UFC 99: Recap

To start this is not in the usual UFC __ hangover format because of my actual hangover.  In addition, if you read my article previewing the Davis/Hardy fight, mea culpa.  It was a good night of fights and I remember most of them.  Recap after the jump.

Dan Hardy def. Marcus Davis via Split Decision: Well, I was wrong.  Not only did I think Davis would win, but I thought Hardy had almost no shot.  However, I was correct (kind of) on how the fight should go for each fighter.  Davis should and did take the fight to the ground where he was effective and won the first round with.  Hardy landed multiple big shots (knee and 2 elbows) that rocked Davis and did more damage.  Davis also went for an ankle lock in third and gave up top control.  He obviously did not the lock and ended up on his back losing the third round.  Overall a good win for Hardy who clearly was just trying to get in Davis's head because after the fight he was all class.  Davis also has an iron chin because got rocked twice and recovered both times.

Spencer Fisher def. Caol Uno via Unanimous Decision: Honestly I was watching this card at 2:00 in the a.m. and was not in a clear state of mind.  I skipped through this fight to watch in the morning, but got called into work at 9:00 a.m. and still have not seen it (rough morning).

Mike Swick def. Ben Saunders via TKO: Zak was right.  This fight was more a case of Saunders looking bad than Swick looking good.  Swick was solid, but nothing special.  On the other hand Saunders just held onto Swick and threw telegraphed kicks that were almost all blocked.  Swick asked for tougher competition after the fight and he should get it.  While I do not think he is at the top tier level there is no way to know until the UFC throws some talent at him. 

Mirko Filipovic def. Mostapha Al-Turk via TKO via Eye Poke via choosing who you get to fight and you pick a fighter who telegraphs every punch he throws trying to get the highlight reel knockout: News has now broke that Cro Cop more or less used the UFC.  I do not have a huge problem with what he did.  It was shady and not necessarily respectable, but it is not as if he pull a con job on a innocent, sweet, old lady.  I always try not to overstate my opinions if I am not sure of something and my goal is not to place undue criticism, but Dan Miragliotta really struggles.  Cro Cop poked Al-Turk right in the eye, right in front of Miragliotta and he did not see it.  Then Al-Turk turned his back to Mirko and covered his eye and Miragliotta just let Cro Cop wail on Al-Turk.  The way the fight was going it probably would not have mattered as Al-Turk was not trying to take it to the ground, but it was not a professional moment.

Cain Velasquez def. Cheick Kongo via Unanimous Decision:  Here is how the rounds went: Kongo jacks up Cain, Cain falls to the ground, Cain recovers, Cain spends the rest of the round taking down and pounding away at Kongo.  Two things: One, Kongo wrestling defense has not improved much.  I know Velasquez is one of the strongest wrestlers in division, but still.  Two, Cain has some work to do before he competes for the title.  Cheick has major heart and never stopped fighting (and he was getting destroyed), but Velasquez has to find a way to finish.  He also needs to work on his stand up.  Both fighters stood for probably 2 total minutes in the first two rounds and Cain got knocked down twice.  Granted Kongo is an elite striker, but Velasquez will not be able to control everyone on the ground like he did to Kongo.  There are a lot of options for Cain's next fight.  I would love the winner of Couture/Nogueira to fight Velasquez.

Rich Franklin def. Wanderlei Silva via Unanimous decision: This was a good fight with the majority of it being on the feet.  Franklin used reach to pepper Silva and Silva landed a few power punches.  However, Silva was unable to finish Franklin the few times he shook him up and Franklin won by decision.  What surprised me the most was how gassed the fighters got.  The drop in weight must have been hard for Silva who looked exhausted late in the second round.  This was more surprising considering he started the fight reserved, not wanting to make a mistake or looking for an opening (maybe a sign of an evolving fighter, hmmmmm).  I still have a lot of respect for Silva though because he truly does care about the fans and wants them to have their money's worth.  Despite being gassed he threw down at the end giving it his all.  In classic Franklin and Silva they showed great respect for each other after the fight.

All in all a good night of fights.