2016
ufc.com
Tag: Jon Anik
video review : Dan Hooker versus Michael Chandler at UFC 257
I’d say Bellator fighter Michael Chandler couldn’t have hoped for a better UFC debut, but perhaps it wasn’t a matter of hope. He seemed confident in not only getting an impressive victory here but going on to become UFC Champ and he’s already accomplished the first goal.
All it takes is a fake right followed by a sneaky left (punch) to the face to drop The Hangman just halfway into the very first round. The only solid strike a backfooted Dan Hooker, who hints at retirement by throwing his gloves down after the bout, manages is a low calf kick.
my rating : 3 of 5
2021
video review : Khabib Nurmagomedov versus Justin Gaethje at UFC 254
“Number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world”? My reply to such a bombastic claim is probably not; there are a lot of unknown fighters in the world; but it seems Khabib Nurmagomedov is currently the best pound-for-pound fighter in The UFC. He’s also one of the best ever, which makes news of his retirement; he announces it in his post-fight interview after an emotional salute to his father; that much more impactful.
I thought Justin Gaethje’s chances of winning this bout were being overhyped by MMA fans, but he does even worse than I guessed. That’s not so much a criticism of his skills; he does manage to land a few of his “patented” leg kicks, which Nurmagomedov doesn’t have much of an answer for; but how long he lasts. At not even two full rounds, it’s the champion’s quickest victory since pummeling Thiago Tavares back in 2013.
my rating : 4 of 5
2020
video review : Israel Adesanya versus Paulo Costa at UFC 253
It seems Israel Adesanya is fulfilling his own prophecy by becoming one of the greatest UFC champions of all time. He has to acquire a lot more wins to reach the level of Anderson Silva and Jon Jones; two fighters his style comes across as a combination of, also my two favorite fighters; but he’s on his way.
“I wanna make him my bitch,” The Last Stylebender said of Paulo Costa in a promo interview and that’s exactly what he does. He bruises his body with vicious leg kicks, bruises his ego with a second round knockout and simulates prison rape via dry humps right there in the center of The Octagon.
my rating : 4 of 5
2020
video review : Dominick Reyes versus Jan Błachowicz at UFC 253
It doesn’t really make sense that Jan Błachowicz calls out Jon Jones after this fight, which is a title bout only because Jones decided to vacate the Light Heavyweight belt to compete in the Heavyweight division, but his victory is damn impressive. He’s able to do to Dominick Reyes what the former champion couldn’t, knocking him down and out in just the second round. “Polish power” indeed.
my rating : 4 of 5
2020
video review : Uriah Hall versus Paulo Costa at UFC 226
Uriah Hall might’ve won this fight if he were more evasive. Instead of sticking and moving, he stays planted in front of powerhouse Paulo Costa, where he does find some success. That comes mostly in the form of a “nasty” jab that bloodies Costa’s face in the very first round. He gets tagged and knocked down (out) in the second.
my rating : 4 of 5
2018
video review : Sean O’Malley versus Marlon Vera at UFC 252
Another hype train derailed? Perhaps, but not so fast. Sean O’Malley seems on his way to victory here until his right leg fails him, which causes him to fall and lose. Whether that’s because of a kick from Marlon Vera or a fluke injury is the question. The answer will probably determine how much of “the it factor” he (O’Malley) retains going into his next bout.
my rating : 3 of 5
2020
video review : Kamaru Usman versus Colby Covington at UFC 245
This is a case of two wrestlers canceling each other out in the sense that it seems neither wants to go for a takedown. The result is a virtual kickboxing match full of action. It’s a back and forth brawl, very close, until the final round when Usman puts Covington down.
my rating : 4 of 5
2019
video review : Anthony Smith versus Glover Teixeira at UFC Fight Night
I was rooting for Glover Teixeira but damn. I didn’t want to see Anthony Smith get his teeth knocked out. That’s sad. Daniel Cormier blames his garrulous corner coaches, but Lionheart’s main problem here seems to be his stamina. He does well in the first two rounds before being pummeled in the other three to the point of a TKO stoppage.
my rating : 4 of 5
2020
video review : Francis Ngannou versus Jairzinho Rozenstruik at UFC 249
Francis Ngannou is probably the last UFC contender I’d want to punch me in the face. He puts Jairzinho Rozenstruik, who was talking Big shit during the promo; “I’m not playing no games; I’m going to really knock his ass out”; to sleep in sixteen seconds, which, without a crowd at UFC 249 to cushion the blow, seems surreal.
my rating : 3 of 5
2020
video review : Tony Ferguson versus Justin Gaethje at UFC 249
Tony Ferguson should’ve waited for Khabib Nurmagomedov. That’s easy to say in hindsight, of course, but I was thinking it when their latest scheduled fight, which was supposed to take place here, was canceled for the fifth time and Justin Gaethje stepped in as a replacement.
Gaethje might, in some ways, be a harder opponent. The amount of times Ferguson gets popped with power shots clean to the face is staggering. It’s a testament to his “chin”, but, aside from a nasty uppercut at the end of Round 2, he doesn’t have much of an answer for it.
my rating : 4 of 5
2020
video review : Tony Ferguson versus Kevin Lee at UFC 216
I wouldn’t want to meet either of these guys on a dark street corner; Tony Ferguson looks like Count Orlok from Nosferatu; but Kevin Lee is more muscular and a little more intimidating. It’s his cardio that costs him this fight as he begins to tire in the second round, which eventually opens him up to a triangle choke.
my rating : 4 of 5
2017