UFC 135 is wrapped up and what we witnessed is perhaps the beginning of a very lengthy and dominate reign. While one is just getting warmed up one of the best ever could possibly calling it an end to an incredible career. While fight results usually answer our questions 2 Heavyweight bouts most likely left more questions than we had coming into the respective bouts. The main card was rounded out with an impressive return to a division against a former title holder.
My Prediction: Jones by TKO 3rd Round
My Rating:$$$1/2
What Happened: Things went according to the game plan for Jones using his tremendous reach through the bout using his usually kicks, elbows and knees along with his long punches. Rampage was really unable to any sort of rhythm in the fight, he could not get inside the reach and use his power at all. Jones Perhaps already on Anderson Silva's level where we are just seeing how long their opponents can last against them. With that said Rampage came in using good head movement and did land some leg kicks early but seem to abandoned them as the fight went on. Rampage was impressively able to get back on his feet after a Jones takedown who seemed to have Rampage in a real bad spot to finish the fight. By the time the 4th round came around it was Jones who was able to trip up Rampage up against the cage and eventually work to get his back and sink in the rear naked choke win.
Future matchups to make: For Jones he reign has now really begun with his first title defense and he will now finally have the bout against his former teammate Rashad Evans. For Rampage he requested a bout and rematch against Shogun at the event in Japan if not Rua another rematch with Lyoto Machida would also work.
My Prediction: Koscheck by Decision
My Rating:$$1/2
What Happened: For 4 minutes and 58 seconds of the fight it seem like Hughes was not only making this a fight but one that potentially seemed winnable for him. But Koscheck was able to land some big uppercuts and right ands late in the round that seemed to hurt Hughes. In the clinch Koscheck continued to land right hands and an errant knee by Hughes stumbles him and sends him to the ground. Koscheck followed him to the mat and was able to land some big strikes in Hughes's guard who in turn rolls over but doe not stop the beating as the ref is forced to step in and save Hughes with just a second left in the round.
Future matchups to make: Koscheck has some big career decisions to make now regarding what weight he will compete at going forward. Most likely he should continue the move to Middleweight and face a pretty tough opponent from the get go.
Mark Hunt defeated Ben Rothwell by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-27)
My Rating: $$
What Happened: Hunt who was my least confident pick (found ) as I said if he couldn't finish the fight in the first round and early could find him self in alot of trouble. But against the odds it was Hunt who had just enough gas tank to outlast Rothwell who was incredibly gassed by the time the final bell rang. In perhaps and even bigger surprise than who gassed first it was Hunt who even attempted an arm bar attempt in the closing seconds of the 2nd round that one judge scored 10-8 for Hunt. What was no surprise during this fight was Hunt's power as he bloodied up Rothwell and was seemingly just one big uppercut away from finishing Rothwell's night.
Future matchups to make: At 37 and sitting at 7-7 with 6 of those loses by submission it was Hunt who showed a dramatic improvement to his ground game. Taking on the winner of the Pat Barry vs Stefan Struve bout would be a really entertaining Heavyweight clash.
My Prediction: Browne by TKO 1st Round
My Rating:$1/2
What Happened: It was suppose to be easy for Browne but Broughton showed he's a tough finish for anyone. Browne pretty much threw everything at Broughton but the tough Brit combined with a tired Browne forced this fight to be decided by the judges. Browne was able to secure mount in every round but surprisingly was unable to get the finish. Browne also mixed up some leg kicks in his striking but it was his gas tank that failed him midway through the 2nd.
Future matchups to make: Perhaps Browne isn't quite there yet but that was the purpose of this fight for him, to see where he is at. Heavy handed Shane Carwin would be an excellent bout between the 2 powerful strikers.
My Prediction: Diaz by Submission 2nd Round
My Rating: $$$
What Happened: For people that predicted a Diaz win it most likely went exactly as they thought. Diaz used his reach and connected often from distance hurting Gomi. Gomi hurt early starting swinging wildly which Diaz easily avoided. Gomi was able to close the distance and get a clinch and pushes the fight to the ground but Diaz traps an arm and locks up a triangle attempt. Gomi attempted to break out of the choke by slamming Diaz, which got him out of the choke...as Diaz transitions into an arm bar which quickly forces Gomi to tap.
Future matchups to make: Great performance and return to the Lightweight division for Diaz, a bout against Evan Dunham would be a great test for both fighters.
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