UFC 90 Analysis: Cote Tough, Rematch Doubtful

UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva left the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill., with gold around his waist, but not in his typical manner. Patrick Cote’s freak injury 39 seconds into the third round put an ellipsis on the title clash instead of the usual exclamation point attached to both combatants’ ledgers.

Silva, who has expressed plans to retire after completing the remaining five fights on his Zuffa contract, picked up a win without adding to or detracting from the legacy he’s built in his now 8-0 UFC tenure. Meanwhile Cote took Silva into the third period -- a feat matched by no one else inside the Octagon -- but it may be the last time he fights the champion.

A chance at a pound-for-pound great in Silva is difficult to draw, and the Brazilian’s exit strategy is pressing the UFC to find him cash-collecting fights. Although Cote hung in there with him Saturday, the UFC will likely turn to other contenders in the future instead of offering the tough French-Canadian a rematch.

Some of the most credible challengers are Yushin Okami, Thales Leites -- who submitted Drew McFedries at UFC 90 -- and whoever prevails from Michael Bisping’s meeting with the winner of Rich Franklin vs. Dan Henderson. A superfight with fellow MMA prototype Georges St. Pierre or another foray into the light heavyweight division for Silva also severely impairs Cote’s chance to finish what he started at UFC 90. Factor in the status of his knee, and his chances of a rematch are like hitting a million dollars on a dollar-scratcher.

The Team Sitdotyong representative ate stiff shots when Silva mounted offense in the fight, showcasing a chin that surpassed its prior reputation. He leaves the fight at a higher value yet is still likely to get the Karo Parisyan treatment in the 185-pound title picture.

For Silva, the fight accelerated his game clock. A lengthy, grueling camp for such an anticlimactic ending is disheartening to fighters and fans. With his career reportedly winding down, not having another highlight-reel win feels like a cheat.

Failure to finish the heavy underdog quickly and dramatically also makes him look human even though he didn’t take any flush shots on the chin in 10 minutes of action. His affinity for creativity seemed out of boredom this time out, and moving into the final acts of his career may be more of a battle outside of the Octagon than inside.

Alves’ Has the Tools to Challenge GSP

With the main event remaining somewhat unanswered, the other featured fight of the night between Thiago Alves and Josh Koscheck was unanimously decisive. Alves passed his first test by making weight -- a knock that may have kept him from securing a title shot after his destruction of Matt Hughes -- and come fight time, he passed the next challenge with his power on full display.

Alves’ ability to stop Koscheck’s takedowns points to a fair chance against welterweight king Georges St. Pierre should “Rush” get past lightweight champion B.J. Penn. At the same time, Koscheck’s training at American Kickboxing Academy paid out big against the American Top Team striker. Stumbling and dizzy, he recovered and came forward like his gritty teammate Jon Fitch had against St. Pierre in August.

Koscheck’s athleticism has translated into technique as he continues to progress from a one-dimensional takedown artist to a complete mixed martial artist. He even shoved some nasty strikes down Alves’ throat in the midst of having his leg hobbled and jaw smashed. Stepping in on short notice and participating in one of the night’s most exciting bouts, Koscheck did everything possible to keep his seat in the notoriously unforgiving welterweight division.

Misc. Notes

Against Tyson Griffin, Sean Sherk stuck to a game plan he had hashed out in his title fight against B.J. Penn, choosing to box rather than suffocate his opponents from top position. Sherk’s entertaining win, which won “Fight of the Night” honors, was a step toward regaining the 155-pound strap he lost to Penn in May. The Minnesotan, like Koscheck, was jeered by the crowd, but his impressive switch to a fan friendly style may be what he needs in the gridlocked weight class. …

Junior Dos Santos came into his UFC debut against Fabricio Werdum with solid credentials, but none close to his opponent’s. In fact, the disciple of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira was considered by some to be a feeder fight for Werdum while he waited on the heavyweight title tournament’s end. With an uppercut that landed and sent Werdum bloodied and face down early in the first, though, Dos Santos immediately established himself as an exciting prospect. The division’s thin line of contenders may have brought about a new challenger too. …

Gray Maynard was disappointed that his win over Rich Clementi wasn’t more exciting, but it was just the tally he needed after defeating Frankie Edgar in July. The win solidifies that the Edgar victory -- the biggest of his career -- was no fluke. More importantly, it suggests Maynard’s talents can overcome experience -- a much-needed asset for a young fighter in a hungry division. With training partner Tyson Griffin falling behind, the path may be clear for the Las Vegan to represent Xtreme Couture in title contention. …

Thales Leites’ quick submission of Drew McFedries was exactly what the Brazilian needed after his stock had dropped some in his controversial victory over former title challenger Nate Marquardt. Leites has won five straight in the UFC, and his vaunted submission game and takedown abilities may thrust him into a future style clash with Anderson Silva, should the middleweight titleholder not venture to 205 pounds again or meet Georges St. Pierre in a champion vs. champion showdown.