Craig Zablo

This video of a minor “confrontation” between WWE’s The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar after his defeat at the fists of Cain Velasquez is popping up on the major MMA sites.  So when the ‘Taker asks Brock…

“Ya wanna do it?” …

…what exactly is he talking about?  It’s a safe bet that the Taker’s not suggesting a real MMA match.

So could The Undertaker be trying to lay the groundwork for a Lesnar return to the WWE? The folks at Cageside Seats make a pretty good case that it was a Vince McMahon plan coming together.  It makes me wonder two things:

1. Did Brock know it was going to happen?
2. How will Dana react when he sees the video?

UFC 121 was an excellent card so let’s get right to the results:

• Patrick Cote vs. Tom Lawlor

My prediction: Cote for the win.

The result: Lawlor won by Unanimous Decision.  Cote couldn’t stop the takedowns and it was a one-sided fight.

Making me: 0 – 1 for the night

• Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Brendan Schaub

My prediction: Gonzaga by TKO.

The result: Schaub won by Unanimous Decision. I really thought that there would be more fireworks in this one and that both fighters would stand in front of each other and swing away.  That did happen in the final few seconds, but the rest of the fight was dominated by Schaub.

Making me: 0 -2 for the night.

• Paulo Thiago vs. Diego Sanchez

My prediction: Diego by decision.

The result: Diego won by Unanimous Decision.  This was an exciting fight.  I had it even going into the final round and that was the round that Diego owned.  This match earned each fighter an extra $70,000 for “Fight of the Night” bonuses… and rightly so.

Making me: 1-2 for the night

• Matt Hamill vs. Tito Ortiz

My prediction: Hamill by decision.

The result: Hamill won by Unanimous Decision.  It was an interesting fight.  Tito didn’t look bad, and although some are predicting that his career with the UFC is over, I think we’ll see him fight again with the company.

Making me: 2-2 for the night

• Jake Shields vs. Martin Kampman

My prediction: Shields via decision.

The result: Shields won with a Split Decision.  It was an interesting battle of strategies.  Shields wanted the fight on the ground and Kampman wanted it to be a stand-up war.  Although it was a close fight, I thought it was clear that Shields won… and I’m glad two of the three judges agreed.

Making me: 3-2 for the night.

• Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez

My prediction: Velasquez via TKO.

The result: Velasquez won via 1st round stoppage.  Although Brock came out strong throwing knees and scoring a quick takedown, Velasquez was immediately up and on the offensive.  And it was all Velesquez from that point on. Velesquez picked up an extra $70,000 for “knockout of the night.”

Making me: 4-2 for the night.

Final Thoughts:

• Patrick Cote looked pretty bad.  I’ve always been a fan, but without a good wrestling base or at least an answer to those with grappling skills, you’re pretty limited with your options in MMA.

• Shaub surprised me.  He controlled the fight and stuck to a good game plan.  It will be interesting to keep an eye on him.  Gonzaga didn’t look terrible, but I’m surprised he wasn’t able or willing to try and take it to Shaub.

• Diego Sanchez is a fighter with a warrior’s heart.  I’m happy for his win and look forward to his next fight.

• Tito looked better in his loss last night than I expected.  He may never get another title shot, but his career isn’t over.

• Shields will get a title shot for his win over Kampman.

• Velasquez dominated Lesnar.  He was better in all areas [punching, wrestling, defense].  In a piece at Yahoo! Sports, Maggie Kendricks wrote…

Dana White said that when watching the monitors during the main event, he thought he saw Brock Lesnar verbally submit to the Cain Velasquez, but Velasquez said he didn’t hear that.

• In an interesting article at Bloody Elbow, Jonathon Snowden raises doubt about Lesnar’s fighting heart.  I don’t question Lesnar’s heart, I think it’s more that he doesn’t have enough experience in how to deal with fighters who have the ability to stand up to him.  He’s not been put in dangerous positions enough to know what to do when he’s getting pummeled.  In both the Carwin and Velasquez fights he basically turned away when not curling up and covering up.  Brock showed some class in his comments after the fight, but he did not make it to the press conference.

• So what’s next for Velasquez and Lesnar?  Definitely not a rematch.  It looks like Velasquez will take on knockout artist, Junior Dos Santos.  For Lesnar, maybe a third outing against Mir?

UFC 121 is live tonight on pay-per-view and has one of the best fight cards in recent memory.  Let’s get to my predictions:

• Patrick Cote vs. Tom Lawlor

This should be an exciting, close fight.  I’m a Cote fan, but Lawler is no pushover.  Lawler needs to get this to the ground where he would most likely have the advantage.  That advantage coupled with the fact that Cote has only fought three times in two years makes Lawlor a tempting pick.  But, as I said, I’m a Cote fan.
My prediction: Cote for the win.

• Gabriel Gonzaga vs. Brendan Schaub My guess is this one will end early.  Either man has the ability to do the job.  If you think experience is the key, then Gonzaga is the fighter to pick.

My prediction: Gonzaga by TKO.

• Paulo Thiago vs. Diego Sanchez

This should be another exciting fight.  At one point Diego was my favorite fighter, and although Frank Mir has moved into my top spot, Diego not too far behind.  Thiago is a slight favorite.  I think that they’re pretty equally matched, but the smart money will be on Thiago.  Since I’m not betting, it makes my decision pretty easy.
My prediction: Diego by decision.

• Matt Hamill vs. Tito Ortiz

Another interesting fight.  Despite the fact [as MMA Fighting points out] that “that the last time he [Ortiz] finished someone not named Ken Shamrock was in 2001,” many folks think that he’ll beat Hamill.  I don’t see how.  Hamill can wrestle and should be able to stuff any of Ortiz’s takedowns.  Hamill is stronger than Ortiz.  He’s younger than Ortiz.  Of course Hamill is coming off of a brutal loss to Bones Jones and that may play mind games with him for this first fight back.
My prediction: Hamill by decision.

• Jake Shields vs. Martin Kampman

This is Jake Shields’ first fight since his dramatic upset of Dan Henderson.  Shields’ game plan will be to dominate via ground and pound.  Kampman will want this to be a standup war.  I think at some point the fight will go to the ground and Shields will do enough to win.
My prediction: Shields via decision.

• Brock Lesnar vs. Cain Velasquez

The fight that will get everyone to tune in.  And it should be an exciting one.  Lesnar is a beast.  He improves with every fight.  Cain is undefeated with punching power, wrestling ability and stamina.  But will all those attributes be enough to stop Lesnar?  We saw the chink in Lesnar’s armor when he fought Carwin.  Of course Lesnar saw it too.  Has he had enough time to shore up his boxing defense?  We’ll find out tonight.
My prediction: Velasquez via TKO.

This should be the best card in recent memory.  Every fight has the potential to be “fight of the night.” I’ll post the results tomorrow.