Monday, October 26, 2009
On a night capped by a controversial unanimous decision far from unanimous to those that watched, Cain Velasquez wrestled away the spotlight at UFC 104 with his second-consecutive domination of an opponent far bigger and more experienced than he.
Before light heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida would retain his belt against a Mauricio “Shogun” Rua — who many pegged as the better fighter that night — Velasquez (7-0) turned in the same caliber of performance Saturday that earned current heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar a title shot a year ago.
Recall that Lesnar landed a contract to fight Randy Couture after he dominated Heath Herring for three rounds in his home state of Minnesota. Five hours from his hometown of Salinas, Calif., Velasquez ignited the Staples Center by scoring takedowns at will against a much larger Ben Rothwell (6-foot-5 to Cain’s 6-2, 265 pounds to his 238).
To see a man the size of Rothwell (30-7), who made his UFC debut, thrown around like a discarded toy was staggering. Velasquez violently outwrestled Rothwell much in the way he handled Cheick Kongo at UFC 99 in June. The difference was that vicious elbows and punches were peppered between the thundering single-leg takedowns. That difference turned a three-round domination in June into a one-and-a-half round beatdown into a technical knockout that earned Velasquez a wealth of new fans and perhaps more.
On my blog, The Full Monty, I remarked that Velasquez was one of the sport’s “great unknowns”—that we still may have no clue just how good, or great, he may be. Even after Saturday his potential seems to lack a ceiling.
I also added with my predictions — 2-0 calling the double main event — another prognostication: a convincing Velasquez victory puts him in the main event of a potential UFC card in Mexico (Velasquez’ country of origin and point of immense pride) against the winner of the Nov. 21 Lesnar-Shane Carwin title fight.
A quick word on Machida-Rua. I was right in illustrating the dangers of crowning fighters the best in the sport. After Machida’s May title victory, there was talk that he may never lose. Before Saturday, the superlatives continued to spread. And then Rua made Machida look, well, ordinary. The two traded painful punches and kicks early, with Machida looking like he took the best of them.
The fight was contested largely on foot with Machida engaging in brief flurries but not really playing the aggressor. Whether or not Machida was overlooking Rua in concert with most media and fans, Rua looked to have secured the points needed for the title. He had Machida frustrated with each successive (and largely successful) kick.
Boos flooded the Staples Center and mouths stood agape at the decision. That it was unanimous was curious at best. All parties involved basically agreed to a rematch which, perhaps, is the only satisfying outcome.
Stacked month ahead
Nov. 7, Strikeforce: Fedor Emelianenko vs. Brett Rogers, on CBS.
Nov. 14, UFC 105: Randy Couture vs. Brandon Vera, in London and free on Spike TV.
Nov. 18, WEC 44: Featherweight Champ Mike Brown vs. Jose Aldo
Nov. 20, Strikeforce Challengers Series 5 at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan.
Nov. 21, UFC 106: Heavyweight Champ Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin and Tito Ortiz vs. Forrest Griffin.
— Edited by Alicia Banister
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