Hyden's Take
HYDEN BLOG: Strong UFC 155 Wins For Cain Velasquez and Jim Miller
Jan 1, 2013 - 2:15:26 PM HYDEN BLOG: Strong UFC 155 Wins For Cain Velasquez and Jim Miller

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By: Frank Hyden, MMATorch contributor

Cain Velasquez dominated Junior dos Santos at UFC 155 Saturday to regain the UFC Heavyweight title. Cain took a dominating decision. After the big knockdown the fight was essentially finished. I do knock Cain a little bit for not being able to finish JDS after the knockdown, when it was clear that JDS was done. I know it's hard to finish elite-level fighters, but we all know it's possible. It's just a little bit, though, I still give Cain a ton of credit for doing that to a guy who was the superior fighter the first time they fought.

A question I kept asking in the lead-up to this rematch was, "What's different this time?" Cain had gotten the rematch after destroying Antonio "Bigfoot" Silva. That was the only fight he had in between bouts with JDS. It's true that Cain looked fantastic against Bigfoot, but I think that he would have looked that way against him anyhow, even without the extra motivation of wanting to regain his title.

However, it's obvious that Cain rededicated himself in the months leading up to the rematch with JDS. I believe that getting knocked out in 64 seconds by JDS has raised Cain's game to a new level. It's an example of a loss being a good thing in a way. Of course no one wants to lose, but it happens and how you respond is the true measure of character. Cain has shown his character after this win. It was a good win, no question, but what's more impressive is how he responded after a loss.

Now it's time to see how JDS responds to his loss. I'm not calling for an immediate rematch or anything, but the truth is that the heavyweight division isn't very deep. Alistair Overeem and Daniel Cormier are the two most likely contenders. Overeem will get a title shot if he beats Bigfoot Silva at UFC 156, and Cormier has one final Strikeforce fight left before he joins the UFC. I would be in favor of booking Cormier vs. JDS. That way JDS can earn a rematch against Cain.

JDS knows that a second loss to Cain would spell the end of his title hopes as long as Cain is champion. There's no guarantee that Cain will still be champion at the end of 2013, but JDS needs to keep the mindset that his back is against the wall. He needs the same desperation that drove Cain to this new height, he knew that a second loss to JDS would finish his title aspirations. JDS now needs that same desperation to drive him to a new level.

Note- I know that Dana White has talked about Fabricio Werdum in line for a title shot if he beats Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira later this year, but I don't believe in Werdum at all. He's like the Joe Flacco of MMA, capable of some really good things at times and also some really bad things at other times.

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Jim Miller looked like a different fighter at UFC 155 during his decision win against Joe Lauzon. Miller utilized a strong striking game to tear Lauzon a new one for 3 rounds. Credit to Lauzon for surviving, though I do knock Miller a little bit for not finishing a guy he was clearly dominating, as I did with Cain.

To make it clear, I take that head coach mentality when it comes to sports. There's always something to work on and improve. I believe that you can be happy with your success, but you should never be satisfied. Cain and Miller can both use having to go to decision against a guy they were dominating as motivation to get even better. That's what I mean when I say I knock them a little bit for not finishing.

Back to Miller, he looked great in his win here. He responded excellently to his loss to Nate Diaz in 2012. Just as Cain did, Miller rededicated himself and came back stronger than before. I can easily see him getting a shot at Benson Henderson and the UFC Lightweight title if he wins another few fights against fellow contenders.


Comments and suggestions can be e-mailed to me at hydenfrank@gmail.com