Matthew's Take
MATTHEW: The Chopping Block - UFC 114 debut edition - Who is safe? Who should be cut?
Jun 2, 2010 - 11:35:45 AM MATTHEW: The Chopping Block - UFC 114 debut edition - Who is safe? Who should be cut?

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

In light of the UFC’s recent “win-or-go-home” policy that entails cutting multiple fighters after every show, in particular combatants who suffer consecutive losses, it seems like a good idea to establish some discourse on what you, the fans, think about which fighters should be ‘axed’ and which should get a second chance (feel free to post comments below).

Zuffa employs a very interesting strategy in keeping the level of competition in their organization so high. While I have often been dismayed at the speed with which some of the bigger names in the game have entered and just as quickly exited the UFC (Denis Kang, Fabricio Werdum, and Jorge Santiago just to name a few) it does make sense for Zuffa to light a fire under its fighters' asses. Being considered the best means you’ve got to drop any dead weight, and this has been occurring with greater frequency more and more in the past couple years.

The biggest problem with cutting their fighters loose has been the possibility of not being able to schedule them later in the case of an injury requiring a late replacement (also happening more and more frequently). However, the UFC has successfully established itself at the top of the market, to the extent that most fighters not signed to exclusive contracts with rival organizations have all but jumped at the opportunity. Joe Doerksen is a good example of this, taking his fight on short notice and still upsetting a heavily favored Tom Lawlor recently in Canada at UFC 113.

This is almost a win-win situation for the UFC brass because even if fighters they cut make a comeback outside their organization, most are simply trying to get back in the big time. The rare ones who do have success, like Jorge Santiago becoming the champion of Sengoku, almost give the UFC firepower in being able to say, “Yeah, some champion you’ve got, he couldn’t even get past two of our lower level fighters (Chris Leben and a young Alan Belcher).” This only further establishes the UFC powerhouse while degrading the reputation of rival organizations who clamor like a pack of hungry wolves for the scraps of any fighters the UFC drops (Paul Daley rumors, anyone?).

Now onto UFC 114 and which fighters should make the cut. Dan Lauzon immediately sticks out as a particularly young fighter who could probably use a good life lesson in being kicked out so he can gain some maturity from the often humbling experience of touring regional promotions. Especially given the public fallout of his breakup with brother and training partner Joe Lauzon and his camp, don’t be surprised to see Dan heading to Strikeforce, or even Bellator, both of which would benefit from his youth and energy.

After all but annihilating Waylon Lowe with brutal knees to the body, Melvin Guillard should get his requested bout with Jeremy Stephens, because that is simply a fight that has to happen. Make it a main event on one of those weak UFC on Versus or Fight Night on Spike cards. Waylon Lowe took the fight on short notice and so should be given at least one more fight with a full training camp under his belt so we can see what he’s really made of.

Despite losing decisively to Dong Hyun Kim, a grappler in an entirely different league, don’t expect The Ultimate Fighter winner Amir Sadollah to be going anywhere soon. Zuffa tends to protect all TUF alum, especially the winners, for obvious reasons.

Even after losing two consecutive bouts to some tough fighters in Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Cyrille Diabate, Luiz Cane still deserves another fight against a lesser-known opponent. If he can bounce back with a win then he’s right back in the running, but three losses in a row is very dangerous; though I think the level of competition faced should always be considered.

Speaking of which, Dan Miller appears to be on the chopping block as well after back-to-back-to-back losses to top contenders Demian Maia, Chael Sonnen, and most recently Michael Bisping. All big names who have all been ranked in the Top 10 at some point, and he faced them all in their prime. Miller also went out under tough mental pressure from his recent traumatic family experiences and still gave it his all. He even chose to stand with the talented kickboxer Bisping and easily took some of the Brit’s hardest shots without faltering. Hopefully it’s not three strikes and you're out for a still-promising Dan Miller.

Chicago policeman Mike Russow was well on his way to a pink slip after being tooled for three rounds by fast-rising prospect Todd Duffee when he stunned the world by landing one big punch for a $65,000 Knockout of the Night victory that keeps his UFC career afloat. After such a dominant performance up until that point, Duffee isn’t going anywhere.

Neither is Rampage Jackson, despite losing to Rashad Evans in their main event battle for contention status, especially considering he almost finished Rashad in the third. Their fight reminded me so much of the Evans/Thiago Silva main event at UFC 108 that I want to see a striking battle between Rampage and Thiago that could potentially be a Fight of the Year candidate.

John Hathaway really showcased his talent in dismantling fan favorite Diego Sanchez, and despite Dana White’s pleas for The Nightmare to move back down to lightweight, I still think Sanchez could do well at 170; not Top 10 kind of well, but more like big-name fan base draw and gatekeeper status until he proves otherwise.

After dropping a unanimous decision to Aaron Riley following his loss to Mark Bocek, don’t expect to see much more of Joe Brammer anytime soon; the same goes for Jesse Forbes, posting consecutive losses to Ryan Jensen recently and Nick Catone at the start of the year. It’s OK in my book to cut guys who lose to lesser competition, but there should be no shame in failing to beat Top 10 ranked opponents as referred to earlier in Luiz Cane and Dan Miller.

Perhaps the most interesting fight of the night in terms of standings (and action because it won Fight of the Night honors) showcased late-replacement Jason Brilz taking heavy favorite Antonio Rogerio Nogueira the distance in a bout almost everyone thought Brilz had in the bag. Too bad a majority of the ringside judges disagreed and robbed “The Hitman” of his rightful victory. Even with the technical loss, Brilz’s stock is rising fast and you can expect to see him face some tough competition in the future, maybe throw him in against Luiz Cane and see which one truly belongs.

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