It has been officially announced that Tyson Griffin is going to fight Sean Sherk at UFC 90. This is going to be a pivotal moment in both of these fighters careers. Tyson Griffin is on a four fight win streak and with another win, especially over the former title holder, he would be vaulted into the running for number one contender status. And keep in mind that Tyson Griffin is the only person to deliver Urijah Faber a loss, and that speaks volumes seeing how Faber and Sherk both depend on incredibly strong wrestling and an intense pace to win.
This fight is incredibly important for Sherk as well. If he loses this fight he is going to drop out of contention for a while. With Kenny Florian, Roger Huerta, Joe Stevenson and many others all chomping at the bit to get a piece of BJ Penn he will have to go to the end of a pretty long line. What Sherk has going for him is that he only loses to the best. The only people he hasn’t been able to beat are Georges St. Pierre, Matt Hughes and BJ Penn. So this is going to be a defining moment. If Sherk loses he is out of the title picture for at least a year if not more and for Griffin, if he wins, he steps into the ranks of the elite fighters and will most definitely get a title shot after Kenny Florian, or may get a fight with Florian to decide who is going to get the title shot.
I am going to pick the underdog and call that Tyson Griffin is going to win this fight, what do you think?
Is it really a surprise? I ask this questions honestly. Seeing Sean Sherk I would never have said straight out that he was a steroid user. He is ripped and he has incredible cardio but you would think that a guy that talks so much about supporting his family would never risk such a thing. I also wonder why he has never come up positive in the past. Sean Sherk performed exactly the same as he did against Kenny “Let Go” Florian, and has been an incredibly strong fighter his whole career, so, why now?
I think injury may have played a factor this time. Sean Sherk had gotten surgery on his shoulder not too long ago. Who knows how that affected him and his training. His shoulder was hurt before his fight against Florian, but I have seen personally with friends who have played collegiate level sports that their play can be seriously affected by surgery. Maybe since Sherk was such a training freak that he started to get worried when he wasn’t seeing the same results as in the past. We may never know, but it is clear that Sherk had twice the allowed limit of Nandrolone in his system. He simply broke the rules and should be punished.
Steve Sievert over at Brawl Sports wrote an interesting list of reactions the UFC should have in response to this scandal:
1. Strip Sherk of the title immediately. Both his “A” and “B” samples tested positive. There’s no ambiguity here … no cloak-and-dagger mystery that has mired the Floyd Landis debacle in cycling. I don’t see any need to wait for Sherk to appeal to pull the belt. This is too dark of a black eye.
2. Fine both Sherk and Franca another $5,000. I know these guys don’t make a ton of bank, and they already have been dinged $2,500 by the CSAC, but that’s too light. Drill home the message.
3. Schedule BJ Penn versus Spencer Fisher for UFC 76. The bout would be for the vacant lightweight title and could potentially be one hell of a fight. Both fighters are deserving of the shot. Let’s just hope they can pass a drug test.
I really enjoy reading Sievert’s columns because is usually right on with his commentary. There is no doubt that Sherk should be stripped of his title. He enhanced his performance with an illegal substance and in any sport whatever is won while using that substance is stripped. The fine is a bit subjective to me but it would definitely bring home the point that the UFC is not messing around. His third point is the best. As of right now the only fight that has been discussed as a main even for UFC 76 is Chuck Liddell and Keith Jardin, which would be a total joke of a main event. If a light weight title fight between BJ Penn and Spencer Fisher happened then things would get a whole lot more interesting.
In fact, BJ Penn has already commented on the whole steroid debacle and his yearning to be the light weight champion:
Hermes starts the fight with a large knee, and Sherk gets a hold of Hermes and throws a huge slam but Franca pulls him into a deep guillotine. Sherk holds strong and gets out. Sherk applies the pressure and moves to mount. Sherk is starting to work for an arm triangle but it lets Hermes escape to side control. Hermes pushes off the cage and moves to the guard. Sherk stands up and almost gets caught in an arm bar. They move to the north/south position. Sherk picks Franca’s ankle and stays on top of Franca. Sherk then moves again into mount but doesn’t deliver any serious damage. Hermes Franca escapes out the back door and then goes for a leg lock and lost his position and now has Sherk in Franca’s guard again. Franca isn’t showing any damage and the round ends.
Franca opens with a leg kick then Sherk shoots and eats a huge knee. Sean Sherk is rocked but pushes forward somehow and is almost caught in another guillotine. Sherk goes to mount and then Hermes reverses and ends up in Sherk’s guard and gets ready to work. Hermes tries to posture and Sherk kicks Hermes Franca off of him. They move back to the north/south again. Sherk starts to use his wrestling to control Hermes, Franca rolls, and Sherk is in Franca’s half guard. Sherk lands a good elbow and shortly moves into half guard. Sherk tries to pin down Franca but he reverses. Sherk goes into attack mode again and ends up in another guillotine.
Hermes tries for a huge uppercut as Sherk comes in but misses. Sherk locks in a body lock and slams him. Sherk takes half guard and throws weak punches. Sherk goes for a north/south choke on Hermes but Franca rolls out. Sherk ends up back in Franca’s guard and he passes at will. It turns into a wrestling match. Franca manages to stand up but Sherk takes him down immediately. Sherk gets side control and then goes for an arm lock but Hermes Franca rolls out. The round ends and Sean Sherk has won all three rounds easily.
The round begins and Sherk eats another huge knee but Sherk takes Hermes down. Hermes holds him in his full guard and manages to squeeze his way out and gets to his feet. They go to the ground again and Hermes gets up. They strike for a bit and then Sherk goes for the take down again. He locks on Franca and slams him to the ground. They scramble and Franca gets to his feet. They strike for a short time then Sherk takes him down again. Sherk lands forgettable strikes and then Franca gets up only for Sherk to take him down.
Sherk looks incredibly fresh and lands a leg kick. Hermes misses a knee and gets taken down. Sherk finally tries to do something on the ground and postures. Hermes tries for an arm bar but Sherk gets out and gets caught with an up kick. Sherk smothers Franca on the ground and then mounts again. Hermes rolls and Sherk tries for his back and Hermes stands for a second and Sherk takes him down. Hermes attempts a knee bar and Sherk avoids. They grapple again and Hermes almost gets another knee bar and Sherk avoids. The round ends in the same unexciting fashion and Sherk undoubtedly wins the fight.
UFC 73: Stacked is one of the best fight cards to date. There are going to be two title fights, the debut of one of the toughest and talented MMA fighters at Heavy Weight and one of the biggest loud mouths in the UFC could potentially be shut up.
It’s the Tito Ortiz show!
Some how this event has become all about Tito Ortiz. He doesn’t have much to speak for lately as far as his fighting quality but he has a personality that attracts attention and viewers. He is easily the most recognizable name and face on the card but it is still strange and amazing that he can headline an event with two title fights and a loss in his last fight. No matter what happens in the rest of the event most of the mainstream talk will about Tito Ortiz. If Rashad Evans does manage to beat Tito Ortiz nobody will be saying “Did you see Rashad Evans win?”, everyone will be saying “Did you see Tito lose?” I do think this is going to be a really great fight but it really shouldn’t over shadow the other amazing fights that are also going to be happening.
The Spider’s Web
The fight I am most looking forward to is Anderson Silva vs. Nate Marquardt. Anderson Silva has dismantled everyone that he has faced so far in the UFC. He punched out the puncher Chris Leben, he beat up the bruiser in Rich Franklin, he submitted the submission specialist in Travis Lutter, and will now have to face a fighter that is know to overwhelm opponents in Nate Marquardt. It will be interesting to see who will come out on top, check out the UFC 73: Stacked pre-fight picks for a fighter comparison.
The Muscle Shark’s first defense
The third fight I am most excited for is Hermes Franca vs. Sean Sherk. Hermes Franca is a really tough opponent. He is extremely skilled on the ground but also has an enormously heavy left hand that can put his opponent to sleep with one punch. This is also Sean Sherk’s first title defense. We all saw how well St. Pierre’s first title defense went, so it will be interesting to see if the nerves get to Sherk or if he will overcome and stay champ. Plus this also determines who is to face the next challenger at 155, BJ Penn!
Say hello to the “Big Nog”
The last fight that is really compelling is Antonio Noguiera vs. Heath Herring. I am pretty sure Noguiera is going to come out on top because he has already beat Herring and the only guy he can’t beat is Fedor Emelianenko. I haven’t seen Noguiera fight in a while and it is exciting to see new, world class talent come into the UFC. The heavy weight division just got more mixed up with his addition.
Anderson Silva vs. Nate Marquardt (Middle Weight Title Fight)
Who we want to win: Anderson Silva
Who we think will win: Anderson Silva
This is a very tough fight to call but I am going to give the edge to Anderson Silva. Nathan Marquardt is no stranger to pressure and high profile fights though. He is a 7 time Pancrase champion, but Anderson Silva has fought a guy just like Marquardt named Rich Franklin. Rich Franklin is enormous and incredibly strong but Anderson Silva took him down in under three minutes. I don’t believe that this is going to be the case with Marquardt but Anderson Silva has an amazing ability to pierce his opponent’s defense and pick them apart. Marquardt has said that he can beat Silva standing up, but I don’t see that happening. There are very few people that can match Silva’s striking and Marquardt is not one of those people. Marquardt’s best bet is to take Silva down and attempt to ground and pound him, but again Anderson Silva is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu so Marquardt has a lot to deal with on the ground as well. Marquardt is well rounded, but Anderson Silva is extremely well rounded, which is why he gets the edge. Here is a clip from the UFC on the fight.
UFC 73: Anderson Silva vs. Nathan Marquardt Fight Video
Sean Sherk vs. Hermes Franca (Light Weight Title Fight)
Who we want to win: Sean Sherk
Who we think will win: Hermes Franca
It may be a controversial to pick Hermes Franca in this fight, but I see Sherk getting caught. Hermes Franca could knock him out with his left hand coming in, or once Franca has been taken down, Franca could submit Sherk. There is no doubt in my mind that Sean Sherk could beat Hermes Franca, but I think Franca has more technical MMA skills than Sherk. Sean Sherk is ridiculously powerful at 155 and is a great wrestler. If he can utilize those skills to avoid Hermes punching power and submissions then he can take the victory. But if you look to Sherk’s only two losses against Matt Hughes and Georges St. Pierre you can see that he could have trouble with a fighter like Hermes Franca that packs the strengths of both those mentioned fighters into one. If this fight goes to decision then Franca is going to lose, he probably knows that since he has only won 1 out 5 decisions that he has had. But I don’t think it is going to go to a decision, I believe that Hermes Franca is going to finish the fight with a submission.
Tito Ortiz vs. Rashad Evans
Who we want to win: Tito Ortiz
Who we think will win: Tito Ortiz
This is going to be a great fight. Rashad Evans is out to prove that he is legit and deserves to see a title shot, and Ortiz is out to prove that he has returned for real and is on his way back to dominating the 205 division. We want Ortiz to win because it will help keep his popularity up, which is great for the sport. Rashad Evans being undefeated can take a loss on his record and still make a strong comeback and get his title shot again, and Ortiz needs a solid victory over someone other than Ken Shamrock right now.
Despite my wants, I really do believe that Ortiz is going to win this fight. He is emotionally and mentally on fire, even despite his last fight being a loss to Chuck Liddell. Ortiz may have realized that he will never beat Chuck Liddell, but now that the Ice Man has been dethroned the fighting desire is also back in Ortiz. Rashad Evans has been counted out a lot and proved everyone wrong up to this point. If Rashad Evans is going to win this fight then he is going to need to finish. Tito is not easy to finish unless you are Chuck Liddell and that is a problem for Rashad, who has only recently learned how to finish. Although finishing Sean Salmon isn’t huge, Jason Lambert is, but it will be really interesting to see if he can bring his finishing game to the octagon. If he does he will have a title shot waiting, but his time isn’t now, Ortiz will beat Evans.
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Heath Herring
Who we want to win: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Who we think will win: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
This fight is going to awesome only because Noguiera is fighting. He is an incredibly dominate fighter. He used to be the Pride Heavy Weight title holder and has only been soundly beaten by Fedor Emelianenko, which happens to everyone who fights Fedor. Noguiera has already beaten Herring and will do so again. He can punch hard and submit anyone. Herring is not a bad fighter despite how crappy he looked in his last fight, but he is not on the same level as Noguiera.
Alvin Robinson vs. Kenny Florian
Who we want to win: Alvin Robinson
Who we think will win: Kenny Florian
Alvin Robinson is going to have a tough time with this fight. He is making his debut against a very strong UFC veteran that has already fought for the light weight title. I really don’t like Kenny Florian after his fight against Sean Sherk where he held onto the fence everytime Sherk was going to slam him to the mat, hence the name Kenny “Let Go” Florian. Despite my dislike for Florian I believe he is a superior fighter and if all else fails he’ll resort to his cheap tactic of cutting his opponent with his bony elbows.
