Monday's (Rehashed) MMA Multimedia Mailbag: UFC on FX 8

I already posted about it yesterday b/c I couldn't wait to throw up some gif's and highlights of the spectacular spinning back heel kick of the 36 year old Belfort and the ridiculously smooth Jiu-Jitsu of Jacare.

Not to discredit anyone else who fought on the card, but Belfort and Jacare both stole the show with such ridiculously dominating performances and finishes, there's really not much else to say.

 

 

 

Anyone who knows me knows I loathe the phrase "to the next level," but last night, Jacare's Jiu-Jitsu was on another level compared to Camozzi. Once he was on top and softened him up with vicious ground and pound, Jacare then quickly advanced the hierarchy of positions and it was a wrap. Camozzi went to sleep literally mere seconds after Jacare set in the squeeze. It was so smooth it defies description. 

 

 

 

Sunday is for Vitor Belfort's Spinning Back Heel Kick

 

Hilarious History in the Making: Constantinos Philippou Unworried about Souza's Ground Game at UFC on FX 8

""He's a well-rounded fighter, and he's improved a lot," Philippou said. "I'd say he's the most complete fighter I've had to face so far. His striking skills are great. If I didn't know better, I'd think he's a boxer. His takedowns are not as great as a wrestler. But he has the jiu-jitsu, so he doesn't care. Even if he has to pull you on top of him, he'll take you down. He doesn't mind being on his back."
AND:
"I have one of the best ground fighters in the world in Matt Serra, and I have seven black belts who rotate around me and get me ready for that," he said. "I'm not going to be at Jacare's level, but I'm not going to be in a jiu-jitsu fight with him. Even if he does take me down, and he keeps me down, it's MMA. I'm not worried about that. I'm confident enough that I'm going to defend and get on my feet, and then he has to do it all over again."

That being said, I'll let Jacare's MMA Highlight reel speak for itself:

Made in Brazil: UFC on FX 8: Belfort vs Rockhold May 18

The UFC ventures back to Brazil for an expectedly Brazil-fighter heavy card on May 18th.
It has some compelling match-ups to provide some context for a couple divisions.
Belfort will take a high risk/low reward fight against Strikeforce import/champion Luke Rockhold as Rockhold will move closer to Anderson than I would think Belfort will by beating Rockhold.
Belfort's loss by crane kick to Anderson (though, not less decisive than the way Cain stomped a hole in Bigfoot Silva who now gets a rematch AND a shot at the belt) still makes it hard to get a rematch with the undisputed best of all time Anderson Silva.

Jacare makes his follow up to making quick work of Ed Herman against a limited ground-specialist but relatively dangerous striker on the feet in Constantinos Philippou.
Evan Dunham, who was within a fight of a title shot at one point, takes on the middle of the pack and always close to contention Rafael Dos Anjos.
Paulo Thiago fights on the prelims which is a far cry from his one-time status as having stopped Koshceck decisively.

While not an overly compelling card, for a free card and when you consider the main card of this weekend's PPV, it's not bad at all kind sirs.

"

Main Event:

185 lbs.: Vitor Belfort vs. Luke Rockhold

FX Channel Main Card (9 p.m. ET):

185 lbs.: Constantinos Philippou vs. Ronaldo Souza
185 lbs.: Chris Camozzi vs. Rafael Natal
155 lbs.: Rafael dos Anjos vs. Evan Dunham

FUEL TV "Prelims (6 p.m. ET):

145 lbs.: Hacran Dias vs. Nik Lentz
155 lbs.: Mike Rio vs. Francisco Trinaldo
145 lbs.: Yuri Alcantara vs. Iliarde Santos
170 lbs.: Michel Richard dos Prazeres vs. Paulo Thiago
125 lbs.: Azamat Gashimov vs. John Lineker
205 lbs.: Roger Hollett vs. Fabio Maldonado

Facebook "Prelims" (4:30 p.m. ET):

155 lbs.: John Cholish vs. Gleison Tibau
125 lbs.: Chris Cariaso vs. Jussier Formiga
155 lbs.: Jeremy Larsen vs. Lucas Martins"