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It was a big weekend of fights for Zuffa, as the UFC and Strikeforce both held events on opposite sides of the world.UFC on FX proved to be a success with a side of failure, as the flyweight tournament did not give us the finals match. But, the card di…
It was a big weekend of fights for Zuffa, as the UFC and Strikeforce both held events on opposite sides of the world.
UFC on FX proved to be a success with a side of failure, as the flyweight tournament did not give us the finals match. But, the card did see a bunch of excitement and some good finishes.
Let’s take a look at where all the fighters go from here.
This past Friday’s UFC on FX 2 was supposed to set the stage for the organization’s first ever flyweight title fight. A “sudden death” round was even to be introduced in the event that either or two 125-pound semifinal bouts was scored a draw after thr…
This past Friday’s UFC on FX 2 was supposed to set the stage for the organization’s first ever flyweight title fight. A “sudden death” round was even to be introduced in the event that either or two 125-pound semifinal bouts was scored a draw after three rounds.
However, a miscalculation of the scorecards led the athletic commission to incorrectly name Demetrious Johnson the winner of a fight with Ian McCall that was actually determined to be a split draw after three rounds. Since the error was not discovered until after the event, the “sudden death” round was not implemented.
Now, Joseph Benavidez, the winner of the second semifinal fight, will have to sit on the sidelines and wait for a rematch between Johnson and McCall.
While the future of these three flyweight competitors is clear, let’s take a look at what could be ahead for the rest of the UFC on FX 2 fighters.
It was time to step into the Octagon once again as Dana White’s crew travelled to the land down under for their latest offering, Alves vs. Kampmann, shown in the early hours of this past Saturday morning on ESPN here in Britain. The broadcast beg…
It was time to step into the Octagon once again as Dana White’s crew travelled to the land down under for their latest offering, Alves vs. Kampmann, shown in the early hours of this past Saturday morning on ESPN here in Britain.
The broadcast began in the middleweight division as Court McGee went up against Costa Phillipou.
This very entertaining opener took a while to get going, but when it did, we saw a great display of striking from Phillipou.
Phillipou had the making of McGee for the first two rounds with some crisp blows, bloodying his man’s nose and ear. McGee tried for the takedown a few times but Phillipou’s defence was too good.
McGee upped his game in the third, improving his striking performance and finally scoring with the takedown, only for Phillipou to pop straight back up. While the striking game looked more even, Phillipou’s performance was just a little better.
So with no finish it went down to the judges as Phillipou took the unanimous decision.
Then it was on to the semifinals of the flyweight title tournament, beginning with Demetrious Johnson against Ian McCall.
This was the first flyweight fight I’ve ever seen in MMA, and boy was it good. The fast-paced action was enjoyable throughout, helped by the performances of those concerned.
Johnson’s striking looked great as he used his tremendous speed to move in and out like a fiddler’s elbow, his best punch coming in the first when a big right staggered McCall momentarily.
McCall was able to keep up with him though, allying his striking with some sound work on the ground. He didn’t have much luck early on with his takedowns, with Johnson putting in some great defensive work. However, when the third round started, his chances improved as it looked like he was going to get the stoppage win late in the fight when he took Johnson’s back and unleashed with the ground and pound.
For the second time in the evening the judges came into the equation as Johnson was announced as the majority winner, although it was later revealed that a mistake on the scoring cards meant that the result was changed to a majority draw.
The tournament action continued with Joseph Benavidez taking on Yasuhiro Urushitani.
The fast-paced action continued into this fight. Both guys got off some good strikes early on, but when Benavidez scored with the takedown, the nature of the fight changed entirely.
Benavidez dominated on the ground, putting on a great display as he worked his way from the half-guard so he could take Urushitani’s back so he could go for a rear naked choke. He would have surely taken the submission win had the horn not sounded.
It didn’t matter though. Just a few seconds into the second round Benavidez scored with a big right that sent the Japanese fighter crashing to the mat. Benavidez followed him down for a brief moment of ground and pound before the referee stepped in to give Benavidez the TKO win.
The main event featured welterweight action as Thiago Alves went up against Martin Kampmann.
This was a perfect example of how a fighter can snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
Apart from a front kick that connected to Alves’ jaw in the first round, Kampmann looked out of it. Alves quickly recovered from that particular blow to score with the takedown, taking the mount and holding Kampmann down so he was powerless to do anything.
Alves continued to dominate in the second. His leg kicks were crisp and hard, and allied with his punching he was more than a match for Kampmann, so much so that Kampmann needed a minor miracle to take the win.
So when Alves scored with a takedown early in the third, Kampmann rolled with the motion and locked in a guillotine. Alves had no choice but to tap out within seconds, giving Kampmann the unexpected submission win.
The first “second string” show to be taken to an overseas audience proved to be another enjoyable outing for the UFC crew. The fans down under were certainly treated to some great action, particularly from the flyweights, who without a doubt will become a more than welcome addition to the always-growing roster.
The UFC’s latest offering gets the thumbs up from this particular writer, although I’m a little disappointed that the next show is over a month away!
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Seriously, Thiago Alves weighed in at nearly 200 lbs three hours after making weight. There’s still no punchline coming. Props: UFC.com
Almost immediately after last night’s main event of UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann, the Martin Kampmann/Tim Boetsch comparisons came out in full force from fans and pundits alike. One can easily understand why, as Kampmann’s come-from-behind victory over Thiago Alves was the greatest one in UFC history since last week’s efforts from Tim Boetsch. But perhaps this comparison misses the point. While this comeback was obviously at least partially due to a gutsy performance from Kampmann, it had far more to do with questionable decision making from Thiago Alves.
Save for a first round kick that rocked “The Pitbull”, Thiago Alves was in total control of last night’s main event. His stand-up attack was simply too much for “The Hitman”, who offered less resistance as the fight progressed. Despite this, Alves- who isn’t exactly known for his ground game, mind you- attempted a double leg takedown on a visibly hurt Martin Kampmann and wound up getting caught in a fight-ending guillotine choke.
It’s easy to understand why Thiago Alves was eager for the finish, especially after watching Demetrious Johnson be declared the winner of his fight against Ian McCall (more on that later). What is astonishing is the fact that he took the fight to the only place where he didn’t have a clear advantage over Kampmann. The takedown gave Kampmann time to regain composure, and negated the need to get through The Pitbull’s leg kicks in order to utilize his superior grappling.
Seriously, Thiago Alves weighed in at nearly 200 lbs three hours after making weight. There’s still no punchline coming. Props: UFC.com
Almost immediately after last night’s main event of UFC on FX: Alves vs. Kampmann, the Martin Kampmann/Tim Boetsch comparisons came out in full force from fans and pundits alike. One can easily understand why, as Kampmann’s come-from-behind victory over Thiago Alves was the greatest one in UFC history since last week’s efforts from Tim Boetsch. But perhaps this comparison misses the point. While this comeback was obviously at least partially due to a gutsy performance from Kampmann, it had far more to do with questionable decision making from Thiago Alves.
Save for a first round kick that rocked “The Pitbull”, Thiago Alves was in total control of last night’s main event. His stand-up attack was simply too much for “The Hitman”, who offered less resistance as the fight progressed. Despite this, Alves- who isn’t exactly known for his ground game, mind you- attempted a double leg takedown on a visibly hurt Martin Kampmann and wound up getting caught in a fight-ending guillotine choke.
It’s easy to understand why Thiago Alves was eager for the finish, especially after watching Demetrious Johnson be declared the winner of his fight against Ian McCall (more on that later). What is astonishing is the fact that he took the fight to the only place where he didn’t have a clear advantage over Kampmann. The takedown gave Kampmann time to regain composure, and negated the need to get through The Pitbull’s leg kicks in order to utilize his superior grappling.
Aside from his second straight victory, Martin Kampmann earned the $50k Submission of the Night honors with his performance. Meanwhile, Thiago Alves drops to 19-9 overall, and is 2-4 in his last six fights. Alves is one of the division’s best strikers, but his days as a top welterweight in the UFC are clearly in the rear-view mirror.
The evenings co-main event, a flyweight tournament fight between Joseph Benavidez and Yasuhiro Urushitani, ended without any surprises. Already dominant as an undersized bantamweight, Joseph Benavidez picked up right where he left off in his flyweight debut with a second round TKO over Yasuhiro Urushitani. As expected, Benavidez utilized his superior wrestling in the first round before countering a kick with a huge right and finishing Urushitani with follow-up punches at the start of the second round, earning him Knockout of the Night honors. This isn’t to say that Urushitani didn’t look good in his UFC debut; it’s just that Benavidez looked like an already dominant fighter fighting in a weight class he’s more suited for. Regardless of who he faces next, it’s hard not to imagine he’ll be the favorite to win the UFC’s inaugural flyweight championship.
Now, about that other flyweight tournament matchup. There’s no point in offering a detailed analysis of Ian McCall vs. Demetrious Johnson, because due to the scoring error that occurred last night, we’re going to get a rematch to determine which fighter will advance in the tournament. That’s right, a rematch- aka “that thing that the addition of sudden death rounds was supposed to prevent”.
I will say this much about the fight though: Except for the scoring error that robbed us of a sudden death round, it was very deserving of its Fight of the Night honors. It was a close, exciting fight that clearly demonstrated why the UFC added a flyweight division to its roster. If this fight had gone to a fourth round, it’s hard to imagine Ian McCall losing it. “Uncle Creepy” blatantly had Johnson hurt towards the end of the third round, yet opted to taunt his opponent rather than continue to work for the finish. Not to blame the victim here, but you obviously have to call that decision into question. Ian McCall may be getting the rematch, but had he been able to finish Johnson last night, the ensuing scoring controversy never happens.
Also of note, Court McGee pushed forward against Constantinos Philippou throughtout their fight, yet his wild striking was easily countered by Philippou and McGee was seldom able to put Philippou on his back. While McGee’s striking has improved during his stint in the UFC, he is still very much a grappler who stands little chance of winning on his feet. Meanwhile, Philippou has won three straight since losing his UFC debut to Nick Catone at UFC 128, and should see a step up in competition at middleweight.
Full Results:
Main Card
Martin Kampmann def. Thiago Alves via submission (guillotine choke) at 4:12 of Round Three
Joseph Benavidez def. Yasuhiro Urushitani via TKO (strikes) at :11 of Round Two
Demetrious Johnson def. Ian McCall ruled majority draw, will rematch
Constantinos Philippou def. Court McGee via unanimous decision
Preliminary Results:
James Te Huna def. Aaron Rosa via TKO at 2:02 of Round One
Anthony Perosh def. Nick Penner via TKO at 4:59 of Round One
Steven Siler def. Cole Miller via unanimous decision
Andrew Craig def. Kyle Noke via unanimous decision
T.J. Waldburger def. Jake Hecht via submission (armbar) at 0:55 of Round One
Daniel Pineda def. Mackens Semerzier via submisison (triangle armbar) at 2:05 of Round One
Shawn Jordan def. Oli Thompson via TKO at 3:53 of Round Two
In what was the UFC’s second show on FX, the free event that featured Kampmann vs. Alves was one of the best live events in the last few months. With the added controversy, this is a show we will be talking about for a long time. From championshi…
In what was the UFC’s second show on FX, the free event that featured Kampmann vs. Alves was one of the best live events in the last few months. With the added controversy, this is a show we will be talking about for a long time.
From championship contenders being elevated to a celebrity status, to a controversial reversal of a call and a last-second submission, this UFC on FX will prove that MMA is here to stay in the mainstream.
Fight Breakdowns
Thiago Alves vs. Martin Kampmann
With both men coming into this fight looking to prove that they still have what it takes to be a serious contender, there was no lack of effort in this fight.
As much as Kampmann was landing his usual effective counterpunches, Alves used his leg kicks and striking to give himself the clear lead on the cards through the third round. That’s when Alves made the biggest mistake of his in-octagon career.
With under a minute left in the final round, Alves shot in for a double-leg takedown and was caught in a guillotine choke. In the blink of an eye, it went from a decision win for Alves to a submission victory for Kampmann.
Fight Grade: A+
Joseph Benavidez vs. Yasuhiro Urushitani
If the fans of UFC weren’t excited for the addition of the flyweight division to the company, the TKO from Joseph Benavidez to Yasuhiro Urushitani was enough to get any fan pumped.
Benavidez isn’t a new player in the game either, holding a career 16-2 record, with the star’s only two losses coming to UFC sensation and current Bantamweight Champion, Dominick Cruz.
While Urushitani is a solid fighter, he was nothing compared to Benavidez. With quick work, the former WEC star showed the UFC faithful why he can be the face of the new division.
Fight Grade: B+
Demetrious Johnson vs. Ian McCall
While the other match to decide the top contender for the vacant flyweight title was clear cut, the second match between Demetrious Johnson and Ian McCall had fans up in arms and the Australian crowd in a frenzy.
After going the distance in what was a perfectly set-up match, the judges returned a decision in favor of Mighty Mouse Demetrious Johnson. While the crowd disagreed, apparently there was an adding error that caused this decision to be wrong.
In what could be construed as a bad sign in terms of integrity, the judges’ official scorecards had this fight ruled a majority draw and the duo will have to battle again. While the ending sounded fishy, the fight was amazing.
Fight Grade: A-
Reaction
UFC’s official Twitter shared the same feeling most fans did about the spectacular finish:
CompuStrike breaks down the fight by the numbers and proves Alves had this win wrapped up:
MMAFighting.com shows both sides of the spectrum in this amazing finish:
UFC President Dan White calls it exactly how he sees it:
Final Show Grade: A-
While many fans have been iffy on the UFC’s transition to the mainstream via FOX Sports Network-airwaves, last night’s show is exactly what the people want to see.
Interesting stories behind fights, legitimate tension and spectacular finishes are what people want, and that’s exactly what they got Friday night.
If the UFC continues to put on free shows like this, their buy rates will start increasing for their PPVs, which will allow them to show even better fights on free TV. It’s a sinister chain of events, but it’s exactly what the fans want.
Check back for more on Mixed Martial Arts as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s UFC Page to get your fill of all things UFC/MMA. For more on MMA/UFC, check out Ring Rust Radio for all of the hot topics.
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Ian McCall got robbed.At the very least, the man needed a 10-8 in the third round, which was one of his best rounds, but apart from a second round that most gave to Demetrious Johnson, it was McCall that did serious work in the stand-up department, it …
Ian McCall got robbed.
At the very least, the man needed a 10-8 in the third round, which was one of his best rounds, but apart from a second round that most gave to Demetrious Johnson, it was McCall that did serious work in the stand-up department, it was McCall that effectively damaged Johnson after taking him down multiple times throughout the fight, and it was McCall that seemed in control of the action from bell to bell.
Johnson put up a great fight, and he did push the action to the best of his abilities, but was everything he did on the feet better than everything McCall did on the ground to try and finish the fight?
Absolutely not.
Now, supposedly, MMA Weekly reports the decision, which went as a “majority decision” to Johnson, will be overturned and that there will be a rematch of McCall vs. Johnson.
There should not be any doubt about whether this is the correct move because the rematch officially became cemented in stone as the correct move in the exact minute Johnson’s name came out of Bruce Buffer’s mouth in announcing the winner of the bout.
Not to take anything away from Johnson because, again, he did push the pace on McCall at times and he did hurt McCall occasionally during the fight. However, he did not inflict much damage, if any, to McCall, and even the shots he hurt McCall with were shaken off with a smile.
A flawed judging system with an inconsistent criteria defeated “Uncle Creepy,” the winner of Friday’s fight regardless of the name that came out of Buffer’s mouth, and all despite McCall showing his own degree of aggression, as well as effective striking, Octagon control, killer instinct and and all-around better game, combined with a little bit of heart and confidence in his own abilities.
Johnson came to fight and deserves credit, but at the end of the day he’s warming up McCall’s spot across the cage from Joseph Benavidez for the time being.
When the rematch happens, here’s hoping that despicably-inconsistent system of judging gets it right for once. And to the judges, make sure you’re 100 percent on your call before you rob another fighter of his win, if it’s not asking too much.
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