After quite a bit of trouble getting the UFC Fight Night 26 event finalized, the event went off without a hitch. The main card featured a number of highlights that gave fans a reason to erupt in cheers and some lowlights that gave fans a reason to head to the bathroom.
No doubt the biggest surprise of the night came in the main event as Chael Sonnen used a guillotine choke to force Mauricio “Shogun” Rua to tap out. Not to be outdone by the main event, Travis Browne secured Knockout of the Night honors by dropping former K-1 champion Alistair Overeem in the first round.
Also making a good case for KO of the Night was Matt Brown, as he dropped the tough Mike Pyle early in the first round of their contest. The knockout was a much needed boost of adrenaline for fans watching after seeing a disastrous showing from Uriah Hall and John Howard.
In the card’s opening fight, Michael Johnson showed improved striking as he placed a one-sided beatdown on Joe Lauzon in Lauzon’s back yard. The fight was so one sided one judge’s scorecard read 30-25 in favor of Johnson.
As with any fight (well most of them at least) there are winners and losers. For the winners, the next move is usually upward while the losers are sent back to the drawing board.