10 Things We Learned From UFC 124

Added on Dec 12, 2010 by John Petit in

UFC & MMA

10 Things we learned from UFC 124

1. GSP will be facing Jake Shields, and it sounds a lot like they want it to happen in Toronto in the spring. Also, it seems both GSP and UFC President Dana White are warming up to the idea of a GSP vs Anderson Silva fight.

2. The UFC tried an experiment where the fans could pick the Fight Of The Night. Well, it turned into a popularity contest, and of course the main event won. The UFC thought the FOTN was Riddle vs Pierson, and even tried to sway the votes by showing it, and now the UFC has promised to take care of them as well. Dana is saying that thats the last time they are doing the fan poll for FOTN.

3. Georges St. Pierre has now won 30 straight rounds when you include the 5 last night against Josh Koscheck.

4. Joe Stevenson will NOT be cut from the UFC. White said after the fight, he is the type of guy who comes out to fight and to finish, and thats the type of fighter they are looking for. Expect him to get another shot in the Octagon.

5. Stefan Struve is now “in the mix” according to Dana White, and calls him an exciting new Heavyweight. Expect to see him tested the next time in octagon.

6. Jim Miller is now on Dana White’s radar, and tonight “he got noticed.” White thinks that some people just have to work harder for some reasons, and Miller is one of those guys. He pulled off a risky submission over a serious Brazilian JJ Black Belt, when he knee barred Oliviera last night. Miller is now 8-1 in the UFC, and wants his shot. He said he can’t sit back and keep his mouth shut anymore, and now he will talk more.

7. Last night was Thiago Alves first win since October, 2008. He clearly looked more healthy in this fight, and it obviously paid dividends. Alves credits the win to “Life choices,” and his new diet from former UFC vet Mike Dolce.

8. Mark Bocek is doing the hard sell on fighting in Toronto after his beautiful, bonus winning, Triangle choke finish over BJJ black belt Dustin Hazelet. Bocek wants George Sotiropoulos to be his opponent, because people think he has better Jiu Jitsu. Bocek feels he is more decorated on the mat then him, and wants to sub him. Bad news is that Sotiropoulos is booked, and it would be cutting it close with his schedule to squeeze in that fight when its over. Bocek Wants to fight in Toronto no matter what, but he is willing to wait for Sotiropoulos.

9. If you missed my Recap report of UFC 124, you get a pass this time, but the numbers are startling from Fight Metric. GSP Total Strikes were 136, and Josh’s were 30. GSP Significant Strikes were 110, and Josh’s were 16. GSP Head Strikes were 70, and Josh’s were 15. I can only imagine his eye looks even worse today.

10. UFC 124 had 23,152 people in attendance, and the event did $4.6 million at the live gate. That makes it the largest attended MMA event in North American history.