The Waiting, is…

After three years of waiting for this fight, the hardest part is asking ourselves, is it even important anymore? Does it even matter in the game of MMA today, now that other fighters have overshadowed the flames these two names have carried? I suppose the name Vitor Belfort will forever be synonymous with the UFC, a flash of furious fists always comes to mind even for non MMA fans. His opponent, like him, once a favorite representative of the octagon is also lingering in the roadie section still trying to steal back the show on the big stage of American MMA.
I suppose that for each of these men it will be the fight of their lives, the fight to stay alive and keep a name in the UFC. As fans, we can only hope like hell that they will give it everything, but most of all, that it is an exciting fight. In a way, Tito’s most exciting fights were two current losses to Randy Couture and Chuck Liddell. To me, Ortiz proved that he had more cojones against Lidell, because he stood outside of his usual takedown, fence stacking, ground and pound elbow game, even though he got sliced. Although the fence tactic earns him certain victories in the octagon, it comes at a price that leaves many fans sounding the persiflage, such as after his last decision over Cote in UFC 50. After all, it’s the risks a fighter takes that most conquers the audience.

Although he won the decision, Tito's performance was less than decisive.

Lets face it both these fighters could easily be accused of being one dimensional in their recent career bouts. For Vitor it is also imperative to take it to another level, since his game has seemed a bit sluggish, being unable to finish by striking or submissions. If the initial bombardment doesn’t work anymore, why not train for the long war? I think the last time I saw Vitor Belfort fight a great strategic war was against a heavier Heath Herring in Pride. Belfort was patient, intelligent, and knew how to get through with the decision, completely frustrating the bigger bouncer. That’s the Vitor we need to see, one that adjusts to the situation, which could very well be one of Tito on top and him in the guard against the fence. But maybe instead of predictable grappling we will see fists flying and sparks shooting from the pure build up and expectation to this battle.

Duh Big Boys

Although Tim Sylvia is a huge man with an enormous winning record, he proved to be somewhat human against a slier and smaller submission specialist named Frank Mir. Not that Frank is a little guy either, but he moves like one. Mir didn’t just win the battle, he had to break the arm, and even that didn’t discourage Sylvia from going on, as he seemed shocked that the referee would stop it. And it was indeed a fast and wise stoppage following a furiously efficient arm bar.
Arlovski is an angry young man with a lot of pent up energy and an incredible amount of natural athleticism. He is very well rounded and will take the fight standing or on the ground. He has fought the best and reeked havock even when losing, and it’s been awhile since that’s happened. All I can say is that this is like placing two time bombs inside the same cylinder and the only thing one can expect is serious damage. It will be tough for Arlovski because of Tim’s enormous power and frame, but it will also be difficult for Sylvia to keep up with the speed and centrifugal force of Arlovski's hooks.

Falling from grace, will Baroni finish or be finished by Pete Drago Sell?

I Told You So

Just for the record, I think match maker Joe Silva read my last UFC article and suddenly woke up the next day thinking, “hey why don’t I book Evan Tanner against Dave Terrell for the belt.” Or was it just an obvious choice? The part he didn’t subconsciously pick up on was my idea of a tournament for this weight class, since there is much talent to be found here. We shall see if this Ronin who has appeared on the Pancrase stage can upset another Team Quest man by the name of Evan Tanner. For Tanner it will be the outcome of a very long quest after having abruptly lost a shot at the light heavyweight title once upon a time against that younger bad boy from Huntington Beach, by head slam.
If Terrell takes Tanner by surprise with a submission, we should not be shocked by the thought of an MMA invader coming in from the outside and taking the belt which was taken by Murilo Bustamante about three years ago. Tanner will need to grapple cautiously and employ the Henderson hooks and the Couture cutting elbows, but any mistake could cost him the bout.

Whose The Real NY Bad Ass

For me personally, this will be the most exciting fight of the evening. Is it because it stars one of the poster boys of the UFC? The Bad Ass who keeps admitting that he keeps f*^%#*ing up. He is scary and controversial and of course a favorite of many fans, his name is Phil Baroni.
But that’s not who I’m talking about, I’m talking about the secret weapon from the Serra Longo Competition Team. I’m talking about a German American kid they call “Drago” who grew up in the hood, and pays the rent as a bouncer and MMA fighter. He is the current 185 lbs. champion of Ring of Combat, an MMA event from the New York area.

With coach Ray Longo to his right and Matt Serra to his left, Drago brings his title belt to the Octagon.

He is a Pan American Games Bronze Medallist in Jiu jitsu, and he loves to trade and test his standing skills. “This is all I know how to do. I grew up fighting on the streets. I’ve been shot at, I been stabbed, I’ve been through everything…what are you gonna do, knock me out?” He says this with a genuine and mischievous smile, still revved after a long sparring session with two teammates, which he did want to end.
For Phil Baroni, this is a huge break from a Robbie Lawler who has been on a down, but for Pete Sell, this is the break of his life and a chance to prove who he is. He had been looking for a fight everywhere, even in Japan, but nobody there wanted to gamble with a dangerous unknown twenty one year old. He was going to fight a preliminary bout in the upcoming Euphoria MFC on Feb. 26th, but is now instead facing a monster of a fighter named Phil Baroni, who has everything to lose, during prime time.
This could be the greatest debut ever for a young dynamic MMA fighter, with such a prized and dangerous opponent. This could also be very risky, as even more experienced pros have gone down in haste to Baroni’s anxious fists. But if time is the element, which has proven to work against Baroni, then that is what Drago must bide for, or finish with faster fists than Phil.
“This is what I like to do, I feel focused. It gives me something to concentrate on so I can stay out of trouble, I don’t know what else I would be doing anyways.”

With cards like Karo Parisyan vs Chris “Family Man” Lytle, or names like Nick Diaz, or bird man David Loiseau, UFC 51 seems stacked up to be a fully entertaining fighting deck of cards. I’m already packing my toothbrush and swim trunks, I hope the pools are open out there, its still snowing here in beautiful Brooklyn. But since two feet of snow, a beer and some live rock n roll don’t always cut it. Give us our UFC.

Other Cards:
David The Crow Loiseau vs Joe Riggs
James Irvin vs Mike Kyle (biter)
Justin Eilers vs Paul Buentello
Nick Diaz vs Drew Fickett