The UFC made its first trip to Poland ever, as UFC Fight Night 64 took place Saturday morning and afternoon. Live on Fight Pass, the bout was headlined by a heavyweight scrap between Mirko Cro Cop and Gabriel Gonzaga.
The fight was heavy on local talen…
The UFC made its first trip to Poland ever, as UFC Fight Night 64 took place Saturday morning and afternoon. Live on Fight Pass, the bout was headlined by a heavyweight scrap between Mirko Cro Cop and Gabriel Gonzaga.
The fight was heavy on local talent, as a lot of big names did not grace the card. Fans were able to get an insight on some of Europe’s prospects and some young fighters that have a chance to be UFC staples in the future.
We had winners and losers in every fight. However, who were the real winners and losers from this event?
On Saturday, the UFC made its debut in Poland with UFC Fight Night 64. Heavy on European talent, the card had 12 bouts, most of which included Polish fighters.
The main event was a rematch between Mirko Cro Cop and Gabriel Gonzaga. In their first meeti…
On Saturday, the UFC made its debut in Poland with UFC Fight Night 64. Heavy on European talent, the card had 12 bouts, most of which included Polish fighters.
The main event was a rematch between Mirko Cro Cop and Gabriel Gonzaga. In their first meeting, Gonzaga landed the infamous head kick that put Cro Cop to sleep and vaulted Gonzaga to a title bout.
This time around, Cro Cop gained revenge with a third-round TKO over Gonzaga. He started slow in the first two rounds but hurt Gonzaga with elbows and finished him on the ground.
What did we learn from this fight? Let’s take a look.
What We’ll Remember From This Fight
The finish. The first two rounds were not great for Cro Cop, as he was tentative and lost those rounds easily.
The third round changed that.
Against the cage, the two heavyweights clinched. Cro Cop got some space, landed a huge elbow that dazed Gonzaga, landed a few more shots and went in for the kill.
It was an awesome finish to an otherwise lackluster bout.
For certain, his UFC career has likely been put to rest with his third loss in a row. He was given a bout with Cro Cop, a fighter who is past his prime and hasn’t succeeded at the high levels recently, and took a crushing defeat.
He looked good early on, but slowed in the third round and suffered the vicious finish. That loss was huge for Gonzaga.
What We Learned About Cro Cop
He’s still the king of rematches.
Cro Cop had never lost a rematch coming into this fight, and many people thought this would be the first time that would happen. Instead, he gained revenge yet again, showing his resilience and showing why he’s always dangerous the second time around.
It was a huge win for him and helped soften the blow of a head kick knockout many years ago.
What’s Next for Gonzaga?
I would assume at this point that Napao will be cut seeing as he is 0-3 in his last three.
However, if the UFC keeps him around, a “loser leaves town” bout should be afoot. He’s certainly got some men who could help fit that bill with him, so fighting Antonio Silva or Daniel Omielanczuk could be in the cards if Joe Silva keeps him around.
What’s Next for Cro Cop?
I would have loved to see Cro Cop retire on the biggest revenge win of his career, but we know that’s not the case. The gritty veteran will fight on.
He’s a marquee heavyweight who isn’t in his prime anymore, but he attracts eyes. That’s why he should be treated as a novelty fighter.
Perhaps a fight against the winner of Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira/Stefan Struve would be best for him. It makes sense and has main card quality.
The UFC is busy in 2015, and that continues this weekend, as the UFC comes to you live from Poland for the first time. UFC Fight Night 64, which is heavy on European talent, will feature a headlining rematch between Mirko Cro Cop and Gabriel Gonzaga.
T…
The UFC is busy in 2015, and that continues this weekend, as the UFC comes to you live from Poland for the first time. UFC Fight Night 64, which is heavy on European talent, will feature a headlining rematch between Mirko Cro Cop and Gabriel Gonzaga.
Their first meeting ended with one of the most recognizable knockouts in UFC history, when Gonzaga used Cro Cop’s signature weapon, the head kick, to put away Cro Cop. That win stole a title shot for Gonzaga, who would go on to challenge Randy Couture for the belt.
Bleacher Report has again called upon its team of predictors to give you some insight into this card. So, per usual, Scotty Harris, Jimmy MacDonald, Sean “Smitty” Smith, Craig “Craiger” Amos and I, Riley “The Best There Was, Is and Ever Will Be” Kontek, will guide you with picks for this four-fight main card.
The UFC continues its hectic schedule this weekend, as the Octagon touches down in Poland for the first time in company history. Headlined by a heavyweight rematch, the card hosts a bevy of European talent.
Mirko Cro Cop and Gabriel Gonzaga meet …
The UFC continues its hectic schedule this weekend, as the Octagon touches down in Poland for the first time in company history. Headlined by a heavyweight rematch, the card hosts a bevy of European talent.
Mirko Cro Cop and Gabriel Gonzaga meet in the main event in a rematch of one of the most infamous finishes in UFC history. Back in the day, Gonzaga derailed Cro Cop’s title hopes by hitting a highlight-reel head-kick knockout over Cro Cop, stealing the Pride veteran’s signature move to win.
A year of mediocre picking ability continued last weekend, as these predictions went just 1-3. However, we could blame a bad judging decision and some surprises, so hopefully we get back on track here.
Without further ado, let’s look at the prelims and make some predictions.
Bellator continues its show under the reign of Scott Coker, as Bellator 136 airs live this weekend. Bolstered by a lightweight title tilt, the card has some big names and should pull some good ratings.
Will Brooks will defend his lightweight championsh…
Bellator continues its show under the reign of Scott Coker, as Bellator 136 airs live this weekend. Bolstered by a lightweight title tilt, the card has some big names and should pull some good ratings.
Will Brooks will defend his lightweight championship against Dave Jansen in the main event. Brooks has become one of the best lightweights in the world and a fighter who could be the future of the 155-pound division.
Also on the card are kickboxing star Joe Schilling, former Bellator heavyweight king Alexander Volkov and Russian stud Alexander Sarnavskiy.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at Bellator 136 and make some picks.
There is a busy MMA weekend afoot, with the Big Three all holding show this weekend. One of those big three is World Series of Fighting, which comes to us with its 20th show on NBC Sports on Friday.
Middleweight champion Dave Branch headlines the card,…
There is a busy MMA weekend afoot, with the Big Three all holding show this weekend. One of those big three is World Series of Fighting, which comes to us with its 20th show on NBC Sports on Friday.
Middleweight champion Dave Branch headlines the card, moving up to 205 pounds in search of his second title with the company. He fights Ronny Markes in the semifinals of a 205-pound tournament, with the winner taking on Teddy Holder at an event to be announced for the inaugural light heavyweight championship.
Decorated amateur wrestler Steve Mocco, one-armed phenom Nick Newell and superhero Ben “Phoenix Jones” Fodor also grace the card.
With that, let’s take a look at WSOF 20 and make some predictions.
On Saturday, the UFC made its debut in Poland with UFC Fight Night 64. Heavy on European talent, the card had 12 bouts, most of which included Polish fighters.