THE OCT-O-GON
What is THE OCT-O-GON?
This is something new we want to try for 2014, so we get more fan interaction. This is where a member of our staff has a live "Open" discussion (Hence the mis-spelling) with any given person regarding an upcoming fight, former fights, fighters, rumors, MMAUG Girls, articles, training, techniques and much more. If you feel that you have enough knowledge on the sport and want to discuss a fight, let me know...you might be the next one to join us here at THE OCT-O-GON.
Want to participate, go to our Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/mmaesoteric) and post on our wall you want to be the next one in the OCT-O-GON and what your topic of discussion will be. Participants will be selected at random by our staff.
On this page we also write articles of upcoming fighters, Interviews and MMA Underground Fighter's of the month.
Fighter's Corner - Insight
Fighter: Anthony Pettis
This month the fighter of the month is Anthony Pettis. I know, I know, I picked another lightweight but after that brutal demolition of Donald Cerrone how can someone not like his fight game. His recent streak has been so impressive, so explosive, so... Different. He recently earned a shot at JoseAldo after saying he wanted it... Well that, and his patience in waiting for his last title shot screwed him over. Sure, you have a few naysayers, namely Ricardo Llamas, but is it bad that I don’t give a shit? I mean seriously, this is a fight that only occurs in dreams but this time around we are lucky enough to see it materialize. This is the fight I will be looking to more than oxygen itself.
So what is so great about Anthony “Showtime” Pettis? Let’s start at the bench mark for which the casual fan looks for: the record. Right now, “Showtime” stands at 16-2 with almost equal submission to TKO/KO finish wins. So, other than being flashy his record shows you that he is well rounded and isn’t simply another “knockout artist”(I fucking hate that expression) whom can submit fools. His only losses are by decision to Bart Palaszewski(split) and most recently Clay Guida(he earns a pass on that one) and has beat not only current lightweight champion Benson Henderson, but has also defeated Cerrone, Shane Roller, Danny Castillo, and Joe Lauzon to name a few.
I also like his personality... This guy would fight in a parking lot if that is where Dana White scheduled the fight. He is ready to go and isn’t too cocky considering at only 26 he has his own trademark move the "Showtime Kick" and now the "Showtime knee". These two clips highlight something I absolutely love about his style which is his crafty striking... He isn’t afraid to utilize weird angles and unorthodox moves, what’s more is that his accuracy is lethal. So, not only can he throw the most ostentatious of strikes... He can also land them with devastating effects. He has also proven good at eluding strikes but can also take them when caught which is something that cannot be taught... Am I right Alistair?.
The camp he comes out of has always had a very solid reputation but in recent years Roufusport’s sterling reputation has gotten better with not only the surge of Pettis but also in Bellator Welterweight champ Ben Askren. Ben Askren is a very solid individual to have access to as it isn’t too often you get a wrestler of his caliber in a striker heavy camp like this one. His next step is to fight Jose Aldo for the Featherweight strap and I think that Aldo faces a very big problem against a guy like Showtime. I think he has what it takes to keep Aldo at distance and hit him with some very crafty stuff. The reason I immediately say keep at distance is because this is where Aldo isn’t the strongest and where Pettis does well... Don’t get it twisted though, I think Pettis is so good he could even beat Aldo in the pocket.
So in close, if you are looking for a favorite fighter, Showtime Pettis would be an excellent choice. Young, exciting, diverse, and fresh... All characteristics one can grasp onto. That’s nice and everything but where it immediately comes to light is in the only place it matters: The cage. If you haven’t heard of this kid, please, pry yourself from the rock under which you live, search Youtube for “Anthony Pettis Highlights” and thank me later.
Fighter: Jamie Varner
Jamie Varner can scrap. I first noticed this in his absolute destruction of Sherron Leggett at WEC 29 and was immediately intrigued. The violence on display was absurd, he threw Leggett, spiked him, took him down and brutalized that poor, poor bastard at will and with ill regard for the welfare of his opponent: he would win this affair via violent KO. That however, pales in comparison to his most recent fight against Melvin Guillard that has reignited my affinity for his leave it all in the cage, aggressive, well rounded style. I could go all day but let’s look at the numbers here.
Varner though only 28 boats career achievements not possessed by most whom have been in the game longer than he has. He has 31 professional MMA fights and has amassed a commendable 21-7-1 2NC record in which he earned the WEC lightweight title. He is also well decorated outside the realm of MMA If being a perennial NCAA D-1 standout in wrestling isn’t enough for you he was also an All American runner-up. His boxing is equally dangerous, not only shown in scraps with elite strikers Donald Cerrone, Rob McCullough,and most recently Melvin Guillard but he also holds a NCBA national title in boxing... Did I say the guy can scrap?
I have chosen him for MMA UG fighter of the month not only for achievements earned in the past but his recent career resurgence. After a very rough 2010 that dealt Varner an 0-3-1 showing he seemed to be on his way back with over Tyler Combs he went on to lose to Dakota “gay for pay”(hyperlink text to external link about him being a gay for pay pornstar) which had many wondering: is he done? He has since silenced such detractors with a recent 4-1 hot streak which has left Nate Jolly, Edson Barboza, and Melvin Guillard in his wake.
The only thing that upsets me is that his most recent win was a split decision which should have been unanimous but I guess sitting fucking inches from the cage isn’t close enough for one judge who scored it a befuddling 30-27 for Guillard. This should have been fight of the night but Joe Lauzon just wouldn’t die in a losing effort to Jim Miller so these fellows walked off with fight of the night honors As a Varner fan, I look forward to the future and I think the sky is the limit for this guy. As for me, that fridge full of beer is calling me kiddies so until the next time, keep those gloves up.
