I was reading a fan post about BJ's complaint filling and one blogger noted that BJ should be stripped of his belt if he does not defend it within a year.  That being said, it appears that BJ turned down a fight on the May UFC card to spend time with his family.  However, the last time he defended the LW belt was in fact at UFC 84 against Sean Sherk May 24, 2008.  Although we don't hear of many belt strippings, it has happend more than you might think. I've done some research and here is what I have come up with.

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"In case you're left wondering why all the vitriolic accusations are coming about concerning GSP eating a jar of Vaseline before the fight (or whatever silly shenanigans the disillusioned BJ fans are cobbling together), it occured to me that it might be helpful to try to contextualize what's really going on here.

I think BJ fans are experiencing the first stage in the Kubler-Ross model of grief. Usually this only applies to the loss of loved ones or other traumatic events, but I suppose there are exceptions.

Stage 1: Denial. "BJ didn't quit! GSP cheated! It was the Vaseline!"

Stage 2: Anger: "How could this happen? Why, God, why? BJ was supposed to win!"

Stage 3: Bargaining: "Let them fight again. BJ can still do it. Without Vaseline, there's hope. BJ just needs to do more of his rock-hauling cardio training."

Stage 4: Depression: "What's the point? I think I'll start watching football instead."

Stage 5: Acceptance: "They're both great fighters. GSP is the superior fighter at 170, and BJ is the 155 king."

Just a list of what we can expect to see in the forthcoming weeks. "

Saw this on MMAForReal and thought i would share it, as it made me die of laughter.

I just came accross the post about the fight bonuses, live gates and the outcomes of all the fights last night.  I am always interested to see who won Fight, Submission and KO of the night.  This is really the first time i have disagreed with KO of the night.

TAMPA, Fla. - Josh Neer, Mac Danzig, Cain Velasquez and Joe Lauzon each earned $30,000 "fight night" bonuses for their performances at "UFC Fight Night 17: Lauzon vs. Franca."

...

The bonus amounts matched the $30,000 bonuses that were given out at the most recent UFC Fight Night event in December 2008.

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There has been many rumours over the course of the last year or two surrounding the UFC and the WEC to merge into one organization.  The UFC is by far, the biggest MMA organisation out there today, with no signs of slowing down.  The WEC has been the little brother for quite some time now.  It is nowhere near as popular as the UFC but it's starting to get some momentum. 

With the recent news/rumour of Carlos Condit making the transition to the UFC, many people are questionning the future path of the WEC.  Are they going to eliminate the WW devision to make room for the female 145lb division?  Are they going to try and focus solely on 155lb and below?  Are they going to try to merge the two organisations so they can make cash hand over fist even more than they already are?

In my opinion, IF the UFC is planning on taking over the WW division, they should try to merge the two organisations.  Prior to a merging, they could, take one fight from each division in the WEC that made a submission, knock out or fight of the night and broadcast them.  For Free.  Right before a UFC on PPV.

It would let the average UFC fan see the WEC.  I myself, have never missed a UFC since i began tuning in about four years ago.  I have yet to watch a WEC card.  I have Youtubed WEC fights and seen them on SportsCentre and they are pretty good.  The advertising on WEC flat out sucks.  I think they need to get it out to there to the casual fan.  When you order PPV there is sometimes a pre-fight show you can watch instead of the screen that reads "Thank you for your purchase.  Your PPV will start in X minutes,"  Make that pre-show the best of WEC.  Get it out to as many people as possible.   Two or Three WEC fights could go a long way to making it just as main stream as the UFC, and make a potential merger quite seemless.

Well, i've had my say.  Now its up to all of you.

Cheers.

Last night, I watched UFC 93.  I was disappointed to say the least.  I have been an avid fan and have not missed a UFC card, free or PPV, since I started watching around UFC 50.  It was by far, the worst card I’ve seen and I would kind of like my $54.99 back. (I watch in HD).

From the opening bell, it was a boring card.  I was interested in the matchups to see where the fighters would move up in their respected weight divisions.  As it turned out, getting the W really did not help anyone.

Marcus Davis vs. Chris Lytle was exciting, but not exciting enough.  Stylistically, it was perfect.  It was like they were fighting mirror images of themselves.  Some might say that Marcus Davis' comment of 'The fist guy to go to the ground is a pussy' was not right, but from the moment the fight was announced they both said they wanted a stand up war and that they would come out bloody, bruised and it was a battle of the stronger chin.  Personally I would have like a few more exchanges and to have seen rounds 4 and 5.  If this goes to Davis vs. Lytle 2, I would most definately tune in.

I was excited for Denis Kang's UFC debut.  I have heard and read a lot about this guy and it was all positive.  For a guy with his level, WHY WHY WHY was he fighting Alan Belcher?  I was in attendance at UFC 83, when he got his ass handed to him by Jason Day.  Yes, the boy has been 3-1 in his last 4 fights, but to hear of that match up, it seemed as though the UFC was giving Denis Kang an easy go.  That being said, Belcher did win, and his guillotine was beautiful, but Kang got sloppy and Belcher got lucky.  At best, a few more fights before you fight for the title young man.

Rousimar Palhares in my opinion is not being marketed right by the UFC.  The man is an animal on the ground, and in my opinion is one of the best in the UFC, if not the world.  Give him a shot with Chris Leben, Michael Bisping, Jason Macdonald, Yushin Okami or Damian Maia.  See how he does vs. younger guys who have yet to hold a title.  I think they would be hungrier and more explosive.  Personally, Maia vs. Palhares would be the next fight both should take.  Two of the best BJJ guys in the biz, happen to be in the same weight class and we get Jeremy Horn?   I like Horn, but Joe Silva, your work is slipping.

Hathaway vs. Egan was a one sided beating.  It made Egan look like he had no business being there.  Not a whole lot to say, other than I would enjoy seeing Hathaway again vs. someone we have seen before.  When two unknowns step into the octagon, it has the chance to squash any kind of future if you get completely dominated.  Who knows if we will see Egan again?  Time is on his side as he is the youngest competitor in the UFC, but I think it will be a while. 

And now, the co-main events.  Shogun vs. Coleman.  Both passed their prime.  Coleman has no gas tank, and Shogun looked completely lost.  Neither one of them looked remotely like they used to.  I'm going to disagree with Joe Rogan and say that the stoppage was slightly premature.  I fully understand the safety aspect, and the face that you must err on the side of caution, however I think Coleman could have used a few more punches and the chance to recover slightly and at least finish the bout.  I was looking foreword to the scorecards.  Who do they get next?  For Coleman, your guess is as good as mine.  For Shogun, it's Chuck.  Thank god they put him with a big name like that, because without it, neither one is no longer the big draw they once were.

Franklin vs. Hendo.  I wanted Rich to win.  I like them both.  They are well rounded and all around nice guys with a ton of respect and class.    They both looked good and I am excited to see TUF 9 regardless of who was coaching.  Obviously, Hendo vs. Bisping will be a good fight, but I have always wanted Franklin vs. Bisping since he dropped to middleweight.  What I would like to know is who in their right mind scores a split decision 30-27 for the looser?  That's bad judging right there.  There is no way Franklin won round 1.  I would much rather be looking forward to Franklin vs. Liddell than Shogun. 

That concludes my ranting and I feel much better so thanks to all the readers for hearing me vent my frustrations and I sat back and watched $54.99 go to waste.  Could have bought a new game for my Wii, a pack of smokes and a 12 pack of Budweiser and had more fun than watching, in my opinion, the worst card I’ve ever seen.

-A