It didn’t really deliver any classic fights, but still had several fights that will impact their divisions. And controversy, lots of controversy. Here’s my quick thoughts on UFC 85:
- Thiago Alves has NOT earned a title shot. When you come in 4 pounds overweight, you’re treading water, not moving forward. I say Alves needs to beat another contender before getting a shot. Beating a Koscheck or a Sanchez would definitively earn Alves a shot.
- Bisping looked good at 185, again. Let’s put him in against Martin Kampmann with the winner being one fight away from a title shot. One of the submission monsters in the 185lb class would also be a good test for Bisping — any of Leites, Maia, or Palhares would do. If they want to push a Bisping/A. Silva title fight, I’d keep him away from the murderer’s row of Franklin, Henderson, Marquardt and Okami.
- Mike Swick has established himself at welterweight and Marcus Davis, while putting in a game performance, is clearly not a title contender in that toughest of UFC divisions. I’d like to see Swick kept on the contender’s track, maybe facing Sanchez, Kim or Yoshida next.
- It’s time for Brandon Vera to cut weight and fight at 205. I still think Fabricio Werdum is the most over-rated heavyweight in the world, but he muscled Vera around.
- The refs did a really bad job. Miragliotta and Dean made bad calls that determined the outcomes of two fights.
- Nate Marquardt got robbed, but he fought a very dirty fight and doesn’t have a finishing game. Nate the Great’s piledriver was patently illegal and more than made up for the elbow to the back of the head he was wrongly called for. Plus that illegal knee had to impair Leites for the rest of the fight. I’d like to see a do-over of that match.
- Luiz Cane was very impressive. Would love to see him fight Reljic or Sokoudjou next.
- Matt Wiman has established himself as a for reals contender at 155. Thiago Tavares is a bad bad man and Wiman beat him with great BJJ defense on the ground. The TUF 5 class that Wiman comes out of is far and away the best ever — with Nate Diaz, Manny Gamburyan, Maynard, Lauzon, and Cole Miller all establishing themselves as legit UFC fighters and Corey Hill remaining a very hot prospect. Hopefully Tavares will get another shot, he’s a very talented youngster and could easily re-establish himself as a contender.
[UPDATE] by Nick Thomas: Post Fight Press Conference
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