UFC 143′s Three Stars: Thompson, Poirier and Barao

One more thing........I find it interesting that nobody faults the "Karate Kid" Lyoto Machida for sticking and moving (backing up) in almost all his fights but when Condit employs this
strategy (for one fight) they call it running even though he was landing more punches and kicks than Diaz.
This is Mixed Martial Arts not Mixed Martial Brawl.
Brains and strategy do come into play even though it might not be what the fans expect or want to see.

Condit should be in there. He controlled Diaz and no one thought that was a possibility. Diaz was so frustrated that he announced to the world that he was quitting MMA.

Props to Condit for having nerves of steel against one of the league's best strikers. He has 26 out of 28 wins by finish, so not finishing Diaz is not a knock against him at all. He landed some beautiful kicks to the head and went for some flying knees. Quit saying he was point fighting, because he wasn't. He was throwing some hard shots and crisp combinations. If it's Condit's fault for not finishing Diaz, then it's Diaz' fault for letting it go to the judges and not finishing Condit.

BTW, if it's "running" to move side to side and void the direct engagement, then is it "running" to defend takedowns and avoid the submission game (i.e. Dos Santos)? Some folks got no brains. If you lost money on Diaz, call him up and ask him to pay you back what you lost. His leg is pretty bruised up so he won't likely take your head off for asking.

White must be feeling very stupid right now after doing a "prime-time" series on Diaz, attempting to wash the Ghetto off of that guttersnipe. Well, you can try to spit-shine a turd, but it still stinks.

The only think that could possible knock magpies socks off is a date with Ellen DeGeneres.

1. Thompson....amazing kick and now lets see what he does with a bout against better competition 2. Werdum....seriously, those knees were nasty, and Big Country is one of my favorites, but damn did Werdum look good 3. Matt Brown...was very happy to see him back and punching instead of working on the ground, nice TKO

Barao is impressive but he couldn't finish Jorgenson...Condit won the bout, i won't call it a fight, he won the bout...he backed up, he countered some, he threw leg kicks that did slow Diaz down, but that was not impressive...i won't buy another PPV with Condit, and I previously loved how he fought...Greg Jackson's camp does produce winners...they win lots of fights, but generally boring, lacking action...these guys are great, but if you don't impress all the fans with your style they won't be coming back...just win, sure...but win impressively

Barao was dominant, but I would have given the third nod to Werdum. He beat the living hell out of Roy Nelson, who was only standing at the end of that fight because he's Roy Nelson.

1. Thompson 2. Condit 3. Poirier and the award for crybaby #$%$ goes to Diaz..

To leave Condit out as one of the Stars of the Night is atrocious.
He did the unthinkable and beat Nick Diaz and won a belt for doing it setting him up for an even bigger match with GSP.
Poirier was expected to do just what he di
Thompson was expected to do just what he di
Big deal
Condit was Not Expected to do what he di and send the famous Nick Diaz back to Stockton with a loss and no belt and no big money match with GSP
That makes him the Biggest Star of Sturday night

While Thompson fought a scrub he looked impressive in his UFC debut and is worth keeping an eye on.

One word, WERDUM!

Congratulations to Barao for winning, but I can't say that anything about that fight really stood out to me as spectacular (aside from the fact that Jorgensen is tough as nails). A more worthy recipient of the third star would be either Condit for the perfect execution of his game plan, or Werdum for improving so drastically in his stand-up game.

WOW.. Maggie actually said something mildly critical of a UFC card in that it maybe didn't "knock our socks off"... I wonder when Cofield's balls will drop and he would write something like that. That guy is all UFC knee pads and lots of spit.

I still think that Condit should be praised for fighting his fight and not Diaz's. I thought it was genius, and he wore Diaz down and won the fight. This wasn't Machida avoiding all contact and not attacking, or Houston Alexander running from Kimbo Slice. It's Diaz's job to be able to keep Condit contained and he let him circle off the fence every time. What's Condit supposed to do? Lay up against the fence with his hands down and let Diaz punch away?

Good 3 Stars Mags, but I'd put a couple different ones on there:
1. UFC in 3D in the Theatre was RAD!!! I was impressed with how cool it looked.
2. Stephen Thompson - no doubt, AWESOME Karate Kick KTFO
3. Fabricio WERDUM - for all the haters that used to call this guy a "ufc reject" and "strikefarce minor leaguer" SUCK IT!!! he DESTROYED ur TUF Winner!

I am over stimulated over this blog of Maggie's !!! So much information and insight. She just picks the fighters who get bonuses and one with the best winning streak in the UFC !!! Bob Woodward would be blown away lol. I'm not hating on Magpie. I actually get a kick out her poorly written sub par writing. She is the Ewe Bole of MMA writers and I for one hope she sticks around . Listening to Smack my #$%$ while I write this.

WOW Maggie Moo, you are so perspicacious and gimlet-eyed!!! KOing "Stittgen" is a major accomplishment that all MMA fighters work towards. That was so impressive, sort of like if a bar drunk got KOed by Overeem. Speaks volumes that you selected such a fantastic fighter with such an impressive win. However I was a little sad that you left the Blob off of the list. Why? Most fighters have the goal of being a 250 LBS human heave bag. And don't forget our favorite guttersnipe homie. He got lit up like a firecracker and snapped. Great picks. It means so much to receive your accolades. I see a Pulitzer coming your way!!!

Alistair Overeem should win if not in the same fashion,then by knockout.