UFC 209 Inside the Main Event

On a night featuring numerous memorable moments, maybe the spectacle of skill on display for the Welterweight Crown warranted more attention than MMA fans could possibly muster at Madison Square Garden’s inaugural fight card, UFC 205 in November (11/12/16). New York City’s first ever UFC event lived up to the tremendous hype that preceded it. Three Title fights toped the stacked lineup of competitors. Sandwiched between Strawweight Champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk’s successful Title defense against Karolina Kowalkiewicz and Conor McGregor’s Second Round TKO of Eddie Alvarez to become the Lightweight Champ, Tyron Woodley and Stephen Thompson offered Five Rounds of the most competitive action of 2016. In a division that has historically been the most closely contested Woodley and Thompson set a new bar. The fight was ruled a Majority Draw, because a tie just isn’t satisfying UFC 209 is headlined by the Rematch, Thompson VS Woodley for the Welterweight World Championship belt, March 4^th.

Much is made of Wonderboy’s highlight finishes of the UFC’s 170 lbs roster, but Champion,

Tyron Woodley is as exciting a finisher as the sport has to offer. The Chosen One has stopped top ranked opponents dating back to his 2013 Knock Out of Josh Koscheck (1^st 4:30) at UFC 157. The following year a leg-kick caused, long time Title contender, Carlos Condit a fight halting leg injury at UFC 171. Later that year UFC Fight Night 48 Woodley stopped Dong Hyun Kim’s four fight win streak with a First Round TKO (1:01). Finally, last year The Chosen One Knocked Out former Champ, Robbie Lawler just 2:12 into their UFC 201 Title match up. Each opponent offered varied stylistic game-plans yet Woodley found quick solutions with his forward pressure, strong grappling and clinch game married with unmistakable power.

Not to be overshadowed, Stephen Thompson is undefeated in his last eight (including Draw with Woodley) and has devastating finishes on his record as well. An opening Round Head-Kick Knock Out in Thompson’s debut, over Daniel Stittgen at UFC 143, showed fans, Wonderboy is for real. Back-to-back TKO finishes of Chris Clements (UFC 165) and Robert Whittaker (UFC 170) added to the legend.

And Thompson’s Spinning-Hook-Kick Knock Out of Jake Ellenberger at TUF 21 Finale is as clean a technique ever seen in the Octagon. Stephen followed that First round stoppage with another, stopping former Champion, Johny Hendricks by TKO just 3:31 into their UFC Fight Night 82 bout. Last June Thompson won a Five Round Unanimous Decision over the man to deal Woodley his latest loss, Rory MacDonald. Thompson won all five rounds on two of the three Judges’ scorecards at UFC Fight Night 89.

Both Fighters fair best when they are moving forward, offering pressure. Volume striking is Wonderboy’s strong suit while Woodley counters with the power advantage. Woodley was able to take advantage when on-top at 205, but Thompson’s Take-down defense made it difficult for The Chosen One to continuously get the fight to the mat. Woodley also appeared stronger in the clinch, but again Thompson used footwork to avoid tie-ups and fight in open space often. The skillsets appear so even following the first fight, leaving fans salivating for more. Woodley was closer to finishing the fight on numerous occasion, so if there is a psychological edge it belongs to the champ.