UFC 194 vs UFC 100

UFC 194 vs UFC 100

           UFC 194 takes over the crown as best fight card, the UFC ever held? UFC 100 took place on July 11, 2009 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and has since been considered, by most, the best event the promotion has presented to date. The Main Event of the night was a rematch of Frank Mir and Brock Lesnar for the Heavyweight Championship. Let’s examine the specifics and determine which event ranks as number one.

 

With Pay per view buy totals not yet available (UFC 100= 1.6 Mil. 194 predictions over one million buys) the first thing to consider is the attendance: for UFC 100 was 10,871 with a gate of 5,128,490 while UFC 194’s attendance: 16,516 with 10.1 million at the gate. Advantage 194.

Now let’s look at each match both on paper and actual result:

100-Yoshihiro Akiyama vs Alan Belcher. This was Akiyama’s first time in the UFC, but he was on a 13 fight unbeaten streak. Belcher, 25 at the time, had a record of 14-5 with 5 Sub and 7 KO wins already. The result was a robbery, Akiyama granted a split decision win despite being outworked by Belcher.

194-Max Holloway vs Jeremy Stephens. Holloway came in on a seven fight win streak with six finishes, while hard-hitter, Stephens fresh off his sixteenth career KO, a third round TKO of Dennis Bermudez. The result a Unanimous Decision for Holloway. Advantage 194.

100-Dan Henderson vs Michael Bisping. This match up followed season nine of The Ultimate Fighter where “The Count” and “Hendo” coached against each other. The result an H-Bomb that KO’d Bisping before his back hit the mat and the flying exclamation point to follow in the form of a follow up right to the unconscious Englishman.

194-Demain Maia vs Gunnar Nelson. Each fighter came in with ten Sub and three KO wins a piece. The result Maia by UD. No contest here Advantage 100.

This is when UFC 100 got weird, for some reason the Jon Fitch vs Paolo Thiago bout was held and took place after the main event. Fitch won by UD, his usual dominant top game held Thiago to the mat.

194-Yoel Romero vs Ronaldo Souza. Going into the fight it appeared the next MW contender would come from this bout. Each fighter riding a significant win streak (Souza 8 w/ 7 finishes) (Romero 6 w/ 5 KO’s). The result, neither looked ready to take on the new or former champ, Romero by SD. Advantage 100.

100-George St Pierre vs Thiago Alves. This was before GSP was considered so dominant and, the much physically larger, Alves had many believing he would take the title. The result UD St Pierre (two judges scored it 50-45 and the other 50-44).

194-Luke Rockhold vs Chris Weidman. Rockhold former Strikeforce champ and finisher of last four opponents (3 Subs 1 KO) took on undefeated Weidman. Weidman had dethroned the GOAT, Anderson Silva. The result was an even exchange through two plus rounds until Rockhold capitalized on a poor spinning kick by Weidman. Rockhold pounded on Weidman for the remainder of the third and continued dominance into the fourth round until Herb Dean stopped it at 3:12.

This is a comparison of a great performance by St Pierre and a great battle that made way to even better finish. In a close call Advantage 194.

100-Brock Lesnar vs Frank Mir. This was a rematch, Mir tapped Lesnar by Knee-bar in their first encounter (just Lesnar’s second career MMA fight) at UFC 81, Feb 2, 2008. The now champion Lesnar looked to even the score between the Heavyweights. The result was a dominant performance by Brock and TKO stoppage at 1:48 of the second round. Lesnar was the biggest star in the UFC at the time and his proportions looked more like He-Man character than those of Mir.

194-Connor McGregor vs Jose Aldo. Like Mir v Lesnar this matched up an interim Champion with the division’s rightful champ. Aldo dominated the Featherweight Division and was the weight class’s only UFC Champion. McGregor had 16 KO’s in his 18 fight career and his ability to sell a fight is unmatched. The result, 13 ticks into the fight McGregor stoned Aldo and took home the belt.

With all the hype of the first Aldo/McGregor match up (cancelled due to injury to Aldo) in July and the world tour, a TV ad priced at over a million dollars, this was the most promoted MMA fight ever. Both fights were dominations. Advantage 194.

As time passes the view of these events relevance to history may change, but as for today UFC 194 takes the crown as the best fight card to date.

Week's recap and predictions

Can UFC 194 Take the Weekend’s Crown?

 

            On paper UFC 194 is, arguably, the best fight card ever, but will it take the crown as the best event of this weekend? Can this card live up to the pressure? The pressure of a postponed Championship fight that saw the UFC lay down the most money to date to promote the event. Two titles on the line, a load of high ranked competitors ready for action and the phenomenon, that is Connor McGregor all take place for this event. The added pressure of following two consecutive nights of fabulous UFC action. Two cards down and almost every fight so far has been memorable.

            Thursday Night recap:

            Thiago Santos convincingly won a UD over Elias Theodoruo in the Middleweight division. Santos opened up a gash over the TUF Winner’s eye, reminiscent of a cocked eyebrow. The loss was the first on Theodorou’s record to date.

            Same old Sage: Sage Northcutt won by stoppage again. In Fact the 19 year-old has been able to stop every opponent he’s faced in his 7-0 career. Thursday’s came as a Guillotine Choke at 0:41 in the 2^nd round over Cody Pfister. “Super” Sage is now 2-0 since entering the UFC in October, when he TKO’d Francisco Trevino, just 0:57 into his debut.

            Michael Chiesa earned his ninth win by submission with a Rear-Naked-Choke over Veteran fighter Jim Miller. The two exchanged positions and fought a fairly even bout before Chiesa found Miller’s neck.

            Rose Namajunas dominated Paige VanZant before locking in a RNC of her own at 2:25 in the 5^th round. “Thug” improves to 4-2 with four Submissions.

            Friday Night recap:

            Evan Dunham out struck Joe Lauzon to convincingly earn the UD in the Lightweight Division contest. The win improves Dunham’s record to 17-6.

            Tony Ferguson’s second round Sub win over Edson Barboza puts him in second place among 155ers, with seven consecutive (he trails Donald Cerrone who has 8). The high action bout thrilled the crowd and earned each fighter a $50,000 bonus check. “El Cucuy” received an additional $50,000 for locking in a Brabo Choke at 2:54 in the 2^nd.

            A late replacement, Ryan Hall, is the new Ultimate Fighter. The BJJ wizard landed 169 total strikes to Artem Lobov’s 13. Hall’s active ground game kept Lobov scrambling and defending Sub attempts all fight.

            Frankie Edgar has done his part to earn another shot at the FW title. The same title contested tonight by Connor McGregor and Jose Aldo. Edgar KO’d Chad Mendes at 2:28 of the opening round. This marks Edgar’s 5^th consecutive win and 3rd stoppage in the run.

            UFC 194

            With all those great fights already this week, what could cap it off: Two Championship fights, a Middleweight matchup that should provide the next belt challenger, and two more Featherweights battling toward a shot at the belt.

            Max Holloway Vs. Jeremy Stephens is a fight that is not getting the kind of push a contender’s fight of this magnitude normally does. Stephens has the punching power to end this fight at any moment. “Lil Heathen” has 16 KO’s in his career to date. Holloway comes into the fight on a seven fight win streak including 4 KO’s and 2 Subs. Sleeper pick for Fight of the Night. Holloway by Sub.

            Gunnar Nelson takes on Demian Maia in the Welterweight Division. Two grapplers with 10 Submission wins each will battle it out. Often great grappling cancels each other out. Maia should still have the advantage on the ground, but will he be dominant enough to stop Nelson? Not likely Maia by SD.

            Before #1 ranked Middleweight, Luke Rockhold challenges Chris Weidman for the MW belt, #2 Ranked Ronaldo Souza takes on #3 ranked Yoel Romero. “Jacare” Souza has 16 Sub wins while 9 of Romero’s 10 wins have come by KO. Romero is a former Silver Medalist in Freestyle Wrestling for Cuba and Souza is a 5 time World Jiu-Jitsu Champion. Different disciplines of grappling will be tested to find the next #1 Contender. Romero wins by KO.

            The Champion Chris Weidman is undefeated at 13-0 with 6 KO and 3 Sub wins. Luke Rockhold comes in with similar credentials 14-2 with 9 Sub and 3 KO’s. At 31 both Men are in the prime of their careers. In fact the two are similar in many ways. Rockhold, the former Strikeforce MW Champion, comes into the bout with four consecutive stoppage wins (3subs 1KO). Weidman dethroned Anderson Silva and has beaten everyone in his path. Weidman by UD.

            Finally the Main Event: Connor McGregor challenges Jose Aldo for the Featherweight Title. If you haven’t heard about this one yet… Everything has been said. A tough match up to call. I’m trusting Mystic Mac’s prediction 1^st round KO for “The Notorious”.

Fight Week December, 2015

Fight Week December, 2015

 

            The UFC’s biggest fight card of the year takes place on December, 12^th and it is the last of three great nights of MMA. The UFC kicks off Thursday night, with a card to air on Fight Pass, headlined by young Strawweights: Paige Vanzant and Rose Namajunas. Friday night the action moves to FS-1 for The Ultimate Fighter Finale, which will feature Frankie Edgar battling Chad Mendes in a Featherweight Main Event. Finally on Saturday two titles are on the line: Jose Aldo and Connor McGregor will get into the octagon for a heavily anticipated Featherweight Championship fight and former Strikeforce Champ Luke Rockhold challenges Chris Weidman for the UFC Middleweight strap.

With all these fights in just one weekend it will be easy to lose track and miss history being made, but don’t panic. Get out the scotch tape and fix those reading glasses, right here is the week’s brief breakdown.

Fox Sports-1 Thursday:

Paige Vanzant is 6-1 on her career with two Submission and one KO win. Last fight “12 Gauge” Submitted Alex Chambers in the 3^rd round by Armbar (1:01).

At just 23 years old Rose Namajunas and the 21 yr. old Vanzant may prove to be the future of the Strawweight Division. “Thug” comes into the bout 3-2 with all three wins by Sub. Her last a first round Rear Naked Choke at 2:47 over Angela Hill (10/3/15).

The Co-Main features 32 yr old Jim Miller taking on 12-2 Michael Chiesa. Miller is looking for his second straight win in the Lightweight Division. His last fight was a split decision over Danny Castillo (7/25/15).

Michael “Maverick” Chiesa is 5-2 in the UFC with 3 Subs. The 28 year old’s last fight was a UD over Mitch Clarke (4/4/15).

Also on this card is UFC’s hottest prospect, Sage Northcut. Northcut was discovered on the show Looking For a Fight staring Dana White. Then the 19 year old Stormed into the UFC in October with a 0:57 win over Francisco Trevino. “Super” Sage has finished all of his six fights, to date, 4 KO’s and 2 Subs. He takes on 12-4 Cody “The Pfist” Pfister.

11-0 Elias “The Spartan” Theodorou takes on dangerous, 11-3 Thiago Santos. Santos’ last fight lasted 0:29 before he head-kicked Steve Bosse to sleep. The win was his sixth first round stoppage of his career.

 

TUF Finale Friday:

Frankie “The Answer” Edgar has won his last 4 fights. In his 19-4-1 career he has won 10 decisions 5 KO’s and 4 Subs. He has a list of victims to include BJ Penn, Urijah Faber and Cub Swanson that have fallen to his relentless pressure.

TKO loss to Interim Champ Connor McGregor was the last time Chad Mendes stepped into the cage, but that was a short notice replacement. “Money” had only lost to Jose Aldo (twice) prior to the McGregor fight. At 17-3 with 7 KO’s Mendes comes to the Octagon sporting 100% Takedown defense.

The Lightweight division sees Tony “El Cucuy” Ferguson riding a six fight win streak with 1 KO and 3 Subs matching up with Edson Barboza. The pair own 19 KO wins between them (10EB, 9TF). “El Cucuy” also has 6 Sub wins to Barboza’s 1. Look for Ferguson to lean on his ground skills in this one.

Also on this card: Joe “J-Lau” Lauzon brings his 25-10 record to face 16-6 Evan Dunham. Of Lauzon’s 25 wins only one has been by decision, 6KO’s and 18 Subs to his credit. There is a reason he always earns those bonus checks.

PPV Saturday:

            Finally the day will come, Jose Aldo and Connor McGregor will face off to unify the UFC Featherweight Championship. Aldo comes in the Champ at 29 years old and 25-1 on his career. The owner of 14 KO and 2 Sub wins, Aldo has beaten everyone they’ve put before him. His last loss was in 2005. That’s 10 years and 18 opponents undefeated.

Connor McGregor, the challenger, is 18-2 with 16 KO’s and 1 Sub and currently on a 14 fight win streak with 13 finishes. Last fight TKO win over Mendes (4:57 2^nd) for the Interim FW Championship.

            The Co-Main features a fight many are calling the best Middleweight Championship matchup ever. Chris Weidman looks to defend his title against former Strikeforce MW Champ Luke Rockhold. The two come in with similar: age, height and records on the stat sheet. At 13-0 the 31 yr. old Weidman has 6 KO and 3 Sub wins. Rockhold comes in also 31 with a record of 14-2 with 3 KO’s and 9 Subs. 3 of those Subs came in his last 3 consecutive fights: Lyoto Machida RNC (2^nd 2:31 4/18/15) Michael Bisping Guillotine Choke (2^nd 0:57 11/7/14) and Tim Boetsch Inverted Triangle/Kimura (1^st 2:08). Weidman comes in undefeated with his last fight a first round TKO of Vitor Belfort (2:53 5/23/15).

            Another bout that needed rescheduling is finally here Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza brings his 22-3-1 record to face Olympic Silver Medalist Yoel Romero. Both fighters are on hot streaks “Jacare” is on an eight fight win streak with seven finishes (5 Subs 2 KO) Romero is on a six fight run with five KO’s. Expect excitement in this MW Contender bout.

            In the Welterweight Division the #12 ranked Gunnar Nelson takes on 21-6 Demain Maia. Both fighters come in with 3 KO and 10 Sub wins each on record. Two grapplers each with developing stand up skills will likely slug it out on the feet for three rounds.

            In the FW division Max Holloway takes on “Lil Heathen” Jeremy Stephens. Stephens has powerful striking, the owner of 16 KO wins, KO’d Dennis Bermudez in the 3^rd (0:32) in his last bout. Holloway is on a 7 fight win streak with 4 KO and 2 Sub wins. Look for Holloway to roll right over Stephens in this one. “Lil Heathen” looked outclassed versus DB, but landed a hard shot to change his fate. Heavy punchers always have a chance, but…

            Urijah Faber is also on this card with a 32-8 record Faber has seen it all. He takes on 11-2 Frankie Saenz, who is riding a seven fight win streak (3 of those in UFC).

Breaking Down: Bellator 147

Breaking Down: Bellator 147

 

 

           

            Bellator 147 takes place Friday, December 4, 2015. The main card will air on Spike TV at 9pm and prelims to stream on spike.com at 5pm. The event takes place in, main eventer, Josh Thomson’s hometown, San Jose. When current Bellator President, Scott Coker ran Strikeforce the promotion held numerous events in San Jose and Thomson was featured on the main card for 9 of those events, including a trilogy with Gilbert Melendez. In September “The Punk” debuted in Bellator with a 3^rd round Triangle submission over Mike Bronzoulis in San Jose.

            Prior to his Bellator win Thomson dropped his last 3 fights in the UFC: Tony Ferguson (UD 7/15/15), Bobby Green (SD 7/26/14), Benson Henderson (SD 1/25/14). The Lightweight holds wins over notable fighters including: Nate Diaz, TKO (2^nd 3:44, 4/20/13), KJ Noons (UD 3/3/12) and Duane Ludwig Sub (2^nd 4:36). Josh Thompson takes on Pablo Villaseca in the Main Event at Bellator 147.

Villaseca fights out of Santiago, Chile and brings a record of 10-1 to the San Jose University Event Center, Friday night. In the 28 year old’s ten wins, three have come by KO and four by Submission. The single loss on his record came in his Bellator debut in June, by way of a split decision to Bobby Cooper. Villaseca bounced back with an Arm-bar Submission of Marcos Cornejo (9/19/15 Arena Tour 7) in Argentina.

What else to watch for:

The Co-Main event features two of the promotions most experienced fighters, they have fought, in a combined, 73 fights. 24-4-1 Georgi Karakhanyan takes on 35-9 Daniel Weichel. It didn’t take Karakhanyan long to find the win over Bubba Jenkins in his first fight with Bellator in nearly 4 years. He secured a Guillotine Choke at 1:49 in the 1^st. It was his 14^th win by Sub. GK holds notable wins over: Lance Palmer (Sub Guillotine 4:40, 3^rd), Din Thomas (UD 4/12/13), and Micah Miller (UD 9/7/12).

At only 31 years old it’s difficult to believe that Daniel “The Weasel” Weichel made his pro debut on May 12^th 2002. In his last bout he lost by KO (2^nd 0:32) to Patricio Pitbull, but prior to the loss he was on a seven fight win streak, capped off by a Split Decision win over Pat Curran in February. With 21 Sub wins of his own the grappling in this contest just might neutralize each other. Each fighter has proven striking power: Weichel owns five KO wins and GK has four.

Interesting timing for this Lightweight rematch:

Derek Anderson 12-2-1 beat Patricky Pitbull 14-6 by UD 9/7/13. The two hold 14 KO wins combined (9 for Pitbull) and 7 Subs (6 for Anderson). That’s 21 early stoppages in 26 total wins. Anderson lost his last fight a SD to Brent Primus (8/28/15) while Patricky is coming off a UD over Saad Awad on the same card. While Patricky holds KO wins over: Derek Campos (2^nd 0:52 4/18/14), David Rickels (2^nd 0:54 3/21/14) and Kurt Pellegrino (11/26/11 1^st 0:50) Anderson will enjoy a sizeable height advantage, 6’0” to Pitbull’s 5’7”.

Who cares about two guys with six wins each?

Mario Soto has only seen the final bell once in his career, it’s also the only time he has lost in his 6-1 career. “DR. Mario” has one KO and five Submission wins. Adam Piccolotti has a balanced undefeated career. At 6-0 Piccolotti has two KO, two Sub and two Dec wins. In September he Submitted Salvador Becerra (2^nd 1:47) in his second fight with Bellator. Expect a finish in this Lightweight fight.

Tune in on time

Brian Rogers’ move up to Light Heavyweight comes at an alarming time. He has lost four of his last five fights as a Middleweight. Rogers is fighting in his eleventh fight with Bellator and gone 4-6 with 3 KO’s. Brian Rogers takes on Virgil Zwicker (14-4) who has ten KO and two Sub wins. Zwicker’s last fight was a KO win over Razak Al-Hassan (3:51 1^st 5/15/15) marking his eighth first round KO stoppage. This is the first fight on the televised card so tune in on time or you may miss this fight.