It's been a while since I've updated this blog, mostly because I've been busy, but a good night of fights inspired me to make the time to do another one. So I'll just get right to it.
Quinton "Rampage" Jackson def. Lyoto Machida via Decision (split), Rd 3
Prediction: It was a hard fight to call, but I saw Rampage chasing Lyoto and Lyoto being elusive and landing some shots en route to a decision victory for Lyoto.
What happened: It went pretty much that way, except the judges saw it for Rampage.
Thoughts: It was a close fight, but I could definitely understand some of the sourness over the decision. When it ended I thought it could go either way, but I actually called it perfectly. I said Lyoto did actual damage in the fight, and Rampage knows it, but he'll get the decision for being so aggressive the first two rounds. I also predicted that he'd be surprised by the decision and humbly suggest that Lyoto got the better of him, much the same way he did with his win in Pride over Murilo Rua.
Next for Jackson: After the fight he called for an immediate rematch in hopes of settling this unsatisfying result, which I don't think is too horrible an idea (although Machida is becoming a magnet for them). I don't necessarily see the rematch coming, but I think the winner of Jon Jones vs Ryan Bader would be a good match up for a title eliminator.
Next for Machida: Losing his second in a row has got to be a hard pill to swallow, but the fact that he was so competitive, arguably in a winning effort, against one of the best 205ers out there really says something. If the rematch doesn't happen Machida can take the loser of Jones vs Bader, Matt Hamill, or maybe even the rematch the loser of next years title tilt between Rashad Evans and Mauricio Rua.
BJ Penn def. Matt Hughes via KO (punches), Rd 1
Prediction: It would go much like the second fight, but Penn wouldn't gas or allegedly injure his rib, leading to a clear-cut decision or late stoppage.
What happened: Penn gave Hughes no chance to get acclimated, as he wasted no time flooring him with a counter right and finishing him with a barrage of punches just 21 secs into the bout.
Thoughts: I didn't have many doubts Penn would win, as I believe Hughes' rejuvenation during his 3 fight win streak was grossly overstated. He looked only decent in his wins against Matt Serra and Renzo Gracie, and impressive against Ricardo Almeida, but a quick first round victory is always tricky when it comes to reading into it. Penn on the other hand, is still pound-for-pound caliber, but just ran into a foil in Frankie Edgar. He came out hungry and focused, and the 37 year old Hughes just had nothing for him.
Next for Penn: Well apparently Dana White wasted no time at all in answering that question for us all, as Penn is on tap to face perennial contender Jon Fitch in a fight that should really prove whether Penn belongs as an elite welterweight. Personally I'm thankful he's actually getting a good non-title fight at 170, as I always believed he should've earned his way to a shot.
Next for Hughes: Retirement is always a possibility, and Hughes is truly a guy who has nothing left to prove. He's still in good shape, so I see him taking a fight after a nice vacation, maybe a rematch against Karo Parisyan if he's still around, or make it a trilogy with Dennis Hallman.
Mauquel Jose Falcao Goncalves def. Gerald Harris via Decision (unanimous), Rd 3
Prediction: Harris would use his wrestling and strength to take a decision.
What happened: Falcao was one step ahead of Harris the whole time, and came close to ending the fight in the first. Sensing that he was up on the scorecards, he coasted through the third to take the decision.
Thoughts: This fight showed that Harris is not as far along as many saw him. His unorthodox stand up only led to him getting tagged, and Falcao was too careful standing to allow Harris' shots to get through. He also exhibited great defensive wrestling, control, and submission awareness. All of these points were almost thrown out the window when he decided to sit back and coast through the third round, barely engaging Harris at all. Harris is not completely innocent either, as he failed to push the pace in the closing round. With the exception of the third round, Goncalves looked very impressive, albeit nothing like a fighter from the vaunted Chute Boxe camp. He did well picking his shots, but those expecting a vicious Chute Boxe fighter were likely disappointed.
Next for Goncalves: He impressed early in his UFC debut until the last round, and it was on the main card no less. I would like to see his stand up tested by Chris Leben, and maybe we could see a bit of Chute Boxe come out of him.
Next for Harris: He was on a nice streak before this loss, but it's back to the drawing board. Harris needs to improve his striking, as he proved hittable against a solid striker. The winner of the upcoming Brad Tavares vs. Phil Baroni fight might match up well with him.
Phil Davis def. Tim Boetsch via Submission (modified kimura), Rd 2
Prediction: Davis uses his superior wrestling and strength to take a clear-cut decision.
What happened: Davis certainly controlled the fight with his wrestling, but unexpectedly latched on an impressive variation of a kimura in which he wrenched the arm while grabbing around Boetsch's body, eliciting the tap.
Thoughts: Very impressive victory for Davis against a very tough opponent. He made the win look fairly easy, which is a tall task against someone like Boetsch. Davis has shown a knack for the submission game, to the point that he's actually innovating locks this early in his career. Can't wait to see more of Mr. Wonderful and the Wonder-mura in the future.
Next for Davis: I think Davis is ready for a step up in competition. Matt Hamill would be a great measuring stick for his ability.
Next for Boetsch: He had a nice run leading up to the fight, and Boetsch continues to be a solid gatekeeper, but he really struggles with good wrestlers. I wouldn't mind a change of pace, as we haven't seen Boetsch's striking skills lately. Maybe bouts with Luis Cane or Cyrille Diabate could produce some fireworks.
George Sotiropoulos def. Joe Lauzon via Submission (kimura), Rd 2
Prediction: Lauzon would be game, but the bigger Sotiropoulos would take control of the ground game en route to a competitive decision.
What happened: After looking a bit outclassed for much of the first round as Lauzon came out fired up, Sotiropoulos capitalized on a fatigued Lauzon in the second by securing a takedown and locking in a kimura.
Thoughts: Joe Lauzon needs to work on that conditioning. His M.O. seems to be to spring out of the gates firing on all cylinders to start the fight, and lately we've seen him tire if he doesn't get the stoppage. I think his early, dominant stoppage of Gabe Ruediger blinded people to the fact that he gassed in the second against Sam Stout and was outstruck and outclassed to a decision loss just one fight prior. While fresh, Lauzon seemed to be on his way to handing Sotiropoulos his first Octagon defeat, but when the finish didn't happen he practically gave up.
Next for Sotiropoulos: Looks like Dana is at it again. Along with Penn vs. Fitch, Sotiropoulos has been pegged to take on Dennis Siver at UFC 127 in his own backyard of Australia. I definitely agree with this match up, as Siver has the stand up to test Sotiropoulos, as well as a swiftly improving ground game and good takedown defense. I also liked Sherdog's suggestion of Donald Cerrone, which would provide similar tests for the Aussie.
Next for Lauzon: Some cardio. Provided Tyson Griffin is still with the company (and he will be if there is any justice), I think Lauzon would be a good match up for him. And if he doesn't improve his cardio he should be out; I don't care how many bonuses he has.
The Prelims
- Brian Foster looked impressive in scoring a guillotine choke against Matt Brown in a very entertaining match. Brown is incapable of putting on a boring fight, and Foster was happy to oblige. Brown has dropped 3 straight and is 4-4 in the UFC, but I don't think they'll cut him loose just yet.
- Mark Munoz took a unanimous nod over fellow wrestler and friend Aaron Simpson in what was an entertaining, back and forth contest. Munoz was the better conditioned of the two and landed the better shots, thought Simpson was game the whole time.
- Dennis Hallman shocked Karo Parisyan with a first round TKO that appeared to be stopped a tad early. I think Karo deserves another shot in the UFC, but Hallman is still looking impressive in his current UFC run.
- Edson Barbosa Jr. looked every bit the top lightweight prospect he's been touted as with a dominant 3rd round TKO via leg kicks over fellow UFC newcome Mike Lullo. Lullo had no answer for Barbosa's powerful leg kicks, which rendered him crippled near the end of the 2nd after he had been consistently tagged with them throughout the fight. Lullo did threaten with a gogoplata and triangle attempts, but once he showed his strength, Barbosa was content to chop away at him standing. Barbosa looks to have a bright future in the division.
- Paul Kelly used his relentless attack to stop TJ O'Brien with elbows from a mounted crucifix in round 2. O'Brien successfully used his height to stay out of range of Kelly's winging shots in the first, but Kelly found his range in the second when he dropped O'Brien with punches. O'Brien regained his composure, but after an unwise attempt at swinging into a triangle attempt while latched onto Kelly's back, Kelly shook him off and he found himself on the bottom.
- In the only fight I didn't see, Nik Lentz took a contentious split decision from Tyson Griffin. From what I read, Griffin pretty clearly won the fight. What made matters even worse was that this gave Griffin his third straight loss, which could put him in line for a release from the UFC.
Well, there you have it. A very good event all around. Some exciting fights, some shockers, and the nowadays mandatory terrible decision. Next up is The Ultimate Fighter 12 Finale. Surprisingly, I haven't seen a single episode of the show this season so most of this event will be news to me. Maybe I'll be able to catch up before the finale. Probably not. Anyway, hope the recap was enjoyable.
