Robb's MMA blog

 With an unprecedented dominance over the middle weight division in the U.F.C. there is one lingering question constantly debated across the MMA community, who can stop this juggernaut?  The "answers" have thusfar come in the form of superior wrestlers with granite chins like former Pride superstar Dan Henderson, former multiple time King of Pancrase Nate Marquardt, Jiu Jitsu ace Travis Lutter, and the very accomplished long time middleweight champion Rich Franklin among others.  So what should make us think as fans that one Mr. Demian Maia has any chance whatsoever?  Why should we see him as anything more than the next sacraficial lamb served up by Zuffa to be offered at the alter of Andersons greatness?  The answer lies in getting the fight to the ground.  While this has been a sentiment echoed over and over leading up to all of Silva's title defenses,fact is, Maia is far different from other "top of the foodchain" grapplers that have faced the reigning champion.  We often hear Joe Rogan, who I respect highly for his knowledge of the ground game, often extoll the virtues of all these "on another level" jiu jitsu practioners.  But upon further inspection of many of these great fighters, their actual jiu jitsu pedigrees rarely extend past the point of simply being a black belt.  Now I fully acknowledge that a black belt in jiu jitsu is nothing to take lightly, but Demian Maia's actual grappling pedigree when examined far surpasses that of anyone that Anderson Silva has faced in years.  That being said, I believe Maia's chances of avoiding damage and implementing the only game plan that could lead to possibly the biggest upset in recent years are very low.  But I do believe with Silva's fairly pedestrian takedown defense and propensity to showboat at times, there will be a narrow window, that if capitalized on,could lead to the challenger shocking the world.

Boxing vs. MMA: What is the debate?

 As both a lifelong fan of Mixed Martial Arts and the sweet science of boxing, the whole debate amongst fans over which is superior in the realm of actual interpersonal combat seems to be more of a "which do you prefer" type of argument.  Boxing is an extremely good sport.  Very entertaining and the training more than likely would prove very useful in the area of self defense.  However, in my opinion, mixed martial arts is closer to actual real life fighting than boxing.  Boxing is simply a form of fighting, wheras MMA is just what it sounds like, a mix of many disciplines.  It makes you a more well rounded fighter and more prepared for different scenarios that could come up in the event a person needed to defend themselves.  Unlike many MMA fans, I refuse to take an elitist attitude towards boxing or to write it off as some watered down combat sport somehow inferior to MMA.  Truth is any training you can undergo to better be able to protect yourself or your loved ones is fine by me.  The all have strengths and weaknesses.  Just like the people studying them.  Just my two cents on the matter. 

Here are my picks for the UFC on Versus card tonight 

Brandon Vera vs. Jon Jones

Jone by TKO.  While Vera is an amazingly talented fighter, I think jonses athleticism and unorthodox striking will prove to be troublesome and frustrate vera.  Jonses wrestling is good enough to avoid being put in dangerous positions. 

Junior Dos Santos vs. Gabriel Gonzaga

Dos Santos by KO.  Gabriel Gonzaga certainly has the power to catch Dos Santos, but his advantage is definitely in the ground game.  And both camps surely know this and I see Dos Santos coming out very aggressively, pushing the pace, and overwhelming Gonzaga.

Cheick Kongo vs. Paul Buentello
Kongo by KO.  As much as I am still not sold on the Cheick Kongo experiment at this point, Buentello is a striker as well and tailor made for Kongo to stand and outstrike.  After the devastating loss to Frank Mir, a win alone may not be enough to rebuild Kongo's status as an elite MMA fighter though.  Kongo needs a decisive victory, probably a stoppage to keep his stock from falling any further.  I think he gets it in a perfectly hand picked opponent. 

Alessio Sakara vs. James Irvin

James Irvin by KO.  In a sort of unspoken loser leaves town match, I believe that sacraficial lamb Sakara finds out first hand that Irvins power will translate just fine to the lower weight class.  How many times to we need to see Sakara finished inside the octogon?  Hopegully this one last time.

Preliminary Bouts

Clay Guida vs. Shannon Gugerty  Guida by decision
Eliot Marshall vs. Vladimir Matyushenko   Marhall by Submission
Duane Ludwig vs. Darren Elkins  Bang by TKO
Daniel Roberts vs. John Howard  Roberts by lucky guess by me. sorry
Brendan Schaub vs. Chase Gomley   Schaub by TKO
Mike Pierce vs. Julio Paulino
Eric Schafer vs. Jason Brilz  Schafer by Submission