sports: On May 5th the UFC had its third fight card televised nationally on FOX. After two less than stellar showings, it finally seems that the stars have aligned. I am not about to say that either FOX or the UFC got it right because I am not entirely sure that that is what it comes down to. The stars however certainly did align. A few modifications were made as well.
The first UFC on FOX was a total disaster. There was one fight booked for an hour long time slot. That fight was the UFC heavyweight title fight between Junior Dos Santos and Cain Velasquez. The fight lasted less than a minute and you had about thirty minutes of build up and twenty eight minutes of post fight coverage. The one punch in between that floored Velasquez not only didn't do the UFC justice, it was a tragedy of programming that bored viewers and left the casual fan and newcomer wondering what the big deal was. It was also the perfect condemnation of non-viewers that it was goons. Drop a huge fist and dudes will go down.
The second UFC on FOX offered a little bit more giving you two main card fights. One was a highly anticipated match-up between Michael Bisping and Chael Sonnen. The other was between Rashad Evans and Phil Davis. While both of these fights had title implications, neither lived up to the billing. Bisping and Sonnen both fought a high energy fight. It was undermined, however, by the fact that Sonnen ground out a decision in a fight he didn't control, nor in which he failed to inflict damage but merely won by scoring a takedown in the third round and holding it while inflicting no damage whatsoever to score a more or less controversial win. The Evans and Davis fight was more disappointing. The two spent five rounds trading jabs that wouldn't have phased Jo Schmo off the street. Evans won the fight decisively thanks to his aggression and Davis's total ineptitude. Given that these were both supposed to be fights to determine title fights, one at middleweight(185) and one at light heavyweight(205), neither fight was particularly exciting. And neither fight inspired confidence in their would be contenders. Especially since Sonnen at 185 would have to fight Anderson Silva, arguably the greatest pound for pound fighter ever, and Evans fighting John Jones, arguably the only person who has a chance to challenge Silva as the best ever.
This brings us to UFC on FOX 3. I have no idea what the network and the fight promotion were saying, but this had to be a make or break fight card. Lucky for them it delivered. The fight card was filled with excitement and violence; the two things the UFC thrives on. In the first fight, striker extraordinaire Alan Belcher fought jujitsu master Rousimar Palhares. Despite the clear advantages of the two opponents, Belcher won the fight by TKO due to his willingness to go the ground and finish the fight with his fists from the mount after a brilliant display of jujitsu defense. The second fight was a heavyweight slug fest between Pat Berry and Lavar Johnson in which both men declared before the fight that the fight would not reach a decision. The didn't disappoint. Johnson and Berry battled it out with their fists flying and heavy until and uppercut from Johnson ultimately ended the fight. The third fight was a well fought and decision between welterweight(170) contenders Josh Koscheck and Johnny Hendricks. While the fight didn't provide the fireworks of the first two fights, we got to see to of the UFC's best go to war for three rounds in a very close decision. Then there was the main event.
This was a fight between Nate Diaz and Jim Miller to see who would be next in line for a title shot a lightweight(155). This match-up proved to be a dream as Diaz schooled Miller in every way possible. His striking was masterful. His effectiveness in the clinch was devastating to say the least considering how unexpected it was. And Diaz's guillotine choke to finish the fight showed anyone watching how truly beautiful and effective the ground game in MMA can be. It was a dominant performance that would have been worthy of pay per view. Not to mention the fact that the attitude affliction both Diaz brothers (Nate in lightweight and Nick in welterweight) seem to suffer from makes for great tv.
I am not sure where I stand on everyone finally getting it right. Certainly, FOX's coverage of the events has improved. The UFC has also improved its dealings with national television by booking a full night of fight cards. Its one fight debacle was certainly a lesson it learned from. Its not booking exciting fighters in UFC FOX 2 was also a learning experience. This night gave us the two things we wanted: lots of fights and exciting fights. The former we got thanks to good planning, the latter we got thanks to luck. The good fights will always be lucky. Lord knows there have been a handful of shitty fights on pay per view. At least UFC finally got a few on national tv so that they can justify more.
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