Welcome to a new column here at 6th Round. This weekly “Sunday Submission” installment will recap some of the hottest and most talked-about issues in MMA as well as provide a vehicle for some of our more opinionated insights. As always, we welcome your feedback and constructive criticism.

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Sunday July 12, 2008

While existing fans may have been generally pleased with the historic UFC 100 event which went down in Las Vegas last night, the mainstream media is sure to maintain their skeptical outlook on MMA.

Thanks to a horribly received post-fight rant by current champ and shameful maniac Brock Lesnar, the growth of the sport that UFC 100 was striving to stand for has been tainted. I choose my words carefully when describing fighters and have the utmost respect for nearly all who compete, however it cannot be refuted that Lesnar was maniacal following his second round TKO victory over Frank Murrr (Brock English anyone?).

“Frank Mir had a horseshoe up his ass. I told him that a year ago. I pulled it out of him and beat him over the head with it. [Now] I’m going to drink a Coors Light. That’s right a Coors. Bud Light don’t pay me nothing. I may even get on top of my wife tonight.”

In addition to the UFC now likely realizing the addition of a former WWE star who still lives mentally in a Hollywood-style fantasy land was a bad move, the judging in the Akiyama-Belcher bout has made some noise and added fuel to the always-burning fiery debates regarding the 10 point must system in professional mixed martial arts.

Many (bloggers, twitterers, sports writers, etc.) outside of the judge’s table also scored the fight for Akiyama, but not all were in agreement with Belcher receive the L. UFC commentator Joe Rogan quickly posted a tweet expressing his belief that the American-born Muay Thai specialist was robbed. The sentiment was also echoed by some, yet I can see no way to score the bout other than Akiyama winning by split or unanimous decision.

The japanese star with Korean roots, Yoshihiro, took the first two rounds rather transparently and arguably scored as much as his opponent did in the third. Whatever your personal take on this match, judging in MMA continually ignites cries of “robbery!” more so than in many other professional sports.

Finally I present what are sure to be several talking points in the world of pro MMA over the coming days…

- As aforementioned, Brock Lesnar’s detrimental behavior

- Yoshihiro Akiyama’s victory over Alan Belcher

- The somewhat lack of usual, overall energy during the pay-per-view broadcast

- Where welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre will go from here

- If the UFC will continue to grow as quickly as it has over the past few years

- Who Frank Mir will face next

- The current exclusion and hopeful future inclusion of prelim fights on PPV