NGN (Not Good News) for CBS

Media Week shared the overnight figures for Strikeforce on CBS.

CBS Strike Force Saturday Night Fights

9:00 p.m. – Viewers: 2.57 million (#4), A18-49: 0.8/ 3 (#4)
9:30 p.m. – Viewers: 2.55 million (#4), A18-49: 1.0/ 3 (#4)
10:00 p.m. – Viewers: 2.89 million (#3), A18-49: 1.2/ 4 (#2)
10:30 p.m. – Viewers: 2.52 million (#3), A18-49: 1.0/ 3 (#2)

Among males 18-to-49 -- mixed martial arts' core demographic and the only reason networks have any interest in the sport at all -- CBS Saturday Night Fights at various times trailed Cops, The Biggest Loser, Shark Tale and re-runs of Law & Order SVU.

The early figures represent a 31% drop from Strikeforce's November show on CBS, which attracted 3.79 million viewers in the 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. slot.

CBS began promoting the event during the NCAA Tournament, albeit in 5-10 second spots. And beyond the standard promos and affiliate spots that were at most 30 seconds there was nothing to educate the casual viewer on a loaded event and get them excited about it. Why Showtime or CBS - even if they go viral - can't piece together a promotional package remains a mystery.

Spike re-aired UFC 110 opposite Strikeforce. I'm curious about its ratings.

Shields scores

The talk of Saturday's mega Strikeforce show on CBS is dominated by the postfight melee instigated by Jason Miller's challenge to Jake Sheilds for a middleweight title rematch. I'm not defending Miller's actions, which were uncalled for, unnecessary and a serious case of terrible and unprofessional timing.

But besides Miller just living up to his act, is this truly one of the most disgraceful things to ever happen in sports? Didn't Mike Tyson try and bite Evander Holyfield's ear off? Wasn't there a riot at Madison Square Garden that exploded when one of Riddick Bowe's handlers smacked Andrew Golota in the back of the head with a walkie talkie after one too many low blows? How about that incident in Detroit that started when Ron Artest went after a fan that tossed a beer at him? Or when Juan Marichal and Jose Offerman used baseball bats as samurai swords? And didn't Frank Mir's death wish on Brock Lesnar horrify the MMA haters who still look at the sport as a spectacle?

Memo to the MMA haters and stuffy suit and ties: Chill out and get over it. Last I looked boxing, basketball, baseball and the UFC are still in business, and Strikeforce president Scott Coker will nip this in the bud and move on. As for Miller, I'd concern myself about Robbie Lawler this summer before any rematch with the reigning champion.

The big story to come out of Nashville Saturday night was how Shields, already a winner of 12 straight fights, elevated his stature even further with his unanimous decision victory over PRIDE & UFC veteran Dan Henderson. What made it more impressive is how this was supposed to be a bad matchup for Shields facing a guy who has also competed at 205 and his ability to survive Hendo's right hand was in question. Henderson landed a bomb nearly similar to the one that blasted Michael Bisping at UFC 100. Shields not only took it, he overcame the fear that was in his eyes and took the bout to his domain, the ground. The wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu expert dominated with a thorough game plan that frustrated the veteran, who relied on the home run shot the entire fight.

Best of all, Shields' bargaining power is to where both Strikeforce and the UFC will be handing over blank checks. Shields has a one-fight option available with Strikeforce and Dana White has expressed an interest in bringing him to Las Vegas. Posturing on White's part to drive up Shields' price or a plan to add one of his top competitor's biggest pieces to his empire?

"I just want to take some time off, leave the country, and enjoy myself," Shields said after the fight. "We'll talk about that next week. My management team will talk to Strikeforce. We'll see what happens."

In terms of contenders Strikeforce can offer Cung Le, Scott Smith, Lawler, Joey Villasenor, Melvin Manhoef and DREAM import Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza. The UFC could throw Shields a few top middleweights before a showdown with Anderson Silva or Chael Sonnen, or perhaps a matchup with Georges St. Pierre, along with Zuffa's marketing power that will add more pizazz to Shields' name.

Not only did Shields earn the biggest win of his career, he's the hottest name on the market. If White's able to swipe him, the impact will be more profound than when Henderson agreed to go to Strikeforce. Coker's company is still building a program and a Shields defection will rattle its foundation quite a bit.

Lauzon looking at next fight on his turf

I wish I can blog in this space more often. Alas, it's Yankees season and I've put up plenty of commentary here. Of course there's been plenty of MMA work on my plate. No offseason in that sport and it seems like there's been a show every week. Tomorrow night is Strikeforce on CBS with the WEC's premiere pay-per-view a week later.

I chatted with Joe Lauzon earlier and he's looking at his next fight coming in August before his hometown fans in Boston when the UFC makes its debut in Beantown for UFC 118. Health permitting, Frankie Edgar-B.J. Penn II and Kenny Florian-Gray Maynard could co-headline the show. Lauzon, who lost a unanimous decision to Sam Stout in February, stated his preference to compete in Boston and it's looking like he'll get that chance.

"They're saying it's going to happen, so we'll see," Lauzon said. "The UFC is meeting with the commission and all that stuff to make it all happen. It's looking like something's going to happen for August."

A lot of variables will determine his opponent Lauzon split his last two bouts, submitting Jeremy Stephens before falling short versus Stout in what was the Fight of the Night. Stephens and Stout are fighting May 8 at UFC 113 in Montreal. Could a rematch with the Hands of Stone be in the cards? Lauzon had Stout in trouble in the first round before Stout's striking dictated the rest of the fight. Furthermore, ACL surgery kept Lauzon out of action for 11 months. By August he'll be back at peak strength and a rematch on his turf may end up breeding a different result.

I would love to get that one," Lauzon said. "I look at Jeremy Stephens is a more dangerous fighter. Sam is a more polished guy. It'll be interesting to see how that goes. If Sam doesn't get by Jeremy we'll both be coming off a loss so I'm all for doing that again."

Also in Montreal, besides the light-heavyweight title rematch between Lyoto Machida and Mauricio Rua, is a compelling welterweight battle between Josh Koscheck and Paul Daley that may determine Georges St. Pierre's next challenge. My feature on Semtex is in the new edition of TapouT Magazine, Issue 36, Page 86.

MMA fans were disappointed with UFC 112 thanks to Anderson Silva's embarrassing antics, and it's a shame because Silva's decision to act like a clown and make a mockery of the sport overshadowed Edgar's stunning upset of the once invincible Prodigy. Dana White was rightfully pissed off, and to be fair 112 is likely just an aberration, but the door is open for Strikeforce to prove they're serious about competing against the Zuffa monolith. Tomorrow night on CBS is a great, great lineup featuring three title fights, including what may end up to be Jake Shields' final fight with the organization.

Shields' Strikeforce contract expires after Saturday and White has made it clear he will make a play for the stud who's won his last 13 bouts. If he wins Strikeforce will have no choice but to hand him an open check, but will money's pull be stronger than the opportunity to face GSP or the Spider? Of course, Silva will have to cut the crap in addition to defeating Chael Sonnen at UFC 117. White has threatened to cut Silva from the company if he pulls another stunt like he did in Abu Dhabi.

Silva: Jones must earn right to fight me

One week and change later, the MMA world is still buzzing over Jon Jones' destruction of Brandon Vera. Today on FightMagazine.com I suggested five potential next opponents for the white-hot light-heavyweight.

One is Thiago Silva, coming off a loss to Rashad Evans, but competed well enough to retain his high standing in the division. In fact, Silva told my colleagues at MMAJunkie.com that Jones must first get to his level before they fight one another.

"I think [Jones] is a wonderful fighter; he's doing a good job, putting on a good show," Silva said. "But I think he has to prove himself more to get the right to fight me. He’s doing fine, but he has to take a few more steps. I [want to] climb fast to the title shot, so I want people with the high ranking right now."

Silva may have planted a bug in Zuffa's ear. He's looking at a UFC 116 return from a back injury. Last I checked Jones' calendar is open. How about Joe Silva telling Thiago Silva, "Think you're that much better than Jones? Prove it."

Carwin changes the questions

He'd never survive past the first round.

That 11-0 record, with each win coming in the opening stanza, was cosmetic. He never faced anyone the caliber of Frank Mir. Gabriel Gonzaga buckled his knees. Never mind that he showed the mark of a champion by taking it and finding a way to win.

That one-year layoff from competition would come back to hurt him. Mir was going to dice him.

People at Zuffa will never admit it, but they were secretly hoping for Mir to defeat Shane Carwin to set up a rubber Mir-Brock Lesnar match July 3 and build hype based on legit hate.

With an explosive left hand that sent Mir tumbling and a barrage of follow ups that would turn cement into dust, Carwin changed all the questions at UFC 111. To anyone who doubted him because he lacked the big-fight experience of Mir, Carwin proved he's for real. By capturing the UFC interim heavyweight title he actually did Zuffa favor: Lesnar-Carwin lacks the spike fit for a WWE storyline, but Dana White and Co. can turn a 1,000-page novel (with no pictures) on the history of cabinet making into an exciting tale.

And the bottom line is this: Carwin provides Lesnar with the best matchup. For one, Lesnar won't be able to bully Carwin into a defenseless position, like he did Mir. Lesnar's chin has also never been truly tested. I don't care who you are. You get hit flush by a Carwin punch, you're falling. In turn, all of Lesnar's MMA fights took place prior to the diverticulitis that ravaged his body. Not only is Lesnar healthy, he's stronger.

Carwin will also be Lesnar's greatest challenge. Cry all you want about the quality of his opponents. When you win all 12 of your MMA fights, needing no longer than three minutes and 48 seconds, to vanquish 12 of the world's best athletes whose ability allowed them to excel in this sport, you've accomplished something absolutely amazing and remarkable. And this is from someone who at age 35 works full-time as an engineer and is a married father of a newborn daughter. Carwin's got the "it" factor I believed would get him past Mir and it did. And while doing so he forced the first seed of concern behind Lesnar and his smug smile.

*******

If there ever was going to be a fight in which all five rounds were scored 10-8, it was Georges St. Pierre's domination of Dan Hardy. This wasn't scored 50-40, but the judges had it 50-43, 50-44 and 50-45. Hardy earned respect by surviving an armbar and other painful submission attempts that would have forced a lesser fighter to tap, but there's nothing that nether he nor anyone can do to solve GSP. He's just that good ... From what Dana White said after the fight, the winner of Josh Koscheck and Paul Daley in May could meet Jon Fitch. The door for Jake Shields is looking wide open ... All five of the Jersey Boys won their bouts at 111, though I had Mark Bocek beating Jim Miller in a great fight that was very hard to score ... If I were matchmaker, I'd sign off on a rematch between Frank Mir and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira. Both are out of the title hunt and both are still steaming over their last fight that Mir won but to whom Minotauro refused to give credit because he got over a staph infection ... It was a fun week in New York City. I hung out with great fans Friday night while reporting on Thiago Alves' next step. The UFC also sold out the Prudential Center and earned a gate of $4 million, more evidence clear to everyone except that clown and idiot, Assemblyman Bob Reilly, that MMA must be sanctioned in New York State.

White dodging Cain-Junior, for now

Updating this morning's post, Dana White danced around reporters' questions following UFC on Versus regarding a showdown between emerging stars Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos. This matchup that will eventually determine the No. 1 contender to the heavyweight crown makes sense, as does White's assertion that he'll wait until after Frank Mir-Shane Carwin Saturday night before unscrambling the puzzle. If the winner of the interim title suffers an injury that forces them on extended medical leave, Velasquez would face Brock Lesnar likely at UFC 116 July 3.

"They're all going to fight," White said. "All these guys in that lineup are going to fight, but we've got to figure out how it's all going to go down. Mir and Carwin are going to get this thing started. We'll see what happens there, and the great thing is, we're a week away from that."

Back in the day, boxing's heavyweight champion was the most recognized athlete in the world. It'll still be awhile before MMA is in that echelon, but a heavyweight division deeper than it's ever been is a great foundation.

The top contenders: Frank Mir, Shane Carwin, Cain Velasquez, Junior dos Santos
Second-tier: Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Cheick Kongo, Stefan Struve, Roy Nelson (fighting one another at UFC Fight Night 21)
Keep your eye on: Pat Barry, Todd Duffee

Jones on track to immortality

Brandon Vera's intent was to crack Jon Jones' aura. He implemented a couple schemes: trash-talking and a heated staredown at the weigh-in that sent the normally tranquil 22-year-old into a rage. Vera walked away laughing, confident half the battle was won.

Then the horn sounded Sunday night in suburban Denver. That's when Vera realized true core cracking in MMA happens inside the Octagon. Three minutes and 19 seconds later, the only things cracking were Vera's orbital bone and the ladder he had been climbing towards a light-heavyweight title shot.

I've written and said this many times: Jones could end up one of the best in MMA - ever. He took another step towards immortality by doing what three former UFC heavyweight champions, including Hall of Famer Randy Couture, couldn't do to Vera, destroying The Truth in a UFC on Versus main event that was hardly in doubt. Jones executed one of his slick takedowns seconds into the fight and it was Joe Rogan's astute commentary that had me concerned when Vera was on his back. It appeared that Jones was leaving his left arm too extended and vulenerable for an armbar. While Bones is already one of the great ones, he's just 22 and the experienced Vera had a plan to make his opponent pay for a rookie mistake.

So much for that. Jones ate an illegal kick to the chin and once Herb Dean - for my money the best referee in the business - deducted a point and ordered a restart from the exact same position, it didn't take long for Jones to end the fight with an elbow so brutal it echoed around the arena and through the TV microphones at ringside.

Think about this for a moment: Vera knocked Couture down and had him staring at the clock in hopes the seconds would move faster. He lost that fight, but his reputation gained in stature and was set up to be Jones' biggest challenge. Alas, Jones made it look too easy - just like he did against Matt Hamill, Jake O'Brien and Stephan Bonnar. And because Jones is one of the most mature 22-year-olds you'll ever meet, he allowed himself to learn another lesson.

“In the future, I’ll deal with trash talkers better and focus on what the task is,” Jones said.

The questions began immediately after Dean stopped the fight, who's next? Couture? Mauricio Rua? Rashad Evans? Quinton Jackson? Not exactly.The UFC is going to handle Jones carefully, despite his success, similar to the Washington Nationals sending top-pick Stephen Strasburg to Double-A despite his 100-MPH fastball, writes Kevin Iole. If I were matchmaker: Jones gets either the winner of Forrest Griffin-Antonio Rogerio Nogueira (UFC 114) or another light-heavyweight on a rapid rise to the top: Ryan Bader.
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How good is Junior Dos Santos? He toyed with top contender Gabriel Gonzaga before smashing him 3:53 into their bout Sunday night. Four of Dos Santos' five UFC wins have come via a first-round knockout or TKO. This heavyweight division is so loaded a matchup of any of the top guns would be main-event caliber. Again, if I were matchmaker, Cain Velazquez is next for Cigano, with the winner to take on the winner of Brock Lesnar vs. Shane Carwin/Frank Mir.