My Prediction: Rua by TKO 2nd Round
My Rating: $$$$$
What Happened: Welcome to exhibit A for those in favour of all UFC main events being 5 rounds. In an incredible back and forth affair both fighters on the brink of defeat numerous occasions they put on what I'm calling the greatest fight of all time. Now it's no secret that Shogun is one of if not my favorite fighter and i've always been a fan and supporter of Henderson so I may be a little bias with that previous statement but I stand by it after watching these 2 legends leave absolutely everything they had (and perhaps having to borrow anything anyone would give them) in the cage.
1st Round
It was all Henderson early as he landed a quick uppercut that sent Shogun to the ground, Shogun looked to take the fight to the ground but Henderson was able to lock in a standing guiltoine choke. He let go but only to unload some vicious uppercuts on Shogun up against the cage and continued to throw rights and left as Shogun was only able to survive the attack as he was bloodied up. Shogun was still looking to close the distance and get Henderson done but Henderson made him pay coming in landing another big shot and keep the fight standing. Later in the round Shogun was finally able to connect on Henderson and he landed a right hand that had Henderson looking for a single leg but Shogun made him eat right hands for the attempt. A clear 10-9 round for Henderson
2nd Round
Henderson again was able to back Shogun up against the cage and land some big shots but this time around Shogun was able to fight back and landed his own big strike to get off the cage. A real fast pace saw alot of the round in the clinch with both fighters trying to get a brief moment to catch a breathe. Late in the round after the referee breaks up the clinch they open up again with some big power shots with both fighters landing. Another 10-9 round for Henderson
3rd Round
Things get real wild from this point on as they both start throwing power punches but it is Henderson who lands the bigger shot as he connects with a big straight right that sends Shogun to the mat, Henderson follows up into Shogun's half guard and unloads some huge punches which allows him to gain side control with Shogun eventually turning over. Shogun was covering up but the referee was taking a real long look at him. Shogun was someone able to survive badly bloodied and all but was actually able to lock in a brief ankle lock that got the fight back to it's fight. With less that 2 minutes to go it was Shogun now getting Henderson up against the cage and get a brief takedown that sent Henderson to his knees with Shogun unloaded some uppercuts. Viewing live I was thinking this round could of been a 10-8 but watching the 2nd time I can see it being a 10-9 round for Henderson. Going back to my opening words thank goodness this was a 5 round fight instead of a clear dominate 30-27 win for Henderson we get 2 more rounds of action in what clearly made this fight something special.
4th Round
Shogun bloodied, bruised, beaten down, but having the slightly morale victory of still standing looked for a takedown that Henderson defended and rolled into a crucifix position from the bottom which he transitioned into a brief choke attempt but Shogun was able to scramble into a leg lock attempt which Henderson in turn scrambled to his feet. Henderson takes to the ground right away though scoring a takedown and into a choke attempt in Shogun's half guard. Shogun was able to get the fight back standing after briefly giving his back, it was at the point where the fight took a huge momentum swing. It was Shogun backing Henderson up against the cage and landed a huge uppercut, Henderson looked very fatigued as Shogun continued to land his biggest shots of the fight. 35 seconds left in the round and Shogun scored a trip takedown and took full mount almost instantly Henderson rolled and Shogun nearly locked in a rear naked choke. Huge round and heart from Shogun as he took it 10-9
5th Round
Building off the huge turn around in the 4th Shogun was able to get a takedown early in the round and gain side control. Having Henderson up against the cage Shogun rained down knees to Henderson as he transitioned to full mount and started to unload some ground and pound as he spat his own mouth guard out. For the entire round Shogun worked on top of Henderson, to Henderson's credit he was able to gain half guard at times but Shogun continued to regain the advantageous position looking for submissions while throwing down punches,elbows and hammerfists as it was now Henderson just surviving. Shogun finished the fight on top throwing punches but just didn't have enough in the tank to get the finish. You can argue what happened in the 3rd if Shogun didn't enough to score it a 10-9 or 10-8 but it really is beyond me why the 5th wasn't a 10-8. Originally watching it I though maybe the 3rd could be a 10-8 so I had Henderson winning 47-46 but the 2nd time watching I would score the 3rd 10-9 Henderson, the 5th 10-8 Shogun for a 47-47 draw...but what do I know aside from that being just an outstanding performance from both.
Wanderlei Silva defeated Cung Le by TKO 2nd 4:49 Round
My Prediction: Silva by TKO 1st Round
My Rating: $$$$
What Happened: The first round saw some vintage action from both fighters as Le perhaps got the better of the exchanges landing a big spinning back fist that stunned Silva and kept Silva guessing with his wide range of kicking attacks. Silva though to his credit kept attacking and landing some of his own kicks and ended up cutting Le with a straight right. The 2nd saw Le clearly bothered by the cut but he still attack with his trademark kicks. Silva though played a patient game picking his shots and countering nicely. Late in the round and Le noticeably tired Silva swarmed with rights and lefts followed up with a knee that backed Le up to the cage. Continuing the assault Silva lands a head kick followed up with a big right hand that floored Le, Le was able to get to his feet but Silva locked in the clinch and lands some more knees. 16 seconds left they break apart but Silva attacks again with a knee that sends Le staggering back to the cage he shots for Silva's legs but Silva stuffs it and follows up with some right hands on top on Le which forces the referee to step and and stop the fight.
My Prediction: Bowles by Decision
My Rating: $$$1/2
What Happened: First round saw a pretty even fight on the feet but Faber was able to get a takedown defend a brief guillotine choke attempt and had Bowles fighting off his back for the rest of the round. the 2nd saw Faber open up and land a huge uppercut that sent Bowles falling back, Faber continued the attacked landing a big knee and had Bowles up against the cage. Faber landed some big elbows that set up him locking in a standing guillotine that he drops to the ground with. Faber quickly gets the submission win with the tight choke in top position.
My Prediction: Kampmann by Decision
My Rating: $$1/2
What Happened: 1st round was very competitive with fighters trading shots Story going alot to the body and Kampmann looking to keep the fight a more technical battle on the feet. 2nd round again saw Story going to the body and looping overhand shots but it was Kampmann's straight right hand that found a home with frequency and a takedown followed up with a choke attempt won Kampmann the round. the 3rd round saw alot of clinch work early and Story get some takedowns, but Kampmann was able to get back to his feet every time. Clinched up against the cage Story made a major mental error and gave up his back with 30 seconds left in the round Kampmann was able to drag him to the ground and get a rear naked choke attempt as the round and fight ended.
My Prediction: Bonnar by Decision
My Rating: $$
What Happened: The first round saw the fighters mostly in the clinch but it was Bonnar who got the upper hand late in the round by getting a takedown landing in side control. From there Bonnar was able to work to mount and unloaded some ground and pound as the round ended. In the 2nd Bonnar continued his positional dominance over Kingsbury moving from side control to north south back to the other side while looking for submissions. The 3rd was a duplicate of what we saw in the first 10 minutes with Bonnar dominating Kingsbury on the ground electing to stay in side control while dropping elbows and looking for submissions until the final bell.
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