October 30, 2011 – This past Saturday sure was busy on the national scene. Not only did we have UFC 137 highlighted by BJ Penn and Nick Diaz, but we also had Bellator 56 going on as well with Ben Askren leading the way with a 170 title defense against Jay Hieron and local boy Adam Schindler drawing plenty of interest from his adopted home state of Texas while appearing on the main card.
UFC 137 and Bellator 56 quick results here.
Now that we’ve had a day to let it all sink in, let’s take a look at all the headlines that came out of this weekend’s events via the TXMMA Weekend Roundup.
Nick Diaz and BJ Penn Go to War; Passing of the Torch Ensues
Based on Feedback through our TXMMA Facebook Page, many fans saw this main event as hands-down fight of the night out of all the action that took place in Vegas and Kansas City. UFC President Dana White saw it the same, as evident by the $75,000 bonus awarded to each man. Known as two aggressive warrior-like fighters, BJ Penn and Nick Diaz delivered as advertised by virtue of a three-round slugfest that left both men battered and bruised when all was said and done. In the end it was Nick Diaz that came out aces in this matchup while a dejected BJ said he was calling it quits, perhaps for good after taking the biggest beating he had ever taken in his 10 year MMA career. As for the Stockton Bad Boy, he wasted no time in calling out GSP mere moments after the fight and it worked.
GSP versus Diaz to Finally Take Place this February During Super Bowl Weekend
Fresh off the biggest win of his career, Nick Diaz only had one thing on his mind – taking on UFC 170 champion Georges St. Pierre.
“Where you at GSP?” he harped on the microphone while St. Pierre listened in the crowd. “I don’t think he’s injured, I think he’s scared.” Those comments and more were enough to catalyze this matchup as opposed to a planned bout with Carlos Condit for the dominant Canadian.
“I’ve known Georges St-Pierre since 2004, and he’s one of the nicest guys I’ve ever met, and he’s exactly the same no matter what the situation is or who he’s fighting. Since 2004, I’ve never seen him like he was tonight. Georges St-Pierre flipped out tonight after Nick Diaz was in the ring,” said UFC President Dana White.
GSP confirmed those feelings and desire to take out Diaz during the UFC 137 post-fight press conference.
“This is what I wanted since the beginning,” said St-Pierre at the post-event press conference. “Let’s do what was supposed to be done originally. I’ve always wanted this fight – now I want it even more. I can’t wait for Super Bowl weekend. He’s the most disrespectful human being I’ve ever met, and I’m gonna put the worst beating you’ve ever seen on him in the UFC.”
With both Diaz and St. Pierre seemingly at the top of their games and the best at what they do as two of the most highly conditioned athletes in all of sports, look for this upcoming fight to be one of the biggest in recent history.
Here’s Nick Diaz’s trainer Cesar Gracie with his thoughts on the matchup:
BJ Penn and Mirko Cro Cop Bow Out After Storied Careers
UFC 137 may forever be marked as significant for being the last time MMA fans get to see two legends in the cage as both BJ Penn and Mirko “CroCop” Fillipovic more than hinted at retirement following their losses. Granted, both fighters were high on emotion (as when Fedor when he “retired” the first time around) and could change their minds in short order but if is indeed true that both these guys have fought for the last time, it will mark the end of an era in MMA.
“Next year will be 20 years from my first fight,” Mirko said prior to the fight. “I had a long and rich career and I can say it was successful. Not in the UFC, which I’ll never be able to forgive myself. When I came to the UFC I was treated like a king. Even today, I was treated like a king. The reasons are not important. I was good in Japan, but then unfortunately, injuries started to happen — six or seven surgeries. In the meantime, it takes a toll on your head. You think different.”
With all those things weighing on him on top of a loss in which he gave it all he had, Mirko seems to have finally had enough and seems intent on bowing out respectfully so that he can focus on other priorities, like raising his kids.
Meanwhile, BJ’s case is a little more complicated.
True he may not be the fighter he once was based on this performance but that could have as much to do with an emerging Nick Diaz as opposed to diminished skills. TXMMA reader Howard Cannon said it best on the TXMMA Facebook Page when he mentioned that BJ is currently a man without a division – not having enough to overcome 155 and 170 champs Frankie Edgar and GSP while also losing this “#1 contender” match to Diaz to put a stop to his latest run. For a fighter like BJ, that may just be enough to be the death knell for what has been a long and successful career. In the words of Cannon, “He doesn’t want to just be another fighter…he wants to be the champ.” We definitely agree.
Ben Askren Retains 170 Title at Bellator 56
Highly-touted wrestler, big-time trash talker, and still developing 170 champion Ben Askren retained his title by the most narrow of margins against wily veteran Jay Hieron in the Bellator 56 main event.
Prior to the fight it was expected that the well-rounded Hieron would play the toughest challenger for the neophyte Askren and he played the part, pushing the champion to the limit with his striking and takedown defense. In the end, the judges saw it as a split decision victory for the champion. Much debate to ensue I’m sure but as the old adage says, “to be the man you’ve got to beat the man.” This was too close to call it that so Ben gets to keep his belt.
The Best of the Rest from the Weekend of Action
Cheick Kongo became the first fighter to put a loss on the meathead’s record with a unanimous decision victory over Matt Mitrione. The Frenchman used his crisp striking technique and developing takedown ability to overtake his opponent as the fight wore on to bring the affable Mitrione back to the drawing board. Also at heavyweight, Roy Nelson took out the aforementioned Mirko CroCop via TKO in the third, perhaps saving himself from the ire of Dana White and perhaps putting himself in title contention.
Meanwhile on the undercard, Donald Cerrone led the way for the winners with his first round submission over Dennis Siver. This victory may have been enough to put “Cowboy” in top-five contention on the way to an eventual 155 title shot. Other notable wins at UFC 137 by Bart Palaszewski, Ramsey Nijem, Hatu Hioki, and a returning Brandon Vera.
Meanwhile at Bellator, two big wins by Thiago “Big Monster” Santos and Eric Pridle highlighted heavyweight tournament action. Both fighters finished things impressively in the first over Neil Grove and Ron Sparks respectively. Rounding out the main card was a spiritied performance by Texas’ own Adam Schindler, who succumbed to a unanimous decision loss to undefeated Oklahoman Jeremy Spoon. “What can I say I gave 100% and came up short, Schindler said post-fight.” Taking the fight on 10-days notice and with a significant weight cut taking its toll, Schindler still performed well in his latest Bellator return since dropping a loss to Ronnie Mann. We look forward to more form him soon.
Lastly from today, UFC Primetime made its network broadcast debut as a one-hour special on FOX. The well-produced show provided an in-depth look at the backgrounds and behind-the-scenes preparations of UFC heavyweight champ Cain Velasquez and challenger Junior “Cigano” dos Santos in advance of their November 12th clash on November 4th at UFC on FOX 1. With the special sandwiched right alongside NFL Football today, let’s hope the target audience (new fans) managed to tune in and stay engaged as MMA continues to emerge as a mainstream sport.
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