Brazil does not work for the Brit (UFC on FX 7 Review)
The UFC on FX 7 was a chance for one veteran of the octagon to take his shot at the ultimate goal and the ultimate challenge. The main event would be a matchup between Vitor Belfort and Michael Bisping with Bisping getting his chance at a title shot. Bisping has been in the UFC since he won The Ultimate Fighter in 2006. He has regularly been a favorite and a hated fighter depending on where he fights and who he fights. With boxing skills only matched by his skills with the tongue as one of the best trash talkers in the UFC. He has had a fairly successful career but he had fallen into a bad pattern throughout his time in the UFC. He would win a handful of fights that would put him near the top of the division but then would suffer a loss just as he seemed on his way to a title shot. Now Bisping was one fight away from that title shot as he had come to the point where one fight would give him a shot at Anderson Silva and the Middleweight Title. In his way would be the former Light Heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort who would look to end Bisping’s chances at a title in from of his home crowd. Belfort was just coming off of a loss to Jon Jones for the Light Heavyweight Title. He would look to get back to winning against Bisping and put his name in the hat for legitimate challengers. Both fighters would face off in the octagon in Sao Paulo, Brazil with the crowd clearly behind Belfort in his home country. Both fighters would start the fight with a feeling out process as they tried to find their range in what was sure to be a standup only fight. It was Bisping’s boxing style that would take the advantage in the first round though as he would stick and move while not letting Belfort on the inside. Then Belfort would finally break through as he would land a big head kick to Bisping at the end of the round. It would drop the Brit but he would survive to hear the bell to end the first round. The second round would start with much the same style as Bisping would continue to stick and move although Belfort was no longer scared of what could happen. Belfort began stalking Bisping and letting the Brit hit him with the jab as it was doing little damage. Then Belfort would unload another big head kick that would drop Bisping again and send Belfort into his comfort zone. Belfort would begin his rampage on Bisping while on the ground forcing the referee to end the fight and giving Belfort the win. Bisping would lose his chance at a title shot with the loss continuing his pattern of getting to the top and falling just before he can reach the peak. He will likely go back into the middleweight mess and try to put together a few more wins to get another shot at the #1 contender spot. Meanwhile Belfort would take the win getting back on the winning side of fights. After the fight Belfort would call out Jon Jones and Chael Sonnen asking Dana White for a rematch against the Light Heavyweight Championship. In the process he would call Chael Sonnen a joke and essentially say that he did not deserve a shot at the title. Belfort won’t get this shot at the title as Chael Sonnen and Jon Jones will face off at UFC 159 for the Light Heavyweight Title. As a result of this fight Belfort will have to fight someone else until he can get that chance again. If he can win another fight he may just get that title chance at the end of the year but there may be a few more people to get through until he can get there. With the fight over the Brazilian home fans were happy in another good night of fights in Brazil.
Before these two veterans squared off it was time for the young guns to get their shot at making an impression in the UFC. There were a number of fighters taking their first or second shot in the UFC and for some it was a chance to remain in the UFC while others saw it as a chance to become a rising star. The first of these fights would be an undercard bout between two young stars in the UFC. Milton Vieira is no stranger to the octagon but had only fought once in the UFC before this night. Godofredo “Pepey” Castro would also be a newcomer to the UFC after earning a spot in the promotion as a member of TUF: Brazil. Both would face off as they tried to become rising stars in the promotion and establish themselves as great fighters. It would be Pepey who came out on top in a close fight that ended in a Split Decision. Another young gun fight would involve Khabib Nurmagomedov who would take on Thiago Tavares. The young Russian was a promising young fighter who had won two straight and would take on the veteran Thiago Tavares. Nurmagomedov would take the win with a first round KO continuing his rise as one of the most promising fighters in the UFC. The last big fight for a young fighter would be the co-main event as Daniel Sarafian would make his UFC debut against CB Dolloway. Sarafian would not continue the trend of the young fighters winning though as he would lose to CB Dolloway by Split Decision. UFC on FX 7 was a chance for these young fighters to show what they had and to enter into a regular rotation in the UFC. Some took advantage while others fell short as the UFC continues to give fighters the chance to make their impression in the promotion.
UFC on FX 7 produced a number of great fights but only four fighters would earn the $50,000 bonus for the best performances of the night. The “Submission of the Night” had many potential winners but it would be Ildemar Alcantara who won his fight against Wagner Prado with a Knee Lock. The “Knockout of the Night” would go to the biggest winner of the night in Vitor Belfort for his KO win against Michael Bisping. The “Fight of the Night” would go to the co-main event between CB Dolloway and Daniel Sarafian who fought a close battle that would end with a Split Decision for Dolloway. UFC on FX 7 would be another collection of good fights for free as the UFC continues to impress on the Fox network and begins another long stretch of fights.
Fight Results
Main Event:
“The Phenom” Vitor Belfort def. Michael “The Count” Bisping
(TKO, Rd. 2)
Main Card:
CB “The Doberman” Dolloway def. Daniel Sarafian
(Split Decision)
Gabriel “Napao” Gonzaga def. Ben Rothwell
(Submission; Guillotine, Rd. 2)
Khabib “The Eagle” Nurmagomedov def. Thiago Tavares
(KO, Rd. 1)
Undercard:
Godofredo “Pepey” Castro def. Milton “Miltinho” Vieira
(Split Decision)
Rony Markes def. Andrew Craig
(Unanimous Decision)
Nik “The Carny” Lentz def. Diego “The Gun” Nunes
(Unanimous Decision)
Edson “Junior” Barboza def. Lucas “Mineiro” Martins
(Submission; Strikes, Rd. 1)
Yuri “Marajo” Alcantara vs. Pedro Nobre
(No Contest)
Ildemar “Marajo” Alcantara def. Wagner “Caldeirao” Prado
(Submission; Knee Lock, Rd. 2)
Francisco “Massaranduba” Trinaldo def. CJ Keith
(Submission; Arm Triangle, Rd. 2)
Upcoming Fights:
UFC on Fox 6: Johnson vs. Dodson (Saturday January 26th; 8:00 pm EST)
– Chicago, Illinois (United Center)
– Main Event: Demetrious “Mighty Mouse” Johnson vs. John “The Magician” Dodson [Flyweight Title]
– Notable: Rampage Jackson vs. Glover Teixeira
– Notable: Anthony “Showtime” Pettis vs. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone
UFC 156: Aldo vs. Edgar (Saturday February 2nd; 7:00 pm EST)
– Las Vegas, Nevada (Mandalay Bay Events Center)
– Main Event: Jose “Junior” Aldo vs. Frankie “The Answer” Edgar [Featherweight Title]
– Notable: “Suga” Rashad Evans vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
– Notable: Alistair “The Reem” Overeem vs. Antonio “Bigfoot” Silva
UFC on Fuel TV 7: Barao vs. McDonald (Saturday February 16th; 3:00 pm EST)
– London, England (Wembley Arena)
– Main Event: Renan Barao vs. Michael “Mayday” McDonald
– Notable: Jimi “Poster Boiy” Manuwa vs. Cyrille “The Snake” Diabate
– Notable: Gunnar “Gunni” Nelson vs. Justin “Fast Eddy” Edwards
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