Saturday, October 29th was a tough day for mixed martial arts.
Let me back up a couple of months. Some friends and I are looking forward to UFC 137: Georges St. Pierre vs. Nick Diaz, BJ Penn vs. Carlos Condit, and Mirko Cro Cop vs. Roy Nelson. Every one of these men has worn the belt of an mma champion. George St. Pierre is the current UFC Welterweight Champion, a longtime fan favorite, and one of the top three pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Also on the card: Cheick Kongo, Matt Mitrione, Brandon Vera, Donald Cerrone. People worth watching.
Sep. 7th- After Nick Diaz skips three flights and two press conferences in less than 24 hours, UFC President Dana White pulls him from the main event. St. Pierre’s new opponent will be Carlos Condit, who had been in the co-main event slot with BJ Penn. Diaz’s manager, Cesar Gracie, calls White (during the press conference Diaz skipped) and apologizes to him for Diaz’s behavior, adding that Diaz is hiding and nobody can find him. White tells the press “I’ll never take [Nick Diaz’s] word again.”
Later that day, Diaz posts a Youtube video bemoaning his mistreatment by the UFC and insinuating GSP is scared of him. The video is entitled “Looks like someone don’t want me to win!”Classy.
Sep. 8th- Dana White puts Nick Diaz back on UFC 137, but not against GSP. He’ll be fighting BJ Penn in the “co-main event” leading up to the main event. Further complicating the situation is the fact that Penn and Diaz are both Cesar Gracie students, and have trained together.
October 18th- GSP pulls out of UFC 137 due to a knee injury. Condit retains his title shot against GSP, making Penn vs. Diaz the main event 11 days before UFC 137.BJ Penn is a legend in the sport, and the most naturally gifted fighter of all time. In 2000, he became the first non-Brazilian world champion of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and after only three years of training. He has since become one of only two UFC fighters (Randy Couture being the other) to hold championship titles in two weight divisions.
Despite Penn’s unparalleled gifts, he has been criticized for his often undisciplined training regimen and his cardio, often losing energy as fights grind on. Since losing his Lightweight title to Frankie Edgar in 2010, Penn has clearly been in decline, with his last three fights ending in two losses and a draw. In contrast, Diaz returns to the UFC as the Strikeforce Welterweight champion, is on a 10-fight winning streak, and (recent douchebaggery notwithstanding) seems hungry for a UFC title. This could definitely be an interesting fight.
On the big night, as we so often do, the Army Field Band had an evening concert. By the time we found a place that was showing the fights, Roy Nelson had just won a TKO victory over Mirko Cro Cop, who was announcing his retirement from the sport. Cro Cop vs. Eddie Sanchez (2007) was the first MMA fight I ever saw, and he made a huge impression on me. I hate to see him go, and I hate worse that I missed his final fight. So it goes.
The next fight was Cheick Kongo vs. Matt Mitrione. Kongo, a great striker but mediocre grappler, always struck me as one-dimensional, but he had a good showing against Mitrione. He chipped away at him through all three rounds, and surprised me by scoring some takedowns in the final round, earning a clear decision victory. I look forward to his next outing, although if he gets the match he wants (current Light Heavyweight Champion Cain Velasquez), I still think he’ll get crucified.
Main event. Round 1: Penn comes out aggressive. Penn and Diaz are both Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts, but most of the round is a boxing match, with both men landing good punches. Penn scores a beautiful takedown and takes Diaz’s back, roughing him up from behind, but after a scramble they’re back on their feet. Penn wins the round.
Round 2: Now Diaz is pushing the pace, and Penn has slowed down considerably. Both men are still relying mostly on their boxing, and Penn lands some shots but Diaz is landing all the combinations. Penn is taking more abuse than he is accustomed to taking in his fights, with his left eye swelled nearly shut. This round goes to Diaz, decisively.
Round 3: Penn is clearly tired, hardly moving at all except to evade. Diaz still looks reasonably fresh, keeping the boxing combinations coming. Penn attempts a takedown and lands some accurate punches, but Diaz is far more aggressive and lands more strikes. Another round for Diaz, and the victory.
As soon as the fight ends, Diaz shouts “Where you at, Georges!? Where you at, motherf—–!?” When asked by the commentator about GSP’s injury, he replies: “I don’t think Georges is hurt. I think he’s scared!”
Reminder #1, Nick Diaz: Georges St. Pierre was scheduled to fight Carlos Condit. Not you. If he faked an injury (for the first time in his career) due to fear of an opponent (despite his crushing dominance of the UFC Welterweight Division), that opponent would be Carlos Condit (and not you).
Reminder #2, Nick Diaz: The reason GSP was scheduled to fight Carlos Condit (and not you) was that you sneaked out of Cesar Gracie’s house (during a birthday party) to avoid (for the second time) attending a press conference (with GSP).And didn’t come back.
Or answer your phone.
Not very intimidating.
UFC 137 was a noteworthy event for the Penn vs Diaz fight (and the trash talk that ensued), but also because of the announcement that followed. BJ Penn announced his retirement from the UFC: “This is probably the last time you’re going to see me in here… That’s it. I’ve got a daughter, another daughter on the way. I don’t want to go home looking like this. I’m done.”
2011 saw the retirement of Hall of Famers Randy Couture and Matt Hughes, and now, in a single night, Mirko Cro Cop and BJ Penn. It’s sad to see your heroes hang up their gloves, but sadder still to see them laid low by nothing more than time and their own descendants.
On a lighter note, Georges St. Pierre was in attendance at UFC 137. After Nick Diaz’s inflammatory comments about him, GSP apparently begged Dana White for the Diaz match like it was a Red Ryder BB Gun.
White gave it to him. Carlos Condit graciously stepped aside, and will get his Welterweight title shot after St. Pierre vs. Diaz, scheduled for Super Bowl weekend.Known for his classiness, polite manner, and respect for his fellow fighters, St. Pierre offered one quote regarding Diaz:
“I’m going to put the worst beating on him you’ve ever seen in the UFC.”
