Here are my thoughts on UFC IX. The pre-game show was poorly done. The announcer was terrible. I loved it when he said Don "The Wilson" Dragon. It was also comical when he tried to get Jeff Blatnick and Wilson say they would order the PPV but they answered negatively because they didn't understand his question. The time would have been better spent on fighter profiles.
I was shocked that Robert Ferguson was a judge after the names Campbell McLaren called him when I informed him that Ferguson was promoting himself in his newsletter as being so sought after by UFC as a fighter. Steve Neklia makes it seem like everyone who appears in his magazine column is the world's greatest grappler even if that isn't even their specialty. I don't see how Luther Campbell is qualified to be a UFC judge, but even worse, how was he supposed to be impartial when one of his former clients was scheduled to be competing.
Worsham vs. Frazier. What could be better than watching two 0-1 fighters go at it. At least the goatee made Worsham look less like Forrest Gump. I can't believe Frazier worse shoes, eliminating one of his few good weapons. I guess being undefeated in Japanese shootfighting doesn't mean much in the UFC. Now Worsham wants a super fight? Sure, Kimo was 0-1 when he got a superfight but he hurt Royce Gracie. Worsham lost to Paul Varelans.
Carino vs. Andersen. Not very impressive. I just pray the Varelans-Carino match doesn't materialize. Blatnick openly questioned Carino's size. Hey, how about getting a scale and measuring these guys like a real sport. How come those Ninja guys never throw down a smoke bomb and disappear when they're in trouble like they can in the movies?
Schultz vs. Goodridge. Schultz was very impressive, especially for being a last minute replacement. I think he's too short to take on the top big guys. With height comes reach and leverage. Royce Gracie wasn't heavy but he was 6-1. Short talented fighters like Renzo Gracie would have a tougher time against Severn and Shamrock than Royce would, unless there is a huge difference in skill level.
Hall vs. Kitao. I don't know why this match was made. Hall has never been impressive and everyone knows Kitao is a joke. I'm surprised they didn't mention Kitao was in Van Damme's new movie "The Quest." Kitao was in control when they stopped the fight similar to Kalman vs. Sutton. I hate how they break up situations when the guy on top starts bleeding. Boxing matches aren't often stopped just because of broken noses, although it looked like Kitao didn't want to continue once the doctor squeezed his nose a few times. Sumos should be banned from UFC. None have ever won a match and they have no credibility.
Frye vs. Bitetti. Easily the best fight of the night. Bitetti is a good example of why I never pay much attention to what people say about fighters that I haven't seen myself against quality opposition. Look at all the heavyweight boxers that were 25-0 that were terrible and would get exposed later. Bitetti was a tough fighter but never a threat. Frye is a talented fighter with a crowd pleasing style. A match against Shamrock would be very entertaining and would answer the question as to what level fighter Frye really is. What does it say about the prestige of the UFC superfight title when instead of asking for a fight against the Shamrock-Severn winner, Frye asks for a match against a Gracie. And so did Severn. Frye needs to work on his chokes. He missed some prime opportunities.
Severn vs. Shamrock. This fight would make or break the show and it broke it. As I predicted, Severn won by a boring decision, but even I didn't think the match would be that boring. Both fighters were at fault and the crowd was justifiably pissed. Both fighters should have been fined for their performance. I gave Dan the fight because he did some damage but they should both be ashamed. Winning is very important but in a professional sport, so is entertaining the audience. This is why pro wrestling became fake. This should set up a third match, but who would want to see it? Why did they announce Shamrock's record in Fujiwara Gumi when there is no doubt those matches were worked? Why didn't they give Dan's record in pro wrestling since winning the NWA title? Dan has won the Ultimate Ultimate and the World superfight title. He should now retire as the top star in UFC and concentrate on pro wrestling. UFC is too demanding and he's not getting any younger, and the choke and submission training never seemed to sink in. Dan has all my respect in the world for both being a great human being and a great winning chemical-free athlete. I give credit to Shamrock for losing with dignity, something that can't be said for Gracie and Ruas. I wish he'd stop doing the Hogan "prayers and vitamins" act.
The UFC is going to go down the tubes if they continue to expect fighters to sign exclusive contracts for peanuts. That's what killed kick boxing. I do hope Don Wilson enters because I'm tired of him running his mouth and he's going to get a real wake-up call if he gets in there with a decent fighter. One last thing. In the Boys from Brazil segment, they said Taktarov vs. Ruas ended in a draw. Since when?
Joe Silva