benssportsthoughts

[benssportsthoughts]

It's a long season. Thoughts on Liverpool 1 - 1 Sunderland.

On the face of it, a score draw, at home, against a supposedly weaker team would seem to be two points dropped, and a bad start to the season for Liverpool. But, in my opinion there are enough positives surrounding the performance, and the club in general at the moment to enable people to take a long view, and still approach the long season in high spirits.

For one, there was the performance. Now granted, it wasn't the best performance of the day (step forward Bolton), the team seemed to run out of steam in the latter stages, and a lead was relinquished, yet the shape and attitude of the team hinted at better things to come.

Firstly, there was the shape of the side. Liverpool looked considerably more balanced with Charlie Adam occupying the so-called 'Quarterback' role, sitting deep to use his extensive passing range to get play going. They also seemed to benefit from Downing operating on the flanks, widening the pitch and delivering crosses, not to mention also delivering threatening set-pieces (a weak point of Liverpool's play over the last two seasons). Suarez was busy as always, looking difficult to play against and was involved in most of our good play, plus he should only get better given time to recover from his Copa America exploits in the Summer.

Liverpool also seemed to play with a different mind-set to times last season, for me it was pleasing to see players wanting to keep the ball down, to keep hold of the ball and to string a series of passes together. Granted, that attitude suffered later in the game when they started to search for a winner, but compared with the dark days under Hodgson when every player seemed instructed to lump it forward as quickly and as hard as possible, today was definitely an improvement.

In addition to the team’s play yesterday, we must also bear in mind the summer’s transfers, this seems as good a time as any to voice my opinions which are, in general, favourable. Overall, it seems to me a good idea to invest in British talent, with Premier League experience, regardless of the increased fees involved. With the potential new European regulations governing home-grown players, it makes sense to stock up on British players in advance of the rules coming into the game. Additionally, several of the new players are youngsters, or at least should be coming into their prime in the next few years. 

Furthermore, to me, all signings thus far seem sensible and designed with a specific plan and goal in mind, players have been bought to fill holes in the team, and to allow the team to play in a certain way. For example, Charlie Adam seems set to fill the Alonso gap, a playmaker to sit deep and pick passes, Downing has been bought to operate in wide areas, deliver quality balls into the box, and stretch the play, something Liverpool have lacked for years. As for Henderson, before Liverpool bought him he was considered one of England's best prospects and this shouldn't change. He may have run out of steam and form towards the end of last season, but playing and training with more international players, and under the watchful eye of Dalglish, he should improve exponentially, and he's already a good player. 

As for the fees paid, in my eyes, value is simply what the club is willing to pay. Liverpool were willing to pay the asking prices for all these players, and as long as the extra cost doesn't impact on their future transfer funds, then it doesn't really matter how much they paid.

  So now, Liverpool fans are looking forward with a little more hope. Steven Gerrard is yet to return, Suarez has started his Liverpool career in style and the club has a new core of young, British talent. The new owners continue to talk sense, with regards to ambition and the new stadium conundrum, and furthermore they seem to be willing to back the team financially. Throw in the greatest player in the club's history as manager and you can see why an opening day draw should not be allowed to deflate anyone who follows the club, like I said at the start, it’s a long season and there will be plenty of ups and downs before the end of it.

[benssportsthoughts]

What next for Vitor Belfort and the UFC Middleweight Division?

Following his stunning 1st Round win over Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 133, what is next for Vitor Belfort? 

Last night's fight showcased the Vitor of old, a monstrously heavy hitter with awesome speed and finishing ability. He showed in the best possible way that he has put his devastating loss to Anderson Silva firmly behind him, and articulated in his Post-fight interview, his desire to climb the division and secure another Title shot as soon as possible.

So who can he fight next to achieve this?

Before we delve into the rankings, let me first say that I have never subscribed to Joe Rogan's oft stated opinion that the UFC Middleweight division is one of the strongest in the company. In fact, along with Heavyweight, and the new, lighter divisions, I would argue that it is one of the weakest. Now this may be because Anderson Silva has systematically destroyed all competition over the last five years, but it also seems to me that the division has suffered from a lack of new stars and new talent penetrating their way into the upper echelons of the division recently.

Regardless, onto the rankings.

Anderson Silva and Yushin Okami occupy spots 1 and 3 in the Sherdog rankings, and they square off at UFC 134 on August 27th.

Everybody's favourite stand-up comedian, Chael Sonnen sits at Number 2, and he is scheduled to face Brian Stann, Number 8, at UFC 136 in October.

Number 4 is Nate Marquardt, who is no longer with the UFC due to complications surrounding his Testosterone replacement therapy. Number 5 is another man who is not with the UFC, Strikeforce's 'Jacare' Souza.

Mark Munoz (6) is due to face Chris Leben is the UK in November, whilst Damian Maia (7) and Jorge Santiago (9) fight at UFC 136, on the same card as Stann and Sonnen.

Slightly log-jammed isn't it? Come November, a lot of questions within the Middleweight division will have been answered, most of the Top-10 will have fought, and the winners will move onwards and upwards. But where does this leave Belfort? Does he really want to sit and wait for 3 months for the picture to become clearer, for him to land an opponent, and then another 3 months for this next fight to take place? I would argue not. Belfort is presumably fresh after his exertions last night, and will benefit from fighting regularly and building momentum.

Interestingly though, there is one man tucked away in the Middleweight ranks, who is of Belfort's calibre, who does not have a fight scheduled, and is himself recuperating from a fight that lasted less than one round.

Step forward Wanderlei Silva.

On first impressions, a Wanderlei Silva, Vitor Belfort fight solves all the problems. The UFC could schedule it for one of their Winter cards, either November or December, giving the fighters 3 months to prepare, and the winner would be emerging at the same time as several other Middleweights, ready to be matched up again to move one step closer to a Title shot.

The fans would enjoy it, given the destructive nature and popularity of the two fighters, especially considering the result of the first meeting between the two (Belfort won within a minute). Additionally the fighters themselves have recently discussed the potential match-up through the media.

The only potential issue I can see is Joe Silva, and his thoughts on Wanderlei's abilities. The UFC matchmaker is known for rarely matching a fighter who has just lost against a fighter who has just won, and doubts have recently begun to be voiced about Wanderlei's ability to withstand a punch following a long and decorated but brutal career.

Regardless, it seems it will be a fascinating few months ahead for the Middleweight division, the Title picture will become considerably clearer and the Top-10 will be shuffled and re-appraised.

One thing is for sure though, Vitor Belfort must be considered and must be involved in the upper reaches of the division. He is too strong, too fast and too destructive not to be.

[benssportsthoughts]

Rashad Evans, Vitor Belfort and really short Shorts.

Ring rust? What Ring rust?

Last night at UFC 133 in Philidelphia, Rashad Evans re-announced himself after 15 months out of action, and immediately reminded everybody why he is considered one of the very best Light Heavyweights in MMA. 

Beset by bad luck, injury, manoeuvring by prospective opponents and the odd bad decision, Rashad has remained on the shelf, missing out on a Title shot twice and having to watch as fighters moved above him in the pecking order.

Even before this fight, Evans was dogged by bad luck, with Jon Jones pulling out first, and Phil Davies following suit a few months later. Luckily for Evans, Tito Ortiz stepped into the breach with very little notice and the fight was able to stay on the card.

So Ortiz came in fresh from a stunning first round victory over prospect Ryan Bader, just a month prior, albeit on short notice, whilst Rashad hadn't fought since defeating 'Rampage' Jackson in May of last year. Although seemingly a mismatch on paper, the disparity in recent experience seemed set to level the playing field somewhat.

It didn't.

Although Tito started strongly and secured a take-down, Evans immediately took control of the fight from there. His stand-up looked sharper, he threw varied strikes and scored one huge slam, picking up Ortiz before dumping him to the floor. At one point Evans rocked Tito badly with a flurry of punches against the cage and was unlucky not to gain the finish. No matter, Evans ended the fight late in the second round when he delivered a crushing knee to the chest of Ortiz which crumpled the Ex-Champion, after which the Referee stepped in.

With this showing Rashad re-established himself as de-facto Number One Contender, and will wait in the wings to face the winner of Jones Vs Rampage. On the evidence of this fight, Evans will give either man a tough challenge, and of course regardless of the winner the pre-fight build-up will be feisty given Evans history with both. His striking looked crisp, and he seems to have understood the need to mix up his strikes whilst still using his wrestling, which is a major strength. 

As for Ortiz, his past month of action has effectively left him back where he started, albeit with an extra win and a further loss on his record. He is still in somewhat of a no-man's land within the division, and will probably need to win his next fight to keep his job. Yet it has been refreshing to welcome him back to the limelight after a quiet few years, and in taking a fight with a top contender on two weeks notice, he has proven his stomach for a battle and indeed a selfless side nobody could have expected.

In the Co-Main Event, Vitor Belfort showed a stunning glimpse of his old self in ruthlessly and quickly dispatching Yoshihiro Akiyama with a flurry of lightning fast punches in the First round.

Coming back from his Knockout loss to Anderson Silva, it seemed nobody was quite sure what to expect from Belfort, yet he proved once again that he hits hard, and that once he rocks you he can swarm on an opponent and quickly end the fight. With this win he sets himself up firmly in the upper echelons of the division and it will be fascinating to see who Joe Silva pairs him with next as he attempts to climb his way back up the ladder to a Title shot.

As for Akiyama, this was his third loss in a row which usually leads to a fighter receiving their walking papers, yet I don't think Akiyama will suffer this fate. Given his propensity for putting on exciting fights and for entertaining the fans, not to mention his huge fanbase in Japan, I would expect to see him back in action in the UFC, possibly against a slightly lower calibre of opposition, in the near future...once his head clears.

Finally, as a post on UFC 133 could not go by without a mention of the shorts, I'll add my opinion to Dana White's extremely measured (!) comments.

Briefly, for those who aren't aware, Dennis Hallman fought last night in effectively, a Speedo. Dana White has since stated that the attire will henceforth be banned from the UFC. 

In my eyes, Hallman went for the comedy angle, he tried something outrageous and it probably got him a cheap laugh when he stripped off. But the shorts he wore were not suitable for the fight, and in reality, probably hindered him. In addition, the potential for a 'Wardrobe Malfunction' was inordinately high, and for a sport desperate for mainstream acceptance, and craving to throw off stereotypes, the shorts were a bad idea, sorry Dennis.