video review : Dominick Cruz versus Cody Garbrandt at UFC 207

video review : Dominick Cruz versus Cody Garbrandt at UFC 207

Dominick Cruz is the better trash talker; the lead-up to this fight was even more entertaining than the fight itself; but Cody Garbrandt gets the last laugh, sometimes literally as he mocks his opponent for nearly the entire bout, displaying some slick dance moves in the process. Rounds 3 and 4 are especially tough for the now former Bantamweight Champion, who’s knocked down and nearly out more than once.

my rating : 4 of 5

2016

video review : Jon Jones versus Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165

video review : Jon Jones versus Alexander Gustafsson at UFC 165

“We recently saw Anderson Silva defeated by Chris Weidman,” Mike Goldberg reminds us after Joe Rogan suggests Alexander Gustafsson could win this fight if he catches Jon Jones “flat-footed”. Jones is more cautious than Silva though; he doesn’t play games in The Octagon; and he “can take a shot”.

He takes more here than any of his previous bouts. He’s even taken down for the first time. It seems Gustafsson is easily his toughest opponent yet. By the end, the Champion does manage to do enough to win via unanimous decision, but it’s a close fight. “One of the best of all time”? Perhaps.

my rating : 4 of 5

2013

video review : Daniel Cormier versus Anderson Silva at UFC 200

video review : Daniel Cormier versus Anderson Silva at UFC 200

I’d bet on Daniel Cormier to beat Anderson Silva at this point in his (Silva’s) career even if both fighters had ample time to prepare. That The Spider crawls into this bout to replace Jon Jones on just two days notice gives him even less of a chance and his losses are starting to stack up.

Cormier may be going easy on him for that reason; he takes and holds him down but doesn’t seem eager to finish him; though Silva is defensive on his back. I wonder how the match would go if the fighters remained standing the whole time as those exchanges look about equal.

my rating : 3 of 5

2016

video review : Anderson Silva versus Nick Diaz at UFC 183

video review : Anderson Silva versus Nick Diaz at UFC 183

Anderson Silva seems tentative and a little rusty here. What he does after his decision victory is announced; fall down and cry like a baby; suggests it’s because he’s nervous returning to The Octagon for the first time since getting his leg snapped in two by Chris Weidman.

Whatever the case, this fight starts off close and stays that way until the later rounds when Nick Diaz, who’s been taunting Silva much to the amusement of Joe Rogan; I think it just makes him look silly; seems to tire. That’s when Silva starts “loosening up” and taking over.

my rating : 3 of 5

2015

video review : Paige VanZant versus Michelle Waterson at UFC Fight Night

video review : Paige VanZant versus Michelle Waterson at UFC Fight Night

This is a fantasy match of sorts; two of The UFC’s sexiest women going at it. Michelle Waterson begins with a death stare as Page VanZant bounces about happily. That smile is soon wiped away when Waterson throws her to the floor and locks her in a rear naked; yeah, I wish; choke. That’s when the party lights go out.

my rating : 3 of 5

2016

video review : Donald Cerrone versus Matt Brown at UFC 206

video review : Donald Cerrone versus Matt Brown at UFC 206

Matt Brown is tough and it shows for most of this fight, but a man can only take so many kicks to the head; one of Donald Cerrone’s signature attacks. They call him Cowboy, but here he plays the role of the batter in a game of baseball. Listen to the crack of the third round KO shot. Vicious.

my rating : 4 of 5

2016