The Best Come From Behind Victories, Ever.

We all love to see them.

Those smashing, come from behind victories that leave us with our jaws open, and exclamations of "did that just happen?" dripping from our lips.  The type of finish that has Mike Goldberg and Joe Rogan making such repeated statements as "don't blink!","that's what's so unpredictable about MMA","never leave it in the judges hands", etc., etc.

For your perusal and enjoyment, I've complied a list of the 10 best come from behind victories in MMA. Enjoy.

Debate Article #1: Has the UFC Become Too Commercialized?

The premise of this debate: Too many websites have "rules". By rules, I mean that if you disagree with the author of the article, you may/ will be ridiculed, and/ or deleted. You are not truly allowed to express yourself.  Also, it seems as though everyone is supposed to comment within the parameter's of the article itself.

I don't agree with that. I would rather put out a topic, and allow the conversations/ debate that takes place  to be the true entertainment.

The "Rules": There are none.  Say what is on your mind; I encourage it. I do request a certain sense of civility, though. You are not required to agree with anyone (and no one is required to agree with you). Proper grammar is appreciated, however.

Has the UFC Become Too Commercialized?

Nick Diaz vs. Carlos Condit: This Brought Me Out of Hiding

So, I just finished watching the fight for the third time.

The first time was with friends, bbqing and having a couple of drinks. The second time was watching the fight on dvr. This last time was studying the fight with the volume off. All three times lead me to a more unequivicable conclusion.

But before I get to that...

Chael Sonnen is at it again

 So, here's the back story:

Leading up to UFC 127, Jorge Rivera made a number of HILARIOUS videos that were meant to get under the skin of Micheal Bisping (said videos are on a previous article.  I highly recommend you check them out.)

Although Bisping claimed that the videos would have no affect on his mindset, he was suitably inflamed at the weigh ins. Bisping got in Rivera's face and even called him a "faggot."  All of this took place on the UFC's dime, as well as being in front of a live crowd and broadcast over the internet.

During the bought, Bisping delivered an obviously intentional (and illegal) knee to the head of a downed Rivera.  At the cessation of the fight, Bisping went to Rivera's corner, hurled insults, then proceeded to spit on the cornermen.  After which, he approached the still dazed Rivera, demanded an apology, then told him to "Go home, Loser."

The fallout has been great, and his behavior has prompted UFC fighters Demian Maia and Vitor Belfort to call Bisping out.  But it also caught the attention of the greatest MMA smack talker of all time:

Chael Sonnen, that kooky little bastard.

The Big Three: Jorge Rivera vs. Micheal Bisping

The days of competitive respect are close to gone.  The old school martial arts mentality to respect your opponent seems to be a thing of the past.  To replace these things, we now have bravado, arrogance, and an almost Hitler-like sense of superiority.  It could be argued that this is the sad passing of an age.

But, damn, does it make an exciting build up to a fight.

Smack talk has become an integral part of MMA, and the fight game as a whole.  We have pre fight trash talk, online bashing, blogging battery, the stylings of Chael Sonnen,  and Twitter.

But now, apparently, we have a new outlet for pre fight debauchery:  Broadway.

For those of you who don't know, Jorge Rivera has put forth a number of online videos that have demeaned Micheal Bisping in a way that would have Brock Lesnar laughing like it was "Shark Week" at Sea World.

Has MMA Gotten Soft?

Back at it's inception in '93, the UFC was about determining two things:  What is the best fighting style, and who is the best fighter, in the world. Is Muay Thai better than Jiu-jitsu?  Is Judo dominant over boxing?  Is "bone breaking" really a fighting style?  How does high levels of martial arts training stack up against the real world application of Pit Fighting (ala, Tank Abbott.)

Whether you look at Vale Tudo, Shooto, or the Ultimate Fighting Championship, it was a no holds barred/ minimal rules fighting competition.  Fighters of one style faced fighters of another. It was considered barbarism, not even allowed on pay per view. It wasn't until 1995 that Rick Blume, president and CEO of "Battlecade" coined the term "mixed martial arts", in turn helping to make the sport more socially acceptable.

It is my personal belief that mixed martial arts is no longer "mixed."  I believe that it has become a style all its own.  Sure, there are schools that teach Karate, Muay Thai and Jiu-jitsu.  But we now have schools that teach MMA, specifically combining different elements of different fighting styles for a synergistic effect.

While perusing one of my favorite MMA sites, cagepotato.com , I landed on this old school gem that many of you have probably seen:

Ryan Couture: Should We Believe the Hype?

Ryan Couture, is the (in)famous son of UFC/MMA legend and ground breaker, Randy "the Natural" Couture (not that you needed me to tell you.)  Ryan fought last night on "Strikerforce: Challenger Series," to emerge victorious by submission over BJJ fighter Lee Higgins.

While the commentators, promotion, and familial legacy would have us believe that Ryan is the next coming of an MMA Jesus, I can't help but wonder: Should we really believe what we are being told?

With me tonight is a long time associate, "Big D".  Big D is a Las Vegas financial professional, married with children, who still finds time to be an advocate and train in MMA (take that, fat America.)

(For the record, I love my country; we just happen to eat a lot of fast food and not exercise.) 

Junior Dos Santos: Am I the Only One?

     "Dude, what's the big deal? It's just me and my BFF.  It's not like we're holding hands...at the moment."

 (For the record, this is not an actual quote.)

 The UFC recently announced that the upcoming season of "The Ultimate Fighter" would be coached by former heavy weight champ, Brock Lesnar, and current contender Junior Dos Santos.  At the culmination of the season, the two will square off in June.

Apparently, the outcome of this battle is a foregone conclusion.

Vegas sports books are already showing Lesnar as a strong underdog.  This prompts me to ask:

Why?

The Solution

Editor's note:  Don't read this article until you have read the previous one, as this is a continuation.  Seriously;  don't do it. Don't you fucking do it.

Winner of Fitch vs. Penn to Get a Shot at the Welterweight Title

The UFC brass has announced that the winner of the main event at " UFC 127: Fitch vs. Penn"  will get a shot at whoever holds the title after the collision between welterweight champ GSP and long established contender Jake Shields.  This prompts me to ask a few questions.  Firstly:

Who the hell cares?

Fedor

I'm not going to waste time telling the story of Fedor Emilianenko.  I won't delve into his history, his legacy, or what he is to the sport of MMA.  Quite frankly, there is too much to go over.  If you don't know who he is you can go to Youtube or Google him.


I am here to discuss this past Saturday evening, where he faced "Bigfoot" Silva.

This is not an in depth breakdown or analysis of the fight, but rather a former fighters' defense of the "Baddest Man on the Planet".  Fedor's loss this past Saturday has brought out a surprising amount of naysayers.  People that were formerly staunch supporters of "the Last Emperor" are now trumpeting his downfall, and how the game has passed him by.  He lost his edge.  Too many years fighting cans.  His heart isn't in it anymore.

It's fucking insulting.

What to do about Johnny?

Let's lay it on the line right now: If you haven't heard of Johnny "Bones" Jones, you haven't a remote interest in MMA.  Don't worry; I don't think (much) less of you.

At 23 years old, Bones has walked into the UFC and practically decimated everyone placed in front of him.  The only reason I say "practically" is due to his relatively quiet entrance into the UFC, where he defeated an always game Andre Gusmao by unanimous decision.  His next fight was featured during the live portion of UFC 94, where he faced Stephan Bonnar.  While Jones didn't finish the fight, the maneuvers he was able to pull out were absolutely jaw dropping.  He had announced his presence, and this is where the "practically" ends.

Frankie Edgar serves notice: Don't ever doubt him again.

12 seconds; that's all it took for Frankie Edgar to take his opponent down.

BJ Penn, long vaunted for his amazing take down defense, found himself taken down multiple times in his rematch for the UFC light weight championship.  Not only did Edgar manage multiple (5) take downs, but absolutely destroyed Penn on the feet.

I remember the first time I saw Micheal Johnson run. Initially, I was unimpressed at Johnson leading the pack.  Then I took a look at the landscape flying past, providing a way to measure exactly how fast Johnson was moving.  This is a rough equivalent to what happened last night.

Edgar is fast, but it wasn't until I had BJ Penn as a measuring stone that I realized how fast.  Edgar, looking like the youngest sibling fighting the eldest brother, blurred through combination after combination.  What most impressed me, however, wasn't what he landed; it was how he closed.

Standing corrected; Diaz looks spectacular in victory over Davis

Everyone makes mistakes.

Whether it's a mistake, an action, or a statement, big or small, everyone does it.  But it takes true integrity, sometimes, to step up unprovoked and address that mistake.  Now that I have built myself up...

Nate Diaz has proven me completely and utterly wrong.

Due to my personal experiences with Nate, I will admit that I have a negative view of whatever he does.  I feel that his boxing is over rated, he has no striking power, he has been fed tomato cans and can't win when he faces a step up in competition.

Last night, he proved otherwise.

Maynard grinds out a decision over Florian; Secures title shot

Well, it wasn't exciting, but it was a win.

Last night Kenny Florian faced Gray Maynard for the opportunity to fight for gold in the UFC lightweight division.  I, personally, was very vocal on a) How Kenny should be the one pushing current champ Frankie Edgar in his first title defense, and b) how there was any/ no way that Gray could win this fight.