UFC Fight Night 117 and Bellator 183 were both this past weekend, let’s get straight to the rundown.
UFC Fight Night 117
GOOD- Jussier Formiga submits Ulka Sasaki
Formiga got the fight on the ground and started working towards the submission. He locked in a tight rear-naked choke and forced the tap towards the end of the first round. This was a very impressive win for Formiga. He’s definitely close to a title shot. With the way the UFC is booking lately, though, he might need one more big win, but he’s most certainly in the mix.
GOOD- Teruto Ishihara vs. Rolando Dy
Ishihara came out and nearly finished Dy to start the fight. It got a little better for Dy after that, but he was still fighting from behind the whole time. Ishihara won the decision.
GOOD- Gokhan Saki stops Henrique da Silva
Both guys came out ready to stand and trade so this was a fun fight. They both took some big shots and delivered them as well. Saki just delivered more. He’s got some work to do in other areas, but his striking and power are a force to be reckoned with. Good fight.
GOOD- Dong Hyun Kim stops Takanori Gomi
A slow start but an explosive finish as Kim dropped Gomi with a right hand and jumped on him to force the ref stoppage. Nice finish from Kim, but Gomi is just a shell of his former self.
GOOD- Jessica Andrade vs. Claudia Gadelha
Gadelha started strong, but then Andrade took over and laid out a vicious ass-whipping on Gadelha. Tremendous toughness shown by Gadelha, as she kept on coming despite getting beat up. Andrade had some huge slams, but she couldn’t finish Gadelha. Andrade is looking at fighting UFC Women’s Strawweight Champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk again. I’m really looking forward to that. For one, I love watching Joanna Champion fight. For two, if Andrade fights anywhere near this level again, she just might win the title. That should be a hell of a fight and I hope everyone circles the date on the calendar, assuming the fight gets made. Very impressive showing by Andrade.
GOOD- Ovince Saint Preux submits Yushin Okami
Okami took the fight on short notice. Okami shot in and OSP took his neck and that was it. OSP locked in a Von Flue choke and got a good win. It was largely expected, but a win’s a win. This was a good way to end the card.
Bellator 183
GOOD- Goiti Yamauchi submits Adam Piccolotti
Yamauchi was all over Piccolotti’s body and worked for the submission. He got it and forced the tap. Good win for Yamauchi.
GOOD- Aaron Pico stops Justin Linn
They traded shots for a while and we got some fun (but sloppy) striking for a while. Suddenly, Pico crushed Linn with a left hook for the slo-mo timber knockout. Pico is exciting, that’s for sure.
GOOD- Roy Nelson vs. Javy Ayala
This had some really good parts and some nice back and forth fighting. Nelson was able to control Ayala on the ground and that’s what got him the decision. Some might have been expecting a slugfest, but Nelson wanted the win.
GOOD/BAD- Paul Daley stops Lorenz Larkin
They went back and forth for a while, with each man having success. There were some really boring parts at times, and then some really exciting parts. Daley tried a backfist that missed, then nailed Larkin with a left hook right on the chin that ended things. Nice finish and big win by Daley, who called out nearly everyone in the division after the fight.
BAD- Benson Henderson vs. Patricky “Pitbull” Freire
This was your typical Henderson fight. That is to say, it was dull and close. Some fights that are close are tense and interesting, others are dull and lifeless. This was definitely the latter. I don’t care for watching Henderson fight, to be blunt. I’ve seen enough of his fights to last a lifetime. He’s got talent, for sure, but I just don’t care for watching his fights. Freire won the split decision.
Comments and suggestions can be emailed to me at hydenfrank@gmail.com and you can follow me on Twitter at @hydenfrank
NOW CHECK OUT HYDEN’S PREVIOUS TAKE: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly from UFC Fight Night 116
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