skills, he can also punch his way to a TKO victory. Should this fight end up in with the judges making the final call, I still see Evans out working Bisping in every single round.

While I am already at four (4) different ways Rashad Evans can win this bout, there is something in the back of my mind that is telling me to stop. That little something is the ‘Curse of 2007′; it is the curse felt by Georges St.Pierre, Chuck Liddell (twice) and many other fighters who were so heavily favoured that they all forgot about one thing.

This is Mixed Martial Arts, and with four ounce gloves, anything can happen. One punch can turn the fight in a heartbeat. One wrong move and it can be ‘check mate’ for a fighter plying his trade in the sport being called ‘human chess’.

It goes without saying: ‘anything can happen’ especially in ’the year of the upset’ but I personally cannot see Bisping doing anything remotely damaging to Evans. ‘Styles make fights’ and Rashad Evan’s will be in fine form come Saturday night, keeping his undefeated record in tact, while sending Michael Bisping ‘down for the count’ and yes, down to the middleweight division.

Ah yes, the UFC’s middleweight division…that’s another topic for another day.