MMA Quick Hits 6/24/11: Marquardt is in a different league, Werdum says Overeem didn’t beat him

Nate Marquardt discussed Rick Story with MMAFighting.com saying, “I think the fact that Rick Story just beat Thiago Alves, who was considered a former number one contender, that’s a pretty big deal. I can’t really think of anyone [Anthony] Johnson beat like that. Not saying that he’s not tough, but their records, Story has that and Johnson doesn’t. I expect him to come forward the whole time and kind of try to make it a dirty fight, because I think he knows that I’m going to be better in most areas. I think he’ll probably have a similar game plan as he did against Thiago Alves, really. That’s a good feeling to know that I know a lot more than this guy. The fact that he’s this young up-and-comer, to me that just means that he doesn’t know that I’m in a different league. He’s going to have problems that way.” I agree. I really don’t see Story winning this. He only beat Alves because he kept him down. In the third he almost lost it, taking shot after shot. Nate is much bigger than Alves. If he gets those shots, Story won’t be able to recover.

Fabricio Werdum told Portal Vale Tudo that Alistair Overeem didn’t be him, he beat himself. “I’m just amazed that no one will go to the ground with me even though I’ll stand with everyone. This happens all the time. Even at striking I did not see the K-1 champion that knocks everyone out show up, he did not show much, he did not throw any strikes meant for knock downs, and as Fight Metrics showed I was able to throw more strikes. I made the mistake to pull guard too much, to want to finish it any way. The fight was not good for either of us, but he did not beat me, I lost (on my own).” True, Overeem didn’t “win” but neither did Werdum. Some people were crying foul, pointing to the Fight Metric stats. But, as in any sport, stats aren’t everything. Werdum should’ve kept it standing, but then he probably would’ve gotten knocked out. And to address his “why don’t people fight him on the ground” statement…because people aren’t stupid.

According to multiple published reports, the planned welterweight bout between Evangelista “Cyborg” Santos and Paul Daley is off of next month’s Strikeforce “Fedor vs. Henderson” event because Santos has suffered an injury during training. A replacement opponent is currently be sought. Well this sucks. I was really looking forward to this. At least Daley is still on the card. He’s usually involved in exciting fights, even if he’s a punkass.

BJPenn.com is reporting that James Toney is making his way back to MMA, and has agreed to meet 47-year-old Ken Shamrock in his second MMA fight this September. The promoter to be determined. Wow. Just wow. Ken is still fighting and Toney is trying to get a “name” win? I guess Toney is serious about trying to get back into the UFC, but he’s going to have to do better than that.

Multiple published reports are stating that Tim Kennedy is getting exactly what he asked for, and will be taking on Robbie Lawler in a middleweight bout on July 30 at Strikeforce “Fedor vs. Henderson.” Be careful what you wish for. Lawler has all the tools to hold the Strikeforce Middleweight title again. Kennedy will have to fight smart and take him down and keep him there. If he stands with him he’ll see stars.