From top to bottom, UFC on FOX 5 delivered on all levels of excitement, including some of the most surprising and memorable finishes of the year.UFC President Dana White probably had a tough time deciding which performance was more deserving of a fight…
From top to bottom, UFC on FOX 5 delivered on all levels of excitement, including some of the most surprising and memorable finishes of the year.
UFC President Dana White probably had a tough time deciding which performance was more deserving of a fight bonus.
There was something special about every stoppage on this card, and it’s likely every fighter with a finish walked away a little richer on Saturday night.
Shockingly, most of the stoppages occurred on the undercard. It was the kind of night that showed it isn’t always smart to skip out on the prelims.
There was only one bout on the main card that didn’t go the distance. It involved a man seeking vengeance for an ignored MySpace message, which is apparently serious stuff.
Without further ado, here are the power rankings for every stoppage at UFC on FOX 5.
Rory MacDonald would like all the fans that showered him with boos on Saturday night as he put a beating on BJ Penn to know one thing—he doesn’t care about your opinion. As for those who cheer him on, well, the acknowledgement is most …
Rory MacDonald would like all the fans that showered him with boos on Saturday night as he put a beating on BJ Penn to know one thing—he doesn’t care about your opinion.
As for those who cheer him on, well, the acknowledgement is most likely appreciated, but it’s not something the rising star of the UFC’s welterweight division is all that concerned about.
After sending Penn to the hospital, MacDonald appeared at the UFC on Fox 5post-fight press conference nattily attired and looking all business. If it wasn’t for the slight bruising on his face, you would never guess that the 23-year-old Canadian punches people in the face for a living. But that he does, and it’s something he does very well, better than most, actually. However, if you think he’s doing that work for anything other than the love of the sport, you’d be wrong.
People could love me or hate me. I fight for myself because I love it. I don’t care (about people booing). As long as I fight well, and I think I did, if they don’t like me, I can’t do anything about it. I just have to be me.
MacDonald’s stance is refreshing. The sport of mixed martial arts has its fair share of fighters who seem to have some odd desire to be loved and accepted by those that fork over the cash to see them compete. MacDonald isn’t one of those people. Take him or leave him, he couldn’t care less.
In some respects, MacDonald seems to be headed down the same path that UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones took, but without the public relations mishaps or attempting to be someone other than himself.
He’s a young guy rolling through his weight division with a steely focus on being the best fighter he can be, and he’s not afraid to vocalize those goals. And just like Jones, MacDonald is going to pick up his fair share of detractors as he moves toward realizing his goals.
Where the two differ is that, for a time, Jones tried to appease those detractors, something that only resulted in many calling the young champion a fake and a fraud. MacDonald isn’t making that same mistake; his focus isn’t on anything but continuous improvement, moving toward a goal of being the best fighter he can be. Doing his job in a ruthless and efficient manner. Stacking bodies like cordwood on his way to a UFC title.
MacDonald’s no-nonsense attitude may rub some fans the wrong way, and it could result in some sort of backlash against him as a person, but the odds are that he won’t notice that at all, not as long as he keeps improving as a fighter.
While boxing’s Manny Pacquiao slept the night away, MMA fans were treated to an early Christmas present in UFC on FOX 5.It’s rare that a “stacked” fight card ever lives up to the bill, but on Saturday night, UFC on FOX 5 exceeded its own hype by giving…
While boxing’s Manny Pacquiao slept the night away, MMA fans were treated to an early Christmas present in UFC on FOX 5.
It’s rare that a “stacked” fight card ever lives up to the bill, but on Saturday night, UFC on FOX 5 exceeded its own hype by giving fans one of the best events in recent memory.
For starters, the event boasted one of the best undercards in UFC history.
The prelims are typically dismissed as throwaway fights for casual fans, but after Saturday night, people may think twice before spending a fortune on good seats and not arriving in time for the undercard.
Fighters like Yves Edwards, Dennis Siver and Daron Cruickshank stole the show with masterful performances. Outside of a few noticeable faces, there weren’t any major marquee names competing in the prelims. It was all about quality matchups and great performances.
The main card had a tough act to follow, but incredibly, it sustained the action and drama initiated by the undercard.
Matt Brown opened up the event with a shocking highlight-reel knockout victory over Mike Swick. With FOX drawing a broader audience, it was the kind of opening that kept curious newcomers from changing the channel.
Despite the efforts of the prelims and main-card opener, the entire event hinged on the success of the last three fights.
It was a night that showcased the upper-echelon arrival of Rory MacDonald and Alexander Gustafsson, as they laid waste to beloved legends BJ Penn and Mauricio “Shogun” Rua.
In the end, the show belonged to Benson Henderson, who dominated a much improved Nate Diaz to retain his lightweight title.
From top to bottom, UFC on FOX 5 was the most compelling and exciting UFC event of the year, and it didn’t cost a single penny. There was drama, memorable finishes and a world title bout that lived up to the bill.
Benson Henderson made it look easy against an opponent who has made a career out of making things difficult for his opponents. After Henderson’s win over Nate Diaz at UFC on Fox 5 on Saturday night, it’s now time to begin discussing who will serve…
Benson Henderson made it look easy against an opponent who has made a career out of making things difficult for his opponents. After Henderson’s win over Nate Diaz at UFC on Fox 5 on Saturday night, it’s now time to begin discussing who will serve as the next challenger for the lightweight champion.
Henderson is already one win away from tying BJ Penn and predecessor Frankie Edgar for the most lightweight title defenses in UFC history. The lightweight division is far from void of serious contenders, though. Along with the fighters who have been in the mix for a shot at the UFC belt for years, Gilbert Melendez and Eddie Alvarez could be on their way to the Octagon in the near future.
When it comes to picking the next 155-pound title challenger, there are plenty of options available for the UFC to choose from. Let’s take a look at who should be next for Henderson and the rest of the UFC on Fox 5 competitors who will be returning to the Octagon.
Benson Henderson made it look easy against an opponent who has made a career out of making things difficult for his opponents. After Henderson’s win over Nate Diaz at UFC on Fox 5 on Saturday night, it’s now time to begin discussing who will serve…
Benson Henderson made it look easy against an opponent who has made a career out of making things difficult for his opponents. After Henderson’s win over Nate Diaz at UFC on Fox 5 on Saturday night, it’s now time to begin discussing who will serve as the next challenger for the lightweight champion.
Henderson is already one win away from tying BJ Penn and predecessor Frankie Edgar for the most lightweight title defenses in UFC history. The lightweight division is far from void of serious contenders, though. Along with the fighters who have been in the mix for a shot at the UFC belt for years, Gilbert Melendez and Eddie Alvarez could be on their way to the Octagon in the near future.
When it comes to picking the next 155-pound title challenger, there are plenty of options available for the UFC to choose from. Let’s take a look at who should be next for Henderson and the rest of the UFC on Fox 5 competitors who will be returning to the Octagon.
Two razor-thin decisions against Frankie Edgar were erased after five rounds of dominance from UFC champion Ben Henderson, who steamrolled Nate Diaz in a thorough smashing on Saturday.But there’s a problem here.Diaz was so dominant in his three-run fig…
Two razor-thin decisions against Frankie Edgar were erased after five rounds of dominance from UFC champion Ben Henderson, who steamrolled Nate Diaz in a thorough smashing on Saturday.
But there’s a problem here.
Diaz was so dominant in his three-run fight to the top of division that it begs the question: Exactly who can topple a man that made the Stocktonian look so out of his league?
That’s a question not easily answered, as Henderson’s looked both strong and vulnerable against the UFC’s elite contenders—but we have five ideas about that subject, with one surprise entrant few fans are thinking about.
Rory MacDonald would like all the fans that showered him with boos on Saturday night as he put a beating on