On Saturday night, Junior dos Santos won the UFC heavyweight title in only 64 seconds.Not only that, but he got back to his knockout ways, as he ended the fight with a huge overhand right, and followed that up with some ground and pound.JDS’ past two f…
On Saturday night, Junior dos Santos won the UFC heavyweight title in only 64 seconds.
Not only that, but he got back to his knockout ways, as he ended the fight with a huge overhand right, and followed that up with some ground and pound.
JDS’ past two fights had both been decisions, so it was good to see him earn the knockout victory.
Now that JDS is champion, and could be poised for a long run, how would he fare against the current light heavyweight champ, Jon Jones?
Jones will likely have to move up to heavyweight at some point in his career, so this is a fight that could certainly happen at some point in the future.
Gone in 64 seconds.After working years for the opportunity and then spending months on the trainers’ table, Cain Velasquez lost his hard-won UFC heavyweight title in his first defense of the belt, when Junior dos Santos knocked him out in 1:04 of the f…
Gone in 64 seconds.
After working years for the opportunity and then spending months on the trainers’ table, Cain Velasquez lost his hard-won UFC heavyweight title in his first defense of the belt, when Junior dos Santos knocked him out in 1:04 of the first round at UFC on Fox 1.
After the fight, Velasquez told commentator Joe Rogan that “I will come back. I will get this belt back, for sure.”
So will he? I think so.
Velasquez got caught by an overhand dos Santos right. No shock or shame in that—dos Santos may be the most dangerous boxer in MMA today. While the loss was as unequivocal as it was sudden, it wasn’t the kind of wire-to-wire domination that would suggest one fighter’s total mastery of another.
In fact, a lot of questions leading up to the fight centered on dos Santos’ ability (or lack thereof) to survive on the ground with a wrestler as accomplished as Velasquez. Those questions remain unanswered, and Velasquez still has the skills to test dos Santos in that area.
Furthermore, Dos Santos is only 27; Velasquez only 29. Both these men are likable and popular within very important segments of the UFC fan base. And both men are really, really good. For my money, there will be a rematch, and Velasquez will be successful. He’s just too talented to keep down forever. My hope is that, over time, there will be multiple rematches. With the winner of Brock Lesnar and Alistair Overeem on tap next for dos Santos, it may not happen right away. But logic dictates that it will happen, and that Velasquez, sooner or later, will reclaim his belt, whether it be in a rematch with dos Santos or another fighter from the heavyweight contender pool, no member of which has thus far been able to best Velasquez yet.
Be sure to stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things UFC on FOX. B/R is your home for complete coverage of the Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos fight card, from pre-fight predictions, toin-fight coverage, results and post-fight analysis. Also be sure to check out our fight card hub page for news and opinion on the entire UFC on FOX fight card.
I sat watching the UFC on FOX event with three friends last night, two of which are casual fans and another who decided to root for Dos Santos after watching his video package before the fight. Naturally, I was asked a plethora of questions before the …
I sat watching the UFC on FOX event with three friends last night, two of which are casual fans and another who decided to root for Dos Santos after watching his video package before the fight.
Naturally, I was asked a plethora of questions before the fight.
“Who is going to win?”
“Does Dos Santos really hit that hard?”
“Why are they even fighting, Velasquez beat BROCK LESNAR?”
After a solid half hour of build up that legitimately got a girl who had seen a total of about five fights prior interested, the fight was under way.
And in 64 seconds, it was over.
The reaction of those around ranged from shocked to outraged, but no one in the room looked pleased with the result.
The UFC had successfully managed to grab a group of random people, turned them into fans and turned them off of the sport, all in less than an hour.
You can’t completely blame the UFC though, after all, they have no control of the fights once they start, but why didn’t they put another fight on TV?
I realize that this was supposed to be a showcase fight as a flashback to the heyday of boxing, but the organization should have known better than to throw two hard-hitting heavyweights in the only fight on the card.
If the Clay Guida and Ben Henderson fight would have been on TV, it would have given fans a greater understanding of the sport and likely left them with less of a bitter taste in their mouths.
The fact that the UFC was brave enough to put a guaranteed money-making fight on free TV shows their commitment to the sport, and it was a damn good fight to open their deal with FOX, but they should have had the foresight to see that new fans had the potential to be disappointed.
This sport is so much more than a two guys walking in and someone getting knocked out in seconds, but sadly. the world didn’t get to see that last night.
The UFC had a pretty decent debut on network TV, but hopefully next time fans will really see what the sport is all about.
It was estimated that 60 million Brazilian fans watched last night’s fight between Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos, where Dos Santos walked away with the UFC heavyweight title around his waist. This fight was huge for the future of the UFC&r…
It was estimated that 60 million Brazilian fans watched last night’s fight between Cain Velasquez and Junior Dos Santos, where Dos Santos walked away with the UFC heavyweight title around his waist.
This fight was huge for the future of the UFC’s growth worldwide, but it may have been even bigger for the growth of MMA in Brazil, as now three of the seven UFC champions call Brazil home.
As Dana White said at the post-fight press conference, “Brazil is the new Canada” as far as the sport’s growing popularity, and it doesn’t seem implausible that the fighters in Brazil will soon become superstars in South America.
While Junior Dos Santos doesn’t have the natural charisma that typical US fans seem to enjoy, he is incredibly likable and has gained a lot of fans since his stint on The Ultimate Fighter 13 earlier this year.
Dos Santos has a tremendous story that resonates well with fight fans around the world, and it has become pretty clear that he has become a fan favorite over his last few fights.
As popular as Chuck Liddell was during his run through the light heavyweight division with his sprawl-and-brawl style, Dos Santos could easily replicate that and become must-see TV every time he fights.
While calling Dos Santos the future of MMA seems a little premature at the moment, he could easily get there with a few more wins.
If he draws Brock Lesnar for his next fight and defeats him in convincing fashion, he will officially get the attention of the American public, and he is already well on his way to becoming one of the most popular fighters in the sport.
Be sure to stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things UFC on FOX. B/R is your home for post-fight analysis of the Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos fight card. Also, be sure to check out our fight card hub page for news and opinion on the entire UFC on FOX fight card.
Junior dos Santos shocked UFC fans, and Cain Velasquez, when he landed a big right hand that would lead to a TKO stoppage. Dos Santos was in control of the fight the whole time, and was able fight to his game plan against Velasquez.When Velasquez won t…
Junior dos Santos shocked UFC fans, and Cain Velasquez, when he landed a big right hand that would lead to a TKO stoppage. Dos Santos was in control of the fight the whole time, and was able fight to his game plan against Velasquez.
When Velasquez won the title against Lesnar, he looked nearly unstoppable. He was able to dictate the fight, and imposed his will on Lesnar.
Velasquez looked out of his element against Dos Santos. He was hesitant with almost everything he did, and looked like he was trying not to lose instead of trying to win the fight.
Velasquez is usually an imposing striker, and I think that the skill of Dos Santos made him hold back. Velasquez didn’t look like he wanted anything do do with the boxing exchanges.
He shot only one takedown when Dos Santos tried to land a kick to the center of his body. His strength coming into this fight was wrestling, and he should have tried more to utilize it.
I think that ring rust was a big factor for Velasquez in this fight. Being out of the Octagon for more than a year definitely had some effect.
However, I think that Velasquez will bounce back. He’s a good fighter that just had an off day. Look for him to come back in a big way the next time we see him.
With all that said, I’m not taking anything away from Dos Santos. He’s a great fighter who fought a perfect fight to take out the champion.
Velasquez is still a young fighter who has yet to have his best performance. After a poor showing against Dos Santos, he will need to come back strong the next time we see him in the Octagon.
In the weeks leading up to last night’s Heavyweight Championship bout, Dana White trumpeted that “whether this fight goes 30 seconds or 30 minutes, this is going to be a fight right here.” It was a fight, and it was slightly longer than 30 seconds, but in the post fight analysis Dana appeared frustrated and was searching for a reason that his champion went down so quickly. With all of the buildup and hype, I can’t help but think that first time viewers were equally confused and found the whole affair to be anticlimactic. Were that all the action we got to see last night, we’d probably be disappointed as well, but thank god for Facebook.
With regards to the main event, there’s not a lot to say, really. Junior Dos Santos hits hard. Cain’s game plan has been under attack, but it’s not like he got butchered on his feet for two rounds while doggedly refusing to shoot for a single. Velasquez got nailed with a huge overhand right just 55 seconds into the bout after already trying unsuccessfully for a takedown. Obviously, getting Dos Santos off of his feet quickly would have been Cain’s best option, but for a versatile heavyweight fighting under the brightest lights ever shone on a UFC fighter, shooting in for a Couture-Toney ankle pick with the opening bell still ringing wouldn’t do. Props to Dos Santos for getting it done quickly and violently in the Knock Out of the Night. It wasn’t the most epic fight that the UFC and FOX could have hoped for, but it was a memorable one. That Dos Santos did it with a torn meniscus is all the more impressive.
In the weeks leading up to last night’s Heavyweight Championship bout, Dana White trumpeted that “whether this fight goes 30 seconds or 30 minutes, this is going to be a fight right here.” It was a fight, and it was slightly longer than 30 seconds, but in the post fight analysis Dana appeared frustrated and was searching for a reason that his champion went down so quickly. With all of the buildup and hype, I can’t help but think that first time viewers were equally confused and found the whole affair to be anticlimactic. Were that all the action we got to see last night, we’d probably be disappointed as well, but thank god for Facebook.
With regards to the main event, there’s not a lot to say, really. Junior Dos Santos hits hard. Cain’s game plan has been under attack, but it’s not like he got butchered on his feet for two rounds while doggedly refusing to shoot for a single. Velasquez got nailed with a huge overhand right just 55 seconds into the bout after already trying unsuccessfully for a takedown. Obviously, getting Dos Santos off of his feet quickly would have been Cain’s best option, but for a versatile heavyweight fighting under the brightest lights ever shone on a UFC fighter, shooting in for a Couture-Toney ankle pick with the opening bell still ringing wouldn’t do. Props to Dos Santos for getting it done quickly and violently in the Knock Out of the Night. It wasn’t the most epic fight that the UFC and FOX could have hoped for, but it was a memorable one. That Dos Santos did it with a torn meniscus is all the more impressive.
It’s easy to say that the Henderson-Guida bout should have been broadcast in hindsight, but it was pretty obvious ahead of time as well. There was no doubt that their fight would be balls to the wall, and it may have been the organization’s best chance of finally securing the Prell sponsorship that’s eluded them for all these years. Guida’s style relies on a relentless pace and a controlling top game, but he met a superior wrestler and a cardio-equal in Bendo. His take down defense gave him control of the fight and his crisp striking allowed him to counter Guida’s wild barrages. It’s a shame that only a small fraction of those who caught the FOX broadcast are even aware of their Fight of the Night performance, but I’m sure the extra $65k makes up for it a little.
Cub Swanson headed into his bout with Ricardo Lamas with an abundance of confidence and some of the ugliest tattoos I’ve seen since “Katie’s Revenge”. After getting the better of Lamas in the striking department, Swanson nearly ended the fight with a deep guillotine in the first. He seemed indifferent as Lamas took him down and worked his way behind him, but that apathy was nowhere to be seen as he struggled to break free from an arm triangle. Lamas secured the tapout, and the Submission of the Night bonus, at 2:26 of R2.
Alex Caceres put on an absolute clinic against Cole Escovedo in his debut at 135 lbs. “Bruce Leroy” came after the former WEC champ from every possible angle with every strike in the book from the opening bell. On the ground Caceres was too much as well, coming close to sinking in a triangle and an armbar as he transitioned from one sub to the next. He picked up the unanimous decision—his first win in the Octagon–in his bantamweight debut.
Quick Notes:
Tough break for Mackens Semerzier. No one wants to get knocked out, but when it comes from an illegal (albeit accidental) headbutt it’s a lot harder to swallow. Hopefully he can get the “L” overturned.
Darren Uyenoyama knows a thing or two about grappling. Kid Yamamoto is now 0-2 in the UFC with only one win in his past five fights, and once again JMMA looks to be on life support. I’m sure Kid will be kept on board for Zuffa’s upcoming visit to Japan. His slide started just after divorcing this. We’d be depressed too, Kid.
This was Clay Harvison’s second straight loss, and it came via knock out at the hands of a mid-pack fighter just 1:34 into the bout. It was a nice recovery for DaMarques Johnson, but I don’t think Clay’s up to snuff.
Main Event (On Fox): -Junior dos Santos def. Cain Velasquez by KO at 1:04, R1
Undercard (On Facebook and FoxSports.com): -Benson Henderson def. Clay Guida by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
-Dustin Poirier def. Pablo Garza by submission (d’arce choke) at 1:32, R2
-Ricardo Lamas def. Cub Swanson by submission (arm triangle choke) at 2:16, R2
-DaMarques Johnson def. Clay Harvison by TKO at 1:34, R1
-Darren Uyenoyama def. Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-27)
-Robert Peralta def. Mackens Semerzier by TKO at 1:54, R3
-Alex Caceres def. Cole Escovedo by unanious decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
-Mike Pierce def. Paul Bradley by split decision (28-29, 30-37, 29-28)
-Aaron Rosa def. Matt Lucas by majority decision (28-28, 30-26, 30-26)
Gone in 64 seconds.
