THE CLINCH REPORT

The past year has seen some of the best fights in MMA history. Edgar v Maynard II and III, Barry v Congo, Fitch v Penn, Henderson, v Cavalcante and the list could easily continue. The year saw the return of a champion, at 40 years old, Dan Henderson taking a page out of Randy Couture’s book in capturing the Strikeforce Light Heavyweight Title. Unfortunately for Randy, that book was closed for his fighting career, thanks to a kick to the face from Lyota Machida, who also returned to winning form after dropping a controversial decision to Quinton Jackson.

The year also left many fighters in limbo! After losing title fights, fighters such as Josh Koshcheck, Kenny Florian, and Matt Hughes are now left to wonder whats left? At their ages, most fighters are set to make a run at a belt, with those hopes dashed, whats next? Lets just hope, that these two fan favorites can keep putting together entertaining fights, because title picture or not, these two come to bang every time out!

We also saw the return of an invigorated Tito Ortiz, who shockingly beat a more than game Ryan Bader, and also came a few seconds from choking out Rashad Evans, before losing the hold and eventually the bout. Even in the loss, 2011 saw Tito Ortiz’s stock as a fighter return to relevancy, if only momentarily!

Evans meantime is forced to wait for his title shot against Jon Jones. Injuries and untimely delays have put Lyoto Machida across from Jones first. For the champion Jon Jones, this year has seen him catapulted from youngster with talent, to the Champion of the world. After beating Ryan Bader for the #1 contender spot, he was thrust into a title shot just weeks later against Maurico Rua. History was made that night at the expense of Rua’s jaw. Then Jones solidified his dominance of the division by decisively choking out Quinton Jackson in his first title defense.

We saw the UFC’s lightest title holders Jose Aldo and Dominick Cruz on display for two title defenses each. Both fighters are still holders of their respected belts. During those defenses Cruz has added to his reputation, while Aldo although still dominant has at times seemed mortal at best! Meanwhile, Chad Mendez is still for some reason waiting!

Fight fans said goodbye this year to Matt Hamil, and Chris Lytle. Both fighters are known to put in fight of the night caliber performances every night. Their enthusiasm, and heart will be missed by all fans of mma. However, look to see “The Hammer” a film about Matt Hamil’s life. Supposedly it is really well done, and won several film festival awards. Watch for Rich Franklin, as the ‘Hammer’s’ wrestling coach!

We can look forward to seeing Brock Lesnar before the year is through, as he gets ready to face Alistair Overeem (who recently signed with Zuffa). We also get to see Velazquez v Dos Santos on the Fox network. MMA is now Prime-time! This single event will prove to be the sports launching point.

With the UFC’s purchase of rival promotion Strikeforce(currently in limbo), another promotion continued its assent to greatness. The Bellator Fight Championships promotion really picked up speed by televising their weight-class tournaments. These tournaments have created quite a buzz among mma addicts and novices alike. Their stable of fighters is also very impressive with Ben Askren, Joe Warren, Hector Lombard and of course Eddie Alvarez who some feel is the greatest fighter outside of the UFC. Bjorn Rebney has really put together a quality promotion that is available to most on MTV networks.

The coming year seems to bring a limitless potential for the exponential growth of this sport. With each passing day, MMA is becoming more mainstream. Hopefully the growing talent pool within each respected division will continue thrilling the fans with vein popping chokes, and I.Q. changing elbows.

MAIN CARD:  UFC 138

Chris Leben vs. Mark Munoz

With Mark Munoz’s wrestling based ground and pound, the striking prowess and iron chin of Chris Leben could be in some serious trouble. Wrestlers have been his Achilles heal, having lost to Khalib Starnes and more recently to Jake Rosholt. However as Aaron Simpson learned, you better stick to your strength! Or its sleepy time! Leben posses one of the most powerful left hooks in the division, if it lands, it could be lights out. However I see this one going to the ground, with Munoz in dominate position. Prediction: Munoz tko 2nd round

Renan Barao vs. Brad Pickett

Reana Barao has amassed a very impressive  26-1 record as a Mixed Martial Artist. He has incredible jujitsu. and also posses excellent conditioning. He will need both to fight American Top Team member Brad ‘One Punch’ Pickett, the moniker is somewhat perplexing because most of his wins came via submission. However, it is not without reason, he is one of the hardest punchers at that weight class. Working ever day with the likes of Mike Brown, Cole Miller, Mike Bruno,  his wrestling skills improve daily. Prediction: Brad Pickett via 2nd round submission (Rear Naked Choke)

Papy Abedi vs. Thiago Alves

Papy Abedi is a very large man, who will be entering this fight for the first time at 170lbs. Normally fighting at 185lbs, Abdeli has destroyed his first 8 opponents using a combination of  judo based grappling and devastating striking. There is one problem, he is coming down in weight to fight a ‘Pitbull’. Being welcomed to the Octagon by Thiago Alves, is certainly a baptism by fire. The one time contender has stumbled since his ferocious seven fight wins streak, however he has undergone brain surgery, so maybe give him a mulligan or two! Luckily for  Alves, he won’t have to worry about  wall and stall tactics from Abedi. Look for fireworks in this one! Prediction: Alves 1st rd TKO (cutting weight, and octagon jitters will cause problems for Abedi).

Donald Cerrone (17-3 MMA 4-0 UFC) fresh of his his first round submission win over Denis Siver, at UFC 137 is reportedly being scheduled to fight Nate Diaz (14-7 MMA (-5 UFC) at UFC 141 December 30, 2011 in Las Vegas.

The many similarities between the two fighters will prove this to be quite a battle. At 6’0 and with similar long reaches, Cerrone and Diaz should be able to put on a striking display from the outside. Cerrone posses superior muay thai, but Diaz has the superior boxing. Both fighters posses iron clad jaws, and neither one is afraid to take shots, just to land their own.

The one advantage Cerrone would certainly have over Diaz would be Greg Jackson; who can plan and change a fight plan, on the fly better than anyone. Cerrone is also a very adept pupil. Several times in his fight with Siver, he adjusted, and executed the plan perfectly, showing Jackson he was listening!

Diaz on the other hand, is well “A Diaz”. Even though he is one of the most talented fighters in any division, like his brother, he can be goaded into a brawl, and eat several punches looking to counter. Usually leaving him bloody, which never translates well to the judges. It does however translate to fight fans, as even in losing efforts Diaz still manages to garner Fight of The Night honors.

Both fighters are warriors, and if this bout is finalized, it will surely be a candidate for Fight of the Year.

Fighter Payroll for UFC 137. Note that these figures do no include the Fight of the Night, Submission of the Night, and Knockout of the Night bonuses. Those bonuses were handed to Nick Diaz and BJ Penn (FON), Donald Cerrone (SON), and Bart Palaszewski (KON). Those bonuses were reportedly worth $75,000 each!

The full payouts included:
Nick Diaz: $200,000 (no win bonus)
def. B.J. Penn: $150,000

Cheick Kongo: $140,000 (includes $70,000 win bonus)
def. Matt Mitrione: $10,000

Roy Nelson: $40,000 (includes $20,000 win bonus)
def. Mirko “Cro Cop” Filipovic: $75,000

Scott Jorgensen: $33,000 (includes $16,500 win bonus)
def. Jeff Curran: $8,000

Hatsu Hioki: $30,000 (includes $15,000 win bonus)
def. George Roop: $8,000

Donald Cerrone: $54,000 (includes $27,000 win bonus)
def. Dennis Siver: $27,000

Bart Palaszewski: $28,500 (includes $10,000 win bonus)*
def. Tyson Griffin: $25,500*

Brandon Vera: $120,000 (includes $60,000 win bonus)
def. Eliot Marshall: $15,000

Ramsey Nijem: $20,000 (includes $10,000 win bonus)
def. Danny Downes: $4,000

Francis Carmont: $12,000 (includes $6,000 win bonus)
def. Chris Camozzi: $8,000

Clifford Starks: $12,000 (includes $6,000 win bonus)
def. Dustin Jacoby: $6,000

*Tyson Griffin was reportedly fined some a percentage of his show pay, for not making weight. He weighed in at 149 for his fight which had a 146 lbs limit.