Nick Diaz def. BJ Penn via Decision (Unanimous), Rd 3What Happened: For one round BJ looked to have things under control as he landed good shots, dodged much of Diaz's perpetual punches, and even took him down and briefly took his back. Then Diaz's size and cardio advantage came into play. He used his overwhelming style of constant pressure and sharp boxing to wear Penn down, and even hurt him on a couple occasions en route to a clear-cut decision victory.
Thoughts: This was a case of Diaz doing what he does best. I envisioned the fight going exactly as it did, and I knew that if it went into deeper waters Diaz would tire him out. Before the fight I thought it might be possible for Penn to utilize wrestling to neutralize Diaz and preserve energy, and initially it looked as if he might be going that route. I figured if he could do this against Fitch it should be no problem taking Diaz down, but I guess Diaz's size advantage was a bigger factor than I thought. It's still odd to me that he had such trouble taking Diaz down after the first one, but then again Chael Sonnen has been training at Cesar Gracie's recently; maybe he picked up some things. Either way, I may not like Diaz much but as usual he put on a hell of a performance and definitely took a major step towards being better accepted as a truly elite welterweight. We still don't know if he can now handle a great wrestler, but I guess we will soon....
Next for Diaz: After his vitriolic post-fight comments aimed at champion Georges St. Pierre, it looks as though Diaz will get his wish. St. Pierre is furious, Carlos Condit has agreed to step aside, and Dana White has re-booked GSP vs Diaz for the title on Superbowl weekend.
Next for Penn: I've always had a bit of a love-hate relationship with Penn, but I was sad to hear him announce that he's done. Recently I had grown to like him a lot more because he seems to have matured and is taking things more seriously, but I guess one sign of maturity is knowing when to hang 'em up. Penn strikes me as the type of guy who at this stage in his career wants to be on top or nowhere at all. He has nothing left to prove, so if he's no longer in the mix he might as well move on.
Cheick Kongo def. Matt Mitrione via Decision (Unanimous), Rd 3What Happened: After two largely uneventful rounds, Kongo scored the most significant offense of the fight by taking Mitrione down and swelling up his left eye with ground and pound, giving him the round and the fight.
Thoughts: Call me crazy, but I definitely had this scored a draw. Very even first round, Mitrione narrowly getting the better of round 2, and Kongo easily taking round 3 (but not nearly enough for a 10-8). I could see the fight going either way, but honestly if I had to give the fight to someone it would have been Mitrione. Maybe it was his footwork and "Octagon control" but he just seemed to be more in command of the fight until the 3rd round. He also seemed to land the more significant shots. However, it was a close fight so I can't be mad at the decision.
Next for Kongo: He has built up a pretty impressive streak and is enjoying a bit of a resurgence. Many expected this to be a showcase for Mitrione, but Kongo showed why he can still be a factor in the division. Another respectable gatekeeper type would be good for him at this point, and Roy Nelson or Mark Hunt could make for a good fight. Another option could be a Travis Browne rematch.
Next for Mitrione: Still young in his MMA career, Mitrione will only learn and improve from this loss. He showed a little too much respect for Kongo's power, and was content to chase him around the ring instead of pulling the trigger and putting his smooth striking on optimum display. Ben Rothwell would make a good rebound opponent for him, as he lacks the wrestling to handle Mitrione as Kongo did, and may oblige him on the feet as well. Or they can continue to follow the pattern of Mitrione and his friend and training partner Pat Barry playing "me too" with each other and give him Stefan Struve.
Roy Nelson def. Mirko "Cro Cop" Filipovic via TKO (punches), Rd 3What Happened: In what Mirko pegged to possibly be his last fight regardless of the outcome, he went out fighting. In spots, the fearsome Cro Cop of old reared his head, suddenly exploding with aggressive combinations and even throwing his famous left high kick. However, Nelson refused to wilt under Cro Cop's offense and delivered strong offense of his own. After taking Cro Cop down and threatening to end the fight with strikes from the mounted crucifix position at the end of the 2nd round, Nelson staggered him in the 3rd with a strong right hand, seized back mount after a slip from Mirko, and rained down hard punches until the ref had seen enough.
Thoughts: In his recent UFC run, Cro Cop has made a habit of being competitive (in some cases maybe even winning) during the first 2 rounds, only to be unexpectedly finished in the 3rd. This has occurred in each of his last 4 losses. During the fight Joe Rogan mentioned that Cro Cop misses out on a lot of opportunities because he doesn't utilize his jab, and he's 100% correct. This is why he is no longer the feared striker he once was; his strategy of stalking with single shots worked during his heyday, but the game has evolved and his stand up hasn't. He became predictable, and that's why he has failed to pull the trigger or look all that impressive in the UFC. Roy's performance was solid; he didn't show us anything new but did show why he'll always be a good gatekeeper. Also he landed a lot of punches to the back of Mirko's head in the finish, not that it would have changed the outcome much.
Next for Nelson: Having previously dropped 2 straight, he needs to get back on the road to the top 15. Cheick Kongo or Travis Browne would be good for him.
Next for Filipvic: After about a year of his fans (myself included) calling for him to retire following tepid performances and brutal losses, he finally obliged; and much like Chuck Liddell did in his final fight, he decided not to go away easily. It's the kind of thing that makes you wonder whether they really should retire or give it one more shot. There were moments in the Nelson fight where I thought "this Cro Cop might be able to make a splash with a few more adjustments." He didn't get the win, but I'm satisfied his last fight was one in which he looked to fight to win, and not just for a paycheck.
Scott Jorgensen def. Jeff Curran via Decision (Unanimous), Rd 3What Happened: Curran was wily and game as always, but his high level BJJ couldn't get it done against Jorgensen's superior wrestling and top control. He scored well on the feet, but Jorgensen wouldn't let it stay there long enough for it to make a difference. The result: a nip-tuck decision.
Thoughts: To be honest, I didn't really have much interest in this fight. I knew how it would go, and I knew it'd be semi-frustrating to watch because Curran wouldn't have would it takes to keep himself from being taken down and nullified.
Next for Jorgensen: He hasn't done anything to show that a rematch with champ Dominick Cruz would be any less embarrassing than the first one, but Jorgensen deserves someone near the top of the heap now. Joseph Benavidez or Demetrious Johnson (Benavidez more likely) could make for interesting fights since they're more prepared for Jorgensen's wrestling, and willing to dish out some of their own.
Next for Curran: Curran's return to the UFC was spoiled simply because of a bad style match up for him. I would like to see him face someone who won't just stifle his game and win a decision against him, as has happened in almost every loss he's had in the past few years. Cole Escovedo will be hungry for a win and won't hesitate to trade leather or submissions with Curran. Eddie Wineland could also provide an exciting match up.
Hatsu Hioki def. George Roop via Decision (Split), Rd 3What Happened: They had very different gameplans: Roop wanted to push the pace and strike; Hioki wanted to get the fight to the ground and work submissions. Despite being out-struck much of the fight, Hioki's control on the ground won over two of the judges and they awarded him a close, albeit controversial, split decision.
Thoughts: FINALLY it's a Japanese fighter's turn to steal away a decision in the UFC for a change. I had Roop winning the 1st and the 3rd, though the 1st was admittedly the closest round of the fight. Moreover, Hioki just didn't look very impressive; nothing at all like the man who beat former UFC title contender Mark Hominick twice and who dominated Marlon Sandro for 5 rounds to take the Sengoku strap. Maybe we can chalk it up to just how awkward it is to fight someone like Roop, who is very tall and long for the division, and is unpredictable (although unrefined) on the feet. He's been trouble for almost everyone he's faced at featherweight because of these things, despite not appearing to be the savviest guy in the cage. I'm glad Hioki got the win, but I really hope this was a case of Octagon jitters, and he performs much better next time around.
Next for Hioki: Based on the rankings I would say Hioki should get a top 10 guy next, but he didn't look as though he's ready for that yet. Sherdog.com mentioned Bart Palaszewski, who made an impressive debut at 145 at the same event, and I can agree with that. However, it seems to me that the #2 ranked featherweight in the world should probably be facing someone more along the lines of Dustin Poirer or Eric Koch, which would be much more relevant to the rankings and the featherweight title picture.
Next for Roop: Roop has shown himself to be a good gatekeeper at 145, and although he got the short end of the stick this time, it shouldn't reflect badly on his performance. He took the fight to Hioki when he could and never gave up the whole way through. He showed much improved takedown defense and all-around game in this fight, and I think he'll need to continue that path if he wants a chance to break out of that gatekeeper status. He shows potential, and has the physical tools to frustrate opponents but lacks the technical tools, though as mentioned before they are steadily improving. Jonathan Brookins could prove a stern test for his takedown defense and ground game.
