As much as everyone hates to admit it the world needs a bad guy.  Real life requires drama.  The tension between a hero and villain excites everyone.  The stakes are higher when the villain is actually smart, strong, and funny.  In a world full of heroes, wannabe heroes, and aspiring heroes all we ever really wanted was a villain and sometimes that has to be manufactured.

Chael P. Sonnen the self-proclaimed” liner middleweight champion” is fighting January 28^th, 2012 in Chicago, IL at the UFC on Fox 2.  Three weeks away and my excitement levels are high.  Chael has made a comeback from what a rough stretch in 2010 and part of 2011: Losing to Anderson Silva after dominating him for four rounds, Suspension from the CSAC, Legal issues in Oregon.  Chael returned to prominence after defeating Brian Stann.  He declared his distain of the reigning middleweight champion Anderson Silva after his victory. 

However, Chael is not facing Anderson for the second time, in what was assured to be an immediate rematch after his lose to Silva at UFC 117, he is facing middleweight contender Mark Munoz.  Munoz was An All-American and National Champion wrestler at Oklahoma St.  This is a stiff test for the bad guy.  This fight will be promoted as being closer than it actually should be.  Unlike Munoz, Chael Sonnen is not new to the fight game.  Chael has been boxing for many more years than Munoz.  His strikes are clean and straight.  He is a technical boxer who knows how to match his clean straight punches and transition into a power offensive wrestling game.  In this fight, takedowns will come at a premium.  If this fight remains standing Chael holds the advantage.  If this fight goes to the ground does Munoz have the ability to hold Chael down and enforce his powerful top position ground and pound?

Chael is despised by the Brazilian people for his comments about their country.  He has been working an angle that Sgt. Slaughter used in the 80's.  If your not American you're the enemy.  He is a smooth talker who at times is considered delusional.  But is not delusion if you can back up your statements.  Chael Sonnen has something that no other fighter in the world has.  He has the confidence of knowing that he has gone the limit with Anderson Silva, considered the "Greatest of All-Time," and put a one sided beating on Anderson Silva.  

 I believe in Chael Sonnen.  I believe that the bad guy will win this fight and if Sonnen wins big?  He will still probably not get a shot against Anderson Silva any time soon.  But when you’re the self-proclaimed “baddest sum bitch” that god ever made… titles don’t really mean all that much.

The year that was 2011.

In year so full of ups and downs in MMA I could sit and reflect on the monumental moments of the year for a long time.  Jon Jones put together the greatest year in UFC history.  Jon Jones walked through former champions Shogun, Rampage, Machida.  Amazing fights were had tall around: Edgar v Maynard 2&3, Henderson v Shogun, Chandler v Alvarez.  Nick Diaz made his UFC Debut, dismantling BJ Penn with a barrage of body shots.  His little brother Nate jumped down to 155 to defeat Cowboy Cerrone in a one sided shallacking.  Brock Lesnar retires.  Christ Lytle retires.  Zuffa buys Strikeforce.  Chael Sonnen solidifies that he is the best heel in MMA.  Anderson Silva is declared the GOAT.  So much to love in MMA.  So many memories. So many fights.  So many hours sitting on the computer.  I know I missed a lot, but these moments stand out and I look forward to 2012.  I look forward to the first event of the year at UFC 142 Brazil.  Jose Aldo defending his title against a game opponent in Chad Mendes.  Rumble Johnson v Vitor Belfort.  I think this card is a little weak, but the fights dictate how this event will be remembered.  If UFC 142 inherently displays a number of malicious knockouts and submissions then it will be remembered and revered.  I hope that this first event sets the tone for the year.

Going Out in Style

This past Sunday, Chris Lytle fought what is supposedly his last fight in the UFC and as a mixed martial artist.  This hit close to home.  Chris Lytle is from Indiana, as am I.  He is a fire fighter, potential politician, seemingly a good family man.  He fought the way that was excited, compelling, and efficient.  He loved to stand in the pocket and throw strikes.  His ground defense and submission game was top notch.  Chris "Lights Out" Lytle had the ability to knock you out on your feet and submit you on the ground.  Not many fighters can or could ever say they were competent in so many aspects.

For the sake of the story book ending I hope Chris Lytle stays retired and goes on to succeed in politics, with his family, and continues to serve the people of Indianapolis as a great fire fighter.  Thanks Chris, but stay retired.  There are too many stories of guys fighting past their prime and disgracing their legacies.  Let's examine a few names.

Ken Shamrock went from ICON to eyesore.  Once considered the world's most dangerous man, Ken Shamrock left during his peak to wrestle in the WWE.  Obviosuly he didn't make enough or earn enough credibility wrestling that he decided to return to the UFC.  At one time, Ken may have been the baddest man on the planet.  He drew with Royce Gracie, defeated Dan Severn, Kimo, Oleg, and Bas Rutten TWICE!  Ken was a pioneer, an American who had submission chops and looked like the Ultimate Warrior!  Ken is long past his prime, he has a reputation for taking money from promoters at smaller shows and not fighting or ever paying them back.  It is a disgrace to his legacy as an early MMA fighter who took on all challenges and seemed very passionate about success as an Mixed Martial Artist.  Ken has admitted to using steroids, working fights in Japan, and not always preparing for fights.  What little legacy Ken Shamrock has left has and will be tarnished by the fact that when he fights he loses and looks feeble in doing so.  Ken Shamrock could have stayed retired after the Ultimate Ultimate 96 with a record of 23-5-2.  He would be considered one of the Top 10 or Top 5 fighters of all time because of his record, his pioneering of the sport, competition faced, and his persona as once being the World's Most Dangerous Man.

Chuck Liddell fought well past his prime getting knocked out 4 out of his last 6 fights.  He was the Iceman and he was as feared a striker as we have seen in the UFC next to Anderson Silva.  Chuck Liddell loved to strike and keep the fights standing for as long as possible.  He had great take down defense and was famous for his sprawl and brawl style.  Chuck Liddell is considered one of the faces on the Mount Rushmore of the UFC with Royce Gracie, Randy Couture, and Dana White.  Chuck Liddell made his name on the undercard knocking out opponents with kicks, punches, and flurries to exciting finishes.  Chuck has a who's who of names on his record.  Chuck is also a fighter who fought bare knuckle in Brazil and once wore shoes in the Octogon.  Chuck Liddell is a man's man.  Their was a time, amongst men, when he was revered in the likeness of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, or your Father.  He was the man who couldn't be knocked out or refused to be knocked out.  Then, he started getting knocked out.  It was okay when Rampage knocked out Chuck.  It was tough when he lost to Keith Jardine.  We believed for a moment he was back when he beat Wanderlei Silva, but then were subjected to threw brutal KO's to the hands of Rashad Evans, Shogun Rua, and finally Rich Franklin.  We sat by idly thinking that Chuck was gonna be able to come back, but time caught up to him first.  When your chin goes in MMA so does your career.  Attention now paging Andrei Arlovski!  Chuck Liddell went out as he came in and it took us three straight KO's to say, "Enough I can't watch my dad take another beating!"

Chris Lytle be Bas Rutten and walk away on top.  Chris Lytle write your own happy ending because most MMA stories don't end in such a story book fashion.

UFC Conspiracies

There is a cover up in the UFC.  We all see it.  We all know it is there.  We know that there is so much more happening behind the scenes that we never viewed by our public prying eyes.  We want to know everything.  That's why we obsess and why we want to know everything that is UFC.  We come up with our own scenarios and match ups.  We scream at the Judging and how atrocious the results can be.  I have my conspiracies and this is the first edition them.

The first thing that bothers me and I wish could be addressed is how the UFC covers up for many athletes.  Recently Mayhem Miller was arrested for simple assault.  It took several weeks for this to hit the MMA presses and online media.  Mayhem Miller is the host of Bully Beatdown and Star of this upcoming season of the Ultimate Fighter Reality Show.  It would behoove the UFC if this was brushed under the rug.  Mayhem Miller is a great talent.  Not only is he one of the best all around fighters at 185 lbs, but he is entertaining and integrates great interviews, humor, and style into his "Mayhem" persona.  MMA is filled with fighters who are lacking the "it" factor.  Mayhem has "it" and the UFC needs "it" on TV.

Diego Sanchez fails a drug test for Marijuana early in his career.  This was not brought to the public eye until well after the event.  Matt Hughes was choked out by Carlos Newton and Carlos Newton was knocked out at the same time.  Matt Hughes was awarded the title.  Then he went on to write UFC Welterweight History. The UFC is doing a nice job of covering up for their faces.  They even went as far as to allow Nate Marquardt to have issues in New Jersey and allow him to disgrace the even in Pittsburgh.  I know it is the Athletic commissions that makes the decisions in these drug and licensing eligibility cases, but the UFC seems more lenient on these athletes because they are popular and it is in their best interest.  As the company grows discipline and protocol must be set forth from the top tier to the bottom and all fighters should face the same punishment despite face value and status.

Performance Enhancing Drug use is estimated to be as high as 90% by active MMA fighters.  To me this is a very laughable subject.  If the athletic commissions are only going to test before and after the event then shame on them.  To me if you're not using then you are not trying.  If it is known that everyone is "cheating" then you should probably be cheating.  Is it cheating if you are off the drugs when it is time to compete?  I don't think so.  The problem is guys like Josh Barnett, Nick Diaz, Diego Sanchez, Royce Gracie, and Chris Leben have all failed drug tests for Marijuana or some illegal chemical in their drug test, all of these fighters have "face" value and are quality fighters so it doesn't look good.  The truth is that every fighter is trying to get that edge and are willing to do whatever it takes within the rules of the sport to win.

Judging in MMA has to be fixed, but the fact that it continues to be an issue is hilarious at this point.  This must be a conspiracy, because if this were a real sport it wouldn't seem like it is fixed sometimes.

UFC on FOX

This past week, the UFC signed a multi-year multi-million dollar deal.  This partnership will allow mma and more importantly the UFC to be exposed to millions of homes.  The UFC will hold 4 free events to be aired on FOX in primetime on a Saturday night.  To mma fans this is an exciting time.  New viewers, new opportunities, and new sponsors will now be available to the UFC.  To the Hardcore Fans, this is the beginning of the end of the days of the wild west of mma.  The UFC has gone mainstream and it will only get bigger.  You no longer will be the only person you know who recognizes: Carlos Condit, Donald Cerrone, and Phil Davis.  I enjoyed those days and will miss them.  But I am excited to have others to talk to about MMA and UFC about in person as opposed to on message boards and twitter.  The good days have ended for the hardcore and good days beginning for the novice MMA fans.

Chael's Future Hangs in the Balance

Their comes a point in a man's life when he is faced with tough decisions.  Part of growing up is learning to take responsibility for your actions.  Being a man is having the guts to admit when you are wrong.  Cliches have a place even in society, today.  In August of 2010, Chael Sonnen was the number one contender to the middleweight crown of the UFC.  He had defeated the likes of Yushin Okami, Nate Marquardt, and Dan Miller to earn his opportunity to face Anderson Silva.  Silva is undefeated in the UFC and has defended his title 8 times.  He is the most dominant champion ever in the history of the UFC.  More dominating than GSP, Chuck Liddell, or Randy Couture.  Chael Sonnen hyped the fight as no other fight had been hyped.  People rallied behind Chael, but never really expected him to win.  Chael Sonnen gave Anderson Silva more than he could handle for 23 minutes and in the final 2 minutes of the fight Anderson Silva sneaks out a submission and Anderson Silva again proved that he is the king of MMA, above all others.  Chael Sonnen made Anderson Silva look human for a night.  Anderson Silva has never looked human in the past.

Since Sonnen's submission loss to Silva, he was suspended for higher testosterone levels.  He was fined $10,000 for fraud and sentenced to probation.  Sonnen's issues with the Nevada State Athletic Commission and the United States Federal Government are coming to a close.  When Sonnen is cleared to fight and has his license reinstated he will be given a top tier contender at 185lbs.  Chael Sonnen's Window of oppotunity is closing.  He is a 34 year old fighter who has lost to Damien Maia, Jeremy Horn twice, Paulo Fihlo, and Anderson Silva most recently.

After the fight in August, Chael received much praise and people were clammering for another match up.  2010 would have really become the year of the rematch Machida & Shogun, Penn & Edgar, and Sonnen & Silva again.  Consequently, Sonnen had his issues with the NSAC, State of Oregon, and US federal government.  Sonnen was dogged in the media.  Jim Rome from ESPN's Rome is burning commented on Sonnen's "backne" or back acne after he was suspended.  Everyone assumed the worst of Chael Sonnen.   Rumors of steroids and PED's floated around the internet in a craze.  Chael Sonnen was labeled a cheater, a juicer, and rule-breaker.

Tomorrow, May 18th, 2011 will be an important date in Chael Sonnen's MMA career.  It might be the most important day in his career.  More important than his second career win against a young Jason "Mayhem" Miller.  More detrimental than that first loss to Paulo Fihlo.  May 18th could be the equivalent of his run at the Middleweight championship culminating in his title fight with Anderson Silva, if he reinstated. Or tomorrow could be the Anderson Silva fight all over again, a devastating loss.

I believe in Chael Sonnen.  I believe he is one of the only fighters in the world that can push the greatest fighter in the world, Anderson Silva, to his limits.  I believe his takedowns are powerful and clean.  He has the ability to land powerful strikes and absorb blows equal in devastation.  Chael Sonnen has an iron will and desire to win that is undeniable.  He believes in himself and is unrelenting that he is the best in the world.  However, his future in MMA lies in the hands CSAC.  If Chael Sonnen is delayed for another significant portion of his MMA career then I fear that his best fights may have past without ever being fought in the octagon, but in the mediation room.

Restricting Access to MMA Journalists. (Stay on Zuffa's good side)

I spent a large majority of my day patrolling the internet looking for interviews, post fight videos, and articles about the Diaz/Daley Strikeforce event.  I was sad to see such little coverage on the event.  It was a major Strikeforce card.  It was an event that delivered two exciting Championship fights back to back.  Nick Diaz is showing that he is able to pull a large crowd in person, online, and in TV viewer ratings.

This is a big win for Strikeforce  A card of this magnitude should have had mass coverage from all MMA sites.  There is a lack of good coverage on what is supposed to be a legitimate sport, MMA .  ESPN, the world wide leader in sports, should be on top of these events.  If it were Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather competing in an event ESPN and other websites would have had mass coverage.  Josh Gross and Loretta Hunt were denied press passes.  Sherdog.com was denied access.  Does limiting the amount of media coverage hinder Zuffa's product in any way?

 Zuffa in all its glory has a stranglehold on MMA.  They own the UFC.  They own Strikeforce.  They are putting on great fights on Spike TV.  They are putting great fights on Versus.  They are putting great fights on Showtime.  They are putting great fights on Pay Per View.  The information is being controlled and more access is being given to certain members of the media.  MMAfighting.com is reaping many benefits of having a good working relationship with the higher powers of Strikeforce and UFC.

I read an interesting article (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/jeff_wagenheim/04/13/credentials/index.html) online.  Zuffa is restricting the amount of coverage that we as fight fans are able to find.  So we are left to scavenge and search. I spent a large chunk of my day looking for that insightful interview with Nick Diaz.  It is hard to pin this man down (especially when you live in Indiana and write a blog that no one reads) and get a good feel for what he is thinking and feeling after a fight.

 I understand with PPV revenues and replays on PPV they want to limit access to the information.  Zuffa is smart in what they are doing.  Anyone in the press that has negative predalictions towards Zuffa's product will no longer have access to smash the product.  MMA is young enough as a sport that it can be dictated in such a way.  The amount of content online, is limited.  Showtime, Spike tv, UFC.com, versus, PPV have MMA on lockdown.  Everything else is regulated through precise planning and controlling the amount of content.  If you keep the public wanting more then they will not get tired of the product.

The NFL or MLB could never control its coverage in such a way.  But those are much bigger sports and Roger Goddell of the NFL and Bud Selig of Major League Baseball have much larger issues to deal with besides bad press coverage.

MMA is such a young sport that bad press could hinder the growth of Zuffa's product.  I think it is okay to question the motives of people.  I think it is okay critique a fight card.  If the card is not up to acceptable standards the fans will let you know.  UFC 119, in my home state of Indiana, was an atrocious card.  Headlined by a terrible match up of Mir -v-Cro Cop.  Diaz -v- Daley delivered last Saturday.  Just wish I didn't have to wait  a week to learn more about the event afterwards.  Zuffa is putting Sherdog.com, Josh Gross, and Loretta Hunt in a tough spot.  These people basically have to cover a live event from their homes. Would anyone care about my thoughts or ideas on the Super Bowl in Miami if I am living in Indiana?  Wouldn't you rather receive you information from someone at the event?  Zuffa, it would seem, is okay with regulating the amount of information available to its fans and not exposing us to trite OP ED pieces from subjective writers looking to make a name for themselves by pointing out the bad in everything in MMA.  With so many positive stories why would a writer focus on the negative.  Their are some "journalists" who look to make a name for themselves by destroying what has made them who they are today.  It is the only way to make them seem like they have an opinion worth hearing or reading.  Looking for more MMA coverage?  Join the club...