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March 20, 2010

UFC helped DirectTV-Versus dispute

The Port Arthur News

PORT ARTHUR —  A very good live UFC event will air tonight at 8 o'clock CDT on the Versus cable network (TWC 77, DirectTV 603, Dish 151).  DirectTV subscribers should rejoice because Versus is back in its channel lineup.

 Two weeks ago, I speculated that the UFC's two-fight deal with Versus was a strategic plan to get Versus back on DirectTV.  Well it worked.  It's definitely more than a coincidence that the six month contract dispute between

Versus and DirectTV was resolved the week before tonight's event. 

 This is a clear testament to the drawing power of the UFC brand name.  The UFC is arguably stronger than the National Hockey League, which also airs on Versus but was unsuccessful in making Versus a must-have network.

 Tonight's UFC on Versus I event is free, but it has a pay-per-view quality lineup. 

 The main event will feature Jon "Bones" Jones versus Filipino Muay Thai wrecking machine, Brandon "The Truth" Vera.  In 2006 Brandon Vera was what Bones Jones is now -- the young, up-and-coming striking machine.  Since then Vera has faltered, losing more than half of his bouts.  Style-wise this is going to be a sensational bout as the two have similar explosive striking styles.

 The co-main event will feature a pivotal bout for UFC heavyweight contender, Junior Dos Santos.  Dos Santos has been plowing through the division with wins that include a complete dismantling of Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 103 in Dallas.  He's set to face perennial heavyweight gatekeeper, Gabriel Gonzaga.

 This week holds even more for the UFC fan.  UFC 111 will be held in Newark, NJ, this Saturday, March 27.  This pay-per-view event includes a very important bout in the UFC heavyweight picture.  Frank Mir and Shane Carwin will fight for the right to face current champion, Brock Lesnar.

 Frank Mir desperately wants the win so he can go on to face Lesnar again in a rubber match.  Size clearly was the deciding factor in his loss to Lesnar at UFC 100; Lesnar outweighed him by about fifty pounds For bouts after the loss, Mir has bulked up to get accustomed to fighting at that size.  Should the rematch occur, Mir will be primed and ready.

 First he must get past Shane Carwin.  Like Brock Lesnar, Carwin is one of the new breed of heavyweights who naturally sits near the top of the 206-265 pound weight range.  Carwin represents big power ending every single one of his

eleven bouts by knockout or submission -- in the first round.

 Mir vs. Carwin is the most important bout of UFC 111 because it determines who faces Brock Lesnar, the biggest draw in the sport.   Top billing as the main event of UFC 111, however, goes to welterweight champion, Georges "Rush" St. Pierre, another one of the sport's superstars.

 Last weekend I went to an Under Armour retail store. It is an athletic apparel company that's poised to be a successor to Nike.  Georges St. Pierre was the sole star athlete to have his image displayed on the store's wall.  This, in addition to his endorsement deal with Gatorade, makes it clear that GSP as well as MMA now have mainstream crossing power.

 St. Pierre is a 7-to-1 favorite over British mixed martial artist, Dan "The Outlaw" Hardy.  Over the past two years, GSP has put aside his Kyokushin karate background in favor of wrestling and ground and pound.  Fans should expect more GSP ground fighting simply because it's the formula that works and also exploits Dan Hardy's striking style.

 David Estrada Jr. is a Mixed Martial Arts columnist for the Port Arthur News.

DavidEstrada@DavidEstrada.com.

 

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