Five Rounds For Title Fights Only
Early last month the UFC announced that all main event bouts signed from that point on would be five rounds. As of a few days ago we’ve come to learn the first five round non-title main event will be Chris Leben vs Mark Munoz at UFC 138 and this fight emphasizes everything that is wrong with that rule change.
Let me start by saying that I am a fan of both Chris Leben and Mark Munoz. I think they are great fighters and this is a good title eliminator match up. Its just not five round main event good. In one corner you have an exciting striker in Leben who will win (or lose) the fight in the blink of an eye. In the other corner you have a methodical wrestler with his last three out of four fights ending in decision. This fight is likely to A) end in the first round via KO or TKO by Leben or B) get dragged out to a 5 round take-down fest if Leben cant stop Munoz’s shots. Regardless of the scenario that plays out, this is a three round fight. Period.
Five round main events are reserved for the Silva versus Sonnens’. The Edgar versus Penns’. The GSP versus anyone (going to be five rounds anyway..). Not Leben versus Munoz. Five round fights decide champions. Until you get that far you should finish your work in three.