Chris Camozzi taps Dustin Jacoby in the 3rd with a Guillotine Choke. Yup, Jacoby doesn't belong with Zuffa yet.
Lavar Johnson KO's Joey Beltran at 4:24 of the very 1st round. The "Mexicutioner" may be out of a job after "Big" dropped some bombs and put Joey to sleep to make a successful debut for the Strikeforce Heavyweights. Beltran could not reach Johnson and just ate a bevy of uppercuts that destroyed the normally sturdy veteran. Impressive highlight win for the one dimensional Lavar who displays his one punch KO power.
* I'd love to see big hitters Lavar Johnson vs Pat Barry for an exciting slugfest.
Michael Johnson Upsets Shane Roller by Unanimous Decision. "Springfield" was far faster than the average Roller who did stay in the fight though the new minted Blackzilian member showed improvement and avoided big mistakes.
Charles Oliveira submits Eric Wisely with the 1st Calf Slicer successfully used in the UFC! "Do Bronx" may look rail thin at Featherweight, but he is deadly. Wisely looked like a Bantamweight out of his depth as Oliveira looked for a kneebar early and then grapevined Eric's leg with his own dropping back for the 1st brutal calf slicer causing the painful tapout. Amazing stuff and a dangerous move that is known for blowing out knees. "Submission Of The Night"
Cub Swanson TKO's George Roop with brutal precision at 2:22 of the 2nd round. These two men took the bout personally but Cub had trouble with the giant reach advantage early. Roop was keeping Swanson at bay with kicks and movement when a massive overhand right sends Roop's mouthpiece flying and crumbled him to the canvas. Cub follows with far too many unanswered and unnecessary blows before a tardy John McCarthy finally halts things. "KO Of The Night"
* Another bad loss for the now 0-3 Shawn Thompkins camp post passing. Swanson gets a desperately needed win and George finds new danger in his career with a dismal 12-9-1 record.
Mike Russow defeats John Olav Einemo by Unanimous Decision in his hometown Chicago. This bout was as ugly as the Heavyweight bodies within it. Russow was aggressive throughout using his single leg attack rather than strike on the feet where JOE generally lacks. Mike played around tempting Olav's Jiu-Jitsu game but won the lackluster bout without much fanfare.
Mike Russow defeats John Olav Einemo by Unanimous Decision in his hometown Chicago. This bout was as ugly as the Heavyweight bodies within it. Russow was aggressive throughout using his single leg attack rather than strike on the feet where JOE generally lacks. Mike played around tempting Olav's Jiu-Jitsu game but won the lackluster bout without much fanfare.
* Russow has now won 11 in a row, 4-0 in the UFC, but lacks any real momentum to really challenge anyone of note. The victories cannot be ignored though and perhaps Gabriel Gonzaga or Matt Mitrione would be a good litmus test.
Evan Dunham TKO's Nik Lentz via Doctor Stoppage after the 2nd round. Nik took the "boring" label from the fans to heart and attacked with valor and determination against the slick striking Xtreme Couture standout. Lentz did look for his wrestling constantly but was attacking on the feet with never say die striking in the pocket while Evan slowly picked up steam. Dunham's striking began taking over and a short elbow against the cage opened up an already bloody Nik from a badly injured left eye. Evan went on the attack with picture perfect uppercuts and the round ends with Evan dominant. The eye of Lentz is almost completely closed and the doctors cannot allow him to continue. A happy Evan celebrates but Lentz has to have saved his job with a gutsy exciting performance! Lentz answers the critics and Dunham continues his return to the top of the division. "Fight Of The Night"
* Dunham needs a stern test like a Clay Guida, Donald Cerrone, or Matt Wiman would provide the test.
Chris Weidman defeats Demian Maia by Unanimous Decision. The "All-American" took the bout on 10 days notice and pulled off an uninspiring judges nod. Chris had little trouble with the once again disappearing stand up game of Maia who could not secure a takedown for much success. Weidman was more aggressive and landed more accurately as both men slowed drastically in the fight toward the end. Still the biggest and an impressive win for the young now 8-0 Weidman.
Chael Sonnen edges Michael Bisping by a close Unanimous Decision. The "Count" came in ready and was put on his heels against the ever charging Sonnen. Chael was able to get Mike down a couple of times in round 1 but could not keep him there. Chael's overall aggression and Bisping playing defense gave the important 1st round to Sonnen. In the 2nd, Bisping came roaring back pressuring Chael against the fence with dirty boxing taking a page out of his opponents book while landing knees to the body. Its anyone's fight in the final round as Sonnen again gets the takedown and looks for the RNC though the "Count" defends well. Chael controls the round though Mike has one last chance as he rises taking Sonnen down and dropping some elbows too little too late as the bout ends. Mike had a great showing but Sonnen was just too much for him. Sonnen out landed Bisping in total strikes (135-102) and significant strikes (40-30). The only area "The Count" had the advantage was in head strikes, in which he landed one more (80-79) while Sonnen won the takedowns (4-1).
* Chael is now officially the #1 contender to Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva who will defend his crown in Brazil later this year in the epic rematch everyone wanted to see!
** Bisping's stock actually rises showing he can hang with the top of the division and interesting bouts with Brian Stann and perhaps Yushin Okami if he wins soon seem relevant.
Rashad Evans defeats Phil Davis, to become the new #1 contender to Light Heavyweight Champion Jon Jones,.....again, by Unanimous Decision. It was a strategic fight with "Suga" finding his range while the big reach advantage Davis fell short throughout the 25 minutes. Neither man looked in serious trouble but Rashad always seemed a step ahead as Phil looked to be surviving in the later rounds as both men slowed. A good growing effort for Davis who suffered only the 1st loss of his career though he must continue working on tightening up hi striking and finding more offense.
* "Suga" now faces "Bones" for the title in the biggest grudge match in MMA for a long time. It goes down in April and let the trash talking begin!
** "Mr. Wonderful" can only go up from here but he is in a tough spot as the guys ranked around him he has already beaten (Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Alexander Gustafsson) while he isn't quite ready for Lyoto Machida or Quinton Jackson yet. Perhaps a tussle with big names like Rich Franklin or Forrest Griffin would serve best.
8-2 on the picks tonight and 8-2 on the UFC on FX for which I didn't post results.
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