UFC 120: Bisping vs. Akiyama Review/Thoughts

Ouch! That hurt. Not as much as the bat Condit used to cave in Hardy’s face, but it hurt. Not a good showing from me this week. But, to be fair, had it not been for a -1 point deduction and a Hail Mary submission, I would’ve been 6-4. Instead, I went 4-6. Not good. I picked the Main Event exactly right, if that’s any consolation.

So that brings my overall record to a highly respectable 101-76. And with only a few more events in this MMA year, I should end with somewhere around 150 fights called correctly. Believe it. That means your guys have made a decent amount of money, and I will be expecting a check in the mail.

Now, let’s see what the fighters did wrong, and what I called right…

PRELIMINARY CARD

Light Heavyweight bout: James McSweeney vs. Fabio Maldonado

My Pick: Maldonado, Round 1, (T)KO
What Happened: Maldonado, Round 3, (T)KO

So maybe it took a little longer than expected. That fact is, Maldonado eventually got the (T)KO. McSweeney isn’t good. That’s a fact. I’ve said it before, but I honestly think the man is a Light Heavyweight fighting at Heavyweight. He has a lot of weigh to lose and his conditioning is garbage. He won the first round easily, but gassed out and got owned in the final two.

Lightweight bout: Spencer Fisher vs. Kurt Warburton

My Pick: Warburton, Round 3, Decision
What Happened: Fisher, Round 3, Unanimous Decision

This fight was really close. It was won in the third, when Fisher just seemed to want it more. The first round was Warburton’s and the second round ended in fireworks, but Fisher took it narrowly. I could’ve easily seen a 29-28 victory for Warburton as well.

Lightweight bout: Paul Sass vs. Mark Holst

My Pick: Holst, Round 3, Decision
What Happened: Sass, Round 1, Submission

Sass just implemented his gameplan. He pulled guard several times and eventually caught Holst in a Triangle Choke. Holst showed improved submission defense, but he needs to be smarter and not get in those situations.

Light Heavyweight bout: Steve Cantwell vs. Stanislav Nedkov

My Pick: Cantwell, Round 3, Decision
What Happened: Bout Removed from card

Bout scrapped due to the fact that Cantwell suffered a knee injury 48hrs before fight time.

Heavyweight bout: Rob Broughton vs. Vinicius Queiroz

My Pick: Queiroz, Round 2, Submission
What Happened: Broughton, Round 3, Submission

Come from behind win. I thought I was looking good, but Broughton pulled a submission out of nowhere. I had him down two rounds, and losing the third. But somehow the man got the Brazilian’s back and locked in a Rear Naked Choke for the win. Amazing.

Light Heavyweight bout: Cyrille Diabaté vs. Alexander Gustafsson

My Pick: Gustafsson, Round 2, (T)KO
What Happened: Gustafsson, Round 2, Submission

I think Gustafsson could’ve gotten the (T)KO if he wanted to, and make my prediction 100% right. He dominated the first round. In the second Diabate decided to put up a fight, but was eventually overwhelmed by the strikes of Gustafsson. When Diabate turtled up, Gustafasson stopped throwing punches and locked in a Rear Naked Choke.

MAIN CARD

Welterweight bout: James Wilks vs. Claude Patrick

My Pick: Patrick, Round 2, Submission
What Happened: Patrick, Round 3, Unanimous Decision

Boring, boring, boring! I can clearly see why Spike TV didn’t air this fight. It was all about control. Wilks could never get off his back, and Patrick never really tried to finish him. The crowd booed the loudest during this fight. Please don’t ever let it happen again.

Heavyweight bout: Cheick Kongo vs. Travis Browne

My Pick: Kongo, Round 2, (T)KO
What Happened: Kongo/Browne, Round 3, Draw

WEAK! Kongo would’ve won this fight had he not grabbed Browne’s shorts. But what was up with him? There were so many holes in Browne’s striking it was like Swiss cheese. I would think someone with Muay Thai titles under his belt would relish in the opportunities. Nope. Kongo won the fight, but got the draw for the -1.

Welterweight bout: John Hathaway vs. Mike Pyle

My Pick: Hathaway, Round 2, (T)KO
What Happened: Pyle, Round 3, Unanimous Decision

Gotta give it to Pyle. He came in with a Randy Couture gameplan and applied it to perfection. He didn’t care what Hathaway was going to do, he was going to do what he was coached to do. It was boring, but he did bust up Hathaway pretty good.

Welterweight bout: Dan Hardy vs. Carlos Condit

My Pick: Hardy, Round 3, Decision
What Happened: Condit, Round 1, KO

And “BOOM!” goes the dynamite! Didn’t quite see this coming, but I can’t say I was upset. And like I said, I wasn’t so sure Hardy had the power advantage. Turns out, I was right on that. Both threw a left hook. One landed first, and more crisp. Condit followed it up with two more punches to turn the lights out.

Middleweight bout: Michael Bisping vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama

My Pick: Bisping, Round 3, Decision
What Happened: Bisping, Round 3, Unanimous Decision

Exactly how I predicted. Akiyama tagged Bisping a few times, but never quite right on the button. Towards the end it was all Bisping. Landing 1-2′s and jabs with ease. I’d say he’s probably one or two wins away from getting a shot at Anderson Silva.