While there have only been two UFC dates in Brazil (within the sport’s “modern-era”), I am starting to think that all events should be held there. UFC 142 lived up to the precedent that was set by UFC 134 in August last year – which this editor ranked as the “Event of the Year” in 2011. Fast and flashy finishes, there was a lot to talk about after the event. What I think was the biggest moment of the night, however, was Jose Aldo’s finish of Chad Mendes with seconds to go in the 1st round. Why do I think that Jose Aldo’s finish stands out as the most important moment of the night? I think it’s because UFC fans finally got to see what the hype about this fighter is all about.
Let’s be realistic about today’s UFC viewing audience – only a small group of hardcore fans are really familiar with non-UFC promotions, and their respective fighters. So, prior to the UFC’s merger with the WEC, very people were familiar with a young fighter named Jose Aldo who was tearing through the elite of the featherweight division with no regard for such high-profile names as Urijah Faber, Mike Brown and Cub Swanson. It wasn’t surprising that he was quickly ordained as a smaller Anderson Silva; in fact, Silva has claimed he would retire if he ever had to fight Aldo.
When it was announced that Aldo would be part of the WEC contingent coming to the UFC’s new Featherweight division, there was a lot of promise and hype built up around the young fighter. So, when Aldo was offered the UFC’s biggest stage ever at the Rogers Centre in Toronto at UFC 129, many felt that this would be his announcement to the world that he was one of the P4P elite. Unfortunately, while Aldo was victorious, that fight would go on to do more for Mark Hominick’s reputation than Aldo’s. His next fight against Kenny Florian, while dominant, was also somewhat lacklustre.
Building up a fighter is like launching a new product in market, you can hype it all you want – but, if you don’t deliver right away, people are going to to forget about you fast. Aldo was starting to look like the BlackBerry Playbook of the MMA world, a good enough product, but not that interesting.
Last night, Aldo showed everyone at last what he is capable of – a devastating knee and decisive KO. This was the Aldo we’ve all been waiting for! This was the Aldo that belongs on the P4P list! This was the Aldo that’s expected to dominate the division for years to come. The only questions now are: Is it too late for anyone to give credit where credit is due?And can Aldo keep the momentum going?
I think he can keep the momentum going, and I think he will be dominant for years to come. I am glad to see him come out and show everyone what he can do… and what he will continue to do! Mark my words, Aldo will be the first fighter in the UFC to hold two belts at the same time (FW and LW).
… and that is the last word.
Other notes from UFC 142:
- Vitor Belfort submitted a bloated Anthony Johnson with little difficulty. Johnson was subsequently released from the UFC (although I suspect this has more to do with his inability to EVER make weight)
- Palahares did what he does and submitted Massenzio with a heel hook (you think people would start training a defense against this when facing this guy?)
- Erick Silva was DQ’d against Carlo Prater for illegal strikes to the back of the head, in what was probably one of the worst calls in UFC history. Silva clearly won the match cleanly on replay.
- Barboza KO’d Etim with a spinning wheel kick that will go down as one of the best finishes in UFC history – no question.
