One Rematch Down (UFC Fight Night 27 Review)
Fox Sports 1 would once again see a great card for their second fight on the new sports network. With TUF stars on full display the focus would go to the welterweight fight that headlined the entire card. The fight would be against to mean who had faced off before in a week that has been highlighted by rematches. The fight between Carlos Condit and Martin Kampmann would be just the start to a week of great fights. It would begin a stretch of 8 days that would see three fights that includes a light weight title rematch and a matchup of powerful men in the light heavyweight division. First would come the Condit-Kampmann fight though as they would be the first to see each other again in the octagon. Condit wanted this fight coming in as he remembers the loss he suffered at the hands of Kampmann years ago. It was Condit’s debut in the UFC after he spent the better part of two years as the welterweight champion in the WEC. He would enter the bigger fight promotion with the hope that he was a few fights away from the title shot to earn the UFC Welterweight title. Then he met the gatekeeper to the UFC in Martin Kampmann who would challenge him more than ever before. It was far from a one-sided fight as Condit would show why he was the champion in the WEC. Still he could not overcome the UFC veteran as Kampmann would earn the Split Decision win ending Condit’s immediate title hopes. Condit would take it as a learning experience though as he would begin winning in the UFC and would make his way through the welterweight division to Georges St. Pierre. Condit would lose this fight and his next fight against Johnny Hendricks putting him in a spot he was hoping not to be in. He now has to fight his way back to a title shot and avenging his first UFC loss would be a big way to do it. Meanwhile Kampmann would take the first win and do almost nothing with it as a pattern of losing the big fights seems to be forming for the veteran. As he gets close to the title he seems to lose his footing and drop down the rankings once again. Now he was looking to get another win over a much improved Carlos Condit to show that he belongs among the elite fighters in the division. Both fighters wanted this fight and both had changed from their first fight leaving a bit of a mystery for the fight. As both fighters are very well-rounded the fight could have gone anywhere and either fighter could take it there and win. The fight would begin with Kampmann looking to repeat their first fight going for the takedown immediately. Kampmann would try to grind out the fight once again as he would continue working and look for submissions on the ground. Condit would reverse the position and then would get taken down but stand up quick. The Second round would see Condit clearly trying to keep the fight standing where he had the advantage. Landing some big blows Condit would be able to keep the fight where he wanted it, on the feet. The third round would see Kampmann go for the takedown once again but the fight would not stay on the ground. Condit would bring it to the feet and would begin to feel a lot more comfortable in the fight. A late round flurry would see Kampmann bloodied and would almost see the fight ended when Condit took the fight to the ground in an attempt to finish with multiple submissions. Condit would continue to put the pressure on in the fourth round keeping the fight standing and unloading on Kampmann. The pressure would get to Kampmann as Condit would unleash a big combination that would end with a knee that forced the referee to step in. Kampmann could not repeat his performance and would once again lose in a very important fight. Condit on the other hand would get his revenge and would inch closer to a title shot after Johnny Hendricks and GSP face off.
In the main card of the evening the UFC would decide to feature the talent that they have grown from The Ultimate Fighter. With only one week until the next season of TUF begins the UFC would decide to show what Fox Sports 1 fans can expect in the new season. There would be winners and runners-up throughout the card as all looked to show that they have a place among the UFC roster. First up was Bubba McDaniel and Brad Tavares who both have seen the inside of the TUF house. Tavares was a member of The Ultimate Fighter 11 while Bubba McDaniel represented the most recent version of the show at The Ultimate Fighter 17. McDaniel would come out on the losing end showing that experience in the UFC, which Tavares has, can make a world of difference. The TUF connections wouldn’t end there though as TUF 11 champion Court McGee would take on TUF: The Smashes champion Robert Whittaker. The battle of two champions would end with the original reality show winning out as Court McGee would take a very close fight. Finally the most recent champion of The Ultimate Fighter would make his UFC debut in an attempt to show just how good the winners can be. Kelvin Gastelum would win a quick one in his first official UFC fight beating Brian Melancon with a first round submission. A week before the new season of TUF begins the UFC shows the world what they can expect. With Ronda Rousey and Meisha Tate at the helm of the next season and women on the show for the first time ever more of these great fighters are about to come to light as they may be the next fighters who can be featured on a fight card to show the talent level in the show.
Fight Bonuses
Submission of the Night
Zak Cummings would continue the TUF theme as the TUF 17 alumnus would earn a $50,000 bonus in his UFC debut choking out Benny Alloway with a D’Arce Choke in the first round of their undercard fight
Knockout of the Night
There was a lot of hype before Brandon Thatch made his UFC debut and he would not disappoint beating Justin Edwards in the first round with constant pressure that would earn him a bonus in his first fight
Fight of the Night
The main event would not disappoint as the rematch between Carlos Condit and Martin Kampmann would earn the Fight of the Night bonus for their four round fight that ended with Condit taking the win and the revenge
Fight Results
Main Event:
“The Natural Born Killer” Carlos Condit def. Martin “The Hitman” Kampmann
(TKO, Rd. 4)
Main Card:
Rafael Dos Anjos def. Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone
(Unanimous Decision)
Kelvin Gastelum def. Brian Melancon
(Submission; Rear Naked Choke, Rd. 1)
Court “The Crusher” McGee def. Robert Whittaker
(Split Decision)
Takeya Mizugaki def. Erik “Goyito” Perez
(Split Decision)
Brad Tavares def. Bubba “The Menace” McDaniel
(Unanimous Decision)
Undercard:
Dylan “The Villain” Andrews def. Papy “Makambo” Abedi
(TKO, Rd. 3)
Brandon “Rukus” Thatch def. Justin “Fast Eddy” Edwards
(TKO, Rd. 1)
Darren “The Damage” Elkins def. Hatsu Hioki
(Unanimous Decision)
Jason “The Kansas City Bandit” High def. James Head
(Submission; Guillotine Choke, Rd. 1)
Zak Cummings def. Benny “Blanco” Alloway
(Submission; D’Arce Choke, Rd. 1)
Abel “Killa” Trujillo vs. “Relentless” Roger Bowling
(No Contest)
Upcoming Events:
UFC 164: Henderson vs. Pettis (Saturday August 31st; 10:00 pm ET)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin (BMO Harris Bradley Center)
Main Event: Benson “Smooth” Henderson vs. Anthony “Showtime” Pettis [Lightweight Title]
Notable: Frank Mir vs. Josh “The Warmaster” Barnett
Notable: Chad “Money” Mendes vs. Clay “The Carpenter” Guida
UFC Fight Night 28: Teixeira vs. Bader (Wednesday September 4th; 7:00 pm ET)
Belo Horizonte, Brazil (Mineirinho Arena)
Main Event: Glover Teixeira vs. Ryan “Darth” Bader
Notable: Yushin “Thunder” Okami vs. Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza
Notable: Joseph Benavidez vs. Jussier Formiga
UFC 165: Jones vs. Gustafsson (Saturday September 21st; 10:00 pm; ET)
Toronto, Ontario (Air Canada Centre)
Main Event: Jon “Bones” Jones vs. Alexander “The Mauler” Gustafsson [Light Heavyweight Title]
Notable: Renan Barao vs. Eddie Wineland [Bantamweight Title]
Notable: Brendan “The Hybrid” Schaub vs. Matt Mitrione
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