Issue 065
August 2010
With so many events taking place around the world it’s impossible to feature them all, but here is our selection of outstanding moments from recent action.
Best Come-from-Behind Win
Mike Russow UFC 114
Todd Duffee was cruising to a comfortable decision win against Mike Russow, but a big right hand from the beefy Chicago brawler put Duffee down but not out, as Duffee himself explained after the fight. “It was on the temple I felt the shot... It just shut down the [central nervous] system, couldn’t use my arms to catch my fall or anything. I was watching everything until my head hit the canvas (which may have put me out). I blinked and he hit me with a hammer fist... The way I fell made it look much worse than it was.”
Saddest Moment
Chuck Liddell, UFC 115
Seeing Chuck on his back, blood trickling from his eye and mouth, was a sight no fan ever wanted to see. It was his fourth KO loss in six fights. Regardless of how tight his six-pack was, it just goes to show that not everyone can be Randy Couture. At 40 years old, the ‘Iceman’s’ legendary career is over, done, finite.
Most Stirring Underdog Performance
John Hathaway, UFC 114
At 22 years of age and with only four fights in the UFC Octagon, John Hathaway wasn’t given much of a chance by oddsmakers going into this fight. Sanchez had the advantage on paper, but the young Englishman put on a stirring three-round striking clinic to out-point the former lightweight title challenger. An example to underdogs everywhere.
Prize for Coming Second
Rory Macdonald, UFC 115
Even in defeat, 20-year-old Canadian fighter Rory MacDonald won the hearts and minds of the 17,000+ people in the General Motors Place arena. He looked close to picking up his second win in the UFC, and against a former WEC champion nonetheless. His opponent, Carlos Condit, managed to turn it around late in the fight and pummeled MacDonald for a TKO stoppage, but both men walked away winners, recipients of an $85,000 bonus each for ‘Fight of the Night’.
Most Humble Return to Form
Kid Yamamoto, Dream 14
A lot was riding on Kid’s performance going into this fight. A victim of his own success and the current topic of a few notable scandals in his home of Japan, Kid’s ego and behavior was reportedly out of control. Thankfully, the pint-sized star saw fit to get things back on track. For his fight against Team Quest’s Federico Lopez, Kid lived and trained in Okinawa under former WBA light welterweight champ Akinobu Hiranaka. The result was a blistering 101-second win for Kid.
Most technically impressive fight
Martin Kampmann vs Paulo Thiago, UFC 115
Sharp striking, slick subs, great grappling – this was one of the best welterweight clashes you could hope to see. It was the Danish ‘Hitman’ vs the cop from Brazil. This time the law came up short, as Kampmann handled Thiago in a three-round technical master class in MMA.
Most Controversial Decision
Antonio Rogerio Nogueira vs Jason Brilz, UFC 114
Late replacement Jason Brilz stepped up to face the always-dangerous ‘Lil Nog’ (twin brother of the former UFC and Pride heavyweight champ). Few expected him to fare well, but Brilz controlled much of the contest and came within a hair’s breadth of finishing the fight. The judges didn’t agree, handing the split decision win to the Brazilian. “I thought the decision was bullshit,” said Dana White after the event. “I’m no judge, but I thought Brilz won the fight. You can’t leave it in the hands of these judges.”
Best Display of Vintage Kicking
Cro Cop, UFC 115
Welcome back Mirko! This was the ‘Cro Cop’ we know and love, the high-kicking head hunter with dynamite in his fists. Most impressive about the kickboxer’s return to form was his awesome kicking display, which brought Jean Claude Van Damme and Bruce Lee to mind! Side kicks, axe kicks, hook kicks – did Mirko break out his copy of Enter the Dragon during his preparation for this fight?
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