UFC 333 is a stark reminder of how great the UFC can be when they actually put effort into their cards. Thoughtful matchmaking and putting together bouts without them being absolute squash matches is what us old-timers were brought up on. This is a genuinely excellent event, but it also makes me feel cheated for what we get about 90-95% of the rest of t…

UFC Edmonton is almost as bad as last week’s card. Hell, maybe it is just as bad, but since there are two ranked fights and the bigges losing skid is three fights, I guess I should cut them some slack. The dearth of recognizable talent is indicative of where the UFC’s promotional ability is these days, which is to say barely existent. I do love the co-m…

UFC Vegas 122 is a miserable card. It’s filled with lateral movement, losing records and athletes that shouldn’t even be in the promotion. This is the truest form of Apex slop, and it’s shameful that this is the state of the promotion that commands billions. The single ranked fight isn’t even the best one on the card. What a miserable state this sport i…

UFC 332 is a card slapped together with what looks like zero regard for traditional numbered event standards. This one looks like it would be right at home in Salt Lake City, but billed as a Fight Night. Now I’m sure the action will find its way to our screens, but the bar is pretty low, to say the least. The main card is fairly fun and intriguing but t…

UFC Vegas 121 is exactly what you’d expect of an Apex card. Not much in the way of name value, ridiculous card order and some miserable stats. This is supposed to be a TUF finale card, so I understand the dearth of ranked talent, but once upon a time, TUF finales were well matched, thoughtful events that felt like impactful, important events. Those were…

UFC 331 is minimum effort card slapped together by the matchmakers. It does have three ranked fights but all ranked fights are not created equal. Joshua Van vs. Alexandre Pantoja sits atop the main card, our lone title bout. It should be a good, action-packed fight that will determine if Van has what it takes to hang on to his belt now that Pantoja has …

The UFC is in Glendale, Arizona this weekend with a pretty decent Fight Night event. “Fight Night”, you ask? Well, if a Noche event is not in Mexico, is it really a Noche event? I’ll leave you to ponder that one. The bouts, at least on the main card, are pretty dang good. Fiorot vs. Grasso and McMillen vs. Rahiki are certified fresh matchmaking, imho an…

The UFC is in Paris this weekend with a card that has no ranked fights and just three ranked fighters. Considering the card is in the City of Light and the local government likely paid a small fortune in site fees, this is kind of nasty work by the promotion. I do like the debut of Parnasse being the main event, and there are some fun fights, but they s…