...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
"I've always wanted a top-tier opponent. I was on my way in UFC to Top 10, then I get cut, and then [Matt] Brown jumps to the Top 10, y'know, and it's just pissed me off a lot ever since. I wanted my opportunity man... Jake is my test, Jake is my championship fight. Rousimar Palhares is... more of a basic fight for me. To say it would be easier would be stupid, but that's the truth. Palhares is a way easier opponent than Jake Shields."
-WSOF 17's Brian Foster talks to MMAMania.com about his fight with Jake Shields and his motivation to gain further respect in the welterweight division.
Penick's Analysis: Foster's UFC career came to an end because of his health after he was pulled from an event due to a brain hemorrhage that required surgery, followed by a layoff and further concerns for his health. He was eventually cleared to compete again, and he's won six of seven fights since his win over Matt Brown at UFC 123 in 2010. There's reason for him to feel unappreciated in 2015 because he's been essentially off the mainstream grid since then, and he remains a very good fighter in the sport. If he beats Shields on Saturday night at WSOF 17, he will make a massive statement as to the level he's competing at in the current landscape of the division. Maybe that eventually leads to a UFC return and a chance to prove he's every bit as good as he seemed to be on his rise up the ladder nearly five years ago.
DON'T GO YET... WE SUGGEST THESE MMATORCH ARTICLES, TOO!
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
Interested in joining MMATorch's writing team? Send idea for a theme to your column (for Specialist section) or area of interest (i.e. TV Reporter) along with a sample of writing to mmatorch@gmail.com.