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FIVE ROUNDS WITH UFC 128: SHOGUN VS. JONES

History was made this past Saturday Night when the 23 year old Jon “Bones” Jones defeated Mauricio “Shogun” Rua to win the UFC Light Heavyweight Title. Also, a top contender to the UFC Bantamweight Title was crowned and an MMA legend was put into retirement. The UFC again put their programming across many platforms because portions of the card aired on Facebook.com, Spike TV and pay-per-view.

Round One: “Bones” Is The King

Everybody who has seen Jon Jones compete in the last few years acknowledges his potential, but who thought it would be fulfilled at 23 years old. Jon Jones took less than three total rounds to decimate Mauricio Rua and become the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. One also must wonder if Mauricio Rua was totally healthy for the fight because that was the worst performance in recent memory for him. Jon Jones now has the UFC Light Heavyweight Title around his waist and now we will all get to see how he will do as champion.

Next Round For Jon Jones: Rashad Evans

Next Round For Mauricio Rua: Rich Franklin or the Quinton Jackson/Matt Hamill winner

Round Two: A Contender Is Crowned

When the UFC brought the WEC fighters into the fold, the fans most wanted to see Urijah Faber step into the octagon more than anybody else. Urijah Faber made a very successful debut in the promotion, handing Eddie Wineland a loss by unanimous decision. Eddie Wineland made a fine accounting for himself, seemingly stuffing Urijah Faber’s takedowns for the first round anyway. Urijah Faber will now move into a UFC Bantamweight Title fight in a rematch with current champion Dominick Cruz.

Next Round For Urijah Faber: Dominick Cruz

Next Round For Eddie Wineland: Takeya Mizugaki or Joseph Benavidez

Round Three: The Uncrowned Contender

Winning seven straight fights in an ultra-competitive UFC Lightweight Division is quite the accomplishment for Jim Miller. Jim Miller looked really impressive at UFC 128 when he knocked out the previously undefeated Kamal Shalorus in the third round. Jim Miller now has to get the attention of the UFC, who is seemingly guns blazing with the Frankie Edgar/Gray Maynard rematch. Kamal Shalorus is an impressive fighter, but the time has come for him to see how he fares with higher level competition.

Next Round For Jim Miller: The Frankie Edgar/Gray Maynard winner

Next Round For Kamal Shalorus: Edson Barboza or Mark Bocek

Round Four: A Legend Is Put Down

I have nothing but the utmost respect for what Mirko Cro Cop has accomplished in his career, but everybody has to step down at some time. Brendan Schaub handled Mirko Cro Cop with relative ease on Saturday Night, even managing to score a few takedowns. Then in the third round, Brendan Schaub put Mirko Cro Cop down for good with a two punch combination. While Brendan Schaub is clearly on the rise, the former PRIDE great is clearly on the path towards downfall.

Next Round For Brendan Schaub: Matt Mitrione, Pat Barry or Frank Mir

Next Round For Mirko Cro Cop: Retirement

Round Five: New Jersey Fighters Go 1-3

The state of New Jersey is often the butt of many jokes, but many MMA fighters in New Jersey earned those jokes at UFC 128. With Jim Miller being the lone NJ native to get the win, fighters like Dan Miller, Ricardo Almeida and Kurt Perllegrino went down to defeat. Other than Dan Miller, who only had a week to prepare for Nate Marquardt, the other two fighters were favorites in their fights. At least the lone win by a New Jersey fighter may earn that fighter, Jim Miller, a UFC Lightweight Title opportunity.

Next Round For Dan Miller: Nick Catone or Ed Herman

Next Round For Kurt Pellegrino: Anthony Njokuani or Nik Lentz

Next Round For Ricardo Almeida: Chris Lylte or Matt Serra

You can contact David Tees at bigteesps3@yahoo.com

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