After only correctly predicting four fights out of a possible eleven for UFC on Fuel TV 5, I desperately needed some success for UFC on FX 5. Not only was I successful in my predictions, but I beat out every other MMA website’s predictions. However, this event isn’t about the results of the predictions, it’s about the results of the fights, and they certainly didn’t disappoint.
Darren Uyenoyama vs. Phil Harris
In the beginning of the first round, it was Harris who started taking a slight edge. He was beating Uyenoyama to the punch and achieved the superior position by taking Uyenoyama’s back before eventually securing a takedown. Uyenoyama tried to counter with a triangle, but was unsuccessful, what really got the crowd’s attention is when Uyenoyama attempted a somersault kick. The cheers from the crowd seemed to give him a bit more bounce in his step and he finished the round strong, but still a close round to score.
Uyenoyama came out in the second round much more relaxed on the feet, seeming quite confident. When Harris started putting together combinations and turning up his aggression, Uyenoyama looked to clinch, and it wasn’t long until he used a standing kimura to secured a takedown. Once Uyenoyama had Harris on the ground, it was the beginning of the end as he controlled Harris and repeatedly advanced his position, constantly looking for submissions. When Harris turned his back to avoid the ground and pound of Uyenoyama, he opened himself up for the rear naked choke; Uyenoyama was able to sink it in and get the tap.
The flyweight pool of fighters isn’t that deep, but I wouldn’t object to seeing a fight between Uyenoyama and Jussier da Silva. As for Harris, I find Tim Elliot to be a potential exciting match up.
Diego Nunes vs. Bart Palaszewski
Joe Silva was right in awarding this “fight of the night“. Nunes surprised everyone by coming out extremely aggressive, dropping Palaszewski early. Palaszewski gave Nunes fans a huge scare when he caught Nunes with first, a deep guillotine choke, and then a triangle. Nunes was able to escape both submission attempts and land some ground and pound until the end of the round.
While Palaszewski did threaten with several big strikes of his own, most of the fight was Nunes surprising the crowd with his newly showcased aggressive style and landing heavy shots on Palaszewski, either on the feet or via ground and pound. It was probably the best performance Nunes has ever displayed, and I’d suggest Marcus Brimage as a suitable opponent in his next fight. As for Palaszewski, I’d like to see him fight Yves Jabouin.
Jacob Volkmann vs. Shane Roller
This was a fairly quick fight that saw roughly two minutes of evenly matched stand up, but once Volkmann grabbed a hold of a leg, then it was all him from that moment on. Volkmann immediately took Roller’s back and took just under ninety seconds to submit Roller. Now officially it was ruled as a rear naked choke, but it was actually a face/neck crack seeing as Volkmann was not under Roller‘s chin. Regardless, all submissions look the same on the win/loss column.
Marcus LeVesseur vs. Carlo Prater
For the first time in I don’t know how many fights, I end up being on the right side of a split decision. I think the judges made the right call simply because LeVesseur was the more aggressive fighter and was landing the heavier strikes. Not that Prater was getting completely outclassed, because he gave LeVesseur a few scares with several submission attempts, but LeVesseur was able to escape every submission, and spent most of each round as the effective aggressor. LeVesseur absolutely deserved the win and I’m glad that the judges finally got a split decision right for a change. For his next fight he should draw Pablo Garcia, while Prater should draw an opponent along the lines of Cody McKenzie.
Mike Pierce vs. Aaron Simpson
Judging on the explosiveness he demonstrated, the weight cut went much better for Simpson this time around. After a brief stalemate in the clinch, Simpson started to take control when he stunned Pierce with a big right hand. He then landed several additional strikes before he secured a double leg, picked Pierce off the ground, and slammed him to the canvas. Complete control for Simpson until the end of the round. However, it took Pierce only twenty nine seconds into the second round to land a perfect counterpunch while evading Simpson’s deadly overhand right. It caught him right on the chin that immediately dropped Simpson to his knees, a few more shots from Pierce and the ref had to step in. I’d like to Pierce fight Dan Hardy, while Simpson could face Charlie Brenneman.
Michael Johnson vs. Danny Castillo
After looking mundane and physically exhausted in his past couple of fights, Castillo turned over a new leaf and really came out to fight. For a fighter who is known for being primarily a wrestler, his boxing looked sharp and he was able to catch Johnson with a big right hand. Immediately Castillo when into grappling mode and nearly submitted Johnson with an arm triangle. Johnson survived, but it was a dominating round for Castillo, I scored it a 10-8 round.
Second round was a complete switch and Johnson came out aggressive with his striking and was able to avoid Castillo’s takedowns. It wasn’t much longer until Johnson caught Castillo with a short counterpunch that dropped him, and the follow up punches from Johnson put Castillo’s lights out. Johnson should draw Jacob Volkmann in his next fight, while Castillo should be matched up against Roller.
Justin Edwards vs. Josh Neer
This was the only fight that I predicted incorrectly, but in my defense, it was easily the biggest upset of the night. There isn’t too much to analyze seeing that this fight only lasted forty five seconds. Edwards simply countered Neer’s takedown attempt with a guillotine choke, and because Neer refused to tap, he went to sleep. Neer couldn’t believe he had lost when he woke up in the ref’s arms.
A fight between Edwards and Matt Wiman would be exciting seeing both won there last fights and it was considered an upset. As for Neer, he should draw Paul Sass.
John Dodson vs. Jussier da Silva
According to the stats, Dodson should’ve been the bigger fighter. Although he was clearly the leaner, more muscle-bound fighter, Silva looked taller with an equally big frame. Still, Dodson was the superior striker and much faster on the feet. After a close first round, Dodson dropped Silva and then swarmed on him. All Silva could do was attempt to cover up, but after eating several shots to the head, the ref had to stop the fight. It looks like Dodson will be getting the next title shot against Demetrious Johnson which I think is the right decision.
Jake Ellenberger vs. Jay Hieron
Ellenberger came out much more cautious and patient than he usually does, and that may have been why this fight wasn’t nearly as exciting as I expected. There were a few brief moments of excitement in the fight, but ultimately I’m disappointed in Ellenberger’s performance. If he ends up facing Josh Koscheck in his next fight, I’m confident that Ellenberger will loose unless he changes up his strategy. As for Hieron, I’d like to see him fight Che Mills.
Travis Browne vs. Antonio Silva
No more than five people picked Silva to beat Browne. Not only Did Silva win, he did so in the fashion that I predicted. People were forgetting that Silva is a karate black belt and therefore has good striking skills. Silva’s striking was deadly accurate while Browne didn’t land a shred of offense. Silva has big power in his hands, and with one clean punch, he dropped Browne and then put him away with some ground and pound. Big win for Silva.
I’d suggest that Silva deserves a rematch with Fabricio Werdum or face Stefan Struve. Travis Browne should be matched up with Stipe Miocic.
Written by : Ryan “Fight Freek” Poli
@FightFreek