While UFC on FOX 8 was not the most brilliant fight card ever, people’s perceptions have been coloured by one particular high-profile borefest. Most of the rest of the action was ok at worst, and thrilling at best.
Demetrious Johnson def. John Moraga via submission (armbar) – Round 5, 3:43
Not one of those thrilling fights, but an entertaining affair dictated by some extraordinarily technical and effective MMA from the flyweight champ.
Demitrious Johnson never allowed John Moraga to get any offence going, and used lightning-quick movement and inch-prefect shots to execute takedowns over and over again.
With the exception of a couple of clean punches from Moraga, all the offence belonged to Johnson. He did what he wanted, and reversed position to bring the fight into his favour on the odd occasion there looked to be any inclination of trouble,
To close the show, he switched up the kimura submission he’d hunted for throughout the fight to lock in an armbar and get the latest finish in UFC history, with just one minute left on the clock.
It’s not abundantly clear who’s next to have a crack at his belt, but I’m cool with seeing him fight anyone at this point That includes the likes of Joseph Benavidez and John Dodson who Johnson beat, but not so convincingly to make a rematch pointless or groan worthy.
Rory MacDonald def. Jake Ellenberger via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
The stinker in question. Jake Ellenberger recognised before the fight that he likes to come out strong in the opening frames of the fight, get on the front foot fast and land something big to win fights.
However, it was almost as if he had taken questions about his stamina to heart, and went about proving he could last the full three rounds by being very conservative and playing right into Rory MacDonald’s game plan.
Rory was far toi technically skilled for Ellenberger, and used a fantastic use of his jab to simultaneously keep ‘The Juggernaut’ at bay and land damaging shots.
When the fight hit the mat he was just as comfortable.
This won’t have anyone screaming for Rory Mac to get a title shot just jet, but it does move him onward and upward in the division, and in line to face another high-quality welterweight. Who knows, it might give him the opportunity to look like the killer everyone expects him to be.
Robbie Lawler def. Bobby Voelker via KO (head kick) – Round 2, 0:24
Now this is what we’ve come to expect from a FOX card. Two fighters with one thing in mind. Finish.
Unfortunately for Bobby Voelker, that was not in his best interests as Lawler was able to generally stay out of danger and used a more refined brand of aggression to pick him apart with repeated devastating strikes in round one.
That didn’t discourage Voelker, and to is credit he came right back out for the second frame and went for it once again, this time straight into a fight-ending head-kick, which was followed up by those trademark Lawler instant coffin nails.
With two knockouts already in his return to the UFC and 170lbs, I want to see Lawler fighting other aggressive welterweights as often as possible. The amount of superlatives aimed in his direction might be a little much though. He’s probably never going to be a real threat for the belt, but he’ll be competitive and feed on lower ranked opposition like a starving hyena.
Liz Carmouche def. Jessica Andrade via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 3:57
A fairly straightforward affair for the former title challenger, who put herself straight back into contention with a comfortable win. Carmouche too dominant position easily, and Andrade had no answer from there.
As soon ans the punches came raining down, punctuated by the odd submission attempt when Andrade gave up her back, a finish was inevitable.
Prelims
There was a lot of good action in the preliminary portion of the event. Thehighlight for me being the ‘headline’ fight between Jorge Masvidal and Michael Chiesa.
The TUF winner looked great in round one as he hit some lovely single-leg takedowns, controlled position and looked better than ever on the feet. When he wasn’t surprising Masvidal (and everyone else) with knockdowns, he was backing the ATT fighter up with straight punches and unorthodox kicks straight up the middle.
The second round was an entirely different story, as Masvidal took control with an incredible sprawl, aggressive submission grappling and patient, powerful strikes. Whenever ‘Gamebred’ landed a clean shots he didn’t rush in, instead taking time to pick his next shot to cause maximum damage.
Chiesa was pounded on the floor and eventually opened up for a heartbreaking last-second tap to a suffocating D’arce choke.
It was a complete second round performance, with a brilliant display of all aspects of striking and grappling.
Melvin Guillard looked like the version of himself who racked up a five-fight streak a couple of years ago. Mac Danzig had no answer for his fast-twitch assault. Danzig got caught with a straight left that he didn’t see and finished with some truly brutal hammerfists.
Special mention also to the Dana White fight of the night special between Ed Herman and Trevor Smith. It wasn’t pretty, but a fight like this gets almost everyone on their feet. It was a tit-for-tat brawl, and luckily the right man went home with his arm raised.
Jorge Masvidal def. Michael Chiesa via submission (D’Arce choke) – Round 2, 4:59
Danny Castillo def. Tim Means via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Melvin Guillard def. Mac Danzig via KO (punches) – Round 2, 2:47
Daron Cruickshank def. Yves Edwards via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 30-27)
Ed Herman def. Trevor Smith via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)
Germaine de Randamie def. Julie Kedzie via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Justin Salas def. Aaron Riley via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Yaotzin Meza def. John Albert via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2, 2:49
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