Who's gonna take the weight?

As the late great rapper Guru of the legendary hip-hop group Gang Starr once quipped, "Who's gonna take the weight?" That is the question now that surrounds Anthony 'Rumble' Johnson following the quick release of this promising young contender from the UFC. Sure it is a question, but also a play on words as the release is the result of Johnson's third failed attempt at making weight before a fight.

Unfortunately for Johnson (Pictured above), it was not only his third strike, but it came before the biggest fight of his career where he was featured in a co-main event. Luckily for Johnson his opponent Vitor Belfort was willing to go through with the fight, albeit with a stipulation, or he would've never made it past Friday night; especially with UFC President Dana White fuming upon the news that Johnson would miss his weight badly.

How badly? Anthony Johnson (10-4, 7 KO's) weighed in for a middleweight (185 lbs.) fight at 197 lbs. It's one thing to miss making weight by two, even three pounds, but missing it by double digits is "totally unprofessional," as Dana White said live on Fuel TV at the weigh-ins Friday. To his defense, if there is any, it was reported that Johnson was a mere one and a half pounds from hitting his mark when he was told by a doctor to rehydrate or risk serious health issues.

Johnson's camp used the excuse that 'Rumble' began feeling ill three hours before weigh-ins and was instructed by a physician to put fluids in his system. Sorry, but that excuse isn't going to fly and it didn't with White. While anything is possible, the truth is Johnson's past speaks for itself. On two prior occasions, while Johnson was competing as a welterweight (170 lbs.) he missed his weight before a fight.

I'm very nearly 5' 11" tall, and while I'm a lot older than Anthony Johnson, I can tell you I haven't seen 170 lbs. since high school. In the photo above, which was taken in July 2009, I was weighing about 225 lbs. and you can see that 'Rumble' who is much larger than I am, was weighing at least that, if not more. Therefore, how he ever made the 170 pound welterweight limit is a miracle unto itself.

However, he did make it, on at least 11 occasions; so you would think this fight, his first at middleweight, giving him an additional 15 lbs. cushion to play with, should be no problem. Yet it was, which makes you wonder, this time was it Johnson's fault or someone else? That is the question that was posed to me by MMAJunkie Radio host Gorgeous George Garcia when I told him the news that 'Rumble' had missed weight.

Garcia asked, "Does a missed weight target by so much fall on the fighter or his trainer?" In this case, the trainer is noted MMA instructor Mike Van Arsdale of the Blackzilian camp in Florida. Van Arsdale a former MMA fighter and UFC veteran, is also a former wrestler by trade, so he knows all there is to know about making weight. The same also goes for Johnson, who before becoming a professional fighter was an accomplished wrestler in the junior college ranks, winning a national championship.

Therefore, through his wrestling history and 13 professional fights prior, including two failed attempts, Johnson knew what his responsibility was and more importantly, how to meet it. For whatever reason, he didn't; so when the question comes up as to who's gonna take the weight for Anthony Johnson's release from the UFC? The answer is quite simple, look in the mirror big boy because you have no one to blame but yourself.

UFC 142: Aldo vs. Mendes Preview

When UFC 134 was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil back in August 2011, it had been nearly 13 years since the last time they were in the birthplace of what is now known as MMA. However, this last time was so nice, they had to do it twice; so this Saturday they are back again in Rio, barely four months later, with another stacked card, which features one of the top five pound for pound fighters in the world.

In August it was the arguable number one on that list, Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva that highlighted the show; this time it is none other than the exciting young UFC featherweight (145 lbs.) champion Jose Aldo. Aldo (20-1, 12 KO’s 2 subs) is one of the sports fastest rising young stars at only 25 years old. He hasn’t lost a fight in over six years and has won his last 13 in a row; including six in the WEC and his first three in the UFC.

His opponent this time comes in the form of an equally young, up and coming stud in Chad ‘Money’ Mendes (10-0, 2 KO’s 2 subs). The product of Hanford, California that fights out of the fabled ‘Alpha Male’ camp in Sacramento is a top notch wrestler whose overall game has improved with every fight. At only 5’6” he’s a powerful dynamo with explosive takedowns. The question is will that be enough against the all-around great Aldo.

Aldo, the former WEC featherweight champion as well, is truly the definition of a “beast” when it comes to MMA; fast hands, lethal kicks, vicious Muay Thai and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The one thing I didn’t mention was wrestling, where you would think Mendes would have the advantage. However, that didn’t stop him from destroying Mendes’s stable mate Urijah Faber when they fought.

On top of that, after just rolling through his competition, in his last two fights Aldo has survived two five round wars against top UFC contenders Kenny Florian and Mark Hominick. Thus, that experience against great competition will prove invaluable in the continuing growth of Aldo’s game. I fully expect him to finish Mendes via referee stoppage due to strikes by the third round in a successful homecoming.

In the co-main event, don’t blink because it is a barnburner featuring two fast handed, heavy-fisted middleweights (185 lbs.). The true homecoming is here for former UFC light-heavyweight (205 lbs.) champion Vitor ‘The Phenom’ Belfort, as he’ll not just be fighting in his home country, but his hometown as he is a Rio native. Belfort (19-9, 13 KO’s 2 subs), was actually the main event draw at only 21 years old when the UFC first went to Brazil back in ’98.

At that time he used all of 44 seconds to pummel future legend Wanderlei Silva. While that is possible again, I doubt it will happen, at least not that fast, this time against his opponent Anthony ‘Rumble’ Johnson. That is because Johnson (10-3, 7 KO’s) is an athletic physical specimen with great skills in both wrestling and kickboxing. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if it were Belfort who got caught and put away that fast.

It’s because of the raw talent that Johnson possesses, including his strength that is truly making this a difficult fight to call. However, I think experience and a dedicated Belfort will win via TKO in the second round. I just think his overall boxing skills, superior hand speed and crowd support will be too much for the young ‘Rumble’, who I l believe will get shook a little by the raucous Brazilian crowd.

So far it’s two for two for the Brazilians, will it be more of the same on the undercard? I believe so as I see Rousimar Palhares (13-3, 1 KO 9 subs) wrapping up and twisting Mike Massenzio (13-5, 2 KO’s 6ubs) in one of his patented leg locks before their three rounds are up.

The same can be said for the next big thing coming out of Rio De Janeiro Edson Barboza. This kid who is (9-0, 6 KO’s 1 sub), is riding a three fight win streak in the UFC and I see him getting his fourth via decision against talented Terry Etim from England. However, Barboza better be careful in his approach as Etim (15-3, 2 KO, 12 subs) is no joke and can easily catch the native both standing and on the ground.

I can’t lose in the other fight as it is Brazilian vs. Brazilian when the crafty veteran Carlo ‘Neo’ Prater (29-10-1, 2 KO’s 16 subs) finally makes his UFC debut after a ten year career. His opponent is a young hungry lion in Erick ‘Indio’ Silva (13-1 3 KO’s 7 subs) who comes out of the Nogueira camp. Silva’s only fight in the UFC lasted 40 seconds as he won by KO back in August and I expect more of the same against the seasoned, but outgunned Prater.

As they say in Brazil, "Espero que gostem das lutas;" that is Portuguese for “enjoy the fights.”

Enough already with the excuses

Probably the greatest single thing about this country may be freedom, freedom to choose instead of having someone make decisions for you. It is a powerful thing, but with freedom comes much responsibility.

Along those lines, the premise that a person is innocent until proven guilty is something that was established long ago; it has been the cornerstone of our judicial system. I'm not saying the system is infallible, but more often than not, it works. At the very least, it is fair.

On a rare weekend where the UFC did not have a live event scheduled and boxing was relatively light, the Strikeforce organization had center stage all too themselves. With a nice card that featured a championship bout and another fight that featured a former champion, all eyes should have been on Strikeforce this weekend; and they were, but for all the wrong reasons.

The news on Friday that Strikeforce Women's featherweight (145 lbs.) champion Cristiane 'Cyborg' Santos (pictured above) had been suspended due to a failed drug test superseded any outcomes of battles within the cage. You see, even though she's a woman in a sport dominated by men, Santos is a rare commodity.

She's not only the most dominant female fighter in the world, she is arguably Strikeforce's number one attraction; specifically because of her dominance. Unfortunately though, she's also just the latest fighter in the world of mixed martial arts to be found guilty of using performance enhancing drugs.

Santos failed her post fight test taken after her successful defense of her title on December 17, 2011 against Japanese fighter Hiroko Yamanaka. She has been suspended by the California State Athletic Commission for one year and fined $2,500. She has since issued an apology for her failed test, which was for stanozolol metabolites.

Yet, while she took responsibility for her actions, she claimed innocence by reason of negligence; she claims she didn't know a dietary supplement she used to help cut weight during training contained a banned substance. Herein lays my issue with her apology.

I do not have any fame and fortune, yet I know what I am ingesting into my system on a daily basis. Thus, I would assume a professional athlete, who makes their living with their bodies earning thousands, if not millions of dollars, would take a little bit more responsibility in their judgment.

Every time a professional athlete, including MMA fighters, gets caught taking a banned substance they immediately turn to the defense, "I didn't know." Chael Sonnen, Sean Sherk, Royce Gracie etc., all said the same thing. Enough already with the excuses; it's time for athletes to step up and accept full, not partial responsibility for their actions. From that standpoint, I have to give former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia a lot of credit.

Never the most talented fighter in the world and definitely not the most athletically gifted, when he got busted for performance enhancing drugs, he quickly and openly admitted he made a mistake because he knew what he was taking and did it for one reason; he wanted to try and improve his physique to look more like a fighter and a champion. If you're not going to take full responsibility and own up to everything 100 percent for yourself, then at the very least do it for those that idolize and worship you.

Right or wrong, Brock did it his way

The New Year isn't even a day old and yet the biggest news for mixed martial arts in 2012 belongs to a personality no longer affiliated with the sport. Although Brock Lesnar lost his fight Friday night in spectacular and quick fashion, he still ended up being the biggest star of the night, both literally and figuratively; that's because upon his defeat, Lesnar dropped the bombshell that he is retiring from the sport of MMA. However, was it really that surprising?

Lesnar (5-3, 2 KO's 2 subs) is only 34 years old, which puts him in his physical prime for this sport, and has only been a part of it for four and a half years, but his heart just isn't in it. He tried hard to be a fighter and for his brief stint, due to his natural physical gifts, found success; but a fighter's heart has to be just as natural and Lesnar just doesn't have it.

During his career, I've often said that Lesnar was a bully in disguise and what I meant was he took advantage of those he could because of his size and skill. However, whenever he met someone that wasn't imposed by him, he folded under the pressure. Bullies in my mind are always fearful deep down inside and when it came to fighting I felt Brock was no different.

Yet, he has to be given respect and acknowledged even if this is true. That's because on eight different occasions he put in the work and found the heart to step into the cage and face his opponents; not everyone can do that. Not to mention how he handled the pressure that was put on him, sometimes brought upon by his own actions. He came into this sport a known commodity from his days as a professional and amateur wrestler; a lot was expected of him and win or lose he delivered.

In his short time he became the biggest pay-per-view draw for the UFC and in only his fourth pro fight, he won the UFC heavyweight title. There are many skilled fighters with heart bigger than a beach ball that never attain, let alone get even close, to those heights. Beyond that, outside of the cage he showed more courage than he ever did inside of it.

In the last two years, in the middle of his prime and during his reign at the top, he was stricken with a life threatening illness in diverticulitis. This disease is one that affects the intestinal tract and most times, as in Lesnar's case, can only be treated through sensitive surgery. The first time he was diagnosed, there was doubt he would ever fight again. He could have easily walked away and had a legitimate reason why, yet he didn't. He came back and fought and he did it twice.

Sure he found temporary success and then lost his last two fights, but in my eyes and in the eyes of many, Brock won. That's because while he may never have displayed the heart of a fighter, he definitely displayed the heart of a champion. For a guy I truly believe doesn't have it in him to be in the spotlight, he's overcome all challenges and won at every level he's competed at.

He rose to win a NCAA championship as an amateur wrestler and then won championships in both pro wrestling and MMA in the two biggest organizations in the world. On top of that, for all the bravado and ego he came into this sport with, on Friday night after he lost he went out humbly and professionally. Even in defeat, Brock stole the show and for that, he should be applauded. Right or wrong, Brock did it his way.

UFC 141 Preview: 2011 is going out with a bang

As I sit here previewing next Friday’s UFC 141 card it suddenly dawned on me that no matter what I say regarding the main event, it’s quite simple, somebody’s getting knocked the f*** out! I mean, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that when you have two finely tuned behemoths coming at each other, something or somebody’s got to give; the question here is who?

One thing is for sure, UFC President Dana White and matchmaker extraordinaire Joe Silva can never be accused of protecting or coddling any of their fighters. On the last show of the year they have paired arguably their biggest money draw in former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar against their biggest free agent signing this year in former Strikeforce heavyweight champion Alistair ‘Demolition Man’ Overeem. The result is a fight for the ages that is intriguing and full of questions for many reasons.

First and foremost is, what Brock Lesnar can we expect considering Lesnar (5-2, 2 KO’s 2 subs) hasn’t competed since his title losing affair against Cain Velasquez 14 months ago? The reason behind the layoff was his second bout in two years against Diverticulitis, a serious condition that affects the digestive system. Thus, Lesnar had to endure a second surgical procedure to correct the problem, which always leaves the lingering question of how healthy is he?

This doesn’t even take into account, the rust incurred from such a long layoff. One needs to remember that while he’s a freak of nature type of athlete with top of the line wrestling credentials, he’s still a relative pup in the cage with only seven pro fights to his credit. Compare that resume to Overeem (35-11, 14 KO’s 19 subs) and on paper at least it looks like a mismatch.

However, Lesnar holds one wild card, wrestling. If he is able to clinch Overeem and take him down before “The Reem,” as he is also known, is able to inflict his damage, the UFC newcomer could be in a world of hurt like he’s never experienced before. Lesnar may be inexperienced, but he is massive and he’s a monster, literally. Thus, having him with that wrestling ability on top of you can spell doom.

Yet, that wild card is all he has in a hand that at best would sum up to only two pair in poker. Overeem on the other hand has everything from a three of a kind to a flush. Highly skilled in kickboxing, based on his background in Holland and experienced in all facets of Mixed Martial Arts from his vast international competition, I expect the “Demoltion Man” to live up to his name and demolish his opponent.

It’s no secret Lesnar doesn’t like to get hit; granted nobody does, but he’s a fish out of water as soon as he get’s touched and when facing Overeem, I anticipate he’s going to get hit fast and hard before he’s ever able to impose his wrestling will on the Dutch striker. That coupled with cage rust is why I am picking Overeem by first round TKO. If that happens, a showdown with current UFC champion Junior Dos Santos would be dynamite, literally and figuratively.

In the co-main event, we’re going from one extreme to the other as unlike the two Goliaths that are facing each other in the main event this fight takes place in the lightweight (155 lbs.) division. Yet, don’t be surprised if this one takes fight of the night honors as Donald ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone (17-3, 1 KO, 13 subs) looks to make it seven wins in a row against talented Nate Diaz (14-7, 3 KO’s 10 subs). This fight may be about as even as you can get.

Both guys are extremely versatile and are equally adept standing or on the ground. While conventional wisdom would probably have you lean towards Diaz as far as jiu-jitsu is concerned, it’s hard to ignore Cowboy’s 13 submission victories. Also, while Nate is unorthodox, but effective with his boxing, Cerrone has kicks in his arsenal that Diaz just doesn’t possess.

Almost too hard to call it, I’m going to pick Cerrone in this one via decision based on one factor. In a failed attempt at moving up to welterweight, Diaz was tossed around like a rag doll in his fight against Rory MacDonald. I think Cerrone may have the strength advantage between the two, which is my overriding factor in this one. On another note, this will be Cowboy’s fifth fight in 2011.

Finally, in a very interesting fight welterweights (170 lbs.) Jon Fitch (23-3-1, 5 KO’s, 5 subs) and Johny Hendricks (11-1, 6 KO’s 1 sub) square off in a contender’s match between two of the division’s best wrestlers. That said, while Fitch has challenged once for the belt and is arguably the number one contender right now, I am picking Hendricks via decision. The difference is boxing where Hendricks has shown constant and developing improvement. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Is Melendez King of the Hill or stuck in purgatory?

Following another impressive performance Saturday night, against yet another formidable challenger, Strikeforce lightweight (155 lbs.) champion Gilbert 'El Nino' Melendez finds himself in quite a strange place. Is he 'King of the Hill' or is he stuck in purgatory? Arguably the number one lightweight in the world and easily one of the top ten pound for pound fighters as well, you would think there is no question, but there is. That is because Melendez finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Being a champion at any level is a great accomplishment, whether it is as an amateur or as a professional at a small regional promotion. Thus, being a Strikeforce champion is nothing to sneeze at, but there is always the stigma of not being a UFC champion; which is the pinnacle of Mixed Martial Arts by where all other fighters are measured. It may not be fair, and in some cases may not be accurate, but as the phrase says, "it is what it is."

Melendez (20-2, 11 KO's 1 sub) handled his business on Saturday night as he convincingly won a unanimous decision over very tough Jorge 'Gamebred' Masvidal. That gives him six straight victories in a row and the only two losses on his record he's avenged. However, when you compare the names of his last six opponents, with those of current UFC champion Frankie Edgar, there seems to be a definite drop in competition. They've all been good fighters, but outside of Shinya Aoki, who was ranked number two in the world at the time, they were not necessarily cream of the crop.

That is of no fault of 'El Nino' though; loyal to the end, he made his name through Strikeforce when the UFC, for some reason, wouldn't give him a look. However, now under the Zuffa banner that also owns the UFC, Strikeforce, which was always looked upon as second fiddle, is now looking more like a minor league or junior circuit. Nonetheless, because Strikeforce is now owned by Zuffa, everyone, including Melendez, just knew it was a matter of time before he found himself challenging for the coveted UFC title. The time was supposed to be now at the end of Strikeforce's cable TV deal with the Showtime network. "Not so fast my friends," as ESPN's Lee Corso would say.

It was recently announced that Strikeforce renewed their contract with Showtime, which quipped many people to ask why? I too was asking myself the same question, but after thinking about it clearly, it's simple; it's all about the Benjamin's. The UFC recently signed a major network television deal with FOX. However, Zuffa realizing that cable network money is just as green and valuable knew it had to keep its hand in that cookie jar as well. How do you do it without causing a conflict of interest? You keep Strikeforce as a separate brand; problem solved.

Great for Zuffa, but where does that leave Melendez? If I know UFC President Dana White, I wouldn't worry too much. He realizes he has quite a commodity in the Strikeforce champion, so I'm sure he'll do whatever he has to, both financially and competitively to keep Melendez happy. The lightweight division in the UFC is probably the deepest in the company; especially with the WEC merger last year; so I wouldn't be surprised if you saw some well known names and high caliber fighters make their way onto the Strikeforce roster.

Yet, that's not etched in stone and Melendez has all but cleaned out the cupboard bare. Therefore, till some more big name fighters make their way into Strikeforce, he'll just keep playing Russian roulette with his world ranking as former Bellator champion Eddie Alvarez did before him and you see what that got him; a loss to a young hungry lion and more importantly a potential loss of big paydays. Thus, Melendez remains in purgatory and although he is King of the Hill in Strikeforce, that's almost like being Anthony Michael Hall's character was in the movie 'Sixteen Candles'; King of the Dipsh*ts!

UFC 140: Is there still any doubt out there?

Although Jon 'Bones' Jones (15-1, 8 KO's 5 subs) is the UFC light-heavyweight (205 lbs.) champion and has already defeated former champions Mauricio 'Shogun' Rua and Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson, people still doubt whether he's for real. After his title defense Saturday night against yet another former champion, Lyoto 'The Dragon' Machida (17-3, 6 KO's 2 subs), is there still any doubt out there? UFC 140 took place in Toronto, Canada and our neighbors to the north were treated to some exciting fights.

In the main event, champ Jones, still only 24 years old, found himself facing possibly the biggest test of his career yet. That is because while the biggest thing with fighting Jones is trying to solve the puzzle that he is, his opponent Machida is a brain twister of his own. Using a counter attacking Karate based style, Machida was effective and appeared to have Jones not only confused, but concerned early on. As a matter of fact, he clearly won the first round, which is something no one has been able to do against the unorthodox Jones.

However, the second round proved another story as Jones found the missing piece to the Machida puzzle; in this case it was closing the distance. By doing so he was able take Machida down, apply some ground and pound and eventually throw an elbow which caused a cut to the forehead. He then was able to catch Machida in a standing guillotine choke and, because of his uncanny size & length, torque his neck to the point that he literally put the dragon to sleep. I don't think there is any doubt left, Jones is legit and the future of this sport.

In the co-main event, it was a rematch of former UFC heavyweight champions between Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira (33-7-1, 3 KO's 20 subs) and Frank Mir (16-5 3 KO's 9 subs). Not only are these two former champions, but arguably the best submission experts in the division. That said, when you have guys this big possessed with that type of skill, injury through submission is always a possibility. Such was the case in this fight.

After a great start in the first round for Nogueira, where he had Frank Mir's number with effective dirty boxing (in close-fighting), it was a vicious right hand that dropped Mir; it looked as though Big Nog was on the verge of victory. Always confident in his ground game, he jumped on Mir, going for a possible choke. Oddly enough, it appeared as though the chokehold somehow revived Mir and he was able to reverse position. He inevitably got on top, secured Nogueira's arm with a Kimura lock and applied so much pressure, he broke the arm forcing Nog to tap.

Frank Mir now becomes the first man to not only knockout Nogueira, but to submit him as well. He said it perfectly in his post-fight interview when Joe Rogan asked him about the submission; "Unfortunately when you are our size and as dangerous as we are, these things are going to happen. Hopefully, Nogueira is going to be okay, I idolize him."

Five years ago, light-heavyweights Tito 'The Huntington Beach Bad Boy' Ortiz (16-10-1, 8 KO's 3 subs) and Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (20-5, 6 KO's 6 subs) would have been the main event of any mixed martial arts event, including the UFC. However, at this point in their careers they are two legends of the sport who finally met in the cage after lengthy careers; the result was Lil' Nog finishing Tito in the first round. The irony is that Ortiz, the master of the ground and pound attack, was beaten at his own game as Nogueira hurt him with punches and elbows to the body while Ortiz was on his back. Time will tell if Ortiz will get to honor the last fight of his contract and career.

Talent and skill may be the cornerstone of a fighter's success, but that all goes out the window if that fighter doesn't keep their emotions in check. One can argue that is what happened to bantamweight (135 lbs.) Mark 'The Machine' Hominick (20-10, 8 KO's 8 subs) against 'The Korean Zombie' Chan Sung Jung (12-3, 3 KO's 7 subs). Riding the emotions of recently losing his close friend and trainer Shawn Tompkins, along with fighting in his home country, Hominick came out reckless throwing a wild left hook; the result was he got caught with a counter right hand that was the beginning of the end for him in just seven seconds.