UFC on Fuel TV 8 disappointed MMA fans across the globe with a slow-developing main card that featured precious few moments of action and even fewer finishes. For a card that was laced with knockout artists, grappling reigned supreme for much of t…
UFC on Fuel TV 8 disappointed MMA fans across the globe with a slow-developing main card that featured precious few moments of action and even fewer finishes.
For a card that was laced with knockout artists, grappling reigned supreme for much of the evening, and this writer, in particular, was forced to fire up the Keurig just to stay awake for the co-main and main events…about that.
Needless to say, apologies were accepted, and all was made well in the world as the fight card concluded.
Let us take a look at how the main-card fights stack up against one another.
UFC heavyweight Stefan Struve put on an epic battle against Mark Hunt in Japan on Saturday but ultimately fell to the former K-1 champion’s power in the third and final round. After a back-and-forth fight through the first 10 minutes, an exhausted Mark…
UFC heavyweight Stefan Struve put on an epic battle against Mark Hunt in Japan on Saturday but ultimately fell to the former K-1 champion’s power in the third and final round.
After a back-and-forth fight through the first 10 minutes, an exhausted Mark Hunt lunged forward with his signature power punches and eventually landed a huge left hook that sent the seven-foot Struve crashing to the mat.
Struve lay prone on the mat almost looking like he was waiting for Hunt to jump down and attack, but in reality he was in serious pain suffering from a broken jaw.
Struve fought a valiant battle but fell to Hunt’s power as the fight wore on, thus breaking his four-fight win streak (the longest in the UFC’s heavyweight division).
Following the fight, Struve actually continued to update fans via Twitter, letting everyone know that apparently the ambulance he was currently in awaiting transport to the hospital didn’t offer much in the way of pain relief and his broken jaw wasn’t getting any better.
UFC president Dana White didn’t end up handing Struve and Hunt the “Fight of the Night” bonus, but assured the Dutch fighter he would be taken care of after the night saying, “I will take care of you bro. I got you!”
Meanwhile, Hunt has now moved into the enviable position as the fighter with the longest winning streak in the UFC heavyweight division, marking his own four-fight win streak.
Hunt has never been much for long speeches or self-promotion before, during or after fights, but he did tell the UFC on Fuel post-show that he was hoping for a top-10 matchup next after his win over Struve.
It remains to be seen who Hunt will get next, but with a bevy of heavyweight fights on the dockets over the next few months, any number of opponents could pop up for the one-time K-1 champion.
Damon Martin is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
Oftentimes fans are “sold” a fight that simply doesn’t live up to the hype. Whether it’s a slow pace, the unexpected strategy of one of the competitors or just a mix of circumstances that leads to a “boring” fight, it is oftentimes difficult to live up…
Oftentimes fans are “sold” a fight that simply doesn’t live up to the hype. Whether it’s a slow pace, the unexpected strategy of one of the competitors or just a mix of circumstances that leads to a “boring” fight, it is oftentimes difficult to live up to the billing of a “can’t miss” fight.
The UFC on Fuel 8 main event between Wanderlei Silva and Brian Stann is not one of those fights. In fact, it’s the rare kind of scenario that an already-hyped fight actually exceeds expectations. These two warriors blew the roof off the Saitama Super Arena in Japan and turned in an early candidate for MMA Fight of the Year
It was billed as a stand-up war, and Silva and Stann delivered just that. Each fighter was dropped numerous times in the first round alone—a bloody frame which included Stann being cut deep on the bridge of his nose.
A little blood never stopped a Silver Star recipient, though, and Stann fought right on through, standing in the pocket and exchanging some hellacious shots back and forth with the former PRIDE champion. When they got into these flurries, it seemed like neither man would back down until one of them fell to the mat. Then they got back to their feet and did it all again.
It wasn’t until late in second round that Silva finally tagged Stann with a solid right hand, following it up with a left that dropped the “All-American” once and for all.
It wasn’t the most technical fight, but the heart and determination showed by these two combatants was incredible. Like Forrest Griffin and Stephan Bonnar years ago, we learned again Saturday night that there are no “losers” when the fight is this entertaining.
After a relatively uneventful undercard, Silva and Stann showed up and gave the fans what they paid for—an unbelievable finish to make UFC on Fuel 8 a memorable night.
The UFC on Fuel TV 8 main event between Wanderlei Silva and Brian Stann produced an incredible nine-minutes-and-change of action. After all the bloodshed, wild exchanges and near finishes, it was the legendary Silva whose hand was raised on the st…
The UFC on Fuel TV 8 main event between Wanderlei Silva and Brian Stann produced an incredible nine-minutes-and-change of action. After all the bloodshed, wild exchanges and near finishes, it was the legendary Silva whose hand was raised on the strength of a crushing knockout punch.
It was certainly a noteworthy fight. Here’s a collection of some of the better notes made about it via the Twitter universe.
Bleacher Report’s Damon Martin sounded off on a storybook win for the The Axe Murderer, while also giving props to Stann for putting on half of an amazing contest.
UFC president Dana White put in his two cents regarding Silva’s performance. I think he was impressed.
Rival MMA promoter Bjorn Rebney of Bellator even acknowledged the match. You know that means it had to be special.
Canadian middleweight Patrick Cote expressed his glee of seeing the legendary Silva prove that he’s still got some fight left in him. It’s hard to argue with his statement.
British middleweight Michael Bisping, however, is looking at the other side of the story. The Brian Stann side of it. Yes, it was an epic fight and Cinderella moment for Silva, but it was also a devastating loss for Stann.
Bleacher Report’s Jeremy Botter is looking ahead to what’s next for Silva. Is an impending showdown between Brazilian comrades likely?
Or, could Silva use the opportunity to go out on top, as B/R’s McKinley Noble recommends?
Silva’s future might not shape up until after the dust settles, but for now he can simply enjoy his most epic victory as a UFC fighter.
It will be interesting to see the picture the UFC on Fuel 8 fallout paints. Check out Bleacher Report’s post-fight coverage for analysis on how it will all play out.
Returning to Japan for the second time in just over a year, 22 men went to battle at UFC on Fuel 8 in the Saitama Super Arena looking to impress the crowds.Debuting fighters, divisional contenders and MMA legends alike filled out the free card, with mo…
Returning to Japan for the second time in just over a year, 22 men went to battle at UFC on Fuel 8 in the Saitama Super Arena looking to impress the crowds.
Debuting fighters, divisional contenders and MMA legends alike filled out the free card, with most eyes set firmly on Brian Stann and former Pride FC champion Wanderlei Silva, better known as “The Axe Murderer” to many of his worldwide fans.
However, there were plenty of other notable names of the card, in a rather stacked lineup clearly pegged for the hardcore MMA audience.
In heavyweight action, Mark Hunt took on Stefan Struve, looking to extend his unlikely winning streak, while Takanori Gomi faced a tough task in a match with Diego Sanchez. Yushin Okami, Hector Lombard, Dong Hyun Kim and Siyar Bahadurzada also highlighted the event, all seeking to make an argument for a spot in their respective title hunts.
But what (and who) really stood out on Saturday’s card?
Read along as we preserve some memories at Bleacher Report MMA, with an extensive recap of the night’s most notable and exciting moments from UFC on Fuel 8 in Saitama, Japan.
Wanderlei Silva, ladies and gentlemen.Take a bow, Mr. Silva. You have earned it. Sometimes the natural world will play out more beautifully than even the most meticulously crafted script, and UFC on Fuel TV 8’s main event between Brian Stann and W…
Wanderlei Silva, ladies and gentlemen.
Take a bow, Mr. Silva. You have earned it.
Sometimes the natural world will play out more beautifully than even the most meticulously crafted script, and UFC on Fuel TV 8‘s main event between Brian Stann and Wanderlei Silva delivered one of those rare instances.
On paper, this matchup looked to be a brawl for the ages, and even though many felt Wanderlei Silva’s chin could not hold up to Brian Stann‘s fists of fury, it did, and the result was a back-and-forth donnybrook that will live forever on UFC highlight reels thanks to its storybook ending.
Silva was dropped early and often in Round 1 against Stann, but the legendary fighter weeble-wobbled and never fell down.
“The Axe Murderer” was rocked repeatedly, but he stood tall, dished out more punishment than he took and delivered the knockout blow to Stann‘s chiseled chin midway through Round 2.
Stann‘s power and chin were no match for Silva on this night, and MMA fans were treated to a truly special moment inside the UFC Octagon.
What We’ll Remember About This Fight
Everything.
Wanderlei‘s emotional entrance, his inspired performance, Stann‘s always-game spirit and, of course, that finish.
Every single movement—every punch, kick and knee—was memorable, and this fight will never be forgotten.
He never quit, he faltered only briefly and he stayed in the pocket and executed a vintage performance at UFC on Fuel TV 8.
His chin is not quite as shot as we may have thought, and his devastating power was on full display against Stann.
What We Learned About Brian Stann
As is the case for Silva, we did not necessarily learn anything new about Brian Stann in this fight.
We confirmed that he hits hard, we confirmed that he could take a punch, and we confirmed that he is, in fact, a human.
Stann showed the raw emotion and passion following the loss we knew he possessed, and he did nothing but confirm everything we already suspected regarding his persona both inside and outside of the Octagon.
What’s Next for Wanderlei Silva?
Retirement, I hope.
The huge knockout victory will undoubtedly cause Silva to consider another fight or three, but he needs to hang it up now.
He has done enough, his brain needs a break and no situation can ever top the sheer perfection that surrounded the events leading up to and encompassing his UFC on Fuel TV 8 victory.
The time, place and manner in which the action unfolded was the stuff of legend, and Silva needs to stamp his name in MMA history books with blood-red ink and call it quits right now.
What’s Next for Brian Stann?
The brutal loss to Silva stings for Stann right now, but I suspect “All-American” will drop back to 185 and continue to showcase his extraordinary knockout power in his more natural weight class.
He looks flat-out better at middleweight, and plenty of interesting matchups await Stann at 185.
If you recall, Hector Lombard also lost to YushinOkami on this card, and word on the street is that he likes to strike as well.
Stann‘s next fight may not be as sensational and breathtaking as his matchup with Silva, but a fight against Lombard can certainly keep the momentum rolling.
UFC heavyweight Stefan Struve put on an epic battle against Mark Hunt in Japan on Saturday but ultimately fell to the former K-1 champion’s power in the third and final round.