The Big Body Breakdown: UFC 146 – Dos Santos vs. Mir

Is it really that wrong of me to almost forget which number UFC we are at? On top of that, why is Zuffa still numbering these UFC events? Little known fact to the recent casual UFC fans, there was actually a UFC even

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t numbered with a half a number (UFC 37 and a half). Not too bad of a card, headlined by Chuck Liddell and Vitor Belfort, as well as having the world famous Nick Serra (The younger brother of Matt Serra) on the card against Benji Radach. Radach won by a decision in case any of you were wondering and holding your breath (Who cares). On to something more relevant and exciting, Jason Miller is gone from MMA and the UFC. Due to the heavyweight division being so thin, every fight was relevant. We got to see young prospects move in subtle directions with their careers (Hello Stipe Miocic). The prelim card fights were completely full of surprises as we saw Jamie Varner and Dan Hardy find their way back into the limelight in a huge way. Speaking of working their way back to the limelight, could Cain Velasquez have solidified his number 2 spot in the heavyweight division with a prettier portrait then what he created with Big Foot Silva’s blood?

Enough with the lolly gagging, and let’s swallow this morning after pill, while we break down the biggest winners and losers of the night.

Winners

Jamie Varner - The story of a once rising athlete falling to the lowest point of his or her career and then rising back to the top is a story we have all seen and heard about throughout our lives. Still, even after such over told stories, the world is still amazed at the sight of the underdog victory. No matter how you break down any sport in any facet of probability when it comes to winning and losing, you still love to watch to catch the chance of seeing what is most improbable happen. We watch to see the amazing happen. Jamie Varner is just another literal interpretation of that foretold story. Jamie Varner walked into UFC 146 being the only person that believed in what he could do, and he shocked the world in a big way by beating Edson Barboza. He made Barboza look like a complete amateur. Varner was very punctual on his feet, very aware and light to the point that Barboza looked like he was in the wrong sport. What’s next for Varner? Time to enjoy his victory and a possible fight with Melvin Guillard doesn’t sound too far-fetched in my book.

Junior Dos Santos - I think what surprises me most is that the fight went past the first round, but maybe that is too much of an insult to Frank Mir. I don’t mean to sound like every other color commentator when I make this next statement, but I feel as if Junior Dos Santos is the next Chuck Liddell. Dos Santos’s hands are probably the best in his division and the light heavyweight division included. You have to shoot down to lighter weights to see someone with as much technical prowess in their hands as Dos Santos. A big win to cement Junior Dos Santos’ legend. What’s next? Cain Velasquez.

Cain Velasquez - The question I pose is what if we had got this Cain Velasquez in the first Velasquez vs. Dos Santos fight on FOX? The question is a frivolous one because it just leaves forum nerds to have something to talk about. The reality is fighters are human, and it is just a matter of who wakes up on the right side of the bed on fight day. When it comes to Velasquez and Dos Santos you break it down again, I couldn’t tell you who would win and would defer to the analogy I just made. Velasquez literally made Big Foot look like anything he ever did in the fight world never even mattered. The fight looked like an absolute horror movie as Velasquez absolutely cut Silva and didn’t stop until the fight was over. Velasquez’s cardio is an impressive trait for a heavyweight as he was completely relentless. What’s next? It’s got to be a title shot against Junior Dos Santos.

Losers

Antonio “Big Foot” Silva - Big Foot looked like a murder victim from the show Dexter. The absolute beating he took from Velasquez makes me question as to whether he should be in the UFC or not. The truth is I don’t remember seeing Big Foot do a single thing in the fight other than touch gloves and get absolutely beat. What’s next for Silva? Frank Mir

Frank Mir - The statement of being the best heavyweight in UFC history is not far-fetched in the least. Frank Mir won fights he never should have been in, and will say he is probably the best submission artist the heavyweight division has ever seen. Frank Mir at this point in his career is in his twilight (Team Edward). You honestly won’t get much more out of Mir then what you see right now. I don’t see much else going for Mir other than a few more fights and then retirement. What’s next? Big Foot Silva or Fabricio Werdum.

Edson Barboza - It’s not easy being in the limelight and highly praised, but the truth about fighting is that it will shine on you and show the world who you are. Barboza looked completely out of place against Varner and could never shoot anything off other than a few leg kicks. Nothing he did in this fight was in anyway useful in any type of high level of competition. Barboza and his camp definitely need to go back to the drawing board. What’s next for Barboza? Honestly guys, the lightweight division is just huge so this guess is a crap shoot, I would like to see him face someone like Matt Wiman.

I understand your possible complaints on not having Dan Hardy or Roy Nelson included, but as much praise as they get, the truth is that they are already highly praised fighters who should have have won those fights. The good thing is they won those fights in highly exciting fashion. Mike Brown and Stefan Struve fall in the same brackets as well, they beat guys they should beat, and by that fact, praise should not be given as highly (key word) as fighters who were true under dogs and or fighters who won in a top level of competition. And I’m sorry but Lavar Johnson and Duane “Bang” Ludwig are not on the same level of competition as Frank Mir and Antonio Silva. I will end this by saying, thank you for reading and supporting the Big Body Breakdown here on MMANonstop and God, I love being a Turtle!