(Photo courtesy of Si.com)
Now that this crazy weekend of MMA action is in the books, it’s time to sort through the rubble of UFC 91 and figure out who’s up and who’s down. And how will we do that? Arbitrary numbers, baby. It’s the only way.
Brock Lesnar +482
The line of reasoning that says he’s too inexperienced to be deserving of a title shot simply doesn’t hold up after he wins by second-round stoppage. Even if you don’t think he beat the best Couture we’ve ever seen in the Octagon, he still looked positively terrifying in there. This guy can give lots of heavyweights lots of problems, particularly if he continues to improve. And if you’re one of the millions who hate him, well, you’re just playing right into his enormous hands.
Randy Couture -130
Maybe it was age that was Couture’s undoing. Maybe it was size and strength. Regardless, it’s hard to see how he will ever capture another UFC title. A fight against the loser of the Nogueira-Mir match would still be compelling, but time is running out. And fast.
Kenny Florian +274
He dismantled Joe Stevenson much the same way B.J. Penn did, if not more impressively. So why doesn’t Penn seem at all interested in fighting him? Whatever happens in Penn’s superfight with GSP, no lightweight has earned a title shot more than KenFlo and waited so long and so patiently for it. Come on, B.J. Let’s do eet!
Demian Maia +212
We all know what Maia’s gameplan is in every fight, but can anyone stop it? Quarry couldn’t even come close, and he’s no chump. Maia made it look easy. He says he wants Bisping next. We say that sounds like a great idea.
UFC newcomers -450
Josh Hendricks had a tough draw against Gabriel Gonzaga and he got outclassed big time. He was never in the fight and probably still doesn’t remember how it ended. Rafael Dos Anjos was on his way to a decision victory until he let himself get caught by a punch everyone but him saw coming. Can’t blame that on Octagon jitters.
Dustin Hazelett +101
Continues to make his case as the UFC’s cerebral submissions expert who looks like he might also belong to a radical militia. Coming out to “Bad Moon Rising” and then putting on a clinic against Tamdan McCrory is a good way to win us over. The only question is whether he used his Submission of the Night money to stockpile canned goods and ammunition. One can only hope the answer is yes.
Joe Stevenson -147
No one wants to be a gatekeeper, but right now that would be a generous label for “Daddy.” He wasn’t even in Florian’s league on Saturday. Could be back to Spike TV Fight Night events. At least it’s better than unemployment.
Jorge Gurgel even
Gurgel loses. Again. And goes to a decision. Again. Still, it was ten times more exciting than most of his fights. You’ve got to wonder how long that’s going to be good enough for him to hang around, though.
Joe Silva +118
Despite a dearth of big names on the undercard, it was a stellar night of fights. Way to make the most out of what you’ve got, matchmaker. But please, don’t make a habit of it.
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Nate Quarry: -300 for losing and then making out in the ring with his opponent