Issue 063
June 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.
Most criticized performance
Anderson Silva
GSP was the subject of much criticism back in March when he couldn’t finish the stubborn Dan Hardy, and much of that came from himself, unhappy with his own performance, but ‘The Spider’ faced new levels of heat from fans, critics, reporters and fighters – not to mention Dana White, who stormed out of the arena during Silva’s fight with Demian Maia. Silva’s bizarre performance – in which he taunted and reportedly insulted Maia – has jeopardized his position as one of the UFC’s top fighters.
Biggest shutout
Jake Shields, Strikeforce: Nashville
The numbers paint a better picture than words in this case: Shields outlanded Hendo 232-61 in total strikes, was successful with five of nine takedown attempts, gained 11 dominant positions and went for eight submissions. In comparison, Hendo scored no takedowns and, aside from the two knockdowns in the first round, offered little resistance during the five-round fight.
Most effective takedowns
King Mo, Strikeforce: Nashville
A world-class wrestler and phenomenal athlete, it wasn’t surprising to see ‘King’ Mo Lawal shoot for numerous takedowns during his fight with Gegard Mousasi. Lawal has an 89% success rate at landing takedowns in his short MMA career. In his last five fights, he has hit 33 successful takedowns out of 37 attempts.
One to watch
Phil ‘Mr. Wonderful’ Davis, UFC 112
Light heavyweight wrestler and stud, Phil Davis, has garnered much praise since stepping into the Octagon. At only 25 years of age, Davis is a phenomenal athlete and outstanding wrestler, but only has six fights to his name even after choking Alexander Gustafson at UFC 112. Predictably, he has been compared to 205lb prodigy Jon Jones, marking him out as one to watch in 2010.
Biggest slugfest
DaMarques Johnson vs Brad Blackburn, UFC 112
TUF 9 welterweight runner-up DaMarques Johnson has showed he’s no second-string welterweight. The 27-year-old has had two tough fights in the UFC since the finale in 2009, winning both fights against hard-as-nails opponents. Most recently, Johnson came from behind to beat the dangerous and durable Brad Blackburn by TKO after a terrific three-round slugfest.
Most savage knees
Georgi Karakhanyan, Bellator 13
Bao Quach is a tough, tough veteran, but Georgi Karakhanyan put him to sleep with a seriously sharp knee to the chin. The Russian-born Armenian landed two knees to the body before sending a third straight to Quach’s chin, putting the Californian slugger to sleep.
Nastiest submission
Ben Askren, Bellator 14
As far as guillotine chokes go, this has to be one of the most hideous we’ve ever seen. Askren was a wrestling standout before he joined the ranks of American Top Team, and he’s obviously adapted well to MMA, going 4-0-0 in just over a year. His technical submission win over Ryan Thomas saw him notch his third win in a row by way of choke.
Most stubborn submission defense
Mark Munoz, UFC 112
Nicknamed ‘The Filipino Wrecking Machine’, Mark Munoz has got some fierce wrestling skills and wicked ground ‘n pound – but he most impressed with his stubbornness and refusal to tap to Kendall Grove’s many chokes at UFC 112.
