Frank Mir claimed before UFC 96 that he will still be fighting Brock Lesnar at UFC 98. But he just announced that he won’t be able to go as his leg is injured? But Dana has always got an ace up his sleeves. Rashad will be fighting Machida or Jackson depending on the outcome of tonight’s fight. Both guys are going to be tough, but at this point I’d like Machida to get his shot. Either way, Rashad won’t have it easy.

The fast rise of guys such as Forrest Griffin and Rashad Evans in the fast growing field of MMA has encouraged many youngsters to get started with their Mixed Martial Arts trainings. The game of MMA is really different that it used to be just a few years ago. Take a look at guys like GSP and BJ Penn. Not only these guys are very good in every area of the game, they are great in multiple areas. GSP’s wrestling and ground game is out of this world. Take a look at Fedor. He can punch you out cold or just submit you with a knee bar. If you are starting young or have a youngster who is interested in fighting for a living, it is essential you get started the right away.

MMA Jujitsu is a no nonsense guide that teaches you exactly how to master every aspect of this game. You will have to put your 110% forward in training to get to the top but it’s good to start on the right track. MMA Jujitsu covers:

• principles of striking
• sweeps and escapes
• The right way to use strangulation
• How to use atemi to take the upper hand in the fight
• Throws you need to be using
• Arm bar technique

That’s not all. You’ll learn Judo, Bartitsu, and other MMA techniques that you need to master to dominate your opponents. But even more important than technique is knowing how to take care of your body, physically and mentally. If your body breaks down on you, you are not going to be able to execute as well as you could.

MMA is more challenging than it used to be a few years ago. Guys could get away with being good in only one area a few years ago, but these days you’ve got to master all aspects of this game to challenge for top honors. Now, you can learn a lot of things in training, but guides such as MMA Jutitsu help you train the right way, and that is key!

I have heard of guys making up potential opponents who may be able to beat Fedor, but after the beat down Lyoto put on Silva, I am now certain more than ever that Machida’s style can easily be antidote to Fedor’s amazing fighting style. You may say, Lyoto is not a heavyweight, but he is not that light either. And with his style, he is more than capable beating mid-heavyweights such as Fedor.

Will we see Fedor vs. Machida in the future? I’ll be crossing my fingers.

What do you think: is anyone better than Machida as far as matching up with Fedor?

The year 2008 was an interesting year in the fighting world. We saw the rise and fall of a few organizations, and the UFC is still the king of the sport. And let’s not forget we have a new heavyweight champion in the UFC. So here is my question for you guys. Who do you think is the most overrated fighter in the world, based on what we have seen this year?

Here are a bunch:

1. Kimbo Slice

2. Brock Lesnar

3. Tim Sylvia

4. Heath Herring

5. Forrest Griffin

6. Mirko Crocop

7. Michael Bisping

Now, the list is by no way complete, and you can see a lot of guys who are actually good fighters. But, good doesn’t mean great. In my opinion, Kimbo is still at the top of the list. What do you think?

I don’t know about you but the treatment of Shane Carwin reminds of how pro wrestlers are treated in the WWE. They are either give a huge push like Lesnar or a small but constant push to the top. I know Dana White mentioned that only the top folks fight in the UFC, but how is it that Shane Carwin has been fighting tomato cans whereas Brock Lesnar with only 3 fights is fighting former champs.

Here is thinking that UFC is preparing a major push for Shane Carwin. The plan is to pit Carwin against the heavyweight champion of the world next winter, and I know White is crossing his fingers for Brock Lesnar. Dana White is a very smart man, and he knows Brock Lesnar is not the type who sticks around and sacrifices himself for the company. The guy is his own man, and he has my respect for it. But the UFC needs the next Fedor. A guy who is going to be the face of the UFC and stick around for a few years. In other words, they need the next Chuck. I am just not sure Shane is that guy. He has been fighting tomato cans for all his career, and his record could be 30-0 by the time he actually gets a shot at the title (the way it looks). Is Shane good? There is really no way to tell.  So forgive me if I don’t agree with folks who give Shane the nod over Lesnar at this point. Brock has shown more in 3 fights than Shane has in his entire career.

You decide: Can Shane be a real player in the MMA world by fighting only tomato cans?

What a night at UFC 91. First we saw the return of Sean Sherk when he won a unanimous decision against Tyson Griffin. Sherk didn’t knock Tyson out but he won every round by landing more effective punches.

Thiago Alves is a beast. He just dominated Josh Koscheck, and now is poised to take on GSP for the welterweight title. But I wish he had the guts to fight Anderson Silva at his natural weight (185). Cote showed today that Anderson is not really on his game and can be challenged.

Speaking of Cote, he did put up a good fight. He didn’t land much but he didn’t go down by Silva’s devastatingly accurate punches. He blew his knee out in the third round (almost seemed he jinxed himself right before the third round by holding up 3 fingers to brag about lasting for three rounds). I am sure he will be back, but will Anderson Silva? Anderson has 5 more fights left, 3 of them see to be at light heavyweight. And if he faces Bisping or the winner of Henderson/Franklin, I am not sure Cote can actually get another shot without having to fight another opponent first. The good news for Cote is that he is close to another shot, but I am just not sure how long Anderson will stick around in this division.

UFC 90 was a great night though. The main event was boring, but other than that we saw some very good fights. And boy I am glad Werdum got his behind handed to him. He talked a lot of smack about the 4-way tournament, and he still couldn’t back it up.

It was fun while it lasted. Not really. Elite XC came out as fast as Kimbo rose through its ranks. When the same was over with Kimbo’s 14 second loss to the “Seth guy,” nobody was certain Elite XC would survive. Now SI is reporting that Elite XC has canceled its event on Nov 8 and is officially out of business. I guess Dana was right all along. You can’t make it in the business without having the right experience. Is Affliction next?

Brandon Vera is unofficially done with the UFC. I know they are not going to cut him due to his home country being a target for the UFC, but one more loss and even that wouldn’t be a good excuse to keep him around. Worst of all, Vera is a joke now. He claimed he was ready this time. He was taking the fight so seriously. He allowed people to punch him with his hands down. But he was almost knocked out by Keith Jardine, and put on an all around pathetic display against Jardine who was on one leg.

Dana fight had some tough words for Brandon, accusing of being all about the money.

So there you have it. Brandon just doesn’t have it anymore. Hasn’t had it for a while. It doesn’t seem will have it any time soon.