Dave Coulson recaps UFC 146

On paper, UFC 146 was looking like the card of the year. In reality, it delivered what was expected and so much more. From the opening fight to the main event there are countless number of storylines and questions coming out of the annual Memorial Day show.

Without waiting any further, here are just of a few of my many thoughts from UFC 146.

 

Heavyweight themed card should become an annual event

Having a pay-per-view consisting of just heavyweights was a risky gamble for the UFC. Luckily for everyone involved, it worked out and worked out well. None of the fights went the distance and none of the fights got to the point where cardio issues were becoming very apparent. With that said, I think an annual heavyweight card would be a great gimmick to look forward to.

It’s great for fans, especially the casual one, to have this event annually. For most casual fans, heavyweight is probably their favourite division. There is something about two guys weighing a combined 500 pounds that gets them watching. For the UFC, it’s an easy way to figure out the standing of 10 fighters in the division and find out who will be the next contenders for the title.

I don’t think this can be replicated with other divisions. Someone asked UFC President Dana White if he would ever consider doing an all lightweight card and he seemed quite hesitant to the suggestion. I agree that heavyweight is the only division that should use this gimmick. After all, it isn’t much of a gimmick if every division is using it.

 Why hello there Mr. Lesnar

The biggest surprise of the night was probably when former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar was shown in the crowd, enjoying himself at the fights. Obviously as soon as Lesnar was shown on the television, fans began to clamour together and discuss whether a return for Lesnar was in the future.

As we all know, Lesnar has signed a one year contract with the WWE. That contract is not exclusive which means that Lesnar is free to explore other ventures. Whether the WWE would like one of their highest paid performers getting inside the octagon is another story.

In terms of Lesnar’s return to MMA, the obvious choice is for a trilogy fight with Frank Mir. The fight would draw huge money and it makes sense when you look at the ever accurate rankings. Another bout that I like is a Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Cormier fight under the Strikeforce banner. It’s a legitimate name for Showtime and for Cormier to defeat Lesnar would be huge for his stock.

Does the UFC give up a guaranteed 800,000 PPV buys to give Lesnar up to Strikeforce, highly doubt it. Again this is all speculation as I’m sure Brock is enjoying the $5 million paycheck he is getting from the WWE to hang out at home.

Welcome back Dan Hardy?

It’s about time we see Dan Hardy back in the winner’s circle. The last time Hardy was interviewed by Joe Rogan following a win was back in 2009. Although Hardy is now riding a huge one fight winning streak, let’s not feed him to the wolves just yet.

Stylistically, that was a good fight for Hardy. Duane “Bang” Ludwig was an opponent who would stand and trade and have no interest in the ground game. Although Hardy has said that he has been working on improving his wrestling and ground game, I’ll believe it when I see it.

Hardy is a very marketable fighter who the UFC can use especially when they return to the U.K. Favourable matchups are key for Hardy to regain a stature in the welterweight division and I think it’s in everyone’s best interest to keep the good matchups rolling.

Jamie Varner - WEC Represent

Nobody and I mean nobody had picked Jamie Varner to defeat Edson Barboza on Saturday night. Varner had flamed out of the WEC after losing the title and was known afterwards for losing to Dakota Cochrane at a TFC event. Barboza was the flashy striker who had already locked up KO of the year with his beheading of Terry Etim at UFC 142.

Well Varner took to his underdog role well and stunned the MMA world. His knockout of Barboza was the feel good story of the night. Varner has dedicated himself to training alongside lightweight champion Benson Henderson so who knows what his potential is.

If there ever gets to a point where we could possibly see the trilogy fight between Varner and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone then I will be a very happy man.