Let me start off by saying that UFC 132 is hands down the best card of the year so far and no other upcoming fight card will top it. This fight card had some great storylines and brought on some even better fights to go along with them. But as with any fight card it left us with just as many answers as it did questions. This card is why I love this sport it always leaves us wanting more. So lets get into some of those answers and questions now.
Carlos Condit vs. Dong Hyun Kim
I knew Condit could pull out this win but with Kim’s excellent judo and grinding fight style, no way did I think it would be as exciting as it was. Kim actually tried to implement some of his grinding style with an early takedown but Condit quickly reversed got to mount. Kim escaped soon after and both fighters were on there feet again. Not very many significant strikes were landed after the takedown besides a few leg kicks and some light punches. Then fourth of July fireworks started with a flying knee from Condit that landed flush with Kim’s jaw and imediately dropped him. This followed by some pretty brutal ground n pound resulted in the finish. This is a big win for Condit not only beating but very impressively finishing the previously undefeated Kim and earning himself KO of the night. This puts Condit right up there for a title shot, but with GSP tied up till late october and Condit stating he doesn't want to wait who would fit best against the "The Natural Born Killer" and who would want to fight this 170lb savage.With BJ Penn and Jon Fitch very likely rematching the best fit for Condit’s next opponent is Josh Kosckeck. Koscheck is coming of a decision loss to the Champion George St. Pierre and a broken orbital that needed surgery. He is definitely a tough fight for anyone but maybe Condit can do what the champ couldn't and finish the brash trash talker and prove he's ready to not only fight for the belt but rip if from around GSP's waist.
Tito Ortiz vs. Ryan Bader
I think every fight fan called this one wrong. My heart actually told me that Tito would perform and put on a spectacular performance because of the dire situation he was in. But head said it was impossible and ultimately I picked Bader for the win. Tito Ortiz vs. Ryan Bader was supposed to be Bader’s comeback from his lone loss to Jon Jones and Tito’s retirement but someone forgot to tell Tito. He certainly came out like my gut said he would fighting to win no matter what. Tito was not in that cage just to survive he was there to hunt and kill for his career, which was in fact on the line. The two fighters started by feeling each other out a jab here a leg kick there. Then at with about two minutes left in the 1st round Tito threw a right hook that badly rocked Bader and dropped him. Bader’s instincts kicked in and he went for a take down as Tito started to decipher how to finish his younger stronger opponent. Tito’s experience played a key role here as he decided on a guillotine choke, he locked it in perfectly and squeezed with everything he had even a little after the ref stopped the fight. Everyone including Tito went nuts, my house was in an uproar and enjoyed every second of seeing the old legend put on his gravedigger routine. The last of a dying breed had done it, he shocked everyone possibly even himself and will live to fight another day. But when that other day comes who should he fight, Bader was ranked #7 in the Light Heavy Weight division so this certainly puts Tito in the mix. He's not ready for a title shot or even a contention match yet but this last fight was a step in the right direction. My vote for his next opponent is either the winner of Franklin vs. Nogueria or the loser of Griffin vs. Rua. Anyone of those fighters is a good challenge and a step up for Tito, a rubber match with Griffin would be very exciting as both of their previous fights ended in split decision. Either way I'm very excited to see what the old legend has left in him with so many legends already gone. For Ryan Bader on the other hand this is his second loss in a row which means he definitely needs to win his next one or he could be out of the UFC. Though I doubt thats the case It’s still a possibility, my pick for his next opponent is Kyle Kingsbury who lost to Bader on the Ultimate Fighter show. This rematch could be interesting because Kingsbury has won four straight in the Octagon and Bader could be a good step up for him and a test for both fighters.
Dennis Siver vs. Matt Wiman
Lightweight bout was also the probably the most controversial fight of the night. The first round was pretty even with Siver scoring a solid takedown and Wiman scoring two but Siver lands the effective strikes. Wiman Without a doubt won the second round with a big takedown and landing some big elbows and strikes cutting Siver. The Third round was mostly standing except a lone take down by Wiman after multiple attempts and a legkick knockdown by Siver which is why the judges most likely gave him the round and ultimately the fight. A lot of people feel Wiman won the fight and they could make a very strong case to defend there opinion I believe the reason Siver was awarded the W was the simple fact that more of the fight was standing than on the ground and Siver got the better of Wiman in the stand up battles. Wiman will have to work a little harder now to make a case for a title shot with this loss he's probably three tough fights away. He normally would only be about two fights away but with the traffic jam at the top of the 155lb division everyone needs to prove themselves. Maybe Wiman vs. Evan Dunham would make some sense with both guys coming off loses and needing to get back in the hunt. This fight won't do to much good for Siver either thought. He still is about two fights away from a title shot with an impressive finish, maybe a bout with Ben Henderson should be set up. That fight could put both fights closer to the top and if either on wins in impressive fashion it could be enough for a title shot or solid contention match once the top of the division clears up a bit.
Wanderlei Silva Vs. Chris Leben
What can I say about this fight, it didn't go the way I expected it to but I can't say I didn't recognize the outcome as a possibility. Wanderlei came out like his old self and just started throwing bombs and landed a hard hook to Lebens head rocking him pretty well. The problem with this is that when Leben gets rocked he gets more dangerous and thats where things went bad for Wanderlei. Leben fired back immediately and rocks Wanderlei. They clinch up which you would think would favor Wanderlei but it doesn't and Leben fires some brutal uppercuts that collapse Wanderlei finishing him off with some ground n pound and the fight is over in 27 seconds. With a bad knock out like this and with Wanderlei losing six of his last eight fights it leaves people questioning if he should hang up the gloves. Wanderlei is a legend, but no one wants to see him knocked out 3 more times before he finally gives up like a certain other legend I know. If he is to fight again the perfect opponent would be Yoshihiro Akiyama who he was already supposed to fight and who is coming off back to back losses of Michael Bisping and Chris Leben. These are the exact two fighters that Wanderlei just fought. It would be a good fight for both fighters to see where they lie in the division and for Wanderlei to see where his career is and if he is at the end of it. As for Leben he just moved himself up the middleweight ladder and pretty much erased his loss to Brian Stann with this win I think a big fight with Mark Munoz or welcoming Alan Belcher back would be a great matchup and could lead to a title contention match. All those fighters like to stand and a battle with Munoz could test Lebens wrestling ability.
Dominick Cruz vs. Urijah Faber
Fight of the year so far and I don't see any future fights beating it. This fight I actually called perfectly, it went exactly the way I thought and hoped it would. Cruz used his superior speed and striking to keep Faber guessing and landed almost double the amount of shots and four times the amount of takedowns that Faber did. But don't think Faber didn't put up a fight, he most definitely did which is what made this fight so great. Urijah did the most damage out of the two and he landed 3 knockdowns total in the fight. The champion was never really hurt and was back to his feet too quick for the challenger to capitalize on it but it was still a testament to Fabers power. Urijahs hands had greatly improved for this fight but Dominick proved to be just too fast. Urijah landed some big shots but Cruz also landed some brutal strikes including a solid uppercut and a flying knee.The cardio and chin of Urijah kept him on his feet most of the fight. It wasn't until Dominick scored some takedowns that the challenger ended up on his back but even then he wasn't there long. All in all it was a solid back and forth war between two great athletes but Cruz just had more cardio and more speed than Faber and did enough keep his belt by Unanimous Decision and win fight of the night. A lot of talk surfaced after the fight about a rematch which I think is inevitable but I believe it should be a few fights from now. Even then I think the outcome will just favor Cruz more, none the less it will be fun to watch and it will even the 1-1 score. Next for the challenger Urijah Faber is a little tricky because the best next match for him in my opinion would be a teammate of his so I know that won't happen. Im going to go ahead pick him to fight Miguel Torres who just lost a fight to Demetrious Johnson. A win here and maybe one or two more could get him back where he wants fighting for the belt again. For the champion Dominick Cruz I think Demetrious Johnson provides a good challenge and a new opponent, a lot of people have been talking about Brian Bowles but we've seen that fight before and I believe Cruz needs to be tested by different fighters and prove he is the best. In my opinion Urijah Faber missed his chance to not only get a UFC belt, but I also believe that he was also the only person capable of defeating Dominick Cruz at 135 and even given a second chance I see Cruz being victorious. I believe we are in the Cruz era and that he will champion for a while and I have no doubt he will grace the top of the pound for pound list one day.
No comments:
Post a Comment