With all of  the events from my previous 'Top Upcoming Fights' installment in the books it's time to look at what's on tap for MMA fight fans over the next few months.
 
Even though not every match up listed is going to end up being as good as it looks on paper,  these are fights you don't want to miss.

Let's get to it.
 
1.) Fedor vs. Dan Henderson/Strikeforce - In the world of MMA, Fedor still carries some weight when it comes to drawing big numbers. Not to mention all the water cooler talk in regards to his career, future, and crumbling legacy. Getting a win over the likes of a legend in Henderson would go along ways to take some of the sting out of his last 2 outings. That said, I see Henderson getting the win after wearing down 'The Last Empero'r with his clinch, dirty boxing, and Olympic caliber take downs.
 

2.) Rich Franklin vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira/UFC 133 - Rich Franklin will be trying to avoid dropping 2 in a row for the first time in his long career. He is 3-3 over his last 6 with tough losses coming against Forrest Griffin, Vitor Belfort, and Dan Henderson. 'Lil Nog' is still starting to show some wear himself having dropped his last 3 fights in the UFC. The outcome of this fight could put these two fighters on different paths to end their respective careers. Make mine Franklin by TKO.

 

3.) Dan Hardy vs. Chris Lytle/UFC On Versus 5 - This is going to be the best throw down from this post and likely FOTN. Hardy desperately needs a win to keep some type of foothold in the UFC. 4 losses in a row might be curtains for the brash Brit who appeared at one time to be on a fast track up the division. Losses to GSP, Anthony Johnson, and Carlos Condit got him to this point. It will be a tough task against 8 time 'Of The Night' recipient Chris Lytle.
 
4.) Brendan Schaub vs. Big Nog/UFC 134 - Colorado's Brendan Schaub continues to surge up the heavyweight ladder as he vies for his 5th straight win in the UFC. And the wins came against some tough opponents at that. You would think if he gets by 'Big Nog' in Brazil he would officially be in line for a title shot some time in 2012. Shane Carwin has publicly said he would not face Schaub unless they were the #1 and #2 contenders but this could get interesting.

 

5.) Forrest Griffin vs. Shogun Rua/UFC 134 - In a rematch that could be better than the first, Rua looks to avenge his loss to Griffin at UFC 76 where he was submitted in the closing seconds. Rua will be trying to string 2 wins together since 2009 as the former TUF in Griffin looks to stay alive at 205lbs. Griffin is 5-2 over his last 7. A close one to call, but this time I go with Shogun to get the win. Trilogy in the making?

 

*Honorable Mention  Diego Sanchez vs. Matt Hughes/UFC 135* - Even though Matt Hughes is on his way out he will no doubt test Sanchez to the fullest. I don't see Hughes getting the win though as Sanchez gets the unanimous decision on this night.  I hope to see you at the Pepsi Center for this one...

 

Watch for future posts here at MMANews.com breaking down the betting lines on these and other upcoming cards.

See you at the fights!

For Colorado MMA, visit http://colorado-mma-colorado-boxing.com

With most of the fights from my previous 'Top Coming Fights' installment having passed, this is a great  time to update the list and take a look at the top 5 upcoming fights once again.
 
Although some of these match ups are going to be more anticipated then others, they are listed in no particular order and all should be great for fans. Let's get to it.
 
1.) Nick Diaz vs. Paul Daley/StrikeForce - Still feeling the aftermath of the sucker punch heard around the world, Paul Daley looks to get back in better standing with the UFC brass now that they own StrikeForce. Can you say awkward? On paper this is going to be a battle of two dangerous strikers. That said, I see Diaz winning by submission after Daley starts to gas as the fight progresses. Diaz has evolved with every fight  seemingly getting better each time out while Daley has struggled on the ground. Throw in the fact Daley has missed weight 5 times in 11 fights and it spells L-O-S-S for him.
 
2.) GSP vs. Jake Shields/UFC 129 - In what will likely be the toughest test to date for 'Rush', Shields comes in with sick wrestling and BJJ in addition to also being a cardio freak like Pierre. Both of these being part of what makes this a great match up. That said, I believe GSP is still at another level and will be able to get Shields to the ground. In the end he will be too strong for Shields getting the win by via ground and pound TKO when the dust settles. Could we be one step closer to GSP vs. Silva after this night?
 
3.) Jose Aldo vs. Mark Hominick/UFC 129 - Similar to GSP in the fight above, this will likely be Aldo's toughest fight yet as Hominick is a pin-point accurate striker himself and will look to stand toe to toe with Aldo.  Hominick has been on a run as of late and looks to secure his 6th win in a row over one of the sports best pound for pound fighters. Aldo hasn't lost since 2005 and has been tearing through the competition since his debut at WEC 34. As great of striker as Hominick is, look for Aldo to unleash some of his unorthodox strikes to get the KO win.
 
4.) Anthony Pettis vs. Clay Guida/UFC TUF 13 Finale - Wow. Fasten your seat belts for this one. After leaving a lasting mark in minds of fans with his highlight reel cage walk, Pettis will get the UFC part of his career underway facing 'The Carpenter.' After dropping two tough fought battles to Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez, Guida has won 3 in a row including a huge win over the legend in Gomi. Being both fighters are perennial 'Of The Night' winners, this is one you don't want to miss. And it's free.
 
5.) Lyoto Machida vs. Randy Couture/UFC 129 - 'The Natural' will attempt to defy father time once again taking on the once surging Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida. Until he retires, any fight with Couture in it will be a can't miss event. I can see this one going either way for a few different reasons but I believe it will come down to Couture's dirty boxing and prowess in the clinch eventually wearing down of Machida. At the time of this writing, Couture announced this likely will be his last time in the octagon. Could it be a story book ending for the legend?
 
*Honorable Mention  Uriah Faber vs. Dominck Cruz UFC 132* - After losing to Jose Aldo and Mike Brown twice, Faber seems to have gotten back on track as he now looks for his third win in a row. Dominc Cruz will be trying for his 9th win in a row with his only loss prior coming at the hands of Faber back in 2007 at WEC 26. I see Cruz out pointing Faber in the stand up game, getting the win via decison and retaining the UFC featherweight strap.
 
Watch for my next MMANews post regarding the betting lines on these and other upcoming fights. If you follow Colorado or Wyoming Mixed Martial Arts check out this blog: http://colorado-mma-colorado-boxing.com.

See you at the fights!

The Top 5 Upcoming Fights

And just like that, the much anticipated UFC 126 card is over.

Anderson Silva continues to steamroll all challengers while fan favorite Forrest Griffin kept his UFC career alive with his huge decision win over Rich Franklin.

Three fights from my previous "Top Coming Fights" installment are in the books (Silva vs. Belfort, Griffin vs. Franklin, Bader vs. Jones) in addition to Pettis vs. Henderson, so this is a good time to take a look at the top 5 upcoming fights on the way.

1.) Lyoto Machida vs. Randy Couture UFC 129 - "The Natural" facing off against anyone would be worthy of a spot on this list, but the fact it comes against the once dangerous Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida makes it a must see. Machida is trying to avoid his third consecutive loss after starting his professional MMA career 16-0. "The Natural"  will be looking to get his 4th consecutive win. Granted, those wins were over the likes of James Toney, Mark Coleman, and the recently cut Brandon Vera, but they are wins nonetheless.

2.) Carlos Condit vs. Chris Lytle UFC 127 - This one has "Fight Of The Night" written all over it, as these two surging fighters have a combined 6 "Fight Of The Night" honors between them. Even though Chris Lytle is never going to be an easy fight, I see Condit getting the win by unanimous decision after a performance from both that will be a favorite to get "Fight Of The Night." The question is who will face Condit next after the win? I would rather see GSP vs. Silva than Condit vs. GSP but either way, Condit always makes a show of it.

3.) Dan Hardy vs. Anthony Johnson UFC Fight Night 24 - Free UFC broadcasts of any type are always going to deliver but UFC Fight Night 24 is exceptional. Hardy comes into the fight trying to avoid 3 losses in a row for the first time in his professional career. Where as Hardy has fought GSP and Carlos Condit in his last 2 fights, Anthony Johnson has been out of action since losing to Josh Koscheck in November of 2009. Johnson is sick on his feet but this night will belong to Hardy.

4.)  Jose Aldo vs. Mark Hominick UFC 129 - In what will be a battle of two elite strikers, Hominick could be the first to truly test the seemingly unstoppable Jose Aldo. Hominick definitely earned a title shot after go through his last 5 UFC/WEC opponents and the match up is great for the fans. I see Hominick pushing Aldo but eventually succumbing to Aldo's leg kicks and unorthodox style in what will be a largely hyped UFC debut for Aldo. Does the name Luciano Azvedo ring a bell? Didn't think so. This is the only fighter to beat Aldo in his professional MMA career back in 2005.

5.) Quinton Jackson vs. Thiago Silva UFC 130 - They might as well just put a phone booth in the center of the cage for this one. Similar to the recent Forrest Griffin vs. Rich Franklin bout, this one is tough to make a prediction for. Other than the fact that someone is going down. I am going to give the edge to Rampage on this night after getting a career saving win over Lyoto Machida back at UFC 123 which no doubt gave him major momentum going into this showdown with Silva. Look for both of these fighters to be head hunting until one of them is counting lights.

*Honorable Mention*   Michael Bisping vs. Jorge Rivera UFC 127 - Fans have been waiting on this one for what seems like an eternity now. Rivera has been on the sidelines since his huge win over Nate Quarry in March of 2010 and Michael Bisping will be trying to string 3 wins together for the first time since 2008. This will be a "last man standing" affair with Bisping (as much as I hate to say it) getting the win via KO.

Are any of these going to end up being Fight Of The Year?

Fight Of The Night?

Only time will tell. If you enjoyed this check out the Top Fight Moments Of ROF 41 here: http://colorado-mma-colorado-boxing.com.

See you at the fights!

3 Reasons GSP vs. Silva Will Happen

With GSP fresh off of a win over Josh Koscheck and Anderson Silva ready to dispatch Vitor Belfort, it's time to talk GSP vs. Silva again.

We might as well enjoy this while we can.

Here are the top reasons why fans can expect this fight to happen over the next year and hopefully still in 2011.

1.) This Isn't Boxing - I hate to go back to the old and tired boxing comparisons, but it's still such a big part of the discussion. The world of MMA and more specifically the UFC simply makes big fights happen. No building and padding of records.  Your first fight in the UFC is going to be a tough one. This fight would be so big it's hard to fathom but that is exactly why we can expect to see it. The weight issue would have to get hammered out, but I don't think this would be a big road block given the warrior spirit of both fighters.

2.) The Fans Want To See It - This one is tied to the first one in the sense that in Mixed Martial Arts, the fans pressure and input has a definite hand in certain aspects of match making. Dana White has lent credence to this fight actually happening with his well placed comments over the last year. If this fight can happen and is logical how can it go unaddressed? It's like the elephant in the room but in this case everyone has noticed and subsequently put their two cents in. Watch for this story to pick up major steam after UFC 126 Saturday night.

3.) Divisions Have Been Cleared - Who's left? With Paul Daley 86'd and Shields and Belfort both likely falling, there are no other logical match ups. At least not any that are going to garner any huge coverage and discussion. Who wants to see Okami vs. Silva? Not me. Lets get on to what would be the biggest MMA fight ever and one that would even possibly rival what the PacMan vs. Mayweather Jr. fight would total. How big would it be to get MMA legalized in New York leading to a date for GSP vs. Silva at Madison Square Garden? Could boxing really let this happen before they can get their super fight signed?

**Honorable Mention**  Dana White Wants To Pull This Off - Let's face it. As much as we love Dana White for what he has done for the sport, he still loves the spotlight and would no doubt relish in one-upping the world of boxing. Mayweather Jr. and PacMan are both to blame for the failure to get the dotted lines signed for what would be the biggest fight ever. Dana White will become the target of much praise from the media and fans alike as he looks to make history once again.

GSP would be the stronger fighter in this one, but I believe the never seen before elite striking prowess of "The Spider" would be too much for GSP in the end.

Make mine Anderson Silva when this super fight becomes a reality in 2011.

For Colorado MMA, visit http://www.colorado-mma-colorado-boxing.com.

See you at the fights!

UFC 126 Betting Preview

We finally made it.

After many months of speculation and day dreaming about the card, we are on the doorstep of UFC 126. Close enough to break down the numbers anyways.

Best card ever?

Not sure about that but it could be argued. 

In addition to the big 3, we also get to see "Kid" in his UFC debut in addition to fan favorite Miguel Torres.

For this installment of my MMA betting column, we are going to change the format a bit. I am going to first list the numbers for the 3 main fights on the card, then the Underdog Of The Night, and the Parlay Of The Night listed last.

Let's get right to it.

1.) A Look At The Numbers - In regards to the Franklin vs. Griffin, Bader vs. Jones, and Silva vs. Belfort fights, the numbers are as follows: Anderson Silva (-250) vs. Vitor Belfort (+190), Rich Franklin (-170) vs. Forrest Griffin (+140), and Jon Jones (-325) vs. Ryan Bader (+250). The favorites on the money line is noted with a (-) with the underdog being the (+). In terms of a favorite, the number represents the amount you would have to wager to win $1. For example, to win on the biggest favorite Jon "Bones" Jones, you would have to risk $3.25 to win a $1. Not the best numbers to win over the long term by. This is why normally you use heavy favorites you feel good about in a parlay, thus increasing your profits to a point it makes since for the risk taken.

2.) Underdog Pick Of The Night - I am disobeying one of my golden rules of betting on this one as I go with an underdog pick that is not on the main or co-main event. If I were looking to wager on an underdog pick from this card it would have to be the surging Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson getting the win against "Kid" Yamamoto. As glad as I am to see Yamamoto in the UFC finally, his debut will be spoiled by one of the most exciting fighters on his way up in the UFC. Johnson comes in as the underdog at a +115. Nothing huge, but the underdog pick of the night nonetheless.

3.) Parlay Of The Night - As much as I love the Silva, Franklin, and Jones move, I am going to play on the conservative side and go with Silva and Jones for the parlay of the night. The Franklin vs. Griffin fight is going to be nothing short of a historic throw down and could go either way. On the flip-side I believe that Silva and Jones will definitely pull off their respective wins. This parlay will equate to a decent .83 cents on every dollar wagered or $4.15 on every $5. Not quite double the risk but close.

There are so many ways to string together winning wagers on this card the exact combination is best left up to your instincts as a fight fan as you look over the card.

Could we soon be talking about the odds on GSP vs. Silva? 

For Colorado MMA, visit http://www.colorado-mma-colorado-boxing.com

See you at the fights!

Herschel Walker - Novelty Or Warrior?

On January 29th Herschel Walker will turn his back on the doubters and detractors and enter the cage for his second time.

No looking back now.

At age 48 he will shrug off the whispers from those that believe his attempt at Mixed Martial Arts competition is little more than a futile grasp at the limelight by another aging athlete. One that is past his glory days and desperate for one more run.

A scenario that plays out often in all professional sports.

Should fans take notice of Walker?

Should we respect the man for chasing his dreams?

When news of the former All-Pro NFL running back trying his hand at the fight game picked up momentum back in 2007, it was largely brushed aside as a circus act.

Not many minds of changed in regards to Walker and MMA.

Just as I would never rip Brett Favre  for seemingly hanging around too long according to the millions of armchair quarterbacks across the country, I commend Walker for going to well of life until it runs dry.

Walker seems sincere in voicing his love for the sport and the gift to compete.

“I was just going to train because I love the sport.” he said when talking about his passion for MMA.

How can you knock someone for having the ability to realize goals that are as pure as fighting?

Especially when you happen to be a genetic freak that is still as shredded as ever. Walker looks like he could have grabbed his Cowboys helmet and taken the field this last season.

Incidentally, he recently talked about a return to the NFL but we will save that for another setting.

I think Walker summed it up best when saying the following about his main strength that sets him apart from mere mortals.

"My God given talent is my ability to stick with training longer than anyone else."

Living by this mantra, can the man that safeties feared on Sunday's do the same against dangerous fighters half his age?

As well documented, Walker knows he likely is not going to ever contend for a title but instead is testing himself in the new waters of a sport he claims to truly have a passion for.

The question isn't  if he should compete but if it should be on the stage of StrikeForce. Arguably the second biggest MMA stage around.

Is he being given an unworthy shot by the StrikeForce brass? Some seem to think so.

This was veteran Keith Berry's thoughts no too long ago:

“I’d love to fight Herschel Walker, but they’d probably never give me that fight because they only want to give him the wins. He fought a guy that was 1-1 and he just looked bad. I just thought he looked really bad, and his hands were so stiff and I just thought if I gave him one good overhand right, he would just go down.

"Guys like that have a little bit of hype on them and I don’t think he’s a real MMA fighter. He trains at AKA with some good guys, that’s cool, but I don’t think he’s anything special. I saw his fight and it was embarrassing.”

I wouldn't go that far, but I can understand this sentiment from other hardworking fighters.

Let's reserve judgment at least until after Saturday night. 

For Colorado MMA, check out http://www.colorado-mma-colorado-boxing.com.

See you at the fights!

Ultimate Fight Night 23 Betting Preview

With Ultimate Fight Night 23 - Fight For The Troops 2 quickly approaching, it's time to take a look at how the card shapes up in terms of legal wagering and the best chances for a decent payout on the night.

Being there is no underdog on the card worthy of  the  "Underdog Pick Of The Night",  we will cover the use of a "parlay" in MMA betting when there are more than one heavy or otherwise solid favorites on the card in question.

When betting the underdog, normally it is advisable to stay with the main and co-main events, as they have shown to be roughly 50/50 in terms of the underdog winning over the favorite.

When using the parlay to string together multiple solid picks though, I occasionally look at other fights on the main card also.

As usual, much of your final choice of what fights or fighters you place bets on is determined by your gut instinct as a knowledgeable fight fan.

When using the parlay, you generally want to find 2 or more favorites to string together as one bet, thus raising the payout to a level that is worth the risk. This compared to risking $5 dollars to win $1 on single favorite for example.

Making streaky bets on favorites all the time is not the way to long term incremental gains, which is really what building a bankroll is all about.

Obviously the more fights you parlay the higher the payout. And hitting on 4 fights is definitely feasible, as I myself have done it twice. That said, I generally like to keep my risk a bit lower than that by staying with 3 fights at most. And once again, it really comes down to breaking down the card and spotting the best combination of fights.

There are 3 favorites on the Saturday night UFN 23 card that are worth discussing and possibly betting on. They are Mark Hominick over George Roop, Pat Barry over Joey Beltran, and Mike Brown over Rani Yahya.

All fighters are solid picks and have a great shot of getting wins against their respective opponents.

I don't feel as confident in the other solid favorites on the card including Evan Dunham, Matt Mitrione, Yves Edwards, and Cole Miller. Either because of the fighters themselves or their opponents.

If successful with a parlay including wins for Barry, Hominick, and Brown, your return would be $1.54 on a $1 wagered. This would mean a profit of $7.68 on a $5 bet and $15.36 on a $10 bet.

Not bad for the likelihood of these fighters winning.

I personally would choose the more conservative approach of parlaying wins for only Pat Barry and Mike Brown. 

Pat "HD" Barry comes in as a -250 as the heavy favorite. As a single bet, your return on Barry would only be $1 for every $2.50 wagered. Mike Brown comes in as the biggest favorite at a -340 earning you only $1 for every $3.40 wagered.

Not worth it individually.

Both are solid bets when used together via the parlay though, as this would earn winnings of 0.81 cents on every $1 dollar risked and $4.06 for every $5.

And in staying with the most basic guideline, never risk more than 2-3% of your total bankroll.

Follow Colorado MMA? Check out http://www.colorado-mma-colorado-boxing.com and never miss Rocky Mountain MMA news again!

See you at the fights!

Chael Sonnen The Afterthought

I hate to kick a guy when he's down.

But for the now defunct Chael Sonnen I'll make an exception.

The fighter that came within minutes of making good on his pre-fight trash talk against then villain Anderson Silva,  has fallen considerably from his self-righteous perch judging those around him.

Can you just stop now Chael? Shut up, sit your time out and try to make a comeback. If you get a couple of wins after the suspension, you might just get another shot some day.

Let's see. there was the bashing of GSP for wanting to try to make the Canadian Olympic wrestling team. The advice for Brock Lesnar. Oh yeah, and the poem for Anderson Silva he has been working on. Sonnen advising Shane Carwin on the reason for his loss to Lesnar, and the list goes on.

Really?

The man better suited for the muddy waters of politics than MMA  has gone from UFC appointed hero to an afterthought in the sport we all love and follow.

Most of the MMA talk last week focused on the Edgar and Maynard draw, with the guilty plea to money laundering by  Sonnen barley registering on the headlines from the day.

My how quickly things change.

The steroid allegations against Sonnen shocked the MMA masses but the planets have since re-aligned and the sun still burns as Chael fights to stay relevant now branded as a cheater and fraud.

Just prior to this post, history had been made of a different variety as Dana White suspended/froze the contract of Sonnen. This is the first time the UFC has taken steps to discipline a fighter for outside-the-octagon issues.

For those that wonder why other fighters have not been suspended for things like DUI, did I mention this was tied to money laundering?

This all while currently serving the roid suspension.

Dana White commenting on the conversation between he and Chael:

"Chael Sonnen has gone through a lot in the last few months and we think it's important for him to focus on getting his personal life together before focusing on his career in the UFC." White said.

Never one to mince words, White added this:

 "I spoke with Chael earlier today and he agrees that setting priorities in his life is the best thing for him right now. I sincerely hope Chael is able to straighten out his personal life."

He had no choice but to agree as Dana White the rest of the UFC brass look to keep their sport and organization out of the light of negativity as we start 2011.

And this should no doubt put to rest any of the recent talk about Sonnen being a coach on the next season of TUF. Would anyone really want to see Chael as a coach anyways?

No way. Not here.

This would definitely be drama over-kill, even for the usual over-the-top aspects of TUF.

There are too many other deserving and intriguing possibilities for this role. I don't have a problem with Silva being a coach, but I won't watch one episode of any season that ever employs Sonnen.

How about  the re-emerging Brian Stann after crushing Chris Leben? Or looking to the stacked lightweight division for the next TUF coaches?

Maybe not, but this shows the plethora of options for the next season's coaches.

It's any body's guess what will become of Sonnen's once promising career moving forward, but it's clear he needs to disappear for awhile.

Let's retire this one for 2011 and focus on some great fights coming up.

Who do you have, Vitor or Silva?

Follow Colorado MMA news? Check out http://www.colorado-mma-colorado-boxing.com.

See you at the fights!

Schaub vs. Cro Cop Official

Are we sure this time?

Do I dare hit the "Post" button?

I think I'm safe this time but we will see.

After going from Frank Mir and most recently Stefan Struve, it now seems that it's going to be sliding legend Mirko "Cro-Cop" that faces the rising Brendan Schaub.

Probably better for Struve.

Schaub made headlines and raised eyebrows as he called out both Mir and Mirko after his huge win over Gabriel Gonzaga at UFC 121, but ultimately got his wish. The match up will once again be a step up for Schaub, while Cro-Cop will likely finish out his UFC run with either a win or a loss.

Two fighters passing each other as they go in opposite directions.

As for the fight itself, it's a tough one to predict but I imagine Schaub will come in as the slight favorite.

You have have Schaub who is an all around better athlete and has really started to ratchet it up a notch. Across from him you have a Mixed Martial Arts legend that will be dangerous no matter what ends up happening on fight night as he looks to possibly end his career with a win.

I can see Schaub throwing Mirko around the cage a bit, but obviously Cro-Cop's stand up skills can end the fight at any moment. Because of this Schaub will have to make sure not get overly anxious has Cro-Cop tries to set up his left head kick.

This said, Schaub's improving hands (he's already a Golden Gloves champion) are dangerous in their own right as shown when he repeatedly tagged Gonzaga throughout the fight back in October.

In addition, Schaub is built to go 5 rounds let alone the 3 required. Courtesy the Grudge Training Center in Colorado.

After a shaky start since coming over from Pride, Mirko has shown well recently. Even in the Mir loss he hung tough until the end against the bigger opponent, never looking like he had any quit in him.

It originally looked like the UFC and Cro-Cop relationship could go up in flames, but Mirko has done the right thing as he looks to finish by honoring the full contract.

If Schaub is able to get past the human KO highlight reel in Cro-Cop, it would make his next fight extremely interesting in terms of matchmaking for Joe Silva.

At some point we will have to see Roy Nelson vs. Schaub II. They appear to be on a collision course within the division after meeting each other in TUF finale and each going 2-1 and 3-1 in the UFC respectively.

Could it be for a title shot? Only time will tell. For all Colorado MMA news join us over at http://www.colorado-mma-colorado-boxing.com/2011/12/winners-and-losers-of-2011.html. 

UFC 128's main event is Shogun Rua returning to defend his belt against Rashad Evans. Finally.

Looks to be a memorable night.

See you at the fights!

UFC 125 Underdog Pick Of The Night

For the last installment of the Underdog Pick Of The Night of 2010,  we have UFC 125 on the table set for New Year's day night.

The card features some great fights including Clay Guida vs. Takanori Gomi, Nate Diaz vs. Dong Hyun Kim, Chris Leben vs. Brian Stann, and Thiago Silva vs. Brandon Vera.

Although the rest of the card is pretty strong, the main-event of current champion Frankie Edgar vs. Gray Maynard has not garnered much in the way of mainstream press coverage.

Nonetheless, these posts are about finding the best underdog on any given card, so that is what we will focus on.

When looking at underdog picks in terms of MMA betting, you normally want to stick with either the main or co-main events. Over the long-term these fights have been shown as being close to 50% when looking at the ratio of wins for the favorite and underdog.

Plus, after doing the math on your return for a winning underdog pick, you don't have to hit every one.

To be successful over the long haul,  you have to stick 3 guidelines though:

1.) Only wager 3-5% of your total bankroll. This one is really the most important rule and the one people have the hardest time adhering to. Be patient with small, incremental profits. Obviously, this number will go up over time as your allotted bankroll grows.

2.) Bet on the favorites only when stringing at least to strong picks together in a parlay. Otherwise, the risk vs. return ration is not going to allow for extended gains. Even champions lose eventually.

3.) Don't feel like you have to bet on every card or event. Look for the gems on each one. If you don't feel comfortable on any of the match ups, wait until the next one.

With that out of the way, let's get on to the UFC 125 Underdog Pick Of The Night.

My pick on this card is going to be current lightweight champion and 2 time winner over BJ Penn, Frankie Edgar over Gray Maynard.

Edgar comes in at a +115. Not a huge number in terms of his underdog role, but it will allow you to double your Christmas money from grandma and then some.

Every dollar wagered will see a return of $1.15, while every $5 will see $5.75 and on down the line. I usually use these numbers, as this represents the noted 3-5% of most typical fans available funds for this purpose.

On the flip-side, Gray Maynard is a shaky wager only giving a return of .69 cents on every dollar and a meager $3.35 on every $5.

The combined record of these two is a crazy 24-1 not including a no contest involving Maynard. The knock on Gray, as been his inability to finish fights with 8 wins coming via decision. Even if it  goes to the cards I see Frankie Edgar edging him out to retain the strap.

Should be a great fight and card for true MMA fans.

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See you at the fights!

The Top 5 UFC KOs Of 2010

In a year that was filled with highlight reel KO's, there were 5 that stood out from the rest.

They were not only huge fights in their own right, they included some of the biggest names in MMA at some of their biggest moments.

Huge career implications at stake.

Some kept the hope alive for an extended UFC run, while others seemed to fall further from the spotlight and closer to retirement.Let's revisit 5 of the years best KO's as we get ready to usher in 2011:

1.) Rich Franklin Retires "The Iceman" UFC 115 - In what was likely the last fight of Liddell's legendary career, Rich Franklin received "Knockout Of The Night" honors and kept his UFC career going at 4:55 of round one. If Liddell had managed to hang on another 5 seconds, would things have been different? Not likely. You can't help wondering though as we watch Chuck ride off into the sunset after being shutdown by Dana White. Thanks for the memories "Iceman."

2.) BJ Penn Settles The Score With Matt Hughes UFC 123 - In rivalry that dates back to 2004, BJ Penn comes out on top via a shocking KO at .21 of the first round. With the quick finish, Penn was able to get back in the win column after losing his last 2 in a row to current champion Frankie Edgar. Even after big wins over Renzo Gracie and Ricardo Almeida, Matt Hughes will be taking a close look at  where he wants to go from here.  

3.) Cain Velasquez KO's Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira UFC 110 - We now know what was yet to come in terms of Cain Velasquez and his title run. Currently holding an 89% KO rate in his professional Mixed Martial Arts career, Velasquez wasted little time versus "Big Nog" finishing the fight at the 2:20 mark of round one and securing Knockout Of The Night honors. Cain went on to clown Lesnar at UFC121, earning the UFC heavyweight belt.

4.) Shogun Rua Finishes Lyoto Machida UFC 113 - Shogun Rua left no question in the minds of anyone on this night, dropping the evasive Machida at 3:34 of round one. Rua left the building with the strap over his shoulder as the majority of fans thought it should have been in the first showdown between these two. It was only a matter of time before Shogun earned the 205 lb. belt and he looks to hold onto it in his first title defense against Rashad Evans in the coming year.

5.) Shane Carwin Crushes Frank Mir UFC 111 - In the bloodiest stoppage on our list, fans finally got to see Shane Carwin at full throttle as he dismantled the always dangerous Frank Mir. Mir was never in this one as Carwin imposed his will on Frank from the opening bell. Although Carwin was showed more sportsmanship than Lesnar when he beat Mir, the outcome was almost identical. A bloody and battered former champion who was unable to contend with the shear power and size of Carwin.

*Honorable Mention:  Frank Mir Drops "Cro-Cop" In The Last Round  At UFC 119 - In another fight that saw a legend come out on the wrong side of things, Frank Mir rebounded from his smashing at the hands of Shane Carwin to take out Cro-Cop at 4:02 of round number three. The fight was better than expected prior to the knee that ended it, as both fighters stayed in it looking for the win. This keeps things interesting for Mir as he looks to get back in the hunt in 2011.

At this time next  year these fights will have faded from our memories a bit, but they will all live forever in the highlight reels and minds of everyone who witnessed them. For all the MMA News from the Rocky Mountain region, check us out over at: http://colorado-mma-colorado-boxing.com.

See you at the fights!

"Kid" Finally Arrives In UFC

We can finally do it.

The infamous bad boy of MMA, "Kid" Yamamoto can be crossed of of the short list of the best fighters not in the UFC, as Dana White confirmed the signing via Twitter last week.

The UFC appears intent on staying in the headlines of the MMA world, as move after move continues to bolster the powerhouse promotion.

Enter Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto.

As the WEC merger continues to make all sorts of match up possibilities for 2011, fans will finally get to see one of the most exciting fighters on the planet in the sports biggest promotion.

Given the status of "Kid" in the MMA ranks over the last 9 years, it's no surprise Dana White had been trying to land Yamamoto for a long time, having these comments after UFC 94:

"I've been a 'Kid' Yamamoto fan for a long time. 

"I'd love to get him over here.

"There's two fights left on [Yamamoto's] K-1 contract, and he told me his dream is to end his career over here with us. So I'd like to see it happen."

And it looks like it will. Better late than never.

In spite of Yamamoto's recent slide over the last 3 years and losing his spot as one of the top 1 or 2 featherweights in the world, his career should be re-ignited by the move to the UFC and all the accompanying fanfare and bright lights.

For a fierce competitor such as Yamamoto, this can only will fuel his desire to put on great performances in the octagon as he restarts his MMA career.

And for the fans, this means unthinkable fights soon to follow involving the fighter  known for truly wanting to hurt his opponents.

Will Urijah Faber finally get his wish to fight Yamamoto granted after calling him out for years during his reign as featherweight champion?

If that is one of the fights to happen, "Kid" will have to first get in the win column in his debut at UFC 126 in February.

Yamamoto will be trying to string 2 wins together for the first time since 2007 at which point he took time off completely from Mixed Martial Arts to vie for a spot on the Japanese Olympic wrestling team at the 2008 summer Olympics.

Whether or not the fighter with the quickest KO in MMA (see YouTube) history will be able to get back to his once dominate stature remains to be seen. Either way, his journey in attempting this should results in many great fight moments over the next couple of years.

And who knows. The 33 year old south paw could have a title run left in him.

But before any of that can happen, "Kid" has to get past a rising and dangerous  Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson at bantamweight.

Johnson is quickly moving up the food chain in the UFC, going for his 9th win in what will be his 10th professional fight.

The fight is going to be one of many on Super Bowl weekend, as Silva vs. Belfort and Franklin vs. Griffin are the main even and co-main event respectively.

Japanese legend  Michihiro Omigawa was also signed at the same time as Yamamoto. Exits from Japan for both fighters further saps the struggling promotion "DREAM", as they battle to hold on to fighters in the wake of the recent merger.

If DREAM truly wants to stay alive in 2011, they are going to have to find a way to keep the Japanese talent they have tried to build the promotion around. If you liked this, check out: http://www.colorado-mma-colorado-boxing.com/2011/12/cientifik-be-about-it-or-without-it.html.

See you at the fights!

The Top 5 Fights On The Way 

As we end the 2010 fight calendar and begin 2011,  MMA fans can  look forward to huge fights on the horizon of the MMA landscape. During this time we will see  5 surefire great match ups over the next handful of events. Any one of these could end up being Fight Of The Night and Fight Of The Year winners when the dust settles.

The list reflects scheduled fights through February from all promotions. Which fight will reign supreme?

1.) Anderson Silva vs. Vitor Belfort UFC 126 Main Event - Vitor Belfort no doubt took note of what Chael Sonnen was able to do to Silva "pre-triangle."  In spite of that, Vitor is likely going to choose to do what most fighters facing  "The Spider" try to avoid;  trading punches. Adding fuel to the showdown is the fact that the fight has been moved back twice due to injuries sustained by both. Looks like we  might actually get to see it go down this time with UFC 126 rapidly approaching. Silva comes in as the heavy favorite at a -325, with Belfort at a +250. Underdog pick of the night? Not  this one as Silva gets the win by KO.

2.) Ryan Bader vs. Jon "Bones" Jones UFC 126 Co-Main Event - Fans might finally get to see Jon Jones truly tested as he faces his toughest opponent yet in Ryan Bader. Both are still undefeated adding to the circumstances that make this a must see fight. Bader hasn't quite blown through opponents like Jones as he held off  Antonio Rogerio Nogueira after 5 rounds at UFC 119, but is still cruising. I see Jones finishing "Darth Bader"  in his usual highlight reel fashion fans have grown accustomed to.

3.) Forrest Griffin vs. Rich Franklin UFC 126 - After being out of action since beating Tito the second time in late 2009, Griffin looks to get back on track. Rich Franklin will try to keep on his winning ways attempting to string together two wins for the first time since 2008. Griffin needs a win more than Franklin if he is to keep his UFC career alive, having lost 2 of his last 3 fights both via KO and TKO. Does Forrest  avoid getting clipped as the Iceman did? This fight is a tough one to predict with both fighters backs against the proverbial wall, but Griffin comes out on top in a battle for the ages.

4.) Carlos Condit vs. Chris Lytle UFC 127 Co-Main Event - This has fight of the night written all over it. Both fighters have 6 combined "Fight Of The Night" honors between them. Lytle continues to win the battle against father time, entering the cage for the 53rd time in his professional career. On a recent surge, the volunteer firefighter will see his 4 fight win streak come to end against Condit, but will treat the fans to one hell of a show. Carlos should move up the food chain getting closer to a title shot if not securing it outright.

5.) Ben Henderson vs. Anthony Pettis WEC 53 Main Event - The night is going to see the end of the WEC era with the UFC merger is complete. Going out with a bang the card will pit Benson Henderson against Anthony "Showtime" Pettis. Pettis has been on a tear since losing his first WEC outing by split decision against Bart Palaszewski. Like anyone else, I've enjoyed watching the skills of Pettis, but Henderson is going to be the victor as he is a more well rounded fighter on another level with huge wins over  Jamie Varner and Donald Cerrone twice. Thanks for the memories WEC.

**Honorable Mention Jorge Rivera vs. Michael Bisping UFC 127- With the disdain that has built up between these two in addition to both opting to stand at the center of the octagon and throw down, this fight had to at least make the honorable mention entry. Rivera was recently scheduled to face Alessio Sakara at UFC 122, but Sakara was forced to withdraw after hurling backstage prior to the fight. No doubt Rivera  will be eager to get back in the cage as both fighters look to shut each other up. You have to respect Jorge's heart, but the pin-point technical striking of Bisping will put him over the top and closer to a title shot in 2011. Note: This fight is still currently schedulded, but there are rumblings about the UFC trying to setup Bisping vs. Maia. Stay tuned.

If you were looking for GSP vs. Koscheck 2 to be on this list, sorry Kos fans. GSP is going to dominate this fight again. Kos' freshly cut mop and his trash talking won't be enough this time either. If you liked this, check out the blog found here: http://colorado-mma-colorado-boxing.com.

See you at the fights!

UFC - Current Top 5 Strikers In World Rankings

Now that the Thanksgiving leftovers are gone and it's officially back to work, I thought we would take a look at  the top 3 strikers in the current world rankings as we lead up to UFC 124 this weekend.

I realize posts like this tend to create controversy, but it's fun to kick around the topic in addition to helping us get primed for a big end to the 2010 fight calendar.

We to start with the "strikers" for this installment, as we fans tend to get more amped up for this aspect of the game, no matter how much you love two world class grapplers pitted against one another. Plus, we also have the  impending showdown between two of our noted  fighters on the list  coming up in February.

To keep it organized, I chose to list the principals by way of KO percentage although that was not the only factor taken into account:

1.) Cain Velasquez  9 win, 8 via KO 89%  KO Ratio - Those numbers pretty much tell the story. That and the way Cain was able to knock Brock Lesnar around the ring, welting him up like a redheaded stepchild. The highest KO ratio on our already elite list, Velasquez looks to stay there for awhile. If fans eventually get to see a Cain vs. Carwin bout, fireworks will be the only outcome.. Hopefully sometime in 2011 this match up will transpire.

2.) Vitor Belfort  19 wins, 13 via KO, 68% KO Ratio - Even though Belfort will be coming in to face Anderson Silva after a lengthy layoff, we can still bet that he will not have lost anything from his hands in terms of KO power and speed. Belfort is still going to be the dangerous striker that has been forever etched in MMA fans' minds since his vicious KO of Wanderlei Silva.

3.) Jose Aldo  18 wins, 12 via KO, 67% KO Ratio - Aldo comes in at #3 on our pound-for-pound top 10 list, and his ruthless striking is one big reason why. Aldo has quickly amassed an impressive highlight reel of his own, making his way to the noted 67% KO percentage. Thanks to the recent WEC/UFC merger, we can look for Aldo to add to his 12 KO's in 2011. Who's going to be number 13?

4.) Jon "Bones" Jones   11 wins, 7 via KO, 64% KO Ratio - In addition to a fairly high KO percentage, Jones is definitely the most dangerous striker on this list in my opinion, as his skills are always on display. No dancing, no laying back, just bad intentions every minute of each fight.  We can assume Ryan Bader is going to end up the way many of those that have faced "Bones" have. Battered, bloody, and with a loss.

5.) Anderson "The Spider" Silva  27 wins 15 via KO, 56% KO Ratio - This one was a no-brainer, although I was a little surprised when taking a look at Silva's KO percentage being roughly 55%. That said, it's still over half of his current wins in addition to the violent nature of his stand up when he wants to make it happen. That has been the well document problem with Silva though, as at times it seems he is playing it too safe. Look for Silva to be tested to the brink again versus Vitor Belfort.

I know you Koscheck fans out there really didn't think "Kos" would make this list did you? Check back for the "grapplers" version of this post., as he has a better shot for that one.

See you on fight night!

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5 Items To Be Thankful For In MMA

Family. Friends. Good health. The oil has stopped flowing.

Yes, these are all  things we need to be thankful for this 2010 Thanksgiving Day, but as we are all MMA fans at this site, I thought we should keep an MMA focus for our thanks just for a moment. Hence the top 5 items from the world of MMA as we know it that we should be thankful for on this holiday:

 1.) Brock Lesnar Losing His Belt - Although I respected what Lesnar did after the first round, the Carwin fight should have been stopped in the first. That said,  I  really enjoyed seeing him roll around the cage in the process of losing his belt to Cain Velasquez. And not in the fashion of  a tough fought battle, but one that truly saw Lesnar exposed for what he is. A big, strong, fake wrestler.

2.) Shane Carwin On The Comeback- With Shane Carwin recovering from recent "successful" back surgery to repair damage and alleviate pain that has hampered him almost his entire MMA career, it will be nice for fans to see a renewed Carwin that is  highly motivated to have a strong 2011 and get the belt back. We possibly could see the best Shane Carwin to date, and for his opponents that's pretty scary.

3.) Vince McMahon Still Isn't In MMA- This topic comes up every now and again, but I don't think Vince will ever make his way into MMA. Nobody is eager to get in the market versus Dana White. Especially after the WEC merger, let alone someone coming from the world of fake wrestling. The fans would never allow it. The other MMA promotions currently out there wouldn't allow it and the sport definitely doesn't need it. How about working on making Brock a full time employee?

4.) The UFC/WEC Merger- This was inevitable and needed. Business side of things out of it, for us as fans this means deeper talent in an already stacked UFC. This will make for better fights in 2011 than the previous structure could have provided. This said, we will see some fighters we have enjoyed watching, get absorbed into other organizations while others will disappear completely from the main stream MMA scene.

5.) James "Lights Out" Toney Went Out- There is no way MMA could have lived down a win in any ugly from by James Toney against Randy "The Natural" Couture. Even though I had much confidence in Randy to finish Toney easy, there was always that "what if?"  factor that worried me. But as things turned out, MMA has shut up the boxing world at least for the time being.

As we look to 2011, we can also be thankful that the sport we love is growing by leaps and bounds adding to an already strong foundation that no doubt will propel growth for years.

Happy Thanksgiving to fight fans everywhere!

Also check out: http://www.colorado-mma-colorado-boxing.com/2012/01/ryan-martinez-gets-win-on-to-finals.html.

End Of Road Near For Mayweather's Running

Alright  "Money",  time to put up or shut up as the old saying goes.

Matt Hughes Better Than Punchers Chance

As MMA fans brace themselves for what will no doubt be a memorable UFC 123 card this weekend, we're going to take a look at the event's underdog pick of the night for those of you that like to place legal wager's on Mixed Martial Arts.

The sport of MMA in my opinion is the best sport to bet on  for 2 main reasons in addition to watching the fights with more on the line. The first being the simplicity of it.

No over under, no spreads. No thick manuals on the subject. Just the process of making a rational decision based on the numbers and what you bring to the table as a knowledgeable fan.

The second reason is that it's a one on one sport versus a team environment. This negates a lot of factors you can't account for in making your bet. Players not starting, fumbled extra point attempt, etc.

Let's get to it.

After reviewing the card and available fights to bet on, I believe that best shot at making a decent return is on Matt Hughes getting the win against B.J. Penn.

I know, I'm not a Hughes fan either. But on the betting side of things, you have to leave your personal views out of it.

I also like Quinton "Rampage" Jackson at a +220 over Machida,  but definitely give the edge to Hughes like him or not.

When betting on MMA, you normally want to find the best underdog on various cards to make long term, incremental profits. Usually on the main or co-main events.

Nothing is set in stone though, and a lot of your success depends on your instincts as a fan and numbers person.

Not to say you never want to bet on the favorites either, but this would be via a "parlay",  or the stringing together of multiple fights on one bet resulting in a larger pay out.

B.J. Penn comes in at a  -175 as the favorite. This means for every $1.00 you wager on Penn, your return will be a modest .57 cents, and $2.86 per every $5. Not really worth the risk.

Hughes comes in at a  +145, playing the role of underdog. I was a bit surprised by the money line on this fight given Penn's history of gassing, even as great has he has been,  versus Hughes recent surge over some decent fighters.

Penn comes into this welterweight match up trying to avoid 3 losses in a row for the first time in his professional career. On the flip-side, Matt Hughes is looking to get his 4th win in a row. His previous 3 include wins over Matt Sera, Renzo Gracie, and the always tough Ricardo Almeida.

The Almeida win really made me take notice of the fact that Hughes wasn't done just yet.

I see this one coming down to conditioning, similar to the second fight between these two. After Penn seemed to fade a bit, Hughes was able to impose his will as they say and finish the fight from a vicious crucifix position, landing roughly 40 unanswered punches to Penn's dome.

Going with the usual rule of wagering just 3-5% of your total bankroll, I see a 3-5 dollar bet on Hughes being worth the risk taken.

For all the news and notes from around the world of Colorado MMA, visit us at http://www.colorado-mma-colorado-boxing.com.

Good luck!

"The Great" On Road To Silva

Nathan Marquardt and Anderson Silva are on a collision course for what could be the biggest fight to date for the fighter they call "The Great."

Yes, I'm already looking past Marquardt's Saturday night match up with the surging Yushin Okami and Anderson Silva's win over Vitor Belfort on the horizon at UFC 126.

On fight night Marquardt will control all phases, bullying Okami around the cage, getting the win and moving on to his long and patiently awaited rematch with the best in the world at any weight.

Okami is going to be trying to notch is 6th win in 7 fights with the loss coming against the now defunct Chael Sonnen but will come up short against a stronger, better conditioned, and smarter fighter in Nathan Marquardt.

And don't just take my word for it. The current odds makers have Marquardt's chances for the win at 66%.

And Vegas doesn't lie right?

Granted, Okami is an elite fighter, but with a less than exciting list of wins, Okami will do just enough to lose the fight, never being able to get any type of offensive attack going against the first ever 3 time Pancrase middleweight champion.

That is unless Matt Lindland stuck Okami in the a** with a Sonnen special.

Then Marquardt could be in for a long night.

Okami comes in one win away from a reported title shot, and is confident in his newly acquired skills after seeking out Team Quest upon his loss to Sonnen at UFC 104.

"I've gotten many techniques from Team Quest, so now I believe I have more power than Nate." he told sources through a translator.

What exactly are your referring to Okami? Take downs? Kicking? Punching?

Ironically Okami holds a win over Anderson Silva due to an illegal kick by "The Spider" and a subsequent DQ in 2006 at Rumble On The Rock 8.

I know looking past  Vitor Belfort vs. Silva will draw some fire, but it's true.

Since getting KO Of The Night honors against Rich Franklin at UFC 103 in September of 2009, Belfort has been on the shelf trying to rehab himself back into fighting shape.

Winning his first fight back against Anderson Silva is going to be a lot to overcome. Even for a healthy Belfort on top of his game a year ago.

Okami will have earned a title shot with an unlikely win over Marquardt, but he's not letting that obscure what needs to happen on Saturday.

"I'm not thinking about the title fight," Okami said. "I'm thinking about the challenge that's facing me right now, and my game plan to win this fight."

Marquardt has to feel confident on a possible rematch with Silva after witnessing what Chael Sonnen was able to do to him before succumbing to the triangle heard around the world and evidently entering the witness protection program after stepping down from politics.

Marquardt made headlines leading up to his fight talking about Silva being exposed by Sonnen saying:

“Chael was able to expose, obviously, that he’s susceptible to take downs, susceptible to ground and pound, and even that if someone lands a punch on him, he can get wobbled. If anything, it was more eye-opening for the media, not for me.”

I agree. Marquardt knew this before his fight with Silva. It's just easier to know the plan versus implementing it.

Ask Mike Tyson about that one.

“For me, the most important thing is to get the title fight and fight the champion. That’s my dream is to become the champion."

The UFC Now More Powerful Than Ever

The talk and speculation of the UFC and WEC combining their collective power has come to an end. Yesterday the formal press conference took place, marking another historic day for the sport of Mixed Martial Arts.

And bottom line, it's good for the fans.

One doesn't have to think to hard to come up with a handful of reasons the merger is a good thing.

More talent, more elite fighters, more resources to scout fighters, etc.

And what happens now?

“There is no more WEC, those weight classes are rolling into the UFC,” said Dana White. “Those fighters will remain in the UFC.

“It’s almost like when we brought the guys over from Pride,” White stated in reference to the WEC champion coming to the UFC. “When Dan Henderson still had a title over in Pride, he came over and fought Rampage.”

And if the merger news wasn't enough to get people talking,  the announcement that belts would be unified after the results of the last ever WEC 53 was.

“It’s to unify the belts that’s all it is. That’s a huge deal, that’s now the biggest fight ever in the history of the WEC,” said current WEC matchmaker Sean Shelby.

And we can't leave out the fact that the current UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo, will be making a title defense at UFC 125 on New Years Day.

Coincidentally, this is the same card that Shane Carwin recently had to pull out from due to back surgery coming up on Tuesday.

WEC co-founder and current GM Reed Harris, has seen almost a decade of steady growth since putting together the first show back in 2001. Initially perceived as a one time event, the WEC along with great fighters and management, has far surpassed what he first envisioned.

"When I started the WEC, we thought we'd maybe do one show," Harris told sources.

"To be sitting here today and have something that I was involved in become part of the biggest sports company in the world is very satisfying.

"It's kind of like when your kids go to college. At first, you're concerned, but then after they leave, it's pretty great."

There's not much information out that outlines what Harris's duties or job title will be in the new look UFC, but we can be sure that the current UFC brass coupled with Harris's experience is going to make for a great management team no matter what the structure ends up being.

"At this point, I'm not able to discuss my role because we're going to focus on November and December," Harris. "Now these fights take on a whole new importance – obviously for the fighters and our organization.

"In November, we've got Takeya Mizugaki fighting Urijah Faber at WEC 52, and obviously that's a fight that has title implications at some point in the future, and now those implications are for the UFC title. We've got two title fights in December at WEC 53, and now those kind of take on a new role. I'm focused on that, and I think in January we'll probably announce what I'm doing."

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MMA In The Olympics Just A Matter Of Time

Dana White's recent remarks regarding the future of MMA in the Olympics was overshadowed by UFC 121, as well it should have been, but they are very reflective of the sport's current impact.

As long as I have be an avid MMA fan, I couldn't help but think about the great fights that would be on display for the for those that  had pre-conceived negative opinions about the sport, or had never seen it before.

Wouldn't the spectacle that it would be and the great stories to come from it be enough to sway even the most stubborn opponents?

Probably not.

But either way, the sport of Mixed Martial Arts in the Olympics seems like a no- brainer to me considering the the rich history of Pankration in the games dating back to 648 B.C.

We're talking B.C. here, and MMA isn't in the Olympics?

What a shame.

Hard to believe, but the reasons are very political, as has been the case when talking about MMA in society since it's beginnings. The John McCain and Jim Lampley types and their corresponding mis-informed views have been well documented over the years.

I have always felt it was just a matter of time for MMA's acceptance into the games, but the speed at which the conversation is moving  has been surprising.

What does this mean?

It simply means MMA is becoming so big, those against it are going to have to get on board or get left behind in the wake of  the most exciting sport out there.

For fans of the sport, this is one of those times you ignore the instances when you thought White was in the wrong or over the top on any given subject.

If anyone tied to the sport can make this happen in terms of resources and influence, it's going to be Dana White and the power that is the UFC.

"It's probably a lot closer than I would have ever thought. Some softballs are being lobbed up, and I'm trying to hit them." White said in reference to a meeting in New York with some of those who are pushing to get  MMA included at the Olympic festivities.

"You see wrestling, you see boxing, you see judo, Tae Kwon Do – I mean, all the things that are allowed in mixed martial arts are already an Olympic sport. 

"The reality is [MMA] should be. And it should be sanctioned in every state and everywhere else around the world. But it isn't. It's going to take us time.

"I've been the guy to say it should be an Olympic sport, and I hope I see it before I die, but I'm not going to be the guy to do it. I know what my goals are and what I need to do. That's not one of them, yet,  this week I’m flying up to New York, and here I am. I’m working on it. Let’s just put it that way."

For a sports fan that has always gotten chills during the opening ceremonies, or when an unknown boxer is on the medal podium seeing the fruition of a lifetime of work,  I'm chomping at the proverbial bit waiting for the day we will see merge of MMA and the Olympics.

For Colorado MMA news, check out http://colorado-mma-colorado-boxing.com.