MMAVu

UFC 90 is a wrap, and there were upsets, thrilling fights and disappointment.

Anderson Silva vs. Patrick Cote
Silva did his usual “feel out” stage of about 90 seconds, but because Silva is so much of a counter-puncher, and Cote was so well-coached on his game plan, they ended up dancing for most of the first round. The biggest shot was Silva’s knee to Cote’s face, which rattled his teeth, but Cote shook off, showing his remarkable chin. The second round was more of the same, with a big jab by Silva the most significant hit. Round 3 is where the wheels fell off for Cote, literally, as he blew his knee out planting for a punch. Herb Dean calls the fight at .39 of the 3rd round. The crowd is merciless in their booing, but this is really no one’s fault. Silva by TKO.

Thiago Alves vs. Josh Koscheck
Alves shows everyone the beast he is, by pounding Koscheck relentlessly for 3 rounds. He had Koscheck on queer street on several instances, but couldn’t finish him off. Alves was quick, crisp and powerful, and fended off several Koscheck take down attempts. In the end, Alves took home the unanimous decision win.

Gray Maynard vs. Rich Clementi
This was a typical Maynard fight, using his superior wrestling to neutralize his opponent, and well…hold him down. Maynard by unanimous decision.

Fabricio Werdum vs. Junior dos Santos
This one was a shocker, as the new unknown Santos caut Werdum with a right hand that buckles Werdum. Dos Santos follows up with a barrage of unanswered punches and the ref calls the fight. Dos Santos by KO in R1.

Tyson Griffin vs. Sean Sherk
This fight went down as advertised, but both guys engaged and fought their hearts out. No one was complaining about this unanimous decision win by the former lightweight champ, Sherk. Each guy rocked and got rocked multiple times, and likely lost a few thousand brain cells each, but it was almost like a rock ‘em, sock ‘em robot fight. Spectacular.

Thales Leites vs. Drew McFedries

When will McFedries brush up on his weaknesses? He landed a wonderful punch to knock Leites loopy, but was taken down, and choked out. Leites by rear naked choke, R1.

Spencer Fisher def. Shannon Gugerty by Submission (Triangle Choke) in R3.
Dan Miller def. Matt Horwich by Unanimous Decision.
Hermes Franca def. Marcus Aurelio by Unanimous Decision.
Pete Sell def. Josh Burkman by Unanimous Decision.

Fight of the Night went to lightweights Sean Sherk and Tyson Griffin, a cool $65k each.

Knockout of the Night went to newcomer Junior Dos Santos as a beautiful punch sent Werdum, and his hopes of a title shot, crashing to the canvas.

Submission of the night went to Spencer Fisher, who caught Shannon Gugerty in the 3rd round by triangle choke. I thought Leites’ rear naked choke of McFedries could have got this as well, as the trapped McFedries’ arm with a leg a la BJ Penn while he sunk the choke in.