UFC 145-Jon Jones vs. Rashad Evans: Post fight thoughts

UFC 145 has come and gone and kicked off the spring/summer season of the Zuffa leviathan in superb fashion. Back and forth main card action was delivered by featherweights; young fighters continued to improve and the youngest man to become a UFC champion remained king of his division.

Here is the Fight Hub TV “Locker Room: UFC 145 Post fight thoughts”

LOOKING GOOD:

UFC bantamweight Michael McDonald has defeated two former WEC champions (Cole Escovedo and Miguel Angel Torres) in his MMA career and is only twenty one years old. Turning professional around the same time he was able to get his drivers license, it is no surprise this BJJ brown belt has been on a tear, and ladies and gentleman – he is amazing. Handling the action against Torres, he pushed a relentless pace and ended the fight with a highlight reel knockout. Showing the physical capability and the mental state to handle higher ranked opponents, next up for him needs to be a title eliminator – Renan Barao perhaps?

Also impressive in his fight, Tristar Gym prodigy Rory McDonald reminded the world that he is a serious threat in the welterweight division. Owning Che Mills, who is no slouch in his own right, for half of the fight until the ref stopped it, “Ares” was never scared or looked out of place with his fight. Stating in post fight interviews that he is “young and lacks experience over the top tier,” it showcased his humble approach and desire to become great. To avoid a long stint on the side lines, he should face winner of Hendricks-Koscheck for a title shot position.

AMAZING FIGHT

For anyone who has thought – “MMA is easy, I could do that” do yourself a favor and watch Eddie Yagin vs. Mark Hominick. Easily earning the “fight of the night” award, the two featherweights gave each other the best they had, leaving bloodied, swollen and bruised all the while delivering a show better than the main event later in the night.

Hominick drops to 0-3 in his last three outings since challenging Jose Aldo for the belt last year and will need to really rethink things in his career; Yagin picked up his first UFC win and has plenty of competition to choose from in the featherweight division. A match up I think would be pretty interesting for him would be Ross Pearson or Dennis Siver.

BIG DUDES NEED LOVE TOO

Travis “Hapa” Browne is no joke but did walk away smiling with his “submission of the night” win over tough veteran Chad Griggs. Browne was victorious via an arm triangle choke giving Griggs a loss in his UFC debut. Finishing the fight early and leaving unscathed, Browne made a point at the post fight press conference that he is good to go and would take a spot on the UFC 146: Heavyweights card if offered; since Roy Nelson is out an opponent from match shakings, let these two scrap and we all win!

Ben Rothwell knew he was walking into his bout with Brendan Schuab looking at a pink slip if he lost again; that motivated him to turn in a highlight reel KO and earned an extra $65,000 in his wallet for finishing the TUF finalist in less than ninety seconds and had him chasing ghosts as “Big Ben” walked off. Matt Mitrione should be returning to action soon after he suffered his first loss in October 2011 and this could be a good match to be enjoyed by all.

THE CHAMP IS HERE!

Before I talk about the fight, I need to admit a truth. I have not always been a supporter of Jon Jones; I think he is arrogant, cocky, and immature at times. I predicted Rashad Evans to knock him out or earn the unanimous decision win. Watching how easily Jones handled the fight, shaking off strong right hands and pulling guard because “I am a mixed martial artist – so why not?” made me change my thoughts on him and believe the hype surrounding him for some time.

Post fight interviews had the champion’s true heart and merit revealed where he stated, “I was nervous for this fight, I think I can improve and want to repair my relationship with Rashad in private.” Knowing your weaknesses and admitting them are huge and he is only getting better with time.

It was announced he would be defending his belt against MMA legend and former PRIDE and Strikeforce champion Dan Henderson. In my opinion Jones has everything it takes to retain his belt and build a legacy most dream to do.

WHAT NEXT?

Walking away bruised and defeated, Rashad Evans acknowledged he made a lot of mistakes with his timing and failed to pull the trigger when he should have against his nemesis. As long as Jones is king of the hill at light heavyweight, Evans needs to look at two options: try and solve the puzzle no one has been able to or drop to middleweight?

Possessing the hand speed and wrestling that would trouble many 205’ers, the cut will increase his gas tank and have many middleweights looking at trouble if he chose to do so. Matching up against Vitor Belfort, Chael Sonnen or champion Anderson Silva are all fights Evans could take and do very well in, but the choice remains his and we will have to wait and see.