By Bryan, WOAI.com mixed martial arts writer
This was another fantastic card and the first UFC event in the land down under. However, let me say I missed the FREE fight prelims on Spike. That aside, this card was a fantastic showcase of Pride FC legends and UFC new talent.
It was rough seeing Stephan Bonnar lose yet again. Coming off of a very unimpressive loss to Mark Coleman, who I will admit looked very good during that fight, Bonnar needed this win. He lost this fight due referee stoppage because of a gnarly cut on his face, but Krzysztof Soszynski exploited Bonnar’s ground game. It’s back to the drawing board for Mr. Bonnar.
Mirko Cro Cop, the man, the myth, the legend… great to see him in action and get a win. After heartbreaking loses in the UFC, a brief stint in Japan and some therapy, the Croatian Sensation defeated Perosh by TKO stoppage due to a cut. Not the most impressive Cro Cop win, but I’ll take it. It’s just good to see him back and in fighting shape. I would like to see him fight Ben Rothwell after he gets a few wins under his belt.
Ryan Bader pummeled Keith Jardine in the third with those bombs he calls hands. Bader, as usual, looked very fit and continues to prove his strengths as a wrestler. Keith Jardine found out first hand – all puns intended – how sound Bader’s boxing is. Jardine looked like his typical squirrely self, yet I can’t help but think he needs to take longer periods in between fights to not only prepare, but also to recuperate. Kudos to Bader on his win as he continues his win streak in the UFC.
Now: The Fight of the Night… quite literally. Both fighters received that coveted $50k bonus. A fantastic showcase of mixed martial arts: beautiful choke attempts, jostling for position, and my favorite, use of the leg kick. Even though Joe Stevenson lost, he always puts on a show, and it was a good return to the Octagon. The Australian, George Sotiropoulos, won in his home country by unanimous decision. Look for Sotiropoulos to give many 155ers a challenge with crisp boxing and unreal ground game.
Another Pride FC star and mixed martial arts veteran returned to fight in the cage. Wanderlei “The Axe Murderer” Silva came in fresh off of facial surgery, fixing his nose and removing scar tissue – and he did look like a 20-year-old man/bear/chimp. I was actually scared that after his loss to Rampage, and the success of the Wand Fight Team, his fighting days would be numbered. However, in true axe murdering fashion, once he let his fists go, he exposed the suspect chin of Michael Bisping. Bisping successfully took-down Silva on several occasions, but a flurry of punches, leg kicks, and one of the most violent guillotines I have ever seen, Silva emerged the clear victor. Look for Silva to re-establish his success and notoriety at his true fight weight, 185.
For all of those who doubted: Cain Velasquez is the real deal. Throwing punches in bunches, combos hitting both the head and body and legs kicks that would make any Thai fighter shiver, Velasquez took off running with this one. The worst part is, Velasquez is a wrestler! Minotauro Nogueira had no chance; Velasquez was too quick and too strong. The one-time Pride legend, Minotauro Nogueira, definitely showcased his age as opposed to his experience. Cain Velasquez crippled Nogueira with a TKO stoppage due to punches, at 2:20 in the first round. He is a sure contender for the interim heavyweight belt post Mir v. Rothwell, and yes, I think he can take Brock Lesnar too.
