I’m... Spinning Around

Edson Barboza, UFC 128

It wasn’t Anthony Pettis’ Matrix kick, but UFC lightweight Edson Barboza pulled off a stunning spinning hook kick to cap off his fight against Anthony Njokuani at UFC 128. In what had been a thrilling back-and-forth ‘Fight of the Night’ winner, the 8-0 Barboza stumbled Njokuani after turning and thundering his rear leg into the WEC fighter’s temple. Barboza ultimately took home the split decision. If there are more action movie hits like this to come from the MMA’s most daring then FO couldn’t be happier.

Strike Got Force

Dan Henderson, Strikeforce: Feijao vs Henderson

For such a laidback guy, Dan Henderson has a very angry right hand. The new Strikeforce light heavyweight champion practically knocked Rafael ‘Feijao’ Cavalcante’s jaw out of the arena to nab the Brazilian’s 205lb belt. It might not have been quite the casual walk-off home run uppercut Mark Hunt produced one week earlier at UFC 127 to floor Chris Tuchscherer, but it was impressive nonetheless. ‘Hendo’ says he’s planning on holding onto his new gold; can he retain it longer than its recent bearers’ single-fight defenses?

Wild Boys! Wild Boys!

Mirko ‘Cro Cop’, UFC 128

One of the most shocking things about the legendary Mirko Cro Cop’s UFC 128 appearance was the absence of his signature Duran Duran entrance music. Instead of the customary, though juxtaposed, ‘80s staple Wild Boys ringing through the Prudential Center’s PA, the Croatian kickboxer chose the brilliantly immense classical work Ecstasy of Gold by Ennio Morricone. Who also uses that same piece for their entrances? Metallica. Enough said.

I’m With Stupid

Brian Ebersole, UFC 127

The chest-hair-sheared arrow on Brian Ebersole’s torso was one of the more bizarre moments from UFC 127. Apparently meant as a tongue-in-cheek marker to indicate to his opponent, Chris Lytle, the location of his chin, there’s nothing stupid about the newcomer’s unconventional and unrelenting fight style. The 47-14-1 (1 NC) Ebersole impressed immeasurably in his debut for the Las Vegas behemoth, and showed no sign of ‘Octagon jitters’ decisioning the respected veteran. Brian Ebersole, consider yourself the heir to Kimbo SIice’s body-hair-sculpturing crown.

Aussie, Aussie

Australian Crowd, UFC 127

The moment the loud Australian crowd erupted into cheers upon BJ Penn re-securing a hook with his left foot while in possession of Jon Fitch’s back, they took the title of ‘Most Knowledgeable and Easily Excitable MMA Fans in the World.’ On top of providing a rare good-natured, and good-humored atmosphere, the Down Under, Acer Arena crowd in Sydney were beside themselves after even the most minor of grappling advances. The MMA virus is truly spreading.

Most Impressive Route

Jon Jones, UFC 128

The young Jon Jones ripping through the heavily respected and massively dangerous Mauricio Rua with ease at UFC 128 was startling. The reach, explosiveness and unrelenting tempo of the new 205lb UFC champ eventually forced the experienced Brazilian to tap to Jones’ onslaught as referee Herb Dean called off the fight in round three. The post-fight in-ring run-in between ‘Bones’ and former training partner Rashad Evans afterward cemented the prospect of a (now) bad-blood match-up between the pair as mouth-watering. It also helped expunge the visuals of Jones sensually caressing the light heavyweight strap during Bruce Buffer’s call. Awkward.

Hot Knife, Meet Butter

Paul Daley, BAMMA 5: Daley vs Shirai

When Paul Daley stunned Deep welterweight champion Yuya Shirai twice with loaded jabs barely a minute into their BAMMA 5 meeting in February it was evidently going to be a short evening. Fans yearning for the promised Nick Diaz vs Paul Daley Strikeforce matchup (provided the Brit pulled a win over his Japanese opponent) breathed a final sigh of relief when Shirai was put away with a combo at 1:46 of round one. ‘Semtex’ living up to his moniker as ever.

Rappers’ Delight

Ice-T and MC Hammer, UFC 128

Somewhat attentive fans would have noticed not one but two old-school rappers by the fighter prep point at UFC 128. Ice-T and MC Hammer, both musically successful in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, had ringside seats to watch Jon Jones dominate ‘Shogun’ Rua. Nate Marquardt, Brendan Schaub and Eliot Marshall represented Hammer’s Alchemist Management fight agency on the card, while Ice-T is a long-time UFC fan. The Body Count rapper was even an unlockable character in the 2002 Xbox game UFC: Tapout.

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