UFC on Fox 9 is now in the books. Though the event mostly featured decisions, the finishes from the main and co-main events made such an impression that it almost seems UFC on Fox 9 was packed full of highlight reel stoppages.
Demetrious Johnson cement…
UFC on Fox 9 is now in the books. Though the event mostly featured decisions, the finishes from the main and co-main events made such an impression that it almost seems UFC on Fox 9 was packed full of highlight reel stoppages.
Demetrious Johnson cemented his spot as the undisputed top 125er around, beating Joseph Benavidez, who many consider his biggest threat, convincingly, and for the second time.
Urijah Faber may have earned himself yet another title shot by blasting away rising star Michael McDonald in what was his most impressive performance over the last several years.
To see the outcomes of the entire UFC on Fox 9 fight card check out the quick results below.
UFC on Fox 9 Main Card
Demetrious Johnson def. Joseph Benavidez, Knockout (Round 1, 2:52)
Urijah Faber def. Michael McDonald, Submission (Round 2, 3:22)
Chad Mendes def. Nik Lentz, Unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Joe Lauzon def. Mac Danzig, Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Fox Sports 1 Prelims
Ryan LaFlare def. Court McGee, Unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Edson Barboza def. Danny Castillo, Majority decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-28)
Bobby Green def. Pat Healy, Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Zach Makovsky def. Scott Jorgensen, Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Sam Stout def. Cody McKenzie, Unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Abel Trujillo def. Roger Bowling, TKO (Round 2, 1:35)
Facebook Prelims
Alptekin Ozkilic def. Darren Uyenoyama, Split-decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
For a more indepth recollection of how the card played out, scroll down for a play-by-play of each bout.
In just a few minutes, the weigh-ins for UFC on FOX 9 kick off from the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento. Funny, I didn’t know they named an arena after Francis Carmont, and in America no less (*lights fireworks and releases flock of doves*). If our past few posts about this event are any indication, three fighters will fail to make weight tonight, two fighters will injure themselves backstage, and the entire attending audience will be consumed in a wave of Godzilla’s all-cleansing fire. Seriously, have you guys seen the trailer for the Godzilla remake yet? It looks insane.
Anyway, Team Alpha Male will look to continue their run of dominance under Duane Ludwig (“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Bang Era!”), but they’ll be facing some stiff opposition in the forms of Edson Barboza, Nik Lentz, and Michael McDonald. So swing by CagePotato starting at 7 p.m. EST to catch the weigh-ins and swing by tomorrow at 8 p.m. for our liveblog of the event.
In just a few minutes, the weigh-ins for UFC on FOX 9 kick off from the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento. Funny, I didn’t know they named an arena after Francis Carmont, and in America no less (*lights fireworks and releases flock of doves*). If our past few posts about this event are any indication, three fighters will fail to make weight tonight, two fighters will injure themselves backstage, and the entire attending audience will be consumed in a wave of Godzilla’s all-cleansing fire. Seriously, have you guys seen the trailer for the Godzilla remake yet? It looks insane.
Anyway, Team Alpha Male will look to continue their run of dominance under Duane Ludwig (“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Bang Era!”), but they’ll be facing some stiff opposition in the forms of Edson Barboza, Nik Lentz, and Michael McDonald. So swing by CagePotato starting at 7 p.m. EST to catch the weigh-ins and swing by tomorrow at 8 p.m. for our liveblog of the event.
Main card (FOX at 8 p.m. ET)
Demetrious Johnson (125) vs. Joseph Benavidez (125)
Urijah Faber (135) vs. Michael McDonald (135.25)
Chad Mendes (145) vs. Nik Lentz (145)
Joe Lauzon (155) vs. Mac Danzig (155)
Undercard (FOX Sports 1 at 5 p.m. ET)
Court McGee (169.5) vs. Ryan LaFlare (170)
Danny Castillo (155) vs. Edson Barboza (155)
Bobby Green (155) vs. Pat Healy (155)
Scott Jorgensen (124.5) vs. Zach Makovsky (125)
Sam Stout (154) vs. Cody McKenzie (155)
Abel Trujillo (155) vs. Roger Bowling (155)
Undercard (Facebook 4:30 p.m. ET)
Darren Uyenoyama (125) vs. Alptekin Ozkilic (125)
We were all heartbroken when news broke that we would be deprived of Matt Brown vs. Carlos Condit at UFC on Fox 9. Fortunately, Saturday night boasts one of the few cards deep enough to retain fan interest after such a monumental loss.
In addition to a…
We were all heartbroken when news broke that we would be deprived of Matt Brown vs. Carlos Condit at UFC on Fox 9. Fortunately, Saturday night boasts one of the few cards deep enough to retain fan interest after such a monumental loss.
In addition to a fantastic flyweight title fight between Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez, we can look forward to Urijah Faber vs. Michael McDonald, Chad Mendes vs. NikLentz and Joe Lauzon vs. Mac Danzig.
Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of such a stacked card? Not to worry. I’ve called in the boys to help guide you through Saturday night’s main card.
So without further delay, read on for the thoughts of Scott Harris, Craig Amos, Sean Smith, Riley Kontek and me, James MacDonald.
We were all heartbroken when news broke that we would be deprived of Matt Brown vs. Carlos Condit at UFC on Fox 9. Fortunately, Saturday night boasts one of the few cards deep enough to retain fan interest after such a monumental loss.
In addition to a…
We were all heartbroken when news broke that we would be deprived of Matt Brown vs. Carlos Condit at UFC on Fox 9. Fortunately, Saturday night boasts one of the few cards deep enough to retain fan interest after such a monumental loss.
In addition to a fantastic flyweight title fight between Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez, we can look forward to Urijah Faber vs. Michael McDonald, Chad Mendes vs. NikLentz and Joe Lauzon vs. Mac Danzig.
Feeling overwhelmed at the thought of such a stacked card? Not to worry. I’ve called in the boys to help guide you through Saturday night’s main card.
So without further delay, read on for the thoughts of Scott Harris, Craig Amos, Sean Smith, Riley Kontek and me, James MacDonald.
This weekend will mark the ninth installment of UFC on FOX.
Headlined by a flyweight championship grudge match between Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson and Joseph Benavidez, the main card is stacked to the brim even despite a recent pull-out from red-…
This weekend will mark the ninth installment of UFC on FOX.
Headlined by a flyweight championship grudge match between Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson and Joseph Benavidez, the main card is stacked to the brim even despite a recent pull-out from red-hot welterweight Matt Brown.
Now, on the heels of yet another injury, fan favorite Joe Lauzon and promotional veteran Mac Danzig will lock horns on national television.
That’s not all. Every fight on this card has the potential to deliver. From top to bottom, each fighter has something to fight for. Each fighter has something to prove.
Here are the five Octagon combatants who have the most to gain this weekend.
A flyweight title bout as a replacement main event isn’t too bad. That’s what UFC fans will get on Saturday when champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson takes on Joseph Benavidez in a rematch of their UFC 152 clash. At that event, Johnson becam…
A flyweight title bout as a replacement main event isn’t too bad. That’s what UFC fans will get on Saturday when champion Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson takes on Joseph Benavidez in a rematch of their UFC 152 clash. At that event, Johnson became the first-ever UFC flyweight champion.
It is unfortunate that Anthony “Showtime” Pettis won’t be able to defend his lightweight title, though. He’ll be out for six to eight months due to a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his knee, per Jeff Cain of MMA Weekly.
Pettis was originally supposed to take on Josh Thomson in Saturday’s main event. However, with Pettis out of action, Thomson will now face Benson Henderson at UFC on Fox 10 in January. Even with the Pettis-Thomson bout scratched, the UFC on Fox 9 card is looking sharp.
Here’s a breakdown of the card, the viewing info and my predictions for each fight. Just below the table is analysis and a key stat for each matchup I predict will earn a Fight Night bonus.
Submission of the Night: Urijah “California Kid” Faber over Michael “Mayday” McDonald
When fans talk about the premier submission artists in the sport, not enough of them mention Urijah Faber. The California Kid has 16 professional wins by submission. The rear-naked choke and guillotine choke are his favorites, and one of them will likely bring an end to Michael McDonald’s night.
Mayday is one of the sport’s best young stars at 22 years old, but Faber is one of the best in the world, period. He’s had almost twice as many professional fights as McDonald (35 to 18). Against RenanBarao, McDonald seemed to tire late. Barao took advantage and submitted him in the fourth round of their bout in Feb. 2013.
Expect Faber to take a similar approach Saturday night. His experience will lead him to a second- or third-round submission win over McDonald.
KO of the Night: EdsonBarboza over Danny “Last Call” Castillo
“Explosive” is the best word to describe Barboza. He has quickly made himself one of the most exciting strikers in the UFC. His 4.25 significant strikes landed per minute are even more devastating when you factor in the speed and power he generates.
To this day, I’m not sure I’ve seen a more devastating KO than the one he scored over Terry Etim at UFC 142 in Jan. 2012. If it were a cartoon, Etim would have flown through the Octagon fence after that spinning wheel kick.
Against Danny Castillo, Barboza will enjoy a four-inch reach advantage and a two-inch edge in height. In addition to being longer, he’s also faster. All that spells bad news for Last Call.
Fight of the Night: Joe Lauzon over Mac Danzig
Neither guy is a serious contender, but both have made a habit of winning Fight of the Night honors. Combined, Joe Lauzon and Mac Danzig have participated in eight bouts that have been honored as the best scraps on their respective cards.
Both are submission specialists who have shown the willingness to trade when the action dictates. Both men lost their last two bouts and are fading from prominence, so there will be a sense of urgency in the air.
It should make for a spectacular fight, which Lauzon will win with a late submission. He’s four years younger, and Danzig has one KO/TKO win in the last seven years.
A flyweight title bout as a replacement main event isn’t too bad. That’s what UFC fans will get on Saturday when champion