· UFC 130: What We Learned

Without a title being contested Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena “UFC 130: Rampage vs. Hamill” still managed a respectable 12,816 in attendance with a $2.57 million live gate. Although the numbers in the arena, as well as the pay-per-view buy rates are likely lower than recent UFC events, UFC 130 may well have done a lot for setting up the landscape of the sport for the foreseeable future. Several fighters, thought to be potential title contenders, were vanquished by their opponents without showing very well in the process. With some contenders out of the way, and new contenders rising to the surface, we ask our typical post-event question: What did we learn?

Stann Making A Powerful Statement At Middleweight

Facing former serviceman Brian Stann on Memorial Day weekend had trouble written all over it. However, no one in the UFC middleweight ranks had more to prove to the world Saturday night than Jorge Santiago. Satiago’s second stint in the UFC did not start as well as the world ranked fighter expected.

After dropping to middleweight last year Brian Stann has been undefeated. It is not just the undefeated stint that has propelled Stann into talk of a possible run at Anderson Silva, it is the manner in which he has gone undefeated. He submitted tough ground tactician Mike Massenzio via triangle choke, and knocked out the iron-chinned Chris Leben prior to this latest conquest.

Despite facing an opponent that made his mark internationally as a crisp, technical striker, Stann looked to be the faster and sharper of the two in the cage Saturday night. He dropped Santiago multiple times before finally finishing off the Brazilian with a flurry of powerful strikes that dropped and ended the night for Santiago.

This Story Is Better Than Fiction

Nearly two years ago Rick Story lost his UFC debut and was relegated to an “also ran” status in the minds of many fans. But, through his hard work and tenacious wrestling the powerful welterweight has not only climbed into contention, but has some proclaiming that he possesses the skills necessary to threaten long-time champion Georges St-Pierre.

Since that loss to John Hathaway, Story has bested powerful wrestlers Brian Foster, Jesse Lennox, and Johny Hendricks. He has also picked up victories over slick submission specialists Nick Osipczak and Dustin Hazelett. The only thing missing from the Washington native’s resume was a win over a highly regarded striking ace. Alves fit that bill perfectly.

Story’s victory over Thiago Alves Saturday night opened the eyes of many in powerful positions around the UFC. Not only did Story’s wrestling and ability to control the battle-tested Alves through the first two rounds impress, but his ability to take the best shots from Alves and continue walking forward in the third made believers out of any possible doubters.

Travis Browne Could Soon Be Eyeing Gold

UFC President Dana White and matchmaker Joe Silva put a premium on finishes in today’s UFC. Travis Browne’s one-punch knockout of Stefan Struve must have the two power brokers feeling wonderful after Saturday night.

Through 12 professional MMA bouts Browne is undefeated with only one draw on his record. He has 10 finishes inside the distance. However impressive the record, it is the manner in which they have come which is the most remarkable. Browne’s aggressiveness in stalking his opponents and taking the fight to them is becoming his signature, and making him a favorite to fans across the sport.

Browne used that aggression Saturday night to get inside of his opponents huge reach advantage and take the fight to the almost seven-foot tall Struve. Through four minutes Browne chopped at the legs of Struve, worked in crisp counters and even managed to take the fight to the ground. In the end, it was a perfectly executed and well-timed superman punch that sent the skyscraping Struve to the canvas, not to get back up. The win moves Brown considerably higher up the always changing heavyweight ladder, possibly putting the Hawaiian within a fight or two of a title fight.

Re-Minted Mir Mashes “Big Country”

Frank Mir is an enigma. It seems that whenever one believes that the sport has passed the former UFC champion by, he catches right back up and answers the critics with a boisterous thunder. Saturday night was no different.

Following a March 2010 loss to Shane Carwin, in which he was beaten badly in the striking game, Mir has focused on sharpening that portion of his skill set. Since then he has bested Mirko "Cro Cop" through strikes and looked nearly unbeatable in his decision victory over Roy Nelson Saturday evening.

Mir battered “The Ultimate Fighter” winner with knees and crisp punches through 15 minutes, and as Nelson faded down the stretch Mir continued to press the action—looking as fresh at the end of the fight as he did in the beginning. The one-sided fight sparked Dana White to question Nelson’s ability and applaud Mir’s performance. With Brock Lesnar out of the picture for the near future and uncertainty at the top of the division, Frank Mir could soon find himself in yet another title fight.

Jackson Dominates Hamill, Looks For Clash With Champ

In Saturday evening’s main event, former light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson made his case for a chance to regain the title he held briefly. He did not finish the fight, but it was apparent from the beginning that he would not need to.

From the opening bell Matt Hamill attempted to take down the “A-Team” co-star, but was unsuccessful at every try. In return Jackson peppered him with combination after combination. Although Hamill was able to briefly land some leg kicks, they would not do enough damage to change anything in Jackson’s strategy.

Jackson’s game plan, while simple, was so effective at times that it seemed that the two never belonged matched up together. Hamill’s inability to get off any offense and the simplistic approach of defending the takedown while delivering counter combination made for a lopsided decision in favor of the former champ.

After the bout, “Rampage” stated that he wanted a chance to reclaim his title and explained that although he did not finish he was fighting with a fracture in one of his hands. If that is the case, it may be that we see the power punching veteran taking on the unpredictable champion Jon Jones sooner rather than later.