UFC 118 recap

Another 2010 ppv, another big upset. UFC 118 wasn't the best card in recent memory, but it did feature some enjoyable bouts. Let's get to it.

Frankie Edgar (c) def. BJ Penn via Decision (unanimous), Rd 5
Prediction: A focused BJ would be more diverse in his approach this time around, get the takedown, get top position, and you know what that leads to: the rear naked choke.
What happened: Edgar put on the best performance of his career, as he used his speed, takedowns, and striking to dominate BJ all 5 rds en route to 50-45 scorecards across the board.
Thoughts: For the first couple minutes of the fight it looked like BJ was on his way. He was very aggressive, landed strikes, and had Edgar on his bicycle. Then Edgar took him down; something it took him until the final round to do the first time they fought. BJ of course used his excellent guard to threaten Edgar, and the win still looked to be in his grip. Then Edgar slammed BJ. At that point, I swear I saw a little bit of BJ's heart trickle out. No one dominates BJ in like that. It was downhill from there. Frankie controlled the pace and outstruck BJ the rest of the fight, despite late rally attempts by BJ. Early in the 4th round BJ scored a takedown and things looked very bad for Edgar, but he escaped back to his feet after several tense moments. This broke BJ down even more, but he managed to score another takedown early in the 5th, and this time achieved back mount, which is usually a death sentence for BJs opponents. Edgar not only defended well, he reversed BJ and landed in top position. Whatever was left of BJ's resolve flew out the window after that, and what remained was a punching bag. Edgar proved that he has BJ's number, and if there were any doubts he was the best at 155 after their first fight, those doubts were blown by the wayside after this one.
Next for Edgar: Gray Maynard, who won his contender fight earlier in the night. This should make for an interesting title fight since Maynard is the only man to defeat Edgar, and they've both changed since then. Hopefully it'll also be exciting since Maynard isn't prone to those types of fights.
Next for Penn: BJ has all the skill in the world but he lacks heart. If he can't imposed his will then he wilts, and he finally found a lightweight he can't impose his will on. He's mulling a return to 170, and I think that's the wrong idea. He needs to stay at 155 and really get serious, since he says he wants to fight a lot. BJ has to ditch his crappy yes-man filled training camp, get out of hawaii, and train forreal. Maybe a rematch with Gomi isn't so farfetched right about now.

Randy Couture def. James Toney via Submission (arm triangle), Rd 1
Prediction: Couture takes Toney down early, softens him up with punches, and submits him.
What happened: See above.
Thoughts: Toney had no business in the octagon at his age and while refusing to take MMA training seriously. He talked his head off and backed absolutely none of it up. He said he'll be back stronger, but if he still insists on just being a boxer in an MMA ring he will continue losing until he takes the sport seriously. I'm sure Randy could've ended the fight anytime he wanted, but opted to draw things out and lock in a harder-to-secure arm triangle, and the low single he started off against was a perfect foil to a striker who thinks they can just easily catch a wrestler coming in. If Toney does come back, it won't be to the UFC (it's enough of an insult to other fighters that he got at least $750,000 to lose in 3:19). Props to him for stepping up and taking the plunge, but it was clearly one he wasn't prepared for, and hopefully he and other pro boxers with an anti-MMA mindset have learned to respect the sport more.
Next for Couture: I've been hearing the idea of Jon Jones floated around. I'd much rather Jones face a top 8 guy like previously promised, but I think Randy is a good test for him to take.
Next for Toney: Back to boxing. He's too old to get into such a complex new sport with decades of old habits that are detrimental to his success in MMA.

Demian Maia def. Mario Miranda via Decision (unanimous), Rd 3
Prediction: Miranda would force a very competitive fight with his reach, defensive wrestling, and striking advantage keeping Maia from getting him to the ground easily. Once on the ground, he is still a BJJ black belt and would survive the submission gauntlet of Maia to lose a competitive decision.
What happened: Those advantages meant nothing for Miranda, as Maia was able to get him down with almost no trouble. Once on the ground you saw why Maia is not just your average black belt. Still, Miranda is a legit BJJ black belt and managed to avoid being submitted while being dominated for 3 rounds.
Thoughts: Maia's BJJ and takedowns are simply amazing. He perfectly exhibits how to use technique and timing over strength to get takedowns. On paper it seemed Miranda's strength and reach would keep him upright, but Maia expertly closed the distance, and once there effortlessly tripped and dragged Miranda to the ground at will. Miranda defended well on the ground, but the main reason he survived was because of Maia's mistake/preference to refrain from trapping Miranda's leg when going for armbars. Maia's dominance on the ground is unparalleled in the UFC, and hopefully he can get the rest of his game to at least half the level of his BJJ. Miranda's still an impressive guy, but he needs some more experience before facing guys like Maia.
Next for Maia: This was his first win since being dominated by Anderson Silva, so he'll have to work his way back up to contention. Luckily there are plenty of match ups available for him. Alan Belcher (once he's fit to return), the winner of Michael Bisping/Yoshihiro Akiyama, Gerald Harris, or Chris Leben make for good match ups.
Next for Miranda: He has looked good in his 1-2 run in the UFC, and he needs a break. Patrick Cote or Ed Herman (if he's still around) will suffice.

Gray Maynard def. Kenny Florian via Decision (unanimous), Rd 3
Prediction: Maynard would try to impose his will with wrestling, but Florian would be able to keep things upright and outpoint Maynard with his superior striking to a close decision.
What happened: Maynard imposed his will with wrestling....most of the fight. Florian wasn't able to get any real offense going, but was never really put in trouble, and lost a lopsided decision.
Thoughts: Props to Maynard for winning, even though his wins are far from pretty. For all of Florian's striking and grappling prowess, he was very weak off his back offensively. Aside from a couple omaplata attempts he did nothing of note from there. He was clearly frustrated that he couldn't turn the fight in his direction, and it was yet another indicator that strong wrestlers are Florian's kryptonite. Maynard has good enough hands to avoid getting caught on the feet and comfortably use his wrestling. Florian had a chance to turn things up in the final 30 seconds of the fight, but oddly didn't let it go and try to steal the fight. He knew it was over.
Next for Maynard: Champion Frankie Edgar.
Next for Florian: Florian always comes back better after losses, but when he gets to top guys his holes are always exposed. It was widely agreed upon that Florian would be the champ if BJ wasn't around, but it looks like we have a widespread changing of the guard going on, and Florian's time has passed. If they want to further test out Florian's wrestling improvements he can take on Nik Lentz, who used it to shut down Andre Winner in the prelims but isn't up to Maynard's level on the mat. Or maybe he and Tyson Griffin could battle to see who's still in the mix at 155.

Nate Diaz def. Marcus Davis via Submission (Guillotine Choke), Rd 3
Prediction: Diaz would use his range to outbox Davis in a close decision.
What happened: See above, but it wasn't so close. After a close 1st round that saw Davis find his range quicker and more effectively, Diaz finally hit his stride and battered Davis unmercifully, opening up a nasty cut about his right eye that caused it to swell up to John Howard-like proportions. Diaz wasn't content to take a dominant decision and locked in a guillotine late in the third round to put Davis to sleep.
Thoughts: As much as I can't stand Diaz, he has looked impressive at 170. His rangy frame is working just as well there as it did at 155, if not better so far. Davis showed a lot of heart by staying in the fight as long as he did, but once that eye got damaged he was at a marked disadvantage. Not much to say with this one; Diaz oustruck Davis in terms of volume and effectiveness, and locked in a guillotine while Davis was out of it. Well done. But it was funny when Diaz got wobbled after trying to showboat. I want to see more of that.
Next for Diaz: Sure, he's looked impressive against two welterweight strikers, but who really argued he wouldn't? The reason he left 155 was because he couldn't handle the wrestlers there, and things only get worse with the huge wrestlers at 170. What's Matt Riddle doing? But that may be my bias, as I want to see Diaz get destroyed haha.
Next for Davis: He's definitely reached gatekeeper status, and has now lost 3 of his last 4. DaMarques Johnson would make for an entertaining fight with Davis, as he likes to stand and bang despite being better suited for the ground, and lacks the hands of Diaz.

The Prelims
- Joe Lauzon absolutely decimated the returning Gabe Ruediger, giving him a very rude welcome back to the UFC by overwhelming him on the feet, slamming him to the ground, elbowing and punching him in the face numerous times, then locking in an impressive armbar all in about 2 minutes. It was an embarrassing one-sided beatdown and I wouldn't be surprised if Gabe is released again after that performance (or should I say lack of a performance).

- Nik Lentz used the ugly game of wrestling and control to shut down the defense of Andre Winner for 3 rounds. Winner showed passable defense, but couldn't keep Lentz off of him and get enough room to let off his powerful striking game.

- Dan Miller displayed some improved striking but questionable conditioning against John Salter, and all of that was moot when he locked in his trademark guillotine, this time of the figure four variety, early in the second round. Glad Miller got the win because he really needed it, but he needs to stop trying to be a striker and use his considerably better BJJ.

- In the two i didnt see, Mike Pierce looked on his way to riding out yet another incredibly boring decision over UFC newcomer Amilcar Alves, but instead managed to gain a bit of my favor for once by submitting Alves, who is known for his BJJ, with a crossbody armbar. Quite impressive. And Greg Soto took home an unlikely come from behind decision over Nick Osipczak, who has lost two straight fights many felt he should've won. I remember him being talked about as one of the best prospects out of the UK during TUF 9, but he hasn't been delivering as of late. Maybe they need to bring him up a little slower, because he does have a lot of potential.

And that about does it for this recap. Decent show overall, but it did set a lot of things in motion. Hopefully the next event will be better.