The UFC’s venture into the nation’s capital on Oct. 1 featured four fights on Versus and eight fights streamed on Facebook. The event, which took place from the Verizon Center, was highlighted by a bantamweight title bout between champion Dominick Cruz and Demetrious Johnson.
Cruz used his size and strength advantage to control his faster opponent. Johnson appeared to puzzle and frustrate the champion on the feet, but Cruz used his wrestling to overwhelm his opponent. Cruz threatened to end the fight on multiple occasions with a choke, but Johnson survived to the scorecards. All of the judges scored the fight for the champion, who retains his UFC belt.
Stefan Struve and Pat Barry battled in the co-main event. The two heavyweights had the largest height differential in the division, as the 6-foot-11 Struve towered over the 5-foot-11 Barry. A slow first round was quickly forgotten after the pair opened up in the second round. Struve looked for a choke while standing, which brought the fight to the mat. Struve transitioned to a triangle choke, which Barry tried to escape with a slam, but was ultimately forced to tap.
Anthony Johnson showed off superior striking against wrestling stalwart Charlie Brenneman. Brenneman was desperate to get the fight to the mat, but Johnson stuffed his takedown attempts and delivered punches. A head kick wobbled Brenneman and he staggered to his feet, eating a second kick that sent him crashing to the mat. The referee stepped in before further damage would occur.
Lightweights Matt Wiman and Mac Danzig went to war in a continuation of their controversial UFC 115 fight. Wiman used a furious pace to push Danzig from the opening bell. The pair traded elbow and uppercuts from inside the clinch, with Wiman delivering the most damage. All three judges gave the nod to Wiman.
On the event’s preliminary card, Yves Edwards scored a TKO win over Rafaello Oliveira after unloading on the Brazilian. Paul Sass submitted TUF alum Michael Johnson with a heel hook in the first round. Canadian TJ Grant picked up an armbar win over Shane Roller in the final round of their lightweight contest. Josh Neer put on a clinic of clinch elbows, forcing a doctor’s stoppage against Keith Wisniewski. Finally, Walel Watson scored an opening round TKO of fellow newcomer Joseph Sandoval.
Rob Tatum is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. You can also find Rob’s work at TheMMACorner.com. For anything related to MMA, you can follow Rob on Twitter @RobTatumMMA.