UFC 91: Lesnar Wins Heavyweight Title
This was probably the best UFC show of the year, coming on the hills of probably the worst last month with the Silva-Cote debacle. I felt good because my predictions went 7-2. But the headline is that Brock Lesnar stepped into the cage and neutralized Randy Couture's wrestling, caught him behind the ear with a right hook, then pounced and hammerfisted him for the TKO win. Incredible. Both fighters looked great, but Lesnar's size and speed and power was just too much. Lesnar's skills have nowhere to go but up.
The rest of the card equally impressive. Kenny Florian made a huge statement when he choked out Joe Stevenson in the first round after dominating Joe Daddy in every aspect of the short fight. Remember, it took BJ Penn two rounds to beat Stevenson for the belt. I think Florian has turned into a different fighter and will, by far, be the strongest challenge to BJ Penn's lightweight title. He's evolved into the complete package. He might bet he first lightweight Penn won't have a reach advantage on. I was just blown away by KenFlo.
Dustin Hazlett submitted Tamden McCrory with a sick omaplata armbar I've never seen before. Gabriel Gonzaga knocked out Josh Hendricks and has put his name back in the heavyweight conversation. And then Demien Maia made quick work of Nate Quarry and will be the guy that takes the belt off of Anderson Silva. He's about two fights away. There are four remaining middleweights: Michael Bisping, Dan Henderson, Nate Marquardt, and Maia. Bisping and Henderson will probably coach the next Ultimate Fighter - so that leaves Maia and Marquardt next. I really think Maia is the real deal and will be champ someday.
The undercard was good, with local boy Aaron Riley winning a great fight against Jorge Gurgel, Jeremy Stephens taking Rafel dos Anjos's head off with a KO uppercut, Matt Brown chocked out Ryan Thomas, and Mark Bocek beat Alvin Robinson.
A great night of fights, to recap Brock Lesnar wins the UFC Heavyweight title, Kenny Florian earned himself a title shot against BJ Penn, Gabriel Gonzaga reestablishes himself as a heavyweight contender, and Demian Maia moves to 10-0 and establishes himself as a legit contender.
Next month, UFC 92: The Ultimate 2008 headlined by a tri-main event.
Forrest Griffin (c) vs. Rashad Evans - UFC Light Heavyweight Title
Minotauro Nogiuera (c) vs. Frank Mir - UFC Interim Heavyweight Title
Wanderlei Silva vs. Quinton "Rampage" Jackson
Welcome to the sickness.
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Posted by: rnfbqmot lafdmbqhv | February 15, 2009 at 08:40 AM