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411 Fact or Fiction MMA: Did Cormier/Gustafsson Save UFC 192?

October 7, 2015 | Posted by Wyatt Beougher

Welcome back to another edition of 411 Fact or Fiction MMA, and I’m your host, Wyatt Beougher! Last week, Scott Kuczkowski had the unenviable task of trying to upset the undefeated Larry Csonka. While Kuch gave it his all in discussions about whether or not the UFC covered up a failed drug test on behalf of Vitor Belfort and Josh Barnett’s win over Roy Nelson, among others, Larry proved to be too much for him to overcome, and he fell 15-10. Still, a strong showing against one of the two unbeaten, untied competitors this season, and I’m confident that Kuch is going to pick up that elusive first win before the tournament begins! This week, Lorenzo Vasquez III, who is amazingly still the newest member of the 411 MMA stable, will be talking fallout from UFC 192, the promotional video that UFC put together to hype Ronda Rousey’s fight against Holly Holm at UFC 193, and more, and he’ll be taking on veteran Dan Plunkett in what should be a highly competitive contest!

TALE OF THE TAPE
RED CORNER
“Handsome” Dan Plunkett
Contributor, 411 MMA Zone
2-1-0

VS

BLUE CORNER
Lorenzo “Corpse Grinder” Vasquez III
Contributor, 411 MMA Zone
2-0-1


1.) UFC 192’s main event fight between light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and Alexander Gustafsson and an excellent performance from Ruslan Magomedov salvaged a card that lost its co-main event and featured a pair of awful main card fights.

Dan Plunkett: FACT This was a card with a lot of compelling fights. Almost all of the preliminary card bouts were excellent; there were great finishes and backflips. The main card, however, really slowed down the evening. If the main event wasn’t what it was – a five-round war and one of the four best light heavyweight title fights in UFC history (points if you can name the other three) – the reaction to UFC 192 would have been decidedly negative. It’s not that every main card fight was bad, but rather that a string of decisions brings the mood down. The gutsy performances of both Cormier and Gustafsson lifted a main card that didn’t live up to expectations.

As for Ruslan Magomedov, he put on a good performance against a solid heavyweight in Shawn Jordan. He’s a rising fighter in a division that sorely needs them. (In heavyweight years, Magomedov is practically Sage Northcutt’s age.) That alone made his performance a welcomed sight.

Lorenzo Vasquez III: FACT But that is a half-FACT at best. In all honesty, Cormier vs. Gustafsson alone saved what up to that point had been a decent but not great card. Had that fight failed to deliver, we’d all be sitting back right now and talking about how UFC 192 was one of the lesser UFC fight cards of 2015. DC and Gustafsson put on one helluva show and with no arguments it was the best fight of the night and it’ll be a candidate for fight of the year. The rest of the show was alright. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t the most entertaining card. This is truer when you look at it from the casual fan’s perspective. If you’re more of a diehard fan of MMA then you’d give the show a little more credit. Magomedov did put on a clinic without a doubt. Shawn Jordan had no real answer for Magonedov’s technical prowess. But his performance really didn’t keep you at the edge of your seat. It wasn’t the best of heavyweight fights but it wasn’t that bad either. Nonetheless, you have to ask yourself – did Magomedov’s performance make a big difference in the big picture? You can argue that from different perspectives, but I doubt Magomedov helped salvage the card. By the time DC and Gustafsson were through with their war, I’m sure most viewers forgot Magomedov had just fought a fight prior.


2.) In spite of picking up wins on Saturday night, neither Ryan Bader nor Joseph Benavidez nor Julianna Pena earned title shots, even though those wins were their fifth, fourth, and third straight, respectively.

Dan Plunkett: FICTIONish Benavidez could have knocked Ali Bagautinov into the third row and it wouldn’t have earned him a title shot; two losses to the champion and no real drawing power to speak of place him on the outside of the title picture. Pena would have needed to smash Jessica Eye to put herself in serious title talks, which wasn’t very likely heading in. Bader, in my view, should have been the guy fighting for the title on Saturday night. He hadn’t necessarily earned the shot, but he was the most deserving of a depleted contender pool. After beating Rashad Evans, he remains in that spot. However, if the UFC reinstates Jon Jones, Bader will unquestionably be pushed aside. As the division stands today, he’s earned his shot after five straight wins, no matter his uninspiring chances at winning the gold. However, the second Jon Jones returns, Bader will have to do a little more.

Lorenzo Vasquez III: FACTz The three divisions these fighters call home are in shambles at the moment. In the flyweight and women’s bantamweight divisions you have two extremely dominating champions who look unbeatable at the moment and have pretty much run their respective divisions clean. In the light heavyweight division, Daniel Cormier has beaten the number one and number two and that makes No. 3, Ryan Bader, the potential, or, the next title challenger. Plus, Cormier and Bader have a history. So, you could say all three earned a title shot and you shouldn’t be too surprised if any of the three are announced as the next title challenger in their respective division. But, the truth of the matter is all three didn’t do anything impressive enough to earn title shots.

Joseph Benavidez has already fought Demetrious Johnson twice and lost both times. Albeit, Benavidez is No. 1 in the UFC rankings he is still a few fights away from earning a third crack at Johnson. And, his fight with Ali Bagautinov was far from an entertaining battle and impressive win. Julianna Pena looked nothing like the hype that has surrounded her. Yes, she got over a very tough opponent in Jessica Eye, but she didn’t exactly steamroll her either. Her striking looked like it still needs tons of work and her grappling didn’t look elite, specifically, her defensive grappling. And, Ryan Bader, though he looked very improved and impressive at moments, was still backed up by a Rashad Evans who was not close to the fighter he once was. If the Rashad Evans who showed up Saturday night can pressure Bader and have his moments against the cage, then I am fearful of what Daniel Cormier can do to Bader. The simple fact is these three still need some work before they “earn” title shots.


3.) After a disastrous weight cut that left him hospitalized, Johny Hendricks needs to re-hire Mike Dolce as his nutritionist rather than teleconferencing with a nutritionist that he doesn’t know, assuming Dana White will even allow him to fight in the welterweight division again.

Dan Plunkett: FACT I agree with the idea behind this statement, although not necessarily with the specifics. Johny Hendricks was far too heavy going into his weight cut late last week, particularly in the new post-IV era. Even if he had gotten down to 171-pounds, there is no question that the weight cut would have negatively affected his performance on fight night. Hendricks has faded late in fights before; that’s what cost him the welterweight championship last December. It’s not unreasonable to conclude that his tough weight cuts strongly contributed to his gassing. I don’t think he needs to hire Mike Dolce specifically – there are other great nutritionists out there like George Lockhart – but it certainly seems as though he needs to bring someone in to control his weight. Hendricks will fight at welterweight again if he pushes for it – even Kelvin Gastelum is dropping back down there – but he needs to change things in order to prevent something like this from occurring again.

Lorenzo Vasquez III: FACT Mike Dolce worked great for Johny Hendricks. Without Mike Dolce by his side or someone of the same caliber who is a physical presence and knows the guy, there is no Johny Hendricks at welterweight. I’m sorry Johny, but at the level you’re at, if you can’t make weight and you’re ending up in the hospital, then you don’t belong at that weight class. Obviously, you can’t manage your weight between training camps to have an easier weight cut, so you either get back with Dolce or move up to middleweight. Oh, and don’t ever teleconference with a nutritionist who has never met you and you’ve never seen in person and take his or her advice. I don’t know if I’m shocked more by the fact you were hospitalized or the fact you were stupid enough to listen to a nutritionist giving you general information because he’s never met you and vice versa.


SWITCH!

4.) Tyron Woodley jeopardized his welterweight title opportunity by coming out on Twitter when news broke that he would be receiving his fight purse and said title opportunity and calling for his win bonus as well after his fight with Hendricks was scrapped.

Lorenzo Vasquez III: FICTION At the moment, I see no reason why anyone other than Woodley would get the next title shot at welterweight. Johny Hendricks blew his chance and that is really the only other welterweight who can make a case as the next title challenger. Don’t get me wrong, the UFC has done some silly things before, but Woodley is the only welterweight that makes sense. The No. 2-ranked welterweight is on a solid two-fight winning streak and is a fresh face for Robbie Lawler and has some unfinished business with Carlos Condit. It’s not like he blew a big secret by saying he would receive the next title shot as well as receiving his fight purse. And calling for his win bonus isn’t that much of a big deal and no feelings should have been hurt. He simply made a suggestion, jokingly or not, and I’m sure the big cheese laughed it off with a big, yeah right! Anything is possible with the UFC, but I think it would be a little ridiculous if the changed their minds about Woodley’s title shot for a few insignificant things he said.

Dan Plunkett: FICTION The UFC can be vindictive toward its fighters for saying anything that could be construed negatively about pay, but if Tyron Woodley loses his title shot, it won’t be because he said he deserved his win bonus. Raising that point once in a Tweet that will be forgotten in two weeks doesn’t put his shot in much danger. In almost every case, UFC takes promised title shots away for one of four reasons: money, timing, injuries, or being Jon Fitch. If Woodley loses his title shot, it will be because either a bigger money title fight presents itself, the timing doesn’t work out due to the next title fight being three months away, he gets injured, or he is turned into Jon Fitch through some type of witchcraft, in which case he will be released after his next loss.


5.) The promotional video that the UFC put together for Ronda Rousey in advance of her fight with Holly Holm at UFC 193 was fantastic and exactly the kind of thing that UFC needs to be doing more of, especially for fighters who are less marketable than Rousey.

Lorenzo Vasquez III: FACT Now, I know promotional videos of that nature are expensive and the UFC usually only reserves that kind of thing for big money names like Rousey. But, you can’t deny the power that sort of promotional video delivers to viewers. It taps into their emotions; and, when you get someone emotionally invested, they feel they belong to the package. That means they are going to want to tune in. Doing promotional work like that for less marketable fighters wouldn’t hurt an ounce. It would help build more interest and attract a few new viewers. That kind of promotional video behind a fighter like flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson would help to a large degree. Now, it won’t make said fighter a huge superstar like Rousey, but it will certainly help the fighter reach a new promotional level. The bottom line is promotional videos like the one the UFC put together for Rousey take marketing to the next level and reach and hook more viewers as it spreads and it would do the same for any fighter; of course, to different degrees but all in a positive direction.

Dan Plunkett: FACT The UFC, through all the cookie-cutter promos with little more than Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan screaming, has put together some great spots over the years (particularly after 2010 or so when they stopped doing the same generic promo with the voiceover guy). Most of their best promos built matches that couldn’t help but result in a great promo because of the clash of personalities in them (think Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen or Jon Jones vs. Daniel Cormier). Others still resembled the traditional promo but wrapped in more stylish packaging.

The promo for UFC 193 is completely different from everything they have ever done. It’s the most ambitious video piece they’ve ever put out; it tells the story of two fighters – from martial arts origins to present day – without a word (not even a song lyric) or fight clip. This piece is a great example of using a creative method to get a fighter over that otherwise wouldn’t be. Holm, after all, isn’t one to talk trash and lacks the charisma to sell a fight on her own. It’s the type of work that makes you take notice of an event and the competitors featured. This creative approach is certainly something the UFC should explore further, particularly as a vehicle to help establish new stars.


6.) If the USADA app that fighters are required to use to update their whereabouts is not working, as several fighters have claimed, and it is causing the form they have to submit to fail, then the UFC and USADA need to quickly figure out an alternative for the fighters before someone ends up failing a drug test due to technical issues (three failed form submittals or failure to submit a form by the deadline results in an automatic failure, and fighters are also claiming that the mobile USADA website is not working and their phone lines are not being staffed).

Lorenzo Vasquez III: FACT From what I gather, it has all been taken care of or is in the process of getting taken care of already, as it should be. Because there is a penalty which can lead to a larger penalty, the UFC and USADA can’t take these types of complaints and problems lightly. They have to move fast and they should have a backup plan in place. This is not something the UFC and USADA want to screw up and it would be completely absurd for them not to correct the issue quickly and move to avoid such issues down the line. It is as simple as that.

Dan Plunkett: FACT It would be a complete PR disaster if even the least-known fighter on the roster was disciplined for the shortcomings of the UFC and USADA. The USADA protocols were pushed on the UFC fighters; they had no say in the matter, whereas USADA signed on to the job voluntarily. If USADA is expecting the UFC athletes to be professional and competent enough to report their whereabouts in a timely manner, the organization needs to hold itself to the same standard. USADA is being paid to run a professional, comprehensive drug-testing program, and part of that is to make sure that everything on their end is up and running. I certainly don’t expect USADA’s technical issues to directly cause an automatic failure – I can’t imagine the organization would be so inept as to not make an exception in such a case – but such an expensive program merits workable standards.


So who won? Was Lorenzo able to remain unbeaten, or did Dan move to 3-1? You’ve got until midnight eastern on Saturday to vote, so make sure you make your voice heard!


And that’s it for today, but we’ll be back next week with another contest! As always, if there’s anything you’d like to see featured in a future edition, leave your statement in the comments and I’ll add it in. Let me know what you thought in the comments or on Twitter. And please, be sure to vote!

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