Dear MMA Legends...

Hey Guys,

My name is Spencer Kyte and long before I was a burgeoning MMA writer, I was an MMA fan and you guys had a lot to do with it.

Royce Gracie may have got me started, but it was each of your efforts inside the cages and rings that solidified my love for the sport. I only came around to writing about it when I realized I could use my keyboard to try and cash in on the wave of popularity the sport is currently riding. I'm sure you understand.

Anyway, I'm writing you today to talk about something important. No, I'm not trying to sell you insurance; I want to talk about retirement.

I know that word is somewhat taboo and not a topic any of you like discussing, but the fact of the matter is that the time has come to seriously consider "The R Word" as an option.

The three of you are icons in the sport; legends who have helped bring Mixed Martial Arts into the foreground and established yourselves as three of the greatest fighters the sport will ever see.

But as Bob Dylan once said, "The times, they are a-changing." At least, I think that's what he said, though I can't be sure because he mumbles more than you do, Chuck.

In the last few years that the sport has gain significant footing in the mainstream and grown into the global industry that it is, the evolution hasn't been limited to production value and media coverage.

Fighters are bigger, faster, stronger and more well-rounded, not to mention younger.

Do you know that none of you has a winning record over your last five UFC contests?

You're a combined 5-10 during that time and while you might want to argue about the level of competition you've been facing, anyway you slice it, you're still losing twice as many fights as you're winning.

I'm not trying to pass judgment; it's awful easy to sit behind a keyboard and wax philosophical about what a fighter should do, how they should approach a fight or diagnose what's wrong with their careers.

This isn't from E. Spencer Kyte the MMA journalist as much as it's from Spencer, a diehard MMA fan who doesn't want to see some of his heroes end up as the broken old warriors who just couldn't bring themselves to walk away.

I can only imagine how tough that decision would be and I don't envy you one bit. But if we're laying all the cards out on the table, I think the time has come.

Each of you used to dominate with a singular specialty: Mirko with his deadly head kicks, Randy with his unmatched wrestling and Chuck with those kegs of dynamite attached to the end of your arms.

Unfortunately, Father Time has caught up with each of you and sapped some of the power from those weapons, leaving you to get by on guile and experience. While it's worked from time-to-time, it's a losing battle if you ask me.

Nothing that happens from here on out in your careers will affect your legacies; they are etched in stone and established for all to see.

Those who have been following the sport throughout your careers will always speak highly of your talents and remember the myriad wins and championships each of you earned.

I know Brett Favre makes it seem horrible, what with his annual summer return to football, but surely retirement isn't all that bad?

Each of you have alternatives available to you, from film and politics, to broadcast, training and running your burgeoning empires, Randy...

There is nothing worse than the fallen star who hangs on too long; unable to accept that their best days are behind them and a return to the top of the mountain is not around the next corner.

While fans remember their glory days and numerous triumphs, they also lament those last few times they saw their heroes, shells of their once-great selves, like Johnny Unitas struggling in San Diego when he should have retired a Colt.

I don't want that for any of you and honestly, we're getting kind of close.

Don't let it happen, please.

Don't fall into the same trap Michael Jordan fell into, believing his otherworldly talents would keep him at the top when the next generation had already emerged to fight for his throne.

Don't become Washington Wizards.

Remain the iconic figures you are now; fighters who set the bar incredibly high and accomplished great things throughout your careers, legends to be talked about with reverence and appreciation.

And one last thing...

Thank you.


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Fight Week Previews: Junior dos Santos vs. Mirko Cro Cop

Words can accurately express how excited I am for this fight, though I'll certainly try my best.

While Junior dos Santos burst onto the scene just eleven months ago by delivering an uppercut of destruction to the dome of Fabricio Werdum, Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic has been doing this for a decade.

One of the most feared strikers in the history of the sport, the former Pride standout takes a big step up in competition to face one of the young lions of the heavyweight division.

Junior dos Santos (8-1-0) versus Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (25-6-2, 1 NC)

Two words: Black House.

While the Croatian superstar is the big dog of his own gym, the young Brazilian works at the same establishment as Lyoto Machida, Anderson Silva and The Nogueiras. There is no way that spending every day working every day with that collection of champions doesn't greatly improve your skill set.

Though dos Santos has an edge in training partners, "Cro Cop" comes away with a sizable advantage in terms of both experience and the opposition he's faced.

Filipovic has faced a Who's Who of champions and challengers over his career, including Fedor and Aleksander Emelianenko, Josh Barnett, Wanderlei Silva and "Minotauro" Noguiera. As impressive as "Cigano" has been in his two UFC wins, the former Pride Open Weight Grand Prix champion has a more extensive highlight reel.

Some will argue with my earlier statement that "Cro Cop" is facing a step up in competition this time around, pointing to his past greatness and the level of competition he's faced over the years.

While that is very much true, his time in the UFC has resulted in wins over two marginal opponents and defeats to middle of the pack contenders Gabriel Gonzaga and Cheick Kongo.

As great as "Cro Cop" once was, the guy who defeated Mostapha Al-Turk in Germany was not the same Mirko Filipovic that used to send people to the hospital with his deadly left leg.

Additionally, it's not as if dos Santos has simply beaten on weaker opponents. After all, his introduction to the UFC was a stunning upset of then title contender Fabricio Werdum. Though he was given a step back in his destruction of Stefan Struve, the young Brazilian is a legitimate contender in the heavyweight division and a definite threat to the Croatian.

Consider this a potential "Passing of the Torch" match and one that could certainly produce some fireworks.

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Marius Zaromskis: The Next Mousasi, A Mini Cro-Cop or Both?

This time last year, many fight fans were unfamiliar with an Armenian-born, Dutch fighter known as "The Dreamcatcher."

Then, Gegard Mousasi made an impressive run through the DREAM Middleweight Grand Prix, defeated Denis Kang in the opening round, Korea's Dong Sik Yoon six weeks later, and finally disposing of both Melvin Manhoef and Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza in one night to win the tournament and the DREAM Middleweight title.

Since then, the 23-year-old has continued to impress and garner more and more attention, earning a win in the first round of the DREAM Super Hulk Tournament and a place opposite Renato "Babalu" Sobral on the Affliction: Trilogy Main Card on August 1st.

With his impressive display last evening in the Saitama Super Arena, is Marius Zaromskis set to make a similar splash in the world of Mixed Martial Arts?

The Lithuanian with the funny-yet-fitting nickname "The Whitemare" has followed the first steps laid out by Mousasi, working his way through the DREAM Welterweight Grand Prix en route to claiming the DREAM Welterweight title.

Admittedly, I was one of the many without much knowledge of Zaromskis heading into yesterday's two rounds of fights, and believed he would be dispatched by the more experienced Hayato "Mach" Sakurai in their semi-final clash.

Following a stoppage to deal with a cut on Sakurai's face, Zaromskis delivered a deadly headkick and dropped the man who once faced Matt Hughes in the UFC before finishing things off with a flurry of punches.

In the finals, a similar lethal headkick spelled the end for Jason High, who had advanced via split decision victory over then-undefeated Andre Galvao.

While the path looks similar to the course charted last year by Mousasi, the impressive finishes via deadly kicks to the head is reminiscent of Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic.

Despite my use of headkicks as finishers on UFC Undisputed, you just don't see that many fighters utilizing the technique that much any more and no one has ever done it better than "Cro Cop" during his glory days in Pride.

Last night, Zaromskis delivered knockout blows to both Sakurai and High with expert timing, the MMA-equivalent of two no-doubt home runs in baseball, especially the one that wrapped up the tournament against High.

You never know where you're going to find great fighters; sometimes they just suddenly appear on the radar.

Winning streaks start in the most inauspicious ways.

Nothing is guaranteed for Marius Zaromskis now that he's the DREAM Welterweight Champion; while the path he's now embarking down is similar to that of Gegard Mousasi and his performances last night reminded fans of a younger, smaller "Cro Cop," this could be the highlight of his career.

Or it could be the beginning of something great.

Only time will tell.

* * * * * * * * * *

In other DREAM news, "The Old" Paulo Filho showed up, as the Brazilian weathered a couple of flurries from Melvin Manhoef before securing an armbar before the three minute mark of the First Round.
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Fight Week Preview: Double Duty

This weekend brings UFC 99 into our lives from Cologne, Germany, so as per tradition, we're breaking down the fights on the Main Card one day at a time leading up to our Punch Drunk Predictions on Saturday.

Today brings two fights, however, as six fights have been guaranteed for the pay-per-view from the Lanxess Arena. Since we all know Mondays suck, we figured talking about two fights would be a good way to get over the "I wish it was still the weekend" blues and delay doing any real work.

Spencer Fisher and Caol Uno comes later, Cro Cop and Al Turk is right after the jump.


Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic (22-5-2) vs. Mustapha Al Turk (6-4)
The nostalgic me wants to be excited, as "Cro Cop" certainly left some highlight reel impressions on my memory back in his glory days in Pride. However, his first run in the UFC left a lot to be desired, as he was knocked stiff by a Gabriel Gonzaga head kick and outpointed by Cheick Kongo following his debut win over Eddie Sanchez.

Playing the role of Eddie Sanchez this weekend is Al Turk, a big dude who was scheduled to be the debut victim of Todd Duffee, the former Hardcore Gym heavyweight who now works with American Top Team. While he gets the honor of fighting on the main card with the replacement of Duffee, he also walks into the Octagon against one of the deadly strikers the sport has ever seen. Congratulations, you still lose.

If "Cro Cop" is anywhere near the form we've seen from him in the past, this will be academic. While Al Turk and Filipovic both have UFC losses to Cheick Kongo on their records, the Croatian went the distance and there were some questionable strikes that could have gone either way, while the London Shootfighters member got pummeled inside of the first round.

Clearly, this is a chance to get a famous face on the card in front of the overseas fans. Ask me about "Cro Cop" again when his next opponent is named.

Spencer Fisher (23-4) vs. Caol Uno (27-11-4)
Now this one I'm looking forward to, and not just because a dude named Spencer is fighting either. This has the potential to be Fight of the Night, as everyone can remember the Sam Stout wars Fisher has fought in the past and Uno has a reputation as one of the most unflappable fighters in the business.

On strength of opponents, you have to give the nod to Uno, as he's been in the ring and inside the cage with some of the best 155 pounders in the world. Granted, a number of those top tier match ups have been loses, but squaring off against Shinya Aoki, Gesias Cavalcante, Kid Yamamoto and Joachim Hansen is far greater than fighting Jeremy Stephens and "Handsome" Matt Wiman.

That being said, Fisher could have an edge stylistically if he follows his usual game plan, one similar to the one put forth by Jens Pulver in his win over Uno for the then UFC Bantamweight title back in 2001. Stuff the takedown and pump the jab should be the mindset for Fisher, as both he and Uno have shown they have the cardio to go the distance. Keeping the returning Japanese star from taking the fight to the ground could be the difference maker.

Interestingly enough, the one shared opponent between the two fails to shed any light on the situation either, as both Fisher and Uno have dropped fights to Hermes Franca, both in the second round.

Unlike the first fight we previewed, this one could go either way and I can't wait to see it.

Tomorrow: Tackling the Trash Talk - Dan Hardy versus Marcus Davis.
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