4tal Kombat: Returns! Lesnar, Pride, more... Posted by The Strung One on 01/24/10
Welcome to the second instalment of 4tal Kombat! I’m The Strung One, and this is what is going on in mixed martial arts as the first month of the New Year, new decade, nears its end.
Brock Lesnar’s Return
Brock is back. After months of speculation and questions, everything has been answered as the UFC Heavyweight Champion will make his triumphant return to the octagon hopefully by summer. I never doubted Lesnar’s return one bit, but now we all have to play the waiting game once more to see who will get the first title shot against UFC’s biggest pay per view draw. Originally slated to face Brock Lesnar was undefeated contender, Shane Carwin. However, with Brock on the shelf at the time and the possibility the champion would never return, Carwin signed on to fight Frank Mir for the interim title on March 27th. On one hand, Carwin is almost a mirror image in terms of size to Brock. Lesnar has never faced anyone near his own size and strength. On the other hand, Mir and Lesnar have a storied past, and both hold one victory each over the other. Depending on the outcome of the match, either Mir or Carwin could be big money. And let’s not forget all the other heavyweight prospects. The winner of Minotauro Nogueira and Cain Velasquez is slated to get a future title match. On top of that you have feared striker, Junior Dos Santos lurking in the shadow along with a future crop of upcoming stars such as Rolles Gracie, Stephan Struve, and Roy Nelson. The Heavyweight division is starting to bloom, so Lesnar better be ready.
Pride Return?
Have you been watching “The Best of Pride”, Friday nights on SpikeTV? Well, apparently a lot of others have as well. The show is getting very generous ratings which have UFC President Dana White saying that an event held under the Pride banner is not out of the question. While that has me very excited, it makes you wonder if will be a completely different animal, like when WWE purchased ECW and revived the brand. (And I said I wouldn’t mention wrestling anymore.) Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Strikeforce: Miami, Thoughts
YEEAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!! Ah, where’s David Caruso when you need him? Bobby Lashley has finally found an opponent as The Ultimate Fighter Season 10 cast member, Wes Sims took the fight with only a week notice. An interesting matchup, certainly Lashley’s biggest test to date considering Sims’ experience, but I hope Lashley is put up against a top contender in his next outing. Lashley just better not be looking past Sims like I am. But there are bigger much bigger fights on the docket. Nick Diaz faces Marius Zaromskis for the vacant Strikeforce Welterweight title. Zaromskis is the 2009 Dream Welterweight Grand Prix winner and is one to watch for in the future. His opponent, Carlos Gracie protégé, Nick Diaz won’t allow himself to be used as a stepping stone, so I expect this fight to be filled with fireworks. Add to that 145 pound Strikeforce Women’s Champion, Cyborg Santos defending her crown against Marloes Coenen. Perhaps even more exciting will be sure fire slugfest, Robbie Lawler against Melvin Manhoef. Oh yeah...Herschel Walker makes his mma debut too! This has shaped out to be quite the show!
That’s it for now; guess I’ll need a catchphrase or something, eh? Waka waka? Live long and prosper? Ah to hell with it. Strung Out.
