UFC 115 - What we now know

After a few days to reflect, I give to you the lessons to take from UFC 115 in Vancouver last Saturday.


3 things we learned
1. Chuck Liddell is done – The Iceman is one of the greatest knockout artists in MMA history. That said, he has now been the victim of four highlight reel knockouts in his last six fights. When Rampage Jackson caught him for a second time is seemed Liddell was just on the wrong end of a bad matchup and he would dominate back to title contention. Of course we know now that that was the first sign of real trouble. While his skills are still there to compete, he is unable to take a big punch anymore. These aren't TKO losses he is taking where he stopped defending after many weaker punches. They are Kos with no recovery. For the good of future, he needs to hang it up.
2. All the standup skill in the world means nothing with no ground game – Pat Barry is one of the most talented kickboxers in the UFC. He knocked out the highly regarded (at least for his standup) Antoni Hardonk but has struggled with fighters who go to the ground. Mirko Crocop Filopic wasn't supposed to take Barry to the ground but thats exactly what he did for his first submission victory in over six years and just the second of his great career.
3. Never give up – Carlos Condit was beaten. He has decicively lost the first two rounds against Rory MacDonald. At the very least he needed a 10-8 round for a draw (and he may have been on his way to it before he finished the fight) if not a finish. In the end it was a spectacular finish with just seven seconds left in the fight as Condit escaped with another close victory.

3 things we still don't know
1. Whether Rich Franklin can relaly compete at light heavyweight – Liddell was on his was to winning the first round when the stoppage happened and Franklin has shown no real ability to knock people out with one punch as he did Liddell. Consider the jury still out on Franklin as a high-level light heavyweight.
2. If Crocop is really back – Crocop, despite his kickboxing roots has always had, at the very least, a good defensive ground game that could take advantage of those who had none. He showed in the win over Barry he can still gameplan well. The question is whether he can really fight at a high level still. Maybe a fight against Frank Mir or Antonio Rodrigo Nogueria would be a good test at this point.
3. If Condit can really compete in the welterweight shark tank – Condit has been good so far in the UFC not getting dominated, but had he not finished just before the end, the former WEC champion was likely lokking at a close loss. He has been in three very close, competitive fights (including one against Martin Kampmann who got back on track against Paulo Thiago at the event), but we need to see more. Maybe Mike Swick of Thiago would be a good next step.