Tag: UFC on Fox 6

Although the best MMA events are usually reserved for pay-per-view, true fans were treated to a great product in UFC on Fox 6. As a whole, the card was as good as something that would cost a lot more money.

The event had everything that fans could have hoped for in a card.

In the main event, Demetrious Johnson successfully defended his title against John Dodson. While some fans do not enjoy watching flyweight, these competitors are as technically sound as anyone in the sport.

Dodson gave the champ a legitimate fight as it lasted all five rounds, but Johnson easily showed that he is the best in the weight class with his great takedowns and moves on the mat.

Regardless of division, there are few things better than seeing a great fighter doing what he does best.

In addition, there were some other high-profile matchups that gave the card some serious depth. Although Quinton “Rampage” Jackson barely resembles the fighter he once was, the veteran presented some serious star power.

Jackson likely finished the last match of his career, but Glover Teixeira did not let him leave on top. The Brazilian was the better fighter on the day as he won by decision, likely ending Rampage’s career with a loss.

To fill out the main card, Anthony Pettis knocked out Donald Cerrone and Ricardo Lamas knocked out Erik Koch. Both of these fights are PPV-level, and the Lamas-Koch fight was actually supposed to take place at UFC 155, according to MMA Junkie.

It will not be surprising if Pettis and/or Lamas soon find themselves in contention for titles in their respective weight classes.

Obviously, this full card will not match a PPV with Jon Jones or Anderson Silva, but top to bottom, this was as good as one of these events. 

UFC on Fox 6 also compares very favorably to UFC 155, the most recent PPV event. Cain Velasquez easily won his rematch against Junior dos Santos, but there was little on the rest of the card to keep fans excited.

While it is hard to blame the promoters, UFC 155 lacked the knockouts and submissions that draw fans to the sport.

UFC loves to promote the PPV events because it obviously brings more money into the league. However, Fox did a great job of putting a card together and the competitors made it worth it.

Fans who were able to watch certainly should not have left disappointed after a great night of fights.

 

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The UFC has been doing its very best to promote the most significant fights they can on FOX.

While championship bouts involving Anderson Silva, Jon Jones, Georges St-Pierre and Jose Aldo are better left for pay-pay-view, the UFC has most definitely given their budding fanbase the biggest free fights possible.

UFC on FOX 6 this past Saturday was no different.  But exactly where does this card stack up against the other five events featured on national television? 

In any case, a relevant FOX card always needs a title fight.  It helps to maintain interest and promote the event as a whole.  Well, UFC on FOX 6 had just that.

The always quick and formidable Demetrious Johnson battled it out with a smiling John Dodson for five straight rounds for the UFC flyweight championship.  The bout featured numerous knockdowns at the hands of Dodson, excellent clinch work by Johnson, controversy from an illegal knee, quick in-and-out exchanges and a retained title.

But as good as the fight was, unexposed fans watching for free around the world will forever have a difficult time realizing that flyweight championship fights are just as good as welterweight or light heavyweight.  Unfortunately for Johnson and Dodson, most fans outside of the UFC’s loyal group of followers don’t understand how technical the smaller weight classes truly are.

Instead, they wish upon brutal knockouts and bloody affairs.  That’s all well and good, but sometimes it’s nice to sit back and watch two guys throw leather at the speed of light.

So in that regard, even though the main event was a smashing success as far as the UFC flyweight division is concerned, its mass appeal didn’t quite stand up under the compared light of other FOX title fights like Benson Henderson vs. Nate Diaz and Cain Velasquez vs. Junior dos Santos.

Outside of a title fight, the second-most intriguing aspect to a FOX card revolves around the grudge match.  It’s something that also boosts ratings and gives fans something extra to cheer about.  Not only did UFC on FOX 6 possess a grudge between wily veteran Rampage Jackson and rising light heavyweight star Glover Teixeira, but it featured yet another one with Anthony Pettis vs. Donald Cerrone in a No. 1 lightweight contenders fight.

The essence of Jackson’s last fight coming against a guy like Teixeira, who called Rampage out back in 2012, ultimately helped bolster the rest of the card.  Now while there was no knockout and both fighters looked gassed after two rounds, the slug fest withstood the pressure of national television.

On the other hand, Pettis vs. Cerrone did feature a knockout—one that came just 2:35 into the first round. Pettis more or less showcased his elite athleticism and ability to precisely position unorthodox strikes in the heat of the moment against the unsuspecting Cerrone.

The fight was originally billed to last a little longer in hopes of turning Cerrone‘s pre-fight trash talk into a potential barn burner, but Pettis was too good for even that.

With that said, even though neither bout took home Fight of the Night honors, they were good enough to stand alongside past FOX grudge matches like Chael Sonnen vs. Michael Bisping and Rory MacDonald vs. BJ Penn.

Taking all of that into consideration, as well as Ricardo Lamas’ bloodied elbows, where exactly does UFC on FOX 6 rank among each and every FOX card?

To be frank, right in the middle.  It wasn’t quite good enough to take the crown from UFC on FOX 4: Shogun vs. Vera or UFC on FOX 3: Diaz vs. Miller, but it most definitely stacks up against UFC on FOX 5: Henderson vs. Diaz and completely shatters UFC on FOX 2: Evans vs. Davis.

For more UFC/UFC on FOX news and coverage, Follow @DHiergesell

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