So after the debacle that was the UFC 112's Main Event, we are all asking why? Why did Anderson Silva act the fool and taunt a seemingly humble opponent? Why does the "Spider" feel like a champion can act like such a douchebag? What will a very angry Dana White do in response to this embarrassment?
Silva says he wanted to teach Demian Maia a lesson for "morally disrespecting him." The great incivility resulted from pre-fight hype in which Maia said he would "take home 1 of Anderson's 8 legs" if he got a hold of them or would "take his arm or neck." That's it. That's the great impudence bestowed upon the Middleweight Champion. The opponent talked up the fight in the UFC's promo videos where the Zuffa brass ask the fighters to "sell" the event.
So why didn't Anderson Silva throw a bevvy of punches and just out class his opponent while earning a highlight reel stoppage? When asked that question in the post fight presser, an indignant "Spider" replied, "I dominated the fight." I suppose dominance is winning 2 rounds of a fight and then running while dancing like an epileptic at a rave. Silva also said he, "Doesn't owe the fans an apology." No you don't, but a warrior with an ounce of respect for the sport that made him famous, would.
It's become a topsy turvy world when I hate Anderson Silva and laugh while rooting for Chael Sonnen who had this to say about the "Spider" after his performance. "There's people out there that need to be beaten up, he's one of them. And I have a moral obligation to society to beat him up. Silva is a dirtbag anyway, whether he went out there and shook hands and was gracious or he didn't. Who cares? I don't know why sportsmanship needs to be involved, anyways. It's a fight, go do whatever you want. So, yes, I will do whatever I want. And when my music hits those speakers, I will make that walk and answer for my words."
So Dana White was left with a bitter taste in his mouth after spending so much time promoting this huge event in the Mecca of submission fighting. Besides calling the fight "embarrassing," and a "disgrace," while feeling as if this is "the lowest time in 10 years with the UFC," the UFC President vowed to "make it up to the fans that bought this crap." I actually think Dana owes us nothing. The guy put on a top tier show but not all of the fighters performed up to their standards. Save for the jackass at the end, a lot of good fighters fought good fights. Unfortunately, people will only remember the taunting, dancing, moron who closed the show.
Speaking of the actual fighters who fought on the card, controversy is slowly swirling around the Frankie Edgar decision win over BJ Penn. Many people in the media have noted this fight could have gone either way. 3 Sherdog judges scored fight for Penn and many noticed Edgar didn’t land clean shots while Penn did. Fightmetric had the bout 49-48 Penn, Sports Illustrated columnist and respected MMA journalist Josh Gross had the bout 48-47 Penn. Not all the MMA online outlets had the Hawaiian winning. MMA Weekly scored the fight a draw while over at MMA Junkie, they gave the nod to Edgar by 48-47. Either way, BJ acknowledged he lost in a very respectful Internet post to Frankie and we can all agree that ringside judge Douglas Crosby is a blind fool somehow scoring every round officially 50-45 for Edgar. Someone needs to be fired.
With the legend of BJ hitting a speed bump, this opens the door for all the Lightweights especially the formidable Kenny Florian who has dominated everyone save the "Prodigy." "Kenflo" is maybe 1 fight away from that 3rd title shot but Gray Maynard, the only fighter to have beaten Frankie Edgar so far, will most likely get a rematch that comes with a title shot.
Matt Hughes said Renzo Gracie had more pressure being closer to home and the biggest draw on the card and defending the family name, while he only had to tend to normal business. Renzo is beloved around the world but in Abu Dhabi the Gracie name is royalty. Interesting to note that Huges stated he couldn't get his hands on Renzo early and thus changed the game plan to leg kicks on the fly. Leg kicks were also not focused upon in practice. It was the game changer, that and Renzo's lack of endurance, that led to the HIT Squad founders win. Huges only wants to fight once or twice a year but still wants to compete. Unfortunately for him, the top dogs at Welterweight have passed him by and a title shot ain't gonna happen.
The always entertaining Paul Orndorff, excuse me I mean Phil Davis, is looking to add some "razzle dazzle" to his stand up the next time up but knows he is a "work in progress." "Mr. Wonderful" also wanted to point out his pink mouth guard that said, "I love you Mom." and wanted to earn his way onto the main card so she could see it. How cute. He pulled no punches when talking about his next potential opponent calling out UFC Octagon girl Chandella Powell as his next fight. According to Davis, Chandella has been "giving him attitude" and it's too late to make up now. He wants the bout at UFC 116.
Finally, a successful and relieved Paul "Tellys" Kelly stated he planned to lose the 1st round of his fight with Matt Veach. The Brit said Veach was just too good of a wrestler, but he would survive and once a little tired, he came in for the kill against Matt. After all the distractions from a fallout with the Wolfslair camp and management, he just focused on the fight and kissed a penny he wears around his neck that his daughter gave him when she began to crawl.