What We Learned From UFC 122

The UFC travelled back to Europe for UFC 122 to hold it’s second event in Germany.  The first event was held in June 2009 (UFC 99) in Cologne, Germany and was headlined by Rich Franklin vs. Wanderlei Silva.  The event was a resounding success at the sold out Lanxess Arena.

Unfortunately, during the intervening 17 months betweeen UFC 99 and UFC 122, Germany rolled up the welcome mat and along with the weather, the reception was quite chilly.  Germany is a key country for the UFC in its quest to make mixed martial arts a world wide sport.  The UFC has faced stiff opposition in Germany, most notably with the fact that the UFC cannot be shown on German television.  Despite the ban from television and other regulatory hurdles, the UFC presses forward.

So back to what we learned from UFC 122 – inside the Octagon:

While Krzysztof Soszynski is an awesome striker and his favorite submission is the kimura, but he needs to learn another submission.  Just because you have a guys arm doesn’t mean that you’re automatically in a position to lock in a kimura.

What’s next for Soszynski? Well let’s hope it’s not another rematch with Stephan Bonnar. Maybe a Jason Brilz (remember his epic battle with Lil Nog in UFC 114) or Igor Pokrajac.

Amir Sodallah doesn’t look like your typical MMA fighter.  He doesn’t have that muscular look but he comes out and does his job in a workman like manner.  Sodallah put on a muay thai clinic against Peter Sobatta with his relentless pressure, strikes and kicks.  Sodallah also demonstrated that his takedown defense has improved.

What’s next for Sodallah? I’d like to see Sodallah go up against Mike Swick.

Finally, Nate Marquardt and Yushin Okami – what is there to say…. UFC President Dana White said that Marquardt “choked”. Sometimes you have to give credit to your opponent who doesn’t give you the opportunity to work your game plan.  But I think that White’s comment is code for “we’re screwed! How are we going to sell a main event fight between Okami and whoever!?” I mean honestly, how many fights does a guy have to win before he gets a title shot? Okami has won 10 fights in the UFC! He’s had 2 losses: 1 to Rich Franklin and 1 to Chael Sonnen. I think that’s more code…

What’s on tap for Marquardt?  Well, who knows. Nate needs to go up in the mountains or wherever and find some fire in his belly. As we’ve said in the past, Nate needs to fight with more “bad intentions” toward his opponent. Maybe a fight against a guy like Aaron Simpson will help.

All said, UFC 122 was really quite forgetable. So let’s do that….