UFC made its debut in Louisville, KY at the YUM! Center. This was the first UFC event in Louisville and was a hugh success according to fans in attendance. The main card was televised live on Versus TV. In the main event, Diego “The Dream” Sanchez won a close decision over Martin “Hitman” Kampmann that was booed by fans. Sanchez recieved significantly more damage than Kampmann. Again, this calls UFC judging into more controversy following several fights ending in draws. Most recently at UFC 127, BJ Penn and John Fitch was declared a draw when most watching the fight felt that Fitch actually won the fight. Looking at the post fight interviews, sanchez looked like the loser with a brutally beaten up face. Sanchez improves to 25-4 with the win; Kampmann falls to 17-5. UFC President Dana White awarded $60,000 bonuses to both men for the Fight of the Night.
In the co-main event. Mark Munoz finished CB Dollaway with a TKO in 54 seconds of the first round. Munoz rocked Dollaway with a right hand and sent him to the canvas. Munoz immediately moved in for the finish and he got it, with two more flush right hands bringing in referee Mario Yamasaki to halt the bout. With the win, Munoz improves to 10-2; Dollaway falls to 12-4.
A star may have born in the middleweight division, as Long Island’s Chris Weidman lived up to all the pre-fight hype about his UFC debut and scored a dominant three round unanimous decision over Alessio Sakara. And he did it on two weeks’ notice, replacing Rafael Natal against “Legionarius”. Scores were 30-27 across the board.
Former WEC bantamweight champion Brian Bowles made a triumphant return after a year-long layoff due to injury, submitting Damacio Page for the second time in two tries via guillotine choke in the UFC debut for both men. “That’s my signature move,” said Bowles, who earned a $40,000 bonus for Submission of the Night. “I hit it all the time in the gym. He was out for a second. I didn’t want to hold on to it too long and hurt him.” Bowles ups his record to 9-1; Page falls to 12-6.
Steve Cantwell finally returned to the Octagon Thursday night at the KFC Yum! Center, but he may have wanted to stay on the sidelines considering the one-sided thrashing he took at the hands of Cyrille “The Snake” Diabate, who defeated the Las Vegan with a shutout three round decision. Scores were 30-27, 30-25, and 30-26 for Diabate, who improves to 18-7-3; Cantwell, who has now lost three in a row, falls to 7-4. Tonight was his first start since a September 2009 loss to Brian Stann.
Former WEC standout Danny Castillo was on top of his game in his bout against Joe Stevenson, as he scored a hard-fought three round unanimous decision win to notch his first UFC victory. Scores were 30-27 and 29-28 twice for Castillo.
WEC veteran Shane Roller made a successful UFC debut in lightweight action, knocking out Thiago Tavares in the second round. “That was the first knockout I’ve ever had in a fight,” said Roller, who earned a $40,000 Knockout of the Night bonus for his efforts. “It felt perfect. I knew it as soon as I landed the punch.” Roller was the aggressor throughout the opening round, but it was Tavares’ crisper shots that got the job done, especially when a left hook rocked Roller and knocked him into the fence with 2:20 left.
Japan’s Takeya Mizugaki got a handful from late replacement Reuben Duran, but the bantamweight contender was able to hold off the newcomer for a close split decision win. Scores were 30-27, 29-28, and 27-30 for Mizugaki, who improves to 14-5-2; Duran falls to 7-3-1.
Scores were 30-27, 29-28, and 27-30 for Mizugaki, who improves to 14-5-2; Duran falls to 7-3-1.
Tags Alessio Sakara,
Brian Bowles,
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CB Dollaway,
Chris Weidman,
Cyrille Diabate,
Damacio Page,
Danny Castillo,
Diego Sanchez,
Joe Stevenson,
Mark Munoz,
Martin Kampmann,
mixed martial arts,
MMA,
Reuben Duran,
Shane Roller,
Steve Cantwell,
Takeya Mizugaki,
Thiago Taveres,
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UFC 129 – Analysis & News
Like a true champion, Georges St. Pierre came to defend his belt against a top contender in Jake Shields who sported a 15 fight win streak. GSP was smart and wanted to prevent a Shields take down that would favor the contender’s strenght on the ground. Shields being well prepared came with a sharp left jab to offset GSP’s striking game. What gives? GSP countered Shields jab with a right hammer over top the left jab. Shields was successful by doing facial damage with the left jab but took as much punishment in the process. GSP had a couple takedowns but Shields limited the ground stikes with great defense. GSP landed a strong leg kick that hit Shields in the head and grounded him. In the end, Shields did not do enough to TAKE the belt from GSP who won on a decision. After defending his title for the sixth consecutive time at UFC 129, Georges St-Pierre once again proved that he is the best welterweight in the world
The Aldo-Hominick fight was a true championship caliber match as both fighters put their heart and soul on the line. It looked like a typical dominant performance for UFC featherweight champion Jose Aldo early in the UFC 129 co-main event Saturday night at Rogers Centre, but Ontario’s own Mark Hominick refused to go away, fighting off a series of facial bumps, bruises and cuts to finish strong and leave his own courageous effort as the lasting image of the 145-pound title fight, which was ultimately won clearly and unanimously by Aldo.
The most surprising match was Randy Couture versus Lyoto Machida. It was only a few months ago when Anderson Silva showed up with Steven Seagal in tow to defend his middleweight title against Victor Belfort. As you remember, Silva landed a front leg kick to the head of Belfort for a 1st round knockout. After the fight, Silva acknowleged Seagal for teaching him the front kick. Fast forward to the UFC 129 weighins and Machida has Seagall with his team on stage. Immediately, you would think about what Seagall moves Machida was learning. At the least, Coutures team should have mentioned to watch for the front leg kick that Silva had used previously. However, Machida pulled out the front leg kick in the 2nd round to sent Couture to his back to end his legendary MMA career.
The UFC also announced Fight Night bonuses at the post-fight press conference. The bonuses were worth $129,000 each.
Pablo Garza took home “Submission of the Night” for the flying triangle choke he used to put away Yves Jabouin at the 4:31 mark of Round One of the very first fight on the card.
Lyoto Machida took home “Knockout of the Night” delivering a front kick that was equal parts Anderson Silva and Steven Seagals front leg kick, turning out Randy Couture’s lights at the 1:05 mark of Round Two.
“Fight of the Night” went to Jose Aldo and Mark Hominick. Hominick showed great heart and a no quit attitude in this bout, sustaining a huge hematoma on his forehead that had Joe Rogan remarking, “It looks like he’s got an extra head.”
Octagon Marriage in Toronto
Prince William and Kate weren’t the only couple tying the knot on Friday. In front of family, friends and fight fans, Justin and Deanna Peacock were married at 9 a.m. inside the famed Ultimate Fighting Championship octagon just 36 hours before 55,000 fans will pack the Rogers Centre. “Unbelievable thrill,” said Deanna, wearing a sleeveless white dress that went to her knees. Justin complemented her with a black suit and red tie. “It was amazing,” said Justin. The couple met at a fan event. Their first date was UFC 97 in Montreal two years ago and they’ve attended every Canadian event since. UFC president Dana White gets bombarded with requests from fans each time he does a public Q&A. At a recent event, Peacock asked White if they could get married in the octagon. Absolutely, said White. The Hamilton couple kept in touch with the company, and with UFC 129 taking place so close to Hamilton, the date was set.
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