So for those of you who missed the final WEC event, Anthony Pettis defeated Ben Henderson in a 5 round decision, capped by the "Showtime Kick" as it has been dubbed. and was also named #8 on Sportcenter's Top 10 Plays of 2010.
The UFC already announced that the winner of that bout would square off against the winner of the UFC 125 main event between LW Champion Frank Edgar and Gray Maynard. Without further ado, here is a recap of UFC 125, as well as a prediction for the outcome between Pettis and the winner of Edgar/Maynard.
To start the main card...
LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION (155lbs)
Clay Guida vs Takanori Gomi
Coming in: After losing back to back bouts against Diego Sanchez and Kenny Florian, Guida rebounded strong with consecutive submission victories over Shannon Gugerty and Rafael Dos Anjos. On the opposite side of the cage, Gomi entered into just his 3rd UFC bout. The former Pride LW champion entered the Octagon with a 1-1 UFC record, having been submitted in his UFC debut by Kenny Florian before knocking out Tyson Griffin in the first round of their meeting last August.
What Happened: Knowing that Gomi is heavily reliant on his striking, Guida came into the bout utilizing a style of head movement rarely seen in MMA. Guida was bobbing, ducking and weaving to the extent that not only was Gomi unable to gauge his timing, but he must have been hypnotized by the swirling rotation of Guida's long lustrous locks. Unable to land any significant shots, Gomi was eventually taken down by Guida and submitted in the 2nd round via guillotine choke.
What Next: Long gone is the Gomi of the Pride days whom we all grew to love for his epic battles with Kawajiri, Pulver and even Diaz. Gomi's only game plan now seems to lie in landing a big punch to put his opponent to sleep, which in all honestly, won't cut it against fighters the caliber of those he will face in the UFC. I would love to see Gomi take on the loser of the upcoming Melvin Guillard - Evan Dunham bout scheduled for January 22nd.
As for Guida, he continues to cement his role as a gatekeeper in the UFC. With this bout he showed that he has relentless pace, movement and enough talent to take out the mid-level fighters of the UFC, but it still seems that Guida lacks what it takes to push into the next level of the LW division. With many of the top LWs already booked (Miller, Penn, Sotiropoulos, Dunham), it wouldn't be surprising to see Guida take on Mac Danzig in a rematch, or even Jeremy Stephens who picked up an impressive win on the prelims of the UFC 125 card.
WELTERWEIGHT DIVISION (170lbs)
Nate Diaz vs Dong Hyun "Stun Gun" Kim
Coming In: After losing 3 of 4 fights at LW, Nate Diaz made a move from 155lbs up to 170. In the current age of MMA, it is popular for fighters who have hit a rough patch to drop down in weight. Diaz has found success doing the opposite, having won his first 2 fights since moving up to the welterweight division.
Dong Hyun Kim, a Japanese Judo practitioner, boasts a 13-0-1 record, having won 4 of 5 bouts since entering the UFC, with one of those bouts being ruled a No Contest due to his opponent testing positive for Performance Enhancing Drugs.
What Happened: Kim used his Judo background to clinch up with Diaz and take the bout to the floor. Using a smothering top game, DHK was able to control Diaz for most of the first two rounds, although Diaz showed a very active guard and ground game, constantly attempting submissions off his back. It wasn't until the 3rd round in which Diaz finally opened up with his hands and began to land strikes. Kim won a unanimous decision, 29-28 on all three cards, as well as my own scorecard.
What Next: Following the bout, Kim made a rather half assed-broken English attempt at calling out GSP. Considering the fact that Georges has upcoming bouts rumored against Jake Shields and Anderson Silva, I doubt Kim will be challenging for the title any time soon. Also, due to the boring nature of his victory, I wouldn't be surprised if Kim received the "Yushin Okami Treatment" and finds himself relegated to many undercard bouts against mid-level opponents. Many interesting bouts lie ahead for Kim, including Mike Pierce, John Hathaway, and Jake Ellenberger.
As for Diaz, it's tough to say. A move back down to LW is doubtful, but Kim's ability to hold Diaz down shows that Nate would be no match against the superior grapples of the division (GSP, Fitch, Koscheck). It would be interesting to see Nate take on Paulo Thiago, Mike Swick, or John Howard in attempts to re-establish himself as a top contender in the WW division.
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT DIVISION (205lbs)
Thiago Silva vs Brandon Vera
Coming In: Brandon Vera entered the UFC in 2005 as a highly touted prospect in the HW division. After picking up 4 straight wins, Vera suffered his first UFC defeated to former champion Tim Sylvia. Vera then lost 2 of his next 3, which led Vera to a drop down to the LHW division. Vera has since gone 2-2, including a brutal KO loss in his last bout against Jon Jones in which Vera had his orbital bone broken via a Jones' elbow. Vera made multiple pre-fight statements saying that he's gotten past his own hype and is ready to show what he's truly made of
Silva is 364 days removed from a loss to former champion Rashad Evans. Following that bout, Thiago underwent extensive back surgery to repair several herniated discs which he had been suffering through. Silva promised to show up better than ever in this bout.
What Happened: Although Vera is the one who used to be a HW, Silva looks like the larger fighter. Thiago is able to secure takedowns throughout the first two rounds and hold Vera down. After being very verbal about how he thought Jon Jones had a poor top game, it's funny to see Vera unable to escape from underneath Silva. Thiago continues with top control through the 3rd round, sealing a unanimous 30-27 decision victory. Vera's nose is gruesomely broken, reminiscent of when Anderson Silva broke Rich Franklin's nose.
What Next: For Vera, the hype train has not only been derailed, but has been officially shut down and put out of service. Vera has now lost his last 3 bouts at LHW, and does not have the size to return to the HW division. This means that Vera will either likely be cut by the UFC. The only possible fights remaining for Vera at this time are either a matchup against the loser of the upcoming Tito Ortiz - Lil' Nog fight, or maybe a rematch against Krzyzstov.
Thiago on the other hand showed a very dominant top game which we have not really seen from him in his UFC career. Most of his fights have been finished on the feet inside the first round or two, so it was good to see that Thiago has fully recovered from his back surgery. When you take into account that Silva's only losses have come to former champions (Machida and Rashad), it's fair to say that Thiago is a force to be reckoned with in this division. Many possible bouts await Thiago, including a possible rematch with Machida, or matchups against the loser of either Ryan Bader-Jon Jones or Forrest Griffin-Rich Franklin. The LHW division continues to heat up.
MIDDLEWEIGHT DIVISION (185lbs)
Chris Leben vs Brian Stann
Coming In: Brian Stann, a former United States Marine, who served time in Iraq, entered the WEC in 2006, where he went 5-0 while capturing the WEC LHW championship. After the division was absorbed by the UFC, Stann went 2-2 in the LHW division, before making a move down to MW. After a 3rd round submission victory over wrestler Mike Massenzio, Stann called out Chris Leben, making a statement that he wasn't afraid to fight anyone.
Leben, famous for his antics on season 1 of the Ultimate Fighter, had been nothing but a middle of the pack fighter in the MW division. That was until June/July of 2010. Leben picked up 2 victories in the span of 2 weeks against opponents Aaron Simpson and Yoshihiro Akiyama. Riding a three fight win streak, Leben came into the fight on his best win streak since 2006.
What Happened: Both fighters come out early, exchanging kicks and punches. About a minute in, Stann clinches with Leben up against the cage. Leben lands a few punches from the clinch. Midway through the round Stann lands a big punch that puts Leben down. Showing his durability, Leben recovers and returns to his fight. Stann again lands shots to the head and body which drop Leben for a second time. Leben once again gets back to his feet, but is noticeably hurt. Stann lands a big knee which drops Leben for a third time, prompting referee Josh Rosenthal to step in and call the bout.
What Next: Leben, a fighter who prides himself on his ability to take a punch and keep coming forward, was stopped tonite after a severe beating. While his standup is good, it's not nearly enough to compete with the better fighters in the division (Stann, Bisping, and not to mentioned Anderson Silva/Belfort). But believe it or not, this may be a good thing. With this loss, Leben is now in line to face names such as Jorge Rivera, Miquel Falcao, and Wanderlei Silva. I have personally been screaming for a Wanderlei-Leben matchup for almost a year now, and it would be absolutely epic if it went down. Joe Silva...MAKE IT HAPPEN!
As for Stann, it's tough to say. From what we've seen from him, he has lots of power and a very straight forward yet effective stand up game. The UFC could either immediately throw him in with the likes of a Bisping or Alan Belcher, or they could give the new Greg Jackson disciple some time to evolve, and match him up against Aaron Simpson, Tom Lawlor, or Alessio Sakara. Either way, Stann is out to put on exciting fights for the fans.
MAIN EVENT
LIGHTWEIGHT DIVISION (155lbs(
Frank "The Answer" Edgar vs Gray "The Bully" Maynard
Coming In: While Maynard may be unknown to casual fans, he is more deserving of a title fight than most recent challengers to any of the UFC championships recently. En route to this fight, Maynard has notched 8 straight victories inside the Octagon, including wins over Jim Miller, Roger Huerta, Nate Diaz, Kenny Florian, and even a 2008 decision victory over current champion Frank Edgar. Although his style may be boring, Maynard has beaten the best on his way to the top.
As for Edgar, he is fresh off of back to back victories over former champion BJ Penn. While their first meeting was controversial, Edgar left no doubt in the judges' minds in the second bout as he dominated Penn for all five rounds, winning 50-45 on all three scorecards. Now the undisputed champion, Edgar is out to avenge the only loss of his career against the Bully.
What Happened: For the casual fan this fight may have seemed very boring. For us hardcore fans, this fight was epic. Edgar, who prides himself on his speed and ability to move in and out, was dropped twice in the first round by Maynard. Gray found a home for his left hook, and used it to put the champion on wobbly legs for much of the first round. Maynard put a beating on Edgar, but as the round ends, Maynard's holding his hands at his side. I score Round 1 10-8 for Maynard.
Edgar looks much quicker in the second round, moving in and out, landing multiple flurries on Maynard. Frankie scores a big double leg takedown, and continues to pepper Gray with flurries.
Maynard is noticeably slower, throwing hardly any punches and almost surrendering round 2 to Edgar. I give it to Frankie, 10-9.
Round 3 Frankie seems to have slowed down again, while Maynard is throwing his hands more than in round 2. Gray shoots a few times, only to find each attempt stuffed by Edgar. Gray then begins to land his left hook, lands several times, finally shoots and gets Frankie down. Edgar gets back to his feet before being taken down again. VERY close round, I give it to Maynard 10-9.
Frankie starts the 4th round with an immediate takedown. Gray gets up but is taken back down. Maynard back to his feet, attempts a takedown of his own which is very easily shrugged off by Edgar. It's amazing to see how well Edgar has recovered from the beating he took in round 1. Frankie continues to move in and out, landing short quick flurries while Maynard is unable to land anything of significance. Frankie takes round four 10-9. Scores currently are 38-37 for Maynard, heading into the fifth and final round.
Both fighters come out on their toes to start the fifth round. Both engage in multiple exchanges, with each fighter landing leather. Gray shoots and Edgar stuffs it. Frank lands a 1-2 with his hands, then stuffs another TD. More exchanges ensue, with Gray attempting takedowns and Frank stuffing all of them. Both fighters trade punches to the bell, close final round, but I give it to Edgar 10-9. My final score card reads 47-47 draw.
The final judges' cards are announced: 48-46 for Edgar, 48-46 for Maynard, and 47-47 even, for a split Draw decision. Both fighters welcome the possibility of a rematch, although Edgar remains your UFC LW Champion
What Next: It's hard to say what the UFC will do with their LW championship following this bout. The winner was scheduled to take on Anthony Pettis for the Undisputed UFC LW Championship, but since the bout ended in a draw, it seems only fair that a rematch take place. Almost all of the top contenders are booked at this point (Jim Miller vs Kamal Shalorus, George Sotiropoulos vs Denis Siver, BJ Penn vs Jon Fitch, Kenny Florian - Injury, Evan Dunham - Melvin Guillard). So there is definitely room for a rematch to occur between Edgar and Maynard, it would just mean that Anthony Pettis would be sidelined for at least six months. I personally think the UFC should match Edgar against Pettis, and have Maynard fight either Dunham, Sotiropoulos or Jim Miller for a #1 contender's match.
So that's about it for UFC 125. There were some interesting Pre-lim bouts which saw Phil Baroni finished via KO hopefully for the last time, Dustin Poirier made a memorable Octagon debut by derailing the Josh Grispi hype train, and Jeremy Stephens scored an impressive come from behind KO of Marcus Davis in the 3rd round of their LW bout.
The next UFC event to keep your eyes open for is UFC Fight for the Troops 2, on Januard 22nd which is headlined by Evan Dunham - Melvin Guillard, and airs for free on Spike TV. Following that is UFC 126, which airs on February 6, Super Bowl weekend, featuring a MW Championship bout between Anderson Silva and Vitor Belfort.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it. As always, any comments/criticisms are welcome, any sort of feedback helps me to find out exactly what it is that the readers want to hear. Thanks again, and Happy New Year.
No comments:
Post a Comment