Issue 059
February 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 Back-and-Forth Battle
Amir Sadollah vs. Phil Baroni
Phil Baroni may not have the greatest record in the world, and bucked a trend by re-signing with the UFC coming off a loss (they rarely sign anything other than fighters with winning records), but The New York Bad Ass showed why he’s a great addition to the UFC’s welterweight division by going toe-to-toe with Amir Sadollah for three rounds at UFC 106. Both men were left bloodied and battered at the end of the first round but powered through fatigue and hurtful shots for a further action-packed ten minutes. Sadollah took the decision, but if Baroni keeps fighting like that he’s definitely got a home with the UFC.
Most Controversial Moment
Josh Koscheck vs. Anthony Johnson
Josh Koscheck’s ‘did he, didn’t he?’ eye poke
Weirdest Score
Judge Lester Griffin
There has been some strange judging going on in the UFC of late (not that it’s their fault – they have no control over who judges fights, it is the State Athletic Commissions that appoint the judges). One of the strangest scores we’ve seen in quite some time was that in the rematch between Forrest Griffin and Tito Ortiz. Judge Lester Griffin (no relation) scored the contest 30-27 and gave all three rounds to Griffin. Dana White branded the score “crazy”, “outrageous”, and “insane”.
Biggest Surprise
Jose Aldo
It was not all that surprising that Aldo took Mike Brown’s belt, what was surprising was how he took it. Aldo’s skills as a striker weren’t in doubt, but fans wanted to know how he would deal with Brown’s powerful wrestling. The answer was simple – hit Brown enough times to take away his forward motion, then take him down with a double leg when he’s on the back foot. Shocking and brilliant.
Best Knees from Clinch
Ben Saunders
Former professional boxer Marcus Davis is known as one of the toughest fighters in the welterweight division and has a chin of granite. The 36-year-old fighter had never been knocked out in his six-year MMA career, and Ben Saunders was keen to become the first man to knock out Marcus Davis. The rangy Saunders overwhelmed Davis with strikes before finishing him with a perfect knee to the chin.
Unintentional Putdown
Josh Koscheck
After beating the very tough Anthony Johnson, Josh Koscheck had some words for number-one welterweight title contender, Dan Hardy. Kos said that Hardy hadn’t fought anyone and didn’t deserve his title shot – conveniently ignoring the fact that Hardy had soundly beaten American Kickboxing Academy team member Mike Swick only one week earlier!
Most Promising Youngster
Brian Foster
25-year-old Brian Foster trains out of Matt Hughes’ HIT Squad gym in Granite City, Illinois, and has learned well from the former UFC welterweight champion. Foster looked excellent in taking on the very capable Brock Larson, even fighting through an illegal knee that might have stopped lesser fighters. He lost his first fight in the UFC last summer, but looks like a solid prospect for the future.
Best Debut
‘Lil Nog’
Twin brother of former UFC heavyweight champ Minotauro, Rogerio Nogueira (known as Minotoro) is a veteran of the sport with 21 fights to his name but impressed in his UFC debut with a first-round KO of Luiz Cane.
Whatever Happened to…?
Caol Uno
Once upon a time Caol Uno was considered one of the best lightweight fighters in the world. Now he’s relegated to fighting on the undercard against fighters such as the unknown Brazilian Fabricio Camoes. The fight was scored a majority draw after Camoes was deducted points for illegal kicks, otherwise he would have won. This leads us to ask, ‘Whatever happened to Caol Uno?’
Grappling Masterclass
George Sotiropoulos
Fighting against Jason Dent, Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt George Sotiropoulos showed off his excellent ground game with a slick armbar in the second round. Training in Las Vegas is paying off for the Australian fighter, who is now 13-2-0 in MMA.
