MMAVu

Jake Shields may be one of the best welterweights in the world, but he’s sure far from the most exciting one. He’s a welterweight version of Jake O’Brien, a smothering type of fighter who excels in one aspect of MMA, and unfortunately for us, it’s not fun to watch. The guy has 24 wins in his career, and 11 of them have come by way of decision. *yawn*

I recorded the card, and found myself fast-forwarding the middleweight TITLE fight, and I’m a big fan. I can’t imagine what some casual fan might think. Mayhem’s fans may be called monkeys, but Shields was the monkey on this night, clinging to Mayhem for dear life, and just smothering him.

I have no problem with ground fighting, Nick Diaz vs Diego Sanchez is a prime example. But Shields seems to excel in take-downs, little girly grade 3 love taps…and not much else. If he can do anything else, he sure as hell doesn’t show it. Call it a smart win all you want, he’s a boring, boring fighter. I don’t think it’s a coincidence the guy hasn’t been picked up by the UFC. With any luck, he never will.

Fedor’s camp must have had a huge scare, as Brett Rogers had a nice showing for himself, busting Fedor up and smashing his face a few times, before being buckled by a monstrous overhand right by Fedor.

I thought the Antonio Silva/Fabricio Werdum decision was off, as I gave the nod to Silva myself.

And what can you say about a guy whose name is pronounced, “Gay-Hard”?? Gegard Mousasi put a beating on Sokodjou, whose star is free-falling after bursting on the scene in 2007 with a pair of high-profile knockouts of Nogueira and Arona. Can you say African (Houston) Alexander?? I also found it funny tha Sokodjou’s trainer, Dan Henderson, was sponsoring Gegard Mousasi. Clinch Gear on the back of Mousasi’s shorts; brilliant. At least Dan is smart enough to bet on the right horse!!

Watch for that crushing right, Fedor!!

So the mythical Fedor “the Last Emperor” Emelianenko fights “Buck” Rogers (as Dana White calls him) tonight, and I can’t help but wonder if this is a colossal mistake on Fedor’s part.

Rogers is a massive, massive guy with knockout power…with little to zero name recognition. Really, who the hell knows who he is? Elite XC wouldn’t even let Kimbo Slice fight him!! They knew a loss to Rogers would end Kimbo’s run…but that’s another story for another day. Sure Rogers has knocked out Andrei Arlovski, but how many people know about that? Exactly. If Fedor loses, all of his mystique is out the window; (not to mention millions of dollars) if he wins, he just defeated a guy who used to change tires for a living a short 6 months ago. Big whoop.

Had he taken the UFC offer this summer, minus his manager’s co-promotion clause, he would be fighting the biggest “name” heavyweight in the world, Brock Lesnar in early 2010 with a chance to win the UFC title. As well, rumor has it Fedor would have gotten in the range of 5 million rubles,  er, dollars per fight, with the UFC hype machine behind him, extending his fighting career by years. No one can ever accuse Fedor of selling out to the almighty dollar, that’s for sure. I predict Fedor will take Rogers down, and arm bar da fool!! Here’s the rest of the card, a very, very good card:

Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers

Jake Shields vs. Jason Miller for the vacant 185lb title. I like Shields to take the decision.

Gegard Mousasi vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjo in a 205lb tilt…really, Soko has no chance in this one.

Fabricio Werdum vs. Antonio Silva in a heavyweight match. I didn’t know Silva was clear to fight in the states, after his allegedly positive test after an Elite XC fight in California. I guess so. I think Silva takes the duke.