My popcorn wasn’t even ready. Almost as soon as it started, the biggest television event in MMA history ended when challenger Junior dos Santos knocked incumbent Cain Velasquez unconscious to capture the UFC heavyweight championship at UFC on Fox 1.
Not even a minute into the fight, an overhand right from dos Santos sent Velasquez to the floor. Dos Santos swarmed him with punches and at 1:04 of the round, we had a new belt holder.
So what did we learn? I guess you could say we learned five things, which I might categorize as follows:
What we’ll remember about this fight:
Just how fast it was over. Not only did dos Santos land that damaging right hand with only 55 seconds elapsed in the fight, he also charged in and ended it for good only nine seconds later.
What we learned about Cain Velasquez:
That he can be gotten.
What we learned about Junior dos Santos:
That he can get anyone.
What’s next for dos Santos:
A long, getting-to-know-you media tour. The guy just had a star-making turn. Now it’s time to actually make that star.
As far as fights, the UFC recently announced that the winner between Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem at UFC 141 would get the next title shot. Looks like the hits are gonna keep on coming at the top of the heavyweight division.
What’s next for Velasquez:
The Lesnar-Overeem loser seems like a natural option. If he can defeat Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira at UFC 140, Frank Mir may be another possibility.
Want a dark horse option? Allow me to submit for your consideration one Cheick Kongo, who once gave Cain fits in the standup phase and remains the only fighter to go the distance with Velasquez.
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