Small Fighters Big Performance (UFC on FX 2 Review)
The UFC made their return to Australia and did it in a big way breaking attendance and gate records for free events. The Fight Night style of event saw 14,537 people cram in to the Allphones Arena to a total of $2.2 million gate. Both of these were records for events that were shown for free on television. These fans got a treat as well with the main event being a great fight but the main draw was the start of the Flyweight tournament. Thiago Alves and Martin Kampmann ended the night on a great note but before they got in the octagon four of the smallest fighters in the UFC started a new era in the UFC. Demetrious Johnson, Ian McCall, Yasuhiro Urushitani, and Joseph Benavidez became the first Flyweight fighters in UFC history. Just before the main event MMA veteran Yasuhiro Urushitani took on the most recent #1 contender in the Bantamweight division Joseph Benavidez. Urushitani and Benavidez both would try to bring power into the flyweight division with Urushitani having the experience edge and Benavidez having the training edge as a member of Team Alpha Male. Both fighters came out throwing kicks with Benavidez landing some bigger kicks. Benavidez was able to find his range quickly and landed some good body kicks to Urushitani and was also able to take Urushitani down. While down Benavidez was able to sink in a rear naked choke but it was not enough as the round ended before Urushitani could tap. The second round saw Benavidez counter a kick attempt by Urushitani and end the fight only 11 seconds into the round. After Urushitani threw his kick Benavidez countered with a right hook that sent the veteran to the mat where Benavidez forced the referee to stop the fight due to strikes. With the win Benavidez became one of the contenders for the Flyweight belt and would move on to the title fight later this year. After the fight card ended Benavidez was informed, along with everyone else, that he would need to wait a bit longer for his shot at the Flyweight title thanks to the fight just before his. This fight was the other Flyweight semi-final between former #1 contender in the Bantamweight division and the consensus #1 Flyweight in the world Ian McCall. As both fighters entered the ring it was clear that McCall was the bigger fighter even as Johnson would be making his first appearance at 125 lbs. The fight started at a break neck pace as expected with Johnson getting the better of the exchange. McCall did get two takedowns in the first round but could not do much on top as Johnson got up quickly. The biggest advantage in the round was when Johnson caught McCall with a big right hand that had McCall stumbling briefly. Nothing came of it though as the round ended fairly even depending on the opinion of the judges as to the value of the punch and the value of the takedowns. The second round saw another even exchange with both fighters landing their shots and McCall earning a takedown at the end of the round. The third round was very different as Jonson looked to throw a flying knee but was countered by McCall who earned a takedown. This time McCall took advantage of his position as he starting to throwing everything he had. The round saw Johnson withstand the punishment and get to his feet only to be taken down again and again. The round finished with McCall on top throwing punches from every angle with Johnson almost helpless to defend anything. Before the referee could end the fight the round was over as the result would go to the judges. It was announced as a majority decision victory for Demetrious Johnson who was thrilled to make it into the Flyweight title fight. Then at the press conference Dana White announced that the Johnson-McCall scorecards were added up wrong by the fight commission and that the result was actually a majority draw. This meant that there should have been a sudden victory 4th round to determine the winner. As a result of that Joseph Benavidez would be put on a shelf until Demetrious Johnson and Ian McCall could fight again in a rematch later this year. The Flyweight tournament did not disappoint and has provided some controversy but essentially has solved nothing with Benavidez the only fighter making It into the title fight. Johnson and McCall will move on to the rematch in what promises to be another great fight while Benavidez awaits the winner as the Flyweight division began with a bang at UFC on FX 2.
With the controversy finished the main event was still to come as Thiago Alves and Martin Kampmann squared off in the octagon. After all of the excitement already in the night these two fighters had a lot to live up to in their main event. Both fighters have been known for their great power on the feet but Alves had a much better ground game. That was the report but Kampmann also had a great ground game that had seen him submit his fair share of opponents. The fight started with both fighters exchanging some good punches with Kampmann earning an early takedown. Alves responded later in the round with his own takedown but neither took the advantage on top. The second round saw the fight begin to turn in Alves’ favour as he started to land more kicks and punches against Kampmann. Alves was able to hurt Kampmann cutting him from a number of solid punches. The third round saw much of the same as Alves continued to dominate the fight landing more solid shots as Kampmann seemed to be faltering. Kampmann began to show some signs of life but it became obvious that he would need something drastic to beat Alves. Just before the round ended Alves earned a takedown essentially ended the fight but Kampmann was not done yet. While on his back Kampmann was able to sink in a Guillotine Choke and continued to squeeze. Alves tapped as the great comeback was finished and Kampmann took the win after a fight that probably would have seen him lose the in a unanimous decision. With the great win Kampmann moved up the welterweight ladder into the top fighters but will still need more fights to get tot the top of a crowded division. Alves took the loss that would cut his comeback short but he will be back to fight again as he tries to recover from the tough loss to move back into the top of the division.
The bonuses for the fight were not very debatable as all of the fighters involved deserved their $50,000 in bonus money. The “Submission of the Night” went to Martin Kampmann for his comeback Guillotine in the main event against Thiago Alves. The “Knockout of the Night” went to Joseph Benavidez for his KO against Yasuhiro Urushitani that earned him his shot at the Flyweight title. The “Fight of the Night” went to the other Flyweight semi-finals as the controversy not only gave Demetrious Johnson and Ian McCall their win bonus but also gave them the fight bonus.
Full Results:
Main Event:
Martin “The Hitman” Kampmann def. Thiago “Pitbull” Alves
(Submission; Guillotine Choke, Rd. 3)
Main Card:
Joseph Benavidez def. Yasuhiro Urushitani
(TKO; Rd. 2)
Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson def. Ian “Uncle Creepy” McCall
(Majority Decision) [Scorecard Error]
Constantinos “Costa” Philippou def. Court “The Crusher” McGee
(Unanimous Decision)
Undercard:
James Te Huna def Aaron Rosa
(TKO; Rd. 1)
Anthony “The Hippo” Perosh def. Nick “The Quite Assassin” Penner
(TKO; Rd. 2)
“Super” Stephen Siler def. Cole “Magrinho” Miller
(Unanimous Decision)
Andrew Craig def. Kyle Noke
(Unanimous Decision)
TJ Waldburger def. Jake “The Hitman” Hecht
(Submission; Armbar, Rd. 1)
Daniel “The Pit” Pineda def. Mackens “Da Menace” Semerzier
(Submission; Triangle Armbar, Rd. 1)
Shawn “The Savage” Jordan def. Oli Thompson
(TKO; Rd. 2)
Upcoming Events:
UFC on Fuel TV: Nogueira vs. Gustafsson (Saturday April 14th; 10:00 pm)
– Free Live on fuel TV/Sportsnet
– Stockholm, Sweden (Ercsson Globe Arena)
– Main Event: Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs. Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson
– Notable: Brian “All American” Stann vs. Alessio “Legionarius” Sakara
UFC 145: Jones vs. Evans (Saturday April 21st; 10:00 pm)
– Atlanta, Georgia (Philips Arena)
– Main Event: Jon “Bones” Jones vs. “Suga” Rashad Evans [Light Heavyweight Title]
– Notable: Rory “Ares” MacDonald vs. “Beautiful” Che Mills
– Notable: Brendan “The Hybrid” Schaub vs. Ben Rothwell
UFC on Fox: Diaz vs. Miller (Saturday May 5th; 8:00 pm)
– Live Free on Fox/Sportsnet
– East Rutherford, New Jersey (IZOD Center)
– Main Event: Nate Diaz vs. Jim Miller
– Notable: Josh “Kos” Koshchek vs. Johny “Bigg Rigg” Hendricks
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