UFC Fight Info

Looking at Rick Story with the upcoming UFC Live fight, I realized that the fighter has little formal training in MMA situations besides eclectic wrestling from grade school and college. Story does not posses any belts in any discipline, and is not an NCAA wrestler.

While such a situation is definitely rare in the UFC, it does pose the question: Is extensive formal training even needed?

Story is staying competitive without it. Other fighters have come in with low belts in their disciplines and beaten out far more decorated and experienced people. A multitude of accolades and belts in many disciplines weren’t enough to save Mauricio Rua from defeat earlier.

I dunno. It’s kind of a toss up. There’s no question that training aids in conditioning fighters and giving them a style to work with, but it might not be mandatory.

My gut is leaning away from Story based on his experience and stats, but it is highly interesting that someone without extensive formal training (especially in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) can be competitive in the UFC.

All in all, it’s looking like an unbalanced match up, but it perhaps one that is so skewed that the participants strengths and weaknesses counter each other out. We’ll see. We’ll be going over the fighters in a bit more depth over the next couple of weeks, and do a prediction set on the fight itself.

Noooo! I was WRONG! Mah streak is over!

Junior Dos Santos beat out Shane Carwin on Saturday during UFC 131, earning a lopsided victory and advancing a step further toward the heavyweight championship.

The fight was dramatic and iconic in nature. As Dos Santos’s hits began to land, Carwin began to fold. Carwin dragging himself up to face the next onslaught was impressive in nature and not easily forgotten.

This puts Carwin at two losses in a row, further hampering the 36 year olds progress and creating the need for recovery. Ah well, I was bound to be wrong again sooner or later. I’ll get it next time maybe.