By Leif Stuart-Smith
Quarterback
The Positives
By Leif Stuart-Smith
Aside from the obvious injury replacement at quarterback, the Eagles are looking at tweaking their lineup in other ways. When the injury report came out yesterday, Nick Cole (knee) was listed as limited participation. Riley Cooper (concussion), LeSean McCoy (rib), Assante Samuel (concussion), (more…)
By Leif Stuart-Smith
There are two different ways to look at the situation for Philadelphia Eagles former starting quarterback Kevin Kolb. It has already been a tumultuous few weeks for Mr. Kolb. After spending his first three seasons on the bench behind potential hall of famer Donovan McNabb, it was finally supposed to Kevin’s time. McNabb was traded to the division rival Redskins early in the off season, thus beginning the Kevin Kolb era. He took virtually all the first team reps in minicamps and through training camp. However, the Kevin Kolb era lasted all of two quarters. As everyone who hasn’t been living under a rock for the past month now knows, Kolb got hurt and Vick proceeded to steal the job with his stellar play. (more…)
By Leif Stuart-Smith
Instant title rematches have become something of a trend in 2010. In the cases of Lyoto Machida versus Maurico “Shogun” Rua and BJ Penn versus Frankie Edgar there was at least a somewhat plausible explanation for rematches. However, in the case of Anderson Silva versus Chael Sonnen, I just don’t understand how Sonnen deserves an instant rematch.
When Machida edged out Shogun in a razor close five round decision last October, a majority of the MMA community stood up in protest. Even UFC president and the face of MMA in America ripped the judges in the post-fight press conference and immediately announced a rematch. So when Shogun knocked out Machida in the first round of their May rematch, many felt vindicated that the better fighter finally had the belt that he deserved.
When Frankie Edgar edged out BJ Penn last April in Abu Dhabi, there wasn’t nearly the outcry as there was following the first bout between Machida and Rua. Nevertheless, it was still a very close decision. Also, most fans would agree that the Penn that fought in Abu Dhabi was not the same one that ran through top contenders Kenny Florian and the Nightmare Diego Sanchez is in previous two title defenses. Rumors of various injuries and ailments that afflicted BJ on fight night immediately surfaced. I even heard one rumor that Penn wanted to pull out of the fight, but Dana promised him an instant rematch because White didn’t want to disappoint their new investors in Abu Dhabi. So when the rematch was announced I wasn’t surprised. What was surprising was that Frankie beat BJ even more convincingly the second time around.
However, when it was announced that Chael Sonnen would receive an instant rematch for Anderson Silva’s middleweight title, I was shocked and disappointed. Here is a guy that didn’t lose a controversial, or even a close, decision. He lost decisively via triangle choke in the fifth round. Yes, he controlled a majority of the fight up till that point, yet in the end he was still finished. And not to blow my own horn, but he the fight ended in the exact fashion I predicted when the fight was originally announced. Granted, I thought Silva would win a lot sooner, but how was I supposed to know he was coming in with injured ribs. Further stupefying is the fact that Sonnen’s UFC record now stands a very pedestrian 4-4.
It’s not like there aren’t interesting matchups for Anderson Silva left in the MW division. First you have Vitor Belfort who was supposed to fight Silva at UFC 112 before pulling out due to injury. Vitor is the one guy who might be able to match Silva’s striking in both speed and technique. Then you have Yushin Okami who is the last man to beat the Spider; albeit by disqualification. While he isn’t the wrestler that Sonnen is, he still has the ability to get the fight to ground. Once there he actually has the submission game to finish the fight. Another potentially exciting fight would be a matchup against former Chutebox sparring partner Wanderlei Silva.
I really hope this is last instant rematch we see for a while, because the UFC is starting to look like the WWE where you have the same 2-3 guys fighting for the title every week. Not only is it tedious to see the same fight over again, but it also makes the rest of the division look weaker. So Joe Silva, Dana White, Lorenzo Fertita, etc. please stop granting instant rematches.
By Leif Stuart-Smith
Saturday night (Sunday afternoon in Australia) was a coming out party of sorts for undefeated heavyweight Cain Velasquez. At UFC 110, Cain put his striking on display becoming just the second fighter to stop PrideFC and UFC legend Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira. Cain knocked Nogueira out at the 2:20 mark of the very first round.
If you’re a hard core fan of MMA, you probably already know who Cain Velasquez is. However, if you’re just a casual follower of the sport, you might want to take note because Cain undoubtedly has the talent to become a future champion in the revitalized UFC heavyweight division. Cain brings a rare combination of speed, strength and dedication. (more…)
By Leif Stuart-Smith
Through a convoluted series of events, Demian Maia now finds himself on the doorstep of his dream of becoming a UFC champion. After Vitor Belfort, due to a shoulder injury, had to drop out of his UFC 112 title bout against Anderson Silva, UFC president Dana White and matchmaker Joe Silva scrambled to find a replacement. Through Euclidian-esque formulae, they used MMA math do determine the best replacement, Demian Maia. (more…)
By Leif Stuart-Smith
What they didn’t tell you was the unnamed source was really the panhandler at corner of 12th and Market. Unnamed source, a source with the team, an anonymous team official. I’ve heard them all, and I’m not buying. (more…)
The man in the photo looks unassuming enough. However, he is the primary reason why we might not have football in 2011. That man’s name is DeMaurice Smith and he is replacing the late Gene Upshaw as the Executive Director of the NFL Players Association. (more…)
Photo by kyleburning
By Leif Stuart-Smith
New Orleans, watch closely, Peyton Manning is in rarified air right now. But who really is the best ever? Most will say Joe Montana. Others will tell you it’s John Elway. A few might throw Tom Brady’s name in the hat. And if you’re talking to some of the older fans the name Johnny Unitas is bound to enter the discussion. (more…)
Event Details:
Mandalay Bay Event Center doors open 3:45pm PT
First bout will begin 4:15pm PT
First televised bout will begin 7pm PT / 10pm ET (more…)
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