UFC 123 Re-cap: The Main Card

Although I didn't like many of the results, UFC 123 was a hell of an event. We witnessed one career rise out of the ashes and another potentially fall into them. Add to that an action packed title affair and lots of finishes and you've got some happy fans.

Dominick Cruz (c) def Urijah Faber via Decision (Unanimous)
What Happened: Faber had a nice start and some good spots in the fight, landing solid shots and even rocking and dropping Cruz on a couple occasions, but in the end was out-hustled by the ever-moving Cruz and dropped a close decision.
Thoughts: Great fight, it went pretty much just as I thought it would. Urijah did well throughout, but ultimately couldn't figure out Cruz's herky-jerky movement, well timed takedowns, and great takedown defense. He was game as he always is, and in my eyes it was even going into the 5th, but Cruz fought with the greater urgency and really took the final round and the fight. And whoever scored the fight 50-45 Cruz was on crack.
Next for Cruz: Some would like to see an immediate rubber match; I think Faber should win at least another fight first. Until then, I say Demitri Johnson has pulled together enough of a streak to test his mettle against the champ.
Next for Faber: I mentioned above that there is desire for a rubber match, and it would be another great fight, but I think he should fight Brian Bowles or Miguel Torres if Bowles gets the next shot.

Chris Leben def Wanderlei Silva via KO (Punches), Rd 1
What Happened: Wanderlei ran out of the gates swinging like the wild man of his Pride days, tagging Leben with a good shot, but Leben fired back (as he does when tagged) and rocked Silva with a shot behind the ear. Silva grabbed a clinch, but a few uppercuts up the middle put him face down on the canvas, and follow-up punches sealed the deal. It wasn't quite the slugfest everyone hoped for because it only lasted 27 seconds.
Thoughts: What the hell happened the Wanderlei that decided to change up his style because his old aggression cant cut it anymore? You know, the smart Wanderlei? That wasn't who showed up against Leben. After 16 months away, it looked like he was just too eager to fight. Running in throwing wild hooks with your chin up in the air doesn't work anymore, and for a couple fights it looked like he realized that. Wanderlei is my favorite fighter, and the reason I got hooked on MMA, and it stung to see him go out like that when I know he could have at least been competitive if he just came out smart. From the moment this match-up was announced I was nervous for Silva because I knew there was a good chance he'd get knocked out. Imagine my surprise when I discover that an overwhelming majority of odds-makers, MMA news sites, and fight fans alike picked Silva to win. I was hoping more than anything they were right, but I just couldn't see it realistically. But man I wish they were right.
Next for Leben: Leben did what he does, and there was no time to really take anything away from it. Since his last few opponents have opted to slug with him, we need to be reminded that he does have some other skills. Next up should be Demian Maia or Vitor Belfort, should he get past Yoshihiro Akiyama.
Next for Silva: It's not even fun watching him fight anymore because of the nervousness over the possibility of him getting knocked out again. It took a good number of shots from Leben to put him out, but he did go out. I'd say it's time for him to hang 'em up because he has nothing left to prove, but it's not my say. If he does get another fight it should be against Jorge Santiago, who I think is just about at Silva's level; and if it were up to me it'd be his retirement fight.

Dennis Siver def Matt Wiman via Decision (Unanimous)
What Happened: Over a hotly contested 3 rounds, we saw Siver get the better of the stand up, and Siver score takedowns. Although he didn't do much with them in the 1st and 3rd rounds, he dropped nasty elbows in the 2nd that cut Siver up and were clearly the most damaging offense of the fight. Siver was awarded the fight based on the other two rounds, which were much closer than that 2nd.
Thoughts: First off, I scored the fight 29-28 Siver, and I think all the talk of Wiman getting robbed are utterly ridiculous. He lost the fight based on the scoring system. Yes, he did the most damage, but he did all of it in one round; and it was not enough for a 10-8, as Siver was bloody but nowhere near being finished. The other two rounds were close, but you can pretty much whittle them do Siver soundly out-striking Wiman (he even out-struck him in the 2nd), and Wiman scoring takedowns and doing nothing with them. Sounds to me like he stole two rounds. Cry about the scoring all you want, Wiman lost a close decision. A close one. No robbery.
Next for Siver: Although his ground game is phenomenal, Charles Oliveira will gladly strike with Siver (which will produce fireworks). If Oliveira does try and take it to the ground we'll see how well Siver can keep it standing (he did great against Sotiropoulos). If not, Donald Cerrone if he makes it past Paul Taylor unscathed.
Next for Wiman: He shouldn't fall far, as he had a good performance and was just edged out. Nik Lentz might make a good target for his aggressive style.

Tito Ortiz def Ryan Bader via Submission (Guillotine Choke), Rd 1
What Happened: Bader had no time to trade punches and takedowns with Ortiz caught him with a right that sent him stumbling to the canvas. By the time he regained his wits, Ortiz had already slapped on the guillotine that would end his night.
Thoughts: Talk about upset. Tito was a 4-to-1 underdog going into this fight, and rightfully so, as on paper Bader is basically Tito with a better wrestling pedigree, better hands, and KO power. It was pretty ironic that a punch from Tito dropped Bader. Either way, I've been saying Bader was overrated since he won the Ultimate Fighter, and I never found him that impressive. Not to take anything away from Tito, who I actually dislike, but he performed well and revitalized his career for the time being.
Next for Ortiz: The winner of Rich Franklin/Lil Nog is the only fight that really makes sense for him. He wants Forrest Griffin again, but he's the only one.
Next for Bader: Tough loss for Bader, who has gone from top 10 undefeated prospect to losing his last two fights in dominant fashion. Losing the Jon Jones was nothing to be ashamed of, but this is a fight he needed to win. How about we welcome Brandon Vera back to the octagon against Bader?

Carlos Condit def Dong Hyun Kim via TKO (Flying Knee and Punches), Rd 1
What Happened: Kim got one early and effortless takedown, and Condit promptly swept him and ended up on top. After making it back up to his feet, Condit threw a beautiful flying knee that hit Kim flush on the jaw, sending him backwards in a seated position against the fence. Condit flurried on a dazed Kim and got the win.
Thoughts: Stellar performance by Condit, while Kim was shown why his limited style may not cut it at the higher level in the division. It pretty much went the opposite of how I thought: Kim would use his judo to score takedowns and his stifling top game to take the first 2 rounds before fading in the 3rd, but taking a decision. And I knew Condit is a great finisher (26 finishes in 27 wins...yeah I think so), but I just didn't see him doing that to Kim.
Next for Condit: He could very well get the next title shot against the winner of Georges St. Pierre/Nick Diaz. I think it might suit him to fight the winner of Jake Shields/Jake Ellenberger, Jon Fitch, or even Josh Koscheck to show that he can handle a good wrestler in the top 10...because he'll need to.
Next for Kim: Tough loss, but it's the first of his career, and there's no shame to losing to Condit. He may look to rebound against the winner of Mike Pierce/Johny Hendricks or Rick Story.

UFC 123 Re-cap: The Prelims

Although the main card fights really stole the show with their unusual number of finishes and great stories they told, the prelims still contained a lot of solid, quality action. After starting the show with four straight decisions, they picked it up at the end with two explosive, quick finishes. Here's how it all went down.

Melvin Guillard def Shane Roller via KO (Punches), Rd 1
What Happened: Guillard proved too fast for Guillard, as he easily avoided shots and easily landed his own. It was just a matter of time before Guillard landed something big, and he did. dropping Roller to the canvas twice before removing him from consciousness with hammerfists.
Thoughts: Guillard looked like he was fighting Roller in bullet-time out there. This is what happens when you put a relatively slow fighter like Roller in there with one of the fastest, and without a doubt most physically gifted fighter in the division. Some people actually believed Roller had a chance after his knockout of Thiago Tavares in his last fight; I had no doubts Guillard would walk over him.
Next for Guillard: There's no good excuse for putting Guillard on the prelims in this event when in his last fight he knocked out a former top 10 lightweight in the headlining bout (even if it wasn't pay-per-view). Guillard deserves a top guy and a spot on the main card. He should either get Clay Guida or the winner of Jim Miller/Ben Henderson, possibly in a title eliminator. Period.
Next for Roller: In my eyes that's two very poor performances in a row for roller, and he needs a win to get on track. Curt Warburton or Maciej Jewtuszko may be more manageable for him.

Rafael dos Anjos def George Sotiropoulos via KO (Punch), Rd 1
What Happened: After a brief feeling out process, the two entered an exchange and only dos Anjos made it out with his senses intact. A looping right hook counter right on the chin put Sotiropoulos down, and although dos Anjos didn't feel it was enough the ref certainly did. The end came only 59 seconds into the first round.
Thoughts: Can't really say too much about this one; Sotiropoulos had a momentary defensive lapse and paid dearly for it. It was funny that Joe Rogan was right in the process of raving about how Sotiropoulos had started varying up his attacks more when the knockout happened. Apparently it didn't help. Sotiropoulos was a favorite in this one, but I didn't think it was wise for people to sleep on dos Anjos' skill set. His stand up is capable and his BJJ is solid. He just needs to learn to stop with the ref tries to pry him off his opponent.
Next for dos Anjos: He was doing well against Guida before tapping to a broken jaw, and did the job here. Personally I'd like to see him against Gleison Tibau.
Next for Sotirpoulos: Tough outing for Sotiropoulos, who has dropped two straight for the first time in his career. Mark Bocek or Nik Lentz would make good opponents for him.

Brian Bowles def Takeya Mizugaki via Decision (Unanimous)
What Happened: It wasn't dominant, but Bowles just managed to stay a step ahead of Mizugaki down the stretch. After apparently re-injuring hand in the second round, his performance dropped-off a bit in the 3rd, but he did enough to pull it off.
Thoughts: I wasn't too impressed with either guy after this fight. Bowles' oft injured hand played a significant part in his drop-off, but Mizugaki had no real excuse that I know of. He didn't seem hungry for the win, and after landing some good shots in the first looked tepid in the latter two rounds. He's alternated wins and losses in his last 8 bouts, and I've noticed that all of those losses except the first (a rousing 5 round decision loss to then-WEC champ Miguel Torres) were against guys that could out-wrestle him.
Next for Bowles: He could be next in line for a title rematch with Dominick Cruz, but I'm not so sure he's done much to convince anyone it'd go any differently than it did the first time. If he can beat Urijah Faber, he may stand a chance.
Next for Mizugaki: He's looked a bit flat in his last few fights, and really needs step up his game if he wants to keep competing at this level. Perhaps he could take on the winner of Kid Yamamoto/Damacio Page. The upside of him facing Kid is that we'll finally have a Japanese winner in the octagon one way or another.

Aaron Simpson def Brad Tavares via Decision (Unanimous)
What Happened: There were a few rough moments on the feet for him, but Simpson's wrestling pedigree carried him through it, as he expertly controlled and grinded his way to a victory.
Thoughts: Wasn't the prettiest victory but Simpson got it done, not that he was so impressive in doing so. Tavares on the other hand was very impressive with his takedown defense, and managed to score the biggest takedown of the fight, a big slam in the 3rd round. However, Simson's wrestling know-how was a little too much, and he managed to get back to his feet and reverse to a favorable position immediately. Good learning experience for Tavares, workmanlike performance for Simpson.
Next for Simpson: Simpson has rebounded nicely from back-to-back losses to pick up a couple wins against game opponents. Demian Maia would be a nice step up for him, and a potentially entertaining wrestler vs grappler match-up.
Next for Tavares: Tavares has been looking more impressive with every outing, even with this defeat. He might look to get back in the win column against the loser of Court McGee/Dongi Yang.

Anthony Njokuani def Andre Winner via Decision (Unanimous)
What Happened: In a boxing vs Muay Thai match-up, the latter won by a landslide. Njokuani battered Winner with punches, kicks, knees, and elbows, almost finishing him in the first round, and instead settling for an utterly dominant decision win.
Thoughts: I thought Njokuani might have edge with his more diverse attack style, but I had no idea it was going to be that one-sided. Winner simply had no answer for Njokuani's reach and kicks. He was a hair from finishing Winner in the first, but credit should go to Winner for remaining standing the entire time and showing tremendous heart. He's tough as nails, getting battered throughout the fight, but he clearly needs to work on incorporating more kicks into his game, or at least learn some wrestling; this straight boxing thing is causing him to waste his considerable talent. When he first came to the UFC I thought he'd make a nice splash, but against mid and upper-mid level competition he has disappointed. Njokuani on the other hand looked great in a losing effort against Edson Barbosa, and even better here.
Next for Njokuani: He looks great in kickboxing matches, but he's shown major weaknesses against guys who can take him down. It's time to see if he's improved; it's also time to see if Kamal Shalorus finally realizes he should use his wrestling. It could be a fun match-up.
Next for Winner: After losing three straight and going just 2-5-1 in his last 8, I would be shocked if he didn't get released. If by some miracle he doesn't, and they want him to pick up a win, Vagner Rocha may be the man for him.

Jeff Hougland def Donny Walker via Decision (Unanimous)
What Happened: A highly competitive bout with lots of grappling saw Hougland a step above Walker most of the time. He threatened with multiple submissions when he was on the bottom and controlled the action when he was on top.
Thougts: I had never heard of these guys before this fight, so I don't have to much to say about them. The fight was entertaining, and both showed some slick ground work, but neither of them have any notable wins (Walker has 3rd round losses to Jeff Curran and Cub Swanson, while Hougland has a 2nd round loss to current Strikeforce Lightweight champ Gilbert Melendez), so who knows how good they really are?
Next for Hougland: The bantamweight division isn't too densly populated, so he may find his next fight against Ruben Duran or Edwin Figueroa.
Next for Walker: Chris Cariaso or Cole Escovedo.