Nine Fights We DON’T Want to See in 2009
Published by Dave Sholler on January 7th, 2009 in Current Events

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Earlier this week, we took a look at nine bouts we hope to see in the next 365 days. We’ll now take a look at nine bouts we hope don’t come to fruition this year.

Anderson Silva vs. Yushin Okami

Okami owns an impressive record inside the Octagon and also serves as the last man to defeat Silva. Still, we can’t imagine this one being very good. Okami does own a win over Silva, but it came via disqualification. So there is very little reason for fans to clamor for a rematch.

The bottom line is that we think Okami would get smoked just like every other 185-pounder who’s stepped inside the cage with Silva. While he is one of the strongest middleweights in the sport, we think Okami lacks the skills necessary to defeat Silva. Plus, do you think this one would sell on PPV? Didn’t think so…

Quinton Jackson vs. Chuck Liddell III

If by some chance these two do enough in early 2009 to be matched up against one another before year’s end, we hope it gets cancelled. The first two Jackson-Liddell fights were pretty clear cut. Jackson simply has The Iceman’s number.

Chuck Liddell vs. Randy Couture IV

Thankfully, Dana White called a fourth fight between the two a rumor from “the underground.” We hope the idea of the bout stays well beneath the surface. Both have had terrific careers and are among the best of all-time. But we don’t need a fourth battle. It would be cool for nostalgia purposes, but that is about it.

Kimbo Slice vs. Seth Petruzelli II

We struggled mightily to think of reasons why we wouldn’t want to see this fight again. In the end, it just isn’t worth our time. Slice is a mediocre fighter who has a long way to go before he can be called a heavyweight contender. And as for Petruzelli, we think his most memorable traits are his hair and his penchant for sticking a foot in his mouth. The first bout was fourteen seconds. We’d rather waste our seconds elsewhere.

Kalib Starnes vs. Nate Quarry II

Remember this stinker from UFC 83? It was so bad that Starnes was cut from the roster following the fight. After dropping out of the limelight in the months following UFC 83, Starnes was reportedly spotted the other day near Canada. He was still running from Quarry.

Paulo Filho vs. Chael Sonnen III

The first fight was truly entertaining (a Filho win). The second fight was truly pathetic (a Filho loss). An out of shape, unfocused Filho avoided Sonnen like Starnes avoided Quarry en route to a decision loss in the second match.

Much like Starnes, Filho was released from his contract following the fight. While the Filho-Sonnen series is deadlocked at 1-1, we don’t need a third fight to predict the outcome.

Tim Sylvia vs. Ken Shamrock

When we heard that Sylvia was considering a bout against Shamrock, we nearly choked on our sunflower seeds. Are you kidding? Sylvia, who faced Nogueira and Emelianenko in his last two bouts, wants to get back in the win column by beating a faded Shamrock? Ladies and gentlemen, the ink on The Maine-iac’s shoulder tattoo may have leaked into his blood stream.

Mike Swick vs. Josh Burkman II

We like both of these guys a lot, so we won’t pick on them too much. However, their bout one year ago was downright brutal. We’ll take a pass on the rematch.

Frank Shamrock vs. Tito Ortiz

Since Shamrock defeated Ortiz in 1999, we’ve heard hundreds of rematch rumors. Considering both are no longer obligated to the UFC, a 2009 bout would seem likely. We won’t hold our breath though.

While we might actually enjoy this clash, we’d likely be exposed to one of the two pulling out because of money, injury, or both. For what it’s worth, it probably wouldn’t live up to the hype anyway.

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