2013
ufc.com
Tag: Bruce Buffer
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 : Misha Cirkunov versus Johnny Walker at UFC 235
Johnny Walker looks like a peak Anderson Silva in this UFC 235 fight, which isn’t much of a fight. Misha Cirkunov throws a left hook out of range, then a left kick. Walker returns with multiple fakes, then boom; a flying knee to the chin. Fight’s over.
What’s unusual about this bout is what happens immediately after. Walker does a miltary salute, presumably to himself, purposely falls facedown on the floor, attempts to do one of his signature dance moves and injures himself in the process.
my rating : 3 of 5
2019
video review : Anderson Silva versus Stephan Bonnar at UFC 153
The bigger they are, the harder they fall… after getting kneed in the solar plexus. Stephan Bonnar talks about taking Anderson Silva “on a ride thru Hell” in his pre-fight monologue, but he gets carjacked in the first round.
Most amusing is how Silva plays with him during the bout, putting his back against the cage and letting him tee off on him as if his 15-0 record isn’t on the line. Joe Rogan wants him to fight Jon Jones. That would be epic.
my rating : 4 of 5
2012
video review : Rose Namajunas versus Jéssica Andrade at UFC 237
This fight ends with Rose getting slammed on her head. That’s what she gets for shaving off her beautiful hair. It could’ve cushioned her head and maybe won her the fight. That’s said in jest, of course, but it is unsettling seeing her get dropped like that. She could’ve easily broke her neck.
Cage fighting is a dangerous sport, but Thug Rose was winning until that unfortunate turn of events. Jéssica Andrade is a knockout artist; she sent Karolina Kowalkiewicz on a trip thru the cosmos in her last bout; but Namajunas is faster and more skilled on the feet. On the head? Not so much.
my rating : 4 of 5
2019
video review : UFC 241
Before UFC fans can get over the shock of Mike Beltran’s missing mustache, Ian Heinisch kicks Derek Brunson in the head. Dominick Cruz thinks it’s an instant knockout; you can hear the crack when it lands; but Brunson, fighting smart for a change, goes on to win via decision.
Decisions also go to Paulo Costa over Yoel Romero and Nate Diaz over Anthony Pettis. The former is the best fight; their muscles are impressive and their power is extraordinary; though it’s the latter, specifically Diaz’s return after a three-year hiatus, that was most anticipated.
Stipe Miocic puts on a surprisingly lackluster performance against Daniel Cormier in their Heavyweight Championship title bout; a rematch from UFC 226. He gets punched in the face repeatedly until he finds DC’s weak spot; the liver area Anderson Silva once exploited; and knocks him out.
my rating : 4 of 5
2019
video review : Jon Jones versus Thiago Santos at UFC 239
Thiago Santos hurts his left leg in Round 2 and it stays that way for the rest of the bout, which causes him to buckle and fall a few times. Still he gives Jon Jones a tough fight, causing him to endure some leg issues of his own. Santos almost floors him with a kick to the calf and goes on to put a nasty welt on his thigh.
Jon Jones is more distant and inactive than usual; he mostly stalks and stares, knowing Santos has the power to knock him out at any moment; but he manages to win the bout via split decision. I was rooting for him, but I’d vote for Santos. Even with his injury, which Joe Rogan speculates is a torn ACL, I think he won this.
my rating : 4 of 5
2019
video review : Conor McGregor versus Nate Diaz at UFC 196
“There is one thing we also should consider and that is the wrestling of Nate Diaz,” Joe Rogan says after a brief exchange about stances, “His submission game is very very highly respected.” The “very/very/highly” bit makes it a ridiculous overstatement, but, as Diaz goes on to prove, the gist is correct.
Conor McGregor has the advantage on the feet; his movement and striking is on a higher level; but Diaz lands a hard punch in the second round, which flips the momentum of the fight. McGregor eventually goes in for a desperate takedown and ends up getting caught in a guillotine choke.
my rating : 4 of 5
2016
Colby Covington talking about beating Robbie Lawler and getting a call from Donald Trump
2019
ufc.com
video review : Cris Cyborg versus Amanda Nunes at UFC 232
Declaring her “the greatest women’s mixed martial artist of all time”, as Joe Rogan does here, is a ridiculous overstatement, but you have to give Amanda Nunes a lot of credit. She knocks out Cris Cyborg; a fighter I rank above her; in less than a minute; about the same amount of time it took for her to beat “goat”-contender Ronda Rousey.
Rousey is just a tough woman though. Cris Cyborg is, from the looks of it, a virtual man, which, considering modern society’s delusional coddling of so-called transgenders, shouldn’t be regarded as an insult. That makes this Nunes victory all the more impressive, though a rematch could help remove the feeling of flukiness.
my rating : 3 of 5
2018
video review : Demetrious Johnson versus Henry Cejudo at UFC 227
It’s a relatively close fight, sure, but I think Demetrious Johnson is the obvious victor. Why two of the three judges give it to Henry Cejudo is a mystery to me. The wrestler scores some impressive takedowns but doesn’t do much with them. DJ is clearly better on the feet, where most of the fight takes place.
my rating : 4 of 5
2018
video review : Tony Ferguson versus Anthony Pettis at UFC 229
Pettis is no slouch, but Ferguson’s fighting style is hard to deal with. It’s a barrage of pressure from a guy who doesn’t seem to get tired. He gets rocked in round 2 but recovers and continues to attack.
The ending is, as Jon Anik describes it, somewhat anticlimactic as the bout ends with Duke Roufus throwing in the metaphorical towel for Anthony Pettis. He’s apparently done in by a broken hand.
my rating : 4 of 5
2018