Ant Evans spent twelve years with the UFC, starting with a lead role in expanding the brand in the UK, EMEA, and Australia then moving on to be director of media relations for the global brand and wrapping up with a stint on the editorial side of the business with another key role in the early days of UFC Fight Pass.
He doesn’t do a lot of interviews which is why I was more than happy to get him for a one-hour chat on this week’s Josh Nason’s Punch-Out.
Evans is also the co-writer of ‘Quitters Never Win‘, the autobiography he co-wrote with Michael Bisping that is available for presale in the U.S. as well as the founder of Ultimate Insider on Substack, a free newsletter where he tells stories from the past along with features on fighters he admires.
We talk about his days with the UFC and the game of trying to educate sportswriters and editors to cover a sport they didn’t know much about, and what he had to push back on. We cover why he launched a blog on Substack, why he didn’t get into the tell-all business, his work on the Bisping book, and a slew of stories anyone into the business side of the UFC will like to hear.
Note that the audio quality fades a bit at times with some answers as the Skype connection wasn’t the best. However, what you’ll hear is well worth the listen.
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping will be inducted into the UFC’s Hall of Fame this July during International Fight Week in Las Vegas, NV.
The announcement was made Saturday during the UFC’s ESPN+ show in London, England. Bisping is the first inductee in this year’s class and will be part of the ‘Modern’ wing.
The 40-year-old retired last May after concerns about his vision and an eye injury he suffered in his final fight, a KO loss to Kelvin Gastelum.
Bisping splashed onto the UFC scene after winning the third season of The Ultimate Fighter. What followed was a 12-year run that saw him fall out of the category of best fighters to never compete for a UFC title with a short notice, first round KO win over then-champion Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 in June 2016.
Throughout his 29-fight UFC career, Bisping played up the role of heel and used his status as a villain to get into high-profile fights and opportunities. It wasn’t until the latter stages of his run that fans began to take him to as a babyface, especially after his title win. He defended the title just once, defeating Dan Henderson via decision before losing the title via submission to Georges St. Pierre in November 2017.
Among of some Bisping’s accomplishments:
His 16 wins as a UFC middleweight are the most in UFC history
His five hours, 15 minutes, and 15 seconds of in-cage time are the most in UFC middleweight history
His 20 career wins are tied for second in UFC history
His 29 UFC fights are tied for third in UFC history
He headlined UFC shows in seven different countries, a UFC record
Wrestling Observer subscribers can hear four different interviews with “The Count”:
Former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping will become the latest fighter to attempt to retire, announcing his intentions on his podcast Monday.
Bisping said that health is a driving factor as he started seeing flashes in his left eye after a knockout loss to Kelvin Gastelum late last year. He was diagnosed with a vitreous detachment which he said puts him at risk for a detached retina, the same injury he suffered in his right eye.
He said he was still planning on fighting Rashad Evans in London this month, but after watching a movie about a fighter who suffers major injuries and health declines when he refuses to stop fighting, he decided to call it a career.
Best known for being a great promo and essentially an MMA heel during the boom period of the UFC, the 39-year-old finally reached the mountaintop in June 2016 by knocking out then-champion Luke Rockhold at UFC 199 to capture his first and only UFC title.
That fight came in a stretch in which he defeated Anderson Silva, Rockhold, and Dan Henderson before losing the belt to the returning Georges St. Pierre at UFC 217 last November. He made an ill-advised return just three weeks later against Gastelum in Shanghai and lost via first round knockout.
He finishes up his pro career at 30-9, having started in 2004. He made it to the UFC in 2006 as part of the TUF 3 cast and moved to middleweight after a handful of fights at light heavyweight. Including the names above, Bisping fought a who’s who including Evans, Wanderlei Silva, Brian Stann, Chael Sonnen, Vitor Belfort, and Chris Leben.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC Fight Night 122: Bisping vs. Gastelum, emanating from the Mercedes Benz Arena in Shanghai, China.
The Octagon heads to mainland China for the first time with a middleweight main event as former UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping, three weeks removed from losing the championship to Georges St. Pierre at UFC 217, heads right back into action against former TUF winner Kelvin Gastelum.
Bisping, eager to get back to action, takes the fight on short notice as a replacement for Anderson Silva, who was pulled from the event due to a potential USADA violation, and he looks to bounce back in a big way against a tough opponent. Gastelum is looking to get back into the win column after being submitted by another former champion, Chris Weidman, in July.
The entire UFC Fight Night 122 event streams on UFC Fight Pass with a very early kick off time in the United States.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 3:45 AM eastern time with preliminary action all the way thru the main card.
UFC FIGHT PASS PRELIMS | 3:45 AM ET/12:45 AM PT
> Cyril Asker (8-3, 1-2 UFC) vs. Hu Yaozong (3-0, 0-0 UFC) Heavyweights
Asker went right for a takedown and got it easily after landing a right hand. Asker landed some left hands against the fence and Yaozong had the standing guillotine locked in against the fence. Asker was able to pop his neck out. Asker got another takedown. Asker grabbed the back and landed some punches. Asker landing some big punches and then some knees to the body. Yaozong got to his feet but was taken right back down. Asker landed some big hammerfists. More big punches landed as Asker takes the back. Yaozong not doing much to defend until he lands some backwards elbows. 10-9 Asker.
Yaozong came firing out with some leg kicks to start the second. Asker landed an uppercut and then scored the takedown. Asker has the back and is landing punches. Asker has the hooks in on the back and is landing big punches. He flattens Yaozong out. Asker now working for a choke and has it and Yaozong quickly taps out. Submission win for Asker in a dominant showing.
Official Result- Cyril Asker def. Hu Yaozong by submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:33 of Round 2
> Wuliji Buren (10-4, 0-0 UFC) vs. Rolando Dy (8-6 1 NC, 0-2 UFC) Featherweights* (Dy missed weight by 2 pounds)
They traded early and Dy knocked Buren down with a left hand but Buren recovered quickly. Buren shot for a single leg and finished the takedown. They scrambled to the feet and Buren had the back. Buren got a takedown as he had the back of Dy. Dy able to get to his feet and lands a left hand. Dy lands some kicks. Both men being tentative on the feet. Dy landing leg kicks that aren’t being defended. Dy trying to land the left hand but Buren ducking out of the way. Close round. 10-9 Buren.
Dy lands a left hand and Buren counters with a takedown. Dy reversed to the top and was in side control but Buren had the neck. Dy landing some knees to the body from side control as he pops his head out. They got to their feet and Buren was the aggressor on the feet as he was landing punches. Not much happened at the end of the round. Another close round. 10-9 Dy, 19-19.
Buren went right for a takedown and got it after grabbing the single leg. Buren in the half-guard against the fence. Buren was landing punches from the top but they scrambled to their feet. Buren landed a right hand and went right back to work for another takedown but it was defended. Brief timeout called by Herb Dean after a low kick by Dy. Dy looking to land but Buren is getting out of the way. Buren goes for a long takedown but it is stopped though he grabs the back of Dy against the fence. Dy lands a big elbow as they break they clinch. Dy with another elbow. Close fight. 10-9 Buren, 29-28 Buren.
Official Result- Rolando Dy def. Wuliji Buren by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27)
Mazany fires away with some punches very quickly looking to end it quickly. They clinch and Mazany lands some more lefts. They trade knees in the clinch. They remain in the clinch with both landing punches. Mazany stumbles to the ground looking to escape and Wu lands some punches before they get to their feet. Wu lands a knee before they break. They trade punches. They clinch again and Mazany scores the takedown. Mazany with big punches and elbows. Wu almost had an armbar in from the bottom but Mazany escaped. They got to their feet and Mazany scored another takedown. They get up. 10-9 Mazany.
Mazany landed a big kick to the face as Wu was coming inside but she still grabbed the clinch against the fence. They were battling for position and underhooks and Mazany scored a couple of takedowns. Mazany with some punches from the top as she has Wu’s arm trapped. Mazany is cut over her eye. Mazany landing more punches but Wu was able to get to her feet. Mazany has the body lock against the fence and is landing punches. Wu has been warned several times about grabbing the fence. They trade late. 10-9 Mazany, 20-18 Mazany.
Wu messed up her shoulder bad at the end of the second round and was complaining about it but continued on into the third. They traded punches. Wu definitely having trouble throwing right hands. Mazany got a takedown against the fence. Mazany working from the top as Wu can’t get out from the bottom. Mazany with some elbows from the top as she cruises to what should be a win. 10-9 Mazany, 30-27 Mazany.
Official Result- Gina Mazany def. Wu Yanan by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
They were trading early. Both men looking to land big punches. Abdurakhimov landed a big left hook and then another. He landed a right hand and another left hook and knocks Sherman down and the referee quickly stops it. Big quick win for Abdurakhimov.
Official Result- Shamil Abdurakhimov def. Chase Sherman by knockout (punches) at 1:24 of Round 1
> Song Yadong (10-4 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) vs. Bharat Khandare (5-2, 0-0 UFC) Featherweights
Yadong with an early body kick. He just misses a spinning hook kick. Yadong rocked Khandare with a right hand. Yadong lands another right hand and then a combo that backs up Khandare. Khandare lands the jab. Yadong with a leg kick. Yadong with another leg kick. Yadong goes with a head kick now. Khandare looking to land a right hand. Yadong drops Khandare with a right hand and then grabs the neck for a choke and Khandare taps out! Impressive showing by Yadong. Yadong is only 19 and has a bright future.
Official Result- Song Yadong def. Bharat Khandare by submission (front choke) at 4:16 of Round 1
> Kailin Curran (4-5, 1-5 UFC) vs. Yan Xioanan (7-1 1 NC, 0-0 UFC) Women’s Strawweights
Curran with a leg kick and Xioanan counters with a right hand. Xioanan with her trademark hook kick. Xioanan drops Curran briefly with a big right hand and Curran is in a lot of trouble. Curran has seemed to recover as she has Xioanan clinched against the fence. They break. Curran with a right hand and works for a takedown but Xioanan is defending it. They break. Xioanan with another hook kick. Both women land some punches. They clinch again. They break and trade punches and clinch again at the end of the round. 10-9 Xioanan.
They trade punches to start the second. Curran with a head kick and Xioanan counters with a right hand. Curran with a body lock and gets a takedown and is in side control against the fence. They get back to their feet. Xioanan lands a solid combo. Curran looks to land a right hand and ducks under and grabs the clinch. Curran with some knees to the legs of Xioanan as they break the clinch. Xioanan lands a right hand that stuns Curran. Curran quickly grabs the clinch. They break. Xioanan with a hard right hand. They clinch again. 10-9 Xioanan, 20-18 Xioanan.
Xioanan briefly drops Curran with a low kick. She gets up and lands a right hand and a knee to the body of Xioanan. They were trading and Curran went for a takedown against the fence and got it. Curran in the half-guard and lands some shots to the body. Curran posturing up and moves into the full guard as she lands more from the top. Curran really needs to work harder for a finish. She lands some hammerfists but Xioanan grabs her and pulls her back to closed guard. Xioanan pushes Curran off and they get to their feet. They clinch. They have a brawl in the closing seconds with each lady landing punches in close range. Big punches from both. Good fight. 10-9 Curran, 29-28 Xioanan.
Official Result- Yan Xioanan def. Kailin Curran by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
> Song Kenan (12-4, 0-0 UFC) vs. Bobby Nash (8-3, 0-2 UFC) Welterweights
The first move of the fight is a groin strike by Kenan. We get back to action and Kenan drops Nash with a big right hand and lands a lot of punches until Herb Dean steps in and stops it. Quick win by Kenan. Nash was out of it so much that he spent several seconds trying to take down Herb Dean while being told the fight was over. Official time of the fight was just 15 seconds.
Official Result- Song Kenan def. Bobby Nash by TKO (punches) at :15 of Round 1
> Zabit Magomedshapirov (13-1, 1-0 UFC) vs. Sheymon Moraes (9-1, 0-0 UFC) Featherweights
Magomedshapirov with some side kicks to start. Moraes with a leg kick. Magomedshapriov just misses a spin kick. Moraes with a switch kick and then a heavy leg kick. Moraes with a switch kick to the body. Magomedshapirov with a hard right hand. They trade punches. Moraes with a kick but Magomedshapirov grabs the leg and gets a takedown into full guard. Moraes able to scramble out to his feet but gives up his back. Magomedshapirov with a back suplex and he has the back and is working for a choke. They get up but go right back down and Magomedshapirov is in side control. Moraes scrambles back to half-guard but Magomedshapirov back in side control. He moves to mount. Magomedshapirov with some big elbows and Moraes survives the round. 10-9 Magomedshapirov.
Magomedshapirov just misses a 360 kick but then gets a takedown. They scramble and go back to the mat with Moraes in mount but Magomedshapirov reverses to the top. Moraes goes for an armbar but they scramble to the feet and Magomedshapirov has the back. Moraes goes for an ankle lock but eats punches. Zabit working for the choke as he has the back and is landing punches. Big punches from the back by Magomedshapirov. Big elbows and Magomedshapirov is in the mount again. Zabit passes to side control and is still landing big punches with over a minute to go in the second. More work from the top. 10-8 Magomedshapirov, 20-17 Magomedshapirov.
Magomedshapirov leg kicks Moraes out from under him and they are on the mat briefly before getting up. Moraes with a left hook and Magomedshapirov counters with a spinning back fist. Magomedshapriov grabs the back and is looking for a suplex. Zabit gets the takedown and has the back. They get to their feet. Magomedshapirov with another takedown. They get up but Magomedshapirov kicks Moraes leg to get another takedown and is in the mount. Big punches from Magomedshapirov. He grabs the neck for a choke and has an anaconda choke locked in and Moraes taps! Dominant performance by Magomedshapirov. He is already a contender at 145 pounds. Magomedshapirov suggested a fight with Yair Rodriguez in his post-fight interview.
Official Result- Zabit Magomedshapirov def. Sheymon Moraes by submission (anaconda choke) at 4:30 of Round 3
UFC FIGHT PASS MAIN CARD | 7 AM ET/4 AM PT
> Muslim Salikhov (12-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Alex Garcia (14-4, 4-3 UFC) Welterweights
Salikhov with a leg kick. Garcia goes for a takedown but it is stuffed. Garcia got the takedown despite Salikhov grabbing the fence. Garcia in the half-guard. Garcia briefly passes to side control and is looking to pass to mount. Salikhov finds an opening to scramble to his feet. Salikhov with a leg kick. Salikhov with a spin kick to the body. Salikhov with another leg kick. Garcia unable to land anything on the feet. Salikhov with a spinning back fist and he defends a takedown by Garcia. Garcia just misses a left hand but scores a takedown late in the round. He lands a couple of punches from the top. 10-9 Garcia.
Salikhov searching for head kicks early in the second. He just misses a spin kick to the body of Garcia. Garcia fakes a takedown. Salikhov with a spin kick to the head that is partially blocked. Garcia lands a big right hand. Salikhov with a right hand. Garcia misses a takedown and eats a body kick from Salikhov. Garcia shoots for another takedown and gets it. Garcia gets the back and has a choke locked in. Salikhov is in trouble and he taps! Big upset win for Garcia as he gets the submission.
Official Result- Alex Garcia def. Muslim Salikhov by submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:22 of Round 2
> Wang Guan (19-1-1, 0-0 UFC) vs. Alex Caceres (13-10 1 NC, 8-8 1 NC UFC) Featherweights
Guan with a quick right hand. Caceres with a body kick. They trade leg kicks. They clinch and Caceres lands a groin strike and we have a timeout. We get back to action and Guan with a body kick. Guan then clips Caceres with a hard elbow and Caceres is rocked. He seems to recover. They clinch and Guan with a body lock. Caceres with a left hand followed by a kick. They both land punches. Caceres with a body kick. Guan dropped Caceres late with a punch and was landing lots of punches but couldn’t get the finish as the horn sounded to end the round. Caceres got up and could barely walk back to his corner. 10-9 Guan.
Caceres still moving weird to start the second. He is still coming forward though. Caceres with a leg kick. Guan with a high kick. Guan with a hard right hand that rocks Caceres and he follows it with a body kick. Caceres kicks Guan right in the groin but he continues on quickly. Guan with a leg kick. Caceres just misses a head kick. Caceres misses a left hand and Guan grabs the back but lets go. Guan lands a big right hand. Caceres with a body kick. 10-9 Guan, 20-18 Guan.
They trade leg kicks. Guan cracks Caceres with a right hand and follows it with a leg kick. Guan drops Caceres with a right hand but Caceres quickly gets up. Caceres lands a left. Caceres misses a high kick and slips but Guan unable to capitalize. Guan with a right hand. Caceres lands a lead uppercut followed by a spin kick to the ribs. They clip each other with punches. Guan is loading up his right hand and Caceres is capitalizing on openings. Guan lands a left and gets kicked in the groin at the same time. We get back going and they trade punches at the end. 10-9 Guan, 30-27 Guan.
Official Result- Wang Guan def. Alex Caceres by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
> Li Jingliang (13-4, 5-2 UFC) vs. Zak Ottow (15-4, 2-1 UFC) Welterweights
Jingliang with a leg kick to start. Ottow just misses a head kick. They trade kicks. Ottow with a high kick that is blocked by Jingliang. Ottow with a right hook and then lands a combo. Jingliang with a right hand. Jingliang lands a combo that rocks Ottow and then drops him with a right hand. Jingliang landing big punches looking to finish. Ottow in a lot of trouble and Jingliang finishes him off! Big win for Jingliang and goes into the crowd to celebrate with his daughter.
Official Result- Li Jingliang def. Zak Ottow by TKO (punches) at 2:57 of Round 1
> Michael Bisping (#2, 30-8, 20-8 UFC) vs. Kelvin Gastelum (#9, 13-3 1 NC, 8-3 1 NC UFC) Middleweights
Gastelum with a big body kick. Bisping lands a jab followed by an overhand right. They are trading with both looking for openings. Bisping landed a good punch as he’s finding his range. Gastelum with a body kick but Bisping counters with a right hand. Gastelum then lands a big combo that drops Bisping and he is out! Gastelum with the quick finish of Bisping in the first round. Big win for Gastelum. It was a vicious left hand that knocked Bisping out.
Official Result- Kelvin Gastelum def. Michael Bisping by knockout (punch) at 2:30 of Round 1
The UFC has found a replacement for Anderson Silva ahead of their show in Shanghai, and it’s a rather unexpected one.
After Silva was pulled from his scheduled main event against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Fight Night 122 in Shanghai, China due to being flagged for a potential USADA violation, finding a suitable opponent to step in on short notice looked to be a daunting task, but Michael Bisping appears to have stepped up to the challenge.
Bisping, who just lost the middleweight championship to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 217 last Saturday, is getting right back to action after agreeing to face Gastelum. The bout was first reported by Ariel Helwani of MMA Fighting.
Bisping claimed to not have suffered much damage despite being choked out by St-Pierre in their fight, and he’ll now begin his path towards getting a rematch by taking on Gastelum, who is looking to rebound from a submission loss himself after facing Chris Weidman in July. The UFC is expected to officially announce Bisping vs. Gastelum shortly, perhaps on tonight’s UFC Fight Night 120 broadcast.
UFC Fight Night 122 will air exclusively on Fight Pass on November 25th and will mark the company’s first trip to mainland China.
Welcome to F4WOnline.com’s live coverage of UFC 217: Bisping vs. St. Pierre, emanating from Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.
The UFC returns to the Big Apple for their biggest event of the year, with three title fights, and featuring the return of arguably the greatest fighter in UFC history looking to capture gold in a second weight division.
Former UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre makes his long-awaited return to the Octagon after four years as he challenges Michael Bisping for the UFC Middleweight Championship.
The fight has been a roller coaster since first being announced in March, and at many times it looked like it wasn’t going to happen, but they will finally step across from each other tonight. St. Pierre looks to regain gold and win his 13th straight fight while Bisping looks to make his second title defense successful. Both men have vowed to retire the other.
In the co-main event, it is another long-awaited title fight as rivals and former teammates go to war. UFC Bantamweight Champion Cody Garbrandt makes his first title defense when he takes on former champion T.J. Dillashaw. They have gone back-and-forth all over the last year, and after being scheduled to fight in July only to be postponed, they finally square off.
In our third title fight, it will be UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk looking to continue her dominance at 115 pounds when she defends against Rose Namajunas. Namajunas has won four of her last five and will pose an interesting test for Jedrzejczyk, who is looking to remain undefeated and win her 15th straight fight.
Follow along with our live coverage of the event beginning at 7 p.m. Eastern time with preliminary action all the way through the main card.
We are looking for your thoughts on tonight’s event, so send a thumbs up, a thumbs down or a thumbs in the middle along with a best fight and a worst fight to Dave at [email protected].
Zahabi was on the attack early and got the clinch and landed a knee before they scrambled to the mat with Ramos on top. They scrambled a bit on the mat before getting to their feet. Ramos lands a couple of heavy leg kicks. They traded and Zahabi was looking to set up the takedown. Ramos got a brief takedown but Zahabi got up. Zahabi landed a right hand. Zahabi landed some good punches and took the back of Ramos. Zahabi tried a judo throw but Ramos reversed out and got a slam as they got to their feet before the round ended. 10-9 Ramos.
Zahabi is pressing the action but not doing much on the attack as Ramos lands a leg kick to start the second round. Zahabi landed a couple of right hands. Ramos went for a kick but it was caught by Zahabi who missed taking him down. Zahabi landed an uppercut. The pace slowed at the end as both were looking to set something big up. Zahabi landed the jab a couple of times towards the end. 10-9 Zahabi, 19-19.
They came out trading to start the third round. Zahabi applying the pressure. Zahabi landed an uppercut. Zahabi looking for a big punch. Zahabi landed another uppercut. All of a sudden Ramos landed a spinning back elbow that knocked Zahabi out cold. Wow. It came out of nowhere. One of the best knockouts of the year.
Official Result- Ricardo Ramos def. Aiemann Zahabi by knockout (spinning back elbow) at 1:58 of Round 3
> Aleksei Oleinik (#9, 52-10-1, 4-1 UFC) vs. Curtis Blaydes (#12, 7-1 1 NC, 2-1 1 NC UFC) Heavyweights
Blaydes gets a quick takedown but Oleinik is dangerous on the mat. They got back up. Oleinik landed an uppercut. They traded punches. They clinched and Oleinik landed a heavy uppercut. Oleinik landing more punches. Blaydes got a takedown. They got to their feet and traded strikes before Blaydes got another takedown and is in side control. Blaydes landed a big right hand and Oleinik landed some punches in return. They clinched and both landed uppercuts. Blaydes then droped Oleinik with a hard punch. Oleinik got back up and had Blaydes clinched against the fence. Oleinik then fell as he tried to drag Blaydes down. Blaydes landed some big right hands at the end, it was a surprise that Oleinik survived. 10-9 Blaydes.
Blaydes came out landing punches and kicks. Oleinik was landing in return but not with the volume of Blaydes. Blaydes got a big takedown and is working in the guard. Blaydes got to his feet and then landed an illegal kick as Oleinik was getting to his feet. It barely touched his ear. We have some controversy now. The fight was stopped by the doctor and the referee as Oleinik was deemed unable to continue. Blaydes is furious. We are going to instant replay to determine a decision. Blaydes was then announced as the winner. This is weird. Even Blaydes is confused.
Official Result- Curtis Blaydes def. Aleksei Oleinik by TKO (doctor stoppage) at 1:56 of Round 2
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> Randy Brown (9-2, 3-2 UFC) vs. Mickey Gall (4-0, 3-0 UFC) Welterweights
Brown landed a solid combo inside the first thirty seconds. Gall is on the retreat. Gall fired back with a big right hand. They clinched and Brown landed a hard knee to the body. Brown with another knee and then got a takedown. Brown landed some big hammerfists. Gall went for a kimura but it allowed Brown to posture back up. Brown in total control from the top but Gall is working from the bottom. Brown landing some big elbows from the top. Gall can’t get up. Brown with more hard elbows and Gall is cut open. 10-9 Brown.
Gall still bleeding pretty good to start the second. Brown landed a kick and Gall tried a takedown but ended up on the bottom but was able to reverse and is in the guard of Brown. They were scrambling on the mat and Brown may have landed an illegal upkick but they continued. Gall is in side control. Gall landing some punches as he’s trying for the mounted crucifix position. They scrambled and Gall went back into the full guard. Gall looking for a choke in side control but didn’t have it. Brown escaped but Gall got into the full mount but Brown was able to slide out from the bottom. Strong round for Gall. 10-9 Gall, 19-19.
Gall went right for a takedown but ate an uppercut from Brown on the way in and Brown started to tee off on Gall on the mat looking to finish. Gall was able to survive and recover by grabbing the neck. Gall is pouring blood. Brown landing enough punches to keep the fight down and Gall isn’t doing anything on the bottom. Brown landing more from the top inside the guard. Gall grabbing the neck and grabbed the fence and has a guillotine locked in but Brown was able to escape. Gall can’t get up from the bottom. Brown stands up and Gall follows but the fight ends with no action. 10-9 Brown, 29-28 Brown.
Official Result- Randy Brown def. Mickey Gall by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27)
NEWS: The UFC announced their schedule for the first three months of 2018. There will be nine events. It kicks off January 14 in St. Louis, Missouri. Following that will be UFC 220 in Boston, Massachusetts. Rounding out January will be a January 27 event in Charlotte, North Carolina. February has three events- February 3 in Belem, Brazil, UFC 221 on February 10 in Perth, Austraila, February 18 in Austin, Texas, and February 24 in Orlando, Florida. Two events take place in March, with UFC 222 on March 3 in Las Vegas, and an event on March 17 in London, England.
> Ovince Saint Preux (#6, 21-10, 9-5 UFC) vs. Corey Anderson (#7, 9-3, 6-3 UFC) Light Heavyweights
Saint Preux landed a hard left hand to start off. Anderson got a couple of big takedowns back-to-back inside the first minute and has the back. They got back to their feet and Anderson is working hard to get another takedown. Anderson was landing punches as Saint Preux was back up and Anderson went for another takedown against the fence. Anderson with a spinning elbow and back to work for the takedown. They broke the clinch and back to the center. Saint Preux with a knee to the body as he stuffs a takedown attempt. Saint Preux with a late flurry that drops Anderson. 10-9 Anderson.
Saint Preux with a big head kick to start the second and Anderson is in trouble. Anderson got a quick timeout as he lost his mountpiece and it allowed Anderson to recover. Anderson working for a takedown. They broke and Anderson went right back working for another takedown. They broke away again. Anderson attempts another takedown and finishes it this time. Anderson gets to the back. They get to their feet. Anderson drags the fight back to the mat and Anderson is landing punches but they get back up. Slower pace at the end. 10-9 Anderson, 20-18 Anderson.
Anderson went for a takedown but it was defended though he landed a right hand on the break. Anderson lands a right hand followed by a left. Saint Preux then knocked Anderson out cold with a head kick out of nowhere. That is a comeback win there and we have another contender for a bonus. That was nasty. OSP called for a fight with Ilir Latifi next on December 30.
Official Result- Ovince Saint Preux def. Corey Anderson by knockout (head kick) at 1:25 of Round 3
> Walt Harris (10-6, 3-5 UFC) vs. Mark Godbeer (12-3, 1-1 UFC) Heavyweights
Harris coming out firing with some kicks. They trade punches. Harris with a grazing head kick. They are both throwing with lots of power. Harris gets a takedown into side control and goes right to mount and landed some big punches. Harris working inside the full guard. They trade punches on the mat, Harris with more power being he’s on top. Harris with heavy left hands inside the guard. Godbeer able to get to his feet but eats some knees to the body before they break. Harris with a left hand and Godbeer with a body kick. Harris landed a low blow and the referee called timeout and Harris landed a head kick after timeout was called. That seemed blatant and is definitely a foul. The fight is stopped as Godbeer is unable to continue. This should be a disqualification win for Godbeer.
Official Result- Mark Godbeer def. Walt Harris by disqualification (illegal kick) at 4:25 of Round 1
> James Vick (11-1, 7-1 UFC) vs. Joseph Duffy (16-2, 4-1 UFC) Lightweights
They were throwing feints early. Vick landed a body kick but got tripped up as Duffy grabbed his leg. Duffy with the pressure. Duffy lands some punches but Vick counters with a straight right hand followed by an uppercut. Duffy lands a right hand. Duffy landing the jab. Duffy grabs the leg on a kick and gets a takedown. Duffy trips Vick on an inside leg kick. Duffy with a right hand to the body. Vick just misses a head kick. Duffy lands a right hand and scores a takedown. Vick grabs the neck. They each land in the final seconds of the round. 10-9 Duffy.
Duffy with a body kick to start the second round. Duffy with a head kick. He’s able to keep away from Vick’s attacks, which is good with Vick’s reach advantage. Vick lands a left hand after ducking under a right hand. Vick lands the jab and a leg kick. Neither man unable to get a big advantage over the other but both landing. Vick just misses a head kick. More methodical pace to this round. Vick lands a head kick after hurting Duffy with a low kick. Vick then drops Duffy with a right uppercut and starts landing punches and finishes him right before the horn to end the round. Wow. Big win for James Vick. Vick calls for a main event spot on the February UFC event in Austin.
Official Result- James Vick def. Joseph Duffy by TKO (punches) at 4:59 of Round 2
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> Johny Hendricks (18-7, 13-7 UFC) vs. Paulo Costa (10-0, 2-0 UFC) Middleweights
Costa with a leg kick and then a big body kick. Costa with another body kick. Hendricks with a leg kick. Hendricks went for a takedown but Costa broke the clinch with a knee. Costa misses a spinning head kick. Costa with a body kick and Hendricks lands a left hand. Costa controlling the Octagon and lands a right hand. Hendricks with a leg kick following a combo. Coata with a knee to the body. Hendricks lands two left hands followed by a leg kick. Costa misses again on a spinning head kick. Costa with a big knee and a body kick at the end. 10-9 Costa.
We have an eye poke to start the round and a quick timeout but back to action quickly. Costa hurts Hendricks with a head kick and is teeing off with punches. Costa with a head kick and then another. Costa with a right hand and Hendricks is in trouble. Costa with an uppercut and more punches on the ground as Hendricks was going for a takedown and the fight is stopped. Costa with the big win.
Official Result- Paulo Costa def. Johny Hendricks by TKO (punches) at 1:23 of Round 2
> Stephen Thompson (#2, 13-2-1, 8-2-1 UFC) vs. Jorge Masvidal (#4, 32-12, 9-5 UFC) Welterweights
Thompson looking for leg kicks early. Both being patient. Masvidal with a body kick. Thompson with a side head kick. Masvidal with a leg kick and Thompson fires back with a combo. They are both looking for openings but not much is there. Masvidal with a body kick. Thompson lands a right hand. Thompson with a front leg side kick to the body that drops Masvidal. Masvidal with a leg kick and Thompson fires back with a left hand. Thompson with another straight left hand. 10-9 Thompson.
Thompson with a front leg side kick to the head. Masvidal then landed a good combo of punches against the fence. Thompson knocks Masvidal down with a right hand. Masvidal gets up. Both men being patient. Thompson lands a left hand. Masvidal has been unable to get inside the range of Thompson. Masvidal clipped Thompson with a left hook. 10-9 Thompson, 20-18 Thompson.
Masvidal went for a takedown against the fence but it was defended. He needs to win this round. Thompson lands a good combination. Thompson with another good combo and just misses a wheel kick to the head. Masvidal with a body kick and Thompson counters with a side kick to the body. They traded right hands. Thompson lands a good series of punches. Thompson is cut underneath his eye. Thompson with a good combo of punches. Thompson with a right hand. They trade punches at the end of the fight. 10-9 Thompson, 30-27 Thompson.
Official Result- Stephen Thompson def. Jorge Masvidal by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
> Joanna Jedrzejczyk (C, 14-0, 8-0 UFC) vs. Rose Namajunas (#4, 6-3, 4-2 UFC) UFC Women’s Strawweight Championship
Intense stare down. Both ladies land early. Jedrzejczyk with a combo and a leg kick. Namajunas knocks Jedrzejczyk down with a big right hand. Namajunas gets the mount then has the back but lets Joanna up. Namajunas with a right hand. Namajunas then drops Jedrzejczyk with a left hand and then finishes her off. WOW. This is a huge upset. Namajunas is the new champion. Jedrzejczyk also tapped out due to the strikes.
Official Result- Rose Namajunas def. Joanna Jedrzejczyk by knockout (punches) at 3:03 of Round 1, Namajunas becomes the new UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion
No glove touch here either. Garbrandt looking for a heavy right hand early as Dillashaw works his movement. Garbandt just misses a body kick. Dillashaw missing on his leg kick attempts. Garbrandt lands a combo on Dillashaw. Wild flurry from both. Garbrandt lands a right hand and then a combo. Garbrandt with some body punches. Dillashaw just misses a head kick. Dillashaw landed a big right hand. Garbrandt dropped Dillashaw with a right hand with just five seconds left. Dillashaw stumbled to his corner and is in trouble. Garbrandt shot him the finger and told him he’s number one. 10-9 Garbrandt.
Dillashaw misses a head kick and Garbrandt taunts him over it. Dillashaw then knocked Garbrandt down with a head kick but Garbrandt got back up. Garbrandt seems okay after the knockdown. Dillashaw then rocks and drops Garbrandt down with a right hand and finishes him! Dillashaw is once again the champion at 135 pounds. Another upset on this card.
Official Result- TJ Dillashaw def. Cody Garbrandt by knockout (punches) at 2:41 of Round 2, Dillashaw becomes the new UFC Bantamweight Champion
> Michael Bisping (C, 30-7, 20-7 UFC) vs. Georges St. Pierre (25-2, 19-2 UFC) UFC Middleweight Championship
They touched gloves! Both men patient in the opening thirty seconds. St. Pierre lands a right hand. He lands the jab. Bisping missing his punches. St. Pierre with a roundhouse kick. Bisping lands a right hand. St. Pierre with a leg kick followed by a right hand then rocks Bisping with a jab but Bisping fires back with a right hand. St. Pierre gets a takedown. Bisping tried to grab the fence to block it. They got back up. St. Pierre with a Superman punch that rocks Bisping and just misses a spin kick. 10-9 St. Pierre.
Bisping unable to establish his range and is fighting conservative. St. Pierre lands a left hand. Bisping misses a right hand. Bisping with an inside leg kick. St. Pierre with a side kick. St. Pierre with a body kick. Bisping lands a right hand. St. Pierre with the double jab and gets the takedown. St. Pierre in half-guard. Bisping tried to grab the shorts of GSP to get up. They got to their feet. Bisping with a right hand. Bisping with a jumping head kick. St. Pierre with a body kick. 10-9 Bisping, 19-19.
St. Pierre gets a takedown to start the third. Bisping has St. Pierre in his full guard. St. Pierre is cut open. Both men landing strikes on the mat. They get back to their feet and GSP is a bloody mess. Bisping lands a right hand. GSP lands a couple of overhand rights. St. Pierre with a side kick to the body. St. Pierre drops Bisping with a left hand and is dropping elbows and has Bisping in a lot of trouble. GSP looking for the fnish and grabs the back and locks in a rear-naked choke. It is in deep and Bisping is out! GSP has choked Bisping unconscious. GSP wins in his return. We have a new champion.
Official Result- Georges St. Pierre def. Michael Bisping by submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:23 of Round 3, St. Pierre becomes the new UFC Middleweight Champion
UFC 217 is a big one Saturday night as UFC returns to New York City’s Madison Square Garden with a main event of middleweight champion Michael Bisping vs. former welterweight champion Georges St-Pierre, returning to action in a new weight class after four years of inactivity.
In the night’s co-main event, heated rivals Cody Garbrandt and TJ Dillashaw will meet for Garbrandt’s bantamweight title while women’s strawweight champ Joanna Jedrzejczyk puts her title up against Rose Namajunas.
In another key main card fight, Stephen Thompson, fresh off two unsuccessful title challenges against Tyron Woodley, squares off with Jorge Masvidal in a pivotal welterweight matchup.
The last fight our panel will be picking a winner for is the featured FS1 prelim bout between lightweights James Vick and “Irish” Joe Duffy.
If you’re new here, our panel picks are listed below and listed alongside the fighter’s names are their worldwide FightMatrix rankings, as well as BestFightOdds.com betting odds. The panelist’s 2017 records is in parentheses in addition to panel consensus picks as well as a line where we show how the betting favorites did:
Dave Meltzer (49-21; .700) — Wrestling Observer publisher
Tom Lawlor (21-11; .636) – Co-host Filthy Four Daily; pro wrestling undercard fighter; UFC enhancement talent currently suspended due to wellness violation
Mike Sempervive (44-26; .629) — Wrestling Observer Live and Big Audio Nightmare co-host
Steve Juon (44-26; .629) — MMA Mania writer, Angry Marks publisher
Mike Sawyer (44-26; .629) — Tough Talk MMA publisher
Ryan Frederick (40-30; .571) — WrestlingObserver.com UFC writer
Paul Fontaine (38-32; .543) — MMADraws.com publisher, WrestlingObserver.com writer
Front Row Brian (38-32; .543) — MMA newsbreaker, beloved internet personality, podcast host
> UFC Middlweight Champion Michael Bisping (30-7) vs Georges St Pierre (25-2)
Most of the focus has been on the return of GSP after a long layoff. Since being beaten by Matt Serra in one of the greatest upsets of all time, he hasn’t lost in over 10 years. We last saw him edge out Johny Hendricks by decision at UFC 167 (2013), a controversial result that was followed up by him feuding with Dana White over his announcement of taking time off.
He’s also never faced anyone even close to the size of Bisping, who won The Ultimate Fighter and several UFC bouts at light heavyweight. Bisping has won five straight en route, including wins over former champs Anderson Silva and Luke Rockhold as well as the legendary Dan Henderson in his last title defense.
The big question: can GSP’s wrestling ability and presumed speed advantage overcome the speed and boxing ability of Bisping? The other big question for those interested in UFC business is whether lapsed fans will return to see the former face of the sport in GSP. We shall soon find out.
Garbrandt stormed his way into the title scene with three straight first round KOs before completely dominating Dominick Cruz to capture the title last December. This set up a fight with longtime rival and former training partner Dillashaw, a fight originally scheduled to happen this summer before a Garbrandt back injury postponed it.
Dillashaw is a former bantamweight champion with two title defenses before he dropped it to Cruz in January 2017. White wanted him to drop down to flyweight earlier this year to challenge Demetrious Johnson, but Johnson refused, causing a bit of a public argument between the champ and his boss.
The winner will likely face the winner of Cruz and Jimmie Rivera (December fight) as their next challenger.
> UFC Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk (14-0) vs Rose Namajunas (6-3)
While a win will give Joanna Champion a tie with Ronda Rousey for the most title defenses by a female UFC fighter, she is also fast approaching the men’s consecutive title defense record that was just set by the aforementioned Johnson. Should she emerge victorious on Saturday, it will be her seventh straight win in a title fight and sixth defense of her belt.
Since losing her first title challenge to Carla Esparza at the TUF 20 finale, “Thug Rose” has won four of her last five fights, including three by submission, to get another crack at the title. Most feel she will be outmatched in this one, but she has been proving people wrong for most of her career and hopes to do so again on Saturday.
Stephen Thompson (13-2-1) vs Jorge Masvidal (32-12) WELTERWEIGHTS
Thompson is fresh off 10 rounds of mostly razor-thin action with current champion Tyron Woodley. However, the last fight in particular was not something anyone is particularly interested in seeing again as they had one of the most poorly received title fights in history. An exciting win on a big stage here would go a long way to rehabbing his image in the eyes of fans.
Since moving to welterweight, Masvidal is just 3-2 but does have wins over Donald Cerrone and Jake Ellenberger. His last fight was a close split decision to Demian Maia so he’s very close to title contention. If he wins here, fans will be clamoring for him to get a title shot but he’d probably need one more quality win to earn it.
> James Vick (11-1) vs Joe Duffy (16-2) LIGHTWEIGHTS
Vick has fought most of his career bouts in UFC with a loss to the very tough Beneil Dariush being the only blemish on his record. He very nearly won the TUF 15 competition, losing to eventual champ Mike Chiesa after three prelim wins.
Signed to a new deal, Duffy is famously one of the only fighters to ever beat current divisional champ Conor McGregor. The Irish-born fighter has won four of his five UFC fights including three in the first round. His only loss was to hard-hitting Dustin Poirier in his toughest UFC matchup to date.
In a crowded division of contenders, neither of these two are getting a title shot any time soon but more high-profile fights will come for the winner of this one.
> Johny Hendricks (18-7) vs Paulo Henrique da Costa (10-0) — Main Card MIDDLEWEIGHTS
Hendricks #20; +248 betting underdog
Costa #65; -270 betting favorite
> Mark Godbeer (12-3) vs Walt Harris (10-6) HEAVYWEIGHTS
Godbeer #71; +310 betting underdog
Harris #48; -340 betting favorite
> Ovince St Preux (21-10) vs Corey Anderson (9-3) LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHTS
St Preux #11; -141 betting favorite
Anderson #15; +130 betting underdog
> Mickey Gall (4-0) vs Randy Brown (9-2) WELTERWEIGHTS
Gall #212; -105 betting favorite
Brown #123; +105 betting underdog
> Curtis Blaydes (7-1) vs Oleksiy Oliynyk (55-10-1) HEAVYWEIGHTS
Blaydes #32; -330 betting favorite
Oliynyk #10; +300 betting underdog
Aiemann Zahabi (7-0) vs Ricardo Ramos (10-1) BANTAMWEIGHTS
Zahabi #117; +185 betting underdog
Ramos #54; -185 betting favorite
Action begins with the Fight Pass prelims at 6:30 PM EST and moves over to FS1 at 8 PM EST. The main card airs on PPV at 10 PM EST, and our own Ryan Frederick will have play by play coverage of the show.
Josh Nason’s Punch-Out returns this week with a show centered around Saturday’s UFC 217 and some of the questions we all hope to have answered coming out of it
Joining yours truly this week is first-time guest Ryan McKinnell of SiriusXM Rush 93, FanSided, Yahoo, and SI.com.
A few of the topics on the board:
– Ryan goes into his background and how he got to SiriusXM where he hosts the UFC 217 pre and post show this Saturday
– Whether he believes the talk about Georges St-Pierre’s relevancy going into this event is misguided or legit
– Some rants and raves about Jorge Masvidal’s gay slur to Michael Bisping and fighter talk in general
– Thoughts on the show as a whole and what we’re looking forward to, especially Cody Garbrandt vs. TJ Dillashaw
– Who we think will hold the keys to the future of the welterweight division
Even though they aren’t fighting at Saturday’s UFC 217, middleweight champion Michael Bisping and welterweight contender Jorge Masvidal got into a verbal confrontation waiting for elevators, marred by a gay slur uttered by Masvidal.
Captured on video below, you’ll see the two arguing profanely back and forth with Bisping saying Masvidal is “trash” and that he’ll lose Saturday. Masvidal responds in kind and as Bisping gets onto the elevator, you hear Masvidal clearly say “f*ggot” to him.
The two have had heat stemming from a confrontation prior to UFC 213 earlier this year.
This comes a day after UFC lightweight champion Conor McGregor apologized for his own gay slur slip up after teammate Artem Lobov lost at UFC Gdasnk and just over a month after heavyweight contender Fabricio Werdum apologized for a similar comment to now-interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson at a press event.
On Saturday in New York City, Bisping is scheduled to defend the title against the returning Georges St. Pierre in the main event while Masvidal is scheduled to face Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson on the main card.
Dana White said tonight that after Georges St-Pierre said he would be ready to fight Michael Bisping in November, that the plans for what was the biggest fight on the books for this year are off.
“I made this GSP fight, we did a press conference, the thing was supposed to happen in July,” said White on the UFC Fight Week television show that airs on Fox Sports in Australia. “Michael Bisping is going to have to defend his title now. We’re not waiting for GSP.”
White said that Bisping would instead be defending his middleweight title against former Olympic wrestling medalist Yoel Romero, who has been considered the top contender since he defeated Chris Weidman in Madison Square Garden in November.
St-Pierre, the greatest welterweight champion in UFC history, vacated the title at the end of 2013 and hasn’t fought since. He talked in early 2016 about wanting to come back, but attempts to put together a deal sputtered due to St-Pierre’s demands because he was used to making so much for sponsorships that UFC’s deal with Reebok wouldn’t allow. It wasn’t until early this year that St-Pierre agreed to terms, and to an opponent, Bisping.
UFC was attempting to make the fight on July 8th, as the main event for the International Fight Week show at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. But St-Pierre would never commit to the date.
The entire middleweight division was unhappy when St-Pierre released a statement five days ago, saying he’d be ready for Bisping after the end of October. A few weeks ago, when it seemed clear he wasn’t going to agree to fight on that date, Bisping spoke of it happening in the fall and seemed willing to wait.
“(Yoel) doesn’t need to voice his opinion on why he needs a title shot,” said White. “He definitely deserves a title shot. He’s next in line. He’s the No. 1 ranked guy in the world.”
“Georges St-Pierre is saying he will not be ready to compete now until November,” said White. “Who knows if that’s even the case. It could be next year. So we’re not waiting for Georges St-Pierre anymore. We’re moving on with the division, and Yoel Romero will get the next shot.”
It took long enough, but the UFC and future Hall-of-Famer Georges St. Pierre finally came to terms on a new contract and already have his first fight booked: a middleweight title shot against champion Michael Bisping at some point in 2017.
Even without a venue or a date, the two will have their first press conference to begin building the fight Friday at 5 PM EST.
St. Pierre will be 36 when he steps into the Octagon for the first time in more than three years, a long layoff that included recovery from an ACL tear. He is getting the shot despite never having fought at 185 pounds and with several challengers waiting for Bisping.
Bisping is coming off the best year of his long career, having bested Anderson Silva, Dan Henderson and Luke Rockhold, the latter in a shocking upset for the belt. He has been trying to make this fight since GSP announced he wanted to return. While many assumed this fight would be in Toronto this past December, the negotiations to make it happen fell through.
Speculation is the bout will take place as part of International Fight Week this July in Las Vegas, NV.
While an exact date for the fight hasn’t yet been determined, Georges St-Pierre has an opponent for his UFC return.
Dana White appeared on ESPN’s SportsCenter on Wednesday afternoon to announce that St-Pierre will challenge for Michael Bisping’s middleweight championship upon his return. Though neither a date nor a venue have officially been announced, White said that GSP vs. Bisping will take place in the second half of 2017.
White also noted that there would be a press conference with GSP and Bisping on Friday in Las Vegas.
The fight will be St-Pierre’s first since November 16th, 2013, where he picked up a controversial split-decision win against Johny Hendricks to retain the welterweight title. GSP will debut at middleweight against Bisping after White previously said that welterweight, middleweight, and even lightweight were all in play.
Yoel Romero had been thought to be Bisping’s next challenger, with the two seemingly constantly engaged in a war of words over the last several weeks. But Bisping had maintained that it wasn’t definitive that he would face Romero next and said that he wanted the biggest money fight possible.
You know it’s an incredible year in MMA when you have several fighters over several promotions making a real case to cement their status as Fighter Of The Year.
While many had the resume to make the cut, narrowing it down to just five will leave some overlooked. From Joanna Jedrzejczyk to Michael Chandler to Tyron Woodley to Donald Cerron and so many more, there were plenty of contenders to make this year’s list.
Regardless, here are my top five MMA fighters for the year that was 2016 — all of which happen to reside in the UFC.
5) Michael Bisping
The Count had an incredible 2016 as the UFC veteran finally captured gold when he won the middleweight title in June at UFC 199 when he knocked out Luke Rockhold in less than one round.
It was the middle of three wins this year, putting Bisping at the top of a tough division. He started the year off by taking on arguably the greatest fighter in the history of the sport, Anderson Silva, in a fight many fans had been anticipating for years. It was a great back-and-forth battle, but one that was not without controversy. In the end, Bisping took home the unanimous decision.
The win over Rockhold was the most impressive as not only did he avenge an earlier loss in his career, but he did it on just two weeks notice. Bisping ended the year with a unanimous decision win in his first title defense, avenging another loss on his record when he defeated Dan Henderson in October.
Bisping had a great year, but the two decision wins over opponents who have seen their best days go by keep him from making him #1.
4) Amanda Nunes
Nunes capped off an incredible 2016 last Friday with the biggest win of her career.
Nunes began her fight year in March as she defeated Valentina Shevchenko at UFC 196 to earn a bantamweight title shot, a shot in what turned out to be the main event of July’s UFC 200 in July against then-champion Miesha Tate. Nunes made it look easy as she ran right through Tate, submitting her in the first round to become the new champ.
She then defended the title for the first time in one of the biggest fights of the year as she welcomed Ronda Rousey back to the Octagon at UFC 207. In wasn’t really as much of an upset as some people thought, Nunes made quick work of Rousey, dispatching the former champion in just 48 seconds with a barrage of strikes.
Nunes went 3-0 in 2016, capped with two first-round finishes, and enters 2017 with the entire division gunning for her.
3) Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor is the only man to make my top five who suffered a loss, but he also was the first fighter to consecutively hold two UFC titles at the same time.
Then-featherweight champion, McGregor expected to challenge Rafael Dos Anjos for the lightweight belt in March, but an injury forced Dos Anjos out. In stepped Nate Diaz on 12 days notice, and they agreed to fight at welterweight. McGregor was moving up two weight classes at the time, and it didn’t work out all that well as Diaz submitted him in the second round at UFC 196.
Obsessed with wanting a rematch, the two squared off again at UFC 202 in August, and again at 170 pounds. In one of the best fights of 2016, McGregor and Diaz went to war again, and McGregor escaped with a close majority decision.
McGregor then set his sights back on the lightweight title and challenged Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in November. He made it look easy, scoring a TKO in the second round to become the new champion, becoming the first fighter to hold championships in two weight classes at the same time.
All three of the events headlined by McGregor ended up in the top four of most-purchased UFC pay-per-view events for the year.
While McGregor ended the year only holding one title after “relinquishing” the featherweight title, there is no doubt that 2016 was truly a transcendent year for the biggest star in mixed martial arts.
2) Stipe Miocic
Stipe Miocic started his 2016 fighting on the first event of the year in search of an elusive title shot, and ended the year as the most dominant heavyweight in the world.
Miocic earned his title shot at UFC 195 in January as he knocked out former champion Andrei Arlovski in just 54 seconds.
Miocic would head into enemy territory in Brazil to challenge UFC Heavyweight Champion Fabricio Werdum at UFC 198 in May. It was a successful night in Curitiba as Miocic scored another first-round knockout to win the gold and establish himself as the man to beat in the heavyweight division.
Miocic followed that up with his first title defense as the Octagon debuted in his hometown of Cleveland. He defended against Alistair Overeem, and after weathering an early storm from Overeem, he came back to win again by first-round knockout.
Miocic ends the year with three first-round knockouts over top-five opponents, and he goes into 2017 as the man at heavyweight.
1) Cody Garbrandt
Garbrandt locked himself as the 2016’s best fighter with an incredible performance at Friday’s UFC 207 and heads into 2017 as an undefeated UFC bantamweight champion — incredible to see considering Garbrandt came into the year unranked.
He started his climb up the ladder in February with a first-round knockout of Augusto Mendes. That led Garbrandt to his first main event in May as he took on another undefeated prospect in Thomas Almeida. That fight ended with Garbrandt scoring another first-round knockout, cementing his prospect status.
With another first-round knockout win, this time over veteran Takeya Mizugaki, Garbrandt went from prospect to title challenger and got the nod to face Dominick Cruz for the belt at UFC 207.
Garbrandt beat Cruz at his own game, and had a star-making peformance in winning the title by unanimous decision, handing Cruz his first loss since 2007.
With three first-round knockouts and going from unranked to champion in just over ten months, Garbrandt has established himself as a force at 135 pounds, capping off an incredible 2016.
In the ongoing ‘will he or won’t he’ story of Georges St. Pierre resuming his UFC career, the answer for now is still no according to GSP himself.
The former UFC welterweight champion released a short video on Twitter Wednesday where he addressed UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping’s recent tweets openly asking for the fight.
St-Pierre said nothing would make him happier than to fight Bisping at December’s UFC 206 in Toronto, CA, and that he met with new UFC head honcho Ari Emanuel and Dana White last week. While he said he made peace with White, nothing was resolved so for now, the fight isn’t happening but that “hopefully, things will change soon.”
The 35-year-old GSP has been out of the sport since a controversial split decision win over Johny Hendricks at UFC 167 in November 2013. A bit of a public feud with management ensued after he alluded to retirement and didn’t give White or then-UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta a heads-up about the decision.
St-Pierre had made rumblings about returning to the UFC this year, but White was very non-committal in interviews about the possibility of him coming back, often saying it simply wasn’t going to happen because GSP didn’t want to come back.
The prevailing thought is that St-Pierre’s deal with Under Armour is conflicting with the UFC’s exclusive Reebok deal, raising contractual issues over compensation. Recently, St-Pierre told Ariel Helwani he was a free agent due to a contract clause, but the UFC shot that down the next day.
The strange story of a super-popular former UFC champion on the outside looking in will continue.
It’s midnight here in Manchester and we are live from cageside. It’s taken them thirteen years but finally the UFC have made British fans stay up all night to watch live action. You may think I’m annoyed but this actually saves me buying a hotel room so I’m a-ok with working to Zuffa o’clock! Plus it gave me a chance to check out today’s What Culture Pro-Wrestling show – which from what I saw was a lot of fun.
In the main event Michael Bisping defends his newly win middleweight title against Dan Henderson. I think the true brilliance of this fight has been lost by the predominately American media. Yes, Dan Henderson ending his career by winning the title at tender age of 46 years old would be an absolutely amazing story but Bisping finally get his hands on Henderson will also be a terrific story. That devastating two-punck knockout defeat at UFC 100 did lasting damage to Bisping’s career.
Not only did it prevent him getting a title shot when British MMA was at its hottest but it made him far more risk adverse in the Octagon. He would let fights drift rather than take risks to truly hurt his opponents – a failing that would cost him dearly against Wanderlei Silva. It’s only as he’s became more aggressive that he’s started to show fans what he can do. Until recently Bisping wouldn’t have sufficiently pushed the action against Anderson Silva to earn the decision, nor would he have had the killer instinct to finish Luke Rockhold.
Below the first lineal (as opposed to an interim) championship match on British soil since 2008 we have Gegard Mousasi being given the chance to annihilate the fighter formerly known as The New Vitor Belfort while Jimmi Manuwa faces Ovince St. Preux in the biggest fight of his career. Below that its very much a typical British card with local and European fighters such as Stefan Struve and Brad Pickett in winnable matches.
> Leonardo Santos def. Adriano Martins by split decision (29-28 x 2, 28-29) Lightweights
This lightweight bout is the only one to not feature a single British or European fighter, with two Brazilian lightweights meeting. One predictable consequence of the late start-time is that the arena is packed for the first prelim, with there being barely any empty seats. I don’t what tonight’s arranagements are but I remember when I went to Carl Froch fight Andre Dirrell in the middle of the night, the arena demanded that everyone be in the arena for 11pm with no readmission allowed. God, they made us watch some awful fights that night.
Round One
Nothing much connected in the first round despite both men looking to throw, much to the annoyance of the crowd who quickly started whistling. It was a lot of circling around the Octagon, with neither man showing much ring intelligence as they one-dimensionally ran after each other. Santos probably did enough to earn the round but really you could score it either way given how little actually happened. 10-9 to Santos.
Round Two
Santos begins the round looking for a kick to the body. Martins coming forward but Santos lands a strong kick to the body. Santos misses with a high kick, and Martins lands a couple of kicks to the thigh in response. Martins blocks a high kick from Santos, as the crowd once again get irritated. Santos is the aggressor but he’s really not doing that much. Martins lands a leg-kick. Santos with a kick to the mid-section followed by a jab. Santos goes for a cross but Martins’ blocks. Neither man is really trying to put genuine combinations together which is making it easy to miss.
Santos land a decent high kick. Martins misses with a wild punch and then finds his kick to the body dropped. Santos lands a kick to the body but almost leaves his chin exposes, only just leaning back enough to avoid Martins’ punch. Both men miss shots, only for Santos to cleanly land a high kick. Fans again boo the fight but that was a marginally better than the first round. That was also more clearly for Santos, who now leads 20-18 on my scorecard.
Round Three
Both swinging and missing to begin the final round. Santos connects with a nice leg-kick. Santos connecting with the jab. Martins responds with a leg kick. Fans are once again getting bored of this fight. Santos has the first takedown attempt of the fight but its comfortably blocked. Santos lands a couple of punches. Martins at best grazes Santos with a straight punch. Martins trying to push Santos up against the cage, and actually connects with a couple of punches.
Martins has probably pushed the action more than Santos this round. He lands two good leg-kicks, as he does a good job of controlling the centre of the Octagon. Again Martins force Santos to circle along the Octagon wall, with the leg-kicks having clearly hurt Santos. Santos has been cut from one of Martins’ punches…and for a brief second it looks like there’s a chance of a finish. But Santos manages to ride out the clock.
That was definitively Martins’ round, with the last couple of minutes the first example of someone actually using superior footwork to control the fight.
However I have it 29-28 to Santos – although the first round had so little action it really could be judged either way. And the judges have it…as split decision for Leonardo Santos. A perfectly fair decision but by no means was that a good fight. The crowd boo Santos – I think we can say we’re going to have a rowdy crowd tonight. Can’t think what substance may be contributing to that.
> Mike Perry def. Danny Roberts by 3rd round TKO (4:40) Welterweights
Round One
A thunderous reaction for both fighters, with the partisan crowd buying into the British vs. American clash. Roberts goes low and then high with kicks to start. Perry chases him down and lands a low kick of his own. Both men exchange low kicks. Perry seemingly woke Roberts up, with the Brit landing two heavy punches.
Roberts doing well, including landing a Muay Thai knee to the head. Roberts still pushing the action, only to get caught by Perry. Perry follows up with a couple more punches to the head, rocking Roberts. Perry pushes the dazed Brit to the floor. Perry controlling Roberts on the ground, but despite giving up his back, Roberts manages to escape and make it back to his feet. Both men throwing and missing. Roberts connects with a couple of kicks but its Perry who finishes the round the stronger and comes very close to finishing the Brit.
Once again he connects with several punches and forces Roberts to the ground. He is trying to work his ground and pound, when the bell goes. Perry’s round – I suppose there’s an argument for 10-8 but I think Roberts’ probably did enough to keep it 10-9.
Round Two
The near-finish hasn’t dented Roberts’ natural aggression, with him still swinging for the fences against the American. Neither man is connecting with much compared to the first round – with Roberts noticeably missing with some wild kicks. Perry is trying to take control of the centre of the Octagon, but Roberts lands a nice straight jab. Perry connects with some good short punches in the clinch. Roberts misses with another Thai knee.
Perry tries to work over Roberts up against the fence, but Robert bulls his way out of it with a takedown attempt. Perry comes close with a right hand-left hand combination. Perry seems to be tiring, keeping his hands by his sides as Roberts lands several punches to the jaw. Perry seems absolutely exhausted and Roberts is literally landing punches at will. But the American has a granite jaw – never seeming in danger of being knocked down.
Then suddenly Perry lands a counter, knocks Roberts down, and is working over the Brit on the ground as the fight comes to an end. Great round. No idea how you score that – on balance I would probably say Perry did the most damage but Roberts more than played his part. He is however down 20-18 on my scorecard.
Round Three
The third round picks up where the last one left off. Perry works over Roberts up against the fence, but Roberts manages to get out. There’s an electric atmosphere for this fight. Perry looks very tired. Roberts lands a couple of good punches and goes close with a right-left. Perry is pushing forward but Roberts doing a good job of evading.
Roberts staggers Perry as the American tried to walk him down – landing a straight punch square on the jaw. Perry is a tough competitor – he has taken some real hard shots in this fight and has barely flinched. Perry blocks a high kick and threatens with a cartwheel kick! Roberts lands a head-kick square to the jaw that doesn’t faze Perry in the slightest. Roberts is bleeding badly from the left eye. Perry sneaks in some good punches when countering the increasing wild crosses of the Brit.
Roberts is starting to tire. They exchange up against the fence. Perry stuns Roberts with a knee to the head, Roberts staggers back, Perry lands a good punch, pushes him down, and then finishes the fight on the ground. Great fight – the fans loved that just as much as they hated the first one.
FOX SPORTS 1 PRELIMS —
> Marc Diakiese defeated Lukasz Sajewski by 2nd round TKO (4:21) Lightweights
Round One
Diakiese is a genuine hometown fighter – hailing from Manchester itself. As you would expect strongly partisan reaction to the two fighters whose names are a livebloggers nightmare. Diakiese immediately tries to engage with Sajewski but it’s the Pole who wins the grappling tussel. Sajewski has side-control, much to annoyance of the fans. Diakiese manages to move back to half-guard but Sajewski is looking for the armbar.
Sajewski trying to throw elbows on the ground. Diakiese gets back to his feet, Sajewski going for the guillotine choke and Diakiese just dumps to the ground. That’s as near as you’re going to see to a body slam in UFC. Great spot. Diakiese tries to press the advantage but Sajewski manages to escape. The Pole takes the Brit down again. Sajewski quickly moves to half guard. Diakiese manages to roll through and briefly threaten with a knee-bar.
Back on the feet and Diakiese is looking to strike, landing some kicks that Sajewski manages to block. The Pole ties him up again against the fence as the buzzer sounds. Well there was only one winner of that round, no matter how awesome the slam was. 10-9 to Sajewski despite the oddly one-eyed highlights shown on the big screen that focus on what Diakiese did.
Round Two
Diakiese tries to push the action to begin with, connecting with an overhand punch. He connects with some good short punches and is looking to work Sajewski up against the cage. Diakiese doing a better job of not overcommitting this round, so making him less vunerable to the takedown. He lands a great jumping knee to the Pole’s jaw. Sajewski is clearly a fairly limited fighter on the feet, with Diakiese’s offnce being far crisper.
Sajewski makes a half-hearted attempt for the takedown but Diakiese is equal to it. Diakiese looking to land, misses with a wild cross. Both men seemed to have slowed down. Diakiese working over Sajewski up against the fence – landing some good straight punches. Sajewski tries to lunge after Diakiese, a reckless mistake that once again leaves up against the fence.
Diakiese unloads on the Pole, landing punch after punch, to an opponent that whilst he doesn’t seem in any danger of falling down, clearly isn’t defending himself. After standing up to numerous punches, when Sajewski legs momentarily buckle, the referee steps in to call it a night. Good victory for the hometown fighter.
> Leon Edwards def. Albert Tumenov by 3rd round submission (3:01) Welterweights
Round One
Edwards with a kick the body. And another. Edwards throwing the jab to keep distance. Tumenov not really doing anything so far. Edwards tries to land some punches but Tumenov does a good evasive job. Edwards somehow manages to take Tumenov down with a sloppy, lunging takedown. Edwards in half guard but not really doing anything from top position. Might be working for an arm-in-triangle choke. Moves to side-control.
Tumenov briefly threatens to get up but Edwards takes him down again. Tumenov tries to get back, but Edwards holds him up against the cage. Tumenov on his knees, with Edwards on his back, but nothing is happening. Despite the Brit winning the fans patience is being sorely tested. Not enough to boo the fight though. Edwards round 10-9.
Round Two
A very different round to the first one with most of the action taking place on the feet. Edwards tried to push the action to begin with but it certainly seemed that Tumenov was the person getting the better of the exchanges. It would be fair to say that this fight hasn’t exactly caught fire. Still its pretty funny to see how much more tolerant the crowd is of a British fighter stinking the joint out. 19-19 on my scorecard.
Round Three
Tumenov pushing the action, but Edwards fires back with a jab. Tumenov misses with a high kick. Tumenov is controlling the centre of the Octagon, forcing Edwards back against the fence. He lands a good right hand. Tumenov walking Edwards down, but good do with being more active. Edwards goes for a takedown but fails to get it. Just after successfully blocking a kick by grabbing Edwards’ leg, Tumenov makes the mistake of having his own leg caught from a kick. This gives Edwads the opportunity to take him down with half the round still to go. He takes Tumenov’s back, and quickly applies the rear-naked choke for the submission victory.
> Damian Stasiak def. Davey Grant by 3rd round submission (3:56) Bantamweights
Round One
Stasiak quickly takes Grant down, which is pleasing because after the Edwards fight people might get confused that British fighters are good at wrestling. Grant does a good job of using butterfly guard to stop him from pressing the advantage. They’re back to the feet, and Grant throws a flashy kick and back fist. Neither means much. Grant is going for the takedown, and gets it despite Stasiak’s resistance. They quickly get back to their feet however.
Grant performs a nice little trip but can’t control Stasiak. They’re grappling in clinch up against the fence, and ultimately separate. After the fight drifts for awhile, Stasiak goes very close with a spinning back kick. They end up on the ground, with Grant on top position but he doesn’t have time to press the advantage. Odd round. Plenty happened but little of it meant anything with both men neutralising each other. On balance Grant did more but it could be judged either way. 10-9 to Stasiak.
Round Two
Grant looking to push the action at the start of the second round. He unloads on Stasiak up against the fench, working over the body of the Pole with numerous punches. Grant hurts Stasiak with a good cross to the body. With Stasiak walking backwards as the Brit tries to press the advantage. Stasiak connects with a spinning backfist, he also badly misses with another. Stasiak manages to complete a takedown but Grant quickly gets back to the feet.
They’re against the fence again, and Grant gets some good shots in. Grant drops down, looking for an armbar. He doesn’t get it, with Stasiak taking top position. Stasiak is out of guard but Grant uses the fence to flip over and take Stasiak’s back. They disengage whilst still on the ground, Grant hesitates before throwing a punch, and Stasiak ends the round in top position.
Again a close round with both men doing a good job of keeping it tight. Stasiak probably got the better of the grappling but Grant landed the better strikes. It could go either way, but on balance I’d give that round to Grant, so giving him a clear edge on the scorecards. 20-18 to the Brit.
Round Three
Stasiak starts with a kick to the body. Grant misses with a straight punch and only grazes with a high kick. Stasiak tries to clinch, but Grant isn’t interested. Grant connects with a punch, but an attempted clinch goes nowhere. Stasiak completes a takedown up against the fence but Grant quickly gets back to his feet.
A second takedown from the Pole is reversed, with Grant in top position. Stasiak manages to lock in an armbar. Grant fights to escape, but in rolling over, Grant actually makes the angle more actue. He’s forced to tap but it takes the referee several seconds to notice.
Alcantara takes it to Pickett at the very start, landing some big shots – his kicks and knees look a ot sharper than anything the Brit can fire back with. The Brazilian knocks Picket down hard with a spinning back elbow. Pickett does well to not be finished with ground punches. Alcantara is literally sitting on Pickett’s chest.
Goes for a triangle, threatens to switch to the armbar, only to double down on the triangle choke. Pickett tries to roll out but is trapped up against the fence where he has no choice but to tap out. This might be it for Pickett – he’s not looked himself for a long time.
PPV MAIN CARD —
Welcome to the main card of UFC 204. It is 3am here in Manchester but the crowd is still going strong. Indeed, if anything they seem a bit louder than usual…as if they’ve been refreshed by beverages of one kind or another. If there’s any doubts about the attitude of this crowd then the loud boos when Dan Henderson appeared on screen should dispel them. This is Bisping country!
> Mirsad Bektic def. Russell Doane by first round submission (4:21) Featherweights
Round One
Doane causes Bektic to stumble after catching him with an overhand right. They both go for looping punches up close – neither seems to land. Bektic gets a takedown although Doane does a good job of first neutralising him in guard and then getting back to his feet. However Bektic won’t let go, and keeps trying to slam him back down. We seem to have hit a stalemate, with Bektic unable to complete the takedown but Doane unable to escape.
Doane really is working hard to avoid being put on his back. The referee is letting these rather than bloodless exchanges go on for a very long time. Which is just as well because Bektic’s patience is finally rewarded. Bektic finally gets the fight back to the ground, having Doane’s back whilst the American is sitting up.
He then gets underhooks in looking for the rear-naked choke. Doane does well to resist but there’s simply too much time on the clock, and Bektic gets the submission victory.
> Stefan Struve def. Daniel Omielanczuk by second round submission (1:41) Heavyweights
Round One
If you’ve never seen him in real-life you cannot understand just how enormous Stefan Struve is – he towers over Omielanczuk. Struve throwing kicks to the body, whilst Omielanczuk tries to bull forward. Omielanczuk lands a left hook to the jaw of Struve. Struve with some good kicks to the body. Omielanczuk sneaks in another punch to the chin of Struve – this shouldn’t be possible. Seriously why does no one try to teach Struve how to jab?
Omielanczuk continue to get shots in, and briefly gets a takedown. Omielanczuk pushing Struve up against the cage. Very even fight so far. Struve forces Omielanczuk to the ground, and has side-control. Struve transitions to top control, then takes Omielanczuk back when the Pole tries to escape. Struve looking for the rear-naked choke, with just over a minute left. Struve struggling to get it fully applied. It looks like the fighters will ride this position out to the end of the round. Very even on the feet due to Struve’s continued inability to make the most of his natural gifts but he was dominant on the ground. 10-9 to Struve.
Round Two
Both men try to go high to begin with, but both miss. Omielanczuk bizarrely tries to take Struve down again – clearly having learnt nothing from the Dutchman’s grappling advantage last time. Omielanczuk pushes Struve up against the fence, and predictably Struve reverses. The two men are grappling for control up against the fence, Struve gets the trip, and ends up in an unorthodox top position.
He then roles for an D’Arce choke, gets trapped up against the cage, flips Omielanczuk over and secures the submission. A deserved submission for his grappling dominance, and its baffling Omielanczuk didn’t learn the lesson of the 1st round. That is now the fifth submission victory in succession.
> Jimi Manuwa def. Ovince Saint Preux by second round KO (2:38) Light Heavyweights
It is now 4am here in Manchester and I have to admit that I’m starting to feel a little bit tired. But we push through, because this fight should be interesting. Given the shocking lack of depth at light heavyweight it’s no exaggeration to say that that the winner of this match could next fight for the title. Think about it – Jones is still suspended, Gustafsson has again withdrawn from injury, Glover was destroyed in his last fight. Who’s left to fight the winner of Daniel Cormier vs. Rumble Johnson?
Round One
Leg kicks from Manuwa, but OSP quickly ties him up against the cage. Knees to the body of Manuwa. OSP is working for a takedown but the Brit is doing a good job of defending. More knees from OSP, but eventually they separate. Manuwa tries to engage but OSP shrugs him off. If I were Manuwa I wouldn’t keep trying to go for a takedown – I doubt he’d do well on the ground against OSP. Manuwa just misses with a knee. They clinch up against the fence, and OSP just about completes the takedown.
Manuwa is in danger of giving up his back. They’re right up against the fence so there’s not a lot of room for OSP to get the submission. OSP seems to let Manuwa up so he can get a takedown away from the cage, Manuwa counters the takedown with a guillotine choke attempt. However its never properly applied, and so OSP is able to escape unharmed. OSP takes Manuwa’s back again, and peppers his head with punches. Manuwa makes it back to his feet as the round ends. That round was clearly Ovince Saint Preux’s, 10-9.
Round Two
OSP working Manuwa over with legs to begin with. Manuwa lands a nice right hand-left hand combination. OSP goes for a takedown but Manuwa shoots straight back up. OSP tries to push him against the cage, but they disengage. Manuwa lands a good combination, followed by a straight punch. The Brit’s striking is much sharper this round. OSP misses a punch, but lands a front kick. Manuwa lands a high kick of his own.
Manuwa lands some good punches to the body – he might have been looking for a liver punch. OSP rests against the fence, and Manuwa connects with a flying knee. OSP is starting to look tired. Manuwa goes down low again, then connects with a lovely right cross that causes OSP’s legs to buckle.
Manuwa misses with his next two punches but then a short left knocks Ovince St. Preux out cold! A huge victory for Jimi Manuwa – this could potentially set him up for a big fight next time out.
> Gegard Mousasi def. Vitor Belfort by second round TKO (2:43) Middleweights
Round One
A mixed reaction to Vitor Belfort – there were certainly some jeers but they ended up being drowned out by cheers. Mousasi with a leg kick, then a high kick. Another leg-kick from Mousasi. Belfort lands a left hook, goes forward, but Mousasi evades the next blow. Mousasi with a jab. Mousasi doing a nice job of walking Belfort down although he could do with being more aggressive. Mousasi uses a punch as a feint for the takedown, but Belfort blocks.
Mousasi goes in with a punch, misses, Belfort answers with one of his own. Given how bad Belfort has looked in recent fights, Mousasi should be looking for the finish rather than grinding him down. Belfort with a high-kick. Mousasi walking Belfort down but not throwing much – as always he’s a very cautious fighter. Jab from Mousasi. Leg-kicks from Mousasi. High-kick from Belfort. Mousasi clips him with a cross, Belfort looks stunned, but is able to tie Mousasi up when the Dutchman tries to press the advantage.
They clinch up against the cage, but Belfort manages to escape. Mousasi competes a takedown as the buzzer goes. Typical Mousasi fight – the striking is technically excellent but is taking no chances. 10-9 to Mousasi.
Round Two
Mousasi with a jab. Mousasi with a kick to the mid-section. Mousasi with a good jab. Belfort fires back with a punch. If Mousasi carries Belfort for fifteen minutes, then his next fight should be against Cain Velasquez. And just as I type that, Mousasi shows what he can actually do. He stuns with Belfort with a head kick, and then just unloads on the Brazilian up against the cage.
He worked Belfort over with numerous punches, showing tremendous handspeed and shot-selection. His uppercuts were particularly potent in opening up the former champion. A thrillingly violent dissection. Belfort manages to escape but is quickly taken down, where Mousasi finishes him with more punches. Great stuff – more of this from Gegard Mousasi would be most welcome.
> UFC Middleweight Champion Michael Bisping def. Dan Henderson by unanimous decision
So it’s just a smidgen before 5am in the morning, and its time for our main event. It should be noted that this is a rare match where the entrances themselves are historic. For the final time ever, Dan Henderson walks out for a match. Few men in combat sports have been such a sustained presence in the elite ranks. He is a former UFC tournament winner, two-weight Pride FC champion and Strikeforce light heavyweight champion. He is the man who defeated Fedor Emelianenko and against Shogun Rua was one half of the greatest fight in the sport’s history. He deserves to get that final chance to win the title that always alluded him.
But Michael Bisping’s walkout is also historic. He truly was the man who put British MMA on the map, the charismatic face of the sport that turned followers of boxing and pro-wrestling into UFC fans. For him to walkout in his home town to defend the world championship is a sight even his most ardent fans had given hope of ever seeing. Whatever happens he deserves this moment of celebration and vindication.
Round One
As you would expect the crowd is rabid. Henderson is loudly booed, Bisping wildly cheered. Loud let’s go Bisping chant. Bisping with a high kick, and then a left cross. Bisping with a kick to the chest. Henderson throws a jab out. The atmosphere is electric – the crowd is doing football songs. Both men trying to feel each other out with the jab. Henderson misses with a wild swing, Bisping misses with some quick punches too. Henderson again goes for the overhand punch.
Bisping tying to strike from range, doing a good job of mixing the kicks. Henderson misses with a jab, Bisping can’t quite connect with his counter. Bisping misses with a high kick. The whole arena is on its feet chanting ‘Stand Up I f You Love Bisping’ at 5am in the morning. Bisping has been cut. Henderson lands a punch to the shoulder, and goes very close with the overhand right. Henderson rushes forward again, but doesn’t land. Henderson connects with the big right hand! Bisping is down. Henderson is all over the Brit. Bisping desperately trying to get Henderson off him.
Bisping’s face is a bloody mess. Bisping back to his feet. Bisping on the offensive, lands a high-kick. The buzzer goes and this atmosphere is electric. 10-9 to Henderson; could easily be 10-8 but Bisping had been in a control.
Round Two
Bisping is noticeably more aggressive in the second round. He’s walking Henderson down, looking to mix punches and kicks to keep Henderson the back foot. Bisping is starting to land punches to that once granite jaw of Henderson. Bisping with a high kick. Bisping misses with his own overhand right. Bisping gets a short punch in. Bisping misses with the left, but lands the right. Bisping lands a nice leg-kick, high-kick combination that staggers Henderson.
Bisping goes close with a high kick. This round has been all Bisping. Bisping lands another high kick. Follows it up with a punch. Bisping with a knee to the head. Bisping goes close with a front kick. Henderson tries to land a punch but misses. Bisping has Henderson in real trouble after putting together a solid combination following a potential low blow, but the American knocks him down again! This is real drama. They ride out the final minute with Henderson on top.
That was Bisping’s round and it’s all even on the scorecards.
Round Three
Bisping doing well to stay aggressive, and lands a high kick early. Bisping misses with a right hook. Bisping lands a leg-kick. Bisping misses the overhand right. Bisping is able to block the overhand right of Henderson. Leg kick from Bisping. Bisping lands a clubbing punch to Henderson’s head that staggers the American. Bisping misses a straight right. Bisping lands a smart leg kick. Henderson blocks a high kick. Bisping just misses a front kick.
Bisping walking Henderson down, connects with a right hand. Henderson feints a takedown, but Bisping still avoids the right-hand. Henderson goes for another takedown but Bisping stuffs it. Bisping lands another high kick. Bisping lands a strong right hand. Henderson is proving remarkably resilient. Henderson threatens to rush forward but Bisping steps back. Bisping connects with a high kick as the round ends. Clearly Bisping’s round, and so he takes the lead, 29-28.
Round Four
Bisping trying to work the jab to begin the round. Henderson attempts the high kick. Bisping connects with a weak one. Henderson with the leg kick. A less energetic round than the previous one as the battle starts to take its toll. Bisping lands a good high kick, but can’t follow it up. Henderson is hit low. Henderson taking his time with the restart, whilst Bisping plays to the crowd. Bisping lands a high kick, then a punch to the head.
Misses with a few jabs. Henderson rushes forward, but only connects with a leg kick. Bisping with a high kick. Bisping with an oblique kick. Bisping with a jab. Henderson misses with a wild kick. Bisping lands a couple of straight punches. Henderson goes very close with a right hand. Bisping gets a couple of good shots in. Bisping with the leg kick. Bisping misses with the front kick. Bisping lands a good boxing combination. Bisping with another oblique kick. Bisping with a high kick.
They try to engage but nothing comes of it. Another round to Bisping, with the Brit’s superior workrate telling now that he’s managing to avoid the H-Bomb. 39-37 to the champion.
Round Five
By my count Henderson needs a knockout. However he could easily have been given a 10-8 for Round One, or even judged to have squeaked Round Two. High kick from Bisping misses, Henderson lands a right hand but Bisping takes it and fires back. Both men are clearly very tired. Bisping with a kick to the shin.
Bisping lands a jab. Bisping lands a leg kick. Bisping lands a right hand. Bisping’s been opened up again. Bisping with a high kick. Bisping with a good kickboxing combination that finishes with a kick to the mid-section. Bisping misses with a crescent kick! Henderson goes for the body but misses. Henderson goes for an uppercut but misses. Henderson rushes Bisping, gets him down but Bisping gets back to his feet with no damage caused. Back on their feet,
Bisping lands a high kick. Bisping blocks the takedown from Henderson. Bisping blocks the overhand right. Bisping fires a kick back. The crowd is on the their feet as Bisping throws a high knee. Henderson tries to roll through.
Less action than the previous rounds and Henderson was more aggressive, but I still feel Bisping did enough to outpoint him. I have it 49-46 to the champion on my scorecard. I wouldn’t argue with a closer scorecard but I struggle to see how he doesn’t retain. The judges have it 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 for the winner….and still UFC Middleweight Champion, Michael Bisping. The crowd erupts!
Amazing scenes afterwards as the place erupts in love for the hometown champion. This is the key thing that is often overlooked by some commentators – Bisping is both one of the greatest heels and most beloved babyfaces the sport has ever seen. To prove that he quickly transitions from praising the crowd and thanking his family, to cutting a hilarious promo where he runs down the rest of the division.
The crowd then joins Bisping is doing a complete volte face on the former challenger, now loudly cheering Henderson. In emotional scenes the veteran announces his retirement as the crowd chants his name. A wonderful moment.
Well that was UFC 204. It was an incredible night with great action throughout the card and one of the most emotionally charged matches in UFC history. It’s 5.30am in the morning in Manchester, and I couldn’t be more awake.
