Re: A New Era in the UFC
Josh Thomson vs. Ross Pearson:
It was a very even first round, as Thomson and Pearson both landed solid strikes, got a takedown apiece, and got a feel for each other. Pearson landed more significant strikes in the round. Pearson ended up on top of Thomson in round two, and had some excellent ground and pound from half guard and full mount. He attempted an arm triangle, but failed to sink it in. He was outstruck by Thomson easily over the rest of the round. But in round three, Thompson rocked Pearson and knocked him down, pounced on him, but couldn’t finish him by TKO. He rocked him again a minute later, got another knockdown, and still couldn’t finish. Thomson’s late onslaught of strikes helped him come from behind and win a majority decision.
Result: Josh Thomson def. Ross Pearson by majority decision.
#10 Frank Mir vs. Minotauro Nogueira:
In a rematch between Mir and his mentor, in which Mir submitted one of the best submission experts ever, it was a dream for jiu-jitsu fans. Not much of this fight was on the feet, as there were several takedowns and submission attempts. Nogueira got the better of his former apprentice this time, though, as he locked up an armbar from the mounted position and defeated Mir, and a rubber match will surely be in store one day.
Result: Minotauro Nogueira def. #10 Frank Mir at 1:16 of Round 2 by SUB.
#6 Eddie Alvarez vs. #9 Jim Miller:
In Eddie Alvarez’s highly-anticipated UFC debut, he was handed a tough battle vs. UFC veteran Jim Miller. Miller, a long-time UFC vet, had plans of spoiling Alvarez’s debut. Miller and Alvarez split takedowns and submission attempts in round one, and never really gained a substantial advantage over one another. In the second round, Miller’s grappling proved to be better, as he took Alvarez down and locked in a Peruvian necktie and submitted Alvarez in his UFC Debut.
Result: #9 Jim Miller def. #6 Eddie Alvarez at 1:32 of Round 2 by SUB.
#2 Vitor Belfort vs. #6 Nick Diaz:
The evening’s co-main event showcased two of the best strikers in the UFC’s Middleweight division, as Belfort and Diaz went toe to toe in a back and forth battle. Diaz had the first stunner of the fight late in the first round, rocking Belfort in the last minute of the round with a spinning backfist. Diaz came out swinging in round two, landed several hard strikes, and took Belfort down. Vitor attempted a triangle from the bottom, and almost had it locked in, but lost it at the very last moment. Round two was very even, as was round three. It was anyone’s fight going to the decision, and the judges unanimously saw Diaz as the victor, with there being two 29-28’s and a 30-27 in his favor.
Result: #6 Nick Diaz def. #2 Vitor Belfort by unanimous decision.
#1 Anthony Johnson vs. #2 Daniel Cormier:
This fight was easily Fight of the Night. Johnson came out swinging, and rocked Cormier and knocked him down less than 30 seconds into the fight! Cormier recovered, and later on in the round rocked Johnson with a liver shot. Both men came out swinging in the second round, and Cormier knocked Johnson down two minutes in. He rocked him with about 15 seconds left in round two as well, but the bell saved Johnson. They continued to trade blows in round three, and by the end of the round they were exhausted. It was so close at this point. Johnson just dealt more damage in the fourth round, and Cormier’s shots were becoming less and less effective, aside from the one punch he landed with 45 seconds left that rocked Johnson. Despite both guys being exhausted, they gave it their all in round five, and Johnson rocked Cormier with three minutes left. He survived to the end of the fight, where he unfortunately would lose by a 49-46 Unanimous decision. This was still early fight of the year favorite, and one of the best fights that has ever taken place. Anthony Johnson will fight for the belt.
Result: #1 Anthony Johnson def. #2 Daniel Cormier by unanimous decision.
FOTN: Anthony Johnson vs. Daniel Cormier.
KOTN: None
SOTN: Jim Miller
UFC Fight Night 2: Johnson vs. Cormier Recap
Josh Thomson vs. Ross Pearson:
It was a very even first round, as Thomson and Pearson both landed solid strikes, got a takedown apiece, and got a feel for each other. Pearson landed more significant strikes in the round. Pearson ended up on top of Thomson in round two, and had some excellent ground and pound from half guard and full mount. He attempted an arm triangle, but failed to sink it in. He was outstruck by Thomson easily over the rest of the round. But in round three, Thompson rocked Pearson and knocked him down, pounced on him, but couldn’t finish him by TKO. He rocked him again a minute later, got another knockdown, and still couldn’t finish. Thomson’s late onslaught of strikes helped him come from behind and win a majority decision.
Result: Josh Thomson def. Ross Pearson by majority decision.
#10 Frank Mir vs. Minotauro Nogueira:
In a rematch between Mir and his mentor, in which Mir submitted one of the best submission experts ever, it was a dream for jiu-jitsu fans. Not much of this fight was on the feet, as there were several takedowns and submission attempts. Nogueira got the better of his former apprentice this time, though, as he locked up an armbar from the mounted position and defeated Mir, and a rubber match will surely be in store one day.
Result: Minotauro Nogueira def. #10 Frank Mir at 1:16 of Round 2 by SUB.
#6 Eddie Alvarez vs. #9 Jim Miller:
In Eddie Alvarez’s highly-anticipated UFC debut, he was handed a tough battle vs. UFC veteran Jim Miller. Miller, a long-time UFC vet, had plans of spoiling Alvarez’s debut. Miller and Alvarez split takedowns and submission attempts in round one, and never really gained a substantial advantage over one another. In the second round, Miller’s grappling proved to be better, as he took Alvarez down and locked in a Peruvian necktie and submitted Alvarez in his UFC Debut.
Result: #9 Jim Miller def. #6 Eddie Alvarez at 1:32 of Round 2 by SUB.
#2 Vitor Belfort vs. #6 Nick Diaz:
The evening’s co-main event showcased two of the best strikers in the UFC’s Middleweight division, as Belfort and Diaz went toe to toe in a back and forth battle. Diaz had the first stunner of the fight late in the first round, rocking Belfort in the last minute of the round with a spinning backfist. Diaz came out swinging in round two, landed several hard strikes, and took Belfort down. Vitor attempted a triangle from the bottom, and almost had it locked in, but lost it at the very last moment. Round two was very even, as was round three. It was anyone’s fight going to the decision, and the judges unanimously saw Diaz as the victor, with there being two 29-28’s and a 30-27 in his favor.
Result: #6 Nick Diaz def. #2 Vitor Belfort by unanimous decision.
#1 Anthony Johnson vs. #2 Daniel Cormier:
This fight was easily Fight of the Night. Johnson came out swinging, and rocked Cormier and knocked him down less than 30 seconds into the fight! Cormier recovered, and later on in the round rocked Johnson with a liver shot. Both men came out swinging in the second round, and Cormier knocked Johnson down two minutes in. He rocked him with about 15 seconds left in round two as well, but the bell saved Johnson. They continued to trade blows in round three, and by the end of the round they were exhausted. It was so close at this point. Johnson just dealt more damage in the fourth round, and Cormier’s shots were becoming less and less effective, aside from the one punch he landed with 45 seconds left that rocked Johnson. Despite both guys being exhausted, they gave it their all in round five, and Johnson rocked Cormier with three minutes left. He survived to the end of the fight, where he unfortunately would lose by a 49-46 Unanimous decision. This was still early fight of the year favorite, and one of the best fights that has ever taken place. Anthony Johnson will fight for the belt.
Result: #1 Anthony Johnson def. #2 Daniel Cormier by unanimous decision.
FOTN: Anthony Johnson vs. Daniel Cormier.
KOTN: None
SOTN: Jim Miller
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