My Blog Returns

After a few months hiatus, my MMA blog has returned. Exciting things have been happening in the world of mixed martial arts, and I'm ready to start giving my opinions on them once again.

Off the heels of UFC 60, and leading up to UFC 61, I think the UFC and Dana White have proved their point that the new stars of the UFC are more well rounded and advanced fighters than the old stars of the UFC. Ken Shamrock and Royce Gracie have now both been used to put over newer faces. And now Shamrock stands prepared to do it again at UFC 61 as he takes on Tito Ortiz for a second time. I hope that this is the last fight we see of this type for a while. But I doubt it. The old names still draw numbers for the same reason Mike Tyson can still draw numbers. And as long as they do, the UFC will use them. Royce himself said he was not done, and had at least two fights left in him. I imagine that both will be in Japan.

What I am much more excited about are some good fights looming on the horizon. Arlovski-Sylvia III is just around the corner. Matt Hughes, fresh off his win over Royce Gracie, will defend his belt against Georges St. Pierre in September. The UFC that fight is on is rumored to be held in Canada, giving St. Pierre home field advantage of sorts.

Also coming up soon is the Pride Welterweight and Open Weight Grand Prix. I'm not a big fan of the mixing of the weight classes, but as a fan of the sport, you can't help but be intrigued at some of the matchup possibilities in the Open Weight Grand Prix. In the Welterweight Grand Prix(183lbs.), I am looking forward to seeing if Murillo Bustamante or Paulo Filho can unseat Dan Henderson for the tournament title. I'm also curious how Dennis Kang and Joey Villasenor will do in the tournament.

The production values for the IFL on Fox Sports are very high. Devin Cole putting his opponents mouth piece back in to avoid a stand up was quite entertaining. And the IFL will be giving us some big fights soon with old favorties like Pat Miletich and Renzo Gracie locking horns.

WFA is an organization that is making waves right now. Matt Lindland versus Quinton Jackson is signed, as well as fighters like Ryoto Machida, Ricco Rodriguez, Ivan Salaverry, and the recently announced return of Bas Rutten.

Mixed martial arts is poised to really break through as a main stream sport in the United States. Awareness of the sport is rising, and with the efforts that have been made to move towards fighter safety and regulation of events, there aren't the abundance of critics that there have been in the past. Competition popping up for the UFC can only be a positive thing for the sport in the long run. I hope it pushes UFC to improve both their product and fighter pay.

Until next time,
Jason