Comments on: Varner suffers broken foot and hand during split decision victory over Cerrone

By: zip

zip — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:16:41 +0000

I was a Varner fan, but that ending was weak to say the least. For the second time in a title fight Varner was desperate to do anything he could to win. I’m suprised he didn’t try to call TO again. Yes, I think he was ahead in the scorecards, but there is no doubt that Cerrone is the future of the division. I just hope the rematch isn’t another Jamie Varner circus.

By: treelizard

treelizard — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 05:55:34 +0000

Wow, what fight were you guys watching? Varner was clearly winning the fight. And I think he was apologizing for not fighting better, not for “ducking out.” Though it’s nice to know there are so many mind readers on here that know what was really going on.

I don’t think he “exploited the rule” either–he didn’t know they weren’t going to call it a TKO if he refused to go back on. Also it’s possible he had a concussion. In any case he seemed really disoriented and not thinking clearly, so it’s hard to believe he was secretly plotting on how to keep his belt or whatever everyone is accusing him of. And he wouldn’t want it that way, anyway. The guy has such high standards for himself, no matter what the haters and armchair critics say.

By: NJMMAFAN

NJMMAFAN — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 21:17:56 +0000

Htown, i agree again with him not using the full 5, and basically ducking out…however on the website it lists the rules, and there is no add-on or amendment that specifies if the knees gotta be up throughout or just for the launch of the knee, Varners knees were down when the knee landed, so following the rules Dean made the right call. Herb Dean was a fighter too, im sure hes pretty clear on the rules. Dont get me wrong id be right along side you arguing that the rule should be clarified, and that since his knees were up when the knee was thrown it would be clean, but the way the rules are written currently Varner exploited a rule and snuck out.

By: htown-chris

htown-chris — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 05:14:57 +0000

no lf they didnt give him time for giggles, but there is no instant replay or red flag to throw in this sport. therfore the ref got it wrong. the blow was not illegal. the rule is no knees to the head od a grounded opponent. thats if the fighter is grounded at the time the blow is began not when it lands. refs are human and they do make errors too. and dry heaving? ive never seen that in my life. how many barn burners hav we seen wher fighter look like they went thru a meat grinder at the end? and varner didnt even use his full five minutes befor he said he coudnt go anymor.

By: jasonah

jasonah — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 02:17:41 +0000

I think he wanted out of that fight, because he was hurt.If he would have ate that knee flush.It would have been light’s out boy’s and girl’s!The cowboy will be the Champ.What would do more damage a Iron Right hand to the Eye socket.Or a Glancing.Knee that did not even connect,Glancing @best.He wanted out because the COWBOY was bringing it alot harder in round 5.

By: Chad

Chad — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 01:59:21 +0000

Varner used the system to his advantage. He was on his way to losing the fight if he continued. I think he most likely made a pathetic move to keep his belt. I like the post fight interview when they asked him about not continuing . He apologized to the crowd and said ” sorry guys I broke my hand in like the second round”. So please clarify, you could not see? Or you broke your hand? Cerrone was definitely taking it to him. I am pretty sure Varner will drag out his recovery and try to hope Cerrone goes away. First time I can remember in a long time when a MMA guy really did not want to be in the ring. He wanted no part of it. He was more less trying to survive

By: NJMMAFAN

NJMMAFAN — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:17:54 +0000

Oh and maybe that rule 29 is what caused Kirrils fight to be stopped? they called it after he spat his mouthpiece out for the 2nd time…or did he verbally submit?

By: NJMMAFAN

NJMMAFAN — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 23:16:13 +0000

I agree with Htown chris, the knees where both off the ground when the knee was thrown. However, according to WEC rules from their website, their interpretation seems only to be “No knees to a grounded opponent.” And at the time it landed, he was in fact grounded. After seeing last night i think they need to revise the rules a bit. It was clear Cowboy was throwing a legal knee strike in his mind, and at the time it was. I think there needs to be some discretion or maybe a rewording of the rule. Granted Herb Dean didnt take a point away, and didnt give Cerrone a dq, however being a fighter and a ref im sure Herb knew Varner was winning, so sending it to the cards was the same thing. More honorable maybe? There is one rule in particular that caught my eye though…

29. Timidity, including, without limitation, avoiding contact with an opponent, intentionally or consistently dropping the mouthpiece or faking an injury.

Now im not Varner so i can only speculate as to how hurt his eye might have been, but i saw for sure, him spit his mouthpiece out when he was getting tanned by Razor Rob…and unfortunately that ended up being the turning point. Perhaps Varner is a repeat offender, and it is POSSIBLE he is faking it.

And lastly, how is hitting me in my face with a bat the same as a short knee?
Id bet if i hit you as hard as i can with a bat you’d surely die…however if i hit you with my knee, you will only be injured. The knee cap is the primary strike point, so thatd be like poking someone real hard with the wide end of the bat…not smashing them with the bat like a baseball.

By: Lord Faust

Lord Faust — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 21:54:02 +0000

“i’ve been keeping up now you keep up, it was not an illegal blow. check your rule book.”

So…. they gave him time to recover because? Why? For giggles?

By: htown-chris

htown-chris — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 20:14:08 +0000

this is for those of you that are not even actual fighters and are just avid fans of mma, this is not a knock on, trust me we need you, without you we would be fighting in backyards instead of arenas and such. if you look at the fight one more time you can see the knee was already in motion before varners knees went bak to the ground. when cerrone started the knee varner was on two points, thus the knee was a legal strike. so balls, eyes, temples, who cares. i’ve been keeping up now you keep up, it was not an illegal blow. check your rule book.

By: kidneybeans

kidneybeans — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 19:12:46 +0000

For all those that say the knee barely connected let me graze you in the temple with a baseball bat and see how you feel afterward.

honestly, just because the knee did not cave in his skull doesn’t mean he was faking it. Which elbows are the ones that usually do the most damage? The ones that graze accross the face and open up cuts. Couldn’t it stand to reason that a knee that smacks accross the temple of all places might be able to do some serious damage?

Maybe Varner was looking for a way out of that fight he was winning 4 rounds to 0 at that point? I don’t know and neither do any of you. But calling him out for that knee makes you look ridiculous.

And jj………………..your entitled to your opinion but were you and the second judge that scored it for Cerrone watching a different fight? There was no question who won the first two rounds and while 3 and 4 were closer, giving them both to Cerrone given the number of takedowns Varner had would be an injustice. Varner won the first four rounds on every scorecard I saw, except for the inexplicable second judge.

By: Mike Wolfe

Mike Wolfe — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 18:52:44 +0000

I doubt Varner was looking for a way out regardless of whether he had fractures. He was taking Cerrone down at will, and did significant damage with his GNP. Cerrone’s supposed to be good off his back, but he had trouble getting up or protecting himself, and didn’t throw up very many submission attempts. Varner was on his way to a decision win, and he could have hung in there for the rest of the round. Cerrone should get the rematch, but he really needs to work on his take down defense, which was surprisingly ineffective.

By: Lord Faust

Lord Faust — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:22:57 +0000

“As for the knee shot, it didnt even hit his eye. Ive watched it over and over again and the knee glaced of the side of his face between the eye and ear. So i maintain my opinion Varner is a bitch.”

Apparently everyone in this forum as an anatomy expert.

You know what else is on the side of your face between your eye and ear? Your temple. But hey, don’t let me get in the way of fighter bashing.

By: BigDave

BigDave — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:13:17 +0000

So some guy who doesnt want his man mentioned says Varner broke his hand and foot,hmmm. for some reason i really dont think im gonna take that as the truth. Usually when a guy gets injured they at least say a doctor has said that a fighter has these injuries. As for the knee shot, it didnt even hit his eye. Ive watched it over and over again and the knee glaced of the side of his face between the eye and ear. So i maintain my opinion Varner is a bitch.

By: Lord Faust

Lord Faust — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:03:10 +0000

“Varner’s takedowns are negated in my mind by him having to constantly backpedal in the standup. ”

Then you should become a judge. Ultimately, it’s irrelevant; only the judges can score the bout — as much as I dislike the lack of accountability.

The day a fight decision is made based on the Internet and public opinion… Well, it won’t be sport. It’ll be WWE.

By: Samuel Bruce

Samuel Bruce — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:10:25 +0000

Why are you all so concerned about this balls versus eye convo…lol. Varner was in deep waters and was looking for a way out and Cerrone gave it to him.
I will reiterate what I have said: Varner dd NOT clearly win that fight, that is a myth. All but one of those take downs should have been seen as insignificant due to the fact that nothing significant as far damage resulted from them. Varner’s takedowns are negated in my mind by him having to constantly backpedal in the standup. They are reduced even further due to him only winning 50% (more or less) of the resulting action from those takedowns.
By his reaction at them going to the scorecards, Varner shows that he was hoping for a Cerrone DQ; He was scared and then relieved as the scores were read. He said to the crowd, boo me, because he knew in his heart of hearts Cerrone was robbed first by Varner, then by the judges.

By: Lord Faust

Lord Faust — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:09:19 +0000

“so now balls = eyes. wow i did not know that. so why isnt there a five minute stoppage for fighters who get punched or kicked in the eye?”

There is a time allotment for all illegal strikes. Try and keep up.

By: TerribleT

TerribleT — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:33:10 +0000

No wonder he pretended he couldn’t go on because of the knee + he took many shots that were harder than that knee. I think he was scared cuz he had given Cerrone everything he had and he was still coming at him with strikes that had KO written all over ‘em.He saw an opportunity to get out of the fight and he took it immediately.What about Cerrone having to close one eye and fight so he wouldn’t see double? He could’ve whined and said he couldn’t see too but he’s a warrior! What makes this more disappointing is that if Varner would’ve finished the fight he would’ve won the decision no question but he doubted himself IMO and bonked at the finish line!!!!!!!

By: htown-chris

htown-chris — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:30:27 +0000

so now balls = eyes. wow i did not know that. so why isnt there a five minute stoppage for fighters who get punched or kicked in the eye? plenty of eyes have been grazed or full on punched and i have never seen a timeout for that unless it was the ol inadvertant eye poke. just in case u didnt notice we wear cups and not goggles. and a strike to the eye area is legal. if you didnt notice cowboy took several shots to the eye area. c’mon man. stop with the comedy. even vlade divac the king of flops in th nba thot that was a little to much acting on varners part.

By: Rich S.

Rich S. — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 06:40:23 +0000

slakdawg,
grazing someone’s balls and grazing someone’s eye are two different things..

the”sack” as you put it, is the most sensitive spot on a man’s body..

in other words your argument just isn’t valid there..

grazing a ball is probably WORSE than full contact lol..
where as the grazing of your eyelid and/or brow doesn’t do much damage, unless in the event of a cut, which did NOT occur..