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By Bjorn Hansen, MMATorch columnist
5. Heavy Heart, Heavier Hands
Chan Sung Jung Versus Mark Hominick
What Happened?
Mark Hominick suffered the loss of mentor and trainer, Shawn Tompkins, and came into this bout with a heavy heart. Too bad The Korean Zombie, Chan, came out with a heavier right hand. Mark excitedly lunged forward with a leaping left hook and missed. Chan countered with an adroitly placed right hand that ended Marks night.
How will it be remembered?
The conclusion was eerily similar to the last time a fighter lost his mentor, Jake Shields (during Shields versus Jake Ellenburger). Both Jake and Mark, uncharacteristically erred early on, and both paid dearly for it. It was tough to watch, knowing the fighters were hurting harder inside than they were on the surface.
That said, The Korean Zombie has never looked more dangerous and ready. This marks the second finish of a previous contender. Previously Chan was seen tapping Leonard Garcia with a never before seen twister submission.
Who’s Next?
Mark will have to prove that this was an aberration, a fluke. I expect him to get a nondescript fight to give him steady footing before he clashes with another big name foe.
4. Wrestling Clinic Fulfilled
Brian Ebersole Versus Claude Patrick
What Happened?
During the Countdown, Claude admitted Brian had previously invited him to take part in a wrestling clinic in Australia. Medical attention to Claude precluded this from taking place, until now. Despite both fighters having a normally exciting style, we instead got a dreadful wrestling stalemate.
Brian shook his head in disappointment when the last bell rung. Claude kept it interesting with submission attempts, but the crafty 64 fight veteran, Ebersole looked as nonchalant as could be and eventually escaped with ease each time.
How will it be remembered?
It sure is a shame that Rory MacDonald was injured. That fight would have properly gauged Mac Donalds ability to deal with veteran wiles, while Ebersole’s athleticism would have been tested. Oh well.
Who’s Next?
Rory MacDonald versus Brian Ebersole, make it happen Dana!
Claude Patrick looked good, and should try to measure himself against Amir Sadollah.
3. A Finishing Gut Instinct
Antonio Rogerio ‘Minotoro’ Nogueira Versus Tito ‘The People’s Champ’ Ortiz
What Happened?
Just like his fight against Ryan Bader, Tito Ortiz came out guns blazing. He eventually shot for a single, but Minotoro stuffed it. Eventually Lil Nog lands a left hook flush and staggers Tito. Tito backs up and Lil Nog unloads. My god man, what sort of undiscovered metal is Tito’s cranium crafted out of? Forget PED’s, someone should check Tito for a corked skull. Chuck Liddell in the peak of his prime couldn’t switch off Tito’s lights. Lil Nog appeared to be the wiser.
He quickly changed strategies, and it paid destructive dividends. First he lands a nice left knee to the body that finally crumbles the Cro-Magnon skulled Ortiz. Then after hurting his fists against Tito’s impervious head some more, Lil Nog starts unleashing brutal shots to Tito’s lower left rib.
On and on he continued until Tito couldn’t take any more and rolled over in defeat. Immediately Tito gets on his knees and puts his head on the floor in the agony of excruciating pain. He’s guarding his lower left rib after and Joe Rogan wonders if it is broken.
How will it be remembered?
This fight highlights an underutilized technique, the body shot, which is slowly starting to gain more adherents. Fighters are always looking for concussive finishes that are so easily afforded with our quarter pound gloves. A lot of fighters go for that one punch finish, instead of attempting cumulative destruction as Lil Nog showcased.
Who’s Next?
The People’s Champ, Tito Ortiz is clamoring for a swan song trilogy bout with Forrest Griffin. Never having lost his wits during a fight, I say why the hell not.
Lil Nog should fight Shogun in an epic rematch. In a sense, this would be rushing Lil Nog, but if you are so lucky to have fantastic momentum, I think you should maximize it. They were very evenly matched the first time, and I don’t see any reason why that would be different now. I wouldn’t be opposed to watching Rich Franklin tango with Lil Nog either.
2. Snap heard round the world
Antonio Rodrigo ‘Minotauro’ Nogueira versus Frank Mir
What Happened?
My expectations were that Big Nog would struggle against Frank Mir’s quicker stand up game, and face defeat much in the same manner as their previous fight. If Big Nog was lucky, he’d survive the barrage (as he always does) and go for his signature submissions. Could I have been anymore wrong?
Frank Mir starts the fight extremely tentative and reactionary. He’s basically letting Big Nog dictate the pace. Next thing you know, Frank Mir is rocked, and Big Nog starts swarming him. Frank eventually curls up into a prostrated position, face down. Some think Frank is out. He was certainly well on his way.
Now Nogueira was so close to defeating the Frank Mir demon that had been haunting him for so long. He had just proven his standup was superior (when he’s staph-less of course). Then Big Nog wanted to put the exclamation point on his skillset superiority. Big mistake. Instead of strategically picking his fight-ending shots (like his better half had just done), Big Nog hit Frank behind the head a couple times and was admonished by the referee for doing so.
Annoyed, he went to his bread and butter and tried to guillotine Frank. An absolutely crazy scramble occurs (for a detailed play-by-play listen to Frank Mir’s lucid description in the Post-Fight Press conference) in which Frank eventually grabs hold of Big Nog’s arm in a kimura. Frank did as Frank does, and rips the submission with excruciating force. Nogueira did and as Nogueira does, and showed one of the toughest wills in the history of the sport, refusing to tap. It wasn’t until Mir snapped Nogueira’s humerus bone clean in half, at which the merciful tap came at last. Yes, Frank Mir, ‘Nogueira’ed’, Big Nog.
How will it be remembered?
However way you stack up the best heavyweights, you have to put Frank Mir on top of Nogueira. It pains me to say so, but he’s flat out the better fighter. At the press conference, Mir was bumptiously aware of this fact, and reiterated it multiple times.
This will in all likelihood will spell the end of Big Nog’s illustrious career. Forget TNT, this man KNOWS drama better than anyone. He may not have been the best, but he’ll go down as the toughest, most dramatic heavyweight of all time.
After being ridden over by a truck during his youth, he was placed in a coma for the better part of a year. Losing part of his liver, and several months of his youth, Nogueira defied the odds, and gained a tough-as-nails, warrior mentality. In a MMA world chock full of tough warriors, Nogueira stood head and shoulders above all in that regard.
Who’s Next?
Frank Mir asked for Cain Velasquez afterwards. Unless Fedor Emelianenko really does make his UFC debut as rumored about, I wouldn’t mind watching Mir and Cain. Actually any configuration between Frank, Cain, and Fedor are fine with me. Now of course if Alistair Overeem is for whatever reason unavailable this December 30th, I’m quite sure Brock Lesnar will find a dancing partner in Mir.
In a perfect world, uninjured, I’d love to see Big Nog fight Roy Nelson. But Big Nog will have to have surgery and recover for a very long time before even sparring again, much less fighting. And as I opined above, I believe this is the end of the road for Minotauro’s mythical career. If this is true, this writer, and I’m sure many readers have this to say: Thank you. Our hats are off, and we salute you for a uniquely memorable and truly inspiring career.
Snapping free from the Siren’s Song.
Champion Jon ‘Bones’ Jones Versus Challenger Lyoto ‘The Dragon’ Machida
What Happened?
Lyoto comes out with a new chiseled body. He’s visibly added to his musculature and has a look of calm determination. Jon Jones comes out, and briefly embraces the moment while pausing towards the crowd. One has to wonder whether his confidence has grown into hubris.
When it starts, Jones does to Lyoto what he did to Rampage, and comes out on all fours basically. This lasts but a moment and they start working their distance. The presumption beforehand was that Jon Jones controlled the long distance range by virtue of his Andean condor like wingspan and towering 6’ 5” height.
Using what I found to be surprising poise, Lyoto fluidly bobs around on his feet, while utilizing good head movement. Immediately Jon Jones looks flummoxed. Never quite finding a stationary target to aim at, Jones stalls. Phase one of Machida 101 is complete.
With his opponent tentative, Machida repeatedly lunges forward, in fencer style fashion, connecting several times. On the fourth barrage Rogan reckons Jones was hit as hard and as clean as he ever has. Moments later, Jones attempts a leg kick but Machida counters brilliantly and slightly rocks Jones before he recovers and the round ends.
By now this fight is very reminiscent of UFC 98, when Lyoto puzzled Rashad Evans into unconsciousness. Somehow, despite having a very effective takedown arsenal, Evans seemed to have abandoned his bread and butter in favor of playing right into his opponent’s well-versed strength. And here Lyoto was again, singing that same siren song, lulling Jones into a wrecking defeat. He got Jones, as he did to Evans, to forsake a right-minded approach for a wrongheaded one.
But unlike his former training partner, Jones managed to snap out of the hypnotic spell. And just like that Lyoto was on the ground with Jones over him. An instance of immobility later for Lyoto, and Jones slices his forehead open with a sharp well-placed elbow.
Instantly blood is gushing from Lyoto, and like that, Jones’ mojo was back. Jones connects with a left, Machida drops down, but not before Jones sinks in a grotesque “Cody Mackenzie” standing guillotine. With Machida’s neck twisted sideways, and his back up against the cage, Jones squeezes with all his might. Eventually Lyoto’s defending arm goes limp, and John Mc Carthy is forced to intervene.
Jones drops Machida’s sleeping body, and Lyoto falls flat on his face. Not the most gracious thing to do, but I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt this time. It was the heat of the moment, and Jones kind of got pushed out of the way by the physically imposing Big Jon McCarthy. I’m not sure what or if there is, a proper protocol in that situation, but it certainly should be revisited as it only invites misunderstanding to our sport.
How will it be remembered?
Lyoto Machida looked as good as I’ve ever seen him. Absolutely brilliant. Every one of his “karate blitz’” worked to a tee. The Machida cipher remains encrypted for a later period (future rematch perhaps?).
Did Jones break his will with that elbow? Better yet, did he break his will with the takedown that preceded it? Machida lacked all motion in the guard, giving Jones a still target.
As for the Victor…
At last! Jon Jones faced legitimate adversity. Welcome to MMA kid. I don’t mind his nerdy haughtiness. What I did mind was that his ridiculous talent was making a mockery of the sport. How could someone so fresh and green, never encounter even the slightest trouble, much less defeat?
That aura of invincibility evaporated Saturday. For a round and a half Jon Jones looked like a plain ol’ mortal. Very few, if any, can replicate Machida’s style. But he revealed that there are indeed deficits to Jones’ skillset, and he very well can be defeated.
I didn’t believe that until now. Jones will mature and learn from this fight, and make himself better. But the illuminating genie has been let out of the bottle already. The secret’s out. You’re just like everyone else: human.
Who’s Next?
Dan Henderson claims he wants to test the rigidity of Jones’ chin. Somehow I see Hendo on his back in that one. Instead, I want to see Rashad Evans finally squash his beef with Jones. Suga’s “earned it” on many occasions now. Both are dynamic strikers and strong wrestlers. Oh yeah, and did I mention that they can’t stand each other? Jones has faced three former champions in a row, why not four?
Lyoto Machida can go for an interesting rematch with Maurcio ‘Shogun’ Rua, wait for the loser of Rashad Evans versus Phil Davis, or Dan Henderson if his knuckles get itchy waiting for a title shot that never comes. My preference is for Dan Henderson.
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Bjorn Hansen has been an MMATorch columnist siince 2010, MMATorch's original Hansen.
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