Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE (pt. 2 of 2): Whose performance was most impressive at UFC 123 in Detroit? Perez, Matthew, Bacior, Williams and Penick
Nov 29, 2010 - 1:23:04 PM ROUNDTABLE (pt. 2 of 2): Whose performance was most impressive at UFC 123 in Detroit? Perez, Matthew, Bacior, Williams and Penick

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Whose performance was most impressive at UFC 123 in Detroit?

ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

As impressive as B.J. Penn's fight and consequent KO of Matt Hughes, I will go against the grain and go with Rampage Jackson.  Many people didn't think he would win the fight going in.  Some said that he had gotten complacent and not had his head on right for the Rashad Evans fight in May, so there was no way that in this fight he would be ready.  Well, he was.  Though the fight was not the most exciting (but still better than I initially thought it was going to be), Rampage came out the aggressor, pushing the pace, and trying to get the win.  Even when it looked like he was in trouble, he never gave in, and tried to improve his position always.  I was just impressed knowing that everyone bet on "the Machida Era" and didn't look twice at Rampage, let alone once.  That impressed me.  

SAM MATTHEW, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

The most impressive performance from UFC 123 was the first televised bout of the evening, Aaron Simpson vs. Mark Munoz.  You certainly couldn't tell these two were friends as they exchanged heavy hands and takedown attempts for the entire duration of the bout, and really showed themselves to be true warriors in the cage.  Great cardio and technique from both fighters in a battle I considered the true "Fight of the Night."

MIKE BACIOR, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

B.J. Penn clearly had the most impressive performance. :21 second KOs don't happen too often, especially to Matt Hughes.
 
ALEX WILLIAMS, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

George Sotiropoulos turned in the most impressive performance at UFC 123.  I thought he'd defeat Joe Lauzon, but I didn't think he could finish him, let alone finish him by submission.  Sotiropoulos deserves a title shot now.  B.J. Penn's stoppage of Matt Hughes was also highly impressive, but Hughes has slipped enough that it didn't impress me quite as much as Sotiropoulos' victory.

JAMIE PENICK, MMATORCH EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

George Sotiropoulos, Phil Davis and B.J. Penn were the standout performers for me from UFC 123. That's a testament to a good card, as well, as all three turned in very impressive performances on an overall good event. Sotiropoulos weathered the early storm from Joe Lauzon before putting his excellent top game to work, and it's simply fun to watch him work when he gets going like that. As for Davis, his ability to work in the submission game to his dominant wrestling base is one of the things that makes him one of the more exciting prospects in the sport. And Penn blasting Hughes in 21 seconds was one of the most impressive performances of not only this event, but Penn's career. All in all it was an excellent night of fights in Detroit.


RELATED: Part one of this roundtable with responses from Hansen, Lee, Hyden, Hobaugh and Amadi: [Click to Read Full Roundtable]