IT IS USUALLY this time of year that the UFC teeters on the precipice of saturation point and threatens to leave even the most devoted fans glassy-eyed, jaded and wondering whether there are better ways to spend the weekend.
When UFC 178 concludes a fortnight from now – a trip to Japan beckons next weekend – the promotion will have staged nine events over eight consecutive weeks, to a varying degree of quality, relevance and success. And, of course, the first episode of The Ultimate Fighter 20 aired midweek.
Despite regularly dismissing the notion with a customary ire, Dana White is well aware that such is his company’s monopoly of MMA, they are at liberty to deliver decidedly mediocre events to keep the meter ticking over, without the slightest detriment to their bottom line.
Which brings us to tonight’s show in the Brazilian capital of Brasília, where so much of this year’s World Cup unfolded. Despite a plethora of visits to the country over the last 18 months, this will be the UFC’s first to the city, though the common trend of scattering the card with mid-tier nationals has been retained.
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UFC Fight Night 51 will be headlined by a five-round heavyweight bout between former champion Andrei Arlovski and one-time title challenger Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva. Dramatically, yet rather underwhelmingly promoted as being a chance at redemption for both men, it is also a rematch over four years in the making. They last met under the now defunct Strikeforce banner, with Silva coasting to a unanimous decision victory in what proved a rather tepid affair.
Arlovski and Silva last met in 2010 in St. Louis with the latter coasting to an easy victory. Jeff Roberson / AP/Press Association Images
Jeff Roberson / AP/Press Association Images / AP/Press Association Images
Arlovski debuted for the promotion all the way back at UFC 28 in November 2000, prior to the current ownership and when the sport was still struggling for any real traction in the public consciousness. He would go onto win the heavyweight title and lose it during a compelling trilogy with Tim Sylvia, and then left in 2008 to fight with a variety of smaller promotions before returning earlier this year.
The UFC’s decision to bring him back raised more than a few eyebrows, given his record during his six year absence was, at best, decent. At UFC 174, this past June, he won a controversial split-decision victory over Brendan Schaub, so tonight is more about keeping his job than some grand return to greatness.
Against Silva, he is considered a heavy underdog, and with good reason. ‘Bigfoot’ has not fought in nine after being suspended by the UFC for elevated testosterone levels, despite being cleared to use the now-banned Testosterone Replacement Therapy.
However, the Brazilian, as mentioned, recently fought for the title, although he was finished within a round by the champion, Cain Velasquez. But, he did earn victories over Alistair Overeem and Travis Browne en route to earning his shot. Additionally, his bout prior to being suspended, was a five round war with Mark Hunt that ended in a draw, and is likely to go down as one of the greatest heavyweight fights ever.
Once more, redemption feels a little strong. A victory for Silva will do nothing more than get his career up and running again, while ensuring his next opponent is of a higher profile and calibre.
Tonight’s outcome may not be of any great relevance to landscape of the heavyweight division, but it certainly is for these fighters. Match-ups like this have a tendency of erupting into epic wars, particularly when it is common knowledge that the result is less important to the brass than the entertainment factor. Especially because it gives them the excuse to tell all us naysayers that they knew all along what a tremendous contest was in store.
UFC Fight Night 51 promises little but just might deliver by the boatload
IT IS USUALLY this time of year that the UFC teeters on the precipice of saturation point and threatens to leave even the most devoted fans glassy-eyed, jaded and wondering whether there are better ways to spend the weekend.
When UFC 178 concludes a fortnight from now – a trip to Japan beckons next weekend – the promotion will have staged nine events over eight consecutive weeks, to a varying degree of quality, relevance and success. And, of course, the first episode of The Ultimate Fighter 20 aired midweek.
Despite regularly dismissing the notion with a customary ire, Dana White is well aware that such is his company’s monopoly of MMA, they are at liberty to deliver decidedly mediocre events to keep the meter ticking over, without the slightest detriment to their bottom line.
Which brings us to tonight’s show in the Brazilian capital of Brasília, where so much of this year’s World Cup unfolded. Despite a plethora of visits to the country over the last 18 months, this will be the UFC’s first to the city, though the common trend of scattering the card with mid-tier nationals has been retained.
UFC Fight Night 51 will be headlined by a five-round heavyweight bout between former champion Andrei Arlovski and one-time title challenger Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva. Dramatically, yet rather underwhelmingly promoted as being a chance at redemption for both men, it is also a rematch over four years in the making. They last met under the now defunct Strikeforce banner, with Silva coasting to a unanimous decision victory in what proved a rather tepid affair.
Arlovski debuted for the promotion all the way back at UFC 28 in November 2000, prior to the current ownership and when the sport was still struggling for any real traction in the public consciousness. He would go onto win the heavyweight title and lose it during a compelling trilogy with Tim Sylvia, and then left in 2008 to fight with a variety of smaller promotions before returning earlier this year.
The UFC’s decision to bring him back raised more than a few eyebrows, given his record during his six year absence was, at best, decent. At UFC 174, this past June, he won a controversial split-decision victory over Brendan Schaub, so tonight is more about keeping his job than some grand return to greatness.
Against Silva, he is considered a heavy underdog, and with good reason. ‘Bigfoot’ has not fought in nine after being suspended by the UFC for elevated testosterone levels, despite being cleared to use the now-banned Testosterone Replacement Therapy.
However, the Brazilian, as mentioned, recently fought for the title, although he was finished within a round by the champion, Cain Velasquez. But, he did earn victories over Alistair Overeem and Travis Browne en route to earning his shot. Additionally, his bout prior to being suspended, was a five round war with Mark Hunt that ended in a draw, and is likely to go down as one of the greatest heavyweight fights ever.
Once more, redemption feels a little strong. A victory for Silva will do nothing more than get his career up and running again, while ensuring his next opponent is of a higher profile and calibre.
Tonight’s outcome may not be of any great relevance to landscape of the heavyweight division, but it certainly is for these fighters. Match-ups like this have a tendency of erupting into epic wars, particularly when it is common knowledge that the result is less important to the brass than the entertainment factor. Especially because it gives them the excuse to tell all us naysayers that they knew all along what a tremendous contest was in store.
All we can do is hope.
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