UFC 91: Brock Wins!!
Well, UFC 91 is in the books, and we have a brand new UFC Heavyweight Champion in Brock Lesnar.
During the stare down, Lesnar looked WAY larger than Couture, who finally looked every bit his 45 years of age. The first round was mostly clinching and feeling out between the two fighters, with each man landing the odd punch here and there. The crowd was firmly behind Couture.
The second round started, and Lesnar started landing a few shots that appeared to wobble Couture, but the Champ responded with a few shots of his own. The end came as Lesnar stepped in to punch Couture, and Couture ducked, but not far enough, as one of Lesnar’s “ham hocks” caught Couture on his ear and send him crashing down. Lesnar followed up with about 20 hammer fists and rabbit punches before the referee stepped in and waved off the action.
Lesnar will now face the winner of the Mir/Nogueira interim Heavyweight Title match at UFC 92 to determine the undisputed Heavyweight Champion at a later date.
Couture didn’t immediately comment on his future, but at age 45 and two fights left on his contract, it makes sense to only make “mega” fights for him…soon. Perhaps Anderson Silva?? That would be a monster fight if there ever was one.
Kenny Florian took on Joe Stevenson in the co-main event, and Florian was extremely impressive. He took virtually no damage on the feet or on the ground and left without a mark on him. Stevenson was intent on taking the fight to the ground, thinking it was his best chance. However, it was Florian who quickly achieved full mount. As Stevenson tried to get back onto his feet, he grabbed the cage with both hands, leaving his neck wide open and Florian quickly secured a choke for the win. Florian is now guaranteed a 155lb title shot, but the date is far from being settled, thanks to 155lb Champion BJ Penn’s foray into the 170lb division. Should he dethrone George St. Pierre at UFC 94, all bets are off for when Florian’s title shot could come.
Damian Mia defeats Nate Quarry by rear naked choke, Rd 1.
Quarry said he had to avoid the ground with Maia, and that Maia would have to get past his fists before he could take him down…but…it didn’t take long. Maia got Quarry down, secured a body triangle, and promptly choked Quarry out. That makes four subs in four fights in the UFC and Maia is on a roll, but I’m not sure sure he’ll get a title shot any time soon, especially if the UFC is intent on making “big” fights to maximize 185lb Champion Anderson Silva’s remaining fights. Maia, while dangerous, has little to no drawing power.
Gabriel Gonzaga defeats Josh Hendricks by TKO, Rd 1.
Gongaza doesn’t have the best striking technique, but he does have lots of power, and Hendricks appeared out before he hit the mat after eating a big shot from Gonzaga.
Dustin Hazelett defeats Tamdan McCrory by armbar, Rd 2.
McCrory landed some shots on Hazelett on the feet, but as soon as it hit the ground, Hazelett showed why he’s an up and comer by turning the Barn Cat into a pretzel.
This pay-per-view incredibly showed every fight. None of them on the main card went the distance, so there was time to show the prelims as well. Talk about a satisfying card!!
