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Report: Over 9,000 fans in attendance at UFC Omaha event
By Zach Arnold | September 18, 2008
Topics: Media, MMA, UFC, Zach Arnold | 10 Comments » | Permalink | Trackback |
Five things I learned from the UFN Live show and TUF last night:
1) Houston Alexander’s UFC career is over.
Alexander was once again grounded and exposed, this time by Eric Schafer – who has no charisma, no fans, and looks like the old guy who sells hot dogs outside my building.
After Houston destroyed Keith Jardine, the UFC no doubt saw a potential star in the making – especially since he’s built like a superhero, has lots of fans, and likes to stand and brawl (the polar opposite of Schafer, if you think about it).
But after three embarrassing losses in a row, I don’t know if Houston can keep a slot in the overcrowded 205 division.
2) Clay Guida is now a star.
After his 2007 Fight of the Year with Roger Huerta, and last night’s performance against Super-Vegan Mac Danzig, I think it’s safe to say that Guida will be putting asses in seats. His charisma and look are undeniable, and it’s just impossible not to like this guy’s work.
3) Thanks to TUF, Frank Mir will be a star again.
He’ll be the fan favorite going into his fight vs. Nogueira this December. No doubt about it. And even if he doesn’t walk away with the win, Mir might surprise a few doubters in the process.
4) The UFC needs more spinning backfists.
No explanation required.
5) Nate Diaz punches like a girl.
Again, no explanation required.
Great crowd overall.
If I am the UFC, I keep Houston Alexander on the undercard. He is too much of a mid-star name to just let go and let another company get their hands on. As much as he has proven his lack of worth in the division, it is the smart business move to make.
Alexander vs. Schaefer was stupid matchmaking.
Yeah, its a do or die situation for Alexander, and they shouldnt do him any favors, but for the sake of the first Nebraska show, and the fan’s enjoyment, they should have given him an opponent who would have made a more exciting fight out of it. It was a lose-lose for the UFC because they disappointed the Omaha fans and Eric Schaefer will never be a star.
Really it was Houston Alexander’s fault, but a little matchmaking help wouldve gone a long way.
I read a while back that they gave Alexander the option of 3 different opponents and he chose Schafer, so he picked his poison.
A little time in a lower organization to rehab his record might do Alexander some good, but I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him in UFC. Guy’s fought anyone and gone anywhere they wanted, and as long as he isn’t asking for Tito money to lose, there’s some value in that. Almost every fight’s got one loser in it, sometimes two.
I know they are different weight classes but I would like to see Houston Alexander vs Drew McFedries.
Houston looked smalled compared to Schafer.. Ripped but small. Maybe he can make the cut to 205?
The crowd was pretty quiet for 9k.
Houston has one kidney. He donated the other to his daughter. He won’t be cutting weight any time soon. His fight was fun to watch and that has to count for something.
Someone who was there said the crowd was very loud. I suppose they didn’t mic the crowd, that’s all.
Well I’d say all the Schaefer haters out there he has one fan in me. Maybe it’s because I am from Chicago and my friends fight gear company sposers him, and he is a good guy. I will say he is allways game and deff has mad ground skills that do transfer well to MMA.
Another thought as well…. do you think maybe the match up was to see if his skills actually advanced on the ground?