Perez's Take
PEREZ: The UFC 146 Highlight Reel - Top Five Talking Points From "Dos Santos vs. Mir" Event
May 27, 2012 - 11:40:22 PM PEREZ: The UFC 146 Highlight Reel - Top Five Talking Points From "Dos Santos vs. Mir" Event

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By: Anwar Perez, MMATorch Columnist

There is no question about it, the UFC 146 PPV card delivered on high expectations, and left no doubt in viewers' minds that this was clearly the best overall card the UFC had produced in a long time. An all heavyweight main card satisfied on so many levels, and shows that the division is the best it has ever been. Here are my top five talking points from the night.

5. Brock Lesnar Back?

Not so fast. Sure, Brock was shown watching the main event between Frank Mir and Junior dos Santos. And yes, he hardly attended other UFC events that he was not a part of. But let's be serious. The whole world knows about Lesnar being back in the WWE, and Lesnar coming back to the UFC to fight isn't going to happen any time soon. He's got a contract with WWE, and if nothing else, he was just there drumming up some business for both the WWE and UFC. It's good business to get exposure to a mass audience if you can. The WWE knows it, and so does Dana White. Lesnar is a hype-machine and him appearing at a UFC event after subsequently retiring last year, has created much hype. So it's no surprise that this is a topic of discussion in the aftermath of UFC 146.

4. Disappointing Debuts

Both Shane Del Rosario and Big Foot Silva were ready to make their UFC debuts and make a splash in the heavyweight division. Disappointingly, both fighters came up short. Rosario got taken out by Stipe Miocic in their fight, as Rosario couldn't combat the ground game that Miocic presented. Big Foot Silva got the worst end of the deal. His fight against Cain Velasquez was a bloodbath, and all from Silva's face. Silva had nothing for Velasquez and looked outclassed even before the bleeding began. It was a rough night for both fighters coming over from Strikeforce and making their UFC debuts.

3. Feel Good (and Bittersweet) Wins for Hardy, Nelson, and Brown

The UFC has made it clear that as long as you win or put on Fight of the Night worthy fights each time, you are likely going to keep your job. All three fighters had been struggling as of late, most notably Dan Hardy. Hardy hadn't won in over two years, but was given this last opportunity to keep his job within the UFC. Both Roy Nelson and Mike Brown had been struggling as well, having issues piecing together a string of wins to keep them near the top of the heap. All three fighters won, with both Hardy and Nelson having impressive KO wins against their opponents and Brown winning a decision. When reality hits after all these feel-good moments fade, the questions becomes what more can these fighters offer to the rest of their respective divisions? Brown discussed retirement, knowing that the fight game may have passed him by. With the evolution of the fighter growing by leaps and bounds, fighters like Dan Hardy and Roy Nelson may be entertaining, and fan favorites, but that doesn't hide the fact that these are fighters that are being passed by the sport and younger fighters ready to take it to the next level. Enjoy the return of your winning ways gentlemen, but by the time the holiday weekend is over, reality will set in, and you are left with "what now?"

2. The Hype Bubble for Mayhem and Mir has Burst

Both Frank Mir and Jason "Mayhem" Miller are true artists at hyping their fights. They talk a big game to build themselves up as these "top-tier fighters" that are on the cusp of championship gold. The truth of the matter is that they are nowhere near that level. Let's be honest; the quality of fighters that both have faced that led to their "status" are questionable at the least. Mir's last three wins were against fighters that are good to legendary, except for the fact that both the legends (Mirko Cro Cop and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria) are way past their prime, and nowhere near the excellence of a fighter, like where Cain Velasquez is at now. Mir has built his reputation as a guy that takes limbs. That's great. Now when you add to the fact that those limbs belong to a never-was like Tim Sylvia and an aging Nogueria, of course you're going to look better in comparison. Miller on the other hand has no clear wins over anyone that has mattered in the last few years. He's more known for his antics than fighting "skill," and even that is questionable. Yes, he puts on a show to be entertaining, but you know what entertains? Being a good fighter. Miller is not. So, can we now move on from a.) "this is the best Frank Mir has ever looked (Rogan says that EVERY time)" and b.) the sideshow, outclassed Mayhem Miller justifying his existence in MMA as the "funny" guy?

1. Junior Dos Santos: The People's Champ

Chael Sonnen has proclaimed himself as "The People's Champion" for MMA fans around the world. This is mostly hype, as truthfully, that belongs to the Heavyweight Champion dos Santos. Here is a fighter that came from nothing. Let alone his childhood and family background, look at his career in the UFC. He came out of nowhere, and slowly and steadily built his persona and legacy based on being a nice guy and working hard. That's rare to find in ANY job, let alone a competitive sport. Dos Santos comes across as the nicest fighter you could meet, and truly feels blessed to be in the position he is in now. He said (after he won the championship) "that if you work hard and stay positive, you can achieve anything" and last night was just a continuation of that. He outclassed and tossed aside Frank Mir, and you actually LIKED him for beating up on Mir. Not that Mir is the most likeable guy, but witnessing dos Santos fight and win, you are watching a fighter living his dream. You are watching him grow, and as fans, we feel the connection that we are watching something special with this nice guy that came from nothing, and from the looks of it, is going to stay UFC Heavyweight Champion for a long time.

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