UFC: Miguel Torres vs. Urijah Faber

For the past several days I’ve made it a mission of mine to bring a little positivity and excitement to an MMA landscape that seems to have a lot of negativity hovering around it lately. No matter what, I still think it’s an amazing time to be an MMA fan. I love this sport very much, and I think that’s incredibly important to remember while we’re in the midst of another spat of fan flame wars. So here’s my latest effort to sit back, relax, and have some fun: these are the five “dream matches” I’d still love to see.

No.5 Urijah Faber vs. Miguel Torres

Back when both men were in their prime and running through all the best competition the WEC had to offer, I couldn’t think of a greater match-up. It would’ve been amazing to see a prime Torres against a prime Faber, and I’m sad I never got to see it happen. But I’d still like to see these two in the Octagon against each other, just to see who the better man in the here and now is. Even though it would lack the impact of a champion versus champion match-up with both men in their primes, I’m confident that this would still be a pretty amazing fight, so I’d still love to see it.

No.4 Josh Koscheck vs. Jon Fitch

Kinda comes out of left field, doesn’t it? I know a lot of people don’t like Josh Koscheck and/or Jon Fitch, primarily due to their fighting styles and personalities. I know this fight is never going to happen, too, since both men have a bond that’s as close as you can get to family without actually being related by blood. But, still, I’d personally love to see what these two would do against each other, simply because they know each other so well and are still two of the best Welterweights in the UFC.

No.3 Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir III

UFC: Brock Lesnar vs. Frank Mir III

This is probably the one big “guilty pleasure” on this list. Even with Lesnar retired, I’d still love to see a third and final showdown between these two. Their rivalry was one of the fiercest and bitterest in a long, long time, and their two previous fights both resulted in awesome finishes that were debated and discussed for months. No matter what the future holds for either of these two fighters, I think I’d always be willing to put money down to see this fight.

No.2 Anderson Silva vs. Georges St. Pierre

It might happen one day, but then again… it might not. I sincerely hope it does, because I personally think that the winner of this fight would probably have to be considered the greatest Mixed Martial Arts fighter of all time. That’s a debate we can get into another time, but my point is this: it’s two of the most-dominant champions in UFC history fighting each other, and personally, it’s two of my favorite UFC fighters of all time fighting each other. Of course I still want to see it.

No.1 Randy Couture vs. Fedor Emelianenko

Randy Couture vs. Fedor Emelianenko

How could anything else be number one? I don’t think I’ll ever stop wishing that I could’ve seen this fight. It could happen tomorrow and I’d still want to see it, just to say that I did. Maybe I’m way too sentimental about this fight because I’m way too sentimental about these fighters: I consider both two of the greatest fighters and sports-related role models of all time. But nevertheless, I honestly think this would’ve been a fight I would have told my grandchildren about one day, as I sat at home in the futuristic equivalent of a rocking chair. But that’s just me.

About the author

Oliver Saenz, also known as PdW2kX, is a freelance journalist, opinion columnist, hardcore MMA fan, and lifelong video game nerd. For more news, views, previews, and reviews on all things Mixed Martial Arts as well as video games, be sure to visit FightGamesBlog.net.

It has been weeks of silence on Miguel Torres’ future in the MMA, since making a careless rape joke on his Twitter account. Dana White subsequently made the drastic call to cut the fighter from the UFC’s Bantamweight division.

Torres tweeted the hurtful joke, which infuriated White, while watching an episode of Workaholics on Comedy Central. Since the cut from the UFC, Torres on his own, used the weeks of silence, to make a life changing move by turning a negative into a positive. Here is how he did it, so take note people, since his story may even help you out in a troubled incident:

Before sitting down with UFC President Dana White on the situation and coming up with an excuse or explanation to give, Torres took matters into his own hands; he manned up to his actions and signed up for a rape sensitivity class. Torres also reached out to every rape crisis center in Chicago to offer self-defense courses and donate money to them. Another goal he promised to give is to use his male outreach to help, as well educate, the fans on how to respect women, and continue to raise his awareness.

Just this past UFC 141 presser, White announced that Torres is officially back in the UFC Bantamweight roster, and Torres stated that a huge relief is finally lifted off his shoulders. One can only imagine. He is grateful to be back, ready to face his next challenge in the UFC and hopes to shed blood as early as March 2012.

[My] only goal in life is to be a UFC champion, it is all that I have my eye set on. The path is set, all I have to do is walk it. – Miguel Torres

Debate

Was it right for Dana White to change his mind and allow Miguel Torres back into the UFC? Please voice yourself in the comment section below.

One reason the Mexican market is attractive to the UFC is that many top-tier MMA fighters are Mexican or Mexican-American. Names such as Cain Velasquez, Dominick Cruz, Tito Ortiz, Miguel Torres, Roger Huerta, and Gilbert Melendez shine in the UFC and are considered elite martial artists.

In recent interviews with MexicoToday, UFC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz credited the incredible work ethic of the Mexican fighter to this success, whereas rising UFC contender Aaron Rosa explained Mexican athletes such as himself have the heart that set them apart.

The first UFC fight to be broadcast live on the FOX Network is a blockbuster. Mexican-American UFC Heavyweight Champion, Cain Velasquez, will defend his title for the first time against top contender, Junior Dos Santos.

Not only does Mexico have a growing class of excellent mixed martial artists, but this country also has a giant fan base for the sport. Mexico is a country with a growing middle class that is youthful and has expendable income. The UFC sees potential in Mexico and has the right fighters to showcase to the Mexican people. Mexican fans are excited about the UFC and with so many popular Mexican fighters in the promotion; this expansion could be great for both parties.

Reed Harris, UFC Vice President of Community Relations, told MexicoToday that on a recent trip to Mexico the media attention surrounding the UFC was staggering. Harris explained that, from what he has seen, Mexican fans are excited and ready for the UFC in Mexico.

Marca Pais – Imagen de Mexico is an initiative to help promote a positive image of Mexico as a global business partner and an unrivaled tourist destination abroad.

Source: Marca Pais – Imagen de Mexico

UFC in Mexico (Caine Velasquez)