UFC 147: Silva versus Sonnen

Here we have the only other rematch to grace this list that actually makes sense. These two first met at UFC 117, and things didn’t exactly go as most pundits predicted. Silva, who’s been able to make virtually every opponent to oppose him within the last half decade look like an amateur, was met with extreme resilience. Sonnen managed to score a knockdown early (yes guys, when three points hit the ground, it’s technically ruled a knockdown, and Silva’s hand clearly touched the canvas in an attempt to maintain balance) before taking complete control of the fight. For more than 20 minutes Sonnen dominated the champion, unleashing a record setting ground and pound attack. Somehow, it just wasn’t enough. Silva rallied in the bouts waning moments, catching the Oregonian in a tight triangle choke-armbar combination, eliciting a tap from the challenger. Given Sonnen’s overall dominance, this rematch is more than logical, it’s one of two bouts to be featured in this article (the other being the aforementioned McCall/Johnson rematch) that absolutely must happen.

UFC 148: Cruz versus Faber

These men have already met twice in professional competition. An inexperienced Cruz was forced to submit to a Faber guillotine choke five years ago at WEC 26. Since then however, Cruz has been virtually flawless, amassing 10 consecutive victories, including a unanimous decision over Faber in a rematch that unfolded at UFC 132 last year. While Faber managed to floor Cruz with crisp counters in their rematch, Cruz was clearly the better man, utilizing speed, mobility and a diverse attack to avenge his lone professional loss.

I’ve always been a Faber fan, as he’s exciting as all hell, but a lone victory over the unpredictable Brian Bowles is hardly justification for a third fight between these two. At this point, Faber isn’t improving, and Cruz has reached his physical prime. I enjoyed the initial rematch, but that doesn’t change the fact that it wasn’t exactly the most stimulating fight in bantamweight history. I don’t expect much more from a third encounter. Rubber matches can be fun, but Cruz and Faber are now playing on two completely different fields. Perhaps a fourth consecutive title bid defeat will convince UFC brass that Urijah shouldn’t be challenging for titles for some time. It’s tough watching this guy come up short repeatedly; it’s time that Joe Silva and Dana White accept the fact that Faber isn’t going to be the cash cow champion they’d hoped. His best days were left within the WEC cage, and that’s alright; fighters should never be perceived as invincible, even if they once seemed so.

UFC 148: Ortiz versus Griffin

These two former champions have already battled for supremacy on two separate occasions. According to judges, the two split matches, with Ortiz emerging victorious in their first encounter and Griffin exiting the cage with a win upon their second meeting. I however, scored both fights in Griffin’s favor, by a single point (though I can see how the initial rematch could have gone in Ortiz’s direction). So, why are they meeting again, especially considering both have fallen so far from grace? Well, I don’t know, but my guess is Silva and White are both looking to maximize Ortiz’s chances of retiring on a high note. It isn’t likely to happen however, unless Griffin shows up half asleep and out of shape.

For me, the biggest problem with this fight is, there’s simply no appeal. While I’m a fan of both fighters, the truth is, outside of two (of six) rounds, neither fight was overtly stimulating. Neither Ortiz nor Griffin are likely to finish the other inside the distance, and given their current status in the division, there’s not much to be gained by either here. Ortiz should have exited on a high note after his stunning upset over Ryan Bader at UFC 132, and Griffin looks like he needs to take a lengthy break and reevaluate his career goals and personal desires. This is one rematch that feels wholly unnecessary.