UFC on FOX 2

"Chi-town" Chicago was host to UFC on FOX 2, where number one title contenders and controversial judges decisions headlined the event. The main event of former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Rashad Evans VS Phil Davis ended in a unanimous decision victory in favour of Evans (50-45, 50-45, 50-45). The highlight of the first round came late with Evans tripping Davis from catching a leg kick and transitioning to a mounted crucifix, with under a minute remaining in the round, Evans managed to land several damaging punches. Davis immediately began to show signs of fatigue as the fight progressed; the conditioning of both fighters was a huge factor, as Davis's punches came slower throughout the rounds, allowing Evans to counter-strike successfully and dictate the fight with takedowns from a clear grappling advantage.
The championship rounds showcased the difference in the skill levels between the experienced Rashad Evans and the young prospect of Phil Davis; with a checked leg kick opening up Davis's shin and further counter-striking imposed by Evans led to a dominant performance as the five-round bout cemented the hugely anticipated Light Heavyweight title shot against former training partner and current Champion Jon "Bones" Jones.
In the co-main event, British standout Michael "The Count" Bisping's valiant performance against former title contender Chael Sonnen resulted in a controversial unanimous decision in favour of Sonnen (30-27, 29-28, 29-28), the judges decision is in the spotlight as the majority of the UFC world, including Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta, Chael Sonnen, Joe Rogan etc believing Bisping had edged to victory. UFC president Dana White later tweeted - "30-27 is soooooooo bad it's insane. That judge should never be allowed to watch a fight again!!!!!" The victory resulted in the long awaited rematch against Middleweight Champion Anderson "The Spider" Silva.

Main card

• Middleweight bout:  Demian Maia vs.  Chris Weidman

Weidman defeated Maia via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).

• Middleweight bout:  Chael Sonnen vs.  Michael Bisping

Sonnen defeated Bisping via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).

• Light Heavyweight bout:  Rashad Evans vs.  Phil Davis

Evans defeated Davis via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45).

Preliminary card

• Middleweight bout:  Chris Camozzi vs.  Dustin Jacoby

Camozzi defeated Jacoby via submission (guillotine choke) at 1:08 of round 3.

• Heavyweight bout:  Joey Beltran vs.  Lavar Johnson

Johnson defeated Beltran via KO (punches) at 4:24 of round 1.

• Lightweight bout:  Michael Johnson vs.  Shane Roller

Johnson defeated Roller via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

• Featherweight bout:  Charles Oliveira vs.  Eric Wisely

Oliveira defeated Wisley via submission (calf slicer) at 1:43 of round 1.

• Featherweight bout:  Cub Swanson vs.  George Roop

Swanson defeated Roop via TKO (punches) at 2:22 or round 2.

• Heavyweight bout:  Mike Russow vs.  John-Olav Einemo

Russow defeated Einemo via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27).

• Lightweight bout:  Evan Dunham vs.  Nik Lentz

Dunham defeated Lentz via TKO (doctor stoppage) at 5:00 of round 2.

Happy 70th Birthday Muhammad Ali!

You Are The Greatest!

UFC 142 Results & Analysis

Brazilian dominance was showcased at UFC Rio, 9 out of 10 victories went to the home nation; truly demonstrating their talents to the Mixed Martial Arts world.
In the first fight of the Main Card, Edson Barboza knocked out British brawler Terry Etim with a vicious Spinning Wheel Kick at 2:02 in round 3; earning the Knock-Out of The Night and Fight of The Night bonuses.
In the Co-Main Event, fan favourite Vitor Belfort's Catchweight (197lb) bout against Anthony Johnson ended the fight via Rear Naked Choke at 4:49 in round 1; Johnson failed to make weight at Middleweight (185lb), resulting in UFC President Dana White releasing Johnson from the UFC after his third failure  to make weight. Dana said, “The guy was at 170 pounds. He moved up to 185 pounds so this wouldn't happen anymore, and this is the worst weight-cutting disaster he's ever had. He almost ruined the co-main event here in Brazil."
Finally the Main Event - Featherweight Championship bout - (c) Jose Aldo vs Chad Mendes. Aldo demonstrated why he is regarded as one of the Pound for Pound kings, walking out of the HSBC Arena Rio de Janeiro remaining the UFC Featherweight Champion and rocketing his fame among his native supporters. From the first round, Aldo out-classed the Team Alpha Male challenger; both fighters came out using multiple leg kicks but the clear difference in technique and power meant that Aldo had a significant advantage in the stand up and he used his kicks to set up combinations. Mendes resorted to his wrestling routes but was unsuccessful on numerous occasions, the excellent takedown defence exhibited by Aldo led to a separation against the cage and a quick vicious knee catching Mendes and knocking him to the canvas and the Champion followed it by a solid right hand, ending the fight 4:59 in round 1.
Main Card:

• Lightweight bout:  Edson Barboza vs.  Terry Etim

Barboza defeated Etim via KO (wheel kick) at 2:02 of round 3.

• Welterweight bout:  Erick Silva vs.  Carlo Prater

Prater defeated Silva via disqualification (illegal blows to back of head) at 0:29 of round 1.

• Middleweight bout:  Rousimar Palhares vs.  Mike Massenzio

Palhares defeated Massenzio via submission (heel hook) at 1:03 of round 1.

• Catchweight (197 lb) bout:  Vitor Belfort vs.  Anthony Johnson

Belfort defeated Johnson via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:49 of round 1.

• Featherweight Championship:  José Aldo (c) vs.  Chad Mendes

Aldo defeated Mendes via KO (knee and punches) at 4:59 of round 1, retains the UFC Featherweight Championship.

Preliminary Card:

• Featherweight bout:  Felipe Arantes vs.  Antonio Carvalho

Arantes defeated Carvalho via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).

• Welterweight bout:  Ricardo Funch vs.  Mike Pyle

Pyle defeated Funch via TKO (knee and punches) at 1:22 of round 1.

• Featherweight bout:  Yuri Alcantara vs.  Michihiro Omigawa

Alcantara defeated Omigawa via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 30-27).

• Heavyweight bout:  Gabriel Gonzaga vs.  Ednaldo Oliveira

Gonzaga defeated Oliveira via submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:22 of round 1.

• Lightweight bout:  Thiago Tavares vs.  Sam Stout

Tavares defeated Stout via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).