Author: Brian Mazique

In his quest for the UFC featherweight title, Kenny Florian was not aggressive enough in his loss to Jose Aldo.

Florian dropped to 14-6 with the loss, his first defeat while registering a takedown. Florian was absorbing brutal leg kicks from Aldo all fight long and ate a couple vicious punches to the face. He actually landed more kicks than Aldo, but the power behind Aldo’s strikes was obviously much greater.

I think Florian didn’t do himself any favors in the final round, when he was clearly losing on points. Florian should have went all out, laying everything he had out on the octagon. Instead, he was content with trying to smother Aldo and just make it until the final bell.

Now, obviously it’s easy for me to sit behind a computer screen and say that Florian should have done this or that. After all, I wasn’t the one in the octagon getting my leg crushed by the notoriously brutal leg kicks of Aldo.

But at 35 years of age, Florian won’t have many more opportunities at a title. This was his best shot at capturing his dream, yet he didn’t go all out in the fifth and final round.

Florian fought very well in the first round, which I believe he clearly won. But his aggressiveness tapered off throughout the fight and was eventually the deciding factor in his loss.

Chael Sonnen absolutely dominated Brian Stann with his beautiful wrestling skills.

Sonnen registered a second round submission after spending the entire fight on top of Stann, pummeling his face in.

Despite his pre-fight claim to deliver a “red, white, and blue ass whooping,” Stann got destroyed by Sonnen. Stann has had issues with great wrestlers in the past and Sonnen clearly recognized this weakness. He was aggressive from the opening bell, lunging toward Stann for a takedown attempt.

Stann was able to fight off the first attempt, but it was only a matter of time before Sonnen put him on his back. Once there, Sonnen put on a ground and pound clinic and then choked Stann until he turned purple.

This was an incredibly impressive performance by Sonnen, especially given that he had a 14-month layoff due to injuries and suspensions.

After the fight, Sonnen called out champion Anderson Silva, whom he nearly beat a year ago. In his post-fight interview, Sonnen told Silva and the world that he wants a rematch on Super Bowl weekend and that he would leave the UFC forever if Silva could beat him again.

Silva stood and acknowledged the challenge, so I’m assuming we’ll all be treated to the rematch sometime soon.

If Sonnen can put together another performance like tonight, Silva will be in trouble.

Nothing wakes you up like a swift kick in the cup. Early on in the first round Anthony Pettis mistakenly landed an inside leg kick on the testicles. Stephens took a few moments and returned to the fight,
Showtime attempted a Capoeira style kick at the end of the first round. It was pretty much the highlight of a very mild opening round.

Pettis was able to control Stephens on the ground in the second round. He badly bloodied the nose of Stephens with a diving punch while Stephens was on the ground. Pettis was clearly the better conditioned fighter as he thoroughly out worked Stephens. I

In the final round, Pettis fought off of his back. He showed himself a much more versatile and well rounded fighter. His technique and athleticism was superior to Stephens and that was the difference.
At the conclusion of the fight, Stephens raised his hands but surely he knew he was outclassed tonight.

I am excited to see who is next for Pettis as I think he has the rare combination of flair and great ability. The judges created some ridiculous dram with a split decision, but it was as unanimous in my opinion.
Of all the up and comers, Anthony Pettis is far and away the best fighter thus far.